5 Best Online Course Platforms 2023: Create And Sell Online Courses

The fast-evolving digital landscape has altered how we learn, with education and training rapidly moving from the traditional classroom to online platforms. The global shift towards e-learning has heightened the need for easy-to-use online course platforms that can cater to both course creators and learners' needs effectively.

But the question remains — which platform is the best? Below, we delve into some of the leading platforms to create online courses on the web, detailing what sets them apart.

The 5 Best Online Course Platforms at a Glance:

• LearnWorlds: Best Online Course Platform Overall [Rated 9.8/10]
• Podia: Best for Selling Digital Products and Memberships [Rated 9.7/10]
• Thinkific: Best for Creating an Online Course from Scratch [Rated 9.5/10]
• Teachable: Best for Creating Online Schools [Rated 9.4/10]
• Kajabi: Best for Freelancers and Small Businesses [Rated 9.4/10]

Creating online courses has never been easier with these tools at your disposal. Each of these course creation tools offer unique features and benefits, making them well-suited for different types of educators and learners. Read on to discover which platform is the perfect fit for your online course business.

LearnWorlds: Best Online Course Platform Overall

Right at the top of our list is LearnWorlds, an intuitive, all-in-one online course platform adept at creating impressive courses while facilitating uniquely intuitive learning experiences.

Furthermore, this platform provides flexibility allowing you to design course websites without any coding skills needed. It's presented with an abundance of marketing tools to help grow your audience reach and potent analytics to monitor your performance.

With a focus on providing a comprehensive teaching solution, LearnWorlds online course creation software caters to those looking to create engaging and interactive courses that resonate with their target audience. By combining cutting-edge technology with a commitment to delivering high-quality educational content, LearnWorlds has established itself as the go-to platform for interactive learning.

The stand-out feature availed by LearnWorlds is its interactive video capabilities. With engaging video content becoming a crucial component in eLearning, this feature might just be what sets LearndWorlds apart.

Who is LearnWorlds for?

LearnWorlds is perfect for business owners, solo educators, teaching professionals, small to medium-sized enterprises, expert trainers, and corporations seeking to educate their staff.

LearnWorlds Pricing & Free Trial Availability

Base price: $29 per month + $5 per course sale

Free trial available for 30 days

Podia: Best for Selling Digital Products and Memberships

Are you in search of a versatile platform that allows you not only to create high-quality online courses but also sell digital products or memberships? Well then, Podia online course software has got you covered on all fronts. This platform shines not only due to its simplicity in setting up online stores selling courses but also because it provides robust email marketing tools helping instructors engage with their audiences better.

One of Podia's revered features is its zero transaction fees policy — meaning every penny made through your course sales and membership subscriptions belongs rightfully to you.

Who is Podia for?

Podia is well-suited for artists and content makers looking to earn from their knowledge through straightforward educational tasks and restricted-access videos. However, it might not meet the needs of more advanced educators.

Podia Pricing & Free Trial Availability

Base price: $39 per month

Free version with limited capabilities available

Thinkific: Best for Creating an Online Course from Scratch

For beginners who are new to creating courses or using e-learning platforms, Thinkific offers a clear path forward marked by user-friendliness and diversity in functionality. It's a free online course platform that offers a paid version as well, with pre-defined templates that facilitate easy steps from course creation to publication. If you want to launch an online course website, for instance, Thinkific is the right tool to try.

Furthermore, Thinkific is an online teaching platform that allows you to host and distribute any type of content from quizzes to surveys and downloadable files, ensuring interactive learning experiences.

Who is Thinkific for?

Thinkific is great for individual entrepreneurs, small to medium-sized enterprises, and e-learning instructors.

Thinkific Pricing & Free Trial Availability

Base price: $49 per month

Free version with limited capabilities available

Teachable: Best for Creating Online Schools

If your goal extends beyond single courses to building an entire online school, Teachable is a platform worth considering. This company is one of the best online teaching platforms available online. Its encapsulating features allow you to host numerous courses under one school tag where students sign up and maneuver between different lectures with ease.

Notably, Teachable also takes pride in the Freedom Marketing Suite. This e-marketing tool set equips instructors with all-conquering capacities for selling their content more effectively and growing their communities.

Who is Teachable for?

Teachable is an online course builder that is ideal for budding course designers, individual entrepreneurs, mentors, and those in the creative field.

