LearnDash vs Podia: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for LearnDash and Podia side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
LearnDash
Build, sell, and manage online courses on WordPress
Best for you if:
- • You want zero transaction fees on all course sales
Podia
Sell courses, downloads, coaching and more, commission-free
Best for you if:
- • You want simple to use
| At a Glance | LearnDash | Podia |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | From $29.17/mo, billed yearly 1 site plan | From $42/mo flat, billed yearly Mover plan |
Category | Membership Sites Online Course Platforms | Membership Sites Creator Platforms |
Rating | 4.4/5 Capterra 4.6 · G2 4.2 330 reviews | 4.5/5 Capterra 4.6 · G2 4.4 152 reviews |
Free plan | No | No |
Watch out for | Potential for premium add-ons (not included) | 5% transaction fee on Mover |
Choose LearnDash or Podia?
Choose LearnDash if
- You want zero transaction fees on all course sales
- You want deep WordPress integration leverages existing ecosystem of plugins
Choose Podia if
- You want simple to use
- You want no technical skills needed
In-Depth Analysis
LearnDash
Build, sell, and manage online courses on WordPress
This pricing structure is best for individuals, educators, and businesses looking for a robust, self-hosted or fully managed WordPress LMS.
Watch out
Potential for premium add-ons (not included)
Strengths
- Pro: Zero transaction fees on all course sales
- Pro: Deep WordPress integration leverages existing ecosystem of plugins
- Pro: One-time annual licensing, no per-student pricing
- Pro: AI course outline tool accelerates content creation
Weaknesses
- Con: Requires WordPress, not a standalone platform
- Con: WordPress hosting, themes, and plugins add to total cost
- Con: Learning curve for non-technical users managing WordPress
Key features
Podia
Sell courses, downloads, coaching and more, commission-free
Podia costs $42/month billed annually for Mover ($49 monthly), $84 for Shaker ($99) and $150 for Earthquaker ($179).
Watch out
5% transaction fee on Mover
Strengths
- Pro: Simple to use
- Pro: No technical skills needed
- Pro: Good for beginners
- Pro: Includes email marketing
Weaknesses
- Con: Transaction fees on lower tier
- Con: Limited customization
- Con: Basic analytics
Key features
Plans and prices: LearnDash vs Podia
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| LearnDash |
| learndash.com/pricing-and-purchase read Nov 1, 2026 |
| Podia |
| podia.com/pricing read Nov 1, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on LearnDash pricing and Podia pricing.
Key Takeaways
LearnDash
- Choose if you want build, sell, and manage online courses on WordPress
Podia
- Choose if you want sell courses, downloads, coaching and more, commission-free
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.4/5 from 330 reviews for LearnDash, 4.5/5 from 152 reviews for Podia).
- Entry prices are not ranked, they are charged on different bases: LearnDash $29.17/mo, billed yearly; Podia $42/mo flat, billed yearly.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do LearnDash and Podia compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.4/5 from 330 reviews for LearnDash, 4.5/5 from 152 reviews for Podia). Entry prices are not ranked, they are charged on different bases: LearnDash $29.17/mo, billed yearly; Podia $42/mo flat, billed yearly.
What are LearnDash and Podia used for?
LearnDash: Build, sell, and manage online courses on WordPress. Podia: Sell courses, downloads, coaching and more, commission-free.
What does LearnDash cost vs Podia?
LearnDash's cheapest paid plan is 1 site at $29.17/mo, billed yearly. Podia's cheapest paid plan is Mover at $42/mo flat, billed yearly. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Nov 1, 2026.
What's the main difference between LearnDash and Podia?
LearnDash's main strength: zero transaction fees on all course sales. Podia's main strength: simple to use.