The world of online course builders has seen an incredible boom, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. With over 100 million students now enrolling in open online courses, it’s clear that learning through digital platforms is here to stay. This shift has opened up a wealth of opportunities for entrepreneurs, educators, and professionals looking to share their expertise and create a lasting impact in the e-learning space.
The e-learning industry itself is thriving, with projections showing it could reach a net worth of $50 billion by 2026. It’s no wonder so many individuals are eager to dive into this growing market. However, while the potential for success is enormous, many are unsure of where to begin. Developing a successful online course might seem daunting at first, but with the right tools and guidance, anyone can tap into this profitable venture.
Whether you’re looking to teach a skill, share knowledge in your field, or simply monetize your passion, this guide is designed to help you navigate the process. We’ll explore the best online course builders available today, helping you find the perfect platform to suit your niche, budget, and goals. By the end of this guide, you’ll be ready to create and launch your own online course, providing you with a steady stream of passive income while sharing valuable knowledge with the world.
Best Online Course Builders of 2024
Selling courses online has become one of the most flexible and accessible ways to either supplement or completely replace your income. Whether you’re an expert in a specific field, a passionate hobbyist, or a professional with valuable skills to share, the online course industry offers a great opportunity to monetize your knowledge.
However, success in this field is not only about having great content—it’s also about how well you can present and deliver it to your audience. The platform you choose to create, market, and sell your courses plays a huge role in determining your success. A powerful, user-friendly course builder can make the difference between a smooth, efficient course launch and a frustrating, unsuccessful one.
When it comes to building and selling courses online, the quality of the platform matters just as much as the course content itself. Research shows that the best learning management systems (LMS) for online courses prioritize features that put students first, like:
Student-Centered Features
Effective platforms are designed with the learner in mind, ensuring that students have a seamless and enjoyable experience. This includes intuitive navigation, a clean and organized interface, and clear, easy-to-follow course materials.
Easy Access to Resources
The best LMS platforms allow both course creators and students to access resources effortlessly. This includes features like automatic content delivery, downloadable materials, and a well-organized course structure. For students, having easy access to videos, quizzes, and assignments ensures they can learn at their own pace without unnecessary roadblocks.
Prioritizing Accessibility
Inclusivity is key when building your online course. A good course builder will offer tools to make your course accessible to all, including those with disabilities. This might include screen reader compatibility, closed captioning for videos, and the ability to adjust font sizes or color contrast for readability.
Asynchronous Learning Optimization
While live classes are great, not all students can attend at set times. Platforms that are optimized for asynchronous learning allow learners to access materials anytime, anywhere. This means you can cater to a global audience with varying schedules and help students learn at their own pace, offering a flexible learning experience.
The online course builders listed below incorporate these features and more, ensuring that you can create a course that is not only educational but also engaging and user-friendly. These platforms provide all the tools you need to build your course, market it to the right audience, and scale your e-learning business for continued success. With the right platform, you can make your course-building journey much smoother and more effective, helping you grow your online business quickly and efficiently.
1. Thinkific: A Comprehensive Online Course Builder
Thinkific is one of the top platforms for creating and selling online courses, used by over 1.5 million learners across 190 countries. Known for its user-friendly interface, flexible features, and affordability, Thinkific caters to both beginners and experienced course creators. It offers everything you need to create, market, and manage your courses, allowing you to build a professional online learning platform quickly.
Thinkific Features: Tailored for Every Educator
Thinkific isn’t just a course creation tool—it’s a full-featured learning management system (LMS) that supports educators throughout the entire course creation and selling process.
1. User-Friendly Student Experience
Thinkific prioritizes a seamless learning experience. It ensures your course content is accessible and engaging across devices, with features like progress tracking, performance indicators, and certificates of completion. This helps students stay motivated and informed as they move through your course.
2. Easy-to-Use Course Builder
Creating courses on Thinkific is straightforward, even for beginners. The platform offers customizable curriculum templates, allowing you to create interactive videos, quizzes, webinars, and assignments with ease. You can design courses that fit your unique teaching style and keep students engaged.
3. Time-Saving Automation Tools
Thinkific helps you automate time-consuming tasks such as email notifications, content delivery schedules, and student enrollments. These features allow you to focus on creating content while the platform handles the administrative work.
4. Customizable Branding and Website Design
Thinkific enables you to create a fully branded site in just a few minutes. You can customize the look of your site, add e-commerce features, create custom landing pages, and even use a free custom domain to make your course website truly your own.
5. Marketing Tools to Grow Your Course
Thinkific includes robust marketing features like SEO optimization, email integrations, and sales widgets. You can offer upsells, bundles, coupons, and free trials to attract more students. It also provides detailed metrics to track sales performance and student engagement, helping you refine your marketing strategies.
6. Community and Support
Thinkific’s Studio for Online Course Creators community is a valuable resource for connecting with other course creators, sharing insights, and learning new strategies. The platform also offers excellent customer support through email, live chat, and a detailed help center with tutorials and guides.
7. Robust Security
Your course content and student data are safe with Thinkific’s top-notch security measures, including 99.99% server uptime, SSL encryption, and daily backups. You can trust that your content and student information will remain secure.
