Systeme.io vs Kajabi (2026): Do Course Creators Really Need to Pay $179 a Month?
A free course platform against the premium choice.
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The Short Answer
Kajabi is a premium platform for course creators and coaches, with polished course pages, a mobile app experience, communities and coaching tools, starting at $179 a month. Systeme.io covers courses, funnels, email and communities too, with a free plan and paid plans from $17 a month. If you're launching your first course, Systeme.io saves a lot of money; Kajabi suits established creators who want a premium, all-polished experience.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Systeme.io | Kajabi | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $0; paid from $17/mo | $179/mo ($143/mo yearly) |
| Free option | Free plan, never expires | Free trial |
| Money-back guarantee | Cancel anytime, reverts to free | 30 days on every plan |
| Courses on entry plan | 1 free, 5 on Startup | 5 products on Basic |
| Contacts on entry plan | 2,000 free, 5,000 on Startup | 2,500 on Basic |
| Payment fees | No Systeme.io fees; processor fees apply | Kajabi Payments from 2.9% + $0.30 |
| Funnels and email | Included | Included |
| Communities and coaching | Communities included | Communities and coaching tools |
Pricing Compared
| Systeme.io | Price | Kajabi | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | None | None |
| Startup | $17 | Basic (5 products, 2,500 contacts) | $179 ($143 yearly) |
| Webinar | $47 | Growth (50 products, 25,000 contacts) | $249 ($199 yearly) |
| Unlimited | $97 | Pro (unlimited products, 100,000 contacts) | $499 ($399 yearly) |
Prices are from each platform's pricing page. Over a year, Kajabi's Basic plan costs about $1,716 billed yearly, while Systeme.io's Startup plan costs $170.
Course Experience
Kajabi's course pages, student experience and design options are more polished, and it offers features aimed at premium coaching businesses. Systeme.io's courses are simpler but cover the essentials: modules, lessons, video, drip release and automatic access after purchase. For a first course, the essentials are usually enough.
Selling and Marketing
Both include sales pages, checkout, email and automations. Systeme.io adds a built-in affiliate program manager on every plan and evergreen webinars on the Webinar plan. Kajabi's checkout uses Kajabi Payments, with processing fees from 2.9% plus $0.30. Systeme.io says it adds no transaction fees on top of Stripe or PayPal.
Which Should You Choose?
| Choose Systeme.io If… | Choose Kajabi If… |
|---|---|
| You're launching your first course | You run an established, premium course business |
| You want to keep costs near zero | You want the most polished student experience |
| You also need funnels and an affiliate program | You need advanced coaching tools |
See our step-by-step guide on how to sell an online course for free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Systeme.io a Good Kajabi Alternative?
Yes, especially for new creators. It covers courses, funnels and email for far less.
Does Kajabi Have a Free Plan?
No, but it offers a free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
How Much Does Kajabi Cost?
From $179 a month, or $143 a month billed yearly.
Can I Move My Course From Kajabi?
Yes. Systeme.io offers free migration on paid plans.
Launch Your Course Free
Host your first course on Systeme.io's free plan and upgrade only when you outgrow it.