‍Updated February 23, 2026

Most established course creators face a retention crisis disguised as a revenue plateau. You've built a six-figure coaching business, but your members scatter across Facebook Groups, Zoom links, and email threads while your completion rates stall. The real question isn't which platform hosts your content better but which one transforms your courses into daily habits that compound recurring revenue over 12-36 months.

This guide compares Passion.io and Kajabi on the metrics that matter to a CEO running a mid-to-high revenue creator business: brand ownership, mobile engagement infrastructure, operational simplicity, and total cost of ownership.

The short answer: Mobile impact vs. marketing automation

Kajabi built its platform to convert cold traffic into course buyers through email sequences, landing pages, and pipeline automation. Passion.io designed its platform to keep paying members engaged through native branded apps, push notifications, and in-app community features.

The philosophical difference matters because your bottleneck has likely shifted from acquisition to retention. According to Gartner's B2B buying journey research, buyers spend only 17% of their time with all suppliers combined, which means your message must land cleanly on mobile and desktop. But after the sale, mobile becomes the primary consumption environment.

Health and fitness professionals consolidate scattered tools into single branded apps on Passion.io, while Kajabi users often supplement with Circle or Mighty Networks for community because the core platform prioritizes course sales over member engagement loops.

Feature showdown: Native apps, community, and course delivery

Mobile experience: Branded apps vs. the 'container' problem

The difference between a native app and a mobile-accessible website determines whether your brand occupies premium real estate on your members' home screens or competes for attention inside someone else's container.

Passion.io gives you native white-labeled iOS and Android app so members see your name in the app store, your icon on their home screen, and your aesthetic throughout. Each creator gets a separate app listing in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

The free Kajabi Mobile App acts as a shared container where students access content from multiple creators in a Kajabi-branded interface. Your courses sit alongside hundreds of others with the Kajabi logo, not yours. Members download the Kajabi App and search for your specific content inside the shared environment.

Kajabi offers a Branded App add-on where branded app starting at $399/month (included on Pro plans at $319/month). This provides your own logo, icon, and accent color with your custom branded icon appearing on users' devices. Kajabi's Branded Mobile App requires an evergreen course to get started and supports courses, coaching, podcasts, and community products within the app. However, in-app purchases are currently limited to course products sold as one-time purchases, you can include community access as part of a course offer, but you can't sell standalone community or coaching products directly through in-app purchases.

Kajabi's Basic plan at $143/month (annual billing) plus the Branded Mobile App ($199/month) totals $342 monthly compared to Passion.io's Scale plan at $239/month. The full cost analysis including transaction fees appears in the pricing section below.

Community engagement: Push notifications vs. email dependency

Email open rates continue declining while mobile notifications maintain significantly higher engagement. MailerLite reports average email click rates of 2.09% in 2025, while MobileLoud's analysis shows push notifications achieve 28% click-through rates, well ahead of email across all industries. Passion.io provides push notifications triggered by in-app behaviors that create retention loops. The platform includes community features that build your ecosystem with in-app community channels, group chat, and 1:1 messaging accessible on iOS, Android, and web.

Kajabi's notification capabilities focus on marketing rather than retention loops. While the platform offers robust email sequence builders and pipeline automation, bringing members back to complete lessons relies primarily on inbox messages that compete with dozens of other course creators. The engagement architecture difference compounds over 90 days. Email-dependent platforms fight deliverability issues, spam filters, and inbox fatigue. Push-enabled native apps live one tap away on the home screen with notification badges that create visual reminders without requiring members to check email.

Course delivery: Habit-building tools vs. information dumping

Both platforms host video content, PDFs, and structured lesson sequences. The differentiation emerges in how each platform structures the learning loop and measures progress.

Passion.io allows you to build interactive learning experiences with progress tracking and accountability features. The platform includes interactive courses, timed exercises, call scheduling, digital downloads, quizzes, and goal trackers. You can drip content over time and members can download content for offline consumption during gym workouts, commutes, or flights.

Kajabi provides video hosting, drip content scheduling, and quizzes within a web-optimized course viewer. The platform excels at organizing large content libraries and gating access based on payment tiers. However, the web-first architecture means members must maintain internet connectivity and navigate to a browser or the Kajabi container app rather than opening your branded app directly.

Airship's research shows push notifications drive 3X higher retention when users receive messages in their first 90 days, and more notifications correlate with higher retention.

The Passion.io platform demo shows how coaches structure challenges and milestone reminders that improve completion through mobile-native design patterns rather than relying on members to remember to log into a web portal.

