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LMS · head to head

edX vs Podia

edX logo

edX

LMS

Online courses from the world's top universities

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: edX individual course costs not displayed; pricing requires enrollment to view; Podia mover tier charges 5% transaction fees on all sales; higher tiers offer fee-free processing
  • They diverge on capability: edX covers Video lectures, Podia covers Course hosting.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which edX and Podia actually diverge.

Attributes where edX and Podia differ
AttributeedXPodia
Starting priceOn request$42/month
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidWeb
Founded20122014

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), 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 edX

  • Video lectures
  • Interactive exercises
  • Discussion forums
  • Certificates
  • MicroMasters
  • Professional certificates
  • Degrees
  • Mobile learning

Only in Podia

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

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

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

edX

  • Learners seeking university-level credentials from elite institutions (MIT, Harvard, Cambridge)not Podia
  • Career changers pursuing MicroMasters or professional certificatesnot Podia
  • Individuals in regions with limited access to higher educationnot Podia

Podia

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

Where each one falls short

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

edX

  • Individual course costs not displayed; pricing requires enrollment to view

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

edX

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the edX 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 edX if

  • You need video lectures.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want interactive exercises.
edX review

Choose Podia if

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

Questions people ask

Is edX or Podia better?
Neither clearly leads. edX 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, edX or Podia?
edX starts at On request and Podia at $42/month.
Does edX or Podia run on more platforms?
edX runs on Web, iOS, Android. Podia runs on Web.
What is edX best used for?
edX is most often used for learners seeking university-level credentials from elite institutions (mit, harvard, cambridge), career changers pursuing micromasters or professional certificates, individuals in regions with limited access to higher education. Of those, learners seeking university-level credentials from elite institutions (mit, harvard, cambridge) and career changers pursuing micromasters or professional certificates are not what Podia is typically brought in for.
What can edX do that Podia cannot?
edX covers Video lectures, Interactive exercises, Discussion forums, Certificates. Podia covers Course hosting, Digital downloads, Memberships, Email marketing. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

edX: Does edX offer free courses?

Yes, edX allows you to audit courses for free, as indicated by their 'How to Audit a Course' resource. Auditing provides access to course content without earning a certificate.

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
edX: Do you have to pay for certificates on edX?

Yes, edX offers Verified Certificates which require payment. Exact pricing varies by course but is available when you view individual course pages.

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
edX: What types of credential programs does edX offer?

edX offers Professional Certificates (multiple bundled courses), Degree Programs (Master's, Bachelor's, MicroMasters, MicroBachelors), and Executive Education premium offerings.

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
edX: Are there current discounts on edX?

Yes, edX offers periodic discount codes. Currently they have a code ACTION2026 providing up to 20% off for a limited time.

Source
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