The 7 Best Subscription Platforms for Creators in 2023

Are you looking to sell an online course? Or maybe you want to create a premium community of like-minded users? In either case, you’ll need a subscription platform.

Subscription platforms allow creators to sell premium content as subscription-based products. This includes online courses, membership plans, online communities, podcasts, and events.

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about subscription platforms and then take a closer look at the 7 best subscription platforms for creators.

What is a subscription platform?

Subscription platforms are tools that can be used to create recurring subscription products such as memberships, online courses, or learning programs. For example, you can offer access to premium online courses only when users pay a fee of $25 per month.

As long as they are “subscribed,” they can access your business’s premium content. Subscription platforms are essential for online creators who want to offer members subscription-based products.

Here are some of the major benefits of using a subscription platform for creators:

• Sell subscription-based products. Creating and selling all sorts of subscription-based products, such as online courses, memberships, live webinars, podcasts, and premium online communities, is possible with a subscription platform. Creators can generate revenue by doing what they do best: creating premium content.
• Payment processing and management. A subscription platform lets you process payments and manage them in one place. This way, you can accept subscription payments from your audience members and easily keep track of subscribed members vs. regular users on your subscription site.
• Easily manage users. Subscription platforms also let you set up online communities for your audience members. This way, keeping your users engaged is easier and is a great way to communicate with learners effectively.

Features to Look for in a Subscription Platform

Let’s take a closer look at the features you need to look for in a subscription platform.

Online course creation features

The subscription platform you decide to go with should offer online course creation features. This allows creators to compile their teachings and premium content into a subscription-based product. You can then sell the online course or charge audience members a monthly fee for access to the online courses.

Along with the option to set up online courses, you also want to ensure the online course builder is easy to use, especially if you’re not tech-savvy. This plays an important role in creating online courses quickly and ensures they look professional.

Payment integrations

If you’re selling any type of subscription product, you will need a way to manage or accept payments from your audience members. This is why you should go with a subscription platform that comes pre-built with support for popular payment processors such as PayPal and Stripe.

Marketing tools

Marketing tools are also crucial to promote your subscription-based products and get more eyes on your brand’s site.

Marketing tools can help creators set up email marketing campaigns to capture more leads, set up premium newsletters, and offer affiliate programs to their audience members. Even if you’re not interested in setting up advanced marketing strategies as you’re starting out, it’s a nice feature to have for scaling your subscription business in the future.

Community features

If your subscription business revolves around a sense of community, looking for a subscription platform with community features is essential.

Setting up your unique online communities makes it possible to offer premium subscriptions to your community members and generate revenue for your business.

Analytics and reporting tools

Whether you’re selling online courses, memberships, or premium online community access, analytics and reporting tools are necessary to understand your customers better.

You must access reports to track your subscription product’s performance better and gauge how well your marketing campaigns work. This is important for making data-driven decisions and improvements that matter to your audience members.

The best subscription platforms for creators

Here, we’ll review some of the best subscription platform options for online creators.

#1. Kajabi

Kajabi is one of the most popular subscription platforms designed to offer your audience members paid and free subscription plans.

With Kajabi, you can create and sell multiple digital products, including online courses, training programs, membership subscriptions, and premium online communities. This makes it the perfect option for creators who want to sell their users subscription plans in exchange for access to premium content or the online community.

In addition, while Kajabi is a dedicated subscription platform, it comes pre-built with marketing and affiliate features, making it easier to use a single platform to run and manage all aspects of your subscription business.

Pricing – The pricing for Kajabi starts at $149 per month and $119 per month if paid annually for the Basic plan.

#2. Podia

Podia is another great choice for a subscription platform due to its extensive subscription and eCommerce features.

Podia makes it very straightforward for creators to set up subscription products such as online courses, paid online communities, and membership plans. It even features a built-in course builder that’s easy to create your online courses, even if it’s your first time doing so.

On top of the option to set up any type of subscription product, you can also use Podia’s powerful website builder to create better-looking pages for your brand’s site. Additionally, you can also integrate some of the most popular payment methods, including PayPal and Stripe, into your subscription website so it’s easier to accept subscription fees or payments from your audience members.

Pricing – You can get started with Podia for free.

#3. Circle

Circle is a dedicated community creation platform that lets you create premium or subscription-ready online communities.

The platform offers a wide range of features that make it easy to create and manage online communities according to your brand’s unique requirements. You can then sell online courses or host virtual events and charge your community members a small fee. In addition to this, you can also set up weekly, monthly, and annual membership subscription plans for your audience members.

Circle is a great option for creators looking to focus more on creating a sense of community around their brand and selling subscription-based products to community members.

Pricing – Circle pricing starts at $99 or $89 per month if paid annually for the Professional plan.

