Key highlights
- Dive into the world of online learning with in-depth comparison of 10 top online course platforms for 2025
- Detailed analysis of key features, pros and cons
- Insights on which platform is best for different needs and goals
- Get informed about each platform’s customer support and user experience
- Tips for choosing the right platform based on your audience and course type
- Starting your online course business journey with Bluehost WordPress Content Creator Solution
Introduction
As more people seek to learn from home, the demand for online courses is growing rapidly. But with so many platforms to choose from, how do you pick the one that’s right for you? Do you need an all-in-one solution or are you looking for something more specialized? Should you prioritize ease of use or advanced features that give you more control over your content?
With millions of courses available online, selecting the best online course platform for creating, selling and managing your online courses can be overwhelming. Whether you’re searching for an online course software comparison or wondering how to start an online course business, this guide has you covered.
So, let’s dive in the world of online course platforms and make an informed decision about the best option for 2025.
Why do you need an online course platform?
An online course platform is essential for anyone looking to teach, learn or share knowledge in a structured, accessible way. Currently, 80% of businesses offer online learning or training solutions, recognizing the efficiency and flexibility these platforms provide. Therefore, here are a few reasons why you should consider using one:
1. Streamlined course creation and management
Building and managing an online course can be time-consuming and complex without the right tools. An online course creation software helps upload content, create lessons, design quizzes and track student progress efficiently.
2. Easy monetization
If you’re an expert in a particular field, an online school gives you the tools to monetize your expertise. Whether through course fees, subscriptions or one-time payments, you can create a revenue stream based on what you know and teach.
3. Built-in marketing tools
Many platforms come with marketing tools such as email automation, affiliate programs and sales pages to help you promote your courses.
4. Seamless student experience
A well-designed online course software provides a smooth learning experience for students. They can easily navigate your course materials, track their progress, participate in discussions and access support when needed. This increases engagement and retention. Moreover, with so many platforms, there are unlimited courses for learners to choose from.
5. Analytics and reporting
Understanding how your students are engaging with your content is key to improving your online courses. Online course platforms offer analytics tools to track student performance, course completion rates and sales metrics. This helps you refine your content and marketing efforts for better results.
6. Flexibility and scalability
As your course offerings grow, you need an all-in-one online platform that can scale with you. Online course platforms allow you to create online courses, increase course capacity and expand your reach without major technical hurdles. One of the biggest advantages is the flexibility for learners. They can study at their own pace, at times that fit their schedules and from anywhere they have an internet connection.
7. Community building
Many online course platforms allow you to build communities around your content. Adding forums, live chat and student groups promotes peer interaction, enhances learning and provides social proof of your value.
What makes a great online course platform?
A truly great online course platform blends user-friendly design with powerful features, providing an outstanding experience for both course creators and learners. Below is a concise breakdown of the essential attributes that make a platform exceptional:
1. Ease of use
A great platform should be intuitive and easy to navigate for both course creators and students. Course creators should be able to upload and organize content without a steep learning curve. Also, they should be able to sell online courses easily. Learners should be able to access and interact with materials effortlessly.
2. Customization options
Customization allows course creators to brand their courses to align with their business identity. A flexible platform enables custom branding, design adjustments and a personalized learner experience.
3. Mobile-friendly
As mobile learning becomes increasingly popular, it’s essential that the platform is optimized for mobile devices. Whether through a mobile app or a responsive web design, learners should have a smooth experience on phones, tablets and desktops.
4. Comprehensive online course software
A great online course platform should offer a range of multimedia options—videos, quizzes, assignments, downloadable resources and discussion forums. Tools for creating engaging, interactive content like gamification features or live webinars can enhance the learning experience.
5. Security features
Protecting course content and user data is vital. Look for features like SSL encryption, two-factor authentication and secure payment gateways to ensure your content is safe from unauthorized access and breaches.
6. Scalability
As your business grows, so should your platform. Whether you’re expanding the number of courses, students or features, a scalable platform can accommodate increased demand without compromising performance.
7. Payment integration
A great platform should support seamless payment processing with options like PayPal, credit cards or subscription models. It should also offer flexibility with pricing plans, discounts and promotions.
8. Community features
Building a learning community can enhance the overall experience. A platform with social features like discussion forums, private messaging, group discussions and peer reviews helps students connect and collaborate.
9. Automated marketing tools
Platforms with built-in marketing tools help course creators attract more students. These tools include email automation, affiliate programs and SEO marketing.
10. Analytics and reporting
Detailed reports on student progress, engagement, completion rates and sales offer valuable insights to improve course content and marketing.
11. Customer support
A responsive, helpful support team is crucial, especially when issues arise. Look for platforms that offer live chat, email support and a thorough knowledge base for self-service.
12. Integrations
Integrating with tools like email marketing and CRM systems boosts the platform’s functionality. This creates a seamless experience.
13. Content drip and access control
Being able to drip-feed content gradually (as opposed to giving full access upfront) is a powerful tool for keeping students engaged. This feature also allows you to control course access, offering different levels or memberships based on enrollment.
