In the ever-evolving landscape of online education, launching your online course can be a transformative experience. Whether you’re an expert looking to share your knowledge or an entrepreneur seeking new revenue streams, finding the right platform to host and sell your online course is crucial.
The platforms available today offer a wide range of features, from course creation tools to payment processing, and marketing support. As we move into 2025, many platforms have upped their game, ensuring educators have the best tools at their disposal.
The Best Platforms to Launch Your Online Course in 2025
1. Teachable
Teachable is a popular platform for course creators, offering robust features for both beginners and experienced creators. It allows you to create and sell online courses with ease.
Key Features:
- Course Creation: Drag-and-drop builder for easy course design.
- Customization: Ability to customize branding, domain names, and landing pages.
- Marketing Tools: Built-in email marketing, affiliate programs, and coupon codes.
- Analytics: Detailed reporting on student progress and revenue.
- Monetization: Flexible pricing options like one-time payments, subscriptions, and payment plans.
- Community: Integration with discussion forums and a private Facebook group.
Why Choose Teachable in 2025?
With its focus on user-friendliness and scalability, Teachable is a great option for creators of all levels. It also integrates with tools like Zapier, enabling seamless workflow automation.
Pricing:
- Free plan available with limited features.
- Paid plans starting at $29/month.
2. Thinkific
Thinkific is another robust platform that makes it easy to create, market, and sell online courses. Known for its ease of use, Thinkific offers comprehensive features to manage every aspect of your course.
Key Features:
- Drag-and-Drop Builder: Simple and intuitive course creation tools.
- Custom Branding: Customizable themes, domain name, and design.
- Marketing Tools: Email marketing integrations, landing pages, and affiliate programs.
- Student Engagement: Quizzes, certificates, and gamified learning features.
- Monetization: Offers various pricing models like one-time payments, subscriptions, or memberships.
- Support: 24/7 customer support and a large user community.
Why Choose Thinkific in 2025?
Thinkific stands out for its user-centric approach, making it suitable for beginners and advanced course creators alike. It’s an excellent choice for creators who want full control over their course content and design.
Pricing:
- Free plan available with basic features.
- Paid plans starting at $49/month.
3. Kajabi
Kajabi is a comprehensive platform designed for creators who want a full-fledged online business solution. With tools for course creation, marketing, and selling, Kajabi is ideal for serious entrepreneurs.
Key Features:
- Course Creation: Drag-and-drop builder for easy content upload.
- Website Builder: Full website integration to host courses and offer other products.
- Marketing Suite: Includes email marketing, automations, landing pages, and affiliate marketing.
- Payments and Analytics: Built-in payment processing and detailed analytics for student engagement and sales.
- Mobile App: A dedicated app for learners, increasing engagement.
Why Choose Kajabi in 2025?
Kajabi is an all-in-one platform for course creators who want to manage every aspect of their business in one place. It’s best for those who are serious about growing their online business.
Pricing:
- Plans start at $149/month, with a 14-day free trial.
4. Udemy
Udemy is one of the largest and most well-known online course platforms. It provides a marketplace where instructors can publish courses and reach a massive global audience.
Key Features:
- Wide Audience: Access to millions of active students worldwide.
- Course Creation: User-friendly course creation tools with multimedia options.
- Monetization: Udemy handles all payment processing and pricing, but they take a significant commission (usually 50-75% of the course revenue).
- Marketing: Udemy’s large marketplace means a built-in audience, but you’ll still need to do your own promotion for best results.
- Engagement: Quizzes, assignments, and student forums to boost interaction.
Why Choose Udemy in 2025?
Udemy is ideal for instructors who want to quickly tap into a global audience without worrying about website design or marketing. However, be prepared for the platform to take a cut of your earnings.
Pricing:
Free to use, but Udemy takes a commission on course sales.
5. Podia
Podia is a versatile platform that allows you to create and sell online courses, digital downloads, and memberships. It offers a streamlined experience for both creators and students.
Key Features:
- Course Creation: Easy-to-use course builder with video, text, and quiz options.
- Digital Products: In addition to courses, Podia supports selling digital downloads and memberships.
- Marketing: Built-in email marketing, affiliate program, and drip content features.
- Monetization: Flexibility in course pricing, including subscriptions and one-time payments.
- Community Building: Built-in features like a discussion forum and private chat.
Why Choose Podia in 2025?
Podia’s simplicity and ease of use make it an excellent option for creators who want a no-frills platform with robust monetization features. It’s also ideal for those who wish to sell both courses and digital products.
Pricing:
Plans start at $39/month.
6. Skillshare
Skillshare is another popular platform that lets creators build and launch online courses, especially in creative fields like design, art, writing, and photography.
Key Features:
- Creative Focus: Ideal for courses on creative skills, hobbies, and passions.
- Community Interaction: Skillshare has a community-driven model with feedback, projects, and student interaction.
- Revenue Sharing: Skillshare operates on a royalty system, where you earn based on how many minutes your course is watched.
- Course Creation: Simple, video-based course structure with minimal setup.
Why Choose Skillshare in 2025?
Skillshare’s large and engaged creative community is a great environment for creators looking to reach people passionate about artistic skills. It’s also ideal for creators who prefer passive income through royalty payments.
Pricing:
Free to join, with premium memberships offering a share of the revenue from the courses.
READ ALSO: Best Online Photography Courses for Beginners
FAQs
Do I need technical skills to create an online course?
No, most course platforms are designed to be user-friendly, with drag-and-drop builders and simple templates. Platforms like Teachable, Thinkific, and Podia are beginner-friendly and don’t require technical expertise.
How much can I charge for my online course?
You can set your own pricing depending on the platform. Some platforms like Teachable and Thinkific offer flexible pricing models, while others, like Udemy, may have restrictions or take a larger commission.
Do I need to be an expert in my field to create an online course?
While you don’t need to be a world-renowned expert, having solid knowledge and passion for your subject will help you create valuable and engaging content for your students.
Which platform is best for selling courses long-term?
Platforms like Kajabi and Thinkific are designed for long-term growth and scalability, with features to help you grow your business over time, including email marketing and analytics tools.
How can I market my course once it’s live?
Most platforms offer integrated marketing tools like email campaigns, affiliate marketing, and social media integrations. You can also create dedicated landing pages and promote your course on your website or social channels.
Can I offer discounts or coupons for my course?
Yes, platforms like Teachable, Thinkific, and Podia allow you to create coupons or offer discounts to boost course sales.
Conclusion
Choosing the right platform to launch your online course in 2025 depends on your needs, goals, and budget. Whether you’re looking for an easy-to-use platform like Teachable or an all-in-one business solution like Kajabi, there’s a platform out there to match your vision. Each of the options discussed above has its strengths, so weigh your priorities whether it’s ease of use, marketing tools, pricing flexibility, or audience reach and make an informed decision to ensure the success of your online course.