Wondering which of the best online course platforms are suited for your needs? This article reviews ten top platforms, detailing their features, pros, and cons. Whether you’re creating or taking courses, you’ll find the best options here.
Key Takeaways
Online course platforms come in three main types: standalone, all-in-one, and online course marketplaces, each catering to different needs and levels of technical expertise.
Popular platforms like Thinkific, LearnWorlds, and Kajabi offer unique features that enhance course creation, marketing, and sales, making it easier for educators to reach their audiences.
When choosing an online course platform, consider scalability, multimedia and assessment tools, pricing structures, and user-friendliness to ensure it meets your educational goals.
What Are Online Course Platforms?
Platforms for online courses operate as electronic learning management systems, providing a portal to an array of virtual classes. These management systems equip teachers with robust instruments that aid in the development of compelling educational material, simplifying the processes involved in constructing, hosting, and administering online course software.
On the side of students, these platforms deliver versatile options to participate in education on their own schedule, which is particularly advantageous for individuals juggling employment and academic pursuits. They promote community building by incorporating functions designed to stimulate interaction among peers and collaborative study efforts. Features like interactive quizzes and rewards along with certification opportunities significantly enhance the educational journey.
Definition and Benefits of Online Learning
Online learning refers to the process of acquiring knowledge, skills, and education through digital platforms, such as online courses, tutorials, and degree programs. The benefits of online learning are numerous, making it an increasingly popular choice for learners and educators alike.
Flexibility: One of the most significant advantages of online learning is its flexibility. Students can access course materials and complete assignments at their own pace, anytime and anywhere. This is particularly beneficial for individuals balancing work, family, and education.
Accessibility: Online learning platforms can reach a global audience, breaking down geographical barriers. This makes education more accessible to people with disabilities, those living in remote or rural locations, and individuals with busy schedules.
Personalization: Online learning platforms often offer personalized learning experiences tailored to individual students’ needs and learning styles. This customization can enhance the learning experience, making it more effective and engaging.
Cost-effectiveness: Online learning can reduce costs associated with traditional classroom-based learning, such as transportation, accommodation, and textbooks. Many online courses are also more affordable than their in-person counterparts.
Scalability: Online learning platforms can accommodate a large number of students, making it an ideal solution for businesses and organizations looking to train employees. This scalability ensures that educational resources can be distributed widely and efficiently.
Types of Online Course Platforms
Understanding the various kinds of online course platforms is crucial for selecting the most suitable one for your requirements. These can be divided into three distinct categories: standalone platforms, all-in-one platforms, and online course marketplaces.
Standalone platforms are geared towards creators who require specialized tools specifically to create online courses but may still need additional tools to handle marketing and manage payments.
All-in-one platforms offer an integrated solution that encompasses not only online course creation platform but also marketing strategies and payment processing systems. They serve as a convenient option, especially for novices or individuals looking for a complete package.
Online course marketplaces provide creators with the opportunity to develop their courses while tapping into an existing audience base. Nevertheless, it’s common practice in this type of online course marketplace to relinquish a portion of income generated from selling courses back to the platform.
Standalone Platforms
Standalone platforms serve as hosted solutions that equip creators with dedicated tools specifically for the development of online courses, but they do not encompass all-inclusive features. These platforms are adept at assisting course creators in constructing, hosting, and selling their online courses, which is ideal for those who have already cultivated an audience.
Although standalone platforms offer more autonomy and flexibility when it comes to managing educational content, they frequently necessitate additional integrations with supplemental tools to enable sophisticated marketing strategies and payment processing functionalities. Their common features include user-friendly interfaces, support for various multimedia components, and personalized course websites along with crafted landing pages and sales pages designed to facilitate course sales.
Take Thinkific as an example. It boasts smooth integration capabilities with payment gateways to streamline the e-commerce dimension associated with selling online courses.
All-in-One Platforms
Integrated platforms serve as a valuable asset for novices and experienced teachers by integrating the functionalities of online course creation software,, marketing, and payment handling into one streamlined system. Services such as Kajabi and Thinkific deliver an extensive suite of features that cater to building courses, ensuring web security, providing hosting services, and equipping users with marketing tools.
