What are online coaching platforms?
An online coaching platform is a software tool for coaches to manage various aspects of their coaching business online. This includes features like scheduling appointments, conducting video sessions, sharing resources with clients, invoicing, taking payments, and more. They solve issues such as how to get coaching clients, how to give them a better client experience and others. For coaches in 2024, having an effective tool is essential for running an efficient, organized coaching practice.
Online coaching platforms serve life coaches, career coaches, business coaches, executive coaches, all types of coaches with online businesses. These platforms allow coaches to streamline and professionalize the client experience, while they also simplify backend operations.
Which is the best online coaching platform?
With so many options on the market, you as a coach might be wondering how to find the best online coaching platform. This article compares 10 of the most popular ones in 2024 across some key points.
Table of Contents
Kajabi
Kajabi is an all-in-one platform. It allows you to create, market, and sell digital products and coaching services. It includes features like website and landing page building, email marketing, course creation, pipeline automation, and client management. Kajabi has a user-friendly interface but is one of the more expensive options, starting at $199/month.
Kajabi is an excellent combination of website building tools, online course systems, marketing email automation, payment processing, video content hosting, and other tools. Its user-friendly course builder makes it efficient for coaches to offer webinars, quizzes, and other engaging content. Automating sales funnels and customer pipelines is a breeze with Kajabi’s visual workflow builder.
The platform places a major emphasis on sales and marketing features to help coaches promote their services and products. Detailed analytics provide insights into customer behavior and email campaign performance. Kajabi offers plenty of professional templates but also allows for extensive tailoring of styles and branding.
One potential downside is the time it takes to learn Kajabi’s full capabilities, but there are a lot of good training resources out there. Overall, Kajabi has every tool a coach could need to streamline their entire online business into one efficient ecosystem. For those able to take full advantage, Kajabi can be tremendously powerful despite its premium pricing tier.
Pros:
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- All-in-one platform
- Slick user interface
- Robust feature set
Cons:
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- Expensive
- Transaction fees for payment processing
- No native webinar tool
Paperbell
Created by a coach for coaches, Paperbell is comprehensive coaching management software. It comes with scheduling, payments, contracts, intake forms, client portals, and other features. It has a flexible pricing model including a free plan for one client.
Paperbell’s designers from the ground up had coaches in mind, ensuring an efficient and intuitive experience. The platform covers all the major aspects of managing a coaching practice, including scheduling, client management, payments, contracts, and more. Coaches appreciate how Paperbell allows offering a diverse range of service options like subscriptions, packages, and digital products.
Creating a professional client intake process is easy with customizable forms, surveys, and client portals. Paperbell drives efficiency by automating appointment reminders and follow-ups. The ability to embed video calling directly within the platform further streamlines session logistics.
For coaches running group programs, Paperbell has the functionality to manage group sessions, communications, and payments. Integrations with tools like Zoom, PayPal, Google Calendar and other apps increase efficiency. Paperbell’s transparent pricing structure avoids surprises like transaction fees.
Overall, Paperbell packs robust coaching management capabilities into an affordable solution. The clean, modern interface ensures coaches can get up and running efficiently to better serve their clients from an all-in-one hub.
Pros:
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- Free for one client
- Affordable paid plans ($47.50/mo)
- No client limits
- Diversified service offerings
Cons:
- No task management
- No full website builder
SimplyCoach
SimplyCoach is a robust platform that covers all aspects of managing a coaching business. Scheduling, client workspaces, coaching programs, content libraries, payments, and reporting are all part of SimplyCoach. Paid plans start at $9/month for solopreneurs.
SimplyCoach provides a comprehensive, all-in-one solution tailored specifically for coaches’ needs. Its efficient design allows managing every aspect of a coaching business from a single platform. Creating coaching programs with videos, worksheets, and other resources is straightforward using SimplyCoach’s content library tools.
SimplyCoach’s intuitive workflow makes client management functions like scheduling appointments, sending forms and questionnaires, and tracking progress over time easy and efficient. The platform supports individual coaching as well as group programs to maximize efficiency.
