Verdict. Pick Skool if you run a paid community where members also take your course, and you want it live this week. Start on Hobby at $9 a month, then switch to Pro once you clear about $1,270 a month in sales, because that is where Pro's lower fee covers the $90 difference. The catch is control. Payments run only through Skool, members pay in USD, and payouts come once a week.
- Founded
- 2019
- Best for
- Coaches running a paid community with courses inside
- Plans from
- $9/month
- You keep from $1,000
- $861 on Hobby
Who can join. Open to anyone with a bank account in one of more than 100 supported payout countries. You may need to verify your identity and submit documents to Stripe.
Skool pricing and fees
Hobby costs $9 a month plus 10% + 30¢ per sale, and Pro costs $99 a month plus 2.9% + 30¢, with card processing included in both. If Growth Boost brings you a member, Skool also takes 30% of that member's charges, renewals included, and Growth Boost is on by default.
| Plan | Price | Fee on sales | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hobby | $9/mo | 10% + 30¢ per sale | Unlimited members, courses, videos and live calls. Custom URL and affiliates. |
| Pro | $99/mo | 2.9% + 30¢ per sale, 3.9% + 30¢ above $900 | Same listed features as Hobby. Yearly billing advertises 2 months free. |
On $1,000 of monthly sales at $10 each, the cheapest option is the Hobby plan. You'd pay about $139 in platform and card fees, 13.9% of revenue, and keep $861. Compare that with every other platform.
Payment processing. Skool runs all payments on its own merchant account, and the transaction fee already includes processing. You set up a new Stripe Express account for payouts and cannot connect an existing Stripe account. Members are always charged in USD.
Payouts. Skool pays your available balance to your bank every Wednesday, in your local currency. The first payout can take up to 14 days, then a 7-day cycle applies. US banks usually receive funds in 1 to 3 business days and international banks in 3 to 5. The minimum is about one unit of local currency.
What you get with Skool
- Discussion feed for each group
- Courses with unlimited videos
- Unlimited live calls
- Built-in paid memberships
- Affiliate program
- Custom group URL
- Weekly bank payouts in 100+ countries
Skool pros and cons
What we like
- Hobby at $9 a month is the cheapest way in this category to launch a paid community.
- Card processing is included in the fee, so there is no separate Stripe bill.
- Both plans list identical features, so you choose on revenue alone.
- Few settings to learn, so you can open a paid group the same day.
What gets in the way
- Hobby keeps 10% + 30¢ of every sale.
- Payments run only through Skool, and you cannot bring your own Stripe account.
- Members pay in USD only.
- Single charges above $900 on Pro cost 3.9% + 30¢.
- Payouts come once a week, and the first one can take 14 days.
- Growth Boost is on by default and takes 30% of every charge from members Skool refers, renewals included.
Who should skip Skool
If you want your own Stripe account or prices in your members' local currency, pick Circle or Kajabi instead.
Skool alternatives
| Platform | Score | Keep from $1,000 | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Podia | 6.6 | $842 | Creators selling several small products from one storefront |
| Teachable | 6.6 | $852 | Solo course creators who want simple setup and checkout |
| Thinkific | 6.3 | $832 | Course businesses that want a polished learner experience |
| Circle | 6.1 | $815 | Brands and creators running a large paid community |
Head to head: Skool vs Circle.
See all 6 course and community platforms ranked.
Skool questions
How much does Skool take per sale?
On Hobby, Skool takes 10% + 30¢ per transaction. On Pro, it takes 2.9% + 30¢ on charges up to $899 and 3.9% + 30¢ on charges above $900. These fees include card processing, so there is no separate Stripe charge. Transaction fees are not refunded.
Is Skool Hobby or Pro cheaper?
Hobby is $9 a month and Pro is $99. Pro's fee is 7.1 points lower, which covers the $90 price gap at about $1,270 a month in sales. Below that, Hobby costs less in total. Above it, Pro is cheaper. Both plans list the same features.
When does Skool pay out?
Skool pays your available balance to your bank every Wednesday. The first payout can take up to 14 days, then payouts follow a 7-day cycle. US deposits usually arrive in 1 to 3 business days and international ones in 3 to 5, in your local currency.
Can I use my own Stripe account with Skool?
No. Skool processes payments on its own merchant account and asks you to create a new Stripe Express account for payouts. You cannot connect an existing Stripe account, and members are always charged in USD, even when you get paid in another currency.
Sources
We checked these pages on October 20, 2026. Platforms change fees often, so confirm on the official page before you commit.