LearnWorlds and. The Thinkific: Which One Is the Best for You? |

Mar 27, 2025

LearnWorlds was launched in 2014 and has since grown into a strong course platform directed at institutional learning. Thinkific launched in 2014 and is famous as a provider of pre-recorded classes for creators and online business administrators.

In this article, we'll compare LearnWorlds as well as Thinkific to create and deliver online courses. We'll explore what each gives the user, evaluating its strengths and flaws in the following features:


 

  • Online course platform        
  • Tools for engagement and communities        
  • Marketing and business features        
  • Access to apps and applications        


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LearnWorlds vs. Thinkific Table Comparative


LearnWorlds

Thinkific

Asynchronous Courses

Exam Questions Types

16

1 (multiple choice quiz)

AI Quiz Generator

Website Templates

50

12

Community Forums

Basic

Basic

All-In-One Communities

Livestreaming Native

Integrated Basic Email

AI Email Marketing

App Included

White-Label Apps

Y (Additional Cost)

It's Y (Additional Cost)


Pricing


    Considerific


 

  • $49/mo - Basic        
  • $74/mo - Start        
  • $149/mo - Grow        


    LearnWorlds


 

  • $24/mo + $5 per course - Starter        
  • $79/mo - Pro Trainer        
  • $249/mo - Learning Center        


Thinkific vs LearnWorlds


Course Platform


LearnWorlds


LearnWorlds has developed a reputation for being a reliable platform for courses. It is a SCORM-compliant Learning Management System (LMS) that allows you to distribute content, customize learning paths as well as integrate some AI tools. At the time of writing, AI functions are focused on making and editing the content on your website and course. These features are particularly useful for course videos. They can be enhanced by adding the following features: AI transcriptions and interactive points on course video, and of course-the ability to organise and stick lessons to an outline of content.


LearnWorlds - Course Manager


One of LearnWorld's best features is the ability to build assignments. It allows you to create evaluations using 16 different types of questions. banks for reusable questions, custom summary screens for feedback and test results, and an integration with SCORM assessments. There's even the ability to collect student feedback.


Thinkific


As a course platform, Thinkific has a drag-and drop course creator that includes videos, audio, PDF, and interactivity for your course material. Like LearnWorlds, you can add quizzes, assignments, and exams. Thinkific has added AI tools in the realm of evaluation, so it can create quizzes- which is quite an innovative idea.


Thinkific- Course Builder


The courses of Thinkific can be self-paced or scheduled classes, and you can create certificates. The course builder has AI tools built into it to create course content and you can integrate externally hosted content or upload large amounts of material. In addition, Thinkific has unlimited video hosting.


Which is better?


Both platforms are strongest on their LMS features-specifically for asynchronous courses. It's also difficult to choose a clear winner in this category. It's important to look at the features below to see what each provides as a total platform.


Here's a brief summary.


 

  • LearnWorlds may be a little better a course platform. It is more powerful, more customization, additional features ideal for institutions learning. It is most notable, it comes with a lot more flexibility and power in the delivery of exams and evaluations.      
  • BUT, LearnWorlds is overkill for a lot of course designers. Thinkific provides a great collection of tools for synchronous learning. However, many of the more advanced features in LearnWorlds aren't appropriate for all course creators.      
  • For the group of course creators who want the SCORM standard Both platforms are certified to SCORM. It is possible to import files that are SCORM friendly.      


Communities & Engagement


LearnWorlds


LearnWorlds has added some features in live classes. While not done using native capabilities, LearnWorlds has 3 integrations which, according to them, make it possible to create amazing live experiences. Zoom, WebEx, and Calendly. These integrations can be used to create groups and 1:1 video sessions, live streaming, as well as attendance management. Live sessions can be integrated into the courses to be used as learning opportunities too.


LearnWorlds Community 2


LearnWorlds is abysmal in community functions, even though. The features for discussion forums are clunky. Technically they include spaces, but the function of a community forum feels dated. This is why LearnWorlds is really not built for live courses and course communities. Instead, it is a synchronous course platform.


Thinkific


Thinkific can also be used to create basic courses communities. These comprise @ mentions, notifications as well as discussion threads. The content can be divided into areas devoted to specific areas or subjects There's also an "trending articles" option to let the members of your community know what's popular. The community has video, image links, and file posting within the community.


Thinkific - community


It can also be linked with live instruction or the coaching of the course. But like LearnWorlds, Thinkific is missing the native livestreaming feature. It suggests different options like Zoom or YouTube to incorporate livestreaming into a course-potentially adding difficulties.


