Quick Overview
- 1#1: Thinkific - Hosts unlimited online courses with seamless student self-registration, payment processing, and enrollment management.
- 2#2: Teachable - Enables creators to build and sell online courses featuring built-in registration forms, student dashboards, and integrated payments.
- 3#3: Kajabi - All-in-one platform for course creation, marketing, and automated registration with advanced membership management.
- 4#4: LearnWorlds - Advanced LMS for interactive online courses with customizable registration portals and white-label enrollment options.
- 5#5: Podia - Simplifies selling courses, memberships, and downloads with one-click student registration and email integrations.
- 6#6: TalentLMS - Cloud-based LMS offering self-registration portals, branching courses, and multi-tenant enrollment for training programs.
- 7#7: Skool - Community-focused platform for courses with simple member registration, classrooms, and gamified enrollment.
- 8#8: Mighty Networks - Builds online communities with integrated courses and automated member registration for engaged learning groups.
- 9#9: Moodle - Open-source LMS supporting self-enrollment, cohort management, and flexible registration plugins for courses.
- 10#10: Canvas LMS - Scalable LMS with course registration, SIS integrations, and analytics for institutional online learning.
We evaluated tools based on core features like seamless registration, integrated payments, and scalability, prioritizing usability, reliability, and value across educational and business contexts.
Comparison Table
This comparison table explores popular online course registration software tools, including Thinkific, Teachable, Kajabi, LearnWorlds, Podia, and more, to help readers identify the best fit for their goals, with insights on key features, pricing, and usability.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thinkific Hosts unlimited online courses with seamless student self-registration, payment processing, and enrollment management. | specialized | 9.5/10 | 9.7/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.3/10 |
| 2 | Teachable Enables creators to build and sell online courses featuring built-in registration forms, student dashboards, and integrated payments. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 3 | Kajabi All-in-one platform for course creation, marketing, and automated registration with advanced membership management. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 4 | LearnWorlds Advanced LMS for interactive online courses with customizable registration portals and white-label enrollment options. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 5 | Podia Simplifies selling courses, memberships, and downloads with one-click student registration and email integrations. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 6 | TalentLMS Cloud-based LMS offering self-registration portals, branching courses, and multi-tenant enrollment for training programs. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 7 | Skool Community-focused platform for courses with simple member registration, classrooms, and gamified enrollment. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 8 | Mighty Networks Builds online communities with integrated courses and automated member registration for engaged learning groups. | specialized | 8.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.2/10 |
| 9 | Moodle Open-source LMS supporting self-enrollment, cohort management, and flexible registration plugins for courses. | other | 7.9/10 | 8.7/10 | 6.5/10 | 9.6/10 |
| 10 | Canvas LMS Scalable LMS with course registration, SIS integrations, and analytics for institutional online learning. | enterprise | 7.4/10 | 7.2/10 | 8.3/10 | 7.8/10 |
Hosts unlimited online courses with seamless student self-registration, payment processing, and enrollment management.
Enables creators to build and sell online courses featuring built-in registration forms, student dashboards, and integrated payments.
All-in-one platform for course creation, marketing, and automated registration with advanced membership management.
Advanced LMS for interactive online courses with customizable registration portals and white-label enrollment options.
Simplifies selling courses, memberships, and downloads with one-click student registration and email integrations.
Cloud-based LMS offering self-registration portals, branching courses, and multi-tenant enrollment for training programs.
Community-focused platform for courses with simple member registration, classrooms, and gamified enrollment.
Builds online communities with integrated courses and automated member registration for engaged learning groups.
Open-source LMS supporting self-enrollment, cohort management, and flexible registration plugins for courses.
Scalable LMS with course registration, SIS integrations, and analytics for institutional online learning.
Thinkific
specializedHosts unlimited online courses with seamless student self-registration, payment processing, and enrollment management.
Unlimited courses, students, and bandwidth on every plan with zero transaction fees via your own payment processor
Thinkific is a leading all-in-one platform for creating, marketing, and selling online courses, enabling users to build professional learning experiences without coding. It handles everything from drag-and-drop course creation and student enrollment to integrated payments, quizzes, certificates, and drip content scheduling. With robust analytics and marketing tools like coupons and upsells, it's designed to scale from solo creators to large organizations.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop course builder with unlimited courses and students on all plans
- No transaction fees on paid plans when using your own Stripe/PayPal integration
- Comprehensive marketing and analytics tools including bundles, coupons, and student progress tracking
Cons
- Advanced community and live lesson features require higher-tier plans
- Limited built-in email marketing compared to dedicated tools
- Custom branding and API access locked behind premium pricing
Best For
Solo educators, course creators, and businesses seeking a scalable, user-friendly platform to launch and monetize professional online courses.
Pricing
Free plan available (limited