Quick Overview
- 1#1: Thinkific - Empowers creators to build, host, market, and sell customizable online courses on their own branded platform.
- 2#2: Teachable - Simplifies creating, selling, and managing online courses with built-in payments and student analytics.
- 3#3: Kajabi - Provides an all-in-one platform for online courses, websites, email marketing, and sales pipelines.
- 4#4: LearnWorlds - Enables interactive online course creation with quizzes, certificates, e-learning apps, and white-label academies.
- 5#5: Podia - Allows selling online courses, digital downloads, and memberships without transaction fees on a simple platform.
- 6#6: Skool - Combines gamified online courses with community features for easy teaching and member engagement.
- 7#7: New Zenler - Offers an affordable all-in-one solution for courses, live webinars, sales funnels, and memberships.
- 8#8: Mighty Networks - Builds branded communities with integrated courses, live events, and membership monetization tools.
- 9#9: Circle - Creates modern online communities with course hosting, live streams, and member discussion features.
- 10#10: Uscreen - Monetizes video-based online courses and memberships with apps for fitness, coaching, and content creators.
We ranked these tools by prioritizing features like functionality breadth, user-friendliness, performance, and value, ensuring a comprehensive list that caters to creators of all skill levels and goals.
Comparison Table
As online learning grows, choosing the right course builder software is key to successful content creation and student engagement. This comparison table explores top tools like Thinkific, Teachable, Kajabi, LearnWorlds, Podia, and more, highlighting core features to help identify the best fit for your goals. Readers will gain clear insights into each tool’s strengths to make informed decisions for their course business.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thinkific Empowers creators to build, host, market, and sell customizable online courses on their own branded platform. | specialized | 9.6/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.7/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 2 | Teachable Simplifies creating, selling, and managing online courses with built-in payments and student analytics. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.6/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 3 | Kajabi Provides an all-in-one platform for online courses, websites, email marketing, and sales pipelines. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 4 | LearnWorlds Enables interactive online course creation with quizzes, certificates, e-learning apps, and white-label academies. | specialized | 8.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 5 | Podia Allows selling online courses, digital downloads, and memberships without transaction fees on a simple platform. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 6 | Skool Combines gamified online courses with community features for easy teaching and member engagement. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 7 | New Zenler Offers an affordable all-in-one solution for courses, live webinars, sales funnels, and memberships. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.3/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 8 | Mighty Networks Builds branded communities with integrated courses, live events, and membership monetization tools. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 9 | Circle Creates modern online communities with course hosting, live streams, and member discussion features. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.3/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 10 | Uscreen Monetizes video-based online courses and memberships with apps for fitness, coaching, and content creators. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.9/10 |
Empowers creators to build, host, market, and sell customizable online courses on their own branded platform.
Simplifies creating, selling, and managing online courses with built-in payments and student analytics.
Provides an all-in-one platform for online courses, websites, email marketing, and sales pipelines.
Enables interactive online course creation with quizzes, certificates, e-learning apps, and white-label academies.
Allows selling online courses, digital downloads, and memberships without transaction fees on a simple platform.
Combines gamified online courses with community features for easy teaching and member engagement.
Offers an affordable all-in-one solution for courses, live webinars, sales funnels, and memberships.
Builds branded communities with integrated courses, live events, and membership monetization tools.
Creates modern online communities with course hosting, live streams, and member discussion features.
Monetizes video-based online courses and memberships with apps for fitness, coaching, and content creators.
Thinkific
specializedEmpowers creators to build, host, market, and sell customizable online courses on their own branded platform.
Unlimited everything (courses, students, video hosting) with zero transaction fees on paid plans
Thinkific is a leading all-in-one platform for creating, hosting, marketing, and selling online courses without any coding required. It features a drag-and-drop course builder, unlimited video hosting, quizzes, assignments, certificates, and drip content scheduling. With built-in communities, email marketing, upsells, and payment processing that charges no transaction fees on paid plans, it empowers creators to scale their online education businesses efficiently.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop builder with no coding needed
- Unlimited courses, students, and bandwidth on paid plans
- No transaction fees on Thinkific Payments and robust marketing tools
Cons
- Advanced customization and features locked behind higher tiers
- Limited native email marketing depth (relies on integrations)
- Free plan lacks key monetization options
Best For
Course creators, coaches, and educators seeking a scalable, user-friendly platform to build and monetize professional online courses.
Pricing
Free plan for basics; paid plans from $36/mo (Basic) to $149/mo (Grow), plus custom Expand; annual discounts available.
Teachable
specializedSimplifies creating, selling, and managing online courses with built-in payments and student analytics.
Zero transaction fees on Pro and higher plans, maximizing creator revenue compared to competitors with ongoing fees.