Teachable Pricing & Free Trial Availability

Base price: $59 per month + 5% transaction fees

Free plan with limited functionality available (plus $1 and 10% per transaction)

Kajabi: Best for Freelancers and Small Businesses

Finally, Kajabi shines exceptionally bright for freelancers or small businesses looking for streamlined solutions as it integrates course creation, marketing tools, and website development effortlessly into one platform resulting in a cleaner work environment.

Apart from being able to build stunning websites without coding background using Kajabi's drag-and-drop feature-packed templates; this platform offers powerful sales funnels known as Pipelines designed to maximize your revenue generation.

Who is Kajabi for?

Kajabi is designed for online course creators who aren't tech-savvy, digital business owners, small enterprises, freelancers, content creators, and solo instructors offering straightforward courses and downloadable materials.

Kajabi Pricing & Free Trial Availability

Base price: $149 per month

Free trial available for 14 days

What Are Online Course Platforms?

Online course creation platforms are web-based tools designed to facilitate the creation, hosting, and sale of online courses. They have revolutionized the way we learn and teach, allowing entrepreneurs, educators and businesses to share their knowledge with a global audience.

From standalone platforms that focus solely on course creation to all-in-one solutions that incorporate marketing and sales features, the landscape of tools to create online courses is vast and diverse.

Selecting the best online courses platform for your needs is crucial to your success. Factors such as cost, functionalities, scalability, and user-friendliness should be taken into account when making your decision.

With numerous options available, it's essential to understand the different types of platforms and their unique offerings to determine which one aligns best with your goals and target audience. More on that below!

Our Methodology

Building unbeatable online courses requires choosing the right platform — one that aligns with both your goals and your audience’s needs. So, how did we land on our top pick for the best platforms out there? We doled out careful attention to a range of factors that primarily included: compatibility with course-building facets, customization capabilities, real-world affordability for small-and-mid-sized businesses, evaluation aids support (like quizzes and certifications), and marketing/payment features.

Before delving deeper into our selection method, it’s crucial we understand what precisely an ‘online course platform’ involves — it doesn’t refer to learning management systems (LMS). In common lingo, an LMS (learning management system) caters predominantly to educational institutions or corporations intent on advancing their employees’ skills. By contrast, online course platforms are specifically styled for individual creators or businesses looking to generate income by offering courses.

Typically, these platforms fall into two categories:

• Course Marketplaces: Herein lies an assembly of courses—a catalog if you like — and creators can personalize only their respective course landing pages and the intrinsic content. The predominant lure? Established student traffic — extremely useful if you lack a sound online foothold initially.
• Course Creation Software: On this side of the fence lies multitude customization options — create bespoke landing pages, choose from varied content formats when formulating your course modules and get hands-on tools to market your course. However, they usually apply a fixed monthly fee with some exacting transaction fees too.

There is no magic solution — one size certainly does not fit all in this panorama — hence you’ll need to comprehend what floats your boat before deciding on which type of platform suits you best.

Setting Standards for Judgment

Establishing robust judging parameters was central to our methodology while determining the most effective online course platforms. Our grading system predominantly revolved around assisted content formats (like video courses, audio, PDFs, and imagery), editing/customization options available, affordability for small-and-medium businesses, the presence of systems to assess offered courses (such as quizzes or certifications), and the incorporation of marketing/payment features.

Proceeding with these benchmarks in mind, we funneled down our list to 21 potentially powerful applications worth trawling through meticulously. Subsequently spending numerous days examining each one closely.

The Testing Procedure

We devised a thorough multi-step vetting technique, initiating with registering an account with each platform and journeying through any offered introductory flows. We delved into the core workflow of setting up a new course — right from exploring template options to constructing an all-encompassing curriculum. Concurrently adding course content in various formats to test functionality across diverse media types was a part of this exercise.

Examining other vital features such as designing tests/quizzes or certificates, organizing live sessions scheduling drip schedules came next. Followed by experimenting with customization like modifying colors/fonts/logos/landing pages etc. — all subject to individual app permissions.

Finally — and importantly — we evaluated their payment/marketing elements: email broadcasts capabilities, pricing structures modeled community building potentialities and SEO support structure availability.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Platform to Sell Courses Online

When it comes to selecting the best online course platform for your needs, several factors come into play. First and foremost, you should consider the type of media you intend to use in your course, as well as your preferred email service providers, list-building solutions, and funnel tools. Additionally, it's essential to examine the platform's pricing structure and determine whether it aligns with your budget and revenue goals.

