Teachable vs Skillshare An Honest Breakdown for Online Course Creators
I have always enjoyed teaching. Not in a formal classroom setting, but in the way I explain things to friends, write tutorials, and share what I know. That interest led me to explore online course creation. When I started researching platforms, two names kept appearing: Teachable and Skillshare. I spent five weeks testing both to understand how they work for course creators. This is my honest breakdown.
Teachable and Skillshare are very different platforms. One lets you sell courses directly to your audience. The other pays you based on how much time students spend watching your content. Understanding that difference is essential before you invest time in creating a course.
- I created and published a short test course on both platforms.
- Total earnings on Teachable: around $24.00 from one course sale.
- Total earnings on Skillshare: around $3.80 from watch time royalties.
- Teachable gave me full control over pricing and student data.
- Skillshare offered built-in audience but very low per-minute payouts.
- Both required a time investment in course creation.
- This is additional income only for beginners. Results vary by topic, marketing, and audience size.
Why I Wanted to Compare These Two Platforms
I wanted to understand the real difference between selling courses directly and earning through a subscription model. Teachable represents the direct-sale approach. Skillshare represents the royalty-based approach. Both have pros and cons, but they serve different goals.
Another reason was the marketing challenge. I do not have a large audience, so I wanted to see if Skillshare's built-in student base would make it easier to earn. At the same time, I wanted to test whether Teachable's pricing control would lead to higher earnings per student.
Getting Started on Each Platform
Teachable required me to create an account, set up a school page, and upload my course content. The platform has a free plan, but it charges transaction fees on course sales. I created a short 45-minute course on basic photo editing and published it.
Skillshare required a different setup. I created an account, uploaded my course, and it went through a review process. The course was approved within a week. Skillshare pays based on minutes watched by premium members, not per course sale.
My Week-by-Week Experience
Weeks 1-2: Creating the Course
The first two weeks were spent creating a short test course. I recorded video lessons, created slides, and wrote descriptions. This was the most time-consuming part of the entire test. The course was not perfect, but it was good enough to publish.
I published the course on both platforms. On Teachable, I set the price at around $24.00. On Skillshare, the course was available to all premium members as part of their subscription.
Weeks 3-4: Waiting for Results
By week three, my Teachable course had one sale. A friend purchased it after I shared the link. That single sale earned me around $24.00, minus Teachable's transaction fee, which left me with about $21.60.
On Skillshare, my course received a few views. The platform tracked watch time, and I earned around $3.80 in royalties during weeks three and four. The earnings were small, but they were automated.
Week 5: Understanding the Differences
By week five, the differences were clear. Teachable gave me control over pricing and direct access to my students. Skillshare gave me access to a large audience but paid very little per minute watched.
Pay Structure and Earning Potential
| Criteria | Teachable | Skillshare |
|---|---|---|
| Payment model | Per course sale | Per minute watched |
| Pricing control | Full control | None |
| Transaction fee | Yes on free plan | No |
| Minimum payout | No minimum | Around $10 |
| Payment method | PayPal, Bank Transfer | PayPal |
Audience and Marketing
Teachable requires you to bring your own audience. Without marketing, your course will not sell. I shared the link with friends and on social media, which led to one sale.
Skillshare provides access to its existing student base. My course was discovered by a few students without any marketing. The downside is that the royalty payments are very small unless your course attracts thousands of minutes of watch time.
Comparing to Other Course Platforms
| Criteria | Teachable | Skillshare | Udemy | Thinkific |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Payment model | Per sale | Per watch time | Per sale | Per sale |
| Audience access | Your own | Built-in | Built-in | Your own |
| Pricing control | Full | None | Limited | Full |
| Beginner-friendly | Medium | High | High | Medium |
If you want to see how Teachable compares to another platform, I have a detailed comparison of Teachable vs. Udemy.
"Teachable gave me control but required marketing. Skillshare gave me access to students but paid very little. For a beginner with a small audience, neither platform is a fast path to meaningful income."
What I Liked and What Frustrated Me
Teachable Pros
- Full pricing control.
- Direct access to student emails.
- No minimum payout.
- Professional course interface.
- Potential for higher earnings per sale.
Teachable Cons
- Requires your own marketing.
- Transaction fees on free plan.
- No built-in audience.
- Time-consuming course creation.
- Sales depend entirely on your efforts.
Skillshare Pros
- Built-in student audience.
- No transaction fees.
- Automated earning potential.
- Simple upload process.
- Good for building a reputation.
Skillshare Cons
- Very low per-minute payouts.
- No pricing control.
- High minimum payout.
- Competition from many courses.
- Royalties depend on premium member watch time.
Who Should Choose Which Platform?
Choose Teachable if:
- You have an existing audience or email list.
- You want full control over pricing.
- You are willing to market your course.
- You want direct access to student data.
- You are serious about building a course business.
Choose Skillshare if:
- You have no audience but want students to find your course.
- You are comfortable with low royalties.
- You want automated earning potential.
- You are building a portfolio of courses.
- You want a simple platform without marketing pressure.
My Honest Verdict
After five weeks of testing, I can say that both Teachable and Skillshare are established platforms for course creators. The difference is in the business model. Teachable gives you control but requires marketing. Skillshare gives you access to students but pays very little per minute watched.
For a beginner with a small audience, neither platform will generate meaningful income quickly. Teachable has higher earning potential per student, but only if you can drive traffic. Skillshare is easier to start but pays very little for watch time.
Final Verdict
Teachable is more suitable for control and long-term growth. Skillshare is easier to start but pays very little. Both require a time investment in course creation. Results vary by topic and marketing effort.
If you want to explore other course creation options, I have a guide on websites for selling digital products and another one covering dropshipping digital products.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for beginners, Teachable or Skillshare?
Skillshare is easier for beginners because it has a built-in audience. Teachable requires your own marketing. However, Teachable offers higher earning potential per student.
Which platform pays more?
Teachable has higher earning potential because you control pricing. A single sale can earn $20 or more. Skillshare pays very little per minute watched, often cents per student. These are estimates and actual results vary by person.
Do I need an audience to succeed on Skillshare?
No. Skillshare has its own student base. Your course can be discovered without marketing. The downside is that royalties are very low unless your course attracts significant watch time.
Can I use both platforms at the same time?
Yes. Many course creators publish on multiple platforms to maximize their reach and earnings.
How much does it cost to start?
Teachable has a free plan with transaction fees. Skillshare is free to join and upload courses. Both require a time investment in course creation.
How long does it take to get approved on Skillshare?
My course was approved within a week. The review process checks for quality and adherence to their guidelines.
Which platform is better for long-term income?
Teachable is more suitable for long-term income if you build an audience. Skillshare can generate automated income but at very low rates.
Results vary by person. What worked for me may not work for everyone. The income figures mentioned are estimates based on my personal experience and are not typical or guaranteed.
Disclosure: Some of the links in this article point to external websites and platforms (such as Teachable, Skillshare, Udemy, and Thinkific) for reference and convenience only. These are not affiliate links, and we do not receive any commission, payment, or compensation from them. We are not affiliated with or sponsored by these platforms. All external links are provided solely to help readers access the original sources easily, and the content of this article is purely educational.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is based on personal experience and research and is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, investment, business, career, tax, or professional advice. Individual results vary based on topic, effort, market conditions, and numerous other factors. Income figures and results described are real examples but are not guarantees of what any individual will achieve. Platform policies, pay rates, and terms may change without notice. Always conduct your own research and consult with a qualified professional before making any financial decisions.
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