5 Best Online Course Platforms [2023]

Online course platforms are software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications used to create and distribute digital courses. These all-in-one platforms also help with marketing and selling the courses you create. Feature-packed platforms like Thinkific will be fully customizable and most will have an option to offer quizzes and tests to the students who enroll in your course. Some platforms offer advanced tools that allow you to upload media files, schedule classes, and automate content. Since online course software is a Learning Management System (LMS), you’ll be able to update or make changes when needed if you’d like to modify your course to keep up with current events.

The Best Online Course Platforms

The best online course platforms make it easy for those with limited technical knowledge to create a course. Features like drag-and-drop course building make it possible for just about anyone to create an entire educational website. High-end platforms integrate Content Management Systems (CMS), email marketing, one-click templates, upselling automation, payment capabilities, and real-time insights to become a one-stop-shop for serious online educators.

Thinkific

Thinkific is considered to be the best online course platform and likely the only platform you’ll ever need! With a beautiful user interface, you’ll be able to easily create courses in no time. No coding is required. Even better, you’re able to set your own pricing and get paid instantly via PayPal and Stripe. Thinkific supports over 30 different languages.

Top Features:

  • 1-month Pro Plan free trial
  • Thinkific doesn’t charge transaction fees
  • Ability to remove branding (white-labeled)
Thinkific free trial offer

Teachable

Teachable makes it easy for beginners to create online courses and sell coaching services thanks to their beautiful interface. Over 100,000 creators have used Teachable and the platform has processed over $1 billion in transactions. We like that everything is unlimited, too. There are no limits to video, bandwidth, or the number of students on all of their paid plans.

Top Features:

  • Endless customization abilities
  • Comprehensive reporting for sales and performance
  • Accept payment in 130+ currencies and PayPal
Teachable course builder

LearnWorlds

LearnWorlds is one of the easiest platforms to build online courses thanks to its drag-and-drop builder. Their all-in-one platform is fully white-label and built for monetization which means you can quickly sell courses and memberships under your own brand.

LearnWorlds Course Builder

LearnDash

LearnDash is an award-winning WordPress LMS plugin that is used by several universities. The plugin was created by e-learning experts that designed the platform around content, quizzing, and immersive learning experiences. LearnDash gives you complete control by offering your course business several pricing models, over 300 different payment gateways, and renewal reminders to reduce customer churn.

LifterLMS

LifterLMS is a WordPress plugin which means it’s super flexible — it can run alongside your existing website. This makes it a great option for developers and creators who have outgrown their hosted course platform. We like that you can expand the functionality of LifterLMS by purchasing individual add-ons or a bundle which makes it an attractive option for any budget.

LifterLMS plans

How do online course platforms work?

Online course platforms combine the functionality of a Content Management System (think WordPress) and eCommerce software (like WooCommerce) to allow entrepreneurs and educators to easily create and publish an online course while monetizing it at the same time.

Most platforms include a drag-and-drop website builder that is designed to help you create the space that houses your educational content like multimedia lectures, coaching sessions, quizzes, and other downloadable material. Similar to a CMS, online course software includes versatile tools to make an impressive home page and as many custom pages bespoke to your needs.

If you’re overwhelmed at the thought of creating your own course from scratch, you’ll be relieved to know that most platforms also offer a number of pre-built sections and templates available which will give you a head start at creating your online course.

However, there is a difference, too.

Unlike sites built with WordPress, courses created with an online course platform are essentially gated. This means that only those who are granted access can see what’s inside.

Typically, there are three kinds of log-ins:

  • Admins – have access to tools and settings
  • Teachers – are able to assign and review course work
  • Students – have access to content and quizzes

Within this gated site, you have the ability to facilitate two kinds of interactions with students – online or blended.

Blended learning mixes aspects of digital and traditional learning methods. Tutors and students meet physically, but online course software is used to support learning by creating a space to store/organize materials and give assessments. Teachers and students can also interact on blogs, forums, and discussion boards.

Features of online course software include:

  • An internal messaging system
  • Course management
  • Self-marking quizzes and tests
  • Ability to automatically grade work
  • Student data & progress tracking

What are the benefit of using an online course platform?

Thanks to numerous intuitive features, online course platforms offer the following benefits to entrepreneurs and e-learning professionals: 

  • Streamlines the Learning Process – Many consider that the biggest advantage of using online course software is that it makes grading tests and managing student work significantly simpler, quicker, and more accurate. 
  • Organizes the Workplace – Online course platforms create a central, organized space that houses messages, profiles, submissions, and results.
  • Encourages More Engagement – In addition to text content, you’re able to integrate media files like videos, images, infographics, charts, and animations which helps improve engagement!
  • Complements Interaction – Online courses allow personal interactions via features like live chat and messages. Unlike the review-comment sections, these features provide students a medium to ask questions and get solutions to their queries in real time. It also ensures that neither students nor teachers depend on having to see each other face-to-face.
  • Ability to Track & Record – Fast data recording and tracking options are included with most platforms. This means that things like test results are automatically scored and stored in one location; it will become easier to access and review them for future reference.

Why should you create an online course?

With over 5.03 billion people actively using the Internet, there is no doubt that the world is online. It is estimated that over 1 billion of those people will take an online course at some point in their life.

The online learning industry is expected to accelerate at a rapid speed! In the US alone, the online course industry will grow to $6.22 US billion by 2022. So, what does it mean for you? Enormous opportunity to reach more customers than ever before and earn immensely by sharing your knowledge online.

That’s not all… There are many more reasons why you should create and sell an online course: 

  • Easy to Manage – As mentioned, the primary advantage why you should create an online course is easy management. With a comprehensive platform, everything from building courses to marketing your business becomes easier and quicker.
  • Freedom & Flexibility – Another main benefit of becoming an entrepreneur and selling your course online is that you get to choose the place of work. Even if the classes are going to be live, you have the freedom to decide the best time to schedule your sessions. Traveling through cities, or even countries, will not affect your work life. All you need is a laptop and internet connection!
  • Low Cost – Many platforms allow you to get started with a free trial of their software. Unlike traditional courses, you won’t have additional costs of manufacturing, delivery, marketing, or shipping, either.