Comparisons
Movement: the best alternative to Podia
Podia delivers courses and downloads cleanly. But if you want your own branded app, real community tools, fitness & wellness features, and a platform that grows with your coaching business—the comparison looks very different.
Comparisons
Movement: the best alternative to Podia
Podia delivers courses and downloads cleanly. But if you want your own branded app, real community tools, fitness & wellness features, and a platform that grows with your coaching business—the comparison looks very different.
Podia is built for digital products. Movement is built for coaches, creators & communities.
Podia built its reputation as a clean, simple platform for selling courses and digital products. For solo business owners who want a website, an online store, and basic email marketing in one place, it does that job well.
But as creators grow (and particularly for coaches, wellness professionals, and community builders), the gaps become harder to ignore. No branded app. No push notifications. No habits or progress tracking. A community feature that most creators end up abandoning for Facebook Groups.
This page breaks down exactly where the two platforms differ, with input from creators who needed more for scaling their online business.
"If you are a creator, Movement is a must-have platform... we used Passion.io, Kajabi and lots of other platforms before deciding to build our own."
— Mahesh, MoonRise
"If you are a creator, Movement is a must-have platform... we used Passion.io, Kajabi and lots of other platforms before deciding to build our own."
— Mahesh, MoonRise
"If you are a creator, Movement is a must-have platform... we used Passion.io, Kajabi and lots of other platforms before deciding to build our own."
— Mahesh, MoonRise
why creators LEAVE PODIA
Where Podia falls short as your business grows.
Podia is a solid platform for simple course and digital product delivery. But for coaches and creators who want more than a browser-based storefront, the limitations quickly appear.
"The Movement platform gives you so much opportunity and you get to make it your own. Any creator's dream! And I trust the offering will just keep getting better."
— Ariel, RMS Movement
"The Movement platform gives you so much opportunity and you get to make it your own. Any creator's dream! And I trust the offering will just keep getting better."
— Ariel, RMS Movement
"The Movement platform gives you so much opportunity and you get to make it your own. Any creator's dream! And I trust the offering will just keep getting better."
— Ariel, RMS Movement
A platform built for coaching businesses, not just digital storefronts.
These are some of the reasons creators, coaches and businesses have been making the move from Podia to Movement to sell their content and engage their community, completely on their terms.
Your own branded app, on every plan
Every Movement creator gets a fully branded Progressive Web App from day one. Members install it on their phone's home screen, receive push notifications, and experience your content inside your brand—not a Podia-branded browser tab.
With Podia, there's no app on any plan—members access content through a browser only, meaning no push notifications either.
Your own branded app, on every plan
Every Movement creator gets a fully branded Progressive Web App from day one. Members install it on their phone's home screen, receive push notifications, and experience your content inside your brand—not a Podia-branded browser tab.
With Podia, there's no app on any plan—members access content through a browser only, meaning no push notifications either.
Your own branded app, on every plan
Every Movement creator gets a fully branded Progressive Web App from day one. Members install it on their phone's home screen, receive push notifications, and experience your content inside your brand—not a Podia-branded browser tab.
With Podia, there's no app on any plan—members access content through a browser only, meaning no push notifications either.
Real community tools built-in from the start
Movement's community features are native and designed to keep members engaged inside your app: feeds, forums, group chats, events, a member directory, and 1:1 messaging. No need to send people to Facebook Groups or WhatsApp to have real conversations.
Podia offers a basic community tab, limited engagement tools, and no group chats.
Real community tools built-in from the start
Movement's community features are native and designed to keep members engaged inside your app: feeds, forums, group chats, events, a member directory, and 1:1 messaging. No need to send people to Facebook Groups or WhatsApp to have real conversations.
Podia offers a basic community tab, limited engagement tools, and no group chats.
Real community tools built-in from the start
Movement's community features are native and designed to keep members engaged inside your app: feeds, forums, group chats, events, a member directory, and 1:1 messaging. No need to send people to Facebook Groups or WhatsApp to have real conversations.
Podia offers a basic community tab, limited engagement tools, and no group chats.
Unlimited video & audio uploads
All paid Movement plans include unlimited direct video and audio uploads with no file size cap beyond 50GB per file. No compression, no quality loss, no reliance on YouTube or Vimeo (though both are supported).
