Choosing the right platform to host your online course is a critical decision that impacts sales, student engagement, and overall success.
Whether you are an entrepreneur, educator, or business owner, the ideal platform should offer a seamless learning experience, monetization options, and marketing tools.
This guide breaks down the best online course hosting platforms, comparing their features, pricing, and ideal use cases to help you choose the best option.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Course Platform
Not all platforms are created equal. Before selecting one, consider:
- Ease of Use – Does the platform require technical skills, or is it user-friendly?
- Course Customization – Can you design the course layout, branding, and user experience?
- Pricing and Fees – Are there monthly fees, transaction fees, or revenue-sharing models?
- Student Engagement Tools – Does it offer quizzes, certificates, discussion forums, or live classes?
- Monetization Options – Can you set pricing, subscriptions, and offer payment plans?
- Marketing Features – Are there built-in tools for email marketing, affiliate programs, or integrations?
- Customer Support – How responsive and helpful is their support team?
If you are still in the early stages of course creation, read this guide on building a profitable online course to ensure you have a strong foundation before selecting a platform.
1. Teachable – Best for Beginners and Course Creators Wanting Full Control
Why Choose Teachable?
Teachable is one of the most user-friendly platforms, making it easy to create, customize, and sell online courses without technical skills.
Key Features:
- Drag-and-drop course builder with custom branding
- Supports video, audio, PDFs, quizzes, and certificates
- Built-in sales pages, checkout, and affiliate marketing
- Advanced pricing options, including one-time fees, subscriptions, and payment plans
- Integrated email marketing tools and course analytics
Pricing:
- Free plan available with transaction fees
- Paid plans start at $39 per month, billed annually
- Transaction fees apply on lower-tier plans
Best For:
- Beginners who want an easy-to-use course platform
- Creators who prefer full control over branding and pricing
If you are considering different monetization strategies, read this guide on how to price your online course effectively before selecting a platform.
2. Thinkific – Best for Customization and Course Flexibility
Why Choose Thinkific?
Thinkific offers a highly customizable course-building experience, allowing you to create a unique learning platform.
Key Features:
- No transaction fees on paid plans
- Custom course website with a drag-and-drop builder
- Memberships, subscriptions, and student communities
- White-label options for complete branding control
- Built-in quizzes, surveys, and student certificates
Pricing:
- Free plan available with limited features
- Paid plans start at $49 per month, billed annually
Best For:
- Coaches, educators, and entrepreneurs who want a branded course website
- Businesses looking for scalable membership sites
3. Kajabi – Best All-in-One Platform for Marketing and Automation
Why Choose Kajabi?
Kajabi is a premium all-in-one platform designed for serious course creators who need advanced marketing, email automation, and sales funnels.
Key Features:
- Website, blog, and landing page builder
- Email marketing, automation, and sales funnels
- Membership sites, subscriptions, and coaching programs
- Mobile app for student access
- No third-party integrations needed since everything is built-in
Pricing:
- No free plan
- Paid plans start at $149 per month, billed annually
Best For:
- Entrepreneurs and businesses looking for a complete marketing suite
- Course creators who want to automate sales and student engagement
If you plan to pre-sell your online course before launching, read this guide on pre-selling strategies to validate demand before committing to a platform.
4. Udemy – Best for Reaching a Large Audience Without Marketing
Why Choose Udemy?
Udemy is one of the largest online course marketplaces, offering access to millions of students worldwide.
Key Features:
- Built-in audience makes it easier to get students
- No upfront costs, only pay when you make sales
- Course hosting, quizzes, and certificates included
- Passive income potential if courses rank well
Pricing and Revenue Model:
- Free to join, but Udemy takes 50 percent of course sales if students come from their marketplace
- Pricing is heavily discounted, which may lower course value
Best For:
- Beginners who want to test course ideas without upfront costs
- Creators who do not want to handle their own marketing
5. Podia – Best for Selling Digital Products and Memberships
Why Choose Podia?
Podia is simple and affordable, designed for creators selling courses, memberships, and digital downloads.
Key Features:
- Sell courses, memberships, and digital downloads in one place
- Built-in email marketing and sales pages
- No transaction fees on paid plans
- Supports live webinars and coaching
Pricing:
- No free plan
- Paid plans start at $39 per month
Best For:
- Creators who sell multiple digital products, including courses, eBooks, and memberships
- Entrepreneurs who need a simple, no-frills platform
6. Skillshare – Best for Creators Who Want a Subscription-Based Model
Why Choose Skillshare?
Skillshare operates on a subscription-based model where students pay a monthly fee for unlimited course access.
Key Features:
- Access to millions of students through their marketplace
- Best suited for short-form courses in creative skills
- Earn based on watch time instead of course sales
Pricing and Revenue Model:
- Free to join
- No course pricing control since revenue depends on student engagement
Best For:
- Creative professionals in design, photography, writing, and art
- Instructors who want passive income through royalties
7. Mighty Networks – Best for Community-Based Learning
Why Choose Mighty Networks?
Mighty Networks is perfect for creating online communities alongside courses and memberships.
Key Features:
- Combines courses, forums, and memberships in one platform
- Custom mobile app for students
- Built-in event hosting for live training
Pricing:
- No free plan
- Paid plans start at $39 per month
Best For:
- Coaches and educators who prioritize community engagement
- Course creators who want to build a learning community
Comparison of Online Course Platforms
| Platform | Best For | Free Plan | Pricing Starts At | Unique Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teachable | Beginners, full control | Yes | $39/month | Easy-to-use course builder |
| Thinkific | Customization, memberships | Yes | $49/month | No transaction fees |
| Kajabi | Advanced marketing and automation | No | $149/month | All-in-one marketing tools |
| Udemy | Large audience, no upfront costs | Yes | Revenue share | Marketplace exposure |
| Podia | Selling multiple digital products | No | $39/month | Sell courses and downloads |
| Skillshare | Creatives, passive income | Yes | Royalties-based | Subscription model |
| Mighty Networks | Community-based learning | No | $39/month | Membership and course combo |
Final Thoughts
The best online course hosting platform depends on your goals and business model.
Teachable or Thinkific are good choices for course creation and branding control.
Kajabi is best for all-in-one marketing and automation.
Udemy or Skillshare are ideal if you do not want to handle marketing.
Podia or Mighty Networks work well for memberships and community-based learning.
Selecting the right platform ensures higher student engagement, increased sales, and long-term success in the online course industry.