Video conferencing is embedded directly within the platform. It means you don’t need to opt for an external tool such as Zoom. Automations help drive efficiency by handling tasks like appointment reminders and follow-ups. Invoicing, payments, and contracts are all integrated for a seamless client onboarding process.
SimplyCoach provides robust reporting capabilities to efficiently track metrics about a coaching business. Reasonably priced plans make this robust solution accessible for solopreneurs up to larger coaching teams. An optional 14-day free trial allows experiencing SimplyCoach’s efficient capabilities first-hand.
Pros:
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- Group coaching capabilities
- Embedded video conferencing
- Great value pricing
- 14-day free trial
Cons:
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- No full website builder
- No marketing automation tools
Bonsai
Bonsai is a comprehensive business management platform for coaches and freelancers. It covers client management, invoicing, accounting, course creation, contracts, and more.
Bonsai is a comprehensive business management platform designed to boost efficiency for coaches running their own businesses.
The all-in-one solution covers client management, scheduling, invoicing, payments, contracts, proposals and more within one streamlined system.
Coaches can efficiently showcase their services by creating professional proposals with custom branding and pricing packages.
Automating appointment bookings, payment collections and client communications drives operational efficiency.
For coaches offering online courses, Bonsai provides tools to build, market and sell this digital content in an efficient manner.
Additional capabilities like project management, time tracking and accounting make Bonsai an efficient command center for coaching businesses’ back-office needs.
The high degree of customization allowed by Bonsai enhances efficiency by tailoring the tools to each coach’s specific processes.
While robust, the wealth of features in Bonsai could introduce complexity that affects efficiency for those with more basic needs.
Integrations with popular apps extend Bonsai’s capabilities for an even more efficiently-run coaching operation.
Overall, Bonsai bundles usually disparate tools into one efficient platform uniquely geared towards entrepreneurial service providers like coaches.
Pros:
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- Wide range of business tools in one
- Create online courses
- Customizable branding
Cons:
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- Overkill for solo coaches
- No mobile app
- No free plan
CoachVantage
CoachVantage is coaching software designed specifically for life coaches. It covers the essentials like scheduling, client management, invoicing, progress tracking, and logging coaching hours. CoachVantage starts at $26/month.
CoachVantage is laser-focused on providing coaches with the core tools they need to efficiently manage their coaching practice. The simple, modern interface makes it easy to schedule appointments, handle contracts and payments, track client progress, and more. Automated reminders help keep both coaches and clients on track.
CoachVantage organizes the process of creating sign-up pages and digitally signing contracts. All client information and notes are stored in one secure place. Coaches can brand the platform’s client portals, documents, and communications with their own logos and styles.
Integration with popular calendars and payment gateways like PayPal and Stripe increase efficiency. The resource library allows uploading any materials to share with clients. CoachVantage hits all the must-have functions for coaching businesses while avoiding excess bloat.
CoachVantage may be a bit light on advanced marketing capabilities. However, the platform makes up for it with an incredibly affordable pricing structure suited for coaches at any stage.
For those with a priority on an efficient, economical coaching management solution, CoachVantage could be an ideal choice.
Pros:
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- Affordable pricing
- Intuitive, modern interface
- Personal branding/white labeling
Cons:
- No website builder or marketing tools
- Limited free trial
HoneyBook
HoneyBook helps coaches manage projects, book appointments, send contracts, invoice clients, and more. With automated workflows, HoneyBook keeps the client experience seamless. Pricing starts at $16/month.
Honeybook is designed to enhance efficiency for coaches through automated workflows and streamlined client management processes. The platform allows coaches to easily create custom service offerings, pricing packages, and proposals to send to prospective clients.
Automating appointment bookings and billing frees up valuable time for coaches. Honeybook integrates with popular calendars and video conferencing tools like Zoom to further simplify scheduling sessions.
Collecting client information, sending contracts for e-signatures, and processing payments are all done within Honeybook’s efficient platform. Customizable client portals provide a professional, on-brand experience throughout the entire process.
Mobile apps for coaches and clients boost efficiency by enabling on-the-go account access and messaging. Automated reminders ensure appointments don’t slip through the cracks. Comprehensive reporting tracks key metrics across the coaching business.
