
Udemy vs. Kajabi: What’s Best for Selling and Marketing Your Courses?
Introduction: The Battle of Platforms Begins
It was 2 a.m. when a digital creator in Lagos finally asked the big question: “Should I sell my new course on Udemy or Kajabi?”
If you’re here, you’re likely standing at that same crossroads—full of knowledge, ready to teach, but unsure where to launch. Whether you’re a coach, tech instructor, or content creator, choosing the best course platform can make or break your online education business.
In this post, we’ll break down the real-world pros and cons of Udemy vs Kajabi, especially when it comes to selling and marketing your online courses.
Let’s help you make the best choice for your brand—and your bank account.
Udemy: Marketplace Power, Without the Control
Udemy is one of the largest online learning marketplaces in the world. With over 70 million students, it’s like the Amazon of online courses.
Why Creators Choose Udemy
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Instant access to millions of potential students
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Free to join and publish a course
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Lifetime access for students
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Great for building social proof through reviews
Udemy Pros
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Built-in organic traffic
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Minimal marketing required
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Low barrier to entry
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Works well for course validation
Udemy Cons
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Limited control over pricing (frequent $9.99 discounts)
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Revenue split: You get only 37%–50% of course sales (unless sold through your link)
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No access to customer emails
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Heavily branded by Udemy—not your business
Udemy Is Best If…
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You’re just getting started with no email list
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You want fast exposure
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You don’t want to handle funnels or tech setups
Kajabi: Your Course Business HQ
Kajabi is an all-in-one platform that lets you sell online courses, email campaigns, build websites, and manage memberships—all under your brand.
Think of it as your digital business hub.
Kajabi Marketing Features That Shine
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Powerful email automation and segmentation
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Drag-and-drop sales funnel builder (called Pipelines)
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Integrated landing pages, blogs, and checkout systems
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Ability to offer bundles, coaching, webinars, and memberships
Kajabi Pros
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100% control of your brand and pricing
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Own your customer data (email list = gold)
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Better for high-ticket or premium courses
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Everything in one place—no need for third-party tools
Kajabi Cons
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Monthly fee starting at $149
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You’re responsible for all marketing (ads, SEO, content)
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Higher learning curve for beginners
Kajabi Is Best If…
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You’re building a long-term course business
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You already have (or plan to build) an audience
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You want to sell more than just courses—think coaching, community, etc.
Kajabi vs. Udemy: Which Wins for Marketing?
Here’s the marketing truth bomb: Kajabi is built for full-scale business marketing, while Udemy is built for reach.
Feature | Kajabi | Udemy |
---|---|---|
Built-in Audience | No | Yes |
Sales Funnels | Yes | No |
Email Marketing | Built-in | Not Available |
Branding | Fully Customizable | Udemy-branded |
Control Over Pricing | Total Control | Limited |
Organic Discoverability | You must drive traffic | Massive built-in SEO |
Upselling & Cross-selling | Full control | Not possible |
If you’re selling a $15 course to 1,000 people, Udemy might be a good option. But if you’re selling a $297 premium course to 100 serious buyers, Kajabi will take you further, especially if you’re leveraging a strong email list or social following.
Pro Tip: Use Both Strategically
Smart instructors often use Udemy to build authority and Kajabi to build income.
Here’s how:
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Post a short version of your course on Udemy to attract students.
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Include a call to action to join your newsletter or free challenge (where allowed).
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Sell your full course, coaching program, or bundle on Kajabi to your warm leads.
Other Platforms to Consider
Still not sure? These course platforms sit between Udemy and Kajabi:
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Thinkific—great for custom course sites
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Teachable—easier than Kajabi but less powerful
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Podia—beginner-friendly with solid features
Final Verdict: Udemy vs Kajabi for Selling Courses
Your Goal | Best Platform |
---|---|
Quick exposure, no tech setup | Udemy |
Long-term brand + bigger income | Kajabi |
Free platform to test ideas | Udemy |
All-in-one system for growth | Kajabi |
Want both reach & revenue? | Use both |
What We Recommend at Belad Tech
At Belad Tech, we help course creators grow smarter. Whether you’re launching your first course or building a full tech academy, our advice is simple:
Start where you are—but build for where you’re going.
If you’re brand new? Test the waters with Udemy.
If you’re serious about growth? Build your empire with Kajabi.
Ready to Launch Your Course?
Explore our latest free training at Belad Tech Academy, where we teach digital creators how to launch and grow profitable online businesses.
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- Start learning now and turn your skills into income!
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