Online Courses

Best Online Course Platforms 2026

Create and sell online courses.

1
Podia

Podia

Simple creator platform.

4.6(920)
$39/mo
CoursesDownloadsWebinarsCommunityEmailWebsite
Simple pricing
Easy to use
No transaction fees
Less features
Basic analytics
Best for: Simple needsVisit Site
2
Thinkific

Thinkific

Course platform with free tier.

4.5(2,200)
Free
Course builderSite builderPaymentsCommunityAppsCertificates
Good free tier
App store
Community
Basic design
Per student pricing
Best for: Starting creatorsVisit Site
3
Teachable

Teachable

Course creation platform.

4.4(3,200)
$39/mo
Course builderSales pagesPaymentsStudentsCertificatesQuizzes
Easy to use
Good sales pages
Affordable
Transaction fees
Limited design
Best for: Course creatorsVisit Site
4
Kajabi

Kajabi

All-in-one knowledge business.

4.4(1,800)
$149/mo
CoursesWebsiteEmailPipelinesPodcastsCommunity
All-in-one
Marketing built-in
Professional
Expensive
Learning curve
Best for: Serious creatorsVisit Site
Last updated: March 2026

What is Online Course Software?

Online course software enables educators, experts, and businesses to create, sell, and deliver digital learning experiences. These platforms combine course creation tools (video hosting, quizzes, assignments) with marketing and sales features (landing pages, payment processing, email marketing) to support the complete course business. Content creation tools support video lessons, text content, downloadable resources, quizzes, and interactive assignments. Student management handles enrollment, progress tracking, certificates of completion, and community features. Marketing tools include sales pages, pricing options (one-time, subscription, payment plans), coupon codes, and affiliate programs. Community features enable student interaction through discussion forums, live Q&A sessions, and cohort-based learning. The online education market has matured significantly, with platforms supporting everything from solo course creators to large online academies with hundreds of courses and instructors.

Key Features to Look For

Course Builder

Organize lessons with video, text, quizzes, assignments, and downloadable resources in a structured curriculum.

Video Hosting

Built-in video hosting with streaming, progressive delivery, and completion tracking.

Sales & Payments

Sales pages, checkout, payment plans, coupons, and integration with payment processors.

Student Dashboard

Learner portal showing progress, certificates, community, and enrolled courses.

Community

Discussion forums, live sessions, and cohort features for student engagement and retention.

Marketing Tools

Email marketing, affiliate programs, upsells, and funnel builders to grow course sales.

How Much Does This Software Cost?

Teachable starts free, Basic at $39/month. Thinkific starts free, Basic at $36/month. Kajabi starts at $149/month. Podia starts at $39/month. LearnWorlds starts at $24/month. Mighty Networks starts at $41/month for communities. Skool costs $99/month (community + courses). Circle.so starts at $89/month. WordPress with LearnDash costs $199/year. Most course creators spend $40-$150/month.

Frequently Asked Questions

How We Evaluate This Software

VendorPick rankings are based on verified user reviews, transparent pricing data, and feature analysis — never pay-to-play placements. Vendors cannot pay to influence their ranking or placement on our platform.

Our team regularly updates pricing, features, and review data to ensure accuracy. We aggregate reviews from multiple trusted sources and weight recent reviews more heavily to reflect the current state of each product.

Have feedback or see something outdated? Let us know — we prioritize keeping our data current and trustworthy.

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