Thinkific: Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| User-Friendly: Easy for beginners to create and manage courses. | Transaction Fees on Lower Plans: The Free and Basic plans include transaction fees. |
| Comprehensive Features: Offers tools for course creation, marketing, and automation. | Advanced Features on Higher Plans: Some features are only available on more expensive plans. |
| Customization: Fully customizable websites and course designs. | Learning Curve for Some Tools: Some advanced tools may require time to learn. |
| Community Support: Access to an active network of course creators. | |
| Security: Reliable data protection and security features. |
Thinkific Pricing
Thinkific offers several pricing plans to suit different needs:
- Free Plan: Provides basic course creation tools with limited features.
- Basic Plan ($39/month): Includes additional customization and marketing tools.
- Pro Plan ($79/month): Offers advanced features for growing businesses.
- Premium Plan ($399/month): Designed for large institutions with multiple admins.
Bottom Line: Should You Choose Thinkific?
Thinkific is a powerful, user-friendly platform for creating, marketing, and selling online courses. Its flexibility, ease of use, and strong customer support make it a great choice for course creators at all levels. Whether you’re just starting out or running a larger business, Thinkific’s range of features and pricing options cater to diverse needs. If you’re looking for an all-in-one course creation tool that’s easy to use and customizable, Thinkific is an excellent choice.
2. Kajabi: The All-in-One Platform for Online Courses on and Business Growth
Kajabi is an all-in-one platform designed to help entrepreneurs and educators create, market, and sell online courses and digital products. Initially designed for coaches, Kajabi has evolved into a versatile platform used by a wide range of online service providers. It offers tools to build a branded website, create and manage courses, and implement high-quality marketing strategies—all from a single platform. Although its interface may take a little time to learn, Kajabi’s robust features and expert support make it a popular choice for growing businesses.
Kajabi Features: Everything You Need in One Place
Kajabi stands out as a comprehensive platform that eliminates the need for third-party tools, offering a range of integrated features to run your entire business from course creation to marketing and sales.
1. Comprehensive Course Builder
Kajabi’s course builder is designed to be flexible and powerful, allowing you to create courses that cater to different learning styles. You can easily structure your curriculum with videos, quizzes, assignments, and digital downloads, customizing each course to suit your needs.
2. All-in-One Platform
Kajabi markets itself as the only platform you’ll need for managing your online business. From your course content to your marketing and sales, everything is integrated. This means you won’t have to juggle multiple tools and platforms to run your business. You can manage your courses, website, blog, podcast, and community all within Kajabi.
3. Scalable Website Builder
Kajabi offers a scalable website builder with customizable templates that allow you to create a fully branded website. You can optimize your site for SEO, ensuring that it’s easy for prospective students to find. As your business grows, Kajabi’s website builder adapts to your needs, giving you flexibility for future expansion.
4. Advanced Marketing Tools
Kajabi includes a suite of marketing tools to help you attract and retain students. You can create custom landing pages, sales funnels, and email campaigns, all designed to optimize conversions. The platform also provides built-in tools for capturing contact information and tracking your marketing efforts.
5. Sales Features
Kajabi integrates with Stripe and PayPal, making it easy to process payments. You can offer one-click upsells, run promotions, provide coupons, and set up flexible payment plans. With these tools, you can boost your sales and increase your course conversions without relying on third-party payment processors.
6. Automation for Business Efficiency
Kajabi offers powerful automation tools to streamline your business operations. With automated email sequences, funnels, and drip content, you can keep students engaged and nurture leads without needing to manually manage every step of the process.
7. Kajabi University
Kajabi University is a rich resource of educational content, including webinars, courses, and how-to guides. It’s a great way for new users to learn the ropes and get up to speed with course creation, marketing, and business strategies.
8. Excellent Customer Support
Kajabi offers 24/7 chat support, phone support, and one-on-one coaching with Kajabi experts. Additionally, the platform has an active community of digital entrepreneurs where you can share insights, ask questions, and learn from others.
Kajabi: Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| All-in-One Platform: No need for third-party tools; everything you need is in one place. | Higher Price: Kajabi’s pricing is higher than many competitors. |
| Customizable Course Builder: Flexible and easy-to-use course creation tools. | Learning Curve: The platform’s interface can be complex for beginners. |
| Scalable Website Builder: Build and scale your website as your business grows. | Limited Plan Features: Some features are only available on higher-tier plans. |
| Powerful Marketing Tools: Includes email campaigns, landing pages, and sales funnels. | No Free Plan: Kajabi doesn’t offer a free plan for new users to try. |
| Automation Features: Automate repetitive tasks like email sequences and content delivery. | |
| 24/7 Support: Access to round-the-clock customer service and expert coaching. |
Kajabi Pricing
Kajabi offers three main pricing plans to suit different business sizes and needs:
- Kajabi Basic Plan ($119/month): Includes up to 3 products, 10,000 contacts, and 1,000 community members.
- Kajabi Growth Plan ($159/month): Allows up to 15 products, 25,000 contacts, and 10,000 community members.
- Kajabi Pro Plan ($315/month): Provides up to 100 products, 100,000 contacts, and additional advanced features for larger businesses.
While Kajabi’s pricing may be on the higher end, it offers a lot of value for the price, especially considering the platform includes everything you need to create and sell online courses without needing additional software.
Bottom Line: Should You Choose Kajabi?
Kajabi is a robust, all-in-one platform that makes it easy to build, market, and sell online courses and other digital products. If you’re looking for a solution that consolidates all your business needs—website, marketing, sales, and course creation—into one platform, Kajabi is an excellent choice. Though it may require a learning curve and is on the pricier side, its comprehensive features and top-tier customer support make it a powerful tool for those serious about growing their online business.