Teachable is a leading online course platform that empowers creators to build, host, and sell digital courses without coding expertise. It features a drag-and-drop builder for creating multimedia lessons, quizzes, and certificates, alongside student management and engagement tools. The platform handles payments, marketing, and analytics, making it a full-service solution for monetizing educational content.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop course builder
- Integrated payments with Stripe and PayPal
- Powerful marketing tools including affiliates and coupons
Cons
- Transaction fees on Free and Basic plans (up to 10%)
- Limited advanced customization without higher tiers
- No native community forums or live class features
Best For
Independent educators and small businesses seeking an easy-to-use platform to create and sell online courses at scale.
Pricing
Free plan with 10% + $1 transaction fees; Basic at $39/mo (5% fees), Pro at $119/mo (0% fees), Business at $199+/mo, billed annually.
Kajabi
specializedProvides an all-in-one platform for online courses, websites, email marketing, and sales pipelines.
Built-in marketing pipelines and automation that seamlessly connect course delivery with sales funnels and email sequences
Kajabi is a comprehensive all-in-one platform designed for creators to build, market, and sell online courses, memberships, coaching programs, and digital products. It provides robust course-building tools like video hosting, quizzes, drip content, and community features, combined with website builders, email marketing automation, sales funnels, and analytics. This integration eliminates the need for multiple tools, making it a powerhouse for scaling online businesses.
Pros
- All-in-one ecosystem covering course creation, marketing, and sales
- Professional templates and drag-and-drop builders for quick launches
- Advanced automation, pipelines, and analytics for business growth
Cons
- High pricing that may deter beginners or small creators
- Steep learning curve for full feature utilization
- Limited third-party integrations compared to modular platforms
Best For
Established coaches, course creators, and entrepreneurs who need integrated marketing and sales tools to scale their online businesses.
Pricing
Starts at $149/month (Basic), $199/month (Growth), $399/month (Pro); annual plans offer up to 20% discount, no free tier.
LearnWorlds
specializedEnables interactive online course creation with quizzes, certificates, e-learning apps, and white-label academies.
White-label mobile app builder that lets users publish branded iOS and Android apps without coding
LearnWorlds is an all-in-one platform designed for creating, hosting, and selling interactive online courses, complete with customizable school websites and student management tools. It supports multimedia content, quizzes, certificates, and advanced engagement features like live polls and drip content. Creators can leverage built-in marketing automation, payment integrations, and community forums to build and monetize their online schools effectively.
Pros
- Rich set of interactive course tools including video quizzes and certificates
- Powerful marketing features like affiliates, bundles, and email automation
- White-label mobile app builder for iOS and Android
Cons
- Higher-tier plans required for full features like unlimited courses
- Steeper learning curve for advanced customizations
- Pricing escalates quickly for high-volume users
Best For
Professional educators and businesses seeking a scalable platform for interactive online schools with strong marketing and community tools.
Pricing
Starter ($29/mo), Pro Trainer ($99/mo), Learning Center ($299/mo); annual billing discounts available, 30-day free trial.
Podia
specializedAllows selling online courses, digital downloads, and memberships without transaction fees on a simple platform.
Zero transaction fees combined with built-in email marketing for seamless course sales and audience growth
Podia is an all-in-one platform that enables creators to build, host, and sell online courses, digital downloads, and memberships without transaction fees on paid plans. It features a drag-and-drop course builder, customizable websites, built-in email marketing, and integrated payments, making it simple to launch and market offerings. Podia stands out for its user-friendly interface and unlimited courses, products, and students across all tiers.
Pros
- All-in-one solution including courses, websites, email marketing, and payments
- No transaction fees on paid plans with unlimited courses and students
- Intuitive drag-and-drop builder and beautiful templates
Cons
- Limited advanced course features like certificates or complex dripping
- Video hosting relies on third-party services like Vimeo or YouTube
- Fewer integrations and customization options compared to enterprise tools
Best For
Solopreneurs and small course creators seeking a simple, affordable all-in-one platform without transaction fees.
Pricing
Free limited plan; paid plans start at $39/mo (Mover, billed annually), $89/mo (Shaker), $199/mo (Earthquaker).
Skool
specializedCombines gamified online courses with community features for easy teaching and member engagement.
The unified 'Classroom' that blends courses, community feed, and events into one intuitive hub
Skool is an all-in-one platform designed for creating online schools and vibrant communities, allowing users to build courses with video lessons, quizzes, and drip content. It seamlessly integrates course delivery with discussion feeds, calendars, and gamification to boost student engagement. Ideal for educators seeking a simple yet powerful tool to monetize knowledge through memberships or one-time payments.
Pros
- Seamless integration of courses and community discussions
- Unlimited students and courses on a flat monthly fee
- Built-in gamification with points, levels, and leaderboards
Cons
- Limited advanced course customization compared to dedicated LMS platforms
- Basic quiz and assessment options without deep analytics
- No free tier beyond trial; requires commitment to paid plan
Best For
Course creators and coaches who prioritize community engagement alongside course delivery.
