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Marketing Tools Comparison

Kartra vs Kajabi? A Side-by-Side Comparison of Pricing, Features & Performance

By June 4, 2025No Comments

Are you trying to decide between Kartra vs Kajabi for your online business? These powerful all-in-one platforms have become the go-to solutions for course creators and digital marketers.

While Kajabi has been around since 2010 and recently secured a $2 billion valuation with $550 million in funding, Kartra entered the market in 2018 but has quickly gained over 60,000 users. The difference in their focus is clear: Kajabi caters primarily to course creators with its user-friendly interface and robust community features. At the same time, Kartra specializes in marketing automation with unlimited products, even in its starter plan. Regarding Kartra pricing vs Kajabi pricing, Kartra starts at a more accessible $119/month (after an initial $79/month for six months) compared to Kajabi’s $149/month basic plan. However, price alone doesn’t tell the whole story.

Both platforms offer distinct advantages depending on your specific needs. For instance, Kajabi provides a dedicated mobile app for students and built-in community features with gamification elements. In contrast, Kartra excels with advanced marketing automation, split testing capabilities, and unlimited funnels. Kajabi offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee, while Kartra provides a budget-friendly 14-day trial for just $1.

This comprehensive comparison examines everything from course creation tools and marketing features to pricing structures and unique extras, helping you determine which platform will best support your online business goals.

Comparison Table: Kartra vs Kajabi?

FeaturesKajabiKartra
Starting Price$149/month (Basic)$119/month (Starter)
Core FocusCourse creators and educatorsMarketing automation specialists
Course BuildingStructured modules with built-in LMS featuresBasic membership site functionality
Marketing FeaturesPre-built Pipeline templatesAdvanced visual funnel builder with simulation
Mobile AccessDedicated iOS/Android appsMobile-responsive website only
Email MarketingCustomizable sequences with branded elementsAdvanced split testing (up to 4 versions)
AnalyticsStudent progress tracking, video retentionMarketing metrics, funnel performance
Basic Plan Limits3 products, 3 funnels, 10,000 contactsUnlimited products, 2,500 leads
Payment OptionsStripe and PayPalStripe, PayPal, Authorize.net, Braintree
Page Load SpeedFast, instant loadingSlower (5-8 seconds)
Community FeaturesBuilt-in community with gamificationNot mentioned
Unique FeaturesMobile app for students, Built-in community features, Course certificates, Video retention trackingBehavioral Adaptive Marketing (BAM), Built-in helpdesk, Calendar booking system, Multi-tier affiliate system
Trial Period30-day money-back guarantee14-day trial for $1
Annual Discount20%22%

Explore the full potential of Kartra with our in-depth review. See if it’s the right fit for your business today!

Who Should Use Kartra vs Kajabi?

Choosing between these platforms ultimately comes down to your specific business needs. Let’s explore which platform excels for different types of users.

1. Best for Course Creators: Kajabi’s LMS Strengths

Course creators find Kajabi particularly valuable due to its robust Learning Management System features. The platform offers a dedicated course builder with organized modules and submodules that create clear learning paths for students. Unlike Kartra’s more basic membership approach, Kajabi provides detailed student progress tracking, video retention graphs, and completion certificates that enhance the educational experience.

Furthermore, Kajabi allows you to incorporate various content types, videos, PDFs, audio files, assessments, quizzes, and downloadable resources, all within a structured learning environment. The platform’s drip content functionality lets you release modules on a schedule, maintaining student engagement throughout the course duration.

2. Best for Marketers: Kartra’s Automation and Funnels

Marketing professionals gravitate toward Kartra for its exceptional automation capabilities. The platform features a visual workflow builder that enables you to create complex marketing sequences without technical expertise. Specifically, Kartra’s Behavioral Adaptive Marketing (BAM) technology stands out by allowing content personalization based on user behavior.

Kartra’s campaign system offers:

  • Advanced simulation analytics for funnel performance
  • Traffic source tracking for optimized marketing
  • Split testing capabilities for continual improvement
  • Visual funnel mapping to track the customer journey

These features make Kartra particularly effective for data-driven marketers focused on conversion optimization.

3. Best for Coaches: Kajabi’s Coaching and Community Tools

Coaches benefit tremendously from Kajabi’s purpose-built coaching features. The platform recently enhanced its coaching capabilities by integrating live video sessions directly into the system, eliminating the need for external tools like Zoom or Google Meet. Each session automatically records and emails to you afterward, creating reusable content.