Scalability is another crucial factor to consider when choosing a platform. As your online course business grows, you'll need a platform that can easily accommodate the increasing number of students, courses, and features.

Ensuring that the platform has the potential to scale with your online course business and support your long-term goals is critical. Furthermore, ease of use should not be overlooked, as an intuitive and user-friendly platform will enhance your course creation experience and streamline the learning process for your students.

Ultimately, selecting the right course platform requires careful evaluation of your goals, target audience, and desired features, as well as a thorough understanding of the platform's pricing, scalability, and ease of use. By taking these factors into account and conducting thorough research, you'll be well-equipped to make an informed decision and choose the platform that best aligns with your needs and objectives.

Types of Online Course Platforms

Online course platforms can be broadly categorized into four main types: standalone, all-in-one, marketplace, and small business/B2B. Standalone platforms, such as LearnWorlds, Thinkific, Teachable, and Kajabi, focus primarily on course creation and management, providing increased flexibility and autonomy in managing learning materials and customizing the design and appearance of your course presentation. Some popular standalone platforms include EasyGenerator, Podia, WizIQ, and Academy of Mine.

All-in-one courseware platforms, on the other hand, offer a comprehensive suite of features for creating and selling online courses, managing web presence, and distributing digital products. Examples of all-in-one platforms include Thinkific, Kajabi, New Zenler, Podia, and LearnWorlds.

These platforms may not be as advanced in terms of online course creation and management as standalone platforms, but they provide a more powerful web content management system and built-in email marketing and customer relationship management tools.

Best online course marketplace platforms, such as Udemy, allow you to customize your course landing page but offer limited control over other aspects. While most marketplaces provide free publishing, they take a share of course sales, making them a good starting point if you lack an online presence.

Course creation software, on the other hand, offers more customization options, allowing you to create branded landing pages, choose from various content formats, and access marketing tools to promote your course. Platforms usually have a fixed monthly fee associated with them. Transaction fees may be charged in some cases.

Ultimately, the choice between standalone, all-in-one, marketplace, and B2B platforms comes down to your specific needs, goals, and preferences. Assessing your requirements and evaluating the features, benefits, and limitations of each type will help you make an informed decision and select the best online course platform for your unique situation.

Choosing the Right Online Course Platform for Your Needs

Selecting the right online course platform is crucial if you want to sell courses online successfully. It's essential to assess your goals, target audience, and desired features, as well as to evaluate the platform's pricing, scalability, and ease of use.

By taking these factors into account and conducting thorough research, you'll be well-equipped to make an informed decision and choose the platform that best aligns with your needs and objectives.

To help you make the best choice, consider the different types of platforms available, such as standalone, all-in-one, marketplace, and B2B platforms, as well as their unique offerings and benefits. Additionally, evaluate factors such as cost, functionalities, scalability, and user-friendliness when selecting the best platform to sell online courses.

Assessing Your Goals and Audience

Understanding your goals and target audience is vital when selecting the best online course platform for your needs. By identifying your objectives and the needs of your target audience, you can better determine which platform features and functionalities are most important to your success.

For instance, if your goal is to create an online course that is highly engaging and interactive, you may prioritize platforms that offer advanced multimedia capabilities and online community building features.

Additionally, consider the specific requirements of your target audience, such as their preferred learning styles, accessibility needs, and technology preferences. By catering to the unique needs and preferences of your audience, you can ensure a positive learning experience and increase the likelihood of success for your online business.

Evaluating Platform Features and Pricing

Once you have a clear understanding of your goals and target audience, it's essential to evaluate the features and pricing of various online course platforms. This includes assessing the platform's usability, customization options, potential for community building and student engagement, course quality, and cost.

When comparing platform features, consider the type of media you intend to use in your course, as well as your preferred email service providers, list-building solutions, funnel tools, and Zapier. Furthermore, examine the platform's pricing structure and determine whether it aligns with your budget and revenue goals.

By evaluating platform features and pricing, you can make an informed decision and select the best online course platform for your unique needs and objectives.

