Circle Vs. Kajabi: Which Is Most Suitable for You? |

Oct 8, 2024

Circle was launched in 2020 by a group of Teachable employees who saw the need for an online community platform to supplement Teachable's courses. Over time, it added an online course platform of its own. Kajabi began its journey a decade prior in 2010. Kenny Rueter wanted an online sales platform that could sell his lawn-sprinkler he built, and over time it morphed into a popular training platform.

Both Circle as well as Kajabi take up a lot of the real estate available within the creation economy. Therefore, if you're searching for a home for your business You may be asking which is the right fit.


In this piece, we'll compare Circle and Kajabi. Because there's a lot of overlap in what they provide, we'll examine both on the basis of:


 

  • Courses        
  • Communities and Memberships        
  • Marketing & Business Tools        
  • Apps        


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Circle in comparison to. Kajabi: Comparison Chart


Circle

Kajabi

Asynchronous Course Platform

Live Courses

By mixing two platforms

Livestreaming Native

Advanced Marketing Features

Integrated Funnels

Page Building

What is the difference between a Community and a Course?

Email Support

Zapier Only

Built-In

Applications for all devices

Yes (2 separate apps to manage course and community)

Branded Apps

Basic

Branded Apps

Additional Cost

Additional Cost

Pricing From...

$29/mo + $5/course sale

$69/mo





What is the best way to determine


It's crucial to realize that these platforms are created for various purposes: courses vs communities. They all work better with what they are designed for. This means that the first question will always be what you're creating:


 

  • Circle is an overall more efficient platform for community and the ability to join.        
  • Kajabi is a more efficient platform for asynchronous courses and for marketing.      


But if you're walking the line between these two options, keep reading for an in-depth analysis of where they compare in terms of the different attributes.


Circle in contrast to. Kajabi


Courses


Kajabi


Kajabi is well-known for its course-building, and the LMS gives you a lot to work with. It can handle different types of content such as audio, video texts, survey, quizzes and even downloads. The format table of contents works well, and you can preview lessons before launch. The LMS provides options for dripping content and adding questions and evaluations.


Kajabi app


Kajabi also works (sort of) for live courses but there are a few limitations. There's no native livestreaming within the Kajabi course platform, so you'd have to utilize a third-party program like YouTube. However, Kajabi does have a distinct application - Kajabi 2.0-that includes livestreaming as well as live meeting capabilities (we'll cover it below). This makes it possible to include a livestreaming option to a course (it opens in a new screen), and the recording can be pinned to your course page. Since Kajabi has email incorporated users will be notified when a livestream is going to begin and join.


Finally, Kajabi was an early adopter with some AI tools that generate the content. The tool can be used to create:


 

  • Lesson Content        
  • The Course Outlines        
  • Sales Email Copy        
  • Landing Page Copy        
  • Media Content Media Content        
  • Sales Video Script        


Kajabi AI tools


But, they aren't embedded within the platform. That means that they're not accessible to the public (which is great) however, they can't offer anything you couldn't use ChatGPT. ChatGPT account.


The final feature that stands out in Kajabi is its course pages, which Circle doesn't have. The ability to personalize course pages with drag-and-drop design, adding sections and building an entire course with your personal brand. It's a little like building a website that your course can live in (Circle uses Course Spaces instead). We'll talk more about these in the next section.


Circle


circle Courses


In Circle, delivering the course is accomplished by creating a course space. Course experiences are built using a table of content (an LMS model), and can be connected to other spaces in the community. Course platforms can be used to support audio videos, text and downloadable content to offer material for different styles of instruction. Instructors can create asynchronous course material and preview prior to releasing it.


Notably, Circle can handle live classes with its integrated livestreaming and community function (more about this later). This opens up a lot of possibilities for synchronous interactions as well as things such live classrooms, office hours as well as Q&As.


Which is the best?


In terms of course platform as platforms for teaching, both Circle and Kajabi offer pros and cons. Therefore, the best option for the specific purpose depends on what kind of course you need to offer.


Kajabi is more suitable to... course creators who want to build static courses (asynchronous) featuring integrated marketing pages as well as website design flexibility. The platform isn't as robust for live courses and experiences because of the disconnect between the course and community capabilities (which we'll talk about next ).


Circle is best in the case of... course instructors who want live courses within a community, or asynchronous courses with live experience. In essence, if you're looking to do anything live with students, Circle offers a more seamless integration of live capabilities and courses than Kajabi. And if you want an online community, it's even stronger.


But one thing to note is that Circle offers more restrictions on storage space and additional costs. Because courses count towards the limits mentioned above, you could pay extra for large library of courses.


Community & Memberships


Kajabi


Kajabi community - Circles


Kajabi does do communities and memberships, however they aren't its most popular features. For a long time the Kajabi community's primary feature was limited to the forum feature which was part of Kajabi's platform for courses. It was a basic feature however, it could be used to add a simple discussion forum for the course.