Moreover, Kajabi’s Community feature provides three engagement-focused tabs: Feed, Challenges, and Meetups. This comprehensive system includes newsfeed interactions, direct messaging, accountability tools, progress tracking, and an innovative points system that rewards member participation. These gamification elements create a more engaging experience for coaching clients.

4. Best for Agencies: Kartra’s Client Management Features

Agencies managing multiple clients will appreciate Kartra’s dedicated Agency feature. This powerful tool allows you to create, connect, and manage client accounts from a centralized dashboard. For agencies creating new accounts, you’ll benefit from discounted subscription rates while maintaining billing responsibility and access control.

In addition, Kartra provides comprehensive client analytics, letting you track important metrics for each account in real time. You can create login credentials for clients, generate detailed reports, and manage all client accounts without constantly switching between dashboards, a significant time-saver for agency workflows.

By identifying your primary business needs, you can select the platform that aligns with your specific requirements rather than trying to adapt your workflow to a less suitable system.

Feature Comparison: Side-by-Side Breakdown

Let’s examine the core features of both platforms side-by-side to understand their fundamental differences better.

1. Course Builder: Drag-and-Drop vs Structured Modules

Kartra vs Kajabi offers very different experiences in building and delivering online courses.

(i) Kajabi: Built for Educators

Kajabi provides a dedicated, structured course builder designed with educators in mind. Its intuitive interface allows you to:

  • Organize content into modules and submodules, creating a clear, step-by-step learning journey.
  • Support multiple content formats, including:
    • Videos
    • Audio lessons
    • Quizzes & assessments
    • Downloadable files (checklists, worksheets, templates)
    • Completion certificates
  • Use a bulk upload feature to add all your lessons at once or individually for precision.

In short, Kajabi is perfect for anyone building a true learning experience with all the bells and whistles of a Learning Management System (LMS).

Discover why Kajabi is the top choice for course creators. Read our full [Kajabi review] to learn more and get started!

(ii) Kartra: Functional but Basic

Kartra handles courses through its membership site system, not a dedicated course builder. Here’s how it works:

  • Upload your videos to the video section of your dashboard.
  • Use the membership builder to drag and drop content blocks and structure your course pages.
  • Organize access with visibility settings for different membership levels.

While Kartra is fully capable of delivering course content, it lacks key LMS features like:

  • Built-in quizzes
  • Student assessments
  • Completion certificates

Kartra is a great option for marketers needing basic course delivery alongside funnels. Still, it is not ideal for educators looking for in-depth learning tools.

(iii) Which Platform Wins for Course Building?

FeatureKajabiKartra
Course Builder TypeStructured LMS-style with drag-and-dropDrag-and-drop membership content
Ease of Organizing Modules✅ Built-in module/submodule structure❌ Manual organization using content blocks
Content Types Supported✅ Video, audio, PDFs, assessments, files✅ Video, limited support for files
Assessments & Certificates✅ Included❌ Not available
Student Progress Tracking✅ Built-in❌ Not available
Best ForEducators, coaches, and course creatorsMarketers, agencies, and membership sites

Kajabi: It’s built specifically for education, making it the better option to create structured, engaging courses with multiple learning formats.

(iv) Our Recommendation

Suppose your main goal is to create a true online course experience with structured lessons, quizzes, student tracking, and certificates. In that case, Kajabi is hands-down the better choice. It offers a clean course builder, LMS features, and tools that elevate teaching and learning.

However, suppose you’re offering bonus content, a private resource area, or you’re more focused on marketing automation and client funnels. In that case, Kartra’s membership-style builder gets the job done leaner and more flexibly.

(v) Final Call:

  • Choose Kajabi for structured, feature-rich courses.
  • Choose Kartra for simple content delivery paired with powerful marketing tools.

2. Online Courses & Memberships: Kartra vs Kajabi

When creating and selling online courses or membership programs, both Kartra and Kajabi bring something to the table. But they take very different approaches.

Let’s explain how each platform handles course creation, content delivery, and the student experience.

(i) Course & Membership Creation

Kajabi: Built for Educators

Kajabi is purpose-built for serious course creators. Think of it as a full-fledged Learning Management System (LMS) that’s powerful and easy to use.