14. Certification and badging
Offering certificates of completion or badges provides a sense of achievement for learners and can add value to the course. This is especially important for professional development courses or skill-building programs.
An online course platform that integrates these elements ensures that both course creators and learners have a seamless, effective and enjoyable experience. Whether you’re just starting out or scaling an established online learning business, choosing the right platform is critical to success. Moving on, let’s explore the best online course platforms that you can consider.
Best online course platforms in 2025: A comprehensive guide to boost your eLearning business
1) Teachable
Teachable is one of the leading online course platforms for creating and selling online courses. Known for its ease of use and comprehensive suite of tools, it’s particularly favored by independent creators, entrepreneurs and educators. It guides you thoroughly on how to create an online course.
Here’s a detailed look at Teachable, including its features, pros, cons, user experience and ideal target audience.
Features:
- Course creation tools: Drag-and-drop course builder, multimedia support (videos, quizzes, assignments and downloadable content).
- Monetization options: Supports one-time payments, subscriptions and payment plans.
- Integrations: Integrates with popular email marketing platforms, CRMs, Zapier and more.
- Customization: Customizable course design, sales pages and branding.
- Student engagement: Built-in discussion forums, quizzes and certificates.
- Analytics: Detailed student tracking, sales and engagement metrics.
Pros:
- Ease of use: Teachable is known for its intuitive learning management system (LMS), making course creation and management a breeze for both beginners and experienced creators.
- No transaction fees: Teachable does not charge transaction fees on its paid plans, which is a huge benefit for course creators who want to keep more of their earnings.
- Flexible pricing: Offers multiple pricing options, including subscription models and one-time payments.
- Great support: Teachable provides excellent customer support via live chat and a thorough knowledge base.
- Marketing tools: Includes tools to start email marketing, affiliate programs and landing pages.
Cons:
- Limited customization on lower plans: While Teachable allows a high level of customization, this is only available on higher-tier plans.
- Basic reporting: While it offers analytics, some users find the reports to be a bit basic compared to more robust platforms.
- Transaction fees for basic plan: The free and lower tier paid plans come with transaction fees (5% on the basic plan).
User experience:
- For course creators: Teachable offers a highly user-friendly dashboard where creators can easily set up their online school, monitor progress and track student data.
- For learners: Teachable provides a clean, distraction-free learning environment. Students can easily access their courses, track progress and participate in forums or quizzes.
- Mobile access: The Teachable mobile app allows students to access content on their phones, enhancing the learning experience.
Support:
- Customer support: Teachable offers 24/7 support through live chat and email, ensuring users can get help whenever needed.
- Knowledge base: Teachable has an extensive knowledge base, including tutorials, FAQs and guides on course creation, marketing and more.
- Community: Users can access a Teachable community for support and networking with other course creators.
- Dedicated account manager (on higher-tier plans): Higher-tier plans include a dedicated support manager to assist with more complex issues.
Ideal for:
- Beginner to intermediate course creators: Teachable is ideal for users looking for a user-friendly platform to create and sell courses without a steep learning curve.
- Entrepreneurs and small businesses: It’s great for entrepreneurs and small businesses who want to build their own branded online courses and monetize them.
- Content creators and influencers: Provides the tools to create, grow and monetize your courses if you already have an online following.
- Coaches and consultants: Ideal for professionals offering coaching or consulting services and wanting to provide structured content to their clients.
- Creators with limited tech skills: Because of its user-friendly interface, Teachable is perfect for those without coding or web design experience.
2) Thinkific
Thinkific is one of the best online course platforms that helps people create and sell online courses. Whether you’re a coach, entrepreneur or educator, Thinkific makes it easy to design, manage and market your courses—all in one place. What makes Thinkific stand out is its flexibility: it offers a variety of tools to engage students, track progress and grow your business. Plus, you can fully customize the look and feel of your courses to match your brand. Whether you’re just starting or scaling your online course business, Thinkific gives you everything you need to succeed.
Features:
- Course creation tools: Thinkific provides a variety of options to create text-based, video and multimedia-rich courses, including quizzes and assignments.
- Customizable course templates: Users can personalize the look and feel of their course pages using various themes and a drag-and-drop editor.
- Payment gateways: Integrates with PayPal, Stripe and offers multi-currency options for global payments.
- Marketing and sales tools: Built-in marketing features like email automation, upsells, coupons and affiliate marketing help promote courses.
- Drip content: Ability to drip content gradually, providing a more structured learning experience for students.
- Course certifications: Issue customizable certificates upon course completion.
- Mobile access: Fully responsive design for students to access courses on any device, including smartphones and tablets.
- Integrations: Thinkific integrates with third-party tools like Zapier, Mailchimp and Google Analytics for enhanced functionality.
- Community features: Includes a private course community and discussion forums to engage with students.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface: Thinkific offers an intuitive course creation process with a simple drag-and-drop editor and easy navigation.
- Highly customizable: Advanced design and branding options for users who want full control over the look of their courses and website.
- No transaction fees on any plan: Unlike some competitors, Thinkific doesn’t charge transaction fees, making it more cost-effective for high-volume course creators.