Podia supports video but with more restrictive limits for large content libraries and high-production content.
Unlimited video & audio uploads
All paid Movement plans include unlimited direct video and audio uploads with no file size cap beyond 50GB per file. No compression, no quality loss, no reliance on YouTube or Vimeo (though both are supported).
Podia supports video but with more restrictive limits for large content libraries and high-production content.
Unlimited video & audio uploads
All paid Movement plans include unlimited direct video and audio uploads with no file size cap beyond 50GB per file. No compression, no quality loss, no reliance on YouTube or Vimeo (though both are supported).
Podia supports video but with more restrictive limits for large content libraries and high-production content.
Ensure your community is accessible and inclusive
With Movement, you are provided with your own Progressive Web App, which is the most accessible online platform. PWAs can be accessed on any device with a web browser, including smartphones, tablets, and desktop. This cross-platform compatibility makes them more accessible to a broader audience.
Podia delivers content through a standard web browser with no app installation option.
Ensure your community is accessible and inclusive
With Movement, you are provided with your own Progressive Web App, which is the most accessible online platform. PWAs can be accessed on any device with a web browser, including smartphones, tablets, and desktop. This cross-platform compatibility makes them more accessible to a broader audience.
Podia delivers content through a standard web browser with no app installation option.
Ensure your community is accessible and inclusive
With Movement, you are provided with your own Progressive Web App, which is the most accessible online platform. PWAs can be accessed on any device with a web browser, including smartphones, tablets, and desktop. This cross-platform compatibility makes them more accessible to a broader audience.
Podia delivers content through a standard web browser with no app installation option.
pricing comparison
The price difference is significant.
The feature difference is bigger.
Podia's headline prices look reasonable. But factor in the upcoming pricing changes and email add-ons, and the real cost is higher than it appears.
Feature
Movement.so
Podia
Branded app included 🌟
Every plan (incl. free)
Not available on any plan
Base plan / entry plan
$49/month
$39/month (Mover)
Mid-tier plan
$99/month (Pro—white label)
$89/month (Shaker)
Push Notifications / Campaigns
From Base plan ($49/month)
Not available
Video & audio uploads
Unlimited on paid plans
Available but not optimised for large libraries
Community (feeds, forums, chats)
Full suite included
Basic only—no group chats
Fitness & wellness tools
Workout builder, habits, tracking, recipes, forms
Not available
Progress tracking & habits
Included
Not available
Admin seats
Unlimited on all paid plans
Limited depending on plan
White-label / remove branding
From $99/mo (Pro plan)
From $89/month (Shaker)
Affiliate marketing
Integration built-in
Shaker plan only ($89/month)
Live support
All plans, instant responses
Available — response times vary
Pricing correct as of May 2026 but pricing changes are coming to Podia (likely price increases). We recommend verifying both platforms' current pricing pages before making a decision.
"Movement is perfect for anyone looking to create a fitness program for many or individuals... or even for those not looking to create a fitness program! It is so customizable that any online course creator could create a custom app to house their courses. I cannot recommend enough."
— Dr. Mae Hughes, Movement Through Motherhood
"Movement is perfect for anyone looking to create a fitness program for many or individuals... or even for those not looking to create a fitness program! It is so customizable that any online course creator could create a custom app to house their courses. I cannot recommend enough."
— Dr. Mae Hughes, Movement Through Motherhood
"Movement is perfect for anyone looking to create a fitness program for many or individuals... or even for those not looking to create a fitness program! It is so customizable that any online course creator could create a custom app to house their courses. I cannot recommend enough."
— Dr. Mae Hughes, Movement Through Motherhood
Built-in health, fitness and wellness tools
Movement was built for coaches and wellness creators. Integrated workout builder, progress tracking, nutrition and recipe sections, habit tracking, intake forms—all native to the platform.
Podia is built for courses and digital downloads, with no fitness-specific features.
Built-in health, fitness and wellness tools
Movement was built for coaches and wellness creators. Integrated workout builder, progress tracking, nutrition and recipe sections, habit tracking, intake forms—all native to the platform.
Podia is built for courses and digital downloads, with no fitness-specific features.
Built-in health, fitness and wellness tools
Movement was built for coaches and wellness creators. Integrated workout builder, progress tracking, nutrition and recipe sections, habit tracking, intake forms—all native to the platform.