Key Features:
  • Structured course builder with drag-and-drop modules and submodules
  • Supports video, audio, PDFs, and more
  • Add lesson-specific resources like checklists, worksheets, and templates.
  • Built-in quizzes, assessments, and file uploads
  • Automate your course with drip scheduling and completion certificates.

Everything in Kajabi is designed to support professional teaching workflows. It has the tools, whether you’re delivering a workshop, coaching program, or a full online school.

Looking to launch your online course? Explore the full potential in our [Kajabi review] and start building today!

Kartra: Memberships with a Twist

Kartra isn’t a traditional LMS. Instead, it offers a flexible membership site builder, which you can use to deliver course-like content.

How it Works:
  • Upload videos in the Kartra Video section
  • Navigate to Memberships next Content and then Builder
  • Use content blocks to build posts (which act as lessons)
  • Set visibility rules to control who sees what content

While not as robust as Kajabi for teaching, it’s great for simple course delivery, such as bonuses, digital products, or resource libraries.

(ii) Frontend Experience & Student Interface

Kartra: Classic Membership Look
Kartra’s membership areas are clean and functional, with a layout that resembles traditional membership websites.
Pros:
  • Drag-and-drop page builder for content
  • Straightforward navigation
  • Custom layout options without coding
Limitations:
  • No built-in assessments
  • Limited interactivity
  • Basic student interface compared to modern LMS tools

Kartra is best if your focus is marketing first and education second.

Kajabi: Clean, Engaging & Interactive

Kajabi stands out with its sleek, student-focused design. It feels more like an online course platform and less like a membership portal.

Standout Features:
  • Modern, intuitive lesson layout with a clear visual hierarchy
  • Full-screen learning for distraction-free focus
  • Adjustable video speed and quality settings
  • Built-in discussions under each lesson
  • Responsive design that adapts to mobile and tablets
  • Customize course appearance with theme options

It makes Kajabi ideal if student engagement and user experience are top priorities.

Which Platform Wins for Courses and Memberships?
FeatureKajabiKartra
Dedicated Course Builder✅ Yes❌ No (uses membership workaround)
Multimedia Content Support✅ Rich & Varied✅ Limited
Assessments & Certificates✅ Built-in❌ Not available
Student Interface✅ Modern & Engaging⚠️ Basic, functional
Best ForEducators, coaches, and course creatorsMarketers, agencies, and lightweight course sellers
Our Recommendation

Choose Kajabi if:

  • You’re building a true online course or educational experience
  • You need quizzes, certifications, and structured modules
  • Student experience matters to your brand

Choose Kartra if:

  • Your main focus is marketing funnels, automation, or managing client offers
  • Courses are a secondary or add-on feature in your business

3. Community Features: Kartra vs Kajabi

(i) Kartra: Minimal Community Support

Kartra doesn’t offer a dedicated community platform. The only community-like experience available comes through its membership site functionality, which is fairly limited.

  • No built-in forums or discussions
  • No real-time engagement tools
  • No member interaction tracking

If you want to build a thriving, engaged community, Kartra won’t get you far.

Looking for more interaction? You’ll need to integrate third-party platforms like Circle or Mighty Networks to build a real, full-featured community.

(ii) Kajabi: Built-In, Powerful Community Hub

Kajabi took a massive leap forward in community building when it acquired Vibely. This upgrade transformed Kajabi into a strong competitor to standalone platforms like Circle.

When you build a community in Kajabi, you unlock:

  • Feed: A scrollable community wall for posts and updates
  • Challenges: Encourage accountability and engagement
  • Meetups: Schedule virtual or in-person events
Features That Stand Out:

Kajabi’s community tools are packed with functionality:

  • Newsfeed with rich media support
  • Public and private chats & DMs
  • Built-in live video calls with members.
  • Progress tracking and accountability check-ins
  • Gamified rewards system (earn points for completing tasks)
  • Resource sharing & downloadable content
  • Event creation, RSVPs, and calendar invites
  • Member directories and leaderboard features
  • Admin controls for moderation and roles

And the cherry on top?

Automation-Ready Points System

Kajabi lets you reward members with points for taking specific actions,  and you can automate it all. No need for manual tracking.

Which Platform Wins for Community?
FeatureKajabiKartra
Built-in community features✅ Yes❌ No
Interactive tools✅ Live video, chats❌ Limited to memberships
Gamification✅ Points + Leaderboard❌ Not available
Events & Meetups✅ Yes❌ No
Automation integration✅ Seamless❌ Not supported

Kajabi: It delivers a full-fledged community platform that rivals the best standalone tools in the market.