Pricing
$99/month (billed annually) or $149/month for unlimited groups, members, and courses; Stripe processing fees apply to payments.
New Zenler
specializedOffers an affordable all-in-one solution for courses, live webinars, sales funnels, and memberships.
Integrated sales funnel and email marketing builder that automates student acquisition and nurturing without additional tools
New Zenler is an all-in-one platform designed for online course creators, offering tools to build, host, market, and sell courses without needing multiple subscriptions. It features a drag-and-drop course builder, customizable websites and sales funnels, live class scheduling, drip content delivery, and integrated email/SMS marketing. The platform supports memberships, quizzes, certificates, and payment processing, streamlining the entire process from creation to monetization.
Pros
- Affordable all-in-one solution combining LMS, website builder, funnels, and marketing tools
- User-friendly drag-and-drop interfaces for courses and pages
- Strong value with unlimited courses, students, and bandwidth on most plans
Cons
- Limited advanced customization options compared to premium competitors like Kajabi
- Occasional performance glitches and slower support response times
- Fewer third-party integrations than top-tier platforms
Best For
Small to medium-sized course creators and coaches seeking a budget-friendly, comprehensive platform to launch and scale online schools.
Pricing
Plans start at $27/month (billed annually) for Launch with core features, $67/month for Business with funnels and marketing, up to $197/month for Academy with advanced automation; 14-day free trial available.
Mighty Networks
specializedBuilds branded communities with integrated courses, live events, and membership monetization tools.
Community Spaces that embed courses within interactive hubs featuring discussions, live events, and member networking
Mighty Networks is an all-in-one platform designed for building vibrant online communities combined with course creation, memberships, and events. It allows creators to deliver structured courses through video lessons, learning paths, and bundles while fostering engagement via discussions, live streams, chats, and member directories. This makes it particularly suited for educators who want to blend education with community interaction rather than standalone course delivery.
Pros
- Seamless integration of courses with community tools like chats and events
- Native mobile app for members enhancing accessibility and engagement
- Customizable spaces and branding for a professional network feel
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers required to unlock full course-building capabilities
- Limited advanced assessment tools compared to dedicated LMS platforms
- Steeper learning curve for complex community-course hybrids
Best For
Course creators and coaches who prioritize building interactive communities around their educational content to boost retention and engagement.
Pricing
Plans start at $49/month (billed annually) for Community, $119/month for Courses with full course builder, $219/month for Business, and custom Mighty Pro pricing.
Circle
specializedCreates modern online communities with course hosting, live streams, and member discussion features.
Dynamic 'Spaces' that blend course modules with live rooms, forums, and events in one cohesive community hub
Circle.so is an all-in-one community platform that doubles as an online course builder, enabling creators to design structured courses with videos, modules, and quizzes while integrating them into interactive communities. It supports live events, discussions, and memberships to boost engagement around educational content. This makes it particularly suited for course creators who prioritize community building alongside course delivery.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop builder for courses and communities
- Seamless integration of live events, chats, and course content
- Highly customizable branding and member experiences
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers required for advanced features
- Less specialized LMS tools compared to dedicated course platforms like Teachable
- Limited built-in analytics for course performance
Best For
Course creators and coaches who want to combine online courses with thriving, interactive communities.
Pricing
Starts at $49/month (billed annually) for Starter plan; Professional at $99/month, Business at $219/month; 14-day free trial available.
Uscreen
specializedMonetizes video-based online courses and memberships with apps for fitness, coaching, and content creators.
Native, white-labeled iOS and Android apps for members
Uscreen is an all-in-one platform tailored for creators to build, host, and monetize video-based online courses and membership sites. It provides unlimited video hosting, course builders with drip content and bundles, live streaming, and integrated payments. Native iOS and Android apps enhance the viewer experience, making it ideal for video-heavy content delivery.
Pros
- Unlimited video hosting and bandwidth with no extra fees
- Native iOS and Android apps included
- Robust monetization with memberships, courses, and payments
Cons
- Higher pricing with no free plan
- Primarily optimized for video content over other formats
- Limited advanced quiz or assessment tools
Best For
Video-focused creators like fitness coaches and educators building membership sites with mobile apps.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month (Growth plan billed annually), $199/month (Scale), custom Enterprise; 14-day free trial available.
Conclusion
Evaluating the 10 tools reveals a strong field of options, with Thinkific leading as the top choice for its all-inclusive focus on building, marketing, and selling customizable courses. Teachable and Kajabi follow, offering distinct strengths in simplicity and robust feature sets, catering to varied needs. Ultimately, each tool empowers creators to succeed, with the top three setting the bar high for quality and functionality.
Take the first step toward creating your impactful online courses—begin with Thinkific today. Its intuitive platform and end-to-end tools make it the ideal starting point to turn your expertise into a thriving, branded learning experience.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison