Updated 19 January, 2026

If you have working content and a scattered tech stack, the platform you choose shapes whether your members open your app daily or forget you exist. Kajabi built its reputation on all-in-one web marketing for course creators who rely on email funnels and sales pages. We built Passion.io for coaches who need a branded mobile app to drive completion, community, and recurring revenue. This guide compares both on the metrics that matter: engagement pathways, monetization flexibility, total cost, and launch speed.

The Core Difference: All-in-One Marketing vs. Mobile-First Engagement

Kajabi is a web-first marketing and course platform. You get website builders, email pipelines, blog hosting, and video hosting in one subscription. Your members access content through a browser or Kajabi's generic learner app, with an optional branded mobile app available as a paid add-on.

We are a no-code platform that builds branded iOS, Android, and web apps under your name, with push notifications and offline playback as native features, not add-ons. Your app lives on the home screen next to Instagram and Spotify, not inside a shared directory.

The distinction matters when you examine where your audience spends time. According to industry data from HubSpot, email open rates average 21-43% across industries, while push notifications average 20% open rates and deliver to the lock screen with 60-90% delivery rates depending on timing and device activity. Kajabi optimizes for the inbox and the browser tab. We optimize for the home screen icon and the notification badge.

Kajabi gives you the email list and website domain. We give you real estate on the device your audience checks 80+ times per day. Both approaches work, but mobile-first engagement with push and community drives higher completion when your offer depends on repeated logins and habit formation.

Feature Showdown: App Building, Community, and Delivery

Native Branded Apps vs. The "Kajabi App" Wrapper

We submit a standalone app to Apple and Google under your brand name and icon. Your members see "YourApp" on the home screen, not "Kajabi." Our drag-and-drop app builder handles iOS, Android, and progressive web apps in parallel with no code required.

What you get with Passion.io:

• Your logo and brand colors on the home screen
• Independent app store listings under your business name
• App store submission support (white-glove on Expand and Plus plans)
• Native iOS and Android builds, no wrapper technology

Kajabi offers a free generic learner app where members scroll through a directory to find your content. A branded mobile app costs $199 per month as an add-on or comes included in the Pro plan at $499 per month, managed by Kajabi. This raises total cost if mobile is central to your model.

"Passion.io have been so supportive in helping me develop my App, the training, customer support (especially Hope) have been second to none!" - Karen on Trustpilot

For creators in fitness and wellness niches, having your logo visible between social apps builds top-of-mind awareness. A directory listing inside a shared container does not.

Push Notifications vs. Email Marketing

Email remains powerful for long-form storytelling and funnel sequences. Kajabi's email builder integrates tightly with its pipeline automation, letting you trigger sequences based on purchase behavior, course progress, and form submissions. Kajabi also supports push notifications through its mobile apps for community updates, challenges, and direct messages.

Push notifications bypass the inbox entirely. They appear on the lock screen, drive immediate action, and reach users in real time. We built push scheduling into Passion.io to let you remind, celebrate, announce, and nudge members based on lesson progress and login patterns.

Email performance (Kajabi's strength):

• Average open rate: 21-43% across industries
• Average click-through rate: 1-2%
• Delivery: inbox (competes with promotions tab)

Push performance (our strength):

• Average open rate: 20%
• Average click-through rate: 28%
• Reaction rate: 7.8% to 16% depending on timing and personalization
• Delivery rate: 60-90% depending on device activity and timing

Use case: It's 8 AM. An email gets buried under promotional tabs. A push notification says "Day 12: Time for your morning workout" and gets tapped immediately.

When your revenue model depends on weekly logins and habit formation, push becomes the primary engagement lever. Email becomes the secondary channel for onboarding, upsells, and long-form content that does not require immediate action.

Course Delivery and Offline Access

Both platforms host video, audio, PDFs, and text-based lessons. Kajabi offers themes, assessments, drip schedules, and tight integration with its website and email tools. The course player works well on desktop and scales for info-heavy programs with long watch times.