Our Recommendation

If community engagement is a key part of your brand or course strategy, Kajabi is the winner.

  • Want to run live challenges? ✅
  • Need event planning and social interaction? ✅
  • Looking for engagement tracking and rewards? ✅

Kartra isn’t designed for this. While it’s excellent for funnels and marketing, you must bolt on third-party tools for real community-building features.

4. Design & Customization: Kartra vs Kajabi

(i) Kartra: No Themes, But Packed with Templates

Kartra doesn’t offer traditional website themes as you might expect from WordPress or Kajabi. But don’t let that fool you; it’s still a powerhouse regarding design flexibility.

What You Get with Kartra:

  • No site-wide themes
  • Drag-and-drop page builder with real-time preview
  • 100+ professionally designed page templates (landing, checkout, upsell, etc.)
  • Pre-made blocks:
    • Hero sections
    • CTAs (Call-to-Actions)
    • Feature highlights
    • Testimonials
    • Opt-in forms
    • Pop-ups
  • Mobile, tablet, and desktop responsiveness
  • Pop-ups for conversions:
    • Landing pop-ups
    • Exit-intent pop-ups
    • Trigger settings: first visit or every visit

Pro Tip: Kartra’s focus is on conversion-first design. Every element is optimized to help you drive leads and sales.

Want a beautiful, customizable site? Check out our [Squarespace review] alongside Shopify, Instapage, and Unbounce to find your perfect fit!

(ii) Kajabi: Modern Themes & Customization Power

Regarding beautiful, branded websites, Kajabi has a full theme store and built-in customization tools tailored for course creators and coaches.

Here’s What Kajabi Offers:

  • 10+ professionally designed website themes
  • Dedicated Theme Store for easy browsing
  • Drag-and-drop page builder (intuitive and clean)
  • Supports:
    • Homepages
    • Sales pages
    • Product pages
    • Funnels
    • Blog posts
  • Fully responsive on all devices
  • Built-in customization (colors, fonts, layout)
  • No need for plugins like Elementor or Divi

Kajabi’s advantage? It keeps things streamlined and creator-friendly. While it might not have all the flair of high-end design tools, it’s perfect for people who want to launch quickly without a developer.

Which Platform Wins for Design?
FeatureKartraKajabi
Site-wide themes❌ None✅ Yes, 10+ themes
Drag-and-drop editor✅ Yes✅ Yes
Conversion-optimized templates✅ Extensive✅ Moderate
Popups and overlays✅ Advanced✅ Basic
Custom layout flexibility✅ More design options✅ Simpler but focused
Best forFunnels & lead generationBrand-focused websites

Kartra wins on conversion flexibility, but Kajabi wins on professional polish and ease of branding.

Our Recommendation
  • Choose Kartra if your main goal is high-converting funnels, landing pages, and quick-launch campaigns. Its page templates are battle-tested for sales.
  • Go with Kajabi if you want a beautiful, branded website with a clean layout and minimal distractions,  especially if you’re a course creator, coach, or digital product seller.

5. Email Marketing: Templates, Sequences & Triggers

When it comes to email automation and engagement, Kartra vs Kajabi are both equipped with powerful tools. Still, their strengths cater to slightly different users.

(i) Kajabi: Branded Simplicity with Smart Automation

Kajabi’s email system focuses on ease of use and branding consistency, which is perfect for creators, educators, and coaches.

Key Features:
  • Custom email sequences with flexible scheduling
  • Ability to send multiple emails per day (except on Day 0)
  • Brand customization: add your logo, brand colors, and branded CTA buttons
  • Visual automation builder for tagging, segmentation, and triggers
  • Built-in email templates with simple customization
  • Real-time performance metrics (opens, clicks, unsubscribes)

Best For: Coaches and creators who want beautiful emails that feel personalized and on-brand without overcomplicating the tech.

Looking for the best email marketing tool? Explore our detailed [ConvertKit review] plus Kajabi, beehiiv, and Kartra insights to boost your campaigns!

(ii) Kartra: Automation Powerhouse with Deep Analytics

KartraMail is built for marketers and sales pros who need detailed segmentation, complex automation, and A/B testing at scale.