- Free plan available: Thinkific offers a free plan with limited features, making it accessible for beginners and those just starting out.
- Multi-language support: Thinkific allows course creators to offer courses in multiple languages, opening up global audiences.
Cons:
- Limited advanced features on free plan: The free plan is limited in functionality. You’ll need to upgrade for more advanced features like drip content or certificates.
- Limited integrations on lower-tier plans: Some integrations (such as Zapier or advanced email marketing tools) are only available on higher-tier plans.
- Design customization can be challenging: Although customization is powerful, it may require some technical knowledge, especially for users who want deep design tweaks.
- Limited email marketing features: Thinkific’s native email marketing tools are somewhat basic compared to specialized platforms like Mailchimp or ConvertKit.
User experience:
- For course creators: Thinkific’s intuitive dashboard allows creators to set up, organize and manage courses with minimal effort. It’s highly customizable but can become more complex as you explore advanced features.
- For learners: Thinkific offers a clean, organized learning experience with easy access to materials, progress tracking, quizzes and discussion forums.
- Mobile responsiveness: The platform is fully mobile-responsive, ensuring that students have access to the course content on any device.
Support:
- Customer support: Thinkific offers 24/7 email support, live chat (on higher-tier plans) and an extensive help center with tutorials and guides.
- Community support: Thinkific has a vibrant online community where users can share experiences, ask questions and learn from others.
- Knowledge base: A comprehensive library of articles, video tutorials and step-by-step guides to help users at every stage of course creation.
- Phone support: Available on premium plans, offering one-on-one support when needed.
Ideal for:
- Small to medium-sized course creators: Thinkific is perfect for creators who want to build and scale their courses without worrying about transaction fees.
- Coaches & consultants: Ideal for coaches who want to create a branded learning experience and engage their clients through advanced course features and community forums.
- Entrepreneurs building a course-based business: Thinkific is highly scalable and offers great flexibility, making it a solid choice for entrepreneurs aiming to build a sustainable online course business.
Thinkific is a powerful, user-friendly platform that allows course creators to build, market and sell their courses effectively. With its no transaction fees, scalability and integration options, it’s a great choice for anyone serious about creating an online learning business. If you’re looking for advanced customization and detailed reporting, Thinkific delivers — but be prepared to explore the platform thoroughly to unlock its full potential.
3) Udemy
Udemy is one of the most well-known online course platforms, offering a marketplace for both course creators and learners. It hosts thousands of courses across a wide range of subjects, making it a go-to choice for anyone looking to teach or learn online. Here’s a detailed look at what Udemy offers:
Features:
- Course creation tools: Udemy provides an easy-to-use online course creation platform that supports video lectures, quizzes, assignments and downloadable resources. It also offers an intuitive content management system.
- Course marketplace: Udemy’s marketplace allows creators to reach millions of students worldwide. It handles all marketing, sales and course distribution.
- Monetization: Instructors can sell online courses on Udemy and the platform handles all payments. Udemy offers frequent sales promotions, which can boost course visibility and sales.
- Certificates of completion: After finishing a course, students receive a certificate, which can be useful for enhancing their resumes or professional profiles.
- Mobile app: Udemy has a mobile app that allows students to download and access courses offline, making learning more flexible.
- Analytics: Udemy provides instructors with data on student progress, course performance and financial metrics to help improve content and sales strategies.
Pros:
- Large audience: Udemy has a massive user base, with millions of students, giving instructors access to a global audience for their courses.
- No upfront costs: You can create and publish courses on Udemy without any upfront fees. Udemy only takes a percentage of the revenue, which depends on how the course is sold (through organic search, instructor promotions, etc.).
- Course marketplace: Being part of Udemy’s marketplace means your course can be discovered by a large pool of potential customers. The platform regularly runs promotions, which can drive traffic to your course.
- Low barrier to entry: Anyone can create a course, making it accessible for beginners or those looking to share their knowledge without complex setup requirements.
- Marketing support: Udemy runs frequent promotions, offers SEO-friendly search tools and provides instructors with the ability to set their own pricing or discount strategies.
- Course variety: With thousands of courses available, it offers learners a wide selection, which boosts visibility for your course among diverse student groups.
Cons:
- Revenue sharing: Udemy takes a large percentage of course revenue, especially when sales come through their platform instead of your marketing. This can be a downside for course creators who drive traffic themselves.
- Limited branding: Unlike platforms like Teachable or Thinkific, Udemy doesn’t allow extensive customization of your course’s branding. Your course is placed within the larger Udemy ecosystem, making it harder to establish a unique identity.
- Price controls: Udemy controls the pricing of courses and frequently runs discounts and sales that may reduce the price of your courses significantly, which can affect your revenue.
- Course competition: With such a large number of courses available, standing out in a crowded marketplace can be challenging without substantial marketing efforts or high-quality content.
- Limited control over student data: Since Udemy handles all transactions, instructors have limited access to valuable customer data and insights.
