Teachable's Starter plan takes 7.5% of every sale before you even see the money. On a $200 course, that's $15 gone—plus payment processing fees on top.
The good news is that several platforms now offer zero transaction fees, even on their cheapest plans. Here's what you need to know before switching.
👉 Skip the 7.5% cut with a zero-fee course platform here
Why This Fee Problem Happens
Teachable's pricing model is designed to push you toward higher tiers. The Starter plan looks affordable at $29-39 per month, but the 7.5% transaction fee quietly takes a chunk of every sale.
Once your monthly revenue crosses roughly $533, the fee costs more than upgrading to the Builder plan at $69/month, which removes the transaction fee entirely. The problem is that many creators get stuck in the middle—selling enough to feel the fee but not enough to justify the upgrade.
The root issue is that Teachable separates "platform fee" from "payment processing fee." Even on plans with 0% platform fees, you still pay Stripe or PayPal around 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction. So "zero transaction fee" never means truly free—it just means the platform isn't taking an additional cut.
Systeme.io solves this directly. It charges 0% platform fees on every plan, including the free tier, so you only pay the payment processor's standard rate.
Step-by-Step Fix for Finding a Low-Fee Alternative
Step 1: Calculate What You're Actually Losing
Before switching, figure out your real cost. Take your average course price and multiply it by your monthly sales. Then apply Teachable's 7.5% fee.
If you sell ten $100 courses per month, that's $75 going to Teachable every month, on top of your subscription. Over a year, that's $900—enough to justify a switch.
Step 2: Look for Platforms with 0% Platform Fees on Entry Plans
Several alternatives now offer zero transaction fees without requiring an expensive upgrade. The key is checking the fine print on their cheapest paid tier.
Thinkific charges 0% on paid plans, but its free plan still takes a cut. Systeme.io charges 0% on every plan, including the free tier. Podia charges 5% on its cheapest Mover plan but drops to 0% on Shaker and above.
Step 3: Factor in What Else You Need
If you're paying for email marketing, landing pages, or funnel tools separately, that cost matters too. An all-in-one platform with 0% fees can replace multiple subscriptions.
Systeme.io bundles funnels, email marketing, and course hosting on its free plan with 0% transaction fees. That eliminates the need for separate tools while keeping your per-sale cost at just the payment processor's rate.
Step 4: Test Before You Commit
Most platforms offer free plans or trials. Use them to verify that the course builder, student experience, and checkout flow actually work for your content.
Don't migrate your entire catalog until you've confirmed the new platform handles your video format, quiz needs, and certificate requirements.
Step 5: Export Your Teachable Data
Before canceling, export your student list, course content, and any sales records you need. Teachable lets you download contacts as CSV files.
You'll need to rebuild courses manually on the new platform, so start with your highest-revenue course first.
👉 Build your first course with zero platform fees for free here
The Easiest Way to Avoid This Issue Moving Forward
If you're tired of watching a percentage of every sale disappear before it reaches your bank account, the simplest solution is choosing a platform that never takes a cut in the first place.
Systeme.io charges 0% transaction fees on every plan, including the free tier. You only pay Stripe or PayPal's standard processing rate—no additional platform fee on top.
The free plan includes one course, 2,000 contacts, and three sales funnels, which is enough to launch and validate your first offer. For creators who want course hosting, email marketing, and checkout in one dashboard without paying a percentage of every sale, Systeme.io removes the fee problem entirely.
You upgrade only when you outgrow the free limits, not because the platform is skimming your revenue.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Assuming "0% Transaction Fee" Means No Fees at All
Every platform still passes on payment processor fees. Stripe and PayPal charge around 2.9% + $0.30 regardless of which course platform you use. The difference is whether the platform adds its own cut on top.
Staying on Teachable's Starter Plan Too Long
The 7.5% fee makes sense only if you're selling very little. Once you cross $500-600 per month in course revenue, upgrading or switching usually costs less than staying.
Forgetting to Check Contact and Student Limits
Some "free" plans cap contacts at 100 or limit you to one course. Systeme.io's free plan allows 2,000 contacts and one course, which is more generous than most entry tiers.
Migrating Everything at Once
Rebuild one course, test it thoroughly, then move the next. A broken checkout or missing lesson during a full migration creates refund requests and support headaches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Teachable really take 7.5% of every sale?
Yes, on the Starter plan. The fee applies on top of payment processing fees, so a $200 sale loses $15 to Teachable plus roughly $6 to Stripe before you see anything.
Which Teachable alternative has truly zero platform fees?
Systeme.io charges 0% transaction fees on every plan, including the free tier. Thinkific also offers 0% on paid plans, but its free plan still takes a cut. Podia removes fees only on its higher tiers.
Can I migrate my Teachable courses for free?
You'll need to rebuild courses manually on the new platform. There's no automatic import that preserves lessons, quizzes, and student progress. Start with your best-selling course to minimize disruption.
Conclusion
Teachable's 7.5% transaction fee is a real cost that scales with your success. The more you sell, the more it takes—until you upgrade to a plan that removes the fee entirely.
The alternative is choosing a platform that never takes a percentage of your sales. Systeme.io offers 0% fees on every plan, including the free tier, alongside course hosting, email marketing, and checkout in one dashboard.
If you're paying Teachable hundreds of dollars a year in transaction fees, that money could be going back into your business instead.
👉 Launch your course with zero platform fees for free today
Related Reading
Choosing a school hosting site that respects your bottom line protects your profit margins as a teacher. If you are also questioning if you need to pay high monthly premiums to distribute smaller digital downloads, read my tutorial addressing do i really need clickfunnels to sell a $27 ebook?.