Key Features:
  • Advanced split testing (up to 4 versions of subject lines or email bodies)
  • “Subsequences” mini-campaigns embedded inside larger automation
  • Smart behavior tracking:
    • Opens, clicks, video views
    • Page visits
    • Product purchases
  • Trigger-based automation: IF/THEN logic that adapts in real-time
  • Lead scoring and deep contact segmentation
  • Email templates are available, though not as design-focused as Kajabi

Best For: Marketing teams, agencies, and digital entrepreneurs running complex, behavior-driven campaigns.

Which Platform Wins for Email Marketing?
FeatureKajabiKartra
Email Templates✅ Stylish, branded✅ Functional but basic
Visual Automation Builder✅ Simple & intuitive✅ Powerful & flexible
Split Testing❌ Not available✅ Up to 4 variants
Send Multiple Emails/Day✅ Yes (except Day 0)✅ Yes
Behavior-Based Triggers✅ Yes✅ Yes (more granular)
Lead Scoring❌ No✅ Yes
Branding Options✅ Strong✅ Moderate

Kajabi wins for simplicity and branding.

Kartra wins for automation depth and email strategy.

Our Recommendation
  • Go with Kajabi if you want clean, branded emails with just enough automation to stay personal and efficient. It’s ideal for solo creators, educators, and coaches.
  • Choose Kartra if you need granular control, behavior-driven campaigns, and advanced analytics. It’s the right pick for marketers, agencies, and sales-focused funnels.

6. Sales Funnels: Visual Pipelines vs Campaign Simulations

Kartra vs Kajabi offer sales funnel tools but take very different approaches. One’s built for speed and simplicity. The other? Built for control and conversion testing.

(i) Kartra: Visual Funnels + Simulation = Funnel Geek Heaven

Kartra’s funnel builder is a powerful visual system designed for marketers who crave precision, data, and control.

Key Features:
  • Builder Mode visually maps out your funnels step-by-step
  • Simulation Mode test funnel logic, timing, and performance before going live
  • Deep traffic source tracking knows exactly where leads and conversions come from
  • Reusable Campaign templates with automation logic baked in
  • Custom funnel paths based on user behavior (clicks, page visits, purchases)
  • Easily connects with emails, upsells, checkouts, and more

Best For: Funnel strategists, marketers, and sales pros who want a high-level overview and granular control of their customer journey.

Looking to master sales funnels? Explore our ClickFunnels review and see why it’s a top choice for marketers!

(ii) Kajabi: Pre-Built Pipelines = Simplicity & Speed

Kajabi makes it incredibly easy to launch your sales funnels with pre-made pipelines with no tech headaches.

Key Features:
  • 1-click Pipeline templates for:
    • Lead magnets
    • Product launches
    • Webinars
    • Mini-courses
  • Includes pre-written email sequences and opt-in pages
  • Quick customization: just plug in your content
  • Integration with Kajabi email, product, and checkout system
  • Streamlined for speed, launch in hours, not days

Best For: Course creators, solopreneurs, and coaches who want proven funnels that work with no tech wizardry required.

Which Platform Wins for Sales Funnels?
FeatureKartraKajabi
Funnel Builder TypeVisual + SimulationPre-built Blueprints
Customization Depth✅ High✅ Moderate
Pre-Written Campaigns✅ Yes✅ Yes (less complex)
Traffic Source Tracking✅ Deep❌ Basic
Ease of Use❌ Steeper learning curve✅ Beginner-friendly
Funnel Testing Before Launch✅ Yes (Simulation Mode)❌ No
🏆 WinnerKartra

Kajabi wins for simplicity and speed.

Kartra wins for customization, simulation, and advanced tracking.

Our Recommendation
  • Choose Kajabi if you want ready-made sales funnels to launch in minutes. Perfect for non-techies, coaches, and solo creators who value speed over complexity.
  • Go with Kartra if you want to build and test advanced funnels, simulate outcomes, and optimize every detail for conversion. Great for digital marketers and agencies.

7. Checkout Pages: Customization and Order Bumps

When it comes to turning browsers into buyers, your checkout page matters. A lot. Kartra vs Kajabi offer smart tools to boost conversions but differ in flexibility and automation.

(i) Kajabi: Sleek Checkout Pages With Just Enough Flex

Kajabi’s checkout system strikes a nice balance between aesthetics and ease of use.

Customization Options:
  • Change button colors to match your brand
  • Add banner images, brand logos, testimonials, and videos
  • Mobile-optimized layout out of the box
  • Built-in order bump functionality, add complementary offers right on the checkout page

Order bumps in Kajabi are processed as separate transactions, which are perfect for upselling without disrupting the main sale.

