With the rise of digital learning, selecting the best online course platform is essential for educators, entrepreneurs, and even large institutions. These platforms not only allow you to create and sell courses but also offer powerful tools for marketing, community building, and tracking student performance.
Whether you are a professional instructor or just getting started with creating content, choosing the right platform can significantly impact your success. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the 20 best online course platforms available in 2024, with a detailed breakdown of their key features, unique advantages, and pricing.
What to Look for in the Best Online Course Platform?
Before we dive into the list of platforms, it’s important to know what makes an online course platform truly effective. Here are key factors to consider:
- Ease of Use: Is the platform easy to navigate for both creators and learners?
- Customization: How flexible is the design and content creation process?
- Marketing Tools: Does the platform offer features like email marketing, affiliate programs, and sales funnels?
- Pricing: Is the pricing model sustainable, especially for beginners?
- Support: Does the platform provide good customer service and training materials?
1. Udemy: The Marketplace Giant
Overview
Udemy is one of the best online course platforms globally, offering over 130,000 courses in a wide range of fields, from technology and business to personal development and creative arts. Whether you’re an individual seeking to learn a new skill or an instructor looking to share your expertise, Udemy provides an easy-to-use platform for both learning and teaching.
For students, Udemy offers lifetime access to courses, so once enrolled, you can revisit the material whenever needed. For instructors, it’s a marketplace platform, meaning your courses are listed alongside others, and you benefit from Udemy’s vast audience.
One of the reasons Udemy stands out is its global reach, attracting students from all over the world. The platform frequently runs promotions, making it accessible to more learners, while instructors can tap into an already active student base. With its user-friendly interface and a broad range of topics, Udemy is a powerful option for both aspiring learners and content creators.
Key Features
- Massive course library: Udemy offers a vast selection of courses spanning a variety of subjects, including technology, business, design, marketing, and personal development. Whether you’re interested in coding, graphic design, or entrepreneurship, Udemy’s diverse range ensures there’s something for learners of all levels and interests.
- User-friendly interface: Udemy provides an intuitive and easy-to-navigate platform for both instructors and learners. The course creation process is straightforward, allowing instructors to upload videos, quizzes, and other materials with ease, while learners can easily search, enroll, and access their courses from any device, making the learning experience seamless.
- Course lifetime access: Students have lifetime access to purchased courses.
Unique Selling Proposition
Udemy’s large student base and frequent discounts make it an ideal platform for anyone looking to get started with course creation and marketing to a global audience. Additionally, Udemy offers lifetime access to courses, allowing students to learn at their own pace. For instructors, Udemy handles all the hosting and maintenance, making it hassle-free to upload content without worrying about technical issues. The platform also provides built-in marketing tools, such as promotions and affiliate programs, helping instructors reach a wider audience and boost sales without extra effort.
Pros
- Huge marketplace with millions of users.
- Frequent discounts attract more students.
- Easy-to-use course creation tools.
Cons
- High competition due to the sheer volume of courses.
- Udemy controls pricing, limiting the flexibility of instructors.
Pricing
- Creating a course on Udemy is free, but Udemy operates on a revenue-sharing model. If students purchase through the marketplace, Udemy takes 50% of the revenue. However, if the purchase is made via an instructor’s promotional link, the instructor retains 97%, with Udemy taking a 3% processing fee. Udemy also runs frequent discounts, which can affect pricing and revenue. It’s a low-risk option for instructors to start creating and selling courses.
2. Teachable: A Customizable Platform for Creators
Overview
Teachable is widely regarded as one of the best online course platforms for creators seeking full control over their branding and content. Unlike many marketplace-style platforms, Teachable allows you to design a completely personalized course website, giving you the freedom to match your brand’s look and feel. This is ideal for entrepreneurs, educators, and businesses looking to maintain their unique identity.
One of Teachable’s standout features is its drag-and-drop course builder, which makes it easy for instructors to upload content like videos, quizzes, and assignments without any coding knowledge. This platform is also packed with marketing tools like email automation, affiliate marketing, and sales tracking to help creators grow their audience and boost sales. For anyone looking to build a long-term, branded educational business, Teachable is a strong choice.
Key Features
- Customizable Templates: Teachable offers professionally designed, fully customizable templates that allow you to create a course website that aligns perfectly with your brand’s style. You can easily adjust colors, fonts, layouts, and add your own logo, ensuring a polished, branded look that enhances your credibility and helps you stand out from competitors.
- Marketing Features: Teachable offers built-in marketing tools that include email automation, allowing you to send targeted campaigns to your students. Additionally, it provides an integrated affiliate program, enabling you to recruit affiliates to promote your courses, driving more traffic and sales. These tools help streamline marketing efforts without needing third-party software.