User experience:
- For course creators: Udemy provides an all-in-one online course creation interface, but course creators have less control over branding and marketing compared to other platforms. The platform is great for getting started quickly but may feel restrictive as your business grows.
- For learners: Udemy’s platform is very user-friendly, with an easy-to-navigate interface for browsing courses, tracking progress and interacting with instructors through discussions and Q&A. The mobile app also enhances the learning experience by allowing offline access.
Support:
- Customer support: Udemy offers support via email, an extensive help center and a community forum. Response times can be slow, especially during peak times, but the help center provides detailed guides for course creators and students.
- Instructor support: Instructors have access to a range of resources, including guides, webinars and a community of other instructors. However, advanced marketing and sales support are limited.
- Student support: Udemy offers 24/7 customer support for learners, with a strong help center and dedicated support channels for technical issues and account inquiries.
Ideal for:
- Beginner instructors: Udemy is perfect for those just starting out who want to share their knowledge and monetize their skills without having to worry about building an audience or handling payments.
- Professionals and experts: If you have expertise in a niche field and want to reach a broad audience, Udemy offers a great marketplace to showcase your skills and generate income.
- Individuals who prefer passive income: If you want to create a course and let Udemy handle marketing and sales, it can be a good way to generate passive income.
- Learners seeking variety: Udemy is perfect for students seeking affordable, diverse courses across subjects like business, tech, personal development and hobbies.
Udemy is a great platform for creators looking to tap into a massive marketplace without worrying about upfront costs or marketing. Despite revenue sharing and branding limitations, Udemy’s broad audience and user-friendly course creation tools make it appealing to creators.
4) Skillshare
Skillshare is a popular online learning platform that focuses on creative and practical skills. It’s an ideal platform for creators who want to share knowledge in areas like design, photography, video production, writing, business and technology. Skillshare offers a community-driven approach to learning, where students can access thousands of classes and interact with instructors and peers. Here’s a detailed look at what Skillshare offers for both course creators and learners.
Features:
- Course creation tools: Skillshare allows creators to upload video lessons, create projects for students to complete and share downloadable resources.
- Community engagement: Emphasizes community-driven learning with discussion boards, feedback and peer reviews, encouraging interaction between students and instructors.
- Subscription model: The platform uses a subscription model, allowing members to access all courses with a monthly or annual fee.
- Class projects: The platform helps students learn by having them complete projects in each course and share them for feedback.
- Analytics and insights: Provides basic performance tracking for course views, engagement and student feedback to help creators improve.
- Mobile access: Fully mobile-responsive, allowing students to watch lessons and engage with projects on their mobile devices.
- Promotions and exposure: Skillshare promotes courses to their large community of paid members, offering greater visibility for creators.
Pros:
- Built-in audience: Skillshare has a large, engaged community of learners, which helps course creators gain visibility without needing to do extensive marketing.
- No upfront course fees: Unlike other platforms that charge instructors upfront to host their courses, Skillshare allows creators to get paid based on their course views and engagement.
- Community focus: The emphasis on peer reviews, class projects and discussions creates an interactive and collaborative learning environment.
- Passive income potential: Creators earn passive income on Skillshare’s royalty system, paid based on how often Premium members watch their courses.
- Comprehensive resources: Udemy offers various free resources, including tutorials, workshops and guides, to help creators enhance courses and attract more students.
- Creative focus: Skillshare is particularly strong in creative fields like design, photography, writing and arts, making it a great platform for teaching creative skills.
Cons:
- Revenue model can be unpredictable: Since Skillshare pays based on minutes watched by Premium members, revenue can vary significantly depending on student engagement with courses.
- Limited course pricing flexibility: Skillshare uses a subscription-based model, meaning you can’t set your own prices for individual courses. Creators are paid based on views, rather than having full control over pricing.
- High competition: With a large number of courses in popular categories, it can be hard for new instructors to stand out without significant effort in promoting their classes.
- Limited course creation features: While the platform is user-friendly, it may not offer as many advanced features or customization options as some other platforms for course creators.
- Niche focus: While Skillshare excels in creative disciplines, it’s not the best choice for those looking to teach business, technical or highly specialized courses.
User experience:
- Course creation: Skillshare’s user-friendly interface simplifies uploading lessons, creating projects and engaging with students, making course creation easy for creators.
- Student experience: For students, the platform is user-friendly, with easy navigation, progress tracking and the ability to engage with both course content and fellow learners through community features.
- Engagement: Skillshare fosters a high level of engagement through discussion boards, where students can ask questions and share feedback on projects. This community-driven approach adds a layer of interaction to the learning experience.
- Mobile responsiveness: Skillshare’s mobile app is fully optimized for viewing courses, completing class projects and engaging with other students on the go.
Support:
- Customer support: Skillshare offers customer support via email and a comprehensive help center with FAQs, troubleshooting guides and platform-related information.
- Creator support: Offers educational resources for creators, including tutorials, webinars and a community of other instructors to share advice and tips.
- Community: Offers technical support and a community of instructors and learners who provide feedback, fostering collaboration and mutual assistance.
