Online Course Platform: How to Choose in 2025

The Online Course Opportunity

The eLearning market continues explosive growth, projected to reach $350+ billion by 2026. For creators with expertise to share, online courses represent a scalable business model: create once, sell indefinitely.

But choosing the right platform determines whether your course succeeds or struggles. The platform affects your brand, student experience, revenue, and ability to grow.

This guide compares the best online course platforms, helping you choose based on your goals, budget, and technical comfort level.

Platform Types: Understanding Your Options

Hosted Course Platforms

Platforms like Teachable and Thinkific provide everything you need in one place.

Advantages:

• No technical setup required
• Built-in hosting and security
• Payment processing included
• Support and updates handled
• Quick launch possible

Disadvantages:

• Monthly fees
• Less customization control
• Platform dependency
• Revenue share on some plans

All-in-One Platforms

Solutions like Kajabi include course hosting plus marketing, websites, and email.

Advantages:

• Complete business solution
• Unified analytics
• Seamless customer journey
• Single subscription

Disadvantages:

• Higher cost
• May include features you don't need
• Learning curve for full utilization

WordPress LMS Plugins

Plugins like LearnDash let you host courses on your own WordPress site.

Advantages:

• Full control over your site
• One-time payment options
• Complete customization
• No ongoing revenue share

Disadvantages:

• Requires technical knowledge
• You handle hosting and security
• More setup and maintenance

Course Marketplaces

Platforms like Udemy and Skillshare have built-in audiences.

Advantages:

• Access to existing students
• Marketing handled by platform
• No upfront costs

Disadvantages:

• Strict pricing control
• Heavy competition
• Lower per-sale revenue
• Limited branding

Top Course Platforms Compared

Detailed Platform Reviews

Teachable: Best for Beginners

Teachable makes course creation accessible for first-time creators.

Key features:

• Drag-and-drop course builder
• Built-in payment processing
• Affiliate marketing tools
• Drip content scheduling
• Quiz and certificate features

Pricing:

• Free: Limited features, $1 + 10% transaction fee
• Basic: $49/month, 5% transaction fee
• Pro: $119/month, no transaction fees
• Pro+: $199/month, additional features

Strengths:

• Intuitive interface
• Good for non-technical users
• Solid student experience
• Reliable platform

Limitations:

• Design customization limited
• Transaction fees on lower plans
• Advanced features require Pro plan

Best for: Solo creators launching their first course who want simplicity.

Thinkific: Best Overall Value

Thinkific balances features, pricing, and flexibility effectively.

Key features:

• Drag-and-drop course builder
• No transaction fees (any plan)
• Custom branding options
• Community features
• Advanced student management

Pricing:

• Free: 1 course, basic features
• Basic: €36/month
• Start: €74/month
• Grow: €149/month

Strengths:

• No transaction fees ever
• Robust course creation tools
• Good customization options
• Strong analytics

Limitations:

• Email marketing requires integration
• Mobile app extra cost
• Learning curve for advanced features

Best for: Entrepreneurs building a course business who want value and flexibility.

Kajabi: Best All-in-One Solution

Kajabi provides everything: courses, website, marketing, and email in one platform.

Key features:

• Course hosting
• Website builder
• Email marketing
• Sales funnels
• Community features
• Podcast hosting
• Mobile app

Pricing:

• Kickstarter: $71/month (new tier)
• Basic: $149/month
• Growth: $199/month
• Pro: $399/month

Strengths:

• Complete business platform
• No need for multiple tools
• Professional templates
• Strong automation

Limitations:

• Expensive for beginners
• Can be overwhelming
• Overkill for simple courses

Best for: Serious course businesses ready to invest in a complete solution.

LearnWorlds: Best for Engagement

LearnWorlds focuses on creating interactive, engaging courses.

Key features:

• Interactive video
• Built-in assessment tools
• Custom player branding
• SCORM compliance
• Mobile app builder
• Social learning features

Pricing:

• Starter: $29/month + $5 per sale
• Pro Trainer: $99/month
• Learning Center: $299/month

Strengths:

• Excellent interactive features
• Strong assessment tools
• Professional course player
• Good for corporate training

Limitations:

• Per-sale fee on basic plan
• Learning curve for features
• Can be complex to set up

Best for: Creators focused on learner engagement and completion rates.

Podia: Best for Simplicity

Podia strips away complexity for creators who want to sell quickly.

Key features:

• Courses, downloads, memberships, coaching
• Built-in email marketing
• No transaction fees
• Simple interface
• Community features

Pricing:

• Free: Limited features, 8% transaction fee
• Starter: $39/month
• Mover: $89/month
• Shaker: $199/month

Strengths:

• Very easy to use
• Clean, modern design
• Email marketing included
• Flat monthly pricing

Limitations:

• Fewer advanced features
• Limited customization
• Basic analytics

Best for: Creators who want to launch quickly without complexity.