3. Udemy: A Popular E-Learning Marketplace for Course Creators
Udemy is one of the largest online learning platforms, offering a massive marketplace for course creators to sell video-based courses on a wide variety of subjects. With millions of learners globally, Udemy provides a flexible environment for instructors to share their knowledge while earning income. Whether you’re a novice teacher or looking to create a side business, Udemy offers an accessible and user-friendly platform to build and sell courses.
Udemy Features: Ideal for New Educators and Entrepreneurs
As one of the most popular platforms in the online course industry, Udemy serves a diverse range of professionals. Although it doesn’t offer as many advanced features as other platforms, it’s perfect for those looking for a straightforward and efficient way to create and sell courses.
1. Easiest and Fastest Course Builder
Udemy doesn’t require you to create a website, which makes it a great option for beginners. The platform provides an intuitive, easy-to-follow course creation process, and a detailed onboarding system helps you set up your courses quickly. Whether you’re tech-savvy or not, Udemy’s simplified course builder ensures a smooth start.
2. Course Design and Editing Tools
Udemy offers basic design and video editing tools that make it easy for course creators to produce high-quality, engaging content. With features that allow you to add text, video, and quizzes, you can create professional courses with minimal technical skills. You’ll be able to design courses that are visually appealing and easy to follow.
3. High-Quality Student Experience
The platform is known for its user-friendly interface and accessibility. Students can easily navigate through courses, which are available on various devices such as smartphones, tablets, and desktops. Each course typically consists of videos that are over 30 minutes long, along with supplementary resources. Udemy also allows students and instructors to communicate directly via the messaging tool.
4. Marketing Tools
Udemy offers a robust suite of marketing tools designed to help you optimize your course sales. The Marketplace Insights tool helps you track your course’s performance, giving you detailed data on how your course is doing in the marketplace. This information allows you to fine-tune your marketing strategy and improve your course visibility.
5. Udemy Teaching Center
Udemy’s Teaching Center is an incredible resource for new and experienced instructors alike. It offers valuable articles, how-to guides, and lessons on everything from setting up your account to optimizing your course for better sales. You can also access tips and strategies to increase student engagement and improve your course’s performance.
6. Affiliate Marketing Options
Udemy makes it simple to partner with affiliates who will promote your courses on their websites or through other channels. This can help you increase your course sales and reach a wider audience. You earn a commission from each sale made through affiliate marketing, providing an additional revenue stream.
7. Unlimited Courses and Lessons
Udemy allows you to create as many courses and lessons as you like, making it an excellent choice for instructors who want to offer a variety of subjects. While Udemy takes a percentage of the revenue, the platform gives you complete control over how many courses you create and sell.
Udemy: Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| No Setup Fees: Udemy doesn’t charge instructors to sell courses. | Revenue Share Model: Udemy takes a percentage of the sales revenue, which can lower profits. |
| Quick Course Creation: The platform’s easy-to-use tools and onboarding process make it fast to get started. | Limited Customization: Compared to other platforms, Udemy offers fewer customization options for your course branding. |
| Large Audience: Udemy has millions of students globally, increasing your chances of course success. | Instructor Competition: Due to the high number of courses, it can be challenging to stand out. |
| Marketing Resources: The Marketplace Insights tool helps you optimize your course sales. | Control Over Pricing: Udemy determines the pricing of your courses and often runs discounts, reducing your control over pricing strategies. |
| Affiliate Marketing: You can partner with affiliates to promote your courses. |
Udemy Pricing
Udemy doesn’t charge instructors upfront to list courses. However, it operates on a revenue share model, which means Udemy takes a percentage of each sale. Here’s how it works:
- Instructor Revenue Share: Udemy claims that 3% of sales happen through instructor promotions, while 63% come from organic sales (sales without affiliate codes or promotions).
- Udemy’s revenue share varies, typically taking a significant portion of sales if students purchase via Udemy’s own marketing channels or discounts.
Bottom Line: Is Udemy Right for You?
Udemy is an excellent choice for aspiring course creators, especially those looking for a simple and quick platform to sell their courses without the need for advanced technical skills. Its ease of use, marketing tools, and global audience make it a great option for beginners, while the revenue share model offers a way to generate income from your knowledge. However, the platform’s limited customization and revenue share may not be ideal for everyone, especially those seeking more control over pricing and branding.
4. Teachable: A Flexible and Affordable Online Course Builder
Teachable is a popular online course platform designed for entrepreneurs, content creators, and small service providers. Known for its affordability, flexibility, and diverse set of features, Teachable allows course creators to design and sell online courses without a steep learning curve. The platform offers a free plan with paid-level benefits, making it an attractive option for new course creators looking to keep costs low while still accessing powerful tools.
Teachable Features: Comprehensive and Customizable
Teachable stands out for its flexibility, offering a wide range of features that cater to different course creation needs. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced educator, Teachable’s platform can help you build and market your courses efficiently.
1. Easy-to-Use Course Builder
Teachable’s drag-and-drop course builder is one of its biggest strengths. It allows you to create a website and add courses from a simple, centralized dashboard. You can upload unlimited videos, files, quizzes, and articles, giving you flexibility in course design. The platform supports multiple learning formats, including live webinars and on-demand courses, allowing you to create the learning experience that suits you and your students best.
