Why Small Businesses Should Move from Kajabi to Systeme.io (Oct 2025)

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Hey there, fellow entrepreneur!  Are you frustrated with Kajabi’s latest updates, and major price hikes, for features that you don’t even use?  After they asked for your input on what to update (which I spent quite some time outlining), and then focused on high-end features, when what you consider the basics (eg. some basic blog tracking) aren’t there?  Yes, me too.  I decided it was time to move, as Kajabi is too expensive and complex for small business owners now.

If you're hustling with a small online business — like selling courses, coaching, or digital goodies — you know how every dollar and minute counts.  That's probably why you bought an all-in-one system in the first place!  Maybe you're on Kajabi right now, loving its polish, but cringing at the price tag.  Or perhaps you're eyeing it, but feeling overwhelmed.  Either way, I've got good news - Systeme.io is a great alternative to Kajabi, and so much cheaper!  (Another entrepreneur who has been using it for years recommended it to me, and I have to say, I was impressed, and switched over pretty much straight away.) 

Perhaps, like me, you haven’t heard of Systeme.io?  That could be due to the fact that it’s not based in the US (Kajabi is based in California).  That doesn’t stop it from being great software though!  😊  (Systeme.io is based in Dublin, Ireland, and is well-known in Europe.)

As someone who's tested both, I can tell you Systeme.io is a game-changer for folks like us.  It's cheaper, simpler, and way easier to use — perfect for solopreneurs and tiny teams who want to focus on creating, not fiddling with tech.  I’ve broken it down below, with the latest scoop from October 2025.  No fluff, just real talk.

Running a small business means watching expenses like a hawk.  Kajabi is awesome for big players, but its pricing?  Oof.  Their entry-level Kickstarter plan starts at US $89 a month (or $71 if you pay yearly).  That's over US $1,000 a year just to get basic stuff like one product and 250 contacts.  Bump up to Basic for more breathing room, and you're at US $179 monthly. For many of us, that's a chunk of our marketing budget gone. 

Systeme.io is like the budget-friendly cousin to Kajabi, who does everything just as well (or better) for less.  Systeme.io’s free plan lets you start with zero cost — no credit card needed.  You get 2,000 contacts, unlimited emails, and even a basic sales funnel to test the waters.  Feeling ready to level up?  The Startup plan is only US $17 a month (or about $14 if you go annual). That's less than a fancy coffee habit, and it unlocks 5,000 contacts, 10 funnels, and unlimited students.  No sneaky transaction fees either — keep every penny from your sales.

Imagine redirecting that Kajabi cash to ads, tools, or even a well-deserved vacation.  Reviews from small biz owners echo this: Systeme.io helps you launch faster and cheaper, without the "upgrade or bust" pressure.  For bootstrappers, it's a no-brainer.

Kajabi shines with fancy features — like AI tools, and pro-level course builders — but for small businesses, it can feel like driving a Ferrari to the grocery store.  Too much power, too many bells and whistles that eat up your time learning them.  (And sometimes it takes far too long to do what you thought was something really simple.)  Their interface is sleek, sure, but scaling even a little means juggling limits on products (just one on the starter plan) and contacts.  Systeme.io is designed for small business owners like us.

Systeme.io is built for simplicity from the ground up.  Think drag-and-drop funnels, email automations, and course hosting that anyone can set up in an afternoon.  No steep learning curve like Kajabi — just intuitive tools that grow with you.  Their free migration service (for annual paid plans) even handles the switch from Kajabi, so you don't have to spend the next month or so migrating everything over yourself.  (And if you’ve been with Kajabi for a while, and have weekly blogs, plus courses, and digital products, and funnels, and automations, and contacts for weekly newsletters – let’s just say there’s a lot to do.)  Plus, everything's in one dashboard - emails, sales pages, affiliates, and blogs - it’s so much easier and faster to find what you’re looking for.  And when you’re a small business, time and efficiency counts.

Systeme.io's funnels are more customizable and beginner-friendly than Kajabi's, with built-in A/B testing to boot.  And really, a focus on simple, user-friendly funnels is what small businesses should be focused on anyway, right?  There is no small business, if there are no sales!  And simple, fast funnels allow us to spend more time on creating new products, or extending our reach so more people hear about our wonderful products and services!  😊

I hated Kajabi’s funnels, as the templates weren’t set up to do what I wanted – and it was so difficult to work out how to do it exactly what I wanted from scratch, that I gave up, and used workarounds instead.  If you're wearing all the hats in your business, this means less frustration, and more time creating, and connecting with customers.

