8 Best Online Course Platforms (After 6 years as a Course Creator)
Online courses have been some of the best investments I’ve made in my business journey.
They’ve not only helped me expand my skills from industry experts but have also become a huge part of how I run my own course creation business.
I’ve been an online course creator since 2019 and I have a signature courses – Blog Traffic Machine which help online business owners how to increase their leads using evergreen blog content.
Over the years, I’ve tried almost every course creation tool you can imagine.
Some worked wonders, while others were too limiting for my specific needs.
For example, I used Kajabi for five years—it’s fantastic, but I found it got too restrictive as my business grew.
UNLOCK 30% OFF AND a 30-DAY TRIAL
Ready to streamline and scale your business like a pro?
Kartra’s all-in-one platform has everything you need to build, market, and manage your online business in one place.
From powerful email automations to high-converting sales funnels, Kartra makes it easy to keep everything under one roof.
Sign up today to get 30% off any plan, access to advanced automations on ANY plan, and a 30-day trial to test it all out! But only if you sign up with my link below.
Now, I use Kartra full-time, and it’s been a game-changer for how I create and market my courses.
The demand for online learning is only growing.
With people, wanting more and more to work for themselves and creating online businesses, these best online course platforms are making it easier than ever for creators like us to share knowledge.
From powerful mobile apps to intuitive customization options, these platforms cater to every type of creator and learner.
If you’ve been thinking about launching an online course, now is the perfect time.
And in this blog post, I’ll walk you through 8 of the best platforms for creating, teaching, and selling courses.
No matter your experience level or audience size, there’s something here for every person at every level.
1. Kartra – Best All-round platform
Let’s start with my go-to platform, Kartra.
After years of testing different platforms, I now use Kartra full-time, and honestly, it’s been a game-changer.
It’s not just a course creation tool—it’s an all-in-one marketing platform that lets you do everything from building sales pages to automating email campaigns and even hosting your courses.
One of the reasons I switched to Kartra is because of its advanced features.
Unlike other platforms, everything you need is built-in—no need to integrate third-party tools for email marketing, video content, or analytics.
This makes it not only convenient but also more cost-effective in the long run.
Key Features of using kartra
Sales Page Builder: Kartra’s drag-and-drop editor is perfect for designing high-converting sales pages. Whether you’re promoting a webinar or a new course, the options are endless.
Affiliate Program: Easily create and manage your affiliate program to expand your course reach without additional tools.
Funnel Builder: Build custom funnels to guide your audience from lead to loyal customers.
If you’re looking for a platform that combines functionality with flexibility, Kartra is a good option.
Pros of kartra
- All-in-one platform that eliminates the need for third-party tools.
- Offers tools tailored to advanced course creators, such as integrated marketing and funnel-building.
- Designed for scalability, with features that grow with your business. For example you get unlimited courses in their plans which is super helpful!
Cons of kartra
- Slightly steeper learning curve compared to more basic platforms.
- Can be overkill if you’re just starting out and don’t need all the bells and whistles.
My Personal Experience with kartra
Switching to Kartra felt like a breath of fresh air after five years on Kajabi.
While Kajabi was fantastic when I was starting out, it became too restrictive as my business grew.
Kartra has allowed me to create more complex funnels, create landing pages FAST and tailor my course content for different audiences.
From managing my digital downloads to automating client workflows, Kartra does it all seamlessly.
2. Kajabi – Best for Beginners
Ah, Kajabi.
This was my first course platform, and I’ll always have a soft spot for it.
If you’re just starting out or don’t need tons of fancy extras, Kajabi is one of the best online course platforms to consider.
Kajabi’s interface is incredibly user-friendly, making it ideal for beginners or creators who want to focus on creating and teaching without worrying about technical challenges.
Its tools for community building are also fantastic, helping you create a loyal audience around your courses.
One standout feature is the ability to host your podcast directly on Kajabi, giving you an additional channel to connect with your audience.
Key Features of kajabi
Ease of Use: Kajabi simplifies course creation with a highly intuitive interface and templates.
Community Building: Engage your audience with membership sites, forums, and interactive spaces for learners.
Host Your Podcast: Build another revenue stream or marketing channel by integrating your podcast into the platform.
Pros of kajabi
- Highly intuitive platform, perfect for creators with little technical expertise.
- Provides everything you need to build a thriving community around your courses.
- Offers a seamless way to launch and monetise podcasts alongside your courses.
Cons of kajabi
- Limited scalability as your business grows.
- Customisation can feel restrictive for advanced users or those with more complex requirements.
- Their customer support was quite unhelpful at time which was frustrating.
My Personal Experience with kajabi
For the five years I used Kajabi, it was my go-to for everything.
