The online education market is booming like never before. Whether you’re an expert, coach, or creator, selling online courses is a powerful way to monetize your knowledge and reach learners worldwide.
But with so many platforms available in 2025, how do you choose the best platform to sell your course? This guide breaks down the top platforms, key features, pricing, and how to pick the one that fits your goals.
Why Selling Online Courses in 2025 Is a Smart Move
- Growing demand: The e-learning market is projected to grow over $400 billion by 2026.
- Flexible income: Passive income stream from courses sold anytime, anywhere.
- Global reach: Teach students from all corners of the world.
- Build authority: Establish yourself as a thought leader in your niche.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Platform
Before diving into platforms, here are some critical factors you should evaluate:
- Ease of Use: How simple is it to set up and manage your course?
- Pricing & Fees: What’s the upfront cost, monthly fee, and transaction fees?
- Marketing Tools: Does the platform provide email marketing, affiliate programs, or sales funnels?
- Course Format Support: Can it handle videos, quizzes, downloads, assignments?
- Customization: Can you brand your course pages and student portal?
- Payment Options: How many payment gateways and currencies are supported?
- Student Experience: Mobile access, community features, certificates, etc.
Top 7 Platforms to Sell Online Courses in 2025
1. Teachable
Best for: Beginners & educators wanting easy setup with powerful marketing tools.
- Pricing: Free plan available, paid starts at $39/month
- Key Features:
- Drag-and-drop course builder
- Integrated payment processing with multiple currencies
- Sales pages + coupons + affiliate marketing
- Student analytics and email marketing integration
- Supports quizzes, certificates, and course compliance
Why Choose Teachable?
Simple UI combined with marketing automation makes it a top pick for creators new to selling courses but who want growth options.
2. Thinkific
Best for: Creators wanting full branding control and scalable course business.
- Pricing: Free plan, paid starts at $39/month
- Key Features:
- Fully customizable course sites with custom domains
- Drip content, quizzes, surveys
- Built-in marketing tools & affiliate management
- Memberships and bundles to increase LTV
- Advanced integrations (Zapier, Mailchimp, etc.)
Why Choose Thinkific?
Offers a robust free plan and flexible customization ideal for those ready to grow their course business and brand.
3. Kajabi
Best for: Course creators looking for an all-in-one business platform.
- Pricing: Starts at $149/month
- Key Features:
- Website builder + email marketing + sales funnels
- Subscription memberships & course bundles
- Built-in affiliate marketing and automation
- Analytics dashboard and community builder
- Mobile app for learners
Why Choose Kajabi?
Kajabi is pricey but excels as a complete ecosystem — great if you want to combine courses with email lists, membership sites, and funnels.
4. Udemy
Best for: Beginners who want instant access to a large marketplace.
- Pricing: Free to list courses, Udemy takes 50% revenue share for organic sales
- Key Features:
- Massive marketplace with millions of learners
- Easy course uploading and promotion tools
- Instructor support and course quality guidelines
- No monthly fees or hosting hassles
Why Choose Udemy?
Great for exposure and quick sales, but limited branding and heavy revenue share mean it’s better as a supplemental platform.
5. Podia
Best for: Creators who want to sell courses, digital downloads, and memberships in one place.
- Pricing: Starts at $39/month
- Key Features:
- Unlimited courses, webinars, and downloads
- Email marketing & affiliate program
- No transaction fees
- User-friendly interface
- Supports memberships and coaching
Why Choose Podia?
An affordable all-in-one platform with no transaction fees — perfect for creators juggling multiple digital products.
6. LearnWorlds
Best for: Educators who want interactive and gamified learning experiences.
- Pricing: Starts at $29/month
- Key Features:
- Interactive video features (quizzes, polls)
- Customizable certificates & course player
- Built-in social community & gamification
- Powerful analytics and marketing tools
- Supports SCORM and other advanced formats
Why Choose LearnWorlds?
Ideal for creators focused on engagement and professional training content with interactive features.
7. Skillshare
Best for: Creatives who want to build an audience and earn through royalties.
- Pricing: Free to upload, revenue based on watch minutes
- Key Features:
- Large community of creative learners
- Easy course creation process
- Focus on short, project-based classes
- Royalty-based earning, no direct sales
Why Choose Skillshare?
Great for exposure and passive royalty income, but less control over pricing and student relationships.
How to Pick the Right Platform for You
| Consideration | Choose if… |
|---|---|
| You want ease & marketing | Teachable, Podia |
| You want full branding & growth | Thinkific, Kajabi |
| You want marketplace exposure | Udemy, Skillshare |
| You want interactive learning | LearnWorlds |
| You want all-in-one digital sales | Kajabi, Podia |
FAQs About Selling Online Courses in 2025
1. Do I need technical skills to sell courses online?
Most modern platforms like Teachable and Thinkific are user-friendly and require minimal technical know-how. They offer drag-and-drop builders and step-by-step tutorials.
2. How much does it cost to start selling online courses?
Many platforms offer free plans or trials. Paid plans typically range from $29 to $149 per month depending on features. Budget for marketing and content creation as well.
3. Can I sell on multiple platforms?
Yes! You can host your course on your own site (via Thinkific or Kajabi) and also list a version on marketplaces like Udemy or Skillshare to maximize reach.
4. How do I price my course?
Research competitors in your niche. Consider course length, content depth, and your target audience. Many courses range from $50 to $500+.
5. What marketing tools are available?
Most platforms include email marketing, coupons, affiliate programs, sales funnels, and integrations with tools like Mailchimp and Zapier.
6. Can I create membership sites or subscriptions?
Platforms like Kajabi, Podia, and Thinkific support memberships or subscription models, allowing recurring revenue beyond one-time course sales.
7. What payment methods are supported?
Most platforms accept major credit cards, PayPal, and multiple currencies. Some offer direct bank transfers or Stripe integration.
8. Is mobile-friendly learning supported?
Yes, nearly all platforms provide mobile-responsive course access, and some (like Kajabi) have dedicated mobile apps for learners.
Final Thoughts
The best platform to sell online courses in 2025 depends on your business goals, budget, and how hands-on you want to be with marketing and customization.
- Beginners should consider Teachable or Podia for simplicity and affordability.
- Growing educators who want full control and scale may opt for Thinkific or Kajabi.
- For instant audience access, Udemy and Skillshare are unbeatable but come with limitations.
- If you want to create immersive, interactive experiences, LearnWorlds stands out.
Choose a platform that fits your style, create amazing content, and start turning your expertise into a thriving online business!
If you want, I can also help you with a downloadable PDF guide or a comparison chart infographic for quick reference.
Would you like me to add examples of course creators or success stories on these platforms?