2. Student-Friendly Features
Teachable emphasizes the student experience by offering scheduling tools, easy enrollment options, and clear communication features. You can also reward students with completion certificates, which can boost engagement and serve as a valuable incentive to finish courses.
3. Affiliate Marketing Tools
One of Teachable’s standout features is its affiliate marketing options. You can create an affiliate program to promote your courses or even earn commissions by promoting other course creators’ content. This opens up new avenues for marketing and growing your course business.
4. Strong Marketing Tools
Teachable comes with essential marketing tools to help you promote your courses. You can design custom course landing pages, integrate payment gateways like Stripe and PayPal for immediate payouts, and create one-click upsells and course bundles. Additionally, you can set up promotions to attract new students or encourage existing ones to purchase more courses.
5. Award-Winning Support
Teachable’s support team is available 24/7 through live chat and phone support. The platform also provides a comprehensive knowledge base, FAQ section, and other resources to help you navigate any challenges you encounter while building or managing your courses.
6. Teachable U
For those looking to enhance their teaching and business skills, Teachable offers Teachable U, an online training platform. Teachable U provides valuable courses for creators, covering topics like course creation, business management, and content strategies. This can help you take your course-building skills to the next level.
Teachable: Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| User-Friendly: Drag-and-drop interface makes course creation easy. | Higher Transaction Fees on Free Plan: The Free Plan includes higher transaction fees. |
| Customization: Highly customizable landing pages, course formats, and affiliate programs. | Limited Features on Free Plan: Some advanced tools and features are unavailable unless you upgrade. |
| Affiliate Marketing: Ability to promote courses or earn commissions through affiliate marketing. | Higher Price on Advanced Plans: The Pro and Business Plans may be expensive for smaller course creators. |
| Comprehensive Support: 24/7 support and a knowledge base for troubleshooting. | |
| Teachable U: Access to business and course creation training for creators. |
Teachable Pricing
Teachable offers a range of pricing plans with options to suit different needs:
- Free Plan: Host unlimited students and courses, but with higher transaction fees and fewer features.
- Basic Plan ($39/month): Includes automation features, coupon codes, bundle options, and private community features.
- Pro Plan ($119/month): Offers advanced marketing tools, unlimited courses, and no transaction fees.
- Business Plan ($299/month): Ideal for larger businesses, supporting up to 20 administrators and offering bulk enrollments and additional customization options.
Bottom Line: Should You Choose Teachable?
Teachable is a great option for course creators who want a flexible, customizable platform at an affordable price. Its range of features—from course creation tools to affiliate marketing—makes it a versatile choice for educators at all levels. The platform’s emphasis on a student-friendly experience and strong support ensures that you can focus on creating valuable content while Teachable takes care of the technical and administrative tasks. If you’re looking for an easy-to-use, cost-effective platform to sell your courses, Teachable is definitely worth considering.
5. Skool: A Dynamic All-in-One Course Builder and Community Management Platform
Skool is an emerging platform designed for coaches, educators, and e-learning entrepreneurs to build courses and manage vibrant communities. Developed by Sam Ovens, an online entrepreneur, Skool aims to address gaps in traditional course-building tools, offering a streamlined experience for both course creators and students. Whether you are creating engaging lessons or fostering a dynamic community, Skool helps simplify the process with customization options that enhance engagement, visibility, and sales.
Skool Features: Optimized for Course Creators and Communities
Skool’s platform stands out due to its unique focus on combining course creation with community management. Despite being a newer player in the market, it provides several notable features that cater to course creators and community-driven businesses.
1. Simple Course Creation
Skool simplifies the process of building and managing courses with a pre-configured curriculum template. This template allows you to easily upload videos, descriptions, links, files, and transcripts to each module. While it doesn’t provide embedded video hosting or advanced assessment tools, it’s still an effective way to deliver organized and structured content to your learners.
2. Community Management Tools
One of Skool’s standout features is its focus on community building. Rather than being just a course platform, it also functions as a community hub. With Skool, you can create a personalized community where your students can interact, post content, and engage with you directly. This sense of community fosters deeper connections and enhances the learning experience.
3. Gamification Features
Skool incorporates gamification to encourage engagement and boost motivation within your community. Community members can earn points for posting, commenting, and engaging with content, which adds an element of fun and encourages active participation. This feature also helps increase visibility as frequent engagement can result in direct recognition within the platform.
4. Calendar Integration
Skool offers a calendar feature that allows you to display upcoming events such as calls, webinars, and coaching sessions. This tool automatically converts to your members’ time zones, making it easy for everyone to stay on top of important dates and events.
Skool: Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy to Use: Simple course creation and community setup process. | Limited Assessment Features: Lacks advanced testing or embedded video hosting. |
| Community Focus: Strong emphasis on building an engaged and interactive community. | No Advanced Customization: Fewer customization options compared to other platforms. |
| Gamification: Engaging points system encourages active participation. | New Platform: As a newer tool, it may lack some features offered by established platforms. |
| Calendar Integration: Automatically adjusts event times for your members’ time zones. |
Skool Pricing
Skool offers a straightforward pricing model with only one plan available:
- $99/month: This price gives you access to all of Skool’s features, including course creation, community management tools, and the gamification system. You can also try out the platform with a 14-day free trial, which allows you to explore all of its features before committing.