Although it has a bit fewer advanced features, Honeybook does its best at efficiently organizing and automating the client experience. This affordable, user-friendly platform eliminates many tedious back-office tasks for coaches.
Pros:
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- Automated client communications
- Mobile app
- Integrations with tools like Zoom
Cons:
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- Must create new project per client
- No group session capabilities
CoachAccountable
CoachAccountable is coaching software geared toward tracking client progress and engagement. Coaches can share resources, collaborate on goals, exchange session notes, and more.
Client progress tracking is one of the core strengths of CoachAccountable. Its core focus is providing tools to streamline the actual coaching process itself.
Coaches can easily share educational resources, worksheets, and assignments through CoachAccountable’s content libraries. Clients get access through a personalized portal.
CoachAccountable’s centralized workspace makes goal progress tracking, taking session notes, and exchanging messages with clients efficient and simple.
Automated reminders increase accountability.
The platform supports building custom online courses to further educate clients efficiently. Integrations with payment processors like Stripe allow coaches to invoice and collect payments seamlessly.
Reporting dashboards give coaches a clear overview of client metrics like appointment attendance and homework completion rates. Pre-built templates save time when creating content.
While light on broader business management capabilities, CoachAccountable’s coaching-centric design enhances efficiency. It makes easier for you to handle some of the client-facing parts of your business. Simple pricing avoids overwhelming coaches with unnecessary features.
CoachAccountable may not be an all-in-one solution, but it excels in aspects such as coaching delivery.
Pros:
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- Progress tracking is the focus
- Integrations with payment tools
- Custom content and courses
Cons:
- Limited free trial
- Clunky text editor
- Pricing scales with client load
Dubsado
Dubsado is a CRM built to help service providers manage their business operations. Although a CRM encompasses more, you can use it just like any other online coaching platform. It includes tools for scheduling, contracts, invoicing, client portals, and more. Plans start at $35/month.
Dubsado is a comprehensive business management solution geared towards driving efficiency for coaches and other service providers. The platform places a major emphasis on workflow automation to streamline tedious tasks and client communications.
Coaches can efficiently create professional proposals, contracts, forms, and questionnaires using Dubsado’s templates. Sending these out for e-signatures and processing payments is a seamless experience.
Appointment scheduling syncs directly with calendar apps to avoid double-bookings. Automations trigger personalized emails and text reminders to keep clients engaged throughout their coaching journey.
Dubsado’s client portals provide a self-service hub for scheduling, making payments, viewing upcoming appointments and more. This drives efficiency for both coaches and clients.
Backend tools like invoicing, canned email templates, and reporting dashboards further increase productivity. Zapier integration extends Dubsado’s capabilities by connecting to thousands of other apps.
Dubsado is potentially an overkill for solo coaches. Larger coaching businesses may benefit from its team collaboration and role assignment features, and advanced business tools. The robust feature set does come at a premium pricing tier.
Pros:
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- Advanced automation workflows
- Templates for proposals, invoices, etc.
- Zapier integration
Cons:
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- Not optimized for email marketing
- Pricing con for large teams
NudgeCoach
NudgeCoach is a mobile coaching app that helps coaches deliver and engage clients in programs via “nudges.” It has community forums, challenges, progress tracking and messaging.
NudgeCoach takes a unique approach as a mobile app focused on efficiently delivering and engaging clients in coaching programs. Its core functionality revolves around the concept of “nudge cards” to guide clients through programs.
Coaches can build out sequences of nudge cards containing multimedia content like videos, audio, worksheets and quizzes. These are seamlessly delivered to clients’ mobile devices.
NudgeCoach allows tracking client progress and accountability through check-ins, surveys and progress visualizations – all within the app. This enhances engagement efficiency.
The platform supports building online communities around coaching programs via social forums and group messaging. Coaches can spark discussions and conversations efficiently.
In-app messaging enables direct one-on-one communication between coaches and clients. Automated reminders and notifications increase adherence efficiently.
