LearnWorlds vs Passion.io

ByObeydul Haque Reading Time: 9 minutes

In the rapidly growing e-learning industry, projected to reach $457.8 billion by 2026, choosing the right platform to create, market, and deliver online courses is critical for educators, coaches, and entrepreneurs. Two platforms that stand out in this space are LearnWorlds and Passion.io, each offering unique strengths tailored to different needs. LearnWorlds is renowned for its robust course creation tools and all-in-one web-based solutions, while Passion.io excels in delivering mobile-first, branded app experiences. In this  article we will provides an in-depth comparison of LearnWorlds and Passion.io, covering their features, pricing, ease of use, and more, to help you decide which platform best suits your online course business.

Overview of LearnWorlds

LearnWorlds is an all-in-one online course platform designed for educators, businesses, and course creators who prioritize interactive and engaging learning experiences. Launched with a focus on advanced course creation, LearnWorlds offers a comprehensive suite of tools for building, marketing, and selling courses, as well as creating fully customizable, white-labeled websites. Its standout features include interactive video tools, SCORM file support, advanced assessments, and a no-code website builder. LearnWorlds is particularly suited for those looking to create a professional online academy with a strong web presence and detailed analytics.

Key Features of LearnWorlds

  • Course Creation: LearnWorlds provides a powerful course builder with support for multimedia content, including videos, eBooks, quizzes, and SCORM files. Its interactive video features allow creators to add questions, pop-ups, and navigation buttons to enhance engagement.
  • Website Builder: The platform includes an intuitive, no-code website builder with over 250 customizable templates optimized for SEO and mobile use. Creators can design landing pages, sales pages, and course pages without needing third-party tools.
  • Mobile App: LearnWorlds offers a white-labeled mobile app on its Learning Center plan or higher, enabling students to access courses on iOS and Android devices with features like push notifications and in-app purchases.
  • Assessments and Analytics: Advanced testing features include question banks, graded exams, and customizable assessments. Detailed analytics track student progress, course completion rates, and business performance.
  • Marketing Tools: LearnWorlds supports sales funnels, affiliate programs, coupons, and integrations with tools like Google Analytics and MailChimp for robust marketing campaigns.
  • Community Features: Built-in social community tools allow creators to foster engagement through discussions and forums.
  • Customer Support: LearnWorlds is praised for its responsive support team, offering 24/7 assistance, a comprehensive help center, and migration support for new users.

Overview of Passion.io

Passion.io is a mobile-first platform that specializes in helping creators build and launch branded mobile apps for iOS and Android without coding knowledge. Aimed at coaches, fitness trainers, and entrepreneurs, Passion.io focuses on delivering interactive, app-based learning experiences. Its drag-and-drop app builder, gamification features, and community tools make it ideal for creators who want to engage students through a personalized mobile app. While Passion.io also supports course creation, its primary strength lies in mobile accessibility and app-based monetization.

Key Features of Passion.io

  • App Builder: Passion.io’s no-code, drag-and-drop app builder allows creators to design fully branded mobile apps with customizable templates, live previews, and features like push notifications and in-app purchases.
  • Course Creation: The platform supports multimedia content, including videos, audio, quizzes, and downloadable worksheets. Courses can be dripped (released over time) on higher-tier plans.
  • Gamification: Interactive elements like habit tracking, leaderboards, and progress tracking enhance student engagement, particularly for fitness and coaching programs.
  • Community Tools: Passion.io offers basic community features, such as in-app chat and message boards, to foster interaction among students.
  • Monetization: Creators can monetize through subscriptions, one-time payments, or in-app purchases using Apple Pay, Google Pay, or PassionPayments (with a 3.9% transaction fee).
  • Marketing Tools: Limited built-in marketing features are supplemented by integrations with third-party tools like Zapier, Typeform, and Calendly.
  • Customer Support: Passion.io is highly regarded for its dedicated support, including a help center, support requests, and personalized assistance from success managers on higher plans.