Maximizing Success with Your Chosen Platform to Create Online Courses

Once you've chosen the great online course platform for your needs, it's time to maximize your success by following best practices and leveraging marketing and promotion strategies. By focusing on course creation best practices and employing effective marketing tools, you can increase the reach and impact of your online courses, driving revenue and furthering your educational mission.

In this section, we'll explore best practices for course creation and discuss how to employ marketing tools and digital marketing strategies to promote your courses and increase revenue.

Course Creation Best Practices

To ensure the success of your online course business, it's essential to adhere to learn to create courses by following the best practices. This includes selecting the appropriate platform, considering the needs of your target audience, and utilizing the necessary tools and features to generate engaging courses.

By focusing on quality course content and user-friendly design, you can create an optimal learning experience for your students and set the stage for long-term success.

Some best practices for creating courses include offering a variety of content types, such as videos, text, PDFs, quizzes, and surveys, to cater to different learning styles. Additionally, consider implementing features such as tests, quizzes, and subtitles to enhance the learning experience and ensure your course content is accessible and engaging.

By adhering to course creation best practices, you can maximize the success of your online course business and create a lasting impact on your students.

Marketing and Promotion Strategies

Effective marketing and promotion strategies are essential for driving revenue and increasing the reach of your online courses. One powerful strategy is to leverage paid ads, such as PPC (pay-per-click) campaigns on Google Ads or Facebook Ads, as a viable way to quickly generate results. When running PPC campaigns, it's crucial to ensure accurate targeting and direct ad traffic to high-converting landing pages to maximize your return on ad spend.

In addition to paid ads, many online course platforms provide built-in marketing tools to help you promote your courses and increase revenue. For instance, Teachable offers email marketing, affiliate marketing, and referral marketing capabilities.

Podia offers advanced email marketing capabilities. It also features unlimited subscribers, marketing funnels, triggered sequences, forms, and A/B testing. By utilizing these marketing tools and strategies, you can effectively promote your courses, grow your audience, and boost your revenue.

Lastly, consider employing automated email nurturing campaigns to increase engagement with your online course and ultimately lead to a sale. These campaigns can be established using email marketing software, which is integrated with all-in-one online course platforms such as Podia.

By combining effective marketing and promotion strategies with high-quality course content, you can maximize the success of your online course business and create a thriving educational community.

The Best Online Learning Platforms

In addition to online course platforms, there are also online learning platforms that focus on providing educational content rather than facilitating course creation and sales. These platforms, such as Udemy, Shaw Academy, Skillshare, Coursera, and Linkedin Learning, offer a wide variety of courses that cater to different learning preferences and educational needs.

In this section, we'll explore the unique features and benefits of each platform, helping you determine which online learning platform is the best fit for your educational journey.

Udemy

Udemy is a top choice for online learning, boasting a vast course selection, cutting-edge technology, and features such as tests, quizzes, and subtitles. With a focus on providing high-quality courses at affordable prices, Udemy has become a popular destination for learners seeking to expand their knowledge and skills.

One of Udemy's standout features is its expansive course selection, which spans a wide range of topics, including programming, design, marketing, and more. The platform also supports various content types, such as PDF documents, Powerpoint, text, and videos, making it suitable for learners with different preferences and learning styles.

In addition to its comprehensive course offerings, Udemy also provides a user-friendly interface and a responsive support team, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable learning experience for its users. With its extensive features, affordable pricing, and commitment to quality education, Udemy is a top choice for anyone looking to enhance their skills and knowledge through online learning.

Shaw Academy

Shaw Academy is an exceptional online learning platform that offers high-quality courses to thousands of students worldwide. With a focus on providing straightforward course content and end-of-module assessments, Shaw Academy ensures that its students have a clear understanding of the material and can demonstrate their mastery of the subject matter.

One of the key benefits of Shaw Academy is its commitment to making course content easily understandable and navigable, facilitating the learning process for students. By offering a range of courses that cater to different learning preferences and educational needs, Shaw Academy has established itself as a top choice for online learners seeking to expand their knowledge and skills.

Skillshare

Skillshare is the premier online learning platform for creative professionals, offering a wide range of courses in creative topics, business courses, web and technology, and lifestyle. As a subscription-based platform, Skillshare enables users to access an extensive library of courses and learn from experienced professionals in various fields.

