Teachable's free plan lets you test the platform, but with a 10% + $1 transaction fee on every sale, just 1 course, and a 10-student cap, it's designed for experimenting — not for building a real course business. Here's what to expect and when to consider alternatives.
Is Teachable's Free Plan Still Available?
As of early 2026, Teachable's free plan is no longer prominently displayed on their pricing page, which now starts with the Starter plan at $39/month. If you're looking for the free tier, it may still be accessible through direct links or older sign-up flows, but Teachable appears to be deemphasizing it.
Whether you find the free plan available or not, it's worth understanding what it offers (and doesn't) so you can make an informed decision about where to start.
What Does Teachable's Free Plan Include?
When available, Teachable's free plan includes:
- 1 published course and 1 coaching product
- Up to 10 students
- Basic course builder with video, text, and file uploads
- Payment processing through Teachable Payments
- Community tab for student discussions
- Live chat support
This is enough to create a single course, enroll a handful of students, and get a feel for the platform's interface and course builder.
What Are the Limitations?
The free plan has significant constraints that limit its practical usefulness:
- 10% + $1 transaction fee on every sale — On a $100 course, Teachable takes $11 before payment processing fees. On a $50 course, they take $6. This is one of the highest platform fees in the industry.
- 10-student limit — You can only have 10 students total, which means you can't use the free plan for any real audience.
- 1 course / 1 coaching product only — No room to grow your catalog.
- No custom domain — Your school URL will be yourname.teachable.com with Teachable branding.
- No coupons or promotions — You can't run discounts, limited-time offers, or bundle pricing.
- No drip content — You can't schedule content to release over time, which limits structured programs.
- No course completion certificates — Students don't receive completion recognition.
- Teachable branding — Your pages display Teachable's branding, which may look less professional.
- 1 integration only — You can connect just one third-party tool.
The Real Cost of "Free"
The transaction fee makes the free plan's total cost depend on your revenue. Here's what you'd actually pay at different sales levels:
| Monthly Revenue | Free Plan Cost (10% + $1) | Starter Cost ($39 + 7.5%) | Builder Cost ($89 + 0%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $200 (2 sales × $100) | $22 | $54 | $89 |
| $500 (5 sales × $100) | $55 | $76.50 | $89 |
| $1,000 (10 sales × $100) | $110 | $114 | $89 |
| $2,000 (20 sales × $100) | $220 | $189 | $89 |
The breakeven with Starter: At about $430/month in revenue, the Starter plan ($39 + 7.5%) becomes cheaper than the free plan (10% + $1). And with only 10 students allowed on the free plan, you'd hit the student cap long before reaching meaningful revenue anyway.
Payment processing fees (2.9% + $0.30 per US card transaction) apply on top of all these figures, across all plans.
For a complete breakdown of all Teachable plans, see our Teachable pricing and fees guide.
Free Alternatives Worth Considering
If you're looking for a free or low-cost way to start selling courses, here are some alternatives to compare:
- Thinkific — Offers a free plan with 1 course and 0% transaction fees (no per-sale platform fee). More generous free tier than Teachable, though it also has feature limits. (Teachable vs Thinkific comparison)
- Ruzuku — No free plan, but 0% transaction fees from day one with unlimited courses and students on all plans. Also includes student tech support and native Zoom integration. If you're ready to invest in a platform from the start, the total cost can be lower. (Ruzuku vs Teachable comparison)
- Podia — Free plan with an 8% transaction fee. Simpler than Teachable with a focus on digital products and downloads.
For a broader overview, see our 7 Best Teachable Alternatives in 2026 or take our 2-minute platform quiz for a personalized recommendation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Teachable's free plan charge transaction fees?
Yes. Teachable's free plan charges a 10% + $1 platform fee on every sale. So if you sell a $100 course, Teachable takes $11 before standard payment processing fees (2.9% + $0.30 for US cards).
How many courses can you create on Teachable's free plan?
Teachable's free plan allows 1 published course and 1 coaching product. You can also have up to 10 students total. These limits make the free plan suitable for testing but impractical for a real course business.
Is Teachable's free plan good for beginners?
It can work for testing the platform's interface and course builder with a single course. But the 10% + $1 transaction fee and 10-student limit mean you'll outgrow it almost immediately if you attract paying students. For beginners who are ready to sell, a paid plan with 0% transaction fees is usually a better investment.