6 alternatives to Teachable
Compare free and open-source solutions before building your own. Check each option’s license, setup, and limitations.
A website, course catalog, forums and payments inside an ERP; subtle it is not.
LicenseLGPL-3.0
PlatformsOn your server
InstallationUse Odoo's packaged installer, source install or Docker image, backed by PostgreSQL
DataBusiness and website records in PostgreSQL; uploaded attachments in Odoo's filestore
Limitations compared to TeachableOdoo's course experience is secondary to its ERP and lacks Teachable's creator-friendly coaching, authoring, marketing and student polish.
SetupA production deployment needs PostgreSQL, workers/reverse proxy configuration, backups and ongoing administration of a very large suite
Facts verified 2026-08-10
The most complete free LMS here, with the least creator-friendly first impression.
LicenseGPL-3.0+
PlatformsOn your machine or in the cloud
InstallationUpload the PHP release to a web server, create a database and moodledata directory, then complete the browser installer
DataCourses, users, grades and settings in SQL; uploaded files in the separate moodledata directory
Limitations compared to TeachableMoodle's administration and learner interface are far less creator-friendly, and selling/coaching requires configuration or plugins.
SetupPHP and database requirements, protected writable storage, cron, SMTP, backups and upgrades are all the operator's responsibility
Facts verified 2026-08-10
Courses, cohorts, assignments, quizzes, certificates and payments in a modern UI; coaching workflows are lighter.
LicenseAGPL-3.0
PlatformsOn your machine or in the cloud
InstallationRun Frappe's easy-install script or the official Docker Compose deployment
DataCourse and user records in the Frappe/MariaDB site database; public/private site files on disk, while video lessons commonly embed external hosts
Limitations compared to TeachableFrappe Learning is less creator-commerce and coaching focused than Teachable, and self-hosting means learning the Frappe stack.
SetupSelf-hosting still needs Docker or a Frappe server, DNS/SSL and email; payments require separate gateway configuration
Facts verified 2026-08-10
Courses, coaching-style communities, downloads and sales pages in one stack; you run the stack.
LicenseAGPL-3.0
PlatformsOn your machine or in the cloud
InstallationDocker Compose, with SUPER_ADMIN_EMAIL set before first start
DataApplication records in MongoDB; production media uploads use MediaLit plus S3-compatible object storage
Limitations compared to TeachableCourseLit has less mature coaching, reporting, marketing automation and creator-commerce polish, while the owner runs the infrastructure.
SetupDocker starts the app, but a production setup also needs SMTP for email login and MediaLit/S3-compatible storage for uploads
Facts verified 2026-08-10
A full course shop inside WordPress; low GitHub stars, but current releases and more than 100,000 active installs.
LicenseGPL-3.0
PlatformsOn your server
InstallationInstall from WordPress Plugins → Add New, then run Tutor LMS's setup wizard
DataCourses, enrollments and settings in the WordPress database; lesson media in the WordPress Media Library
Limitations compared to TeachableTutor LMS depends on WordPress and key creator features such as subscriptions, certificates, assignments and drip content may require paid add-ons.
SetupIt first requires a maintained WordPress site, and subscriptions, certificates, assignments, drip content and several integrations sit outside the free core
Facts verified 2026-08-10
One hosted course, bookings, digital products and payments free; useful until your catalog becomes plural.
LicenseFree, closed source
PlatformsIn the provider’s cloud
InstallationHosted signup
DataContacts, funnels, course/community content, orders, emails and uploaded files in systeme.io's vendor-managed cloud; the underlying storage format is not published
Limitations compared to TeachableThe free plan's one-course ceiling and lighter assessment/creator-school tooling become the first major limit.
SetupSelling requires connecting a payment gateway; the free plan is capped at 2,000 contacts, three funnels, one course, one community and one custom domain
Facts verified 2026-08-10
Updated 2026-08-10 · no paid listings
| Tool | License | Setup | Platforms | Stars | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Odoo Community | LGPL-3.0 | Self-hosted with ongoing maintenance | web, self-hosted | 53,527 | 2026-08 |
| Moodle | GPL-3.0+ | Self-hosted with ongoing maintenance | web, ios, android, self-hosted | 7,300 | 2026-08 |
| Frappe Learning | AGPL-3.0 | Docker on your server | web, self-hosted | 3,100 | 2026-07 |
| CourseLit | AGPL-3.0 | Docker on your server | web, self-hosted | 1,200 | 2026-07 |
| Tutor LMS | GPL-3.0 | Self-hosted with ongoing maintenance | web, self-hosted | 124 | 2026-08 |
| systeme.io | Free, closed source | Hosted by the provider | web | — | — |
They pay because course businesses need checkout, access, progress, and support to just work. If those points do not matter to you, the options above could save $348 per year.
Is there a free alternative to Teachable?
Yes: Odoo Community, Moodle, Frappe Learning. This page lists 6 free or open-source options. Check the limitations of each.
Should I build my own Teachable?
Our verdict: With trade-offs. A basic course site with Stripe can be built, but student apps, tax/payments, course compliance, certificates, upsells, affiliates, and support make full parity hard. The complete prompt is on the Teachable page on Vibe Radar.