But Kajabi recently acquired a company named Vibely which will provide it with essential community functions.


Kajabi live rooms


The positive:


 

  • The upgrade adds a chat function to Kajabi plus a number of synchronous and asynchronous tools to connect. It included newsfeeds, events, chat and DM as well as live rooms. Links to your community is possible to add to a landing page for your course.      
  • Kajabi is a tool for organizing content that they call circles (not to be mistaken for Circle.so). Circles are unique spaces that can hold different kinds of content.      
  • Kajabi 2.0 offers improved member directories, with customized profiles that highlight the interests of members and accomplishments.        


The negative:


 

  • This is a distinct platform (not an integral part of Kajabi). Kajabi 2.0 has a distinct log on and even a distinct app. Yes, users need two distinct apps in order to use a course and a community.      


Circle


Circle Livestreaming


Circle's communities revolve on a feature known as Spaces. We talked about a course Space earlier. Creators on Circle can also create an event space and community, post and chat spaces. You can post content like audio, video, podcasts as well as files and other information from other platforms using Circle's embed capabilities. Every community-generated content is searchable.


Circle Spaces


In contrast to Kajabi, Circle has embedded AI tools for writing into the platform for courses, which means that it will improve writing and conversations. Circle includes profile pages for members that are toggled on or off; members lists may be set up either for the entire community or for a particular area.


Then, the Circle community comes with a personalized home feed and automatically scheduled weekly digests to inform users know about what's happening within the community. Additionally, Circle has moderation and administrative tools to assist in the expansion of communities.


Which one is more effective?


Circle is a more community-oriented platform. It was created for community as well as memberships. Kajabi is trying to catch up to these capabilities, but having two apps for what Circle does in one is not a good idea for many developers.


Marketing & Business


Kajabi


Kajabi has some great marketing features for hosting courses and selling products. This includes a page-builder with drag-and-drop construction (we talked about earlier) and pages that can be used for various applications: opt-in page, Download pages, sales page, for example.


Kajabi integrated marketing


Kajabi additionally integrates marketing and email for selling courses. It also has pre-built sales funnels. And the funnels connect to email that can handle the segmentation of audiences, automated processes, and manage subscribers. A sales platform, Kajabi offers bundles, coupons, free trials and subscriptions. The platform also comes with tools to boost revenue, such as the possibility of upselling, abandon carts recovery, and support for multi-currency currencies.


Circle


Circle doesn't have a ton of marketing features built-in however it isn't as powerful as Kajabi is. It is possible to add a landing page to the course, with some modification of its design and text; these can include a preview of the course. However, Circle is not meant to build a basic website like Kajabi does.


Once someone's inside, Circle has some integrated emails and digests which keeps people informed of what's going on in the community. These emails are white-labeled for some of Circle's higher tiers. In addition, Circle doesn't have a built-in email software, therefore you'd need to connect to an email application through Zapier.


As with Kajabi, Circle can manage the bundles of payments and payment in various currencies. You can connect classes and communities (end activities) in order to increase sales.


Price


    Kajabi Price


 

  • $69/mo - Kickstarter (1 product, 1 funnel + 250 contacts)        
  • $149/month for Basic (3 products three funnels plus 10,000 contacts)        
  • $199/mo - Growth (15 products, 15 funnels, + 25,000 contacts)        
  • $399/mo - Pro (100 products, 100 funnels + 100,000 contacts)        


    Circle


 

  • $49/month + 4transaction charges - Basis Plans (Community Only)        
  • $99/mo + 2.2% fee Pro Plan (add courses, livestreaming and brand)        
  • $219/mo + 1 percent fees Business plan (add workflows including custom fields, email white-labels and AI assister)        
  • $399/mo + .5 percent fees for Enterprise (add SSO, analytics, 10 admin plus 100 mods)        


Which is the best?


Kajabi is unquestionably superior to Kajabi in terms of course-specific marketing functions. It comes with integrated funnels for marketing that are pre-set for different purposes. It has a basic email software embedded that lets you tag and market to subscribers using a different method than you could use Circle. Additionally, it comes with more sales features built into the platform to assist creators in earning.


But, Kajabi is also more costly. If you're planning to spend money on Kajabi, ensure that you'll need the features it offers.


Apps


Kajabi


Kajabi is actually home to two main apps: The Course app and the Community app. But it also requires a third app for community analytics. The following are apps that can be found:


Courses: This is the Kajabi's most popular app, which includes the course's infrastructure that includes text, videos, and the LMS. Also, it includes the older Kajabi community feature in it. It's great for synchronous classes.


Kajabi main app


Community: It was the Vibely application, but it's changed to Kajabi 2.0. It offers the community tools including chat, conferencing and real-time engagement.


Kajabi 2.0 - app screens


Kajabi Creator  The app is an app for managing your Kajabi business, which provides statistics and analytics that help you comprehend what's happening in a administration and business.