These comprehensive systems are outfitted with automated email nurturing sequences designed to engage potential learners while facilitating sales content generation and offering versatile eCommerce options. For example, Thinkific includes a Fast Track program aimed at enabling instructors to get their courses up and running within just 30 days.
Kartra stands out by presenting resources for cultivating active communities in conjunction with advanced marketing funnels plus proficient management of email campaigns that aid in growing your educational offerings effectively.
Online Course Marketplaces
Platforms such membership sites such as Skillshare and Udemy operate as online course marketplaces, allowing creators to showcase their courses and engage with students. These sites grant creators the benefit of reaching a broad audience, which can boost visibility and increase student enrollment.
It is crucial to acknowledge that these venues often retain a portion of the income from course sales, with varying compensation models across different platforms. To achieve success on these sites, instructors are required to put forth considerable effort in promoting individual courses themselves because there’s no guarantee for automatic promotion of their courses by the platform itself. These platforms not only help creators reach a wider audience but also provide the tools needed to effectively market and sell courses.
Factors to Consider When Selecting a Platform
Choosing the right online course platform is crucial for both instructors and students. Here are some key factors to consider:
Ease of Use: The platform should be user-friendly and easy to navigate for both instructors and students. A straightforward interface can significantly enhance the learning and teaching experience.
Customization: The ability to customize course content, layout, and design is essential. Look for platforms that allow you to tailor your courses to meet your specific needs and branding requirements.
Integration: Ensure the platform integrates seamlessly with other tools and services you use, such as payment gateways, email marketing software, and social media platforms. This integration can streamline your workflow and enhance your marketing efforts.
Support: Reliable customer support is vital. Look for platforms that offer comprehensive documentation, tutorials, and live support to assist you whenever needed.
Security: The platform should prioritize the security and privacy of student data, including payment information and personal details. Robust security measures are essential to protect your and your students’ information.
Pricing and Cost
The pricing and cost of online course platforms can vary widely. Here are some factors to consider when evaluating the financial aspects of different platforms:
Transaction Fees: Some platforms charge transaction fees on course sales, which can range from 2.9% to 5% per transaction. These fees can add up, so it’s essential to factor them into your pricing strategy.
Payment Processing Fees: In addition to transaction fees, some platforms charge payment processing fees, which can also range from 2.9% to 5% per transaction. Be sure to understand these costs upfront.
Monthly or Annual Subscription Fees: Many platforms charge a monthly or annual subscription fee, which can range from $29 to $499 per month. Consider your budget and the features offered at each price point.
Customization and Integration Fees: Some platforms charge extra fees for customization and integration services. If you require specific customizations or integrations, be sure to factor these costs into your decision.
Core Features and Functionality
When evaluating an online course platform, consider the following core features and functionality:
Course Creation Tools: The platform should offer a range of course creation tools, including video, audio, and text-based content. These tools should be easy to use and versatile enough to create engaging and interactive courses.
Course Delivery: The platform should allow instructors to deliver courses in various formats, including self-paced, instructor-led, and live sessions. This flexibility can cater to different learning preferences and schedules.
Assessment and Grading: Look for platforms that offer robust assessment and grading tools, including quizzes, exams, and assignments. These tools can help measure student progress and provide valuable feedback.
Student Engagement: Features that promote student engagement, such as discussion forums, live chat, and video conferencing, are essential. These tools can foster a sense of community and enhance the learning experience.
Analytics and Reporting: The platform should offer analytics and reporting tools to track student progress, engagement, and course completion rates. These insights can help you improve your courses and better understand your students’ needs.
Customer Support and Service
Customer support and service are critical factors when choosing an online course platform. Consider the following:
Documentation: The platform should offer comprehensive documentation, including user guides, tutorials, and FAQs. This can help you troubleshoot issues and make the most of the platform’s features.
Live Support: Look for platforms that offer live support, including phone, email, and chat support. Having access to real-time assistance can be invaluable when you encounter problems.