We include offline download capabilities as a native feature in every Passion.io app. Members download workouts, meditations, or skill lessons and consume content on the subway, at the gym, or on a plane. This removes friction for mobile-first niches where internet access fluctuates.

Interactive elements differ as well. Our apps include habit trackers, timers, and goal-setting widgets inside lessons. Kajabi relies on third-party form integrations via Typeform or embedded JavaScript. For coaching programs that track reps, minutes, or daily check-ins, having these tools native to the lesson flow increases completion rates.

"Passion.io makes it simpler to launch a new business or to grow the one you have. I like how we are fed in small bites so that we are not overwhelmed." - Roger Nicholas on Trustpilot

Monetization and Fees: Calculating Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

Subscription Models and Payment Gateways

Kajabi advertises zero platform fees beyond payment processing. You connect Stripe or PayPal and pay standard processing fees, approximately 2.9% plus $0.30 per transaction. Revenue flows directly to your account without additional platform cuts.

We offer three distinct payment pathways, each with different fee structures:

1. PassionPayments (web checkout): We charge a 3.9% platform fee per transaction, plus standard Stripe processing fees of approximately 2.9% plus $0.30. Total web checkout fees: roughly 6.8% plus $0.30 per sale.
2. In-App Purchases (IAP): For purchases made directly within iOS or Android apps, Apple and Google charge 15-30%. Creators earning under $1 million annually typically qualify for the 15% small business rate. We add no platform fee on top of these app store commissions.
3. External Checkout: On Scale, Expand, and Plus plans, we charge 0% platform fee when you process payments through external platforms like ThriveCart or SamCart and grant app access via Zapier. You only pay the fees charged by your external processor.

The choice between web checkout and IAP depends on your pricing and volume. A $29 monthly subscription sold via PassionPayments costs approximately $2 in fees. The same subscription sold via Apple IAP (15% rate) costs $4.35. However, IAP removes checkout friction, stores payment credentials, and converts higher because members never leave the app. For high-volume, lower-ticket offers, web checkout preserves margin. For convenience and mobile conversion, IAP wins despite higher fees.

Hidden Costs: App Store Fees and Developer Accounts

Publishing apps to Apple and Google requires developer accounts. Apple charges $99 per year for the Apple Developer Program. Google charges a one-time $25 registration fee for the Play Console. Kajabi does not require these accounts unless you opt for the branded app add-on, which Kajabi manages on your behalf.

Your total cost with Passion.io includes:

• Plan subscription: Launch ($99/mo annually), Scale ($239/mo annually), or Expand ($599/mo annually)
• PassionPayments fee: 3.9% on web sales (plus Stripe processing)
• Apple/Google IAP fees: 15-30% on native app purchases
• Developer accounts: $99/year (Apple) + $25 one-time (Google)

Kajabi's costs include:

• Plan subscription: Basic ($149/mo or $119/mo annually), Growth ($249/mo or $199/mo annually), Pro ($499/mo or $399/mo annually)
• Transaction fees: Only Stripe processing (~2.9% + $0.30)
• Branded app add-on: $199/month (unless on Pro plan)
• No developer account fees

Here is a one-year TCO comparison for a creator with 100 members paying $29 per month, generating $34,800 in annual revenue:

The calculation shifts based on payment method. If you route all sales through external checkout at 0% platform fee, your Passion.io TCO drops by $1,357. If you need Kajabi's branded mobile app, total cost exceeds our Scale plan. Your pricing model, ticket size, and reliance on mobile determine which path offers better unit economics.

"I am so excited to be a part of the Passion.io community... this approach makes it affordable, easy, fun and really quick to do!" - Jane Mullins on Trustpilot

Ease of Use: Launching Your Program

Kajabi's strength lies in instant web publishing. Upload videos, configure drip schedules, design a sales page, and launch. The platform assumes you bring marketing and copywriting skills. Setup time depends on how much funnel infrastructure you build, but a basic course can go live in days.

We require upfront content organization and creative assets. Most creators launch a functional web app within 2-3 weeks of signup. App Store submissions typically happen by week 3-4, with full iOS and Android availability following Apple and Google review timelines.