Podia is built for courses and digital downloads, with no fitness-specific features.
Real design flexibility to match your brand & vision
Movement gives you genuine creative control over how your app looks and feels. Custom fonts, colours, layouts, and content blocks mean your platform can reflect your brand properly, not a templated storefront that looks like every other Podia store.
Podia's interface is clean and easy to use, but customization is low. You work within a fixed structure so there's limited control over layout, block arrangement, or the overall experience members have. What you see in the templates is largely what you get.
Real design flexibility to match your brand & vision
Movement gives you genuine creative control over how your app looks and feels. Custom fonts, colours, layouts, and content blocks mean your platform can reflect your brand properly, not a templated storefront that looks like every other Podia store.
Podia's interface is clean and easy to use, but customization is low. You work within a fixed structure so there's limited control over layout, block arrangement, or the overall experience members have. What you see in the templates is largely what you get.
Real design flexibility to match your brand & vision
Movement gives you genuine creative control over how your app looks and feels. Custom fonts, colours, layouts, and content blocks mean your platform can reflect your brand properly, not a templated storefront that looks like every other Podia store.
Podia's interface is clean and easy to use, but customization is low. You work within a fixed structure so there's limited control over layout, block arrangement, or the overall experience members have. What you see in the templates is largely what you get.
"I liked the flexibility of Movement and how much it could add to my business. I loved how much support there was and how it could look like my own branding."
Tom O, Mechanics of Movement
"I liked the flexibility of Movement and how much it could add to my business. I loved how much support there was and how it could look like my own branding."
Tom O, Mechanics of Movement
"I liked the flexibility of Movement and how much it could add to my business. I loved how much support there was and how it could look like my own branding."
Tom O, Mechanics of Movement
Conclusion
Podia is a solid platform if you're selling a course or a digital download and want something simple to set up. But for coaches, wellness creators, and community builders who want a platform that grows with their business—a branded app their members actually install, real community tools that keep members coming back, full design control, and the fitness and wellness features built for how they actually coach—the comparison points in one direction.
Movement isn't trying to be everything to everyone. It's built specifically for creators who deliver ongoing value to a community, and that focus shows in the features, the flexibility, and the experience your members have from day one.
If that's the business you're building, it's worth a look.
View stories
Success stories of those who have made the switch
View stories
Go beyond creating an app, start a movement
With Movement, you have all the tools and functionality you need to create the ultimate online experience for your members and community.
Go beyond creating an app, start a movement
With Movement, you have all the tools and functionality you need to create the ultimate online experience for your members and community.
Go beyond creating an app, start a movement
With Movement, you have all the tools and functionality you need to create the ultimate online experience for your members and community.
Your questions, answered
Can I migrate my Podia content to Movement?
Yes. Most creators migrate their courses, digital products, and content to Movement without starting from scratch. If your videos are hosted on YouTube or Vimeo, importing them is straightforward. Our Done For You service can handle the full migration— including rebuilding your content structure and migrating active Stripe subscriptions so your members don't need to re-enter payment details.
Is Movement suitable for course creators, or just fitness coaches?
Movement works well for any creator who delivers digital content, courses, and community. Coaches, educators, therapists, photographers, and creators across many niches have built successfully on Movement. The core features— courses, drip content, community, payments, and your own branded app — apply to any creator-led business. The fitness and wellness tools are additional, not required.
What’s a Web App? Is it still on the App Stores?
An app that you can open from any device with a URL. No downloads or installation required, and super easy to share. It performs like a native app but there’s no need to deal with the App Stores. We wrote an article to outline the benefits here.
How much of each sale do I get to keep?
With Movement, you get to keep up to 97.5% on any purchase made through your app. Even on our free plan, you keep 85% of each sale and with our paid plans, you keep 97.5% (before nominal Stripe fees). In comparison, the App Stores charge a 30% commissions on sales, so you'd keep approximately 70% of your sales.
Is this platform for 1:1 coaching or 1:many?
It's for both and that's one of the benefits of Movement! Create fully customized programs for individuals or expand into programs that suit virtually anyone—or why not both️? Our platform has the flexibility to help you scale and deliver your coaching your way.
Can I offer free and paid content in my Movement app?
