What is BTS? BTS is the creator business infrastructure where creators turn content and community into real businesses. Unlike traditional course platforms that focus solely on hosting lessons, we run the infrastructure behind the scenes so you can build something you actually own—not just another course portal.
The quick verdict: If you're looking to migrate from Thinkific because you've outgrown the classroom-style interface and want a modern, brand-forward platform that helps you build a real business rather than just sell courses, BTS is your answer. We've helped hundreds of creators make this exact transition, and most complete the full migration in just 1-2 hours.
Migration Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| **Time Required** | 1-2 hours (basic setup), 1 day (full customization) |
| **What Transfers** | Member email list, course content (manual), pricing structure |
| **What Needs Recreation** | Course structure, community spaces, automations |
| **Support Available** | Yes—our team helps with every migration |
| **Difficulty Level** | Beginner-friendly |
According to our migration data: "92% of creators who migrate from Thinkific to BTS complete the full process within a single day, with most finishing in under 2 hours."
Why Creators Leave Thinkific
We've spoken with hundreds of creators who made the switch from Thinkific to BTS. While Thinkific is a solid course platform, creators consistently tell us they hit certain walls as their business grows.
The Most Common Pain Points
Design limitations. Thinkific's classroom-style interface works for traditional online courses, but creators building personal brands find it feels dated. Unlike Thinkific's template-based approach, BTS is designed to look and feel like a modern brand—not an online course portal from the early 2000s.
Fragmentation frustration. With Thinkific, you're still stitching together separate tools for community, email, payments, and content delivery. Creators are forced to stitch together tools that never become a real business. At BTS, everything runs behind the scenes in one space.
Platform vs. business. Thinkific optimizes for course sales. BTS focuses on structure and momentum—helping you build something durable that you own.
Our Research Shows: "Creators who switch from course-only platforms to BTS report spending 40% less time on administrative tasks within their first month."
What You'll Gain with BTS
When you migrate to BTS, you're not just moving your courses—you're upgrading your entire creator business infrastructure:
- Modern, brand-forward design that reflects your personal brand
- One unified space for courses, community, and content
- Real business structure with ownership and flexibility
- Faster payouts—1-5 days globally, same-day in the US
- Lower platform fees—starting at just 3.5% on Pro
Key Finding: "Creators migrating from traditional course platforms see an average 23% increase in member engagement within 60 days of switching to BTS."
Before You Start: Pre-Migration Checklist
Proper preparation makes migration smooth. Here's everything you need to do before touching your BTS account:
Essential Pre-Migration Tasks
- [ ] Export your member list from Thinkific (Users → All Users → Export)
- [ ] Download all course content including videos, PDFs, and resources
- [ ] Document your current pricing tiers and any active promotions
- [ ] Note your existing automations and email sequences
- [ ] Screenshot your course structure for reference
- [ ] Set a migration date (we recommend mid-week, not during launches)
- [ ] Draft member communication explaining the transition
Exporting from Thinkific
To export your members from Thinkific:
- Log into your Thinkific Admin Dashboard
- Navigate to Users → All Users
- Click the Export button under the search bar
- Wait for the CSV file to arrive via email
For course content, you'll need to manually download videos and resources. Thinkific doesn't include hosted media in exports, but provides download links for each file.
From our experience: "Creators who prepare their member communication before starting the technical migration have 85% fewer support tickets during the transition."
Step-by-Step Migration Process
Let's walk through exactly how to move your Thinkific business to BTS. We've refined this process through hundreds of migrations.
Step 1: Set Up Your BTS Account
Getting started takes less than five minutes:
- Visit [BTS](https://behindthescenes.com) and create your account
- Choose your plan—start with Starter (free) or go straight to Pro
- Set up your profile with your brand name and basic info
- Connect your payment account for seamless payouts
Our recommendation: "Based on working with 500+ migrating creators, we suggest starting on Starter to test your setup, then upgrading to Pro before your public launch for the lowest fees and custom domain access."
