Hosted vs self-hosted

LearnKasts vs LearnDash.

LearnDash is a WordPress plugin you bolt onto your own site, hosting and plugin stack. LearnKasts is a hosted platform that handles all of that for you. Same teaching job, very different operating cost.

The short version

LearnDash is great if you already love WordPress, want full control over the stack, and have a developer (or are one). LearnKasts is the right pick if you would rather teach than maintain WordPress plugins, want local-currency payments and need cohorts, gamification and AI without configuring anything.

What changes.

What changes LearnKasts LearnDash
Platform costLearnDash sells a plugin, not the stack. ₦15,000/mo $199/year licence
Hosting requiredAdd $30-150/mo for managed WordPress hosting. Included You buy WP hosting
MaintenanceWP, theme, plugin updates and security patches. We handle it You handle it
Local currency at checkoutNaira, Cedi, Rand, Shilling out of the box. Yes Plugin-dependent
Payment processorStripe, Paystack or Flutterwave with config. Built in You wire it up
Cohort programmesCohort behaviour via separate paid plugins. Yes Add-on plugin
GamificationAdd GamiPress or similar at extra cost. Yes Add-on plugin
AI course builderDrafts a full curriculum from a prompt. Included No
Coaching session bookingsAdd a booking plugin to your WordPress site. Yes Plugin needed
Time to first course liveWP setup, theme, plugins, payment, content. A weekend Days to weeks

Pricing reflects publicly listed LearnDash and typical managed-WordPress rates as of 2026. Always check learndash.com for the latest.

Pick the platform that matches your reality.

Self-hosting is liberating if you want to do the work. It is a tax if you do not.

Choose LearnKasts if you…

  • Would rather teach than maintain WordPress and plugins
  • Sell in local currencies and need local payment methods
  • Want cohorts, gamification and AI ready out of the box
  • Do not have a developer on call (or do not want to be one)
  • Need accessibility built in across every page
Start free for 7 days

Choose LearnDash if you…

  • Already run your business on WordPress and love it
  • Have a developer (or are one) to maintain the stack
  • Want absolute control over the database, theme and plugins
  • Are happy wiring up payments, hosting and security yourself
  • Do not need a hosted vendor and want a one-time licence model
Visit LearnDash (opens in a new tab)
Tired of maintaining LearnDash?

We will move you over. On the house.

Our migration team imports your courses, lessons, quizzes and learners from your LearnDash site for free. Most schools are fully moved over in under three working days, with zero downtime for active learners.

Talk to a migration specialist