Sensational and simple. This is my little Swiss army knife for so much more than just courses. Plus a world-class service that even helps on public holidays (thanks Fabian) if an action is running and something doesn't work and the error is sitting in front of the PC again. THANK YOU - unreservedly recommendable.
Are you searching for the perfect online platform for your online courses? Then you've come to the right place, because in this article, we'll compare two of the most popular providers - Elopage and COACHY.
Features
COACHY enables you to swiftly establish your online school (member area) and create polished landing pages effortlessly. It emphasizes simplicity, allowing you to focus entirely on your content creation. One notable advantage is the ability to upload videos (and other digital assets) directly to COACHY and use its advanced member management system to precisely regulate content accessibility for each member.
And: There are no constraints on the quantity of files you can upload.
The member area interface is highly intuitive, facilitating an effortless start for beginners. The structure of online courses (course, chapters, lessons, downloads) is well-defined, streamlining course creation, although there are some limitations on customization options.
In contrast, Elopage primarily serves as an online course builder, offering a page for each course that can be customized according to your preferences. However, the initial setup and course aesthetics may require additional time.
Both platforms offer similar core functionality, including tests and certificates, audio file uploads, timed releases, video commenting, employee access, and detailed consumption statistics.
However, Elopage includes features not available in COACHY (free text answers in tests and automated course emails), while Coachy offers functionalities absent in Elopage (pop-ups within the member area, manual member creation or import).
In essence, Elopage aims to be an all-in-one solution for course sales, while COACHY concentrates on member area and landing page functionalities. For other requirements such as payment processing and email marketing, COACHY seamlessly integrates with external tools of your choice, allowing for tailored solutions. Furthermore, COACHYs’ typically lower cost leaves more room in your budget for additional tools.
Payment Providers and Access Distribution
Elopage serves as the payment provider for your online courses. However, using Elopage solely as a member area, without its payment provider functionalities, can be cumbersome. It requires technical knowledge of the Elopage API or workarounds via Zapier.
It's not possible to manually assign access to your online course, for example, to customers who have purchased offline from you or whom you want to manually unlock your course for other reasons.
CSV imports, for instance, to transition your member area to Elopage or to manage course sales to companies, also require assistance.
Moreover, Elopage does not send passwords to your customers via email. Although customer accounts are created in Elopage, they must set their passwords themselves. It's crucial to communicate this to users. Alternatively, login without a password is possible via a one-time magic link. Access to an online course at Elopage always necessitates a transaction, either through the in-house payment provider or external ones connected via API or Zapier.
In contrast, COACHY offers full flexibility. While COACHY is not its own payment provider, it is directly integrated with Digistore24 and CopeCart. Additional payment providers of your choice can be linked via Zapier. Moreover, Coachy allows for manual member creation, CSV file imports, or creating free access for members to enroll in courses themselves, such as via your website. Additionally, starting from COACHY Deluxe, you have the option to sell or manually unlock specific chapters of a course, ideal for personalized coaching sessions.
Customers receive login details from COACHY via email upon account creation. For those utilizing freebies, an access link can optionally be transferred to their email provider. This approach allows for contact generation, and access to the course or eBook is granted only after the double opt-in process has been completed. In such cases, members set their passwords themselves.
App
Both COACHY and Elopage offer an app for your member area, yet with notable distinctions in execution and customization options.
The Elopage app is available for purchase separately and comes at a cost. It is tailored to your member area branding and can be accessed through the app store. Consequently, your members must actively search for your app's name within the app or play store to utilize it. While having your own app serves as a powerful marketing tool, its implementation entails significant effort, as outlined in Elopage's comprehensive instructions. Allow for several weeks, including potential inquiries, for setup. The app is inclusive from Elopage's premium package onwards, starting at €439 per month.
In contrast, the COACHY app operates as a web app, bypassing the need for app or play store availability. Nevertheless, it provides full branding customization options, allowing you to configure your app's name and icon to align with your brand identity. Members can then install the app directly through their smartphone browsers. Utilizing the app is straightforward: members simply access it using the name and icon you've defined.
Integrations
Both Elopage and COACHY can be linked to various third-party providers. Elopage seamlessly integrates with the industry's leading email tools, including KlickTipp, 4Leads, ActiveCampaign, Mailchimp, GetResponse, and MailingWork. This functionality enables you to effortlessly transfer customer data and apply tags based on their interactions, such as viewing lessons or completing quizzes.
For those with technical expertise, Elopage also provides access to webhooks and an API, allowing for further customization. Additionally, tools that are not directly integrated can be connected via Zapier, including email providers like Rapidmail.
Similarly, Coachy provides integration with popular email tools such as KlickTipp, GetResponse, CleverReach, 4Leads, Brevo, ActiveCampaign, Mailchimp, and Quentn. Quentn, particularly gaining traction in the German-speaking market, now enables access management for Coachy courses.
While COACHY currently lacks webhooks and an API, it offers a Zapier interface for seamless integration with other applications.
Data Protection
COACHY is a European provider and therefore bound by the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). All uploaded content is stored in the EU. You can download a data processing agreement with just one click in your member area. COACHY also offers an automatic data protection and imprint generator developed in collaboration with a German law firm.
Depending on the price package, you also get a data protection generator with Elopage. A data processing agreement is also available for download in the Elopage account. However, there are some providers from the USA. Therefore, check whether this is a problem for your business model.
Prices
COACHY and Elopage offer suitable pricing options for beginners. The smallest package (Premium) in Coachy starts at €35 per month (with annual payment). With this, you can publish one online course
Summary
Feature | Coachy | Elopage |
---|---|---|
Price (per month, annual payment) | Starting at €35 | Starting at €33 |
Platform for Online Courses/Trainings + Digital Products | Yes | Yes |
Unlimited Member Count and Storage Space in Every Package | Yes | Yes, with video quantity limit |
Comprehensive Landing Page Builder | Yes | - |
Prescribed Course Structure | Yes | Customizable course pages |
Integration with German Payment Providers | Yes | Elopage serves as payment provider |
Integration with Additional Payment Systems via Zapier | Yes | Yes |
Integration with Email Tools | Yes | Yes |
Integrated Facebook and Google Tracking | Yes | Yes |
Webhooks | - | Yes |
GDPR-Compliant Video Hosting in Europe | Yes | Video hosting via Wistia (USA) |
Automatic Data Protection and Imprint Generator | Yes | Data protection generator from Elopage PRO |
2-Factor Authentication for Members | Yes | - |
Members See Only Purchased Courses in Member Area | Yes | - |
App Installed via Web Browser | Yes | Extra cost for own app for App Store |
Own Branding and Domain from Deluxe Package | Yes (with additional setup fee) | Own domain possible from Elopage PRO |
Trial Period | 30 days, no credit card required | 14 days, no credit card required |
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