Thinkific certificates vs Sertifier credentials

Thinkific and Sertifier both issue certificates, but they solve different problems. Thinkific’s built-in certificate feature rewards students who complete a Thinkific course with a downloadable PDF. Sertifier is a dedicated credentialing platform that issues verifiable certificates and digital badges from any training source, with analytics and branding controls.

Digital credentials give learners a way to demonstrate acquired knowledge and skills. They signify the completion of a course or program, and they can be shown to employers, clients, or peers in a specific field. They can also help open doors to new career opportunities.

This article compares the two: what Thinkific certificates do well, where they stop, and when a dedicated platform like Sertifier makes more sense.

Thinkific certificates: an overview

Thinkific is a well-known online course platform that enables course creators to publish, design, and sell courses online. Additionally, Thinkific has a built-in certificate feature that makes it easy for course creators to issue completion certificates to their students.

Thinkific certificates are straightforward to create and distribute, with a range of certificate templates available, or users can opt to create a custom design. Certificates can be automatically generated, downloaded, or printed by students. Thinkific certificates are also integrated with the platform’s student management system, simplifying tracking student progress and completion.

Thinkific certificates work well for many online courses, but they have real limits. Certificates are only generated automatically when a student reaches 100% completion of a Thinkific course: Thinkific’s documentation notes there is no manual issuance, and only English characters are supported. Each certificate carries a unique certificate ID, but Thinkific certificates are PDF completion documents rather than open-standard digital credentials, and customization stays within a fixed set of templates, fonts, and colors.

Sertifier certificates: an overview

Sertifier is a certificate and badge management platform that offers several customization and verification options. Sertifier enables course creators to create fully branded digital certificates that can be customized with logos, images, and colors. Sertifier also offers advanced verification options such as unique URLs and QR codes that can be used to independently verify the authenticity of each certificate.

Sertifier certificates offer various other benefits besides customization and verification, such as integration with third-party platforms like Thinkific, Zoom, Moodle, and Zapier (the full list is on the integrations page). Sertifier also provides analytics tools that course creators can use to track the usage and engagement of their certificates.

Comparison of Thinkific and Sertifier certificates

Regarding issuing digital certificates in online learning, both Thinkific and Sertifier offer several options and benefits, but each platform has its own unique strengths and weaknesses. Thinkific certificates are easy to create and distribute and are integrated with the platform’s student management system. Thinkific certificates stay inside the Thinkific ecosystem and offer limited customization, but they may be sufficient for small-scale courses that do not need open-standard verification or issuer analytics.

For course creators who require a more advanced and customizable certificate solution, Sertifier may be the better option. Sertifier certificates offer several customization and verification options, advanced analytics, and integration features that can help businesses and organizations showcase their unique brand identity and professional image. For example, Sertifier allows for the creation of fully branded digital certificates that can be customized with logos, images, and colors to match a company’s branding. Sertifier’s advanced verification options, such as unique URLs and QR codes, offer an added layer of security and credibility to the certificates. These features make Sertifier certificates an ideal choice for courses that require a high level of customization, verification, and branding.

Best practices for issuing certificates

To make the most out of issuing certificates and credentials, it is essential to follow best practices to ensure they are effective and impactful. Here are a few additional best practices to consider:

Use a clear and concise language: Avoid using complex language or jargon that could confuse learners or potential employers. Instead, use clear and straightforward language that is easy to understand.

Include relevant information: Be sure to include relevant information such as the learner’s name, the course title, the completion date, and the name of the organization or institution issuing the certificate.

Consider adding a digital badge: A digital badge is a graphical representation of the certificate that can be shared on social media or online portfolios. Consider adding a digital badge to make it easier for learners to showcase their achievements.

Allow learners to opt out: Some learners may not want to share their certificate publicly or may prefer to keep it private. Be sure to give learners the option to opt out of sharing their certificate publicly.

Conclusion

Online learning keeps growing, and as a result, the demand for certificates and credentials has grown. Certificates and credentials allow learners to demonstrate their knowledge and skills to others, which can be beneficial in terms of career advancement and new opportunities.

While both Thinkific and Sertifier offer several options for issuing certificates and credentials, each platform has its unique strengths and weaknesses. Thinkific is a simple option for small-scale courses. Sertifier is more advanced and customizable, and small programs are not priced out: issuing to up to 250 unique recipients per year is free, then $1 per unique recipient per year beyond that (see Sertifier pricing).

Regardless of the platform, following best practices for issuing certificates and credentials is essential to ensure they are effective and impactful. Customizing certificates, including relevant information, adding a digital badge, and allowing learners to opt out of sharing are just a few best practices to consider.

Overall, certificates and credentials play a vital role in online learning, and by choosing the right platform and following best practices, course creators can help their learners achieve their career goals.