- Integrated Payment Processing: Teachable offers secure, built-in payment gateways that support multiple currencies, making it easy for creators to accept payments from a global audience. It handles transactions seamlessly, allowing you to offer flexible pricing options like one-time payments, subscriptions, or installment plans while ensuring security and reliability for both instructors and students.
- Drag-and-drop course builder: Simplifies the course creation process.
- Multimedia support: Add video, audio, quizzes, and more.
- Custom domains: Personalize your site with a unique domain name.
Unique Selling Proposition
Teachable’s ease of use, combined with its robust customization options, makes it a favorite for professionals looking to sell premium courses. In addition, Teachable supports multiple pricing models, allowing creators to offer one-time payments, subscriptions, or payment plans, providing flexibility to students. Another standout feature is the built-in sales and marketing tools, such as affiliate programs and email automation, helping instructors grow their audience and boost revenue without needing external software. These features make Teachable ideal for those looking to build a scalable and profitable online course business.
Pros
- No transaction fees on higher plans.
- Strong support for content customization.
- Built-in marketing tools like email automation and affiliate programs.
Cons
- Transaction fees on the basic plan.
- Advanced features are locked behind higher-tier subscriptions.
Pricing
- Teachable offers a free plan that allows you to create courses with limited features, but most advanced tools require a paid subscription. The Basic plan starts at $39/month, which includes features like custom domains and email marketing. The Pro plan, priced at $119/month, adds features like advanced reports, quizzes, and affiliate marketing. For larger businesses, the Business plan costs $299/month with additional admin users and priority support.
3. Skillshare: Ideal for Creatives
Overview
Skillshare is widely recognized as one of the best online course platforms for individuals looking to enhance their creative skills. Specializing in areas like design, photography, illustration, and more, Skillshare operates on a subscription-based model. This allows students to access an unlimited number of courses with just a single membership fee, making it both affordable and convenient for those eager to learn across multiple disciplines.
The platform caters to creatives of all levels, offering thousands of classes that range from beginner tutorials to advanced techniques. Unlike some other platforms, Skillshare emphasizes practical, project-based learning, encouraging students to apply what they learn by working on real-world projects. This hands-on approach has made it a popular choice among creative professionals and hobbyists alike.
For instructors, Skillshare provides an easy-to-use interface to upload and share content, while the subscription model ensures a consistent flow of students. Whether you’re looking to enhance your skills or share your expertise with a global audience, Skillshare offers an accessible and community-driven learning experience.
Key Features
- Subscription-based: Skillshare operates on a subscription model, giving students unlimited access to thousands of courses across various creative fields for a single membership fee. This all-you-can-learn approach allows students to explore multiple topics without additional costs, making it a cost-effective option for lifelong learners and hobbyists.
- Focus on creativity: Skillshare specializes in courses tailored to creative fields such as design, art, photography, illustration, and more. The platform is ideal for individuals seeking to enhance their creative skills or explore new artistic hobbies, offering a wide range of classes that inspire innovation and hands-on learning.
- Project-based learning: Skillshare emphasizes a hands-on, project-based approach, encouraging students to apply what they’ve learned by working on real-world projects. This practical method not only reinforces learning but also allows students to build a portfolio of work, making it particularly beneficial for creative professionals and hobbyists alike.
Unique Selling Proposition
Skillshare is ideal for creatives who want to share their expertise with a highly engaged community. Instructors don’t need to worry about pricing individual courses, as the subscription model allows students unlimited access, making it easier to focus on creating content while reaching a broad, motivated audience.
Pros
- Affordable for students with a subscription model.
- Great community of creatives.
- Focus on hands-on, project-based learning.
Cons
- Instructors earn based on minutes watched.
- Less focus on advanced or niche topics.
Pricing
- Skillshare operates on a subscription model, starting at $19/month or $168/year for students, offering unlimited access to all courses. Instructors are compensated through a revenue-sharing model, earning based on the number of minutes watched by Premium members. Additionally, Skillshare offers a free trial for new users, allowing them to explore the platform before committing to a paid plan.
4. Thinkific: Best for Business and Educators
Overview
Thinkific is widely regarded as one of the best online course platforms for educators, entrepreneurs, and businesses looking to create, market, and sell their own online courses. Offering a comprehensive suite of tools, Thinkific allows users to design engaging learning experiences without needing technical expertise. The platform is known for its intuitive drag-and-drop course builder, making it easy to upload content such as videos, quizzes, and assignments, and arrange them into structured lessons.
