10 Best Platforms To Sell Online Courses Successfully
By Sam Nguyen
In this article, we unveil the top 10 best platforms for selling online courses curated by our experts, each offering a unique set of features, advantages, and pricing structures.
Whether you’re an educator, professional, or entrepreneur, finding the perfect platform can make all the difference in the success of your online course venture.
Is Selling Online Courses Profitable?
Education and professional development have dramatically shifted in recent years with the rise of online learning platforms.
The online learning industry has witnessed a meteoric rise, with projections indicating a market size of $400 billion by 2026. This unprecedented growth is not just a reflection of market trends but a testament to the increasing preference for digital education platforms. The COVID-19 pandemic has acted as a catalyst, intensifying the demand for online courses and reshaping the way individuals approach learning (Statista).
Selling online courses can be a source of passive income for educators. Once a course is developed and published, it can continually generate revenue, like a photography course attracting new students over time.
Online courses also have lower overhead costs, allowing for more investment in content creation, marketing, and user experience improvements.
In summary, selling online courses represents a transformative shift in education. Both educators and entrepreneurs can leverage this growth and its advantages to create impactful, scalable, and profitable digital ventures.
What Are the Best Platforms To Sell Your Online Courses?
Now you know that selling online courses is profitable, it’s time to select the right platform for selling your online courses. Here are some of our suggestions:
Sell Online Courses On Marketplaces
Online course marketplaces have a vast, established user base, providing immediate access to potential students worldwide. This exposure can significantly boost your course’s visibility without the need for extensive marketing efforts.
Additionally, these marketplaces handle many technical aspects, such as hosting, payment processing, and customer support, allowing you to focus on content creation and teaching. While revenue sharing is involved, the trade-off is the ease of access to a large audience and reduced operational concerns, making it an attractive option for many course creators.
Udemy
Udemy, a leading online learning platform, has become a hub for diverse educational content. Launched in 2010, Udemy hosts a vast array of courses spanning various subjects, making it a go-to destination for both learners and course creators.
Highlight features
Udemy provides a robust platform for online course sellers with a user-friendly interface, making course creation and management accessible. Noteworthy features include extensive analytics tools, allowing sellers to track student progress and engagement.
The platform supports various content formats, including video lectures, quizzes, and assignments, facilitating dynamic and engaging course materials. Additionally, Udemy offers marketing support through its marketplace, aiding sellers to reach a broad audience and drive enrollments.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Global reach for course creators Support for various teaching styles with diverse content formats Built-in marketing tools enhance course visibility The intuitive interface simplifies course management. | Udemy often discounts courses, affecting potential revenue for sellers Course sellers have limited control over pricing, promotions, and discounts Competition among courses on similar topics. |
Pricing
Udemy operates on a revenue-sharing model, with instructors receiving 97% of revenue for sales using their coupons or referral links and 37% for Udemy-generated sales. These figures are based on the Net Amount, factors in student payments minus applicable taxes and fees.
Who should sell online courses on Udemy?
Udemy is best suited for educators and experts who prioritize a vast audience reach and seek a platform with built-in marketing. It’s ideal for those willing to adapt to Udemy’s pricing structure and appreciate the platform’s global visibility.
Skillshare
Skillshare, established in 2011, is a vibrant online learning platform for fostering creativity and collaboration. Targeting a diverse range of learners, Skillshare allows online course sellers to share their expertise in a community-driven environment.
Highlight features
Skillshare offers a user-friendly experience for both instructors and students, simplifying course creation, uploading, and navigation. It operates on a subscription model, providing members with monthly and yearly plans. This model ensures a steady income for course creators. Skillshare’s emphasis on creativity and project-based learning also helps build an active and engaged community.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| A consistent income stream for course creators The platform fosters collaboration and networking among learners and instructors. Instructors earn money through royalties based on the number of minutes watched in their classes and referral bonuses. Ease of use | The subscription model may result in lower revenue per student Might be less appealing for instructors in non-creative fields. |
Pricing:
Course creators earn based on the Skillshare Premium Membership revenue pool, with specific earnings determined by their courses’ popularity and watch time within the subscription framework.
Who should sell online courses on Skillshare?