Community Support: Community support, such as forums, groups, and social media channels, can provide additional help and resources. Engaging with other users can offer new insights and solutions.
Training and Onboarding: The platform should offer training and onboarding services to help instructors get started. These services can ensure you are fully equipped to use the platform effectively.
Customer Success: Look for platforms that offer customer success services to help you achieve your goals and objectives. These services can provide personalized support and guidance to help you succeed.
By considering these factors, you can select an online course platform that meets your needs and helps you create and sell online courses effectively.
Top Online Course Platforms Reviewed
Navigating the selection of an online course platform can be overwhelming due to the plethora of choices. Our reviews are designed to assist you in this decision-making process by examining some leading platforms, focusing on their main features, advantages, disadvantages, and cost structures.
We will thoroughly examine Thinkific, LearnWorlds, and Podia in this segment. By assessing these course platforms critically, we aim to give you a well-rounded perspective that enables you to choose with confidence.
The insights provided will cover everything from ease-of-use to comprehensive community engagement capabilities and e-commerce functionalities while pinpointing both the merits and possible limitations inherent in each online course platform.
Thinkific Review
Thinkific is recognized for its ease of use, providing a diverse array of templates specifically tailored to course creation, enabling creators to swiftly set up and release their courses. It enhances student involvement by incorporating dynamic community features such as discussions, user profiles, and the ability to mention other users.
Thinkific delivers e-commerce capabilities including an inbuilt website constructor, seamless payment integrations and powerful marketing tools while not imposing any transaction fees on course sales. The service includes a complimentary 30-day trial period with subscription options starting at $49 monthly. There’s a savings opportunity of 25% for those who opt into annual plans.
LearnWorlds Review
Recognized for its adherence to SCORM standards, LearnWorlds enables the integration of eLearning content from external sources. The platform stands out due to its distinctive interactive capabilities which include gamification, quizzes, community interaction tools, and notably, interactive videos – all of which greatly increase learner participation.
With an intuitive dashboard designed for streamlined course administration, LearnWorlds appeals to prospective users by offering a 30-day free trial period in which they can thoroughly assess its functionalities. Such features render it an optimal selection for individuals aiming to foster a vibrant and engaging educational atmosphere.
Podia Review
Podia distinguishes itself as a comprehensive free online course platform, renowned for facilitating community building and the sale of digital products. The service includes limitless video hosting capabilities that enable direct uploads, eliminating the need to depend on third-party websites.
Through an intuitive user interface, Podia enables creators to design a diverse array of content such as online courses, membership programs, and digital downloads. Pricing for Podia begins at $33 monthly. There is also a complimentary plan available which allows users to draft their courses before deciding on any paid packages. Discounts are accessible when opting into annual subscriptions.
Best All-In-One Online Course Platforms
Platforms that are all-encompassing make the development and administration of courses more straightforward, catering to novice and veteran instructors alike. These systems come equipped with extensive capabilities that consolidate the construction of courses, promotional strategies, and transaction handling into one convenient package.
Within this segment, we aim to present a concise summary of two exceptional all-in-one platforms: Kajabi and Teachable. Each platform furnishes course creators with robust instruments designed to assist in crafting their courses, devising marketing plans for them, and successfully executing sales.
Kajabi Overview
Kajabi is a complete, high-end online course platform tailored for established businesses and course creators seeking an all-in-one business solution. It provides comprehensive capabilities for building, marketing, and selling online courses, including an online course builder, landing pages, and drip campaigns.
Kajabi also includes advanced marketing tools such as automation, user segmentation, and email campaigns, along with integrations with other email software. Support options include business hours, an online Help Center, and various customization options, making it a versatile choice for many users.
Teachable Overview
Teachable provides an effective and user-friendly environment for individuals looking to create and sell their online courses. It furnishes a platform that empowers users to impart their expertise while enabling them to monetize it through various payment structures, including subscription-based models tailored to offer value.
This service offers the flexibility of customizing one’s site with personal branding elements, ensuring a seamless creation process without the need for any technical skills. With pricing options such as a free plan available for beginners, Teachable also presents a Basic plan priced at $39 per month alongside more advanced plans starting from $99 per month.
