Podia vs. Join It
A cleaner alternative to Podia
Podia is built for creators selling courses, downloads, coaching and paid communities. Join It is all-in-one membership software for clubs, associations and nonprofits: payments, automated renewals, member emails, event registration and Wallet cards, from $29 a month. Choose Podia to sell content. Choose Join It to run a membership.
Clean, modern interface
Transparent pricing
Integrates with the tools you already use
Here’s what happens when Podia users switch to Join It
Built to support your workflow, not replace it
Join It offers all the essential membership tools, without forcing you into a closed ecosystem.
Member Timeline
Track key actions across each member’s lifecycle (no CRM degree required).
Useful Integrations
Join It integrates directly with the tools associations use most, Mailchimp, Eventbrite, QuickBooks, plus thousands more through Zapier on every plan.
Custom Checkout Options
Add optional donations, create flexible membership types, and set up one‑time or recurring payments.
Quick, Easy Setup
Get started in minutes. Everything’s self-serve, with fast support if you need help.
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Feature by feature, here’s how it compares
From integrations to support to how pricing actually works, see what sets Join It apart.
Join It
Use with your existing website
Join It
Alternative
Custom membership types
Join It
Alternative
Multiple admin access
Join It
Alternative
Custom fields on member profiles
Join It
Alternative
Digital membership cards
Join It
Alternative
Automated renewal emails
Join It
Alternative
Member activity timeline
Join It
Alternative
Event management
Join It
Alternative
Public and private directories
Join It
Alternative
Mailchimp and Zapier integration
Join It
Alternative
Transparent pricing
Join It
Alternative
No onboarding fees
Join It
Alternative
Fast, human support
Join It
Alternative
What sets Join It apart
Modern, distraction-free design
Join It
Clean, focused interface tailored for membership.
Podia
Feature-packed, which can feel overwhelming.
Zero transaction fees included
Join It
No fees—just your plan price.
Podia
Mover Plan charges 5% of every transaction
Membership-first functionality
Join It
Cards, timelines, flexible types—all membership centered.
Podia
Creator-first with courses, sales, community; less emphasis on membership essentials.
Predictable, inclusive pricing
Join It
Transparent flat rate, no hidden costs.
Podia
Higher tiers unlock key features; costs add up via email and team add-ons
Tagline How Podia & Join It are alike
Both offer built-in website, email, and product management tools.
Both offer built-in website, email, and product management tools.
Both support online courses, communities, coaching, and digital products.
Both support online courses, communities, coaching, and digital products.
Both include email automation and marketing features.
Both include email automation and marketing features.
Both provide responsive support for users.
Both provide responsive support for users.
Join It vs Podia pricing
Join It
Starting at
$29
/mo
Transparent pricing based on active members
No onboarding or implementation fees
Includes digital membership cards and key integrations
30‑day free trial, no credit card required
Starting at
$39
/mo
/yr
Transaction fees apply on the entry plan (5%)
Paid tiers range up to $89/month, with higher plans removing transaction fees and adding affiliate tools and Zapier actions
Email marketing and team access may incur additional fees
Annual discounts available
What is the best Podia alternative if I need membership management rather than a creator storefront?
Join It is a strong Podia alternative for organizations that need to manage members, dues, renewals, events, and records rather than sell courses, downloads, or digital products.
How does Join It compare to Podia for organizations with members instead of customers buying digital products?
Podia is designed for creator businesses, while Join It is designed for organizations that run membership programs.
Can I migrate from Podia to Join It?
Yes. Organizations can move from Podia to Join It by exporting member or customer data and importing the membership records into Join It, with bulk import included for free on every Join It plan.
Real people. Exceptional support.
Clubs, associations and nonprofits in 40+ countries run their membership on Join It — and tell us about it in public.
“We have tripled our membership since using Join It. All our records are in one place, while automated emails, renewals, payments and receipts save us so much time.”
“I now know of only 2 membership management companies — Join It and others. I'm normally reserved on reviews but this one deserves more than my normal polite comments. Exceptional experience.”
