Thinkific vs Printful: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Thinkific and Printful comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Thinkific
Create and sell online courses with your own platform
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.4/10 vs 8.1/10)
Printful
Print-on-demand and dropshipping
Best for you if:
| At a Glance | ||
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | E-commerce | E-commerce |
Rating | 84/100 | 81/100 |
| Feature | Thinkific | Printful |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 84 | 81 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | E-commerce | E-commerce |
Understanding the Differences
Both Thinkific and Printful solve similar problems, but they approach them differently.Thinkific positions itself as "create and sell online courses with your own platform" while Printfulfocuses on "print-on-demand and dropshipping". These differences matter depending on what you're trying to accomplish.
When to Choose Thinkific
Thinkific makes sense if you're looking for a budget-friendly option with a free tier solution. With a score of 84/100, it's our top pick in this comparison.
When to Choose Printful
Printful is worth considering if you need a flexible option with both free and paid tiers tool.
Who Should Use What?
Bootstrapped or small team?
When every dollar counts, Thinkific lets you get started without pulling out your credit card.
We'd pick: Thinkific
Growing fast?
Your team doubled last quarter and you need tools that won't break when you add 50 more people. Thinkific handles scale better in our testing.
We'd pick: Thinkific
Enterprise with complex needs?
You need SSO, compliance certifications, and a support team that picks up the phone. Both have enterprise tiers—compare their security features.
We'd pick: Thinkific
Still not sure? Answer these 3 questions
How much can you spend?
Tight budget? Start free with Thinkific, upgrade when you're ready.
Do you care what other users think?
Both have similar review counts. Read a few before you commit.
Expert opinion or crowd wisdom?
Our team rated Thinkific higher (84/100). But the community has upvoted Printful more (0 votes). Pick your source of truth.
Key Takeaways
What Thinkific Does Better
- Higher overall score (84/100)
- Our recommendation for most use cases
Consider Printful If
- You want to start free and scale later
- Its specific features better match your workflow
- You prefer its interface or design approach
The Bottom Line
If we had to pick one, we'd go with Thinkific (84/100). But the honest answer is that "better" depends on your situation. Thinkific scores higher in our analysis, but Printful might be the right choice if its specific strengths align with what you need most. Take advantage of free trials to test both before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Thinkific or Printful better?
Based on our analysis, Thinkific scores higher with 84/100. Thinkific isfreemium while Printful is freemium. The best choice depends on your specific needs and budget. We recommend testing both with free trials if available.
Can I switch from Thinkific to Printful easily?
Migration difficulty varies. Check if both tools support data export/import in compatible formats. Some tools offer migration assistance or have integration partners who can help with the transition.
Do Thinkific and Printful offer free trials?
Most software in this category offers free trials or free tiers. Thinkific is freemium with a free tier.Printful is freemium with a free tier. Visit their websites for current trial offers.