I loved how easy it was to get my courses up and running, and the built-in community-building tools were a great way to stay connected with my audience.
The ability to host my podcast on the same platform was also a huge plus—it made my content ecosystem feel so cohesive.
But as my business grew, I needed more flexibility and advanced features, which is why I transitioned to Kartra.
I started to feel like the podcast hosting was too basic and I still was using the likes of Activecampaign for my email marketing so it didn’t feel like an all-in-one tool anymore.
That said, Kajabi remains an excellent choice for beginners or small businesses who want an intuitive easy course platform.
3. Clickfunnels – Best for businesses serious about funnels
If your priority is sales funnels then ClickFunnels is a powerhouse platform.
It’s not specifically designed for course creation, but it excels at building sales pages and funnels that drive conversions.
ClickFunnels is ideal for creators who prioritise selling courses through high-converting funnels.
I dabbled with ClickFunnels briefly using their trial and while it wasn’t the right fit for me long-term, I was impressed by its ability to streamline funnel creation.
Key Features of Clickfunnels
Funnel Templates: Choose from a variety of pre-designed templates to quickly set up marketing funnels for your courses.
Affiliate Management: Manage affiliates easily with built-in tools to help expand your course reach.
Webinar Integration: Use webinars as part of your funnel strategy to engage potential students and upsell your courses.
Pros of clickfunnels
- Exceptional for building sales pages and automating marketing processes.
- Strong focus on lead generation and nurturing potential buyers.
- Includes robust analytics to track funnel performance.
Cons of clickfunnels
- Not a dedicated online course platform, so hosting your courses will require additional tools or integrations.
- Limited design flexibility compared to platforms like Kajabi or Kartra.
My Personal Experience with clickfunnels
ClickFunnels was an interesting platform to explore with their free trial.
Its funnel templates are super helpful for beginners or anyone short on time.
However, as someone who needed an all-in-one platform for creating and selling courses, ClickFunnels didn’t quite meet my specific needs so I went with an all-in-one platform instead.
Still, for creators with a sales funnel-driven focus, it’s an excellent tool.
4. Thinkific – Great for beginners
Thinkific is often recommended for new course creators, and for good reason.
Its interface is user-friendly, and the platform offers plenty of tools to get your courses up and running.
One thing I love about Thinkific is its ease of use, especially for those with little to no technical background.
It’s also one of the most cost-effective online course marketplaces, with a free plan that lets you test the waters before committing to a paid plan.
Key Features of thinkific
- Ease of Use: Thinkific’s drag-and-drop course builder makes it simple to create and launch courses without any coding experience.
- Customisation Options: Personalise your courses to reflect your brand using templates and design tools.
- Free Plan: Access basic features for free, making it a great starting point for beginners.
Pros of thinkific
- Affordable pricing options with a free plan available for small-scale creators.
- Allows course creators to host unlimited students on higher-tier plans.
- Focused on helping new creators succeed with minimal technical hurdles.
Cons of thinkific
- Lacks advanced marketing tools like email automation and funnel building.
- Limited design options for customising your course website.
- Not as robust for scaling as platforms like Kartra or Kajabi.
My Personal Experience with thinkific
I’ve recommended Thinkific to many of my coaching clients who were just starting out.
Its ease of use and affordability make it a fantastic entry point for new course creators.
While it’s not my platform of choice for scaling a business, I think it’s perfect for those taking their first steps into the world of course creation.
5. Teachable – Great for beginners
Teachable is a solid choice for creators who want a straightforward way to create and sell courses.
Its interface is clean and intuitive, and it offers great flexibility for hosting and selling your content.
One standout feature of Teachable is its ability to handle transactions seamlessly, without the need for third-party tools.
It’s also a great learning management system for tracking student progress, creating certificates, and managing enrollments.
Key Features of Teachable
Ease of Use: Simple setup process with no technical expertise required.
Analytics: Track student progress and course performance with detailed reporting tools.
Upselling: Increase revenue by offering related courses or products to your students.
Pros of teachable
- Affordable and flexible plans for creators at all levels.
- Built-in payment processing makes it easy to start selling right away.
- Offers tools for student engagement, such as quizzes and certificates.
Cons of teachable
- Transaction fees apply on lower-tier plans.
- Limited customisation options for advanced users.
- Does not support live workshops or webinars natively.
My Personal Experience with Teachable
I’ve always admired how Teachable simplifies the course creation process.
For creators who want to launch quickly and don’t need extensive customisation options, it’s an excellent choice.
I dabbled with Teachable way back in 2017 I think it was, and what I didn’t like about it was that I had to pay transaction fees for the basic plan. This seemed a little bit off to me so I stopped them.
