The internet has made it possible for anyone with knowledge and skills to share what they know with the world—and earn money from it. If you are a teacher, coach, artist, business owner, or simply someone with valuable experience, you can create an online course and sell it to people everywhere. But to do this successfully, you need the right platform.
An online course platform is a website or service that helps you create, host, and sell your courses. It takes care of the technical parts like video hosting, payments, and student management so you can focus on teaching.
In this article, we’ll explore the best platforms to sell online courses, explain what makes each one special, and give tips to help you choose the right one for your needs—all in simple language.
What to Look for in an Online Course Platform
Before we go through the platforms, let’s quickly talk about what features are important:
- Ease of Use – You want a platform that is simple to set up and manage without needing to be a tech expert.
- Customization – Your course should look and feel like your own brand, not just a generic template.
- Payment Options – The platform should let you accept payments from people in different countries.
- Marketing Tools – Features like email campaigns, coupons, and landing pages can help you sell more.
- Student Experience – The platform should make learning easy, with clear videos, quizzes, and downloadable materials.
- Cost – Prices vary, so choose one that fits your budget and offers good value.
1. Teachable
Why it’s great:
Teachable is known for being beginner-friendly. You can create your course quickly, upload videos, add quizzes, and set up payment options without much hassle.
Best for:
People who want a simple platform with good design and solid payment tools.
Key features:
- Drag-and-drop course builder.
- Custom branding and domain options.
- Secure payment processing.
- Ability to sell one-time purchases or subscriptions.
Pros:
- Easy to use.
- Good for both beginners and experienced course creators.
- Handles payments and taxes for you.
Cons:
- Some advanced marketing tools require higher-priced plans.
2. Thinkific
Why it’s great:
Thinkific offers a lot of flexibility and customization. You can make your course look exactly the way you want, and it has strong community features to keep students engaged.
Best for:
Creators who want full control over course design and content structure.
Key features:
- Unlimited courses and students on paid plans.
- Built-in quizzes, assignments, and certificates.
- Community discussion areas.
- Integration with marketing tools.
Pros:
- Highly customizable.
- No transaction fees on paid plans.
- Good student engagement features.
Cons:
- Beginners may find customization overwhelming at first.
3. Kajabi
Why it’s great:
Kajabi is an all-in-one platform. It doesn’t just host your course—it also gives you tools for email marketing, websites, landing pages, and even podcasts.
Best for:
Entrepreneurs who want one platform for everything: courses, marketing, and business management.
Key features:
- Website and blog builder.
- Automated email campaigns.
- Membership sites.
- Built-in analytics.
Pros:
- Everything in one place—no need to pay for separate marketing tools.
- Professional look and feel.
Cons:
- Higher cost compared to others.
4. Podia
Why it’s great:
Podia is simple, affordable, and perfect for selling not just courses, but also memberships and digital downloads like e-books or templates.
Best for:
Creators who want to sell multiple types of digital products.
Key features:
- Easy course builder.
- Live chat for student support.
- Membership site option.
- No transaction fees.
Pros:
- User-friendly.
- Affordable plans.
- Great customer support.
Cons:
- Limited advanced customization options.
5. Skillshare (for teaching inside their platform)
Why it’s great:
Unlike the other platforms where you sell directly to your own audience, Skillshare already has a huge community of students. You earn money when people watch your course.
Best for:
Creators who want to reach a large audience quickly without worrying about marketing.
Key features:
- Built-in audience of millions.
- Passive income through royalty payments.
- Easy course upload process.
Pros:
- No need to handle your own payments or website.
- Large audience potential.
Cons:
- Less control over pricing.
- Income depends on watch time.
6. Udemy
Why it’s great:
Udemy is one of the biggest course marketplaces in the world. You can upload your course, set your price, and let Udemy handle marketing and sales to its global audience.
Best for:
People who want to reach a large audience and don’t mind sharing revenue.
Key features:
- Access to millions of students worldwide.
- Frequent sales and promotions.
- Built-in review system to build trust.
Pros:
- Huge audience.
- Great for beginners with no existing audience.
Cons:
- Lower earnings per sale due to discounts.
- Limited control over pricing.
7. LearnWorlds
Why it’s great:
LearnWorlds is perfect for those who want an interactive learning experience. It lets you create engaging videos with quizzes, notes, and more.
Best for:
Educators who want high-quality, interactive courses.
Key features:
- Interactive video tools.
- Built-in testing and certificates.
- White-label option for branding.
Pros:
- Advanced learning tools.
- Great customization.
Cons:
- Slightly higher learning curve for beginners.
How to Choose the Right Platform for You
Here’s a simple way to decide:
- If you’re just starting and want it simple: Teachable or Podia.
- If you want control and customization: Thinkific or LearnWorlds.
- If you want all-in-one business tools: Kajabi.
- If you want built-in audiences: Udemy or Skillshare.
Tips for Selling More Courses
- Know your audience: Understand what they need and create content that solves their problems.
- Offer a free sample: Let people try a lesson before buying.
- Use social media: Share valuable tips and promote your course.
- Build an email list: Send updates and special offers.
- Engage students: Reply to questions, encourage discussions, and keep improving your content.
Selling online courses is one of the best ways to share your skills, build your brand, and earn income. The right platform makes the process easier, giving you the tools to create, market, and sell your courses effectively. Whether you choose a simple beginner-friendly site like Teachable, a powerful all-in-one tool like Kajabi, or a marketplace like Udemy, focus on delivering real value to your students.
When your course truly helps people, they’ll not only buy from you—they’ll recommend you to others. That’s how you build a lasting online teaching business.
If you’d like, I can also prepare a comparison table of all these platforms so it’s even easier to decide which one fits your needs. That would make the choice very clear.