Systeme.io vs Kajabi: which course and funnel platform fits a beginner?
Use Systeme.io if you are testing a first course, funnel, or email list and you want to start at $0. Use Kajabi if you are already selling, you want the larger tool set, including communities and a branded app on Pro, and you can carry the monthly fee. Kajabi's own FAQ describes Basic as a fit for people who have not sold yet. That is Kajabi's description of the plan. It is not a promise that a sale will follow. Neither tool finds buyers.
Checked October 2026.
| Systeme.io | Kajabi | |
|---|---|---|
| Pick it when | You want to test a course, a funnel, or an email list on a free plan. | You can pay the monthly fee, and you want Kajabi's larger product set. |
| What it does | Builds sales pages, sends email, and hosts a simple online course in one account. | Hosts courses, a website, and email in one login. Communities and a branded app are on higher plans. |
| Who it is for | Beginners who want pages, email, and a course in one login and can start on the free plan. | People who can pay a fixed monthly fee for an all-in-one course site. |
| Free plan | Free is $0 and does not expire. No card. It includes 2,000 contacts, 3 sales funnels, 1 course, 1 blog, 1 custom domain, unlimited email sends, and 0% transaction fees. | There is no free plan. A free trial is offered. |
| Price we checked | Startup is $17 a month (5,000 contacts, 10 funnels, 5 courses). Webinar is $47 a month. Unlimited is $97 a month. Checked 2026-10-16 at https://systeme.io/pricing. | Basic is $179 a month, or $143 a month billed yearly (5 products, 1 website, 2,500 contacts, 2 admin users). Growth is $249 a month, or $199 a month billed yearly (25,000 contacts). Pro is $499 a month, or $399 a month billed yearly. There is no platform cut of a sale. Kajabi Payments charges a 2.9% + $0.30 card fee on Basic in the US. There is a 30-day money-back period. Checked 2026-10-16 at https://kajabi.com/pricing. |
| The catch | The free plan allows 1 automation rule and 1 campaign. The design is template-based. | The monthly fee is high before a first sale. |
Systeme.io
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Kajabi
Also read
Questions
- Do I need both Systeme.io and Kajabi?
- No. One login is enough to start.
- Is Kajabi free?
- No. There is no free plan. A free trial is offered. Basic is $179 a month, or $143 a month billed yearly. Read https://kajabi.com/pricing.
- Does Systeme.io take a cut of a sale?
- The pricing page lists 0% transaction fees on the free plan. That is a fee note. It is not a promise of sales. The free plan still caps automation at 1 rule and campaigns at 1.
- Which Visit link is an affiliate link?
- Systeme.io. Kajabi's button goes to the official site. Kajabi is not a listing. The order is the pair in the title, not a commission rank.
- Will either tool find buyers?
- No.