Learning a new skill today is as easy as hopping online and finding an online course — a trend that course creators are capitalizing on around the globe.
If you have specialized knowledge to share, building a digital course can be an excellent way to monetize your skills.
Leaning about the best online course platforms out there is one of the first steps to take as you venture into the world of online courses. But what are the best platforms to build your course, and how can you choose the one that best meets your needs? We’re here to clear up any confusion and help you decide on a platform, build a course, and start selling courses online in 2025.
What is an online course platform?
Founders, creators, marketers, and educators use online course platforms to deliver educational content in the cloud, allowing students to access courses from any device with an internet connection.
These courses are often a cost-effective way to learn a new skill without committing time or money to an online degree program. Participants can track their progress toward a goal, such as achieving a certification, satisfying their curiosity on a certain subject, or developing skills for personal or professional reasons. Human resources departments may also use an LMS to onboard new employees or provide professional development opportunities.
Meanwhile, course creators can provide training and educational materials in a digital format, allowing them to teach multiple students simultaneously without having to be physically present for instruction. This approach to delivering content lets them scale their operations globally and increase revenue without reinventing the wheel every time they have a new student cohort. Plus, creators can easily update content as needed based on the most up-to-date industry information or learner preferences and feedback.
Key features to look for in an online course platform
You have multiple options for an LMS platform, and choosing one can feel overwhelming unless you know what to look for. The best online course platforms typically incorporate the features below, so be on the lookout for these capabilities as you consider various LMS tools.
- Customization: You’ll want to be able to personalize your course materials with your branding so learners remember your company long after the final module is complete.
- Mobile accessibility: Many learners like to take their courses on the road, so it’s essential that the course is compatible with different devices.
- Scalable plans: Most LMS systems offer starter packages to let you start small and upgrade as you grow.
- Marketing tools: Check that the LMS allows you to send emails, manage contacts, and create marketing funnels and landing pages to promote your courses.
- Customer support and onboarding: You shouldn’t feel like you have to take an online course to get up to speed with your own course management tools. Make sure there are reliable onboarding and training resources to help you get started quickly and access ongoing support.
Every platform operates slightly differently, and there may be other features you need in an LMS. However, the features above are the basic must-haves for any platform. The best way to determine which features are most important to you and your business is to jump in and check out free trials or demos. So, don’t be afraid to test-drive a variety of systems before you commit.
You can’t go wrong with any of the online course platforms below. Take some time to get to know each one’s key features, consider your business’s unique needs, and explore the platforms at length. We also recommend checking out the linked reviews from Capterra and G2 for real-world feedback. Here’s your go-to guide to choosing the best online course platform for your needs.
Top 10 best online course platforms in 2025
Here are the best online course platforms:
Alright, let's take a look at each one.
1. Kajabi
If you’ve spent any amount of time exploring LMS platforms, you’ve likely come across Kajabi. Many course creators favor the platform for its all-in-one capabilities, allowing for course management and student communications from a unified dashboard. Whether you want to build an online course, start a membership, or create an online community, Kajabi has you covered.
Kajabi is also the platform we use for our Content Marketing Course — so it's up there on our list of favorite online course builders.
Key features of Kajabi
- One dashboard to access your course management materials.
- Ability to create your program from scratch or use customizable templates to get up and running quickly.
- Robust capabilities, whether you’re building a mini course or a signature program.
- Kajabi University for mastering your course creation skills.
- Additional monetization options, such as subscription podcasts, memberships, and personalized coaching.
- Analytics tools to track user engagement, sales, and other metrics.
- Integrated payment options via Stripe and PayPal; Kajabi does not take a cut of your earnings.
- Mobile app with one-click access.
- Integrations with your website, emails, CRM, marketing campaigns, and analytics.
Pricing: Get started for free. The Kickstarter plan is $89 monthly, or save 20% on an annual plan. This plan gives you a single product and funnel, unlimited landing pages, 7,500 marketing emails, and more.
2. Thinkific
With its user-friendly interface, Thinkific lets you easily create and customize courses according to your content needs and teaching style. Interactivity is one of Thinkific’s top selling points, allowing you to build a thriving online community that’s deeply engaged with your content. So, if you want to be able to engage with your students throughout their learning experience, Thinkific might be the platform for you.
Key features of Thinkific
- Engagement tools like quizzes, embedded multimedia, and assignments.
- Progress tracking tools to keep students on track.
- Feedback mechanisms for continuous improvement.
- Mobile app for easy access anywhere.
- Ability to create bundles and coupons and cross-sell other products.
- Live lessons and events for those needing hands-on engagement with students.
- Digital downloads to add value to learners’ experiences.
- Custom domains and web themes for a branded look and feel.