Ideal for:
- Creative professionals: Perfect for artists, designers, photographers, writers and creatives seeking to share their expertise with a broad audience.
- Beginners and hobbyists: Ideal for new instructors or those teaching online creative courses, rather than formal training programs or certifications.
- Instructors with existing followings: Creators with an online presence can use Skillshare’s large audience to promote courses and gain visibility without heavy marketing.
- People looking for passive income: Skillshare pays creators based on course engagement, making it a great platform for earning passive income as views grow.
- Anyone focused on community-driven learning: If you value feedback and collaboration, Skillshare’s peer interaction focus can enrich your teaching experience and student community.
Skillshare is a solid choice for creators in the creative industry who are looking for a community-driven platform to share their knowledge. Despite limited customization and a revenue-sharing model, Skillshare’s focus on creative skills, ease of use and large audience appeal to many.
5) Coursera
Coursera is a leading online learning platform that partners with top universities and organizations to offer high-quality courses. It provides a wide range of courses across various subjects, from business and technology to arts and humanities. Coursera is a free online course platform but offers paid courses as well. This allows learners to access valuable content without upfront costs. With certificates and specializations available for paid courses, Coursera is one of the best online course platforms for those looking to gain professional skills or explore new fields.
Features:
- University-backed courses: Offers courses, certificates and degrees from top universities and institutions.
- Varied learning formats: Includes video lectures, assignments, quizzes, peer-reviewed projects and capstone projects.
- Specializations & degrees: Provides specialized programs and full degree offerings, such as master’s degrees and professional certifications.
- Mobile app: Access courses anytime, anywhere with Coursera’s mobile app for iOS and Android.
Pros:
- High-quality content: Courses are developed by universities and industry leaders, ensuring credible, in-depth learning.
- Professional credentials: Offers certificates, degrees and specializations that enhance your resume.
- Wide range of topics: Covers everything from technology and business to health and social sciences.
- Financial aid: Offers financial aid for eligible students, making education more accessible.
Cons:
- Cost: Some programs, especially degrees and specializations, can be expensive.
- Limited free access: While it provides few free courses, full access and certificates often require payment.
- Less community focus: Interaction with peers and instructors can be less engaging compared to other platforms focused on community-driven learning.
User experience:
Coursera offers a professional, structured learning experience with a clear course timeline. The platform is intuitive, though some courses may have a more academic structure, which could be daunting for casual learners.
Support:
Coursera provides a range of support options, including FAQs, email support and forums. Some users report that response times can be slow during busy periods and support is primarily focused on technical issues rather than personalized assistance.
Ideal for:
- Professionals seeking credentials: Ideal for those looking to earn recognized certificates, degrees or upskill for career advancement.
- Academic learners: Great for students who want university-backed education in a flexible online format.
- Anyone seeking specialized knowledge: Coursera’s wide selection of specializations and degrees makes it perfect for people pursuing specific career goals or industries.
6) Podia
Podia is an online course platform that allows creators to build and sell courses, memberships and digital downloads. It offers tools for course creation, marketing and sales, with features like customizable websites, email marketing and affiliate programs. Podia is known for its simplicity, lack of transaction fees and all-in-one pricing model.
Features:
- Course creation tools: Allows creators to build online courses, webinars and digital downloads like eBooks.
- Memberships: Supports recurring revenue through membership options, enabling creators to offer exclusive content.
- Email marketing: Built-in email marketing tools to promote courses, communicate with students and automate workflows.
- Sales pages: Customize sales pages to showcase your courses, memberships and digital products with no coding required.
- Payment integration: Includes seamless payment processing with support for Stripe and PayPal.
Pros:
- All-in-one platform: Combines course creation, membership management and marketing tools in one place, making it easier for creators to manage everything.
- No transaction fees: Unlike many platforms, Podia doesn’t charge transaction fees on sales, allowing creators to keep more of their earnings.
- Easy to use: Podia is known for its user-friendly interface that requires no technical knowledge to get started.
- Unlimited content hosting: No limits on the amount of content you can upload, allowing flexibility for creators.
- Customer support: Offers excellent customer support with a responsive team.
Cons:
- Limited advanced features: While Podia covers the basics well, it lacks some advanced features like extensive analytics, gamification or high-level customization.
- Pricing: Though affordable, Podia’s pricing may not suit creators with minimal budgets, especially for higher-tier plans with additional features.
- No mobile app: Unlike some other platforms, Podia doesn’t have a dedicated mobile app, which can limit accessibility for users on the go.
User experience:
Podia offers a clean, intuitive interface for both creators and students. The platform is designed to be user-friendly, with drag-and-drop tools for course creation and an easy-to-navigate student dashboard. Though it lacks a mobile app, the web interface is responsive and simple to use.
Support:
Podia offers responsive support through live chat, email and an extensive knowledge base. The support team is praised for being quick and helpful, ensuring that users can quickly resolve any issues they encounter.
Ideal for:
- Creators looking for an all-in-one solution: Podia is perfect for creators who want to manage courses, memberships and email marketing from a single platform.
