Introduction
With the global e-learning market projected to grow from USD 349.34 billion in 2024 to USD 2,285.67 billion by 2035, representing a CAGR of 18.621%, it’s clear that online education is hotter than ever. From creators and influencers to professors and professionals, everyone is jumping on the course creation bandwagon.
And why not? Sharing your knowledge is fulfilling and has become a proven way to earn a steady income. But with so many online course platforms out there, how do you choose the one that’s right for you? This blog scoops out the best online course platforms for 2025, helping you find the perfect match for your needs.
But to help you better understand your options, let’s start with an overview of the topic in discussion today.
What are Online course platforms?
Online course platforms are websites or software where you can create, sell, and manage online classes. These platforms give you tools to design lessons, upload videos or materials, and connect with students.
There are two main types of platforms for selling courses
Course Marketplaces:
These platforms give you access to a large group of students, making it easier to reach people. However, they limit how much you can customize your course’s look and branding, which may affect how your course is viewed.
Publishing Software:
This option allows you to fully customize and brand your course, giving you complete control. However, it can be more expensive, and you’ll need to put in extra work to attract students on your own.
Now that you know what online course platforms are, let’s explore what makes them great. The right platform should help you design, market, and manage your course with ease. Here are the key features to look for.
Top Features of Online Course Platforms
Think of creating an online course like setting up your dream kitchen. You need the right tools, layout, and maybe even some stylish decor to make it uniquely yours. A great online course platform provides all the essential features to make your course functional, engaging, and professional. Here’s what you should look for:
- Beginner-Friendly Interface:
For first-time course creators, a simple interface with an intuitive design, a step-by-step guide, and clear instructions are invaluable. Look for platforms that offer tutorials, templates, and support to help you get started quickly.
- Support for Diverse Content Formats:
Not every student learns the same way. Some prefer videos, while others might absorb information better through written guides or interactive exercises. Videos, PDFs, quizzes, and audio files, are critical for catering to different learning styles. A robust platform allows you to include all of these seamlessly.
- Customization and Branding:
Your course should reflect your personality and professionalism. You can do this by keeping a consistent voice, colors, and personal experiences. Platforms that offer customizable templates, branding tools, and design flexibility help your course make a better impression.
- Engagement Tools:
Interactive quizzes, gamification, and discussion forums keep learners motivated and invested in your content. Engagement leads to better learning outcomes and positive reviews, which attract more students.
- Marketing and Payment Integration:
A course platform that supports email marketing, sales funnels, and multiple payment gateways can make the difference between reaching your audience and struggling to get noticed.
- Affordable Pricing:
Balancing features with affordability is key, especially for new creators. Choose a platform that fits your budget without compromising on essentials.
With these features in mind, let’s examine the top platforms that excel in these areas and how you can choose the one that works best for you.
1. Exly: The All-in-one Solution
Exly is the ultimate platform for course creators looking to simplify their business operations and expand their reach. Exly equips you with all the tools needed to create, manage, and promote your courses seamlessly. With no subscription fees and a user-friendly interface, it’s never been easier to turn your passion for teaching into a thriving business.
| Ideal for | All kinds of creators—course instructors, coaches, consultants, and digital product sellers. |
| Pricing | Contact Exly to get customized pricing for your needs. |
Key Features:
- User-Friendly Platform
Exly simplifies course creation, member enrollment, and engagement tracking through an all-in-one dashboard making it perfect for all creators.
- Privacy & Security
Exly ensures your course materials are fully protected from duplication. With features like watermarking, Exly safeguards your content, while you focus on just creating.
- Engage Students with Drip Email Campaigns
Automate communication with your students through scheduled emails for lesson updates and personalized engagement through segmentation.
- Track Performance with Advanced Analytics
Use Exly’s detailed dashboard to monitor sign-ups and student engagement. Leverage insights to improve your courses and marketing strategies, all for free.