Best WordPress LMS Plugins
Tech-savvy individuals seeking enhanced management of their online courses find WordPress LMS plugins to be an appealing option. These tools enable them to conduct courses right from their current WordPress sites, offering a solution that is both customizable and adaptable.
We are going to evaluate two well-known WordPress LMS plugins in this segment: LearnDash and LifterLMS. Each plugin presents distinctive functions and features tailored to meet various requirements and tastes.
LearnDash Review
Known for its high-quality functionalities tailored for creating, marketing, and selling online courses, LearnDash is a widely-used LMS plugin for WordPress. It supports integration with more than 300 payment gateways such as Stripe and PayPal, which offers flexibility to course creators.
LearnDash boosts the engagement of learners by awarding badges and certificates. This makes it an excellent choice both for large companies and entrepreneurs who aim to offer courses on their current websites.
LifterLMS Review
LifterLMS serves as a plugin for WordPress Learning Management Software, specifically tailored to craft and sell online courses. It boasts compatibility with WooCommerce and allows for integration with various marketing tools through Zapier, ensuring adaptability and personalization options. LifterLMS is equipped to handle payment processing from services like Stripe, PayPal, and Authorize.Net while also enhancing user engagement by awarding certificates, badges, and fostering social interactions.
The platform sets itself apart not only by encompassing all the features available on alternative platforms, but also by adding extra functionalities that enhance its offering.
Best Online Learning Platforms
Course creators can tap into a broad audience and learners have access to top-tier online courses, as well as an array of educational materials through the use of online learning platforms. This portion examines two renowned course platforms: Udemy and Skillshare — widely recognized among the finest options for delivering or participating in an online course.
Each platform presents distinct advantages tailored to various learner profiles and educators. By recognizing these contrasts, you will be better equipped to select the most suitable course platform that aligns with your specific requirements.
Udemy Overview
With a substantial user base that exceeds 40 million learners, Udemy offers an extensive selection of over 155,000 unlimited courses. These cover a diverse range of subjects to meet various educational desires and curiosity.
Udemy equips instructors with numerous marketing tools designed to enhance the visibility and sales potential of their courses. This includes a tool for creating custom coupons and additional promotional strategies. Instructors have the opportunity to retain up to 100% revenue from course sales originating from their own leads, while those coming via the marketplace or advertisements yield them between a 50% and 75% share.
Skillshare Overview
Skillshare utilizes a royalty model to compensate instructors, where their earnings are tied to the amount of time premium subscribers spend watching their classes. Teachers get a share of 30% from Skillshare’s premium membership revenue, which is distributed according to the engagement levels students have with their content.
Course creators can supplement their income by referring new premium members to Skillshare, with each referral netting them $10. The platform offers free courses, in various subjects such as business, animation, design, illustration, photography and writing – an attractive feature for course creators just starting out without a built-in audience.
It should be noted that new teachers may initially struggle to earn substantial amounts since payouts tend not to be high at first.
How to Choose the Right Online Course Platform
Selecting an ideal online course platform may seem daunting, but by closely examining your requirements and focusing on essential functionalities, you can streamline the decision-making process. It’s important to ensure that the course platform is capable of scaling up to handle a larger user base and more comprehensive course content as demand for your courses grows.
Consideration should also be given to platforms with advanced features such as multimedia integration capabilities, diverse assessment instruments, interactive forums, and e-commerce options. These not only elevate the educational experience, but also streamline course administration processes. Teachable stands out in this regard by offering detailed analytics which empower creators to track their online courses’ effectiveness while accommodating different payment models like subscriptions or one-time purchases.
Scrutinize each potential platform’s pricing structure carefully so it aligns well with how you intend to charge for your offerings. Opting for paid plans often means minimizing hefty transaction charges over time. Although hosting your content on an online marketplace could potentially expose you to a broader audience range. It does imply reduced control over your product and profit-sharing obligations.