Feature Comparison

Course Creation

Both platforms excel in course creation but cater to different priorities. LearnWorlds offers a more robust and versatile course builder, with support for interactive videos, SCORM files, and advanced assessments. Its tools are ideal for creating comprehensive, academically focused courses with features like question banks and certification options. For example, LearnWorlds allows creators to design graded exams and issue completion certificates, makingSv it suitable for professional training or accreditation programs.

Passion.io, on the other hand, focuses on simplicity and interactivity within a mobile app environment. Its course builder supports multimedia content and drip scheduling (on Ultimate plans or higher), but it lacks the depth of LearnWorlds’ assessment tools. Passion.io’s gamification features, such as habit tracking and leaderboards, are particularly appealing for fitness coaches or creators aiming to boost engagement through challenges. However, its course creation tools are less advanced for desktop-based learning.

Winner: LearnWorlds for its comprehensive course creation tools and academic focus, though Passion.io is better for mobile-first, gamified courses.

Mobile Accessibility

Passion.io is the clear leader in mobile accessibility. Its core offering is a fully branded, no-code mobile app that creators can publish to the App Store and Google Play. The app supports push notifications, in-app purchases, and offline content access, providing a seamless mobile experience. Passion.io’s mobile-first approach aligns with the growing trend of learners consuming content on smartphones, with 54% of web traffic coming from mobile devices.

LearnWorlds also offers a white-labeled mobile app, but it’s only available on the Learning Center plan or higher, which starts at $299 per month, with an additional $299 per month for iOS and Android apps, totaling nearly $600 per month. While LearnWorlds’ app includes push notifications and in-app purchases, its high cost makes it less accessible for creators on a budget.

Winner: Passion.io for its affordable, mobile-first app-building capabilities.

Website Building

LearnWorlds shines in website building, offering a no-code, SEO-optimized website builder with hundreds of industry-specific templates. Creators can design a fully branded online academy, including landing pages, sales pages, and blogs, without needing external tools. This makes LearnWorlds a true all-in-one solution for establishing a professional web presence.

Passion.io, by contrast, is app-only and lacks a dedicated website builder. While it offers a web app version for desktop access, it doesn’t provide the same level of customization or functionality as LearnWorlds’ website tools. Creators using Passion.io may need to invest in a separate website builder or platform like Shopify to establish a web presence.

Winner: LearnWorlds for its robust website-building capabilities.

Marketing and Monetization

LearnWorlds offers a more comprehensive suite of marketing tools, including sales funnels, affiliate programs, coupons, and integrations with analytics and email marketing platforms. Its built-in tools reduce the need for third-party integrations, making it easier to promote and sell courses. LearnWorlds also supports multiple monetization models, such as subscriptions, one-time payments, and tiered pricing.

Passion.io’s marketing capabilities are limited, relying heavily on third-party integrations via Zapier for email marketing, discounts, or sales funnels. Its monetization options are robust within the app, with support for subscriptions, one-time payments, and in-app purchases, but creators must pay a 3.9% transaction fee (PassionPayments) or higher fees for Apple Pay/Google Pay (30%). LearnWorlds charges a $5 per course sale transaction fee only on its Starter plan, with no fees on higher plans.

Winner: LearnWorlds for its built-in marketing tools and lower transaction fees.

Community and Engagement

Both platforms offer community-building features, but they differ in scope. LearnWorlds provides a built-in social community with discussion forums and interactive elements, fostering engagement within its web-based platform. Its interactive video tools and gamification features (e.g., badges and certificates) further enhance student interaction.

Passion.io’s community features are app-based and more basic, including in-app chat and message boards. While these tools are sufficient for small groups, they lack the depth of LearnWorlds’ community capabilities. Passion.io compensates with gamification features like leaderboards and goal tracking, which are particularly effective for coaching programs.

Winner: LearnWorlds for its more robust community tools, though Passion.io excels in app-based engagement.