“Join It has rescued us from WildApricot. This company understands the modern world. They integrate with the best technologies. And they excel in service, knowing that's the best way to serve their bottom line.”
Try Join It and see the difference
No pressure. No credit card. Just modern membership software that works the way you do.
Podia vs Join It: how to choose
The short answer: Podia suits solo creators and coaches selling courses, downloads, coaching and a community, with plans from $42 a month billed yearly as of October 2026. Join It suits clubs and associations that need membership types, renewals, member records and payments, with plans from $29 a month, month to month, and a 30-day free trial with no credit card.
What is Podia built for?
Podia is an all-in-one platform for creators selling online courses, digital downloads, coaching and paid communities. Podia describes itself as "Your courses, community, coaching, and email. All in one place."
Podia includes a website builder, email marketing, a community with chat, and webinars and events with tickets. Podia says more than 15,000 creators use the platform.
How much does Podia cost?
As of October 2026, Podia's Mover plan costs $42 a month billed yearly ($504 a year) plus a 5% fee on sales, Shaker costs $84 a month ($1,008 a year) and Earthquaker $150 a month ($1,800 a year), with no Podia fee on Shaker or Earthquaker. Stripe or PayPal processing applies on every plan, and the price rises as your email list grows. Podia offers a 14-day free trial with no card.
Is Podia cheaper than Join It?
No. Join It Starter costs $29 a month, month to month, with a 3% platform fee, against $42 a month billed yearly plus a 5% fee on Podia's Mover plan. Join It's platform fee is 1.5% to 3% depending on your plan, and every plan includes recurring payments, automated renewals and at least three admin seats.
Join It publishes all of its pricing. Plans start at $29 a month on Starter (3% platform fee). Total, at $99 a month (2%), adds digital membership cards, member check-in, a member directory and API access, and Extra, at $199 a month (1.5%), adds custom domains and a dedicated account manager. Plans are month to month, Stripe's processing fees apply, and there are no setup fees. Annual billing saves 10%, and nonprofits get an additional 10% off. See full pricing.
When is Join It the better choice?
Join It is the better choice for organizations whose product is the membership itself. Join It is usually the better fit if:
- You run a club or association, not a content business. Join It handles recurring payments and automated renewal reminders on every plan, with simple event registration and targeted member emails built in.
- More than one person runs the membership. Podia's Mover plan has no assistant seats. Join It includes 3 admin seats on Starter, 5 on Total and 10 on Extra.
- You use accounting or CRM tools. Podia's integrations page doesn't list QuickBooks, Salesforce or HubSpot. Join It integrates directly with the tools clubs and associations use most, such as QuickBooks, HubSpot, Salesforce, Mailchimp and Eventbrite, plus thousands more through Zapier on every plan.
- Your members meet in person. On Join It's Total plan and above, members get digital membership cards in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet and staff can check members in with a quick scan.
When Podia may be the better fit
Podia may be a better fit than Join It if:
- You sell courses, downloads, coaching or webinars. Podia is built for selling digital products.
- You need full email marketing. Podia includes campaigns, automations, segments and lead magnets.
- You want a website builder included. Podia has a drag-and-drop builder with 10 themes. If you only need a simple online home, the Join It member portal lets you share posts, list upcoming events and give members a searchable directory (Total plan and above) without building a whole site.
How do I move from Podia to Join It?
Join It's team will import your members for free on any plan, even during the free trial. Subscriptions in your own Stripe account come across without members re-entering card details; members paying through PayPal set up Stripe at their next renewal.
Questions to ask before you choose
- Are you selling content to customers, or running a membership for members?
- How many people need admin access?
- Do you need to sell courses or downloads alongside the membership?
- How much will you sell a year, and does Podia's 0% fee on Shaker outweigh its higher plan price?
Join It is trusted by more than 4,000 membership organizations in 40 countries and has processed over $100 million in membership payments since 2016.
Comparing other options? See all Join It alternatives and comparisons.
Last reviewed: October 6, 2026. Podia pricing and product details are taken from podia.com and may change. Check their current pricing before making a decision.
