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LMS · head to head

D2L Brightspace vs Podia

D2L Brightspace logo

D2L Brightspace

LMS

The LMS built to focus on the learning moment

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Podia logo

Podia

LMS

Sell online courses, memberships, and digital downloads

From
$42/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: D2L Brightspace no pricing tiers, subscription costs, or feature pricing published; requires contacting sales; Podia mover tier charges 5% transaction fees on all sales; higher tiers offer fee-free processing
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which D2L Brightspace and Podia actually diverge.

Attributes where D2L Brightspace and Podia differ
AttributeD2L BrightspacePodia
Starting priceOn request$42/month
Pricing modelquotesubscription
FoundedUnknown2014

Identical on both: free tier (No), platforms (Web), user rating (Not yet rated), category (LMS).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in D2L Brightspace

Nothing recorded that Podia does not also cover.

Only in Podia

  • Course hosting
  • Digital downloads
  • Memberships
  • Email marketing
  • Webinars
  • Community
  • Affiliate marketing
  • Custom website

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

D2L Brightspace

  • Learning management system for educational institutionsnot Podia
  • Online course management and deliverynot Podia
  • Student engagement and retention trackingnot Podia
  • Course content creation and distributionnot Podia
  • Learner achievement and certification managementnot Podia

Podia

  • Content creators selling digital courses with email marketing integrationnot D2L Brightspace
  • Coaching businesses managing memberships and community spacesnot D2L Brightspace
  • Newsletter publishers monetising subscriber base with events and digital productsnot D2L Brightspace

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

D2L Brightspace

  • No pricing tiers, subscription costs, or feature pricing published; requires contacting sales
  • Quote-based pricing model with no transparent cost information available
  • Multiple add-on modules (Lumi, Creator+, Achievement+, Performance+, Course Merchant, D2L Link) available but pricing not disclosed

Podia

  • Mover tier charges 5% transaction fees on all sales; higher tiers offer fee-free processing
  • Mover plan capped at 50 products maximum; Shaker at 150 products; only Earthquaker offers unlimited
  • Video storage limited by plan: 500 videos (Mover), 1,000 (Shaker), unlimited (Earthquaker)
  • Email subscriber limits tiered: 100 (Mover), 500 (Shaker), 1,000 (Earthquaker); overage model not stated
  • Annual billing required for all plans with 72-hour refund window; partial refunds excluded

Pricing, plan by plan

D2L Brightspace

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the D2L Brightspace review.

Podia

$42/month
  • Mover$42/month
    • Up to 100 email subscribers
    • 5% transaction fees
    • 50 products
  • Shaker$84/month
    • Up to 500 email subscribers
    • No Podia fees
    • 150 products
  • Earthquaker$150/month
    • Up to 1,000 email subscribers
    • No Podia fees
    • Unlimited products

Which should you pick?

Choose D2L Brightspace if

Nothing in the data separates D2L Brightspace from Podia on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

D2L Brightspace review

Choose Podia if

  • You need course hosting.
  • You also want digital downloads.
Podia review

Questions people ask

Is D2L Brightspace or Podia better?
Neither clearly leads. D2L Brightspace starts at On request and Podia at $42/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, D2L Brightspace or Podia?
D2L Brightspace starts at On request and Podia at $42/month.
Does D2L Brightspace or Podia run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
What is D2L Brightspace best used for?
D2L Brightspace is most often used for learning management system for educational institutions, online course management and delivery, student engagement and retention tracking, course content creation and distribution. Of those, learning management system for educational institutions and online course management and delivery are not what Podia is typically brought in for.
What can D2L Brightspace do that Podia cannot?
Podia covers Course hosting, Digital downloads, Memberships, Email marketing.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

D2L Brightspace: How much does D2L Brightspace cost?

D2L Brightspace does not publish pricing on its website. Prospective customers must request a demo or contact D2L sales to receive pricing quotes customized to their institution's needs.

Source
Podia: How much does Podia cost?

Podia offers three plans: Mover at $42/month, Shaker at $84/month, and Earthquaker at $150/month. All plans include a 30-day free trial and can be billed monthly or annually with cost savings on annual billing.

Source
D2L Brightspace: What add-on modules does Brightspace offer?

Brightspace offers multiple add-on modules including D2L Lumi, Creator+, Achievement+, Performance+, Course Merchant, and D2L Link. Specific pricing and features for each are available by contacting D2L.

Source
Podia: Does Podia charge transaction fees?

Yes, the Mover plan charges 5% Podia transaction fees. Higher tiers (Shaker and Earthquaker) include no Podia fees. However, all plans are subject to payment processor fees of 2.9% + 30 cents per transaction.

Source
D2L Brightspace: What is D2L Brightspace's retention rate?

D2L reports an 82% retention rate among customers, though this does not reflect pricing or costs.

Source
Podia: Is there a free trial for Podia?

Yes, Podia offers a 30-day free trial. No credit card is required to start the trial, allowing you to explore all features before deciding on a plan.

Source
D2L Brightspace: Can I see D2L Brightspace before purchasing?

D2L Brightspace is available by demo request only. Contact D2L directly to schedule a demo and discuss pricing options for your institution.

Source
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