Kajabi Branded Apps It's a new feature for Kajabi which offers apps with a branded logo in the App Store as well as the Google Play Store. It also includes push notifications with a branded logo. It's also important to note that branded apps provide the sole way to get courses and community in one app.


Circle


Circle has been running an iOS application for several years, but their Android app was only released in 2023. It's a good app (4.5 ratings for Google Play and 4.9 on the App Store). And unlike Kajabi it's all within Circle happens in the same app (courses and communities). ).


Circle App -


Circle is also launching a branded app option which means you are able to get an app under your own name. It brings Circle's classes and community in one place. Circle Plus comes with branded push notifications. It's early days, but Circle has developed an app for Exit Five (a B2B marketing community ).


Which one is superior?


Both offer excellent apps. The reality that Kajabi needs multiple applications to accomplish what Circle can do with just one app is a snub. If you only wanted an asynchronous course, Kajabi's app would be fine. If you're looking for classes and a community, Circle is probably a more suitable option. With Kajabi the users would have to install two apps, which could be detrimental to participation.


If you choose to use a branded application, Circle gets the slight advantage too. They've got a more successful track record (Kajabi is just starting). Plus, Kajabi makes you pay for an app that is branded to access your course and communities together. This is what Circle does anyway.


A verdict


Let's go back to the point from which we began. Which is better, Circle vs. Kajabi? Both platforms have strong points. Both platforms, however, possess some major shortcomings.


 

  • Kajabi: Has awesome asynchronous course delivery, and strong marketing chops, but makes it possible to deliver live events on a totally distinct platform and application. What you gain in sales, you lose the engagement. Kajabi's AI capabilities don't have anything that you can describe- it's basically white labeled ChatGPT.    
  • Circle: Doesn't have more marketing or course potential as Kajabi but has a more streamlined community feature. But it is still Circle requires hosting communities and courses in separate spaces (AKA separate sections of your community). Users must navigate for the correct places.    


Do you want a more effective alternative?





is the top-rated platform for community on G2's website. It hosts communities and courses for brands and figures like Tony Robbins, Mel Robbins, Jim Kwik, Marie Forleo, Matthew Hussey, TED Nuun, as well as Mindbody.


What is what sets Mighty different from Circle as well as Kajabi.


streamlined experiences


Both Kajabi as well as Circle both have a disjointed UX between courses and community. Kajabi due to the fact that these events are hosted in different apps and platforms. And Circle because they happen across different Spaces. Members must navigate around in order to locate the appropriate event or Space for a course.


With Mighty Spaces, spaces are created to store any kind of content you want. By turning off options such as Activity Feed Chat, Activity Feed, Table of Contents (traditional LMS), People Explorer (Members), Recurring Events, one-time events or a Page (an article) or highlighted Hashtags.


This is the way it appears to be:


MN - 2024 - Graphics - Space Templates


It's all happening at the same time. Events and courses. Chat, community and events.


This leads to more engagement and user experience, by allowing users not to click around to try to find what they're looking for.


 - Graphics - 2024 - Livestreaming GIF


Software designed for engagement


Last year we found that we were able to predict with a 93% certainty which communities would thrive and which would fail.


It all came down to the members. Do they meet each other? Do they talk to each other?


Member connection is a better predictor of success than the web content that hosts create.


So, we designed our software to boost members' connections.


This is the result:


 

  • A People Explorer that helps members discover others with similar interests and background and even reside in the same town.        
  • A welcome checklist as well as Profile assist functions to aid users get started right.        
  • A "Show Similarities" feature that uses AI to reveal the things you share with other members. It can even start a conversation with a click.      


MN - Graphics - 2024 - Profiile + similarities


Hosting hosts in helping them build better
The features of engagement aren't only for members.


Mighty is also a software that helps Hosts boost engagement, like it's...


 

  • Infinite Question Generator that generates discussion questions, then automatically shares approved questions. This keeps engagement going even when you're offline.    
  • "Activity Assist" to identify members who are gone and then automatically reconnect them with a click.      


MN - Graphics - 2024 - Animation Conversation-Starter


Other awesome community and course options


 

  • A quick and easy way to build a community. Enter a few phrases into Mighty Co-Host(tm) and immediately have a Big Idea and a basic branding identity and your first Space. (Try for free)    
  • Writing prompts, as well as improvements using"make it better "make-it-better" text editor.        
  • Course outline in a flash and suggested hashtags.        
  • A native ConvertKit integration that allows for courses and community, email, and thousands of embeds for integration.        


The top branded apps


MN - Graphics - 2024 - Apps


It is also possible to purchase courses and community on personalized apps, which are under your name on the App Store and Google Play Store. Mighty Pro has built 400+ branded apps for many of the top producers and brands.


Get branded notifications and livestreaming, design support as well as proactive updates from the world's top brand-named app team for communities: Learn more about it here .


If you're ready to launch courses and/or community with Mighty Try it! Give the service a shot! You can try it for cost-free for 14 days (no credit card needed). ).