One of Skillshare's main advantages is its strong focus on creative disciplines, making it an ideal choice for learners looking to enhance their skills in areas such as illustration, design, photography, and video production. With its user-friendly interface, vast course selection, and emphasis on creative learning, Skillshare is a top choice for anyone looking to develop their creative skills and talents.

Coursera

Coursera is an ideal choice for online learning, offering courses from renowned universities and organizations, such as Stanford, Yale, and Google. With its extensive course selection, prestigious university partnerships, and commitment to high-quality education, Coursera has become a popular destination for learners seeking to expand their knowledge and skills.

One of Coursera's standout features is its commitment to providing courses that result in recognized credentials, such as degrees, certificates, and other professional qualifications. This focus on providing valuable credentials sets Coursera apart from other online learning platforms and helps learners advance their education and careers.

In addition to its high-quality courses and credentials, Coursera also offers a user-friendly interface and a responsive support team, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable learning experience for its users. With its comprehensive offerings and focus on quality education, Coursera is an excellent choice for anyone looking to enhance their skills and knowledge through online learning.

Linkedin Learning

Linkedin Learning is the best choice for professional learning, offering a comprehensive selection of courses taught by experienced professionals. With a focus on providing relevant and up-to-date content that aligns with industry trends and demands, Linkedin Learning has become a popular destination for professionals looking to advance their careers and stay ahead in their field.

One of Linkedin Learning's main advantages is its integration with the Linkedin platform, allowing users to easily add completed courses and certifications to their Linkedin profiles. This integration helps learners showcase their accomplishments and increase their visibility to potential employers and networking opportunities.

In addition to its extensive course offerings and professional focus, Linkedin Learning also provides a user-friendly interface and responsive support team, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable learning experience for its users. With its commitment to quality education and professional development, Linkedin Learning is the top choice for professionals looking to enhance their skills and knowledge through online learning.

Online Course Platforms vs Online Learning Platforms: What is the Difference?

While both online course platforms and online learning platforms play a significant role in the world of online education, they differ in terms of their focus and purpose. Platforms for online course creation, such as Thinkific, Kajabi, and Teachable, are designed for creating, hosting, and selling online courses, providing educators and experts with the tools they need to share their knowledge and generate revenue.

On the other hand, online learning platforms, such as Udemy, Shaw Academy, Skillshare, Coursera, and Linkedin Learning, focus on providing educational content to learners. These platforms offer a wide variety of courses that cater to different learning preferences and educational needs, enabling users to access high-quality content and enhance their skills and knowledge.

By understanding the differences between online course platforms and online learning platforms, you can make an informed decision about which type of platform is best suited for your specific needs and goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I create an online course for free?

Creating an online course for free is possible by setting up a free account on an easy-to-use platform, getting a custom domain or URL, designing the website with your preferred colors, and using a course builder tool to create the content. With our guide, you can build your own online course with ease!

How do I create an online course?

Creating an online course can be daunting, but it doesn't have to be. By following these 10 steps, you can make sure your course is a success. Start by selecting the perfect topic and ensuring high market demand for your course idea.

Structure your modules and determine the most engaging delivery methods. Pre-sell your course and choose the right platform to put your course online. Finally, price your course and promote it to generate the desired sales.

Can you make money creating an online course?

Absolutely! With the right strategies in place, creating an online course can be a great way to earn extra income or even make a full-time living. The key is to plan ahead and make sure your course content meets the needs of your target audience.

With the right marketing and sales approach, you can set yourself up for success with a profitable online course business.

How to Create and Sell Online Courses: Summary

In conclusion, the world of online education offers a wealth of opportunities for both educators and learners. Choosing the right online course platform is crucial to the success of your online course business, and understanding the differences between online course platforms and online learning platforms can help you make an informed decision.

By evaluating factors such as pricing, features, scalability, and ease of use, you can select the platform that best aligns with your goals and target audience.

Whether you're an experienced educator looking to expand your reach or a skilled professional seeking to share your knowledge with the world, the right online course platform can make all the difference in turning your passion into a profitable venture.

With a wealth of platforms available, such as LearnWorlds, Podia, Thinkific, Kajabi, and Teachable, you're sure to find the perfect fit for your unique needs and goals. So, what are you waiting for? Dive into the world of online course platforms and unlock the potential of online education today!

Disclaimer: The above is a sponsored post, the views expressed are those of the sponsor/author and do not represent the stand and views of Outlook Editorial.