Skillshare is best suited for creative individuals—artists, designers, writers—and businesses seeking collaborative learning. It caters to course sellers who value a subscription-based model and are keen on contributing to a collaborative and engaged learning community. Ideal for those who appreciate a platform that prioritizes creative disciplines and encourages practical, project-based learning.
Teachable
Founded in 2013, Teachable is an all-in-one learning management platform that allows course creators to produce and sell their course content online. With various plans catering to different needs, It offers a comprehensive solution for online course sellers.
Highlight features
Teachable enables the creation of professional course websites using simple design tools and customizable templates. You can effortlessly upload videos, construct quizzes, and develop interactive materials. The platform directly manages payments, providing options like one-time fees, subscriptions, and payment plans. Additionally, Teachable offers comprehensive customer support and a community for course creators to exchange advice and network.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| 1-month free trial Customization of course pages and the ability to add branding Built-in marketing tools | Free and Basic plans incur transaction fees. Advanced features are restricted to higher-tier plans. |
Pricing:
- Free Plan: $0/month
- Basic Plan: $39/month (billed annually)
- Pro Plan: $119/month (billed annually)
- Pro+ Plan: $199/month (billed annually)
- Business Plan: $665/month ($499/month billed annually)
Who should sell online courses on Teachable?
Teachable is best for individuals and businesses looking to create and sell online courses with flexibility. From beginners exploring with the free plan to growth-focused enterprises utilizing advanced features, Teachable caters to a diverse range of course sellers.
Thinkific
Thinkific, a robust online course platform, empowers individuals to create, market, and sell courses effortlessly. With a focus on user-friendly tools and features, Thinkific aims to support online course sellers at every stage of their business journey.
Highlight features
Thinkific stands out with its free trial, allowing users to explore its capabilities without upfront costs. Notable features include 100% ownership of content, a drag-and-drop course builder, and fully integrated e-commerce.
The platform supports sellers with essential tools like course quizzes, surveys, and an integrated app store. Additionally, Thinkific offers various pricing tiers with escalating features, such as custom domains, affiliate selling, and advanced course-building options.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Test the platform without initial costs. Complete ownership of course content. No transaction feesIntegrated payment processing, marketing, and SEO tools | Fewer options for interactive course elements like live sessions or advanced quizzes. Basic analytics |
Pricing:
- Free Plan: Basic features at no cost.
- Basic Plan: $36/month.
- Start Plan: $74/month.
- Grow Plan: $149/month.
Who should sell online courses on Thinkific?
Thinkific is best suited for individuals and businesses creating and selling online courses. The free trial caters to beginners, while the scalable pricing plans make it adaptable for those seeking increased engagement, advanced tools, and diverse learning product offerings.
Coursera
Coursera, a leading online learning platform founded in 2012, serves as a dynamic space for learners and offers a unique opportunity for online course sellers to share their expertise. Coursera has become a hub for diverse knowledge-sharing with many courses.
Highlight features
This system encourages course creators to benefit directly from the success of their content. Additionally, Coursera provides a global audience, a user-friendly interface, and extensive analytics tools for instructors to monitor student engagement.
| Pros | Cons |
| Baseline commission structure, allowing course creators to earn a percentage of revenue. Access to a broad, global audience. User-friendly interface. Robust analytics for instructors to track student engagement. | Earnings are tied to user purchases within a 30-day window, potentially limiting continuous revenue. |
Pricing:
The commission system offers course creators 15% – 45% of revenue from eligible purchases within 30 days of a user clicking a qualified link.
Who should sell online courses on Coursera?
Coursera is best suited for course sellers who seek a broad global audience and value a commission-based system. Ideal for educators, institutions, and experts in diverse fields looking to share high-quality, specialized content on a reputable and widely recognized platform.
Sell Online Courses Through Your Own Website
Creating a website for selling online courses offers unique advantages like brand control, flexibility, and direct revenue. Own your brand identity, tailor the learning experience, and maximize earnings without third-party fees. Below are our recommended platforms to create a website and sell online courses.
Shopify
Shopify is an all-in-one e-commerce platform allowing businesses to create and manage online stores. The versatile platform offers a range of features that make it easy for sellers to integrate and market products and services seamlessly. It also extends its capabilities to support online course sellers.
