Kajabi Transaction Fees Explained + Cohort-Based Courses Overview
Episode 72 Summary
In this episode of Kajabi in 5 Minutes, we review how Kajabi’s third-party transaction fees work, including when they apply and how much each plan is charged if you use Stripe. I also explain why Kajabi Payments or PayPal are often the better choice, especially on the Kickstarter plan. Then, I dive into Kajabi’s new cohort-based courses, highlighting how they allow you to manage multiple groups within one course. I also cover the new calendar-based drip scheduling feature, which makes planning live and group programmes much easier.
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Episode Overview
Introduction
Welcome to Kajabi in 5 Minutes, where we break down Kajabi updates and features in quick, practical episodes. In this episode, we clarify Kajabi’s transaction fees and explore the powerful new cohort-based course feature, including how calendar-based drip scheduling works for group programmes.
Third-Party Payment Processing Fees Explained
In this episode, I want to clarify two things I’ve mentioned before but didn’t fully explain. One of them involves a change (or possibly a correction) around Kajabi’s pricing and transaction fees.
With Kajabi’s newer plans, there are third-party payment processing transaction fees. This applies when you use Stripe as a standalone payment processor, rather than Kajabi Payments.
To be clear, this transaction fee is charged by Kajabi, not Stripe, and it is separate from Stripe’s own processing fees.
When these plans were first released, I previously said that transaction fees applied if you didn’t use Kajabi Payments. However, that’s not entirely accurate. If you use Kajabi Payments or PayPal, you are not charged these transaction fees. The fee only applies if you are using Stripe.
Kajabi Transaction Fees by Plan
Here’s how the transaction fees break down if you use Stripe:
- Kickstarter Plan: 5%
- Basic Plan: 2%
- Growth Plan: 1%
- Pro Plan: 0.5%
If you’re on the Kickstarter plan, that 5% fee is significant. In most cases, there’s no real reason to use Stripe instead of Kajabi Payments on this plan. Using Kajabi Payments (or PayPal, if you prefer) helps you avoid this fee altogether.
I’m not entirely sure whether Kajabi changed this after launch or if I initially misunderstood the setup, but this is how it works now.
Introducing Cohort-Based Courses in Kajabi
Now for the more exciting update: cohort-based courses.
A cohort-based course is a new type of Kajabi course product that allows you to organise content into folders, with each folder representing a specific group or cohort going through the course at the same time.
This is especially powerful if you run live launches or group programmes where everyone starts together, follows the same timeline, and completes the experience as a group.
Instead of creating a brand-new course for each launch, you can use one course product and manage multiple cohorts inside it.
Why Cohort-Based Courses Are So Powerful
Each cohort folder gives you full control over the content for that specific group. You can:
- Add or remove lessons for one cohort without affecting others
- Upload recordings of live sessions directly into that cohort
- Ensure future cohorts don’t see content from previous groups
This makes it incredibly flexible if your programme evolves over time.
Calendar-Based Drip Scheduling
One feature I didn’t highlight before is how drip scheduling works differently in cohort-based courses.
Instead of dripping content based on the number of days since someone enrolled, content is released based on specific calendar dates.
This is a game-changer for planning. If holidays, breaks, or schedule changes come up, you don’t need to recalculate drip delays. You simply choose the date you want each module to open.
For example, if you want Module 1 to open on 13 July, you set that date—and that’s it.
This makes it much easier to map out content releases when you’re guiding a group through a live or semi-live experience.
Final Thoughts
Cohort-based courses are a powerful enhancement to Kajabi, especially for creators running live group programmes. Combined with calendar-based drip scheduling, they make course delivery far more flexible and organised.
Tune in next week for more Kajabi tips and updates.