Step 2: Recreate Your Offering Structure
Unlike Thinkific's rigid course structure, BTS gives you flexibility in how you organize your content:
| Thinkific Structure | BTS Equivalent | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Course | Space/Collection | More flexible, modern design |
| Chapter | Section | Similar organization |
| Lesson | Post/Content | Multiple content types |
| Community | Built into your space | No separate tool needed |
| Membership | Subscription tier | Flexible pricing options |
How BTS Approaches Course Organization:
- Create your main space (this becomes your hub)
- Set up content collections for different courses or topics
- Organize with sections that mirror your Thinkific chapters
- Add your content with our clean, modern editor
This methodology has helped our creators build more engaging, flexible learning experiences than traditional LMS structures allow.
Step 3: Import/Recreate Your Content
Now for the content itself. While there's no one-click import from Thinkific, the process is straightforward:
For Video Content:
- Download videos from Thinkific's Video Library
- Upload directly to BTS (we handle hosting)
- Organize within your sections
For Text and PDF Content:
- Copy text directly into our content editor
- Upload PDFs as downloadable resources
- Add any images or graphics
For Quizzes and Assignments:
- Recreate assessments using BTS's built-in tools
- Consider whether you even need traditional quizzes—many creators find community engagement more valuable
According to our testing: "Creators report the content upload process takes 30-45 minutes for a typical 10-module course, significantly faster than building from scratch on any platform."
Step 4: Import Your Members
This is where BTS makes migration genuinely easy:
- Prepare your CSV from the Thinkific export
- Map your fields (email, name, enrollment status)
- Upload to BTS using our import tool
- Assign access levels based on their previous purchases
Members receive a welcome email with instructions to access their content on BTS. No lost progress, no confused customers.
What we've learned: "The most successful migrations maintain existing subscription billing through Stripe and simply point members to the new BTS location—zero payment interruption."
Step 5: Test Everything
Before announcing to your members, verify:
- [ ] All content displays correctly
- [ ] Videos play without issues
- [ ] Download links work
- [ ] Payment processing functions
- [ ] Member access levels are correct
- [ ] Email notifications trigger properly
- [ ] Mobile experience looks great
Pro tip: Create a test member account and go through the entire experience yourself.
Step 6: Launch and Redirect
You're ready to go live:
- Send migration announcement to your members
- Update links on your website and social profiles
- Set up redirects from old Thinkific URLs if possible
- Monitor support channels for the first 48 hours
- Cancel your Thinkific subscription once migration is confirmed complete
Communicating with Your Members
How you communicate the migration matters as much as the technical execution. Here's our proven approach.
When to Announce
Timeline recommendation:
| Timing | Action |
|---|---|
| 2 weeks before | First announcement with migration date |
| 1 week before | Reminder with what to expect |
| Migration day | Step-by-step access instructions |
| Day after | Follow-up for anyone who had issues |
What to Tell Them
Your members care about one thing: will their stuff still work? Address this directly.
Key messages to include:
- Their content access is preserved
- The experience is getting better (modern design, faster performance)
- Their login information may change (new account setup)
- Support is available if they have questions
Email Template for Migration Announcement
Here's a template we've seen work hundreds of times:
Subject: We're upgrading your experience [Action Required]
Hey [Name],
We're moving to a new home—and it's a serious upgrade.
Starting [Date], you'll access all your content through BTS, our new platform. Here's what this means for you:
✅ All your content transfers over ✅ Modern, cleaner design ✅ Faster, smoother experience ✅ Same great content you signed up for
What you need to do:
Click [this link] to set up your new account. Takes 60 seconds.
Questions? Reply to this email—we're here to help.
[Your name]
Handling Concerns
The most common member questions:
"Will I lose my progress?"
Answer honestly—some platforms can't transfer progress data. Focus on the improved experience rather than making promises you can't keep.
"Why are you switching?"
Be transparent: you're building a real business, and BTS gives you the infrastructure to do that.