Your launch timeline with Passion.io:

1. Week 1-2: Organize 10-15 core lessons, prepare logo and brand colors, set pricing tiers in the drag-and-drop builder.
2. Week 3: Publish web app, start Apple and Google developer account setup ($99 + $25).
3. Week 3-4: Submit iOS and Android builds with our support (white-glove on Expand/Plus plans).
4. Week 5-6: Apps live in App Store and Google Play after platform review.

Where we differentiate is training. The Expert Unleashed Challenge and Passion Academy provide step-by-step guidance on structuring offers, pricing subscriptions, and running launch campaigns. This training addresses the "what to build" and "how to sell" questions that trip up creators who have content but lack a go-to-market playbook.

"Absolutely LOVE the Passion.io app platform. Everything you need to build and launch your app. They make it so easy and customer support is awesome!" - Shannon Reissman on Trustpilot

Kajabi offers extensive documentation and a mature community, but the platform assumes you already know your funnel strategy and email cadence. We assume you need coaching on monetization as much as you need the app builder itself. For creators with strong marketing chops, Kajabi's hands-off approach works. For creators building their first paid program, our training and support accelerate time to first sale.

Final Verdict: Who Should Choose Which Platform?

Choose Passion.io if:

• Your business model centers on mobile engagement and recurring subscriptions
• You need push notifications to drive daily or weekly habits
• Your niche includes fitness, wellness, skills coaching, or mobile-first content
• You want offline access for members who train, commute, or travel
• Community interaction and completion rates drive renewals

Choose Kajabi if:

• You sell high-ticket courses through webinar funnels and long-form sales pages
• Email automation and pipeline sequences are your primary engagement tools
• You need a full website builder, blog, and integrated marketing suite
• Desktop-based learning and info products define your offer
• You want to validate your offer on the web before investing in mobile

Can you use both? Yes. Many creators use Kajabi for front-end marketing, lead capture, and email nurture, then deliver the paid program inside a Passion.io branded app. Our Zapier integration lets you grant app access automatically after a Kajabi purchase, combining the marketing power of one platform with the engagement mechanics of the other.

Ready to launch? If you want to own your audience through a branded mobile app and drive retention with push notifications, start building with our 30-day money-back guarantee. Not ready to commit? Request a platform demo to walk through lesson creation, payment setup, and app store submission workflows with our team.

"I knew for my type of work an app would be the best way to serve my people... 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." - Lori on Trustpilot

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Kajabi for marketing and Passion.io for delivery?
Yes. Process payments through Kajabi or an external cart, then grant app access via our Zapier connection. Scale, Expand, and Plus plans charge 0% platform fee on external checkouts.

Does Passion.io take a cut of my sales?
Only on PassionPayments web checkout at 3.9%, or via Apple and Google IAP at 15-30%. External checkouts processed outside our platform incur 0% platform fee from us.

Do I need a developer to build a Passion.io app?
No. The app builder is drag-and-drop with no coding required. We handle app store submissions for you, with white-glove support included on Expand and Plus plans.

How long does it take to launch on each platform?
Kajabi: Web course live within days. Passion.io: Web app live in 2-3 weeks, app store submissions underway by week 3-4, full availability in 4-8 weeks.

Which platform has better community features?
We include native in-app community channels with push-triggered engagement and offline access. Kajabi offers community spaces with push notification support for announcements, challenges, and direct messages through its mobile apps.

Key Terminology

Native app: A standalone application installed on iOS or Android, built specifically for that operating system. Runs independently without requiring a browser or container app. We publish native apps under your brand through Apple and Google stores.

In-App Purchase (IAP): A purchase made directly inside a mobile app using the device's stored payment method. Apple and Google charge 15-30% per transaction and handle billing, refunds, and subscription management.

Push notification: A clickable message delivered to a user's lock screen or notification center, independent of email. Average open rates reach 20% with 60-90% delivery rates depending on timing and device activity.

PassionPayments: Our integrated web checkout system powered by Stripe. Charges a 3.9% platform fee plus standard Stripe processing fees for sales made through web or progressive web app interfaces.

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