Finally, Thinkific has added some fundamental user analytics as well as an evangelist program to encourage your supermembers in promoting the community.


Which one is more effective?


Neither of these platforms were built for communities and live interaction. Both do not support livestreaming in native form, and both require several integrations for live instruction and online communities work.


For community-based communities Thinkific has a slight edge ahead. There is more it can offer for community-building, but its forums, which include areas and tools for mentioning are far from software designed to be the community-oriented platform.


If you're interested in classes and community, neither of these options are a good choice. We'll get to this more below.


Business & Marketing


LearnWorlds


LearnWorlds offers you the option to build your course under the brand of your choice. It also lets you develop a course site using drag-and-drop design or over 400 templates to choose from. In case that's not enough, then you can add custom design code. The landing pages can be constructed to include pop-ups or forms, and LearnWorlds offers a simple email tool for running sales.


LearnWorlds Page Builder


The app supports the possibility of offering your own affiliate program (and monitor using an affiliate dashboard and a few pre-set courses funnels to sell sequences). You can bundle courses along with other products to offer subscriptions, memberships as well as other digital items, or even offer purchases in the app.


Thinkific


As with LearnWorlds, Thinkific also has numerous website themes that are customizable as well as a landing page creator. You can build multiple page types into your own course. Like LearnWorlds it has the ability to create custom domains and support for advanced HTML/CSS customization.


Thinkific - styles


In order to make money from your course, combine course sales and subscriptions, memberships, or any other digital downloads, like eBooks. The platform supports more than 100 different currencies as well as Thinkific's payment processing. It is possible to include affiliate programs in conjunction with Thinkific and also include coupons, gifts, and orders for groups.


One unique marketing feature which Thinkific added to its offerings is AI email tools: AI suggestions to assist with marketing via email. This is an interesting feature that can help to scale your email outreach.


Which is better?


This one is a tie. Both platforms provide similar tools in the creation of pages for landing. Technically LearnWorlds has more: additional templates for websites, more connections, more administration options (on the most expensive plans), and a few additional capabilities. But whether or not this matters to you depends upon what you want.


 

  • Thinkific is simpler, but is still powerful for running your own business and marketing. The tool for email is more effective.      
  • LearnWorlds is a bit more sophisticated with respect to marketing tools (while still pretty user-friendly) It may also have specific integrations or tools specifically designed for teachers.        


Apps and Access


LearnWorlds


LearnWorlds provides a DIY approach to app design, using a drag-and-drop editor for apps that works with the website editor. It is possible to create a brand-named course app with LearnWorlds.


However, there are a couple downsides to LearnWorlds app approach which you need to know:


 

  • LearnWorlds does not have a native app under its brand. There's not a LearnWorlds' app included. If you'd like your own custom course in an app, you'll have pay an additional fee for an app that is your own. It's an upsell but it's not available to the public.    
  • The apps aren't well assessed by G2 and users have reported slow apps, which have disappeared pictures and comments.        


LearnWorlds App Builder


Thinkific


For a long time, Thinkific had no mobile applications. However, last year, they introduced Thinkific apps under their brand. These are apps that will be available to every Thinkific teacher. However, the ratings aren't great. On the App Store, apps from Thinkific have been rated 1.9 stars. On Google Play, a slightly higher 3.2 stars as of this writing. They're extremely low scores on apps that are designed to be used by the largest online learning platform.


Thinkific app


Thinkific has added a white-label app feature, which means your course on a white-label app with your name. The experts at Thinkific take care of the process, turning your current course into an app. We don't have any details about the performance of the branded app, but the fact that other Thinkific applications are so badly rated may be a warning sign regarding their development of custom apps.


Which is better?


It is the only way to use Thinkific offers an app with its platform. Otherwise, you need to buy branded apps for both platforms. From the feedback we have seen, neither has a good performance record when it comes to applications.


The verdict
Thinkific against LearnWorlds is an extremely difficult comparison, because they have similarities in their strengths as well as weaknesses.


    Strengths


 

  • Both Thinkific and LearnWorlds are strong for asynchronous classes, offering a lot of building power and individual websites.      
  • Both are pretty good at commercial and corporate features There are some minor distinctions in the above areas.        