Finding answers quickly is important.  Small creators rave about the ease of use for Systeme.io.  However, if you do have questions, there is a dedicated Systeme.io Facebook group, where everyone shares their knowledge, and asks questions.  One of my friends uses this (they swapped to Systeme.io as well), and has found it helpful.  I’ve found all the answers I need via Google so far, although there are also lots of videos out there to help, as well.

Why complicate things when you can keep it easy?  Systeme.io makes growing your biz feel effortless.  Unlimited emailing on every plan means you can nurture leads without caps holding you back.  Adding affiliates is also baked in.

Systeme.io also has integrated booking calendars, and I can use Apple Pay, which I couldn’t do with Kajabi (this could be a location-based thing – I’m in Australia). 

There are so many more payment systems available to me in Systeme.io – which allows people more options to pay – and the ease of buying through Apple Pay (or other payment systems now available to me) might mean the difference between buying or not for some people.

There are various ways to include webinars in Systeme.io.  You could integrate software such as Google Meets or Zoom (which I’ve integrated – took 1 minute, tops). 

Or, if you want evergreen webinars like me, you can get the Systeme.io Webinar plan (still much cheaper than Kajabi).  I couldn’t run evergreen webinars on Kajabi (even though I was on the ‘15 product’ plan), so am happy this is included in the Webinar plan – which is still a fraction of the cost of the Kajabi plan I was on. 

For small teams, the subaccounts and assistant logins in Systeme.io are a lifesaver, letting you collaborate without chaos.  And with 24/7 email support, plus a free kickstart coaching call on paid plans, you're never stuck (there is a lot of support online, as well, with a dedicated Facebook page, videos and written instructions).  Kajabi's great for enterprises and multi-millionaires, but Systeme.io is amazing for the scrappy startup — helping you hit milestones without the bloat.  (Honestly, I didn’t even use most of the stuff that I was paying for with Kajabi.)

One thing I did want to use in Kajabi was communities – however, Kajabi counts them as one of the products you pay for, which are limited by your plan.  In the end I created one community (at the cost of two ‘products’) – however, Systeme.io includes one community for each product – at no additional cost!  For someone who wants to encourage a sense of support and community, this is exactly what I was after.  I will definitely be taking advantage of this feature!

In a head-to-head comparison, Systeme.io wins for affordability and user-friendliness, especially if courses aren't your whole gig.  (I also write blogs (at least one a week) – and I love that Systeme.io allows you to allocate each blog post to a category with one click.  I had to manually copy and paste and link every single blog post to the relevant landing pages in Kajabi – and it took a long time, and also increased the chance of making a mistake.  (Often blog posts were allocated to two or three categories, depending on the topic.)  In Systeme.io, I just allocate which categories I want each blog to belong to – and it’s done!  This will save me so much time!  And as you know, in a small business, time is precious, as you have so many hats on, doing all the background work as well.) 

If you're tired of Kajabi's high costs and complexity draining your time and energy, Systeme.io is your fresh start.  It's designed for creators like you — affordable, straightforward, and packed with just enough power to grow, without the growing pains.

You can start with that free plan today – or upgrade to the Startup plan if you’re ready for a little more.  I’m writing about leaving Kajabi for Systeme.io as I feel so strongly about it – mainly the following:

• the major price hike from Kajabi – Systeme.io is a fraction of the cost, with everything a small business needs;

• the focus on high-end performance, rather than the basics for small business, after providing lots of detailed feedback to Kajabi;

• I was paying a LOT on features I didn’t use;

• the fact that features that I wanted (eg. evergreen presentations) Kajabi didn’t have – but Systeme.io has, for a much cheaper price;

• the simplicity of Systeme.io;

• the focus on easy funnels from Systeme.io, rather than the complex ones I didn’t use in Kajabi;

• the time I will save using Systeme.io rather than the complex Kajabi.

So if you’re ready to maximise your time, money, and energy, join Systeme.io and leave the expensive and complex Kajabi behind.

