ou wouldn’t believe how many times I’ve heard this:
“I built a killer course... but now I don’t know how to sell it.”
I get it. You’re a coach, creator or expert in your thing - not necessarily a tech wizard or funnel nerd. And even if you are, juggling five tools to launch one course? No thanks.
That’s exactly why I started testing course platforms back in 2021. From working with clients to launching my own projects, I’ve tried (and cursed at) more platforms than I care to admit. But over time, a handful of them stood out - because they just worked.
Whether you're a solopreneur looking to monetize your skills, a small team building an academy or a wellness coach tired of sending PDFs via email - this guide is for you.
Here are the five best online course platforms in 2025, based on ease of use, pricing, features, support and ability to scale.
What are the best online course platforms in 2025?
The top online course platforms in 2025 include Kajabi (best all-in-one), Teachable (best for beginners), Thinkific (best for structured training), Podia (best for creators selling digital products) and Kartra (best for marketers needing advanced funnels). Each platform offers different strengths based on features, pricing and usability. Let’s review each of them separately.
1. Kajabi – Best All-in-One Platform for Digital Entrepreneurs
I call Kajabi the “Control Center” of online course tools. Kajabi earns this title because it combines everything you need to run an online business - courses, coaching, membership communities, email marketing, automation, landing pages, even podcasts - all in one dashboard. Unlike platforms that focus only on course delivery, Kajabi gives you a complete business infrastructure. It's ideal for creators and digital entrepreneurs who don’t want to patch together multiple tools or waste time syncing five platforms just to run a launch.
If you’re ready to take your digital products seriously (and have a bit of a budget), Kajabi will carry you from zero to scale without needing Zapier band-aids.
Top Features:
- Visual course builder with assessments and drip schedules
- Integrated email marketing with automation
- Built-in CRM and pipelines (sales funnels)
- Website + blog + landing pages
- Podcasts and coaching products included
- Kajabi Communities (like a private forum for your students)
Pricing:Â
Kajabi offers flexible free trial durations ranging from 1 to 60 days, depending on the creator's settings. Paid plans start at: $89/month.
Pros:
- Truly all-in-one (replaces 5+ tools)
- Professional, beautiful design out of the box
- Fantastic customer support and training resources
Cons:
- Higher price point
- Learning curve if you only need a basic course
2. Teachable – Best for Simplicity and First-Time Course Creators
If you want a “just plug in and go” experience, Teachable is your new best friend. The platform stands out for its ease of use, making it perfect for those launching their first course. The interface is clean and intuitive, and the platform walks you through every step - no tech skills required. It removes the overwhelm of building an online course by focusing on essentials: uploading content, setting pricing, and publishing. This makes it especially beginner-friendly for solo educators, coaches or creatives starting out.
It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles Kajabi does, but it nails the basics beautifully. Think clean layout, smooth checkout and just enough customization to feel professional.
Top Features:
- Easy-to-use course and lesson builder
- Drip scheduling, quizzes and certificates
- Handles VAT, US tax forms and global payments
- Offers upsells and order bumps
- Supports coaching sessions with calendar integration
Pricing:Â
Paid plans start at $59/month
Pros:
- Extremely beginner-friendly
- Affordable (even free to start)
- Handles the backend finance stuff well
Cons:
- Limited design flexibility
- Lacks built-in email marketing or funnel tools
3. Thinkific – Best for Structured Online Academies
Thinkific shines if you’re building serious educational programs - especially multi-course academies or B2B training portals.
In other words, it is best for structured, professional learning environments - whether you're building a certification program, client onboarding flow or an internal training academy. It supports advanced features like prerequisite lessons, assessments and even SCORM files. What makes it unique is its balance of education-focused tools with a scalable setup, meaning it’s flexible enough for solo educators but powerful enough for businesses and teams.
It feels more like a true LMS (Learning Management System) than just a course hosting tool. Great if you’re running certifications, internal training or client onboarding.
Top Features:
- Drag-and-drop course builder with multimedia support
- Supports SCORM & multimedia downloads
- Branded mobile app (on higher plans)
- Communities, quizzes, surveys and certificates
- Custom domains, SSO and integrations
Pricing:Â
30-day free trial, Paid plans start at $49/month.
Pros:
- Great for complex or professional training needs
- Enterprise features at reasonable prices
- Reliable and scalable infrastructure
Cons:
- Marketing tools are limited
- Requires integrations for email and automation
4. Podia – Best for Creators Selling Courses and Digital Products
Podia feels like it was built by creators. It shines when you’re not just selling courses but also digital downloads, webinars, memberships or coaching. Its streamlined platform makes it easy to manage all types of content under one roof, and its clean checkout flow helps boost conversions. Unlike other tools, Podia is especially creator-friendly - it includes email marketing, zero transaction fees on paid plans and a site builder with no fluff or complexity.
It doesn’t try to be everything (like Kajabi), but it does what it does really well.
Top Features:
- Courses, downloads, webinars and coaching
- All-in-one website builder
- Built-in email marketing
- Simple, clean UI for both creator and student
- Live chat on your sales page (!)
Pricing:Â
30-day free trial, Paid plans start at $39/month
Pros:
- Super intuitive and no-nonsense
- No transaction fees on paid plans
- Friendly support and active product updates
Cons:
- Limited customization options
- Less advanced automation than Kajabi or Kartra
5. Kartra – Best for Funnel-Heavy, Marketing-Savvy Course Creators
Kartra is the "mad scientist" of this list. It’s built for those who want full control over every part of the buyer journey. With advanced funnel builders, visual email automation, deep segmentation, and built-in checkout + upsell logic, it’s ideal for those who care as much about how they sell as what they sell. While it’s more complex than others, it’s unmatched in power for those who’ve outgrown beginner tools and are ready to scale with precision.
If you’re marketing-savvy - or have a team to build funnels - Kartra gives you total control over the customer journey.
Top Features:
- Drag-and-drop page builder
- Visual email automation workflows
- Advanced A/B testing and tracking
- Built-in helpdesk and calendar tools
- Supports video hosting, memberships and upsells
Pricing:
30-day free trial, Paid plans start at $89/month, 30-day money back guarantee.
Pros:
- Best-in-class for automation and analytics
- Very customizable sales sequences
- No need for external funnel tools
Cons:
- Not ideal for beginners
- Interface feels outdated in parts
Quick Comparison Table of Online Course Platforms
Which Online Course Platform Is Right for You?
Here’s how I’d break it down:
- Go with Kajabi if you want one platform that does it all and you’re ready to scale like a pro.
- Pick Teachable if you're launching your first course and want a stress-free start.
- Thinkific is best if your course is more formal or professional, like employee training or certifications.
- Podia wins if you're a creative selling multiple types of products, not just courses.
- Kartra is for marketers who want full control over sales funnels and conversions.
At the end of the day, your choice should match your business model, tech comfort level and growth goals. Start small, test what works and upgrade as you grow.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Online Course Platforms:
1. What is the best platform to sell online courses?
Kajabi is the best all-in-one platform for selling online courses with marketing tools, while Teachable is ideal for beginners.
2. Which online course platform has a free plan?
Teachable, Thinkific and Podia all offer free plans for getting started.
3. Can I build an online course without technical skills?
Yes, platforms like Teachable and Podia are designed for non-tech-savvy users with drag-and-drop builders and templates.
4. Which course platform is best for marketing funnels?
Kartra and Kajabi offer powerful funnel-building tools for advanced marketing campaigns.
5. Is Kajabi worth the price?
If you're serious about scaling and need one platform to handle everything - courses, email, site, funnels - then yes, Kajabi can be worth the investment.
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