Bottom Line: Is Skool the Right Choice for You?
Skool is an excellent option for course creators who want a platform that combines course building with community engagement. Its simplicity, ease of use, and unique features like gamification and community management make it a strong choice for those who value interactivity and direct student engagement. However, if you’re looking for advanced course assessment tools or highly customizable course designs, Skool may fall short in those areas. Nonetheless, for those looking to foster an active, engaged learning community, Skool offers an innovative solution at a reasonable price point.
6. Podia: A Flexible All-in-One Course Creation Platform
Podia is an all-in-one platform designed for content creators who want to easily create, market, and sell online courses, digital products, and services. With its affordable pricing and focus on user experience, Podia stands out as an ideal solution for coaches, educators, and digital service professionals. It combines essential tools for course creation, marketing, and business scaling into one easy-to-use platform.
Podia Features: Streamlined for Ease and Growth
Podia focuses on providing a seamless experience for creators. Whether you’re starting out or looking to grow your business, Podia offers features that help you manage your courses, clients, and marketing efforts without breaking the bank.
1. Easy and Fast Course Builder
Podia’s intuitive course builder allows you to create and launch your courses in minutes. You can easily upload videos, PDFs, and other course materials directly to the platform. Whether you want to offer webinars, digital downloads, or coaching sessions, Podia provides a simple, all-in-one solution.
2. Unlimited Courses and Products
Unlike many other platforms, Podia allows you to create unlimited courses and digital products. You also get unlimited storage and bandwidth, ensuring you won’t run into issues as your business grows and you expand your offerings.
3. Easy Third-Party Integrations
Podia makes it easy to integrate with a variety of third-party tools. You can connect email service providers, payment gateways, and data analytics tools, giving you more flexibility to scale your business while keeping everything under one roof.
4. No Transaction Fees
One of Podia’s biggest advantages is that it doesn’t charge transaction fees on any revenue generated through the platform. While other course platforms often take a percentage of your sales, Podia’s pricing structure ensures you keep 100% of your earnings once you subscribe to a paid plan.
5. Pre-Launch Mode
Podia offers a pre-launch feature that lets you build and customize your course site before committing to a paid plan. This means you can focus on creating content and building your audience without worrying about upfront costs or transaction fees.
6. Built-In Learning Features
Podia includes essential learning tools like quizzes and certificates, which you can offer your students to enhance their learning experience. These features help keep students engaged and motivated while completing your courses.
7. Affiliate Marketing Program
For those looking to grow their reach, Podia’s advanced pricing plans include an affiliate marketing program. This feature allows you to recruit affiliates to promote your courses and products, helping to expand your brand’s visibility and increase sales.
Podia: Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Affordable: Competitive pricing with no transaction fees on paid plans. | Limited Features on Free Plan: The free plan charges 8% transaction fees and only includes basic features. |
| All-in-One Platform: Includes course creation, marketing, and coaching tools in one place. | Basic Analytics: The built-in analytics may not be as advanced as other platforms. |
| Unlimited Content: No limits on courses, storage, or bandwidth. | Affiliate Program on Higher Tiers: The affiliate marketing feature is only available on higher-priced plans. |
| Pre-Launch Mode: You can build your site and courses before committing to a paid plan. | Lack of Advanced Customization: While the platform is easy to use, it might not offer as many customization options for advanced users. |
| Ease of Use: Simple and quick course setup, ideal for beginners. |
Podia Pricing
Podia offers four pricing plans to meet the needs of different course creators:
- Free Plan: Includes basic features with 8% transaction fees.
- Mover Plan ($33/month): No transaction fees and access to unlimited downloads, coaching, and courses.
- Shaker Plan ($75/month): Adds an affiliate marketing program for expanded reach.
- Earthquaker Plan ($166/month): Includes priority support, onboarding calls, and monthly coaching for more advanced support.
Bottom Line: Is Podia Right for You?
Podia is a great option for content creators looking for an easy-to-use, all-in-one platform to build and sell online courses, digital products, and coaching services. It offers excellent value with its flexible pricing plans, unlimited content options, and no transaction fees on paid plans. While it might not have the deep customization options or advanced analytics that other platforms offer, its simplicity and affordability make it a great choice for creators at any stage. If you’re looking for a straightforward platform with all the essential tools for scaling your business, Podia is worth considering.
7. Learnworlds: A Dynamic Online Course Builder
Learnworlds may not be as widely recognized as other platforms, but it offers a range of unique features that make it stand out in the online course creation space. What sets Learnworlds apart is its interactive video feature, allowing course creators to build engaging, high-quality video content that can captivate learners. Additionally, the platform provides a variety of learning tools and customization options that you won’t find on many other course-building platforms.
Learnworlds Features: Tailored for Engaged Learning
Learnworlds offers a suite of specialized features designed to enhance the learning experience for both educators and students.
1. Comprehensive Course Builder
Creating courses on Learnworlds is straightforward. The platform provides access to a wide range of learning tools and templates to help you start building your courses quickly. You can create interactive videos with embedded quizzes, polls, and questions to enhance engagement. The flexibility of the course builder allows you to design a learning experience that fits your teaching style and the needs of your students.