Operational reality: White-glove service vs. DIY setup

Established creators with mid-five-figure to six-figure monthly recurring revenue face a time constraint rather than a knowledge constraint. You know what content works and which members churn. What you lack is 40 hours to learn a new platform, migrate content, submit app store applications, and troubleshoot Apple reviewer feedback.

Passion.io's Plus service is a custom done-for-you service from $10,000 where Passion's team handles your full launch. The white-glove package includes a dedicated success manager handles the process, from connecting your developer accounts to addressing reviewer feedback, plus expert growth coaching, full App Store submission service, and custom analytics.

Most creators launch your web app in weeks with App Store submissions typically happening by week 3-4 when working with the Plus team. One creator confirmed that "Passion.io is legit. They are professional, helpful, and incredible. I could NOT have launched my app without their help. Even with their platform, and their incredible guides of step by step to do, I still needed hand-holding in the process."

Passion.io Plus handles the heavy lifting while you focus on what matters:

Plus handles:

• Content migration from existing platforms
• App Store developer account setup ($99/year Apple, $25 one-time Google)
• App submission and reviewer communication
• Initial app design and branding implementation
• Community channel structure and pricing configuration
• Push notification strategy and initial calendar

You handle:

• Content creation and updates
• Member support and community moderation
• Marketing and member acquisition
• Pricing strategy and offer development

In contrast, standard Kajabi setup requires you to manage all content uploads, landing page design, email sequence configuration, app submission (if purchasing the add-on), and integration configuration yourself. This works well for creators who enjoy technical work but adds operational drag for CEOs who want results without learning curve time.

The Passion.io Creator MBA provides structured training to build and scale a six-figure app-based business for creators who want hands-on control with expert guidance rather than full done-for-you service.

The cost of ownership: Fees, commissions, and hidden costs

Subscription and transaction fees analyzed

Monthly subscription costs tell only part of the total cost of ownership story. Transaction fees, payment processing margins, and required add-ons determine your actual take-home revenue per member.

Passion.io Pricing Structure (Annual Billing):

• Launch: $99/month
• Scale: $239/month
• Expand: $599/month
• Plus: Custom ($10,000-$20,000 one-time plus monthly subscription)

PassionPayments charges 3.9% plus Stripe fees, totaling roughly 6.8% + $0.30 per sale. For in-app purchases through Apple or Google, businesses under $1M pay 15% commission through the Apple Small Business Program. Passion.io adds 0% platform fee on IAP transactions, meaning Apple and Google retain their 15-30% cut but Passion.io takes nothing additional.

Developer accounts cost $99/year for Apple and a one-time fee of $25 for Google.

Kajabi Pricing Structure (2026 Pricing):

• Basic: $143/month (annual), $179/month (monthly)
• Growth: $199/month (annual), $249/month (monthly)
• Pro: $319/month (annual), $399/month (monthly)
• Branded App add-on: $199/month additional

Kajabi Payments transaction fees vary by plan tier and payment method. If you use third-party payment providers, Kajabi adds percentage-based fees on top of your payment processor's standard rates.

TCO Example: $10,000 Monthly Revenue (50% Web, 50% Mobile)

Passion.io Scale Plan ($239/month annual):

• Subscription: $239/month
• Web sales ($5,000): $5,000 × 6.8% = $340
• IAP sales ($5,000): $5,000 × 15% = $750
• Developer accounts: ~$10/month (amortized)
• Total monthly cost: $1,339 (13.4% of revenue)
• Net revenue: $8,661

Kajabi Basic + Branded App ($342/month):

• Subscription: $342/month ($143 + $199)
• Web sales ($5,000): ~$145 + payment processing fees
• Mobile IAP ($5,000): $5,000 × 15% = $750 (Apple/Google fees)
• Developer accounts: ~$10/month (amortized)
• Total monthly cost: ~$1,247
• Net revenue: ~$8,753

At face value, the costs appear similar. But the calculation shifts when you account for retention differences. Separate platforms for content, community, payments, and communication create six login points where members drop off. Each additional friction point reduces your completion rate and increases support burden.

Understanding creator course metrics: LTV, CAC, payback becomes critical when evaluating which platform compounds your revenue over 12-36 months rather than optimizing for the lowest transaction fee today.

The hidden cost of tool sprawl

Most creators don't use Kajabi or Passion.io in isolation. You stack community platforms, video hosting, automation tools, and communication channels until monthly software costs exceed $500 before payment processing.