Looking for seamless checkout page customization with order bumps? Read our Kajabi review to see how it streamlines your sales process!

(ii) Kartra: Advanced Checkout with Automation & Flexibility

Kartra takes checkout customization further, giving you more control and automation.

Key Features:
  • Choose from hosted checkout pages, pop-up forms, or embedded checkouts
  • Add order bumps directly to checkout
  • Use alert bars to create urgency (e.g., “Only 3 spots left!”)
  • Show trust badges for credibility and confidence
  • Post-checkout automation:
    • Add customers to specific email lists.
    • Trigger sequences
    • Apply tags based on behavior.
    • No 3rd-party tools needed

It’s everything you need to convert and follow up automatically after purchase.

Which Platform Wins for Checkout Customization?
FeatureKajabiKartra
Visual Customization✅ Basic branding & media✅ Advanced layout + urgency tools
Order Bumps✅ Separate transactions✅ Seamless + bundled options
Checkout Types❌ Single checkout page format✅ Hosted, pop-up, embedded
Post-Purchase Automation✅ Basic tagging✅ Deep automation built-in
Trust & Urgency Elements❌ Not included✅ Alert bars, trust badges

Kajabi wins for simplicity and visual branding.

Kartra wins for flexibility, urgency tools, and automation.

Our Recommendation
  • Choose Kajabi if you want a simple, clean checkout with basic customization and smooth upsells via order bumps. Ideal for creators focused on quick and easy setup.
  • Go with Kartra if you want complete control, advanced checkout formats, and built-in automation that eliminates the need for extra tools.

Performance and User Experience

When evaluating platform capabilities, performance metrics reveal crucial differences that impact your daily operations. Let’s examine how each platform performs in real-world scenarios.

1. Page Load Speed: Kajabi’s Fast Interface

Speed isn’t just a luxury; it’s a critical user experience factor, especially when managing multiple tasks across your online business. And here’s where Kartra vs Kajabi begin to drift apart.

(i) Kajabi: Clean, Fast, and Efficient

Kajabi shines when it comes to performance and interface responsiveness.

  • The clean, minimal UI is designed for speed
  • Pages load almost instantly, even when toggling between complex settings
  • Navigation feels intuitive and light, perfect for creators who need to move fast and stay focused

The platform has invested in performance optimization, particularly in recent updates. Whether building a funnel or managing a membership, Kajabi feels buttery smooth and frustration-free.

Need a fast, smooth website experience? Check out our Squarespace review to learn how it boosts your page load speed effortlessly!

(ii) Kartra: Powerful But Sluggish

Kartra might offer more robust features in certain areas, but that power comes at a cost: speed.

  • Pages often take 5–8 seconds to load when configuring products, emails, or memberships
  • This delay adds up fast, especially if you’re juggling 5–10 tasks at once
  • Even with UI improvements, the core architecture still feels heavy and outdated

A quick peek into Kartra’s source code suggests a clunkier foundation, making it harder to optimize at scale.

Speed Test Showdown
FeatureKajabiKartra
Dashboard Load Time⚡ ~1–2 seconds🐢 ~5–8 seconds
Navigation Responsiveness✅ Seamless & smooth🚧 Noticeable lags
Interface Cleanliness✅ Minimal, focused❌ Feature-heavy and cluttered
Backend Optimization✅ Recently updated❌ Codebase needs a revamp

Kajabi wins by a mile in terms of page speed and day-to-day productivity.

Our Recommendation
  • Choose Kajabi if you value fast, seamless interaction and want to scale without slowdowns. Its optimized backend makes it perfect for creators who manage content, funnels, and emails on the fly.
  • Opt for Kartra only if you’re willing to trade speed for deeper feature control and don’t mind waiting a few extra seconds per action.

2. Mobile Access: App vs Mobile-Friendly Web

Let’s talk about mobile experience because today’s learners want access on the go.

(i) Kajabi: Full-Fledged Mobile App Experience

Kajabi doesn’t just adapt to mobile. It embraces it. The platform offers dedicated iOS and Android apps that elevate the mobile learning experience beyond simple responsiveness. With these apps, your users can:

  • Watch courses and complete lessons seamlessly
  • Take quizzes and assessments right from their phone
  • Engage with communities, reply to discussions, and connect with peers
  • Receive real-time notifications for new content, events, or challenges

And it gets better: The app experience is clean, intuitive, and designed specifically for learners on the move. Perfect for coaches, course creators, and communities who want always-on engagement.