2. Embedded Video Hosting
One of Learnworlds’ standout features is the ability to host videos directly on the platform. Whether you’re hosting webinars, live coaching sessions, or simply embedding course videos, Learnworlds provides robust video hosting and integration options. You can even use third-party video conferencing tools if preferred, offering flexibility for different teaching formats.
3. Unique Learning Tools
Learnworlds offers a diverse set of tools that enable you to create a highly interactive and personalized learning environment. From embedding audio, videos, and forms, to offering quizzes, certificates, exams, assignments, and slide sharing, Learnworlds makes it easy to deliver a variety of learning activities. These features help keep students engaged and allow you to assess their progress in multiple ways.
4. Networking Tools for Community Building
Learnworlds makes it easy to foster a sense of community around your courses. You can create spaces where your students can connect with each other, ask questions, share insights, and support each other. This social-first approach to learning is particularly beneficial for courses focusing on professional skills or entrepreneurial ventures, where networking and collaboration can enhance the learning process.
5. Creator Resources and Support
Learnworlds offers various resources to support course creators. The platform provides a question bank to help you design assessments, along with expert support available via chat, phone, or email. In addition to these features, Learnworlds also offers a blog, frequent training sessions, and free eBooks and checklists to guide you through the course creation process, making it easier for you to create successful and engaging courses.
Learnworlds: Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Interactive Video Features: Standout interactive videos that engage learners. | Higher Price for Advanced Features: The most useful features are only available on higher-tier plans. |
| Comprehensive Course Tools: Multiple learning tools, including quizzes, certificates, and assignments. | Learning Curve: New users may find it takes some time to fully master all the features. |
| Community Building: Networking tools for creating a community around your courses. | Limited Support on Lower Plans: Some support options are restricted to higher plans. |
| Creator Resources: Access to blogs, checklists, and training to help you create great courses. | |
| Video Hosting: No need for third-party video hosting tools. |
Learnworlds Pricing
Learnworlds offers four pricing plans to suit various needs, along with a 30-day trial to help you test the platform before committing.
- Starter Plan ($24/month): A budget-friendly option for novice course creators, offering basic features and limited support.
- Pro Trainer Plan ($79/month): Ideal for professional trainers, offering most of the essential features needed to run a successful e-learning business.
- Learning Center Plan ($249/month): Offers unlimited 24/7 support and eliminates transaction fees, perfect for growing businesses.
- High Volume & Corporate Plans: Available by request for large-scale or corporate clients.
Bottom Line: Is Learnworlds Right for You?
Learnworlds is an excellent choice for course creators who value interactive content and community building. Its standout interactive video feature, combined with diverse learning tools, makes it a unique platform for delivering an engaging learning experience. However, the higher-tier features come with a cost, and new users may need some time to become familiar with the platform. If you’re looking for a dynamic and flexible online course builder that prioritizes interactivity and community, Learnworlds is definitely worth considering.
8. Mighty Networks: A Social-Centric Platform for Building Online Communities and Courses
Mighty Networks is a unique platform designed for creators who prioritize community engagement and building long-term relationships with their audience. It is a cloud-based solution that enables users to create social-driven online courses and communities with a focus on communication, interactivity, and data protection. The platform helps you build a loyal client base by combining course creation with the power of social networks, without compromising on customer privacy.
If you want to foster a sense of community while offering valuable content, Mighty Networks might be the perfect fit for you.
Mighty Networks Features: Designed for Engagement
Mighty Networks is built around the concept of creating a thriving online community. Its features are tailored to help you connect with your audience, deliver interactive courses, and build a strong brand presence.
1. Cloud-Based Community Builder
At the heart of Mighty Networks is its community-building functionality. You can set your own privacy settings, create sub-groups within your community, and engage your members in meaningful ways. Features like polls and questions help gather feedback and keep the community engaged with your content. You can publish across various formats and create a space that truly reflects your brand and values.
2. Simple Course Creation
Mighty Networks offers an intuitive, drag-and-drop course builder, making it easy to add and organize course content. You can upload files up to 25 MB and integrate videos from platforms like Vimeo. This streamlined process lets you focus on delivering great content while the platform takes care of the logistics.
3. Time-Saving Automation
Mighty Networks includes automation tools that make running your community and courses easier. You can set up drip schedules for course content, ensuring that students progress at the right pace. Additionally, the platform automatically generates landing pages for your courses and can even handle membership cancellations in the case of failed payments. This functionality reduces manual tasks and enhances the efficiency of your business.
4. Membership Site Features
As a membership-focused platform, Mighty Networks makes it easy to create a subscription-based community where you can generate recurring income. Members can personalize their accounts, join sub-groups, and engage directly with one another. This creates a sense of belonging and strengthens the bond between you and your community.
5. Flexible Payment Options
Mighty Networks gives you flexibility in how you charge for access to your courses, membership, and sub-groups. You can choose whether to charge a one-time fee, offer a subscription model, or set up tiered pricing for different levels of access. This gives you complete control over your revenue streams and business model.
6. Mobile Accessibility
The Mighty Networks mobile app allows you to manage your business and community from anywhere, making it an excellent option for entrepreneurs on the go. Additionally, the platform is optimized for mobile and tablet users, so your students can easily access your content while traveling.