Pricing: Get started for free, and begin building a single online course with unlimited students. As you grow, you can upgrade to the Basic plan, starting at $36 per month when paid annually or $49 monthly — with access to the Accelerator Program, unlimited courses and students, and a custom domain.
3. Teachable
If you think of yourself as part creator, part educator, you might find a home for your knowledge content at Teachable. The no-code platform caters to creators looking to make an impact through coaching, courses, and digital downloads. Many of them come to Teachable after some initial success with other formats like TikTok or in-person classes, eager to broaden their reach with larger audiences.
Key features of Teachable
- Integrated payment processing with 0% to 10% transaction fees, depending on the tier.
- Flexible payment options like Affirm, Afterpay, and Klarna to give students options to pay over time.
- Artificial intelligence (AI) Hub to help you generate course outlines, curriculums, quizzes, content summaries, subtitles, translations, and even lesson content.
- Affiliate marketing tools and lead magnets such as digital downloads to increase sales.
- Robust education, training, and peer support available.
- Integrations with popular apps that you and your students already use.
- Advanced features enabling branding and customization.
- Student experience tools allowing progress tracking, graded quizzes, and course compliance.
Pricing: Get started for free, and start earning before paying a dime — you have to love that model. Upgrade to the Basic plan at $49 per month, billed annually, with five published products of each format (courses, coaching, and downloads), live coaching, and community features.
4. Tutor LMS
If you use WordPress, Tutor LMS can be a simple way to start offering digital courses through your own website. Its frontend, drag-and-drop builder makes it easy to create your course, complete with lessons, quizzes, and assignments, and deliver interactive experiences your audience will love. The unified dashboard also allows for seamless content management and delivery for you and your students.
Key features of Tutor LMS
- Integrations with Zoom, Google Classroom, and YouTube for live classes.
- Course bundling options to create and sell related courses.
- Content drip feature to control the release of your content.
- Mobile access for learners on the go.
- Analytics and reporting tools to track student progress and performance.
- Available in 27 languages.
- Compatibility with popular WordPress themes like Elementor and Gutenberg.
- Payment processing via WooCommerce integration and various payment gateways.
- Expanded functionality available through add-ons and integrations.
- Certificate builder to recognize students’ achievements.
Pricing: The Basic plan is free. Individual plans start at $199 annually, giving you a single site license, updates for one year, and priority email support.
5. Esmerise
From gardening instructors to gin distillation specialists, a wide range of experts turn to Esmerise for their course creation needs. The platform appeals to creators who have a passion for niche skills and want to share their knowledge in an engaging, student-first format.
Key features of Esmerise
- Included white-labeled app for students accessing content on mobile devices.
- Gamification features that make content fun for students, thus improving course completion rates.
- Simple, intuitive interface with a complete video guide you can knock out in minutes, helping you get started quickly.
- Automatic invoicing with automatic tax calculations.
- Support and translations available in three languages.
- Group chat section enables social and collaborative learning in a supportive environment.
Pricing: After a free trial, Esmerise plans start at $39 per month, billed annually, or $47 per month. At this tier, you can build unlimited courses and access the course builder, page builder, integrations, and more.
Reviews: Capterra
6. Podia
Podia asserts you can make your first online course sale within a week — not to mention build a website, an email list, and a community. From standalone or cohort courses to drip courses delivered according to your schedule, the no-code platform offers multiple options to monetize your knowledge in a beautiful format you can set up in minutes.
Key features of Podia
- Unlimited courses with all the bells and whistles you want, including videos, audio files, quizzes, embeds, and downloads.
- Instant payouts to get your money quickly.
- Native video hosting with no surprise fees or limits.
- Free, customizable website included, with unlimited landing pages and no coding required.
- Integrated email marketing tools to offer newsletters, lead magnets, and other campaigns.
- Tools for bundling, coupons, upsells, limited seats, access durations, and course waitlists, incentivizing users to grab their spots.
- Student progress checking and messaging tools.
- One of the most affordable platforms you can find.
Pricing: Set up your course for free. When you’re ready to launch, get started at $33 per month, paid annually, or $39 monthly, with additional benefits and lower or no transaction fees as you scale up.
7. Circle
Are you looking for a place to call home for your brand and its community? Check out Circle.so, a favorite among creators, startups, entrepreneurs, and anyone looking to “Start, Engage, Monetize, and Scale.” Combining content and community is a popular trend that many brands use to create loyalty and excitement among their users, and Circle is winning at that game.
Key features of Circle
- Immersive experiences featuring cohort-based groups, exclusive masterclasses, drip content, weekly office hours, and both personalized and group coaching.
- Automated check-ins and rewards that keep students engaged and accountable to their learning objectives.
- One-on-one and direct messaging to facilitate deeper connections with your audience.