(ii) Kartra: Mobile-Friendly… But That’s It

Kartra, on the other hand, lacks a native mobile app.

  • Yes, it’s mobile-responsive, so pages, funnels, and membership content still look good on smartphones and tablets
  • But it stops there. No push notifications. No dedicated mobile dashboard. No downloadable app

It’s a scaled-down version of the desktop experience, which works but doesn’t wow.

Which Platform Wins for Mobile Access
FeatureKajabiKartra
Dedicated Mobile App✅ iOS + Android❌ None
Offline Access✅ (via app)❌ Not available
Push Notifications✅ Built-in❌ Not supported
Community & Course Access✅ Optimized in-app⚠️ Via browser only
Mobile Quiz Support✅ Native and seamless⚠️ Limited to mobile web
🏆 WinnerKajabi

Kajabi wins for simplicity and visual branding.

Kartra wins for flexibility, urgency tools, and automation.

Our Recommendation
  • Choose Kajabi if you want a simple, clean checkout with basic customization and smooth upsells via order bumps. Ideal for creators focused on quick and easy setup.
  • Go with Kartra if you want complete control, advanced checkout formats, and built-in automation that eliminates the need for extra tools.

3. Analytics and Reporting: Student Progress vs Funnel Metrics

Regarding analytics, the differences between Kartra and Kajabi highlight their unique priorities and strengths.

(i) Kajabi: Deep Insights into Student Progress

Kajabi’s analytics are designed with educators and course creators in mind. It delivers rich educational metrics that help you understand how your students are interacting with your content, including:

  • Detailed student progress tracking across lessons and modules
  • Video retention graphs showing exactly where learners engage or drop off during lessons
  • Completion rates and engagement statistics that help identify bottlenecks in your courses
  • Ability to optimize your content delivery based on real learner behavior

These insights empower you to fine-tune your courses and boost learner success, which is critical for education-focused businesses.

(ii) Kartra: Marketing & Funnel Performance Focus

Kartra takes a different approach by prioritizing marketing and sales analytics. Its reporting suite offers comprehensive data to help you:

  • Track sales performance across funnels and campaigns
  • Analyze customer behavior and engagement at every stage of your marketing journey
  • Measure conversion rates, average order value, and funnel effectiveness
  • Use granular data to optimize campaigns and maximize revenue

This marketing-centric focus makes Kartra ideal for entrepreneurs who rely on data-driven decisions to grow their sales and business operations.

Which Platform Wins for Analytics and Reporting
Analytics FeatureAnalytics FeatureKartra
Student Progress Tracking✅ Comprehensive & detailed❌ Limited (primarily membership progress)
Video Retention Analytics✅ Yes❌ No
Sales & Funnel Performance⚠️ Basic✅ Advanced
Customer Behavior Insights⚠️ Limited✅ In-depth
Customizable Reports✅ Yes✅ Yes
🏆 WinnerKartra

Kajabi wins for course creators and educators who want actionable learning insights.

Kartra shines for marketers and business owners aiming to master their sales funnels.

Our Recommendation

If your priority is education and learner outcomes, Kajabi’s analytics give you the tools to monitor and improve student engagement effectively.

However, your focus lies on marketing performance and sales funnel optimization. In that case, Kartra’s data-driven approach offers more robust insights for growing your business.

Pricing and Plan Flexibility

Price often becomes the deciding factor when choosing between platforms. Examining the cost structures reveals significant differences in how Kartra vs Kajabi approach pricing.

1. Kartra Price vs Kajabi Pricing: Monthly and Annual Options

The entry-level pricing reveals Kartra as the more budget-friendly option. Kartra’s Starter plan costs $119/month when billed monthly. In contrast, Kajabi’s Basic plan starts at $149/month. Both platforms offer substantial discounts for businesses willing to commit annually; Kartra provides a 22% annual discount, while Kajabi offers a 20% reduction.

Fundamentally, both platforms operate with zero transaction fees on your sales, ensuring you keep all revenue generated through your products. It starkly contrasts marketplace platforms that take percentage cuts from each sale.