- Entrepreneurs and small businesses: Ideal for small business owners who need a straightforward and cost-effective platform to sell digital products, courses and memberships.
- Beginners: New course creators will appreciate Podia’s easy-to-use interface and no transaction fees, making it a good starting point for monetizing their knowledge.
7) Kajabi
Kajabi is an online course platform that enables creators to build, market and sell courses, memberships and digital products. Its core features include customizable websites, email marketing automation, sales funnels and payment processing. Kajabi is ideal for creators looking for an all-in-one solution to manage their online business.
Features:
- Course creation tools: Build and sell courses, membership sites and digital products with ease. Kajabi includes video hosting, quizzes, assignments and drip content.
- Sales funnels: Automate marketing with built-in sales funnels, landing pages and email sequences.
- Email marketing: Create and send automated email campaigns, manage email lists and track engagement.
- Webinars & live streaming: Host live webinars, coaching sessions and virtual events directly through Kajabi.
- Payment integration: Supports seamless payment processing via Stripe, PayPal and other integrations.
- Analytics: Offers detailed reporting on course performance, sales and user engagement.
Pros:
- All-in-one platform: Kajabi combines course creation, marketing, sales and analytics in a single platform, minimizing the need for third-party tools.
- Customizable sales pages: Allows you to create high-converting, branded landing pages and sales funnels.
- Scalability: Suitable for both small creators and large businesses looking to scale.
- User-friendly: Known for its easy-to-use interface and powerful automation tools, making it ideal for busy creators.
- Comprehensive support: Offers excellent customer support and a community of users for additional help.
Cons:
- Pricing: Kajabi is one of the more expensive platforms, which may not be ideal for creators on a budget.
- Steep learning curve: Although user-friendly, the vast range of features may overwhelm new users, especially those unfamiliar with online business tools.
- Limited customization: While Kajabi offers templates, advanced customization may require technical expertise.
User experience:
Kajabi provides a seamless, all-in-one user experience for creators, with an easy-to-navigate dashboard and extensive training materials. The platform’s drag-and-drop interface simplifies the process of creating content and automating marketing. However, its vast feature set may require time to master for first-time users.
Support:
Kajabi offers excellent support through live chat, email and a comprehensive knowledge base. The platform also provides access to a vibrant community of users and webinars for further guidance. Customer support is often praised for its responsiveness and depth of knowledge.
Ideal for:
- Serious entrepreneurs: Perfect for established course creators or business owners looking for a robust, scalable solution for growing their online presence.
- Creators seeking automation: Ideal for creators who want to automate sales, marketing and customer engagement to free up time for content creation.
- Businesses offering multiple products: Kajabi is a strong option for those who offer not just courses but also memberships, coaching and other digital products.
8) Ruzuku
Ruzuku is an online course platform designed to help creators easily build and sell courses. It offers features like course creation tools, content management, progress tracking, quizzes and discussion forums. Ruzuku offers simplicity and ease of use, ideal for creators seeking a straightforward platform with minimal setup and fees.
Features:
- Course creation tools: Simple drag-and-drop interface for creating courses.
- Multimedia support: Add videos, images, PDFs and quizzes to lessons.
- Automated emails: Customizable email sequences for communication with students.
- Assessments & surveys: Options to create quizzes, surveys and assignments to track progress.
- Payment integration: Connects to PayPal and Stripe for easy payments.
- Live sessions: Integration with Zoom for live video classes.
Pros:
- Easy-to-use interface: No technical skills required.
- Affordable pricing: More budget-friendly compared to other platforms.
- Beginner-friendly: Clear onboarding and setup guides.
- Strong community: Active support and resources.
- Built-in email marketing: Tools for automated communication with students.
Cons:
- Limited customization: Not ideal for advanced users seeking extensive control.
- Lacks advanced features: Missing some tools found in platforms like Thinkific or Teachable.
- No mobile app: No native app for course management on the go.
User experience:
Ruzuku is beginner-friendly, making it easy to build courses without much hassle. The interface is intuitive and setting up lessons, quizzes and payments is straightforward. However, more experienced course creators may find it somewhat limiting due to its simpler design.
Support:
Ruzuku offers email support and live chat during business hours. They also have a helpful knowledge base and community forum for user discussions.
Ideal for:
- New course creators: Looking for an easy entry point into the online education space.
- Instructors and entrepreneurs: Wanting an affordable, simple platform without advanced customization needs.
- Creators seeking all-in-one solutions: For seamless course delivery and communication.
9) LearnWorlds
LearnWorlds is an online course platform that offers powerful tools for course creation, marketing and sales. It includes customizable course designs, interactive features, assessments and advanced analytics. LearnWorlds is ideal for creators who want to deliver engaging, interactive learning experiences and scale their online education business.
Features:
- Course creation tools: Offers a wide range of multimedia options like video, quizzes, assignments and interactive eBooks.
- Customizable branding: Full customization of the look and feel of your courses, landing pages and website to match your brand.
- Interactive features: Gamification options like badges, certificates and leaderboards to enhance engagement.