What sets Thinkific apart is its flexible customization options, which let course creators personalize their sites to match their brand’s look and feel. Whether you want to offer free courses, one-time payments, or subscriptions, Thinkific provides multiple monetization models to fit your business needs.
In addition to course creation, Thinkific includes integrated marketing tools such as email automation, sales tracking, and even the ability to set up your own affiliate program. These features make Thinkific a powerful platform for building and scaling an online education business, catering to both beginners and seasoned professionals.
Key Features
- Integrations: Thinkific offers seamless integration with popular tools like Zoom for live webinars, MailChimp for email marketing, and other third-party apps such as Google Analytics, Zapier, and Stripe. These integrations allow you to enhance your course delivery, automate marketing, and streamline payments, making your online business more efficient.
- Drag-and-drop builder: Create courses without any coding.
- Customizable course pages: Personalize your branding and design.
Unique Selling Proposition
Thinkific offers no transaction fees on any plan, making it perfect for educators and businesses looking for a cost-effective solution.
Pros
- No transaction fees.
- User-friendly interface for course creation.
- Excellent customer support.
Cons
- Marketing features are more limited compared to competitors.
- Design flexibility is restricted in lower-tier plans.
Pricing
- Thinkific offers a free plan, allowing users to create and sell up to three courses with limited features. For more advanced tools, paid plans start at $39/month with the Basic plan, which includes unlimited courses, custom domains, and email integrations. The Pro plan is priced at $79/month, offering additional features like advanced reporting, memberships, and certificates. The Premier plan is available at $399/month for larger businesses needing more robust features
5. Kajabi: All-in-One Course Creation and Marketing Tool
Overview
Kajabi is widely recognized as one of the best online course platform, offering an all-in-one solution for building, marketing, and selling online courses, memberships, and digital products. It is designed for entrepreneurs, educators, and businesses who want to manage every aspect of their online business in one place without the need for multiple tools or plugins.
What sets Kajabi apart is its powerful sales funnels and marketing automation features, which allow users to create detailed customer journeys and automate their marketing efforts. Whether you’re setting up email sequences, nurturing leads, or managing sales campaigns, Kajabi provides all the tools you need to grow your audience and increase conversions.
Kajabi also includes a built-in website builder, allowing users to create fully branded websites and landing pages, complete with customizable templates. Additionally, the platform supports a variety of monetization options, including subscriptions, one-time payments, and membership sites. For those looking to scale their online business with advanced marketing tools and a seamless user experience, Kajabi stands out as a top choice.
Key Features
- Blogging Functionality: Kajabi allows you to enhance your site’s SEO by publishing blog posts directly on your platform. This feature helps drive organic traffic to your courses and digital products by targeting relevant keywords, building authority in your niche, and engaging your audience with valuable content, all within Kajabi’s ecosystem.
- Sales Funnels and Marketing Automation: Kajabi’s powerful sales funnels and marketing automation features enable users to create detailed customer journeys and automate key marketing tasks. From setting up personalized email sequences to nurturing leads and managing sales campaigns, Kajabi equips you with all the tools needed to effortlessly grow your audience and boost conversions.
- Website builder: Create fully-fledged websites.
- Integrated CRM: Manage customer relationships.
Unique Selling Proposition
Kajabi’s all-in-one approach is perfect for professionals who want a single platform for everything, from course creation to advanced marketing automation.
Pros
- Complete all-in-one solution.
- Strong sales funnels and automation features.
- Easy-to-use interface for non-tech-savvy users.
Cons
- High pricing, starting at $149/month.
- Can be overwhelming for beginners due to its many features.
Pricing
- Starts at Kajabi starts at $149/month with the Basic plan, which includes essential features like website building, marketing automation, and product creation. The Growth plan, priced at $199/month, adds advanced features like affiliate programs and advanced automations. For larger businesses, the Pro plan is available at $399/month, offering priority support, more admin users, and advanced customization options for scaling your business.
6. Coursera: Academic-Level Learning
Overview
Coursera is recognized as one of the best online course platform for those seeking professional and academic-level education. Partnering with prestigious institutions like Stanford, Yale, and many others, Coursera offers a vast array of courses that range from short-term certifications to full degree programs. This makes it ideal for learners who want to gain valuable, credible qualifications from top universities without leaving home.
Coursera’s platform covers a wide range of subjects, including business, technology, health, and social sciences, offering both individual courses and specializations. The platform’s guided learning paths help students build skills step by step, while its flexible schedules make it easy to balance learning with other commitments.