Yes, you can and we think it’s a great idea to offer both. Providing free content in your app gives visitors an idea of what they will see or experience from your app, and the value you will deliver. Plus, our flexible pricing options mean you can create as many products as you'd like and charge on your terms – as one-off purchases or reoccurring subscriptions, at any price or frequency.
Your questions, answered
Can I migrate my Podia content to Movement?
Yes. Most creators migrate their courses, digital products, and content to Movement without starting from scratch. If your videos are hosted on YouTube or Vimeo, importing them is straightforward. Our Done For You service can handle the full migration— including rebuilding your content structure and migrating active Stripe subscriptions so your members don't need to re-enter payment details.
Is Movement suitable for course creators, or just fitness coaches?
Movement works well for any creator who delivers digital content, courses, and community. Coaches, educators, therapists, photographers, and creators across many niches have built successfully on Movement. The core features— courses, drip content, community, payments, and your own branded app — apply to any creator-led business. The fitness and wellness tools are additional, not required.
What’s a Web App? Is it still on the App Stores?
An app that you can open from any device with a URL. No downloads or installation required, and super easy to share. It performs like a native app but there’s no need to deal with the App Stores. We wrote an article to outline the benefits here.
How much of each sale do I get to keep?
With Movement, you get to keep up to 97.5% on any purchase made through your app. Even on our free plan, you keep 85% of each sale and with our paid plans, you keep 97.5% (before nominal Stripe fees). In comparison, the App Stores charge a 30% commissions on sales, so you'd keep approximately 70% of your sales.
Is this platform for 1:1 coaching or 1:many?
It's for both and that's one of the benefits of Movement! Create fully customized programs for individuals or expand into programs that suit virtually anyone—or why not both️? Our platform has the flexibility to help you scale and deliver your coaching your way.
Can I offer free and paid content in my Movement app?
Yes, you can and we think it’s a great idea to offer both. Providing free content in your app gives visitors an idea of what they will see or experience from your app, and the value you will deliver. Plus, our flexible pricing options mean you can create as many products as you'd like and charge on your terms – as one-off purchases or reoccurring subscriptions, at any price or frequency.
Your questions, answered
Can I migrate my Podia content to Movement?
Yes. Most creators migrate their courses, digital products, and content to Movement without starting from scratch. If your videos are hosted on YouTube or Vimeo, importing them is straightforward. Our Done For You service can handle the full migration— including rebuilding your content structure and migrating active Stripe subscriptions so your members don't need to re-enter payment details.
Is Movement suitable for course creators, or just fitness coaches?
Movement works well for any creator who delivers digital content, courses, and community. Coaches, educators, therapists, photographers, and creators across many niches have built successfully on Movement. The core features— courses, drip content, community, payments, and your own branded app — apply to any creator-led business. The fitness and wellness tools are additional, not required.
What’s a Web App? Is it still on the App Stores?
An app that you can open from any device with a simple URL. No downloads or installation required, and super easy to share. It performs like a native app but there’s no need to deal with the App Stores. We wrote an article to outline the benefits here.
How much of each sale do I get to keep?
With Movement, you get to keep up to 97.5% on any purchase made through your app. Even on our free plan, you keep 85% of each sale and with our paid plans, you keep 97.5% (before nominal Stripe fees). In comparison, the App Stores charge a 30% commissions on sales, so you'd keep approximately 70% of your sales.
Is this platform for 1:1 coaching or 1:many?
It's for both and that's one of the benefits of Movement! Create fully customized programs for individuals or expand into programs that suit virtually anyone—or why not both️? Our platform has the flexibility to help you scale and deliver your coaching your way.
Can I offer free and paid content in my Movement app?
Yes, you can and we think it’s a great idea to offer both. Providing free content in your app gives visitors an idea of what they will see or experience from your app, and the value you will deliver. Plus, our flexible pricing options mean you can create as many products as you'd like and charge on your terms – as one-off purchases or reoccurring subscriptions, at any price or frequency.
Built for coaches. Not just storefronts.
Start creating your Movement for free—no commitment and no credit card required.
Built for coaches. Not just storefronts.
Start creating your Movement for free—no commitment and no credit card required.
Built for coaches. Not just storefronts.
Start creating your Movement for free—no commitment and no credit card required.