Udemy: Best Marketplace

Udemy provides access to millions of potential students.

Key features:

• Massive existing audience
• Built-in marketing
• Mobile apps
• Student reviews
• Q&A features

Pricing:

• Free to join
• Revenue share: 37% (your promotion) to 97% (Udemy promotion)

Strengths:

• Huge potential audience
• No upfront costs
• Marketing handled for you
• Trust factor with students

Limitations:

• Heavy price competition
• Limited branding
• Udemy controls pricing
• Revenue share is significant

Best for: Creators wanting exposure who are comfortable with marketplace dynamics.

Key Features to Evaluate

Course Creation Tools

Video hosting:

• Quality of video player
• Streaming reliability
• Storage limits
• Processing speed

Content types:

• Video lessons
• Text content
• PDFs and downloads
• Quizzes and assessments
• Interactive elements

Organization:

• Module and lesson structure
• Drip content (scheduled release)
• Prerequisites and pathways

Student Experience

Learning interface:

• Clean, distraction-free design
• Progress tracking
• Bookmarking and notes
• Mobile responsiveness

Community:

• Discussion forums
• Community features
• Live sessions
• Student networking

Completion support:

• Reminders and nudges
• Certificates
• Gamification options

Marketing and Sales

Sales pages:

• Page builder quality
• Template options
• A/B testing
• Custom domains

Payment processing:

• Multiple payment options
• Subscription support
• Payment plans
• Multiple currencies

Marketing tools:

• Email marketing (built-in or integration)
• Affiliate programs
• Coupon and discount codes
• Upsells and bundles

Analytics and Growth

Student analytics:

• Enrollment tracking
• Completion rates
• Engagement metrics
• Revenue reporting

Business insights:

• Sales trends
• Traffic sources
• Conversion rates
• Student demographics

Making Your Decision

Questions to Answer

About your content:

• How many courses will you create?
• What content types do you need?
• Do you need interactive features?
• Will you offer certifications?

About your business:

• What's your budget?
• Do you need email marketing?
• Will you use affiliates?
• Do you need community features?

About your students:

• What experience do you want to provide?
• Do they need mobile access?
• Will they need certificates?
• Is community important?

Decision Framework

Choose Teachable if:

• You're launching your first course
• Simplicity matters more than features
• You want reliable, proven technology

Choose Thinkific if:

• You want no transaction fees
• You need good customization
• You're building a course business

Choose Kajabi if:

• You want everything in one place
• You're ready to invest significantly
• Marketing automation matters

Choose LearnWorlds if:

• Student engagement is priority
• You need interactive features
• Corporate training is your focus

Choose Podia if:

• Simplicity is paramount
• You sell multiple product types
• You want email marketing included

Choose Udemy if:

• You want marketplace exposure
• You're comfortable with competition
• You prioritize reach over revenue per sale

Creating Quality Course Content

The Video Foundation

Most courses rely heavily on video. Quality matters.

Recording tips:

• Use good lighting
• Invest in decent audio
• Keep videos focused and concise
• Consider screen recording for tutorials

For screen-based courses:

Tools like VibrantSnap help create polished screen recordings that look professional without extensive post-production. When your course involves software tutorials, demonstrations, or digital workflows, quality screen capture is essential.

Engagement Strategies

Keep students engaged:

• Mix content types (video, text, activities)
• Include practical exercises
• Add quizzes and checkpoints
• Provide downloadable resources

Drive completion:

• Set clear expectations
• Break content into digestible chunks
• Celebrate progress milestones
• Build community support

Launch Strategy

Pre-Launch

1. Build an email list before launch
2. Create anticipation with previews
3. Gather beta testers for feedback
4. Prepare marketing materials

Launch

1. Offer launch pricing or bonuses
2. Engage your existing audience
3. Leverage social proof quickly
4. Provide excellent support

Post-Launch

1. Gather and display testimonials
2. Iterate based on feedback
3. Plan course updates
4. Develop additional offerings

Conclusion

The right platform depends on your specific situation. Consider your budget, technical comfort, content needs, and growth plans.

For most creators starting out:

• Simplest start: Teachable or Podia
• Best value: Thinkific
• Complete solution: Kajabi
• Marketplace exposure: Udemy

Test free trials when available. The platform you choose becomes a long-term partner in your course business.

Creating course content? VibrantSnap helps produce professional screen recordings for tutorials and demonstrations that elevate your course quality without requiring video production expertise.

Your expertise is valuable. Choose the platform that helps you share it effectively.