Here's to simpler, cheaper, and happier business days ahead.  You've got this! 🚀

1.  What is the difference between Systeme.io and Kajabi?

Systeme.io is a more affordable, simpler, and easier-to-use all-in-one platform for small businesses, while Kajabi is known for its more expensive pricing and complex features that may not be necessary for small businesses.

2.  Why should I switch from Kajabi to Systeme.io?

If you're looking for a more budget-friendly solution that covers all your business needs — like email marketing, funnels, and course creation — without the steep learning curve or high price tag, Systeme.io could be a better fit for your business.

3.  Is Systeme.io really cheaper than Kajabi?

Yes, Systeme.io offers more affordable pricing plans, starting at a fraction of Kajabi’s cost. You get many of the same essential features but without the premium price.

4.  Can I migrate my content from Kajabi to Systeme.io easily?

Yes, migrating content between platforms is possible, though it may take some manual steps.  Systeme.io offers a free migration service with paid annual plans.

5.  Is Systeme.io easy to use for beginners?

Yes, it is.  Systeme.io is designed with simplicity in mind, making it a great choice for small business owners, even if you don’t have a tech background.

6.  What features does Systeme.io offer that Kajabi doesn’t?

Systeme.io includes essential tools like email marketing, sales funnels, membership sites, and affiliate programs in all its plans, often at a lower price. Systeme.io also offers evergreen webinars in some of its plans, which Kajabi doesn’t offer at this price point.  Systeme.io also offers communities as part of its offering, without them costing you one of the products you pay for, like Kajabi does.  Kajabi’s features are more tiered, with advanced tools available only at higher pricing levels.

7.  Is Systeme.io suitable for online course creators?

Yes, it is.  Systeme.io has robust tools for creating and selling online courses, with easy-to-use course builders, and automated marketing features to support your educational business.

8.  What kind of support does Systeme.io offer?

Systeme.io provides customer support through email and live chat, as well as a comprehensive knowledge base to help users get the most out of the platform.  (I personally have found all my answers online, while a friend has joined the Systeme.io Facebook group, and has found it very helpful.)

9.  Can Systeme.io help me grow my email list?

Yes, Systeme.io includes email marketing tools to build and nurture your list, along with automated workflows to engage your subscribers.

10.  Is there a free trial for Systeme.io?

Yes, Systeme.io offers a free plan with limited features to help you get started.  You can also try the paid plans for a 14-day free trial to see if it meets your business needs.  (I started with a free plan, just to check it out, before quickly buying the Systeme.io Webinar plan, so I can use the evergreen presentations.)

11.  Can I create sales funnels in Systeme.io?

Yes, you sure can!  Systeme.io has a built-in funnel builder that allows you to create high-converting sales funnels, landing pages, and checkout pages without needing third-party tools.

12.  How does Systeme.io compare to other all-in-one platforms?

Systeme.io is one of the most cost-effective all-in-one platforms, offering similar features to more expensive competitors, but at a lower price.  It’s especially popular for its simplicity and ease of use.

13.  Is Systeme.io secure for handling payments and customer data?

Yes, Systeme.io is secure, and complies with industry standards for data protection and payment processing, ensuring your business and customer information is safe.

14.  What types of businesses can benefit from Systeme.io?

Small businesses, online course creators, bloggers, and entrepreneurs across various industries can benefit from Systeme.io’s affordable, all-in-one features.

15.  How do I get started with Systeme.io?

Simply sign up for a free account, explore the dashboard, and start creating your sales funnels, email campaigns, and courses.  Their user-friendly interface makes it easy to get started even if you're new to online business tools.

If you're after more comprehensive business education - from a self-made multi-millionaire - I highly recommend Leonie Dawson's Brilliant Biz & Life Academy. I have been a member of her Academy for years, and I love it. She is very successful, and she knows what's talking about. She is always adding more templates, more courses, and more ideas that can help you (and your business) make more money. It is very affordable, and covers everything you need to build a successful business. Check it out here for more information and insights on what you can learn.

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This blog is for informational purposes only.  The opinions expressed here are based on our research and experience with Systeme.io and Kajabi.  While this post contains affiliate links, my recommendations are based on my own personal use and experience — what works for me might differ from what you need, and results may vary depending on individual business needs.  Always conduct your own research before making any decisions related to software or business tools.