7 Best Online Course Platforms
When making the decision to sell your own online course, it's important to choose the best platform for your needs.
To help you find the best platform for your course, here are some options to consider.
7 Platforms to Consider for Your Online Course
Seven platforms that you can use to host your online course are Skillshare, Udemy, Thinkific, Podia, LearnWorlds, Kajabi, and Mighty Networks.
1. Skillshare
Skillshare is a community-driven platform known for its support for creative courses.
It provides a great platform for creative professionals who want to share their expertise with a passionate learning community.
Skillshare operates on a subscription model, giving students unlimited access to all courses.
This model may result in a steady stream of passive income, but it also means you're sharing revenue with other course creators.
It's easy to set up a course, and because Skillshare is responsible for marketing courses to its large user base, instructors can focus solely on content creation.
However, it's important to note that Skillshare's highly competitive platform may mean your course needs to stand out to gain attention.
2. Udemy
Udemy is a giant in the world of online course platforms, boasting a vast catalog of over 213,000 in multiple languages.
This platform offers an incredible opportunity for instructors to reach a global audience.
Unlike Skillshare, Udemy operates on a pay-per-course model, meaning you set your course price and earn revenue per sale, giving you more control over your earnings.
It's a user-friendly platform with robust features allowing for video, audio, PowerPoint presentations, PDFs, and even live classes.
However, while the large user base can be an advantage, it may also be a challenge due to the high level of competition.
Udemy often runs promotions, which can affect your course price and, ultimately, your revenue.
Instructors need to weigh Udemy's worldwide reach and comprehensive features against the competitive environment and promotional model when considering this platform.
3. Thinkific
Thinkific is a comprehensive platform that provides you with total control over your course design and pricing.
Known for its user-friendly interface, Thinkific allows you to create professional-looking courses with a variety of content types, including multimedia lectures, videos, surveys, quizzes, and discussions.
It supports a wide range of pricing options, from free and one-time payments to subscriptions and memberships.
Keep in mind that the plan you choose will affect your revenue share.
For example, if you choose a free plan, then the site takes 10% of your revenue and 0% on a paid one, so weigh the pros and cons of the different membership plans.
This platform also offers a powerful suite of marketing tools, helping you to effectively promote your course.
However, Thinkific doesn't have a built-in audience like Udemy or Skillshare, which means you're in charge of attracting students to your course.
This can be highly beneficial for established brands or influencers with a dedicated following, but it can be a challenge for new course creators.
4. Podia
Podia is a versatile platform that caters not only to online course creators but also to digital product sellers, making it an excellent choice for entrepreneurs with a diverse product range.
The platform provides a seamless course creation experience, combining your website and marketing all on one platform, making it easy for you to develop your brand on one platform.
Podia differentiates itself with a strong focus on community building, offering tools for course creators to enhance their courses, like tracking student progress and customer messaging.
You control your pricing and keep 100% of your sales with Podia with a paid subscription, minus payment processing fees. If you choose a free plan, Podia takes 8% on all transactions.
Podia doesn't have an in-built marketplace, meaning you're responsible for driving traffic to your course.
Additionally, its course design and quiz features are not as comprehensive as platforms like Thinkific or Udemy.
But if you're seeking a platform offering more than just course hosting, Podia's unique blend of features might be worth considering.
5. LearnWorlds
LearnWorlds' main feature that stands out is the fact that it's SCORM compliant.
This means that courses created on LearnWorlds can be integrated with learning management systems (LMS) used by schools and universities.
It also offers a wide range of interactive content options, such as video, audio, images, quizzes, surveys, and eBooks.
LearnWorlds has a strong focus on sales and marketing tools to help you promote your course, including customizable landing pages and email marketing campaigns.
However, LearnWorlds is one of the most expensive platforms on this list, with plans starting at $24 per month plus a commission fee for sales.
This may be a disadvantage for new instructors or those on a tight budget.
6. Kajabi
Like Podia, Kajabi positions itself as an all-in-one business platform, combining course creation, website building, email marketing, and customer management.
It offers a streamlined course creation process with the ability to add a variety of content formats, including videos, quizzes, and downloadable resources.
With Kajabi, you can create a fully branded, professional online presence without needing any technical skills.
The platform also offers advanced automation features to streamline your marketing and sales funnels, freeing up your time to focus on course content and student engagement.
Unlike other online course platforms, Kajabi doesn’t take a cut of the revenue, aside from payment processing fees.
However, these extensive features come with a higher price tag, starting at $149 per month, which may be a barrier for new course creators.
Despite the cost, Kajabi is a powerful platform for those looking to create, market, and sell their online course under one roof.
7. Mighty Networks
Mighty Networks is a multifaceted platform that allows course creators to build a community-centric learning environment.
Apart from hosting online courses, it places a focus on the formation of membership sites, online communities, and even event organization.
One of its unique selling points is the ability to create sub-groups within your community, facilitating more targeted interactions and discussions.
Its course creation features support various content types, including videos, articles, images, and downloads.
Like Thinkific and Podia, Mighty Networks does not come with a built-in audience, so instructors have to work on driving traffic to their courses.
However, its heavy emphasis on community-building can lead to higher student engagement and retention rates.
It's worth considering for those who envision their online course as part of a larger, interactive learning community.
Like Kajabi, pricing is on the higher side, with plans starting at $39 per month, potentially making it a less viable option for those on a tighter budget.
Wrapping Up: 7 Online Course Platforms for Your Online Course
There is no shortage of options when it comes to choosing a platform for hosting your online course.
Each platform offers unique features and caters to different types of course creators. Here are 7 options to consider for your course:
Skillshare
Udemy
Thinkific
Podia
LearnWorlds
Kajabi
Mighty Networks
Ultimately, the best platform for you will depend on your specific needs and goals as a course creator.
Do your research, weigh the pros and cons of each platform, and don't be afraid to try out different options before settling on one that suits you best.
Take a look at our articles on building your online course business.
