Comparing Instructor Net Revenue: Teachable vs. Udemy
The Teachable vs. Udemy Revenue Comparison Calculator provides a direct look at how your gross course sales translate into net income on two of the most popular online learning platforms.
For course creators, understanding the revenue split is critical for strategic decision-making, from pricing to platform choice.
This tool highlights the significant differences in payout percentages depending on your Teachable plan and how students find your course on Udemy, ultimately revealing which platform offers a greater advantage for your specific business model in 2025.
Why Revenue Share Models Dictate Creator Profitability
The revenue share model is the single most defining factor for a course creator's profitability on any online learning platform.
Whether a platform takes a flat percentage, a tiered cut based on sales source, or charges a monthly subscription, these structures directly dictate how much of your hard-earned gross sales you actually get to keep.
A difference of even 5% in revenue share can translate to thousands of dollars over a year for successful creators, profoundly impacting the viability and scalability of their online education business.
Understanding these models allows creators to strategically price courses, choose the right platform for their goals, and optimize their marketing efforts for maximum net income.
Decoding Teachable and Udemy Revenue Splits
This calculator determines the net revenue for course creators by applying the specific revenue share models of Teachable and Udemy to a given gross sales figure.
For Teachable:
- Basic Plan:
Net Revenue = Gross Sales × 0.95(after 5% transaction fee) - Pro/Business Plans:
Net Revenue = Gross Sales × 0.97(after payment processing, Teachable takes 0% transaction fee)
For Udemy (various revenue types):
- Organic Search:
Net Revenue = Gross Sales × 0.50(Udemy takes 50%) - Own Coupon / Referral:
Net Revenue = Gross Sales × 0.97(Udemy takes 3%) - Udemy Paid Ads:
Net Revenue = Gross Sales × 0.25(Udemy takes 75%) - Udemy for Business (UFB):
Net Revenue = Gross Sales × 0.15(Udemy takes 85%)
The Net Revenue on each platform is then compared to show the Revenue Difference.
Comparing Net Revenue for a $10,000 Sales Scenario
Let's imagine a course creator generating $10,000 in gross course sales from a $99 course.
They are on Teachable's Basic plan and primarily rely on Udemy's organic search for sales.
- Calculate Teachable Net Revenue (Basic Plan):
Teachable Net Revenue = $10,000 (Gross Sales) × 0.95 (95% payout after 5% fee)Teachable Net Revenue = $9,500 - Calculate Udemy Net Revenue (Organic Search):
Udemy Net Revenue = $10,000 (Gross Sales) × 0.50 (50% payout)Udemy Net Revenue = $5,000 - Calculate Revenue Difference:
Revenue Difference = $9,500 (Teachable) - $5,000 (Udemy) = $4,500
In this scenario, Teachable's Basic plan yields $9,500 net revenue, while Udemy's organic sales yield $5,000, resulting in a $4,500 advantage for Teachable.
This highlights the significant difference in payouts based on the platform and sales source.
Expert Interpretation of Platform Revenue Splits
Business strategists and online educators often analyze platform revenue splits through the lens of audience acquisition cost and long-term control.
On platforms like Udemy, the lower net payout (e.g., 50% for organic sales, 25% for paid ads) is seen as the cost of accessing their massive, pre-built audience and leveraging their marketing infrastructure.
This can be invaluable for new creators or for validating course ideas quickly.
Conversely, platforms like Teachable, with higher net payouts (95-97% on paid plans), require creators to bear the full burden of marketing and audience building.
Experts might advise using Udemy as a "top-of-funnel" lead generation tool, offering an introductory course there, and then directing engaged students to a Teachable school for higher-priced, more in-depth courses or membership programs, where the creator retains a larger share of the revenue and full control over the student relationship.
This hybrid approach capitalizes on the strengths of both models.
Expert Interpretation of Platform Revenue Splits
Business strategists and online educators typically interpret platform revenue splits through the dual lenses of audience access versus direct control and profitability.
On Udemy, the lower net payouts (e.g., 50% for organic sales, 25% for paid ads) are viewed as the cost of leveraging their vast, established marketplace and built-in marketing machine.
This can be highly beneficial for new creators seeking initial visibility and student acquisition without a significant marketing budget.
Conversely, platforms like Teachable, with their higher net payouts (95-97% on paid plans), are favored by creators who prioritize building their own brand, maintaining direct control over student data, and maximizing long-term profitability.
Experts often advise a hybrid strategy: use Udemy for lead generation and initial course validation, then direct engaged students to a Teachable school for higher-priced, premium content or membership programs, where the creator retains a much larger share of the revenue and cultivates a direct relationship with their audience.