- Mobile learning: Fully optimized for mobile devices with a branded mobile app for learners.
- Integrated sales tools: Built-in tools for setting up payment processing, pricing and promotions.
- Analytics: Provides detailed insights on course performance, student progress and sales.
- AI builder: Leverage AI-powered tools to assist in course content creation and student experience optimization.
Pros:
- Highly customizable: Extensive design and branding options for a personalized experience.
- Engagement features: Interactive video features, quizzes and gamification elements keep learners engaged.
- Comprehensive course delivery: Offers a range of tools for creating rich, interactive learning experiences.
- Scalability: Suitable for creators looking to grow their courses and businesses with advanced tools and integrations.
Cons:
- Learning curve: Due to its extensive features, new users may find it slightly overwhelming at first.
- Pricing: Can be more expensive compared to simpler platforms like Teachable or Podia.
- Limited advanced marketing tools: Lacks some advanced marketing features that can be found in other all-in-one platforms like Kajabi.
User experience:
LearnWorlds offers a smooth user experience with a modern interface for both course creators and learners. The platform’s flexibility allows for deep customization, but its vast array of features may require time to fully master. The learner interface is clean and easy to navigate, with engaging content formats and progress tracking.
Support:
LearnWorlds provides excellent customer support with live chat, email support and an extensive knowledge base. They also offer a community forum for users to discuss and share insights. Users generally find the support responsive, with helpful resources and tutorials for troubleshooting.
Ideal for:
- Advanced course creators: Control over design, branding and user experience.
- Educational institutions: Interactive, customizable learning experiences.
- Engagement-focused creators: Gamification and interactive features.
- Business owners scaling up: Customizable, feature-rich platform for growth.
10) Mighty Networks
Mighty Networks is an online course platform focused on building community-driven learning experiences. It allows creators to build courses, host live events and create spaces for discussions. In addition, it offers customizable branding, membership options and engagement tools, making it perfect for creators blending content delivery with community.
Features:
- Community building: Provides tools to create and grow a community around your courses, including discussion boards, groups and messaging features.
- Course creation: Allows you to create online courses with videos, assignments, quizzes and downloadable resources.
- Membership & subscriptions: Supports both one-time payments and recurring memberships, allowing you to monetize your content and community.
- Mobile app: Offers a branded mobile app for both course creators and students, enhancing engagement on the go.
- Events & live streaming: Integrated options for hosting live events, webinars and Q&A sessions.
- Content monetization: Flexible monetization options, including selling courses, memberships and paid content.
- Analytics: Provides insights into member activity, course engagement and revenue performance.
Pros:
- Strong community focus: Ideal for creators looking to build a thriving community around their courses.
- All-in-one platform: Combines courses, membership sites and community features in one package.
- Custom branding: Full customization options for your site and mobile app, allowing you to create a unique experience for your learners.
- Flexible monetization: Offers diverse monetization options, including course sales, membership subscriptions and paid content.
- Engagement tools: Discussion boards, polls and private messaging help foster communication and interaction among students.
Cons:
- Limited course customization: Compared to platforms like Teachable or LearnWorlds, Mighty Networks offers fewer advanced customization options for course layouts.
- Pricing: Can be expensive, especially for those on a budget, with higher-tier plans required to unlock advanced features.
- Learning curve: The platform’s community-focused features can take time to set up and manage effectively.
User experience:
Mighty Networks provides a streamlined experience, both for creators and learners. The platform’s design is intuitive and setting up your course or community is straightforward. The ability to access content through a mobile app is a major plus for learner engagement. However, the platform is more focused on community interaction than on advanced course creation tools, which may limit its appeal to some creators.
Support:
Mighty Networks offers robust customer support via email and live chat, as well as a comprehensive knowledge base and user community. Response times are typically fast and users find the support team knowledgeable and helpful. There are also webinars and resources available for new users to help them get started.
Ideal for:
- Community-centric creators: Ideal for creators who want to build a community around their content and engage learners through social interaction.
- Entrepreneurs & coaches: Perfect for business owners, coaches and consultants looking to combine courses with community engagement and subscription-based revenue.
- Niche course creators: Best for those with a niche audience who can benefit from creating private groups or forums to foster deeper connections.
Comparison table
This table summarizes the core differences between each platform, helping users easily compare key aspects like course creation, customization and ideal target audiences.