Highlight features
Shopify is equipped with robust features, making it an ideal platform for selling online courses and other digital products. For example,
- Dedicated Digital Products Section: Shopify provides a dedicated section for digital products, facilitating easy management and sale of online courses.
- Customizable Storefront: Tailor your storefront to reflect your brand, ensuring a cohesive and professional online presence.
- Various Payment Options: With multiple payment gateways, Shopify simplifies transactions, offering convenience for both sellers and buyers.
- Integrated Marketing and SEO tools: Shopify comes with built-in marketing and SEO tools to help increase the visibility of your courses. This includes email marketing integration, social media linking, and SEO optimization features.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Robust e-commerce capabilities, ensuring a secure and streamlined online selling experience. User-friendly interface An extensive app ecosystem allows the integration of additional features and tools to enhance the selling and marketing experience. 24/7 support Scalability | Subscription costs Transaction fees for not using Shopify’s in-house payment gateway Marketing efforts to drive traffic |
Pricing:
- Basic Shopify: $̀39/month
- Shopify: $105/month
- Advanced Shopify: $399/month
Who should sell online courses on Shopify?
Shopify is best suited for entrepreneurs and businesses looking to sell online courses alongside physical products. Its user-friendly interface makes it accessible for beginners, while its robust ecommerce features cater to the needs of established sellers. Whether you’re a solo course creator or a business expanding its offerings, Shopify provides a scalable and reliable platform.
Wix
Founded in 2006, Wix has become a prominent website builder known for its user-friendly interface and versatility. Wix’s drag-and-drop editor sets Wix apart, empowering users to create visually appealing websites without extensive technical knowledge. While renowned for website creation, Wix also accommodates online course sellers, offering a unique blend of website building and course management capabilities.
Highlight features
Wix’s main advantage lies in its website builder, which is known for its wide customization options. Course sellers can tailor their course pages to fit their brand and style. Its Artificial Design Intelligence (ADI) simplifies the website creation process. The platform also offers a dedicated app specifically for creating and selling online courses, easily integrated with a Wix website, enabling the creation of video courses, PDFs, and various educational materials.
Additionally, Wix supports video hosting, a crucial element for online courses. Sellers can directly upload and manage their course videos on the platform, streamlining the process of course content delivery.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| The drag-and-drop editor simplifies website creation Included tools for managing student enrollments, progress tracking, and communication Secure checkout and payment processing Membership and subscription options | Some users may need time to master all the features. Transaction fees Dependence on third-party apps |
Pricing:
- Light: $16
- Core: $27
- Business: $32
- Business Elite: $159
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
Who should sell online courses on Wix?
Wix is best suited for individuals and businesses seeking a user-friendly platform to create websites with integrated online courses. It caters to course creators looking for simplicity and versatility in design without sacrificing functionality. Ideal for those who prioritize an intuitive interface and creative freedom for building an engaging online course platform.
Squarespace
Founded in 2003, Squarespace is a versatile website builder recognized for its elegant design templates and all-in-one platform. It offers a unique blend of simplicity and sophistication, making it appealing for users seeking a visually stunning online presence. While its primary focus is website building, Squarespace provides features supporting online course sellers.
Highlight features
Squarespace is celebrated for its visually stunning design and professional templates, making it ideal for creating attractive and credible platforms for online courses. Its e-commerce features facilitate the sale of digital products like online courses. You can easily set up a store, handle inventory, and process payments on Squarespace.
Additionally, it offers a Membership Area feature, perfect for creating exclusive content for course subscribers. This feature is especially useful for courses requiring restricted access, allowing for controlled and exclusive content distribution.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Visually appealing and customizable design templates. Simplified website creation, blogging, and e-commerce on a single platform. Integrated e-commerce features Built-in marketing tools Support for video hosting, an essential feature for delivering online course content Membership functionality | Limited course management features Transaction and subscription fees |
Pricing:
- Personal Plan: $23/month
- Business Plan: $33/month
- Basic Commerce: $36/month
- Advanced Commerce: $65/month
Who should sell online courses on Squarespace?
