Google Classroom
Teachable
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free / from $4/mo | Free / from $59/mo |
| Free Plan | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Rating | 4.3 / 5 | 4.3 / 5 |
| Best For | k12-schools, teachers, school-districts, tutors | course-creators, coaches, educators, experts, solopreneurs |
| Founded | 2014 | 2013 |
| Assignments | ✓ | ✗ |
| Grading | ✓ | ✗ |
| Google Meet Integration | ✓ | ✗ |
| Discussion Boards | ✓ | ✗ |
| Guardians | ✓ | ✗ |
| Originality Reports | ✓ | ✗ |
| Class Stream | ✓ | ✗ |
| Course Builder | ✗ | ✓ |
| Coaching | ✗ | ✓ |
| Digital Downloads | ✗ | ✓ |
| Quizzes | ✗ | ✓ |
| Certificates | ✗ | ✓ |
| Affiliates | ✗ | ✓ |
| Email Marketing | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ Google Classroom Pros
- Completely free for schools using Google Workspace for Education
- Seamless integration with Google Drive, Docs, and Meet
- Simple interface that students and teachers learn quickly
- Supports assignments, quizzes, and discussion boards
✗ Google Classroom Cons
- Limited analytics and reporting compared to dedicated LMS
- Requires Google Workspace ecosystem
- Less customizable than platforms like Canvas or Moodle
✓ Teachable Pros
- Easy course builder with drag-and-drop
- Built-in payment processing and affiliates
- Custom domain and branding on all plans
- Coaching and community features included
✗ Teachable Cons
- Transaction fees on free and basic plans
- Limited site customization options
- No built-in community forum (added 2024)
The Verdict
Google Classroom is built for k12 schools and teachers, with a focus on assignments and grading. Teachable targets course creators and coaches and leads with course-builder and coaching.
On pricing, Google Classroom is the clear winner for budget-conscious users — starting at $4/mo compared to $59/mo for Teachable. That $55/mo difference adds up quickly for growing teams.
Both offer free plans, so you can test each with your real workflow before committing to a subscription.
This is a genuinely close comparison. If you can, sign up for both free trials (where available) and run a one-week test with your actual team tasks before deciding.