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Software · head to head

Google Classroom vs Thinkific

Google Classroom logo

Google Classroom

Software

Free, easy-to-use learning management for schools

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Thinkific logo

Thinkific

Software

Create and sell online courses your way

From
$36/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Google Classroom has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Google Classroom no SCORM or xAPI support for tracking learning analytics; Thinkific no free plan, 14-day trial only
  • They diverge on capability: Google Classroom covers Class management, Thinkific covers Course builder.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Google Classroom and Thinkific actually diverge.

Attributes where Google Classroom and Thinkific differ
AttributeGoogle ClassroomThinkific
Starting priceFree$36/month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidWeb, Mobile
Founded19982012

Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 Google Classroom

  • Class management
  • Assignments
  • Gradebook
  • Google Meet
  • Google Drive integration
  • Originality reports
  • Mobile app
  • Parent summaries

Only in Thinkific

  • Course builder
  • Website builder
  • Quizzes
  • Certificates
  • Communities
  • Memberships
  • Marketing tools
  • Analytics

Both cover

  • Web support
  • IOS support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

Google Classroom

  • Class managementnot Thinkific
  • Assignment distributionnot Thinkific
  • Gradingnot Thinkific
  • Communicationnot Thinkific

Thinkific

  • Course creationnot Google Classroom
  • Membership sitesnot Google Classroom
  • Coaching programsnot Google Classroom
  • Corporate trainingnot Google Classroom

Where each one falls short

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

Google Classroom

  • No SCORM or xAPI support for tracking learning analytics
  • Limited quiz types, relying on Google Forms instead of native assessment tools
  • No rubric-based grading workflow for detailed feedback
  • Minimal built-in analytics and no discussion forums for asynchronous engagement
  • Tightly dependent on Google Workspace ecosystem with limited third-party integrations

Thinkific

  • No free plan, 14-day trial only
  • Transaction fees on third-party payment processors (5% on Basic tier)
  • PayPal only available on Grow plan ($199/month), not on Basic or Start
  • Limited customization on lower-tier plans
  • Cannot embed courses in external domains or iframes
  • Limited number of spaces per plan
  • Less interactive community features compared to alternatives
  • Features continuously moved to higher-priced tiers
  • Payment processing delays reported (up to 90 days)

Pricing, plan by plan

Google Classroom

Free
  • Education FundamentalsFree
    • Classroom, Docs, Gmail, Meet, Forms, Chat
    • 100 TB pooled storage
  • Google Workspace for Education Plus$5/month
    • Advanced features
    • Dedicated support

Thinkific

$36/month
  • Basic$36/month
    • 1 course
    • Up to 500 students
    • Thinkific Payments (0% fees)
  • Start$74/month
    • Up to 3 courses
    • Up to 2,000 students
    • Third-party payment (3% fees)
  • Grow$149/month
    • Unlimited courses
    • Unlimited students
    • Third-party payment (0% fees)

Which should you pick?

Choose Google Classroom if

  • You need class management.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want assignments.
Google Classroom review

Choose Thinkific if

  • You need course builder.
  • You work on Web, Mobile.
  • You also want website builder.
Thinkific review

Questions people ask

Is Google Classroom or Thinkific better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Classroom starts at Free and Thinkific at $36/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Google Classroom or Thinkific?
Google Classroom has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Google Classroom and $36/month for Thinkific.
Does Google Classroom or Thinkific run on more platforms?
Google Classroom runs on Web, iOS, Android. Thinkific runs on Web, Mobile.
Can I use Google Classroom for free?
Yes. Google Classroom has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Thinkific starts at $36/month.
What is Google Classroom best used for?
Google Classroom is most often used for class management, assignment distribution, grading, communication. Of those, class management and assignment distribution are not what Thinkific is typically brought in for.
What can Google Classroom do that Thinkific cannot?
Google Classroom covers Class management, Assignments, Gradebook, Google Meet. Thinkific covers Course builder, Website builder, Quizzes, Certificates. Both handle Web support, IOS support, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Google Classroom: How much does Google Classroom cost?

Google Classroom is free with Google Workspace for Education. Advanced AI features via Gemini Pro add-on cost $24 per user per month, and Google Workspace for Education Plus costs $5-$8 per user per month.

Source
Thinkific: Does Thinkific have a free plan?

No. Thinkific does not offer a free plan but provides a 14-day free trial. Paid plans start at $36/month (Basic tier).

Source
Google Classroom: What are the limitations of Google Classroom compared to full LMS platforms?

Google Classroom lacks SCORM or xAPI support, has limited quiz types relying on Google Forms, no rubric-based grading workflow, minimal built-in analytics, and no discussion forums for asynchronous student interaction.

Source
Thinkific: Are there transaction fees on Thinkific?

Thinkific charges no transaction fees when using their built-in Thinkific Payments. Third-party payment processors incur 5% fees (Basic) down to 0% (Plus), plus 3.6% for Stripe with subscriptions.

Source
Google Classroom: Can Google Classroom be customized for advanced course structures?

Google Classroom is not ideal for modular or branching content and offers limited customization compared to full LMS platforms like Moodle or Canvas.

Source
Thinkific: What payment methods does Thinkific support?

PayPal is locked to Grow plan ($199/month). Basic and Start plans do not support PayPal, limiting payment options for international creators and potentially reducing conversions.

Source
Google Classroom: Does Google Classroom integrate with Microsoft 365 or other SIS platforms?

Google Classroom is tightly integrated with Google Workspace and depends on Google Meet. Integration with other systems like Microsoft 365 or specific SIS platforms is limited.

Source
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