How to choose the best online course platform for your business needs
Platform | Course Creation | Marketing Tools | Pricing | Ideal For |
Teachable | Video, quizzes, assignments | Built-in email marketing, sales pages | Moderate to High | New course creators, business owners |
Thinkific | Video, quizzes, assignments | Email marketing, affiliate program | Moderate to High | Entrepreneurs, educators |
Udemy | Video, assignments | Built-in marketing tools | Free to list, commission on sales | Beginners, creators with large audience |
Skillshare | Video, projects | Limited email tools | Free to upload, royalty-based pay | Creative professionals, hobbyists |
Coursera | Video, quizzes, assignments, certifications | Advanced marketing and SEO tools | Free to join, paid certification | Universities, advanced educators |
Podia | Video, quizzes, assignments, downloads | Email marketing, sales pages | Affordable to moderate | Small businesses, new creators |
Kajabi | Video, quizzes, webinars, assignments | Advanced email marketing, sales funnels | High | Advanced entrepreneurs, scaling businesses |
Ruzuku | Video, assignments, surveys | Email marketing | Affordable | Beginners, new course creators |
LearnWorlds | Video, quizzes, assignments, eBooks | Basic email tools | High | Advanced creators, educational institutions |
Mighty Networks | Video, assignments, live events | Limited | Moderate to High | Community-focused creators, coaches |
To choose the best online course platform for you, follow these steps:
- Identify your goals: Decide if you’re creating a course for business, learning or monetization. Choose platforms with features like customizable branding, sales pages and email marketing if you’re focused on business.
- Consider your audience: Assess whether your learners are beginners or advanced and if you need global reach with multi-language support.
- Assess platform features: Look for platforms that are easy to use, offer course customization, multimedia support and have built-in marketing tools (For example, Teachable, Kajabi).
- Evaluate pricing: Choose between subscription or one-time payment models and compare transaction fees to find a plan that fits your budget.
- Check mobile and offline access: Ensure the platform supports mobile learning and offline viewing for better accessibility.
- Support and resources: Ensure good customer support and a strong community. Platforms like Coursera and Skillshare excel in this.
- Scalability and flexibility: Choose platforms like Kajabi or Podia that can grow with your business and integrate with tools like CRMs and email marketing.
- Try before you buy: Take advantage of free trials or freemium versions to test the platform’s features before committing.
By evaluating these factors, you can choose the best platform based on your goals, audience and needs.
Start your online learning website journey with Bluehost
Ready to launch your online courses? Start with a solid foundation by choosing a reliable hosting provider. Bluehost hosting solutions offer excellent website hosting that can power your course site with fast, secure and scalable performance. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to scale, Bluehost provides everything you need to support your online course platform.
To speed up your website creation process, you can integrate Bluehost WordPress Content Creator Solutions– an affordable and flexible alternative to premium platforms like Kajabi and Teachable.
Our Content Creator Solution stands out as a versatile option to customize and scale your courses while having full control over the content. Using its comprehensive set of website creation tools, you can seamlessly build and customize your website as per your goals.
Key features of the Bluehost WordPress Content Creator Solution:
- AI assistance: Build your online learning website within no time using our AI website creation tool and a collection of WordPress blocks using WonderBlocks.
- Set up online courses: Manage and set up the courses you wish to offer seamlessly using WooCommerce Paid Courses.
- Affiliates & marketing: Use YITH WooCommerce Affiliates to expand your reach through affiliate marketing. In addition, send creative and timely emails using CreativeMail Email Marketing and YITH Email Templates.
- Membership program: Create membership plans using YITH Membership to allow restricted access to your website to users registered as members.
- User-friendly: Set up seamless login process for users using Easy Login.
Launching your online course business with Bluehost WordPress Content Creator Solution
Here’s a step-by-step guide to get started:
- Choose a hosting plan: Visit Bluehost’s website and select a WordPress hosting plan tailored to your needs.
- Set up your website: Use Bluehost’s AI-powered WonderBlocks to build a professional website within minutes.
- Add course features: Install WooCommerce Paid Courses to manage and sell your courses seamlessly.
- Enable marketing tools: Activate CreativeMail for email campaigns and YITH WooCommerce Affiliates for expanding your reach.
- Launch and scale: Publish your courses and monitor their performance with built-in analytics. As your business grows, Bluehost’s flexible plans ensure your platform evolves with you.
Therefore, integrating the Bluehost WordPress Content Creator Solution is a great choice to take your online course business to the next level.
Final thoughts
Choosing the best online course platform for 2025 requires evaluating your goals, needs and audience to ensure success. Whether building a personal brand, scaling a business or sharing expertise, there’s a platform tailored to meet your needs.
Take the time to explore different platforms, test their features and see which one aligns with your vision. Remember, the right platform will not only help you create high-quality courses but also ensure your learners have an engaging and rewarding experience.
Make the first step toward your course creation journey today! Get started with Bluehost WordPress Content Creator Solution for seamless integration and reliable service.
FAQs
Yes, most platforms allow creators to sell courses, either through their marketplace or by offering direct sales options.
Choose a marketplace if you want access to a large built-in audience. Opt for a standalone platform if you prefer more control over branding, pricing and marketing.
You can create a variety of courses, including video lessons, written materials, quizzes and interactive content, depending on the platform’s features.
Teachable: Offers flexible course design and monetization options.
Thinkific: Ideal for creating highly customizable courses.
Kajabi: Best for all-in-one marketing and course creation.
Udemy: Great for a wide audience but with revenue-sharing.
LearnWorlds: Focuses on interactive and engaging courses.
Podia: Simple, no-transaction-fee platform.
Mighty Networks: Perfect for community-driven learning experiences.
Teachable: Offers a free plan with basic features for course creation.
Thinkific: Free plan includes unlimited courses and students with essential features.