2. Included Features per Plan: What You Get at Each Tier

The limitations at each tier reveal the platforms’ different approaches:

Kajabi’s Tiered Restrictions:

  • Basic ($149/month): Limited to 3 products, 3 funnels, 10,000 contacts
  • Growth ($199/month): Expanded to 15 products, 15 funnels, 25,000 contacts
  • Pro ($399/month): Generous allowance of 100 products, 100 funnels, 100,000 contacts

kartra’s Tiered Approach:

  • Starter ($119/month): Supports 2,500 leads, unlimited products, and pages
  • Growth ($229/month): Increases to 12,500 leads, adds advanced features
  • Professional ($549/month): Expands to 25,000 leads with premium capabilities

Kajabi restricts product and funnel quantities at lower tiers, while Kartra limits lead counts.

3. Value for Money: Unlimited Products vs Limited Funnels

Kartra offers unrestricted product creation across all plans, providing better value for businesses with diverse offerings. You can create unlimited products, pages, and membership sites even at the entry level.

In contrast, Kajabi’s product limitations could force upgrades as your business expands. The Basic plan’s three-product limit might quickly become restrictive for growing businesses. Generally, Kajabi directs users toward its Growth plan ($199/month), which unlocks crucial features like affiliate programs and automation tools missing from the Basic tier.

Businesses with diverse product catalogs may find Kartra more economical. At the same time, those prioritizing robust course features might justify Kajabi’s premium pricing.

Integrations, Affiliate Tools, and Unique Extras

Beyond core functionality, both platforms offer extensive options to expand their capabilities through integrations and specialized tools that address specific business needs.

1. Third-Party Integrations: Zapier, Stripe, and More

Both platforms connect with essential payment processors, yet their integration approaches differ significantly. Kartra integrates with multiple payment gateways, including Stripe, PayPal, Authorize.net, and Braintree. Kajabi offers fewer payment options, primarily supporting Stripe and PayPal.

For email marketing, Kajabi directly connects with five major providers: AWeber, MailChimp, Drip, ConvertKit, and ActiveCampaign. Kartra, accordingly, focuses on its internal email system rather than external integrations.

The platforms diverge further regarding analytics, with Kajabi supporting Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, and Segment. Both offer Zapier integration. Nonetheless, Kajabi’s implementation proves more straightforward. Through Zapier, you can create powerful automations like assigning tags to new Kartra leads and automatically creating Kajabi form submissions.

2. Affiliate Marketing: Multi-Tier vs Basic Setup

Kartra’s affiliate system outperforms Kajabi’s more basic implementation. Indeed, all Kartra plans include affiliate features, whereas Kajabi restricts affiliate capabilities to Growth and Pro plans.

Especially impressive is kartra’s multi-tier commission structure that allows you to:

  • Set up special commission rates for top performers
  • Enable instant PayPal payments
  • Establish minimum threshold requirements
  • Collect tax forms (W9/W8BEN)
  • Track detailed affiliate performance metrics

Kajabi’s commission rate starts at 30% through their Partner Program, while Kartra offers a more generous 40% referral commission.

3. Unique Features: BAM, Helpdesk, Blog, and SEO Tools

Each platform offers distinctive capabilities that reflect its core strengths. Kartra’s Behavioral Adaptive Marketing (BAM) feature monitors visitor behavior and dynamically adjusts content presentation based on user preferences. Furthermore, Kartra includes a built-in helpdesk with ticketing systems, live chat support, and knowledge base management.

Kartra’s calendar function enables self-booking and appointment scheduling with timezone conversion for international clients. The system automatically blocks reserved times and sends reminder notifications to prevent missed appointments.

Alternatively, Kajabi excels with its community-building features and comprehensive blogging capabilities, including SEO configuration options to increase traffic. Notably, Kajabi offers a fully functional iOS/Android mobile app enabling students to access courses, save progress, and connect with community members, a significant advantage over Kartra’s mobile-responsive website approach.

Final Thoughts:​​ Kartra vs Kajabi

Kartra vs Kajabi are great for selling online courses and memberships, but they work differently. Kajabi is best if you want a strong course platform. It has easy course building, tracking student progress, and apps for learning on the go. It also has good community features that help students stay active and motivated.

Kartra is better for businesses focused on marketing. It has a smart funnel builder, strong automation, and tools to help you sell more. Kartra also lets you sell many products at a lower starting price. But its site can be slower, and it doesn’t have a mobile app like Kajabi.

If you want fast, simple course delivery with good student tools, go for Kajabi. If you want marketing power and more sales features, choose Kartra. Try both platforms before choosing the one that fits your business best.

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