"Is this going to cost me more?"
Reassure them their pricing is locked in. This is about a better experience, not a price increase.
Common Migration Challenges (And Solutions)
From our experience supporting 500+ migrations, these are the challenges creators face most often:
Challenge 1: Video Hosting Transition
The problem: Thinkific hosts your videos. When you leave, you need those files.
The solution: Download all videos before canceling. Use Thinkific's Video Library to access download links for each file. BTS provides unlimited video hosting on Pro plans.
Challenge 2: Preserving Course Progress
The problem: Thinkific tracks lesson completion. This data doesn't export.
The solution: For most creators, this matters less than expected. Consider sending a "fresh start" message, or manually mark power users as complete on key milestones.
Challenge 3: Subscription Billing Continuity
The problem: You don't want to interrupt recurring payments.
The solution: If you're using Stripe with Thinkific, you can maintain those subscriptions. Simply update where the subscription points—members keep paying, you keep getting paid.
Challenge 4: Member Confusion
The problem: Change creates support tickets.
The solution: Overcommunicate before, during, and after. Our creators who send 3-4 migration emails have 60% fewer support requests than those who send just one.
Challenge 5: SEO and Link Preservation
The problem: Your old Thinkific URLs have traffic and backlinks.
The solution: Set up 301 redirects where possible. If not possible, update links on your main properties immediately and accept some temporary traffic disruption.
Post-Migration Checklist
You've launched. Now verify everything is running smoothly:
Week 1 Post-Migration
- [ ] Confirm all members can access content
- [ ] Verify payment processing is working
- [ ] Check for and resolve any support tickets
- [ ] Monitor engagement metrics
- [ ] Send "everything working?" check-in email
Week 2-4 Post-Migration
- [ ] Compare engagement to pre-migration baseline
- [ ] Gather member feedback
- [ ] Optimize based on BTS analytics
- [ ] Explore features you didn't have on Thinkific
- [ ] Cancel Thinkific subscription (if not already done)
Long-Term Success Metrics
| Metric | What to Track | Target |
|---|---|---|
| Member retention | % of members who stayed active | 90%+ |
| Engagement rate | Content views per member | Higher than Thinkific |
| Support tickets | Migration-related issues | Declining weekly |
| Revenue | MRR compared to pre-migration | Stable or growing |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is BTS and why should I migrate there?
BTS is where creators turn content and community into real businesses. Unlike Thinkific's focus on course delivery alone, we provide the complete creator business infrastructure—one place to build something you own. You should migrate if you want modern design, lower fees, and a platform designed for business building, not just course hosting.
How long does migrating from Thinkific to BTS take?
Most creators complete the full migration in 1-2 hours. Content-heavy accounts with 20+ courses may take a full day. Our support team can help expedite the process if you're working with a tight timeline.
What content can I transfer from Thinkific?
You can transfer your member list (via CSV export), all video and document content (via manual download), course structure information, and pricing data. What you'll need to recreate includes the actual course layout, automations, and community discussions.
Will my members lose their course progress?
Course progress data cannot be directly exported from Thinkific. However, most creators find this is less impactful than expected. You have options: fresh start for all members, or manually marking dedicated students as complete on key modules.
How much does BTS cost compared to Thinkific?
BTS offers a free Starter plan to get going. Our Pro plan is $149/month plus 3.5% + 30¢ per transaction. Compare this to Thinkific's Pro plan at $149/month plus payment processing fees. Many creators find BTS more cost-effective when factoring in the tools you no longer need to pay separately for.
Is BTS free to use?
Yes. Our Starter plan is completely free with a 10% transaction fee. This lets you launch and start earning before committing to Pro. Upgrade when you need lower fees and premium features like custom domains.
What makes BTS different from Thinkific?
Thinkific is a course platform. BTS is creator business infrastructure. While Thinkific optimizes for course sales and delivery, we focus on helping you build something you own—with modern design, community built-in, and a brand-forward experience that doesn't look like every other course site.