Lastly, ensuring that learners can effortlessly navigate through the available courses is crucial since ease-of-use directly correlates with improved learning experiences and fosters customer loyalty towards enrollment in future classes or programs. Keeping these considerations in mind will guide you toward selecting the perfect online course platform tailored specifically to fulfill both what you require functionally—and promote success within your instructional endeavors.
Steps to Create and Sell Online Courses
Embarking on the journey of creating and selling online courses involves a strategic approach. Begin with a detailed plan for your course content, setting clear objectives for student outcomes and mapping out the curriculum accordingly to ensure that each module leads toward those goals.
Make sure to diversify your teaching methods by incorporating various types of media like videos, written materials, and interactive assessments. This variety addresses different preferences in learning styles and maintains engagement throughout the duration of the course. Soliciting feedback from participants not only aids in refining your material, but also provides you with valuable endorsements that can be utilized as powerful testimonials in future marketing strategies.
Establishing a price point for your online course should reflect both its intrinsic value and what your intended audience is prepared to invest in. While listing it on an online course marketplace expands its visibility significantly, remember there’s usually a cost involved through shared revenue arrangements. Utilize platforms such as Teachable that offer versatile monetization options including subscription models or one-time payment setups which align with how you wish to market your offerings.
To maximize outreach for promoting our educational product efficiently, tap into marketing resources available via these online course platforms—employ email blasts, social media promotion techniques or personalized discount codes—as part of an overarching promotional campaign designed specifically to amplify sales figures meaningfully while achieving pedagogic ambitions.
How Lobi Space Can Help Coaches and Business Owners Produce Online Courses
At Lobi Space, we specialize in empowering coaches and business owners to create high-quality online courses with ease. Our comprehensive production studio and expert team are dedicated to assisting you through every step of the online course creation process. Here's how we can help:
Theme Setup: We collaborate with you to establish a cohesive theme for your course, ensuring it aligns with your brand and educational goals.
Recording: Our state-of-the-art production studio is equipped to handle all your recording needs, providing a professional environment to capture your content effectively.
Editing and Structure: We assist in structuring your course content to enhance clarity and engagement. Our team meticulously edits your material, ensuring a polished final product.
Graphics and More: Beyond just editing, we incorporate high-quality graphics and visual elements to elevate your course's appeal and effectiveness.
By partnering with Lobi Space, you can focus on delivering your expertise while we handle the technical and creative aspects of course production, helping you to create and sell online courses that stand out in the marketplace.
Summary
Exploring the realm of online course platforms can be a complex task, but with knowledge about their varied forms, functionalities, and advantages, you’re equipped to make a wise choice. Whether it’s choosing from independent course platforms or comprehensive all-in-one systems to marketplaces dedicated to online courses—every kind caters distinctly according to individual needs and tastes.
For both students and those creating courses, selecting an appropriate learning platform is pivotal. When considering essential attributes of the platform, its ability for expansion along with utilizing accessible tools aimed at marketing and interaction enhancement are key steps in discovering the perfect online course platform that will either enhance your educational journey or help flourish your venture in education.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best online course platform for beginners?
Teachable is a great pick for beginners because it’s super user-friendly, has various payment options, and offers solid support.
You’ll feel right at home setting up your course!
How do online course marketplaces like Udemy and Skillshare differ?
Udemy is great for reaching a big audience with its marketing tools, while Skillshare is better for new creators who can benefit from its royalty system.
Choose based on whether you want a broader exposure or a supportive platform for your first steps!
What are the advantages of using an all-in-one platform like Kajabi?
Using an all-in-one platform like Kajabi simplifies everything by combining course creation, marketing, and payment processing in one place, which is super handy for both newbies and seasoned pros.
It saves you time and effort, letting you focus more on your content and less on juggling multiple tools.
Can I host courses on my existing WordPress website?
Absolutely! You can use LMS plugins like LearnDash or LifterLMS to host courses right on your WordPress site, making it super easy to get started.
How can I enhance student engagement in my online courses?
To boost student engagement in your online courses, mix up your content with videos, texts, and quizzes, and throw in things like badges and interactive discussions.
Keeping it diverse and interactive will really help keep them motivated!
