Thinkific vs LearnDash
Side-by-side from the Top 11 ranking of The 11 Best Online Course Platforms (2026). Last verified June 9, 2026.
The short answer
Thinkific ranks higher on Top 11 (#2 vs #11) for Creators selling online courses. A top choice for its excellent course builder, site customization, and 0% transaction fees on paid plans.
At a glance
| Thinkific | LearnDash | |
|---|---|---|
| Top 11 rank | #2 / The 11 Best Online Course Platforms (2026) | #11 / The 11 Best Online Course Platforms (2026) |
| Score (out of 9.4) | 9 | 7 |
| Best for | Powerful course builder with no fees | Most powerful WordPress LMS plugin |
| Pricing | $$ ($49 to $199/mo) | $ ($199 to $799/yr) |
| HQ | Vancouver, Canada | Ann Arbor, USA |
| Founded | 2012 | 2013 |
Thinkific
A top choice for its excellent course builder, site customization, and 0% transaction fees on paid plans.
www.thinkific.comSee full entry in The 11 Best Online Course Platforms (2026)
LearnDash
A powerful WordPress plugin for creators who want total ownership and control over their course platform.
www.learndash.comSee full entry in The 11 Best Online Course Platforms (2026)
Methodology and scoring weights live at /methodology. No vendor pays for placement — see about.