Mighty Networks: Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Community-Focused: The platform’s social-centric design fosters stronger engagement with students. | Limited Customization: While it offers basic design tools, it may not be as flexible as other platforms for advanced customization. |
| Mobile-Friendly: Both creators and students can engage with the platform via a mobile app, offering flexibility on the go. | Higher Price Points: Compared to other platforms, Mighty Networks’ pricing can be steeper for beginners. |
| Easy Course Creation: The drag-and-drop functionality makes it simple for anyone to create courses. | Limited Features on Lower Plans: Some advanced tools are only available on the higher-tier plans. |
| Membership Site Options: Monetize through memberships, sub-groups, or courses with flexible pricing models. | No Built-In Email Marketing: Mighty Networks doesn’t include advanced email marketing tools; you may need to integrate third-party solutions. |
| Drip Content and Automation: Time-saving features that automate much of the course delivery and membership management. |
Mighty Networks Pricing
Mighty Networks offers three main pricing plans:
- Community Plan ($39/month): This plan provides a website and paid membership options for creators just starting to build their community.
- Business Plan ($119/month): Best for established businesses, this plan includes course creation tools and analytics to help you track performance.
- Mighty Pro Plan (pricing varies): This plan is ideal for larger institutions that need customizable payment structures and advanced features.
Additionally, Mighty Networks offers a two-month free trial, allowing you to test the platform for a longer period compared to most other platforms.
Bottom Line: Should You Choose Mighty Networks?
Mighty Networks stands out as a platform that combines the power of community-building with course creation. It’s a great option for creators who want to nurture their audience and build lasting relationships. With its strong community features, simple course-building tools, and mobile accessibility, Mighty Networks is a solid choice if you prioritize engagement and interaction with your learners. However, its pricing and limited customization options might make it a better fit for those already established or those with a dedicated audience.
9. Kartra: The All-in-One Marketing Platform for Entrepreneurs
For many business owners, marketing can be a challenge. It’s a field that’s constantly changing, and unless you have a marketing background, staying on top of trends and strategies can be overwhelming. Kartra is an all-in-one sales and marketing platform designed to simplify the process of building, selling, and promoting digital products. With its wide range of features, Kartra helps entrepreneurs streamline their marketing efforts and grow their businesses.
Kartra Features: Built for Marketing Success
Kartra stands out as a comprehensive solution for marketing and sales optimization. It offers a variety of features focused on promoting your brand and improving customer engagement. Whether you’re building a membership site, launching a new product, or managing sales funnels, Kartra provides the tools you need to succeed.
1. Page and Site Builder
Kartra’s page builder allows you to create landing pages, product pages, and even simple websites. While it may not be as advanced as some other platforms, it’s great for building a strong, user-friendly membership site and promoting your digital products. The drag-and-drop editor makes it easy for you to customize the pages without needing coding experience.
2. Customizable Settings for SEO and Tracking
Kartra allows you to optimize your site and content for search engines, ensuring your products are visible to a wider audience. You can manage SEO settings, add tracking codes, set up redirects, and generate tags. This flexibility helps you maintain control over your online presence and marketing campaigns.
3. Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
One of Kartra’s standout features is its comprehensive CRM tool. It lets you organize and manage your contacts and leads, providing a clear overview of your customer relationships. By segmenting your audience, you can tailor your messaging, improve conversions, and increase engagement with your content.
4. Membership Options
Kartra excels at supporting membership sites. The platform allows you to easily set up recurring payments for subscriptions and memberships, which is ideal for those offering exclusive content or ongoing services. You can also deliver digital products and downloads to your members, making it easy to monetize your content.
5. Seamless Integrations
Kartra integrates seamlessly with third-party tools and payment processors, such as PayPal, Stripe, Zapier, Kajabi, and OptimizePress. This allows you to streamline your workflows and automate many aspects of your business, saving you time and effort.
6. Sales Funnels
Like other marketing platforms, Kartra offers robust funnel-building features. You can create customized sales funnels to guide potential customers through the buying process, from awareness to conversion. With built-in automation tools, Kartra helps you minimize the time spent on funnel management while ensuring your customers get the right messages at the right time.
7. Easy Course Creation
Kartra simplifies the course creation process with its drag-and-drop course builder. You can create and sell online courses directly within the platform, making it easy to add videos, quizzes, and digital products to your course content. Plus, Kartra offers integrated marketing tools to help promote your courses effectively.
Kartra: Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| All-in-One Platform: Combines sales, marketing, and membership tools in one place. | Not Ideal for Advanced Websites: Limited design options for complex websites. |
| Automated Marketing: Includes powerful automation tools for marketing, sales funnels, and course promotions. | Learning Curve: The platform may take some time to master due to its many features. |
| CRM Integration: Helps manage customer relationships and improve conversions. | Higher Price Point: Kartra’s pricing can be higher than other platforms, especially for smaller businesses. |
| Membership Site Features: Ideal for creating and managing subscription-based or recurring membership sites. | Basic Page Builder: May not meet the needs of advanced users who want highly customizable pages. |
| Easy Integrations: Integrates well with third-party tools, enhancing workflow automation. |
Kartra Pricing
Kartra offers a $1 free trial for 14 days, allowing you to explore its features before committing to a paid plan. After the trial, you can choose from several pricing packages:
- Starter Plan: Includes basic features to get started with marketing and selling your digital products.
- Silver Plan: Offers more advanced features and the ability to serve a larger customer base.
- Gold Plan: Ideal for businesses with higher volume sales and more marketing needs.
- Platinum Plan: Best for large businesses that require advanced marketing, sales, and CRM features.