In addition to its academic offerings, Coursera also provides professional certificates from leading companies like Google and IBM, aimed at those looking to boost their careers. Whether you’re pursuing a personal interest or aiming for career advancement, Coursera’s mix of high-quality content and expert-led instruction sets it apart from other online learning platforms
Key Features
- Certifications and degrees: Coursera allows learners to gain recognized qualifications through its certification programs and degree offerings. Whether you’re pursuing a professional certificate from companies like Google or an accredited degree from universities like Stanford, Coursera provides a credible pathway to enhance your skills and boost your career prospects with globally recognized credentials.
- University-level education: Courses from top global institutions.
- Wide variety of subjects: Covers tech, business, humanities, and more.
Unique Selling Proposition
Coursera offers world-class education from prestigious universities, making it perfect for students who want professional certifications or academic degrees.
Pros
- High-quality content from leading institutions.
- Flexible learning options, including self-paced.
- Financial aid is available for eligible students.
Cons
- High cost for certification and degree programs.
- Less control over the content for individual creators.
Pricing
- Coursera offers a range of pricing options, including free courses for general learning. Paid options for certifications start at $39/month, while professional certificates and specializations vary in cost depending on the program. Full degree programs can range from a few thousand dollars to over $20,000, depending on the institution and the level of the degree.
7. Podia: A Simple and Effective Course Platform
Overview
Podia is known as one of the best online course platforms for creators looking for an affordable and user-friendly solution. Designed for entrepreneurs, educators, and digital creators, Podia enables users to easily create and sell online courses, membership sites, and digital products like eBooks and webinars. What sets Podia apart is its simplicity—users can get started quickly, without needing technical expertise or third-party tools.
In addition to its course-building features, Podia comes with built-in email marketing tools, allowing creators to communicate directly with their audience through newsletters, automated email campaigns, and more. This helps streamline both content delivery and marketing efforts, making it easier to nurture leads and drive sales.
Podia also supports flexible pricing options, such as subscriptions and one-time payments, giving creators control over how they monetize their content. For those looking for an all-in-one platform that combines course creation, marketing, and sales, Podia offers a streamlined and cost-effective solution.
Key Features
- Digital downloads: Sell courses, ebooks, and webinars.
- Memberships: Offer exclusive content through membership plans.
- Email marketing: Includes newsletters and drip campaigns.
Unique Selling Proposition
Podia’s simplicity and lack of transaction fees make it an attractive option for beginners and small business owners.
Pros
- No transaction fees.
- Simple interface.
- Built-in marketing and membership tools.
Cons
- Limited advanced features compared to competitors.
- No free plan is available.
Pricing
- Podia’s pricing starts at $39/month with the Mover plan, which includes features like course creation, email marketing, and digital product sales. The Shaker plan, priced at $89/month, adds advanced features like memberships, affiliate marketing, and embedded checkout options. Both plans offer unlimited courses, products, and students with no transaction fees, making it an affordable choice for creators.
8. edX: Best for University-Level Courses
Overview
Founded by Harvard and MIT, edX offers academic-level courses in a wide range of subjects, including business, science, technology, and more. Many of its courses are available for free, with paid options for certifications.
Key Features
- Academic and professional courses: Taught by top universities.
- Certification options: Available for a fee.
- Flexible schedules: Self-paced learning.
Unique Selling Proposition
edX’s partnerships with world-renowned universities make it a top platform for those seeking high-quality, academic learning.
Pros
- University-level courses.
- Self-paced learning.
- Many courses are free to audit.
Cons
- Certification programs can be expensive.
- Limited customization for independent course creators.
Pricing
- Free courses available, certifications start around $50/course.
9. LearnWorlds: Highly Interactive Learning
Overview
LearnWorlds specializes in creating highly interactive courses that include videos, quizzes, and other engagement tools. It’s perfect for instructors who want to offer immersive learning experiences.
Key Features
- Interactive videos: Include questions and interactions within video content.
- Assessments and quizzes: Test student progress.
- Mobile-friendly design: All courses are responsive and accessible on any device.
Unique Selling Proposition
LearnWorlds focuses on creating engaging, interactive courses, making it ideal for educational institutions and instructors who want to offer rich learning experiences.
Pros
- Interactive learning tools.
- Mobile-friendly platform.
- Great for immersive educational experiences.
Cons
- Steeper learning curve.
- Some features only available on higher-tier plans.
Pricing
- Starts at $24/month.
10. LinkedIn Learning: Professional Skills Development
Overview
LinkedIn Learning offers courses across a wide range of professional skills, including business, tech, and creative fields. It’s integrated with LinkedIn, allowing students to showcase their completed courses on their profiles.
Key Features
- Wide variety of courses: Focuses on professional development.
- LinkedIn integration: Display completed courses on your LinkedIn profile.