- Branding capabilities to personalize the look and feel of your content.
- Rich features for building exclusive, secret spaces and community areas.
- Multiple avenues to connect with learners through live sessions, group chats, livestreams with co-hosts, and event spaces.
- Gating capabilities to enable access to different parts of your community based on membership levels.
- Thousands of different integrations with your tech stack.
Pricing: The Professional plan starts at $89 per month. This tier gives you paid memberships, courses, a custom domain, events, and more.
8. LearnWorlds
From coaches and creators to fitness trainers and nonprofits, LearnWorlds serves all kinds of professionals looking to create e-learning academies. The platform offers over 50 industry-specific templates to help you launch your website quickly and start building and selling your course. LearnWorlds also has extensive affiliate marketing tools to help you increase sales.
- Multiple methods to package your courses, from public or private courses to drip content and free courses.
- Branded mobile app with in-app purchasing for learners accessing and buying content on the go.
- Powerful assessment tools to build diverse questionnaires, results, certificates, and feedback.
- Landing pages, pop-ups, forms, email marketing funnels, and one-click funnels for lead capture and conversion.
- Coupons, bundles, and other sales tools to sell courses, subscriptions, and memberships.
- Analytics tools and automated reports to gauge performance and segment users based on behaviors.
Pricing: After a free trial, plans start at $24 per month, paid annually, or $29 monthly. At this tier, you get an AI assistant, five admins or instructors, unlimited courses, live classes and webinars, funnels, subscriptions, memberships, and more.
9. Gumroad
If you’re simply looking for a way to sell digital products, Gumroad is worth checking out. The e-commerce platform connects creators and consumers, allowing its members to start small and sell digital products directly to their customers, whether a simple blog post or a video lesson. “Just start with what you know, see what sticks, and get paid” — simple enough, right? It’s a great way to get your feet wet in digital product sales and find out what your audience loves before you build out a bigger idea. Plus, the site is so aesthetically beautiful and fun to use, you might just forget you’re trying to monetize your ideas.
Key features of Gumroad
- Zapier integrations with your tech stack.
- Customizable storefront to sell your products.
- Ability to embed Gumroad for those who want to sell on their own websites.
- Plenty of inspiration and testimonials to help you form your ideas and gain the confidence to start selling.
- Simple, no-fuss setup lets you launch and sell products from day one.
- Membership, subscription, and coupon capabilities.
- Global, secure payment processing.
- License keys generated for those selling software.
- Automated workflows and audience growth tools like email broadcasts.
Pricing: Gumroad has no monthly charges; you’ll simply pay a flat rate of 10% + $0.50 per transaction. How’s that for zero upfront costs? Payouts are via PayPal or direct deposit.
Reviews: G2
10. Skillshare
Built for creatives, Skillshare allows creators to teach creative skills to others. From subject matter enthusiasts to professionals and experts, the platform hosts a variety of teachers who are passionate about their crafts. To teach on Skillshare, you’ll need to submit an application. Once approved (typically within two weeks), you can create and publish your first class and start teaching and earning — with top-earning teachers pulling in six-figure incomes.
Key features of Skillshare
- New-teacher tools like a teacher help center to start organizing your content and building classes.
- Video lessons and a class project to help members put their new knowledge into action.
- Earning possibilities via monthly royalties and referral bonuses; monthly payments for every student who watches your content, forever.
- Ideal for anyone who simply wants to teach and get paid.
Pricing: As a subscription-based platform, Skillshare charges its members a monthly or annual fee to access unlimited classes and other membership benefits. Approximately 20% of that monthly revenue goes toward teacher payments, based on minutes watched and engagement with members.
Reviews: G2
What’s the best online course platform for you?
Clearly, you have myriad options for launching and growing a digital course business using the online course platforms outlined above. You can choose to offer full-blown courses with drip content you feed to learners little by little, or you can simply launch a digital product you think people would love.
Whatever route you choose, it’s wise to start small and ramp up to a higher tier as you grow. Most of these platforms let you get started for little to nothing, and it’s worth it to work through the kinks before you commit to a large monthly or annual fee. Plus, you get a chance to find out what your audience wants the most, so you can focus on the content that’s most likely to sell.
Remember to cross-promote on other channels, including email and social media, so you can continue growing your audience. And above all, don’t hold back when it comes to honing your content and making sure it meets your audience’s needs. Some ideas are worth expanding upon, while others might need to be scrapped.
This process of trial and error will help get you where you want to be, whether that’s selling a few digital products on the side or replacing your full-time income.
And if you need a little help marketing your online course, check out the article 12 best marketing courses that are actually worth your time.
agree to our Terms.
Keep up with marketing trends
Get the weekly newsletter keeping thousands of marketers in the loop.