6. ThriveCart – Best for Checkout and Upselling
ThriveCart is a platform that focuses heavily on the checkout process and maximising revenue through upselling.
If you’re serious about building a seamless shopping experience for your courses, ThriveCart is an excellent choice.
While it’s not a full-fledged course creation tool, it pairs perfectly with other online platforms to handle payments, upsells, and affiliate programs.
One thing I love about ThriveCart is its ability to make every transaction feel effortless.
It’s the perfect complement to a course platform that lacks advanced checkout options.
Key Features of thrivecart
Customisable Checkout Pages: Create visually appealing, high-converting checkout pages that match your branding.
Upselling and Downselling: Offer additional products or discounts to customers during the checkout process.
Affiliate Management: Run an affiliate program directly through ThriveCart to boost sales.
Pros of thrivecart
- Increases revenue with upselling features and customisable payment plans.
- Built-in tools for managing affiliates without third-party software.
- Lifetime pricing option, which eliminates monthly fees.
Cons of thrivecart
- Not a standalone course platform—you’ll need another tool for creating and hosting courses.
- Limited features for community engagement or student interaction.
My Personal Experience with thrivecart
I actually never signed up with Thrivecart myself but I have tested their features within friends accounts to see how easy it was to use.
For anyone who struggles with converting visitors into paying customers, ThriveCart can fill that gap.
While it’s not a complete learning management system, it’s a fantastic addition to any online course marketplace looking to optimise sales.
7. LearnWorlds – Best for Interactive Learning
If you’re looking for a platform that prioritises engagement and interactivity, LearnWorlds is a top contender.
With its focus on creating an immersive learning experience, it stands out from more traditional platforms.
LearnWorlds offers unique tools like video overlays and interactive assessments that make courses more engaging for students.
Key Features of Learnworlds
Interactive Video Content: Add quizzes, call-to-actions, and annotations directly to your videos.
Customisable Templates: Create beautiful course websites with no design experience required.
White-Labelling: Remove LearnWorlds branding and fully customise your platform.
Pros of Learnworlds
- Advanced tools for creating engaging, interactive courses.
- Built-in video editor, so you don’t need third-party software.
- Excellent for professional educators and businesses that want to stand out.
Cons of Learnworlds
- Steeper learning curve compared to simpler platforms like Teachable.
- Higher pricing tiers can feel expensive for beginners.
My Personal Experience with Learnworlds
I tested LearnWorlds when I wanted to experiment with more interactive course elements.
Its video content tools are among the best I’ve seen, and it’s a great fit for educators who want to go beyond standard course formats.
If your specific needs include creating an engaging learning experience, LearnWorlds won’t disappoint.
8. Mighty Networks – Best for Building Communities
Last but not least, Mighty Networks is a fantastic platform for creators who want to build a thriving community around their courses.
Unlike other platforms that focus primarily on content delivery, Mighty Networks combines course creation with powerful community features.
Whether you’re looking to foster engagement, run group coaching sessions, or create a membership site, this platform has it all.
Key Features of Mighty Networks
Community Engagement Tools: Host discussions, events, and live streams to connect with your audience.
Mobile App: Let your students access courses and community features on the go.
Integrated Course Builder: Create and deliver courses within the same platform where your community interacts.
Pros of Mighty Networks
- Excellent for creating a sense of connection among students.
- Combines course creation with community building in one place.
- Mobile-friendly, with a dedicated mobile app for students.
Cons of Mighty Networks
- Limited marketing tools compared to platforms like Kartra.
- Less suitable for creators who don’t prioritise community engagement.
My Personal Experience with Mighty Networks
Mighty Networks is an incredible tool for building a loyal following.
I’ve seen it work wonders for creators who want to keep their audience engaged and foster deeper connections.
Its mobile app is also a big plus, ensuring students stay connected wherever they are.
If your focus is on creating a community-driven learning experience, Mighty Networks is a good option.
Choosing the right platform depends on your goals, audience, and stage in your course creation journey.
For all-in-one solutions, Kartra is my personal favourite.
If you’re starting small, Kajabi and Teachable offer simplicity and reliability.
Looking to scale? ClickFunnels and ThriveCart provide robust sales tools, while LearnWorlds and Mighty Networks deliver immersive experiences and community features.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but with these 8 best online course platforms, you’re sure to find one that meets your specific needs.
Which platform are you most excited to try? Let me know in the comments below!
Frequently Asked Questions
✅ How long does it take to build an online course?
In terms of actually building the course on an online platform, you can usually do this in 1 week if you put in the time. Of course, recording and putting together the course materials can take much longer and will depend on the person and the subject.