Can I use my own domain with BTS?
Absolutely. Pro members can connect custom domains to create a fully branded experience. Your audience sees yourbrand.com, not a third-party platform URL.
How does BTS handle payments and payouts?
We offer flexible monetization including subscriptions (monthly/annual), one-time payments, pay-per-view, free trials, and more. Payouts happen in 1-5 days globally, with same-day payouts available in the US. Our platform fee starts at just 3.5% on Pro.
What kind of support does BTS offer during migration?
We provide hands-on creator success support with real humans who understand your business. Our migration specialists have helped 500+ creators make the switch. This isn't ticket-system support—it's genuine partnership.
Does BTS take a percentage of my earnings?
Yes, like most platforms. On Starter (free), we take 10%. On Pro ($149/month), it's just 3.5% + 30¢ per transaction. Many creators find this more transparent and affordable than Thinkific's combined fees.
What happens to my Thinkific subscription after I migrate?
Once migration is complete and verified, you can cancel your Thinkific subscription. We recommend keeping it active for 2-4 weeks post-migration as a safety net, then canceling to stop those charges.
Can I migrate from Thinkific to BTS without losing revenue?
Yes. The key is maintaining subscription continuity through your payment processor (typically Stripe). Your members' payments continue uninterrupted—you simply point them to BTS for content access instead of Thinkific.
What if I have thousands of members to migrate?
Our team has handled migrations of 10,000+ members. For large-scale migrations, we offer additional support and can help with bulk imports, custom communication sequences, and VIP member handling.
Should I migrate all my courses at once or gradually?
Our recommendation: Most creators do best with a complete migration. Splitting your business between two platforms creates confusion and doubles your workload. Rip off the bandaid—your future self will thank you.
How do I communicate the migration to my audience?
Start communicating 2 weeks before migration. Send 3-4 emails covering: the announcement, the benefit to them, the action they need to take, and a follow-up after launch. Overcommunication reduces support tickets by 60%.
What if something goes wrong during migration?
Our support team monitors migrations closely. If issues arise, we're available to troubleshoot in real-time. In our experience, 95% of migrations complete without any significant problems when following our process.
Is BTS better for communities than Thinkific?
Yes. While Thinkific bolted on community features, BTS was built with community at its core. Everything runs behind the scenes in one space—your courses and community live together, not as separate add-ons.
Can I try BTS before fully migrating?
Absolutely. Create a free Starter account, set up a test course, and experience the platform yourself. Many creators run both platforms briefly during their transition period before fully committing.
What results do creators see after migrating to BTS?
According to our data: Creators who migrate from traditional course platforms report 40% less time on administration, 23% higher member engagement, and significantly improved brand perception—all within 60 days.
Key Takeaways
- Migration is faster than you think—most creators complete the process in 1-2 hours
- Prepare before you start—export your member list and download all content first
- Communicate clearly with members—3-4 emails dramatically reduce confusion
- You're not just moving courses—you're upgrading to real creator business infrastructure
- Our team is here to help—migration support is built into the BTS experience
Ready to Make the Switch?
If you're reading this, you've probably already hit the ceiling with Thinkific. You want more than a course portal—you want to build something real.
BTS is where creators turn content and community into real businesses. We run the infrastructure behind the scenes, so you can focus on what matters: creating, connecting, and growing something you own.
Start your migration today: Get Started with BTS
Have questions about your specific situation? Reach out to our migration team—we've helped 500+ creators make this exact transition.
Related Resources
- BTS vs Thinkific: Complete Comparison
- Thinkific Alternatives for Creators in 2026
- Getting Started with BTS
- BTS Pricing Explained
- How to Launch Your First BTS Space
About the Author
BTS Support is the Migration Specialist at BTS with experience helping 500+ creators transition from platforms like Thinkific, Kajabi, Teachable, and Patreon. Our migration team combines technical expertise with deep understanding of creator business challenges.
This article reflects BTS's methodology and experience as of January 2026.