Squarespace is best suited for individuals and small businesses seeking a visually striking and user-friendly platform for website creation with integrated online courses. It is ideal for those who prioritize design aesthetics and want a cohesive solution for building a professional online presence along with selling digital products, including online courses.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce has established itself as a robust e-commerce platform known for its scalability and comprehensive features. Unlike other platforms, BigCommerce uniquely offers a headless commerce approach, separating the front end and back end, providing customization flexibility. While it primarily caters to online stores, it can support online course sellers looking for a powerful e-commerce solution.
Highlight features
BigCommerce supports online course sellers by providing a scalable and secure e-commerce environment. Key features include customizable templates, flexible product management, and a range of payment gateways. While not specifically tailored for online courses, the platform’s flexibility allows for integrating digital products, making it suitable for creators selling courses alongside other products.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Scalability Customized frontend experiences while maintaining a powerful backend. Multi-channel selling | The platform’s extensive features require time to master. Lack of some specialized features for course management. |
Pricing
- Standard Plan: $39/month
- Plus Plan: $105/month
- Pro Plan: $399/month
- Enterprise: Custom Pricing
Who should sell online courses on BigCommerce?
BigCommerce is best suited for businesses looking for a scalable and customizable e-commerce platform. While not specifically designed for online courses, it caters to online course sellers who want a robust e-commerce solution with the flexibility to integrate and sell digital products alongside physical goods. It is ideal for those seeking growth and customization options in their online sales.
WooCommerce
WooCommerce, founded in 2011, stands out as a famous e-commerce plugin for WordPress websites. Its uniqueness lies in its open-source nature, providing users with a customizable and extendable platform to sell products, including online courses. As a plugin integrated with WordPress, WooCommerce offers flexibility and scalability for various online businesses.
Highlight features
WooCommerce supports online course sellers by seamlessly integrating course offerings into WordPress websites. Key features include customizable storefronts, extensive plugins and extensions, and secure payment gateways. While not designed specifically for online courses, WooCommerce’s flexibility allows course sellers to leverage its e-commerce functionalities to sell and manage courses effectively.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| The open-source nature offers flexibility and customization options for building online stores and course platforms. Extensive availability of plugins and extensions to enhance functionality. Scalability | Requires some technical knowledge, especially when setting up and customizing the platform. Additional costs for premium plugins or extensions. |
Price:
- Basic Plugin: Free
- Extensions and Premium Plugins: Costs vary based on specific functionalities and needs (domain name, web hosting, SSL certificates, etc)
Who should sell online courses on WooCommerce?
WoCcommerce is best suited for WordPress users looking to add e-commerce functionality to their websites. While not tailor-made for online courses, it caters to course sellers seeking a customizable and scalable platform integrated with their WordPress site. Ideal for those who value flexibility and customization and have a basic understanding of website management and WordPress functionality.
3 Selling Online Courses Succesful Stories For Your Inspiration
Motion Design School
Motion Design School, specializing in motion design and animation courses, found success by leveraging the Shopify platform. With a visually appealing and user-friendly website powered by Shopify, Motion Design School effectively showcases its courses and simplifies the purchasing process for students. The platform’s e-commerce capabilities allow seamless transaction processing, ensuring a positive user experience for learners.
Shopify’s versatility empowers niche educational platforms like Motion Design School to build a professional online presence, manage course offerings, and streamline the user experience.
MasterClass
MasterClass, an industry leader in online education, opted for a custom platform approach. With high-profile instructors offering courses, MasterClass focuses on delivering premium content and a unique learning experience. The custom platform enables them to curate and present diverse courses across various disciplines, attracting a wide audience seeking insights from renowned experts.
For established brands with diverse offerings and a roster of notable instructors, a custom platform allows for tailored experiences and branding to align with the premium nature of the content.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy, a non-profit educational platform, has achieved remarkable success with its in-house platform. Focused on providing free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere, Khan Academy’s platform is built to facilitate learning across a broad range of subjects. The in-house development allows them to continuously innovate, adapt, and offer an extensive library of educational resources accessible to a global audience.
In-house platforms provide flexibility and control, making them suitable for initiatives aiming to deliver free or affordable education to a wide audience. Khan Academy’s success underscores the impact of in-house development in the education sector.
Bottom Line
As you navigate these 10 platforms for online course selling, consider aligning your choice with your course content, audience, and business goals. Prioritize user-friendly experiences, flexibility, and customization to enhance your teaching journey. Best of luck, and happy teaching!
FAQs