- Personalized recommendations: Based on your skills and career goals.
Unique Selling Proposition
LinkedIn Learning’s integration with the LinkedIn professional network makes it the go-to platform for career-driven individuals looking to upskill.
Pros
- Strong focus on professional skills.
- Courses recommended based on your profile.
- Integration with LinkedIn.
Cons
- Subscription model may not be ideal for all learners.
- Limited for course creators.
Pricing
- Starts at $29.99/month for students.
How to Choose the Best Online Course Platform
Choosing the best online course platform is crucial for ensuring a smooth and successful learning or course creation experience. Whether you’re an educator, entrepreneur, or student, the right platform can significantly impact your journey. Here are three essential factors to consider when making your decision: Core Features, Customer Support, and Pricing.
1. Core Features
The core features of an online course platform are the backbone of your entire experience, whether you’re creating a course or consuming one. Here are some key aspects to evaluate:
- Course Creation Tools: Does the platform offer user-friendly tools like a drag-and-drop builder? Can you integrate multimedia elements like videos, quizzes, and assignments to make your course interactive and engaging?
- Customization: Can you customize the course layout and design to match your branding? Platforms like Teachable and Thinkific offer extensive customization options, while others like Udemy are more restrictive.
- Marketing Tools: For course creators, marketing tools such as email marketing, affiliate programs, and SEO optimization are essential. Platforms like Kajabi and Podia offer integrated marketing and sales funnels, while others focus solely on content creation.
- Analytics and Reporting: A good platform should provide insights into student progress, completion rates, and engagement. This helps you make data-driven improvements to your courses.
Choosing a platform with the right core features is critical because it determines how efficiently you can create, manage, and sell your courses. For students, the features will affect the learning experience, making it either interactive and engaging or static and boring.
2. Customer Support
Customer support is a crucial aspect when choosing an online course platform, especially if you’re new to the world of digital learning or course creation. Even the most user-friendly platforms can pose challenges, so having access to reliable support is essential. Here are key elements to look for:
- Availability: Does the platform offer 24/7 support, or are they only available during specific hours? Some platforms like Kajabi and Thinkific offer round-the-clock support, while others may have limited hours.
- Channels of Support: Can you reach support through multiple channels, such as live chat, email, or phone? Teachable provides live chat and email support, making it easy to resolve issues quickly.
- Knowledge Base and Tutorials: A comprehensive knowledge base filled with FAQs, tutorials, and guides can be a lifesaver. Platforms like Podia and Thinkific offer extensive resource libraries that can help you troubleshoot common problems without needing to contact support.
- Community Support: Some platforms, like Skillshare and Udemy, have active user communities where instructors and learners share tips, advice, and solutions. This can provide extra support beyond official channels.
Good customer support ensures that any issues you encounter are resolved quickly, minimizing downtime and preventing frustration. It’s especially important for first-time course creators who may need extra guidance to get started.
3. Pricing
Pricing is often the deciding factor for both course creators and students when choosing the best online course platform. The key is to find a platform that offers good value for your money, aligning with your budget and needs.
- Free Plans: Platforms like Thinkific and Teachable offer free plans, but they come with limitations. These can be a good option for beginners who want to test the waters before committing to a paid plan.
- Subscription Plans: Many platforms operate on a subscription model, where you pay a monthly or yearly fee for access to features. Pricing can range from as low as $19/month on platforms like Skillshare to $149/month or more on all-in-one platforms like Kajabi. Evaluate whether the platform offers the features you need at the price point you’re comfortable with.
- Transaction Fees: Some platforms, such as Teachable, charge transaction fees on lower-tier plans, while others like Podia do not. If you plan to sell courses frequently, it’s essential to factor in these additional costs.
- Enterprise Pricing: For large organizations or educational institutions, some platforms offer enterprise-level pricing. Coursera and edX offer programs tailored to universities and businesses that require advanced features like custom integrations and bulk user management.
When considering pricing, it’s important to look at the long-term value. Don’t just opt for the cheapest option—consider the features, support, and overall potential for growth. Platforms with higher upfront costs might provide better tools, which can ultimately lead to greater success in selling your courses or enhancing your learning experience.
Conclusion: Finding the Best Fit
In conclusion, choosing the best online course platform depends on your specific needs. Carefully evaluate the core features offered, such as customization, marketing tools, and analytics. Ensure that the platform has reliable customer support to help you navigate any challenges. Finally, consider the pricing structure and determine whether it aligns with your budget and the features you’re looking for.
By taking the time to compare platforms based on these critical factors, you’ll be well on your way to choosing a platform that not only meets your current needs but also scales as you grow, helping you succeed in the competitive world of online education.