Bottom Line: Is Kartra the Right Choice for You?
Kartra is a powerful all-in-one sales and marketing platform that simplifies many of the tasks that entrepreneurs face. From building landing pages to creating sales funnels and managing memberships, Kartra offers a wide range of tools to streamline your marketing efforts. While it may not be the best choice for those seeking highly customizable websites, its focus on marketing and automation makes it ideal for business owners looking to optimize their sales processes. If you’re looking for an easy-to-use, integrated solution for growing your online business, Kartra could be the perfect platform for you.
How To Choose Your Online Course Builder
When it comes to selecting the right online course platform, the most important factor is choosing one that works well for both you and your students. The platform you select should make your course creation process smoother, more efficient, and more enjoyable. However, there are several key aspects to keep in mind that will help ensure you choose the platform that best suits your business needs and your learners’ experience.
1. Learning Experience
The learning experience is at the heart of course creation. If your goal is to provide a high-quality educational experience, then you need a platform that lets you customize your courses to suit your specific teaching style. The platform should be flexible enough to cater to different types of learners and offer features that enhance engagement, such as interactive quizzes, downloadable materials, and gamification options.
For example, if your course involves video content, it’s essential that the platform offers embedded video hosting so you don’t have to rely on third-party services. Similarly, if your course includes audio materials like podcasts or voice lessons, look for a platform with built-in audio editing capabilities. The more versatile your platform, the better you’ll be able to cater to different learning styles and keep your students engaged.
2. Affordability
When choosing an online course builder, it’s crucial to find a platform that aligns with your budget. Some platforms may appear affordable upfront but end up costing more in the long run with hidden fees, add-ons, or transaction fees. Make sure to carefully evaluate the pricing structure to ensure it fits within your budget, especially when starting out.
If you plan on scaling your business, you need to factor in whether the platform offers a scalable pricing model that grows with you. You might also want to avoid platforms that charge membership fees or take a percentage of your course sales, as this can eat into your profits. Compare different pricing tiers, and make sure you’re getting good value for what you’re paying for.
3. Free Trials and Pre-Launch Options
If you’re new to online course creation, it’s a good idea to look for platforms that offer free trials or pre-launch options. These features allow you to explore the platform before committing to a paid plan, giving you a risk-free opportunity to test out its tools and see if they suit your needs. Since your course business might not be profitable immediately, a free trial is an excellent way to get started without incurring any upfront costs. Many platforms also offer pre-launch features that let you set up your course and prepare for a smooth launch before your official go-live date.
4. Functionality
The functionality of your platform should be closely tied to your business needs. For instance, if your course relies heavily on networking or community interaction, look for a platform that focuses on community-building features, such as forums, chatrooms, or live discussion groups. Platforms like Mighty Networks are designed with social learning in mind, which can help foster a sense of connection and engagement among your students.
Think about what functionality you’ll need in the future as well. For example, if you plan to scale your business, you might want to choose a platform that allows you to easily manage a growing number of students and courses. The last thing you want is to outgrow your platform and have to switch to something else later on, so choose one that can scale alongside your business.
5. Marketing Tools
Marketing is an essential part of any online course business. To successfully promote your course, you need a platform that offers robust marketing tools and resources. Look for platforms that allow you to create landing pages, email campaigns, and sales funnels. If you already have some marketing knowledge, a platform with built-in analytics can help you track your campaigns and improve them over time.
If you’re not familiar with marketing, consider a platform that offers a more hands-off, managed approach to marketing, such as Kajabi, which provides templates and guidance to help you effectively promote your course. Additionally, it’s worth considering platforms that support affiliate marketing, as this can help you tap into organic promotion through referrals.
6. Community Features
In today’s digital world, the value of a strong, engaged community cannot be overstated. Consider choosing a platform that allows you to develop and nurture a community around your brand. Community features can include discussion boards, private groups, and event-hosting tools, all of which help keep learners engaged and connected.
If your goal is to create a passive income stream, look for platforms that enable you to set up membership-based courses with recurring payment options. This way, students can continue to pay for access over time, generating a steady stream of income for you.
7. Creator Support Options
For many course creators—especially beginners—having access to quality support is essential. Building and launching a course can feel overwhelming, and it’s crucial to have help when needed. Choose a platform that offers strong customer support, including multiple communication channels such as live chat, email, and phone support.
In addition to direct support, many platforms also have online communities, forums, or help centers with tutorials and guides. These resources can be incredibly helpful when you encounter challenges or need answers to specific questions as you build your course.
Frequently Asked Questions
Consider our most commonly asked questions below.
The best online course builder is one that adapts to your specific needs. Choose an affordable option like Udemy if you are just getting started, or select a platform that prioritizes course creation, like Teachable.
Udemy is the best free online course builder, though the company charges transaction fees on each purchase.
Choose your course creation platform based on your business’s unique characteristics, budget, and current following or customer base.
Conclusion
Choosing the right online course builder is a critical decision for your business, and it can feel overwhelming with so many options available. However, by considering your unique needs—whether it’s functionality, affordability, or support—you can make a decision that will set you up for success.
Remember that building an online course is a learning process that takes time. Don’t be discouraged if things don’t go perfectly at first. Keep exploring, learning, and improving, and eventually, you’ll create the perfect course that resonates with your students. With the right platform, the journey to becoming a successful course creator will be much more enjoyable and rewarding.