How to Sell an Online Course Without Paying Kajabi, Teachable, or Thinkific

You’ve created an online course (or you’re planning to). You’re excited to teach, build authority, and make passive income.

But then you check the platforms:

• Kajabi: $149/month
• Teachable: $59/month
• Thinkific: $74/month

Suddenly, before you’ve made a single sale, you’re $100+ in the hole every month.

Good news:

You don’t need those expensive platforms to start. You can sell your course for free using Systeme.io.

In this in-depth guide, you’ll learn:

• How to create and sell an online course step-by-step
• Why Systeme.io is the best free alternative to Kajabi, Teachable, and Thinkific
• How to launch, automate, and scale without paying for a dozen tools

Let’s make your knowledge profitable — without paying platform fees.

🎯 Step 1: Plan Your Course Like a Product

Every successful course starts with a transformation. Ask yourself:

• What problem does my course solve?
• Who is it for (specific)?
• What’s the before vs. after state?

Once you clarify this, break your content into 4–8 modules. Each module should deliver a clear result or insight.

Pro Tip: Don’t overthink it. You don’t need 100 videos. Just a step-by-step path your audience can follow.

🧱 Step 2: Create the Course Content

You can record your course using:

• Loom (free screen recording)
• Zoom (for face-to-camera)
• Canva (for slides and templates)
• Google Docs (for written lessons and worksheets)

Upload everything into folders:

• Videos (MP4)
• PDFs
• Bonuses
• Templates

Then you’re ready to upload them to your Systeme.io course backend.

🚀 Step 3: Set Up Your Course Funnel in Systeme.io

Here’s where Systeme.io shines. It includes:

• Funnel builder
• Email marketing
• Course delivery system
• Checkout pages
• Affiliate management

How to set it up:

1. Create a free account here: Systeme.io Signup
2. Go to Products/Sales > Courses
3. Create a new course → upload videos, PDFs, and resources
4. Set visibility (drip or instant access)
5. Create a sales funnel with:
   • Landing page
   • Checkout page
   • Thank you + login page
6. Connect your Stripe or PayPal to collect payments

💰 Step 4: Price & Package Your Course

Here are 3 popular pricing strategies:

✅ One-Time Price ($29–$199+)

Perfect for beginner-friendly, high-impact courses.

✅ Tiered Access (Basic, Pro, VIP)

Bundle bonuses or access levels for different prices.

✅ Free Course → Upsell

Offer a lead magnet course for free, then upsell into your premium offer via email.

Whatever you choose, Systeme.io lets you build the funnel and automate the pitch — all free.

🔁 Step 5: Automate With Email Sequences

Use email to:

• Welcome new students
• Deliver lessons or guides
• Share testimonials
• Offer time-limited bonuses
• Promote your next product

Systeme.io includes email automation even in the free plan:

• Create sequences with delays and tags
• Personalize based on behavior
• No integrations required

📢 Step 6: Promote Your Course (Even With a Small Audience)

You don’t need 10k followers. Start with:

• A free mini-course funnel (use as a lead magnet)
• Facebook + Reddit groups
• TikTok + YouTube Shorts with 15-second value clips
• Twitter/X threads with course teasers
• Pinterest pins that link to your funnel

Drive traffic to your opt-in funnel, and let the automation take care of the rest.

🔍 Systeme.io vs Kajabi, Teachable, Thinkific

Systeme.io gives you everything you need to sell and scale — without paying 5 tools at once.

❓FAQ – Selling Online Courses With Systeme.io

Is Systeme.io really free for selling courses?

Yes. You can host 1 full course, 2,000 contacts, unlimited emails, and full funnels without paying a cent.

Can I drip lessons over time?

Yes. You can unlock lessons daily, weekly, or all at once using Systeme.io’s drip content scheduler.

Does Systeme.io support video hosting?

Yes. You can upload video lessons directly, or embed from YouTube, Vimeo, or other tools.

Can I create multiple price tiers?

Yes. You can use funnels to offer upsells, bundles, and tiered access pages.

What about affiliates? Can others promote my course?

Absolutely. Systeme.io includes a full affiliate tracking system — even on the free plan.

How do I get paid?

Connect Stripe or PayPal in your account settings. Systeme.io handles the checkout and sends money straight to your account.

Can I use Systeme.io with my existing site?

Yes. You can embed opt-ins, link to funnels, or redirect traffic from any domain.

✍️ Final Thoughts

You don’t need to pay $149/month to sell a course. You don’t need 5 tools stitched together with Zapier. You don’t need to wait until you’re “ready.”

All you need is your knowledge — and a platform that helps you sell it.

👉 Create your free Systeme.io account here and launch your first course funnel today.

Turn your course into income. Turn your income into freedom. Start for free — and scale smart.