#4. Mighty Networks

Like Circle, Mighty Networks is also a community subscription platform that offers tools and features for setting up premium online communities and selling subscriptions to your members.

Mighty Networks offers an intuitive interface for hosting your brand’s online communities and setting up subscription-based products such as online courses and membership plans. One of the highlight features of Mighty Networks is the customizability options it offers for setting up your online communities according to your brand’s unique aesthetics.

Mighty Networks is designed for creators seeking a single platform to create community-focused subscription products such as online courses or membership subscription plans.

Pricing – Mighty Networks pricing starts at $39 per month or $33 per month when paid annually for the Community plan.

#5. Thinkific

Thinkific offers many features that make it easy to sell online courses and set up a professional subscription site according to your brand’s unique requirements.

On top of Thinkific being very easy to use, even for non-tech savvy users, it comes pre-built with a lot of online course features such as the ability to set up quizzes and assignments, add multiple types of media, including images, videos, audio, and text to your online courses, as well as a dedicated course player that’s fully responsive on the front-end of your subscription site.

Additionally, Thinkific also gives you access to advanced reporting and analytics tools that make it easier to gauge the performance of your subscription site and make changes that matter.

Pricing – Thinkific offers a free-to-use pricing plan.

#6. Kartra

Kartra is a professional subscription platform that lets you create paid membership plans.

Kartra features a drag-and-drop course builder that makes setting up subscription memberships and online courses easy within a few clicks. You can also access advanced features for delivering premium content to members, such as drip content, multi-membership tiers, and pre-designed templates to make your content look more appealing.

Kartra is a solid option for creators that want advanced membership features and can use a single platform to manage all aspects of their subscription business.

Pricing – Kartra pricing starts at $119 or $99 per month if paid annually for the Starter pricing plan.

#7. Gumroad

Gumroad is a dedicated eCommerce platform that lets you create and sell multiple products, including courses, memberships, newsletters, e-Books, and podcasts.

The product creation process is straightforward to understand, even for non-tech savvy users, thanks to its intuitive product creation interface. You can also customize your online courses or products created with Gumroad, so it’s easier to create subscription-based products according to your brand’s unique requirements.

Pricing – While Gumroad is free, it charges a flat 10% transaction fee for every paid product sold using the subscription platform.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the top subscription platform for content creators in 2023?

A: The best subscription platform for content creators in 2023 is Substack. It offers a range of features to monetize your content, including paid subscriptions and a newsletter platform.

Q: How can I monetize my content as a content creator?

A: As a content creator, you can monetize your content by using platforms like Substack, TikTok, or video subscription services. These platforms allow you to offer paid subscriptions, create exclusive content, and earn revenue from your subscribers.

Q: What is Substack, and how does it work for content creators?

A: Substack is a platform that provides tools for content creators to monetize their work. It allows creators to offer paid subscriptions to their newsletters and build a community of subscribers willing to pay for exclusive content.

Q: Are any free trials available for content creators on subscription platforms?

A: Many subscription platforms offer free trial periods for content creators to try out their services. This allows creators to explore the features and benefits of the platform before committing to a paid plan.

Q: Can I monetize my content on social media platforms like TikTok?

A: Social media platforms like TikTok can be used to monetize your content. By building a large following, you can attract brand partnerships and sponsorships, and even receive tips from your viewers.

Q: What are the best content creator platforms of 2023?

A: The top content creator platforms in 2023 include Substack, TikTok, and video subscription services. These platforms provide various features to help creators monetize their content and reach a wider audience.

Q: How can I build an audience as a content creator?

A: To build an audience as a content creator, you can share your content on social media sites, promote your work through email lists or newsletters, and engage with your audience through live streams or interactive content.

Q: What are the benefits of using subscription services for content creators?

A: Using subscription services as a content creator provides several benefits, such as the ability to earn recurring revenue from your subscribers, offer exclusive content, and build a loyal community of supporters.

Q: Can I host my content on subscription platforms?

A: Yes, subscription platforms allow you to host and manage your content in one place. This makes it easier for your subscribers to access your content and for you to track engagement and monetization metrics.

Q: Are any free plans available for content creators on subscription platforms?

A: Yes, some subscription platforms offer free plans for content creators. These plans usually have limited features and are a good starting point for creators who want to test the platform before upgrading to a paid subscription.

Conclusion

Deciding on a subscription platform can be challenging, especially if this is your first time.

However, when deciding on the right one for your business, you want to consider key features such as an online course builder, website builder, payment integrations, memberships, community features, and competitive pricing. Depending on the type of subscription product you’re looking to create, choosing the ideal platform comes down to your brand’s unique requirements and budget.

Do you know of any other great subscription platforms designed for creators? Let us know in the comments box below.