- Boost Enrollments with Marketing Tools
Exly makes it easy to promote your courses effectively with its sales funnels, discount codes, and curated marketing resources.
- Simplify Payments and Scale Seamlessly
Exly accepts payments globally with its secure, integrated payment gateway. Enjoy unlimited enrollments and students without any restrictions on growth.
2. Udemy:
Udemy is an online learning platform offering a wide range of courses on various subjects, allowing instructors to create and sell content. It caters to learners of all levels, with courses available in multiple languages.
| Ideal for | Beginners who want to focus on content creation without worrying about marketing or technical setup. |
| Pricing | Instructors earn 97% of the revenue when students buy their course using a coupon or referral link. Without such promotions, instructors receive 37% of the revenue from Udemy sales. |
Key Features:
- Flexibility:
Udemy allows instructors to create and share courses on various topics, offering a platform for flexible learning at one’s own pace.
- Student Feedback and Ratings:
Udemy allows students to rate your courses and leave feedback, providing you with constructive insights.
3. Skillshare:
Skillshare focuses on creative skills and offers a subscription-based model where users can access classes in design, art, writing, and more. It enables creators to teach and share their expertise with a global community.
| Ideal for | Beginners who want to focus on content creation without worrying about marketing or technical setup. |
| Pricing | Around 20% of the subscription revenue is shared with course creators each month. |
Key Features:
- Community Discussion Forum:
Skillshare promotes interaction through its community-focused forum, where students and teachers can engage in discussions, share progress, and provide valuable feedback.
- Project-Based Learning:
Skillshare courses are designed around hands-on projects, encouraging students to apply what they’ve learned through practical tasks. This approach makes the content engaging.
4. Teachable:
Teachable provides tools for creating and selling online courses with a focus on customization and flexibility for instructors. It allows users to design courses, set prices, and manage student interactions.
| Ideal for | Professionals who want to build a scalable course business with advanced tools and full control. |
| Pricing | Plans range from $39 to $199 |
Key Features:
- Drag-and-Drop Builder
Create and customize courses, coaching services, sales pages, and checkout pages easily using Teachable’s user-friendly drag-and-drop builder, no technical skills needed.
- Marketing and Sales Tools
Promote your courses with affiliate programs, email marketing, upsells, coupons, and order bumps to boost sales and visibility.
5. Podia
Podia is an all-in-one platform for creators to sell online courses, memberships, and digital downloads. It emphasizes simplicity, making it easy for creators to set up and manage their content.
Key Features:
- Customizable Storefronts
Creators can design their own storefronts, giving them control over the appearance and branding of their offerings.
- Membership Options
You can create a private membership site and build an engaged community with gated content. This feature is perfect for creators who want to offer exclusive content and create recurring revenue.
6. Kajabi
Kajabi offers an all-in-one platform for course creation, marketing, and selling. It combines features for building websites, managing memberships, and creating automated marketing workflows.
Key Features:
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
With an integrated CRM, Kajabi lets you manage and track your customer interactions, enhancing engagement and sales.
- Sales Funnels & Pipelines
You can create automated sales funnels and marketing campaigns with just a few clicks to boost conversions and streamline your marketing efforts.
And that brings us to the end of our list!
Wrapping up
When choosing the best platform for your course business, it’s essential to pick one that fits both your budget and your specific needs. Take a moment to evaluate the features each platform offers and how they align with your goals.
Look for the perfect balance between ease of use and powerful tools that can help you scale. The comparison table below will help you quickly assess your options and make a smart, informed decision that works best for you.
Exly stands out as a good choice for creators looking for a straightforward, no-hassle platform to manage their courses and grow their business. As a coach, consultant, or course creator, Exly’s ease of use and powerful features like
- Automated emails
- Advanced analytics
- Customizable sales funnels
can help you reach your goals faster. If you’re ready to take your online course business to the next level, Exly is a platform worth exploring.
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