While not a comprehensive coaching business platform, NudgeCoach excels at efficiently packaging up programs into an engaging mobile experience for clients.
Its community and challenge features make NudgeCoach well-suited for facilitating group coaching programs in an efficient manner.
For those wanting an affordable app-based coaching solution, NudgeCoach provides tools to mobilize and systematize program delivery efficiently.
Integration capabilities allow connecting NudgeCoach with other business tools coaches may use, enhancing overall operational efficiency.
Pros:
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- Mobile app for client convenience
- Group program capabilities
- Good for engaging clients
Cons:
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- Limited free trial
- Not full coaching software
Satori
Satori is coaching management software focused on simplicity. Coaches can schedule appointments, design packages, onboard clients, process payments and more from one streamlined platform.
Satori is built around the principle of being a simple, streamlined client management solution tailored for coaches. Its efficient interface allows coaches to focus on their core workflows without getting bogged down.
Onboarding new clients is an efficient process with Satori’s tools for booking discovery calls, sending proposals, and collecting payments. Automated reminders increase attendance rates.
Coaches can efficiently design their service offerings as single sessions or multi-session packages. Client portals provide a professional, on-brand experience.
Scheduling appointments syncs seamlessly with calendar apps to minimize double-bookings. Video conferencing is directly a part of the platform.
Sending questionnaires, recording session notes, and delivering homework assignments are all efficiently handled through Satori’s centralized client workspaces.
While light on advanced marketing capabilities, Satori covers the essential needs for coaching businesses efficiently. The platform’s transparent pricing avoids surprise fees.
Satori’s development team is highly responsive to customer feedback and requests for new features to increase efficiency over time. Coaches appreciate the hands-on customer support.
For coaches seeking a simple, affordable solution focused on client management fundamentals, Satori provides an efficient option. Its intuitive design reduces onboarding hassles.
Pros:
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- Straightforward, easy to use
- Focused on core coaching needs
- Excellent customer support
Cons:
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- Limited free trial
- Lacks advanced automations
- No integrations with webinar tools
Conclusion
While expensive, Kajabi stands out as the most comprehensive and efficient all-in-one online coaching platform for coaches who need a full suite of tools for their online business. Created specifically for coaches, Paperbell is very efficient by combining all the essential coaching tools into one intuitive platform at an affordable price. This platform covers coaching needs thoroughly and efficiently with capabilities like group coaching, embedded video conferencing, and good value pricing. Bonsai provides great efficiency by bundling a wide array of business management tools that coaches need into one customizable platform.
Focused solely on the core coaching functions, CoachVantage is an efficient dedicated coaching platform at a reasonable cost. HoneyBook drives efficiency through automations and tools to streamline the client workflow from booking through invoicing. While limited in scope, Coach Accountable efficiently handles client progress tracking and engagement for coaches.
Dubsado has useful automation workflows but may be less efficient for some due to its higher pricing for larger teams. As more of a mobile app rather than full software, Nudge Coach is efficient for client engagement but lacks efficiency for broader coaching operations. Satori aims for simplicity over advanced features, which could make it efficient for basic needs but potentially inefficient for scaling coaches.
In summary, online coaching platforms like Kajabi, Paperbell and Bonsai offer the most comprehensive,all-in-one solutions for coaches. Niche players like CoachVantage and Coach Accountable laser in on core coaching functions. There are many alternatives such as Thinkific you might want to consider.
Evaluate which features you need for your specific coaching services and business operations when selecting the right online platform.
Feeling inspired after reading this post? If you’re a brilliant visionary who struggles with managing all the behind-the-scenes operations of your business, let’s chat!
Because we bring order, automation, and seasoned management to your backend, streamlining everything and implementing systems tailored to your unique needs, so you can finally kiss operational chaos goodbye!
FAQ
An online coaching platform helps you manage, organize and grow your business. Most successful coaches invest in an online coaching platform.
Consider the number of clients you might have, your target audience, whether you deliver one-on-one or group coaching sessions, what your coaching packages include and many other important factors.
One of the strongest contenders for the title of the best life coaching platform are: Paperbell, Kajabi and NudgeCoach.