    Insufficiencies


 

  • Both Thinkific and LearnWorlds aren't great at communities or live course involvement, but Thinkific is slightly better. However, neither of them is a true community platform and neither has livestreaming capabilities that are native to the platform.      
  • Both have excellent apps. LearnWorlds does not even offer a basic application; it demands you to pay extra for an white-label version. If you're looking for a class using an app, you'll be paying a significant amount. Meanwhile, Thinkific's recently-launched apps have low ratings, as well as their apps with a branded logo are unproven.      


Then this is what you have to know.


 

  • LearnWorlds will give you additional features and more power, but at a greater cost (including an app). This is a good option for institutional learning or teachers that require advanced exam and assessment features.      
  • Thinkific is probably better for those who create their own courses since it's a basic all-in-one (that does include a basic app) and the vast majority of course creators aren't going to be able to use the sophisticated tools of LearnWorlds.        


And for many creators, the decision would come down to a simple cost-to-value comparison that gives you the features you want at the best price. Since, in the absence of a comparison there's a good chance that you won't see any difference in the two.


Want a better alternative?


If you want anything other than online courses, LearnWorlds and Thinkific aren't for you. But they're not the only choices.


It is G2's most highly-rated social platform for communities  that lets you create and market successful courses (live as well as pre-recorded) Communities, community-based activities, as well as events.


Mighty serves as the foundation for the communities and classes of a lot of the top brands, thought leaders, and influential people you know: Mel Robbins, Tony Robbins, Marie Forleo, Jim Kwik, Matthew Hussey, TED, Mindbody, and nuun.


What is what sets Mighty distinct from LearnWorlds and Thinkific


Mighty is able to handle an asynchronous learning experience with the course platform that is built around the table of contents as well as whatever type of material you want to add.


However, it also provides...


Real live experiences


Mighty is a platform designed to support both synchronous as well as anasynchronous learning -and it's equipped with the capability of live-streamed native engagement unlike anything other.


You can design your communities and courses using powerful Spaces: adding those features that you need; toggle between enabling or deactivating the Activity Feed Chat, Chat Table of Contents (traditional LMS), People Explorer (Members) or recurring Events, One-time Events an article (an article) or Highlighted Hashtags.


This is the way it looks like:


MN - Graphics - 2024 - Spaces GIF


This results in courses software that give users more control in the learning opportunities that you provide. All of it is native and there's no require for additional plugins to gain live-streaming capabilities. For creators who've chosen , livestreaming happens natively, using automatic video recording.


If you can stop thinking about courses or community and bring both together using tools designed to operate seamlessly, you'll notice the distinction.


Software specifically designed to engage


With regards to memberships and communities, we can predict with 93% accuracy what can be successful or failure. The key is the degree to which members interact with their counterparts.


The way we think of the learning and community experiences as top-down. A lot of the best learning happens through the other members and friends who you meet. And communities and courses grow faster with the network effect.


Mighty is designed to aid users get to know each other better. This includes features like:


 

  • A customizable welcome checklist and tools for assisting with profile creation to encourage members to join and to create their profiles.        
  • People Explorer to display your friends and acquaintances who share similar interests. AND AI can show similarities between members and can even initiate conversations.      


MN - Graphics - 2024 - Profiile + similarities


Better Host tools


The engagement features aren't just about the members. They can also make it easier for hosts to make it easier to manage their course and community building as well as administration:


 

  • A powerful Co-Host(tm) could create the Big Purpose such as a community, a brand identity, course outlines, and even sales and landing pages. (Try it free)    
  • It can enhance the community's engagement with the infinite Question Generator that automatically creates and publish approved comments on discussion topics, keeping conversations going even when you're off.      
  • Activity assist lets you see who's active in the community and auto-re-engages lapsed members.        


Another awesome community and course options


 

  • Prompts for writing and enhancements by using"Make-it-better," the "make-it-better" text editor.        
  • Course outline in a flash as well as suggested hashtags.        
  • Automation of workflows, as well as sophisticated gamification capabilities and triggers.        
  • An native ConvertKit integration for community/courses + email. It also includes more than 2,000 integration embeds.        


Excellent apps


Mighty's apps have higher ratings in the App Store and Google Play Store, 4.8 stars each. They are extremely reliable and provide the same features and engagement as the web app.


MN - Graphics - 2024 - Apps


However, Mighty offers premium-branded applications in a manner unlike Thinkific nor LearnWorlds does, giving the option of custom brand development, proactive submissions of apps as well as strategy assistance-all through the same team that has launched over 400 branded apps. Learn more here.


If you're eager to begin launching classes and/or a community using Mighty It, give it a test! You can try it for absolutely free for the first 14 weeks (no credit card required)