Systeme.io vs Podia: What You Pay and What You Get
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This comparison covers two course platforms, Systeme.io and Podia, using only what each vendor’s pricing page states. Other platforms are not covered here. Where a page is silent, we say so rather than guess.
Plans and prices at a glance
| Systeme.io | Podia | |
|---|---|---|
| Free option | Free plan, $0 | 14-day trial, full access |
| Entry paid plan | Startup, $17/month | Mover, $49/month billed monthly |
| Mid plan | Webinar, $47/month | Shaker, $99/month billed monthly |
| Top plan | Unlimited, $97/month | Earthquaker (price not stated) |
| Annual option | “2 months free”; annual prices not stated | Mover $42/month billed annually ($504/yr); Shaker $84/month billed annually ($1,008/yr) |
Systeme.io’s pricing page says its free plan never expires and needs no credit card. Podia’s pricing page offers a 14-day trial with full access and no card needed, so it is a time-limited test, not a permanent free tier.
Course limits
Systeme.io’s free plan allows 1 course. Startup allows 5 courses, Webinar allows 20 courses, and Unlimited allows unlimited courses. For students on the free plan, the vendor’s page is inconsistent: one section says unlimited students, while the FAQ says 500 students on Free. Check the current page before relying on either figure.
Podia’s page gives no course limits, so we cannot compare course counts between the two.
Transaction fees and processing
Systeme.io states 0% transaction fees on all plans. It says you can accept payments with Stripe or PayPal at no extra cost, but the page does not state the processor fee percentages, so payment-processor fees and any taxes may still apply and you should check them with the processor.
Podia charges a 5% transaction fee on Mover. Shaker and Earthquaker have no transaction fee from Podia. Separately, the payment processor charges a standard 2.9% + 30ยข per transaction, which may vary by location, and Podia does not set those fees. So even on plans with no Podia fee, processor charges still apply.
Refunds
Podia allows a refund within 72 hours of your most recent payment, with no partial refunds on annual plans. Systeme.io’s pricing page does not state refund terms, so check them before paying.
Pros and cons
Systeme.io
- Pros: a free plan with no expiry; 0% transaction fees on all plans; lower listed monthly prices for its three paid tiers than Podia’s listed Mover and Shaker monthly prices ($17, $47, $97 against $49 and $99, with Earthquaker not stated).
- Cons: annual prices are not stated; the student limit on the free plan is inconsistent on the page; refund terms and video hosting features are not stated.
Podia
- Pros: a 14-day full-access trial without a card; a clearly stated refund window; no Podia transaction fee on Shaker and Earthquaker.
- Cons: a 5% transaction fee on Mover; processor fees on top; no permanent free plan; no refund on part of an annual plan.
Who it suits / who should look elsewhere
Systeme.io suits someone who wants to start at $0 and keep tight control of monthly costs while testing an idea. It is a weaker fit if you need confirmed details on video hosting or refunds, since the vendor’s page does not state them.
Podia suits someone who wants a short, full-featured trial and clear refund terms, and who is happy to pay a monthly plan price from the start. If you expect to sell on Mover, factor in the 5% fee. If you want a permanent free tier, Podia is not the right pick.
What we could not verify
- Systeme.io annual plan prices, refund terms and video hosting or live class features.
- Processor fee percentages for Systeme.io.
- Podia’s Earthquaker price, video hosting limits, live events and drip content.
Prices and terms change, so confirm them on each vendor’s page before you buy.