Typical Multi-Platform Stack:

• Kajabi Growth Plan: $199/month (annual billing)
• Circle.so Professional: $89-$149/month for community
• Vimeo Pro: $20-$75/month for video hosting
• Zapier Team: $69-$103/month for automation
• Total: $377-$576/month before any branded app capabilities

Passion.io consolidates course hosting, community, push notifications, payment processing, and native apps into a single platform starting at $239/month on the Scale plan. The Passion.io app builder platform includes Zapier integration on Scale and above for connecting remaining point solutions without paying for multiple community and course platforms.

"I am thrilled with everything so far. Incredible support, constant innovation, a step by step guide so you can follow the process, and the best FB community I have ever belonged to. Everyone is so willing to share their tips and tricks." - Lori on Trustpilot

Final verdict: When to choose Passion.io over Kajabi

Choose Passion.io if:

• You want to own your audience through native iOS and Android apps with your branding
• Member retention and completion rates directly impact your revenue model
• You need mobile-first community features integrated with course delivery
• You value white-glove launch services over DIY platform configuration
• You want to consolidate tools and reduce monthly software sprawl
• Push notifications and habit-building loops matter more than email sequence sophistication

Choose Kajabi if:

• Email marketing automation is your primary bottleneck and you need sophisticated funnel builders
• You sell information products rather than transformation programs requiring ongoing engagement
• Your audience primarily consumes content on desktop computers
• You're willing to pay $199/month extra for a branded app that currently supports courses only
• You don't need mobile-first community features or push notification loops

The decision separates acquisition-focused creators from retention-focused creators. Kajabi built its reputation helping coaches sell their first courses through landing pages and email campaigns. Passion.io built its platform for established creators who need to keep members engaged long enough for subscription revenue to compound.

Average mobile app retention rates across all categories. But push notifications drive 3-10x higher retention compared to apps relying on members to remember login URLs. That retention multiplier directly impacts your LTV calculations.

If you run a mid-to-high revenue coaching business where members pay $29-$199/month, a 10% retention improvement saves more money than optimizing transaction fees. When comparing Passion.io vs. Teachable, similar retention dynamics favor mobile-first platforms over web-only course viewers.

Stop renting your audience. Most creators build six-figure businesses on platforms they don't control, where algorithm changes threaten years of work overnight. A native branded app puts your business on members' home screens with push notifications that drive higher completion rates than email-dependent platforms.

Book a Plus consultation to see your branded app prototype, discuss white-glove launch timelines, and review migration paths from your current stack. Or start building immediately with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use both Kajabi and Passion.io together?
Yes, many creators use Kajabi for front-end marketing (landing pages, email sequences, initial course sales) and Passion.io for the product experience (branded app, ongoing community, push-driven retention).

Does Kajabi offer a truly branded app like Passion.io?
Kajabi's $199/month Branded App add-on provides custom branding but currently supports evergreen courses only, with limited community features compared to Passion.io's mobile-first design.

How long does migration from Kajabi to Passion.io take?
Most creators migrate core content in 2-3 weeks by moving their 10-15 most popular lessons and setting up community channels, with full launch including App Store submission typically by week 3-4.

What's the price difference at scale?
Passion.io Expand ($599/month) supports larger member bases with 10,000+ active users, while Kajabi Pro ($319/month) plus Branded App ($199/month) costs $6,216 annually but limits community features and requires additional tools for engagement loops.

Do I need technical skills to launch on either platform?
Kajabi requires moderate technical skills for DIY setup, while Passion.io Plus handles technical implementation through white-glove service, and lower-tier plans provide detailed guides and community support.

Key terminology for enterprise creators

White-Glove Service: Done-for-you implementation where the platform team handles app building, content migration, App Store submission, and initial configuration rather than requiring you to learn the platform yourself.

Native Branded App: A standalone iOS and Android application with your logo, name, and icon appearing in app stores and on members' home screens, rather than accessing content through a shared container app.

Tool Sprawl: The operational complexity and cost that compounds when using separate platforms for courses, community, payments, email, and video hosting instead of a unified system.

Push Notification CTR: Click-through rate measuring what percentage of members who receive a push notification tap it to open your app, averaging 7.8% across 50 billion notifications analyzed, compared to 2% for email.

MRR (Monthly Recurring Revenue): Predictable monthly subscription revenue from active members, which compounds more reliably when retention improves through engagement features like push notifications and in-app community.