Pricing Comparison

LearnWorlds Pricing

  • Starter: $24/month (billed annually) – Basic course creation, website builder, $5 per course sale transaction fee, no mobile app.
  • Pro Trainer: $79/month (billed annually) – Advanced features, question banks, no transaction fees, but no mobile app.
  • Learning Center: $249/month (billed annually) – White-labeled mobile app (additional $299/month for iOS and Android), advanced analytics, and full features.
  • High Volume Plans: Custom pricing for large organizations.

LearnWorlds offers a 30-day free trial and no transaction fees on Pro Trainer and higher plans, but the mobile app’s high cost is a significant drawback.

Passion.io Pricing

  • Pro: $79/month (billed annually) – Basic app builder, course creation, 3.9% transaction fee, no drip content.
  • Ultimate: $239/month (billed annually) – Drip content, advanced features, white-labeled app, 3.9% transaction fee.
  • Growth: Custom pricing for scaling businesses.

Passion.io does not offer a free plan or trial but provides a 30-day money-back guarantee. Its transaction fees apply across all plans, which can add up for high-volume sales.

Winner: LearnWorlds for its lower entry-level pricing and free trial, though Passion.io is more affordable for mobile app access.

Ease of Use

LearnWorlds is user-friendly but has a steeper learning curve due to its extensive features. Its intuitive interface and drag-and-drop website builder make it accessible, but advanced tools like interactive videos and question banks may require time to master. The platform’s help center and customer support are highly rated for guiding users.

Passion.io prioritizes simplicity, with a drag-and-drop app builder that requires no coding knowledge. Its streamlined interface is ideal for beginners, particularly those focused on mobile apps. However, its reliance on third-party tools for marketing and analytics can complicate the user experience.

Winner: Passion.io for its simplicity, though LearnWorlds is manageable with its robust support.

Customer Support

LearnWorlds is praised for its 24/7 customer support, extensive help center, and migration assistance. Users highlight the platform’s responsiveness and commitment to customer feedback, with regular feature updates based on user needs.

Passion.io also receives high marks for support, with personalized assistance from success managers and a help center filled with articles and videos. Users particularly appreciate the platform’s dedication to helping creators overcome challenges, though it lacks live chat support.

Winner: Tie, as both platforms offer excellent support tailored to their users’ needs.

Pros and Cons

LearnWorlds

Pros:

  • Comprehensive course creation tools with interactive videos and assessments.
  • Robust website builder for a professional online presence.
  • Advanced analytics and marketing tools.
  • No transaction fees on higher plans.
  • 30-day free trial.

Cons:

  • Mobile app is expensive ($299/month extra).
  • Steeper learning curve for advanced features.

Passion.io

Pros:

  • Affordable, no-code mobile app builder.
  • Gamification features enhance engagement.
  • Simple, beginner-friendly interface.
  • 30-day money-back guarantee.

Cons:

  • No website builder.
  • Limited marketing tools and reliance on third-party integrations.
  • Transaction fees across all plans.

Which Platform Should You Choose?

The choice between LearnWorlds and Passion.io depends on your business goals, budget, and target audience.

  • Choose LearnWorlds if you want a comprehensive, all-in-one platform for creating and marketing online courses with a strong web presence. It’s ideal for educators, businesses, or creators focused on interactive, academically rigorous courses and detailed analytics. However, its mobile app is costly, so it’s best for those prioritizing web-based learning or willing to invest in a premium app.
  • Choose Passion.io if you prioritize mobile-first learning and want to launch a branded app without coding. It’s perfect for coaches, fitness trainers, or creators who value gamification and app-based engagement. However, you’ll need additional tools for marketing and web presence, and transaction fees may impact profitability.

Conclusion

LearnWorlds and Passion.io are both powerful platforms, but they cater to different needs in the e-learning space. LearnWorlds is the better choice for creators seeking a versatile, web-based platform with advanced course creation and marketing tools. Passion.io excels for those focused on delivering engaging, mobile-first experiences through a branded app. By evaluating your priorities—whether it’s course depth, mobile accessibility, or budget—you can select the platform that aligns with your vision. Both offer free trials or money-back guarantees, so you can test them to find the best fit for your online course business.

Obeydul is a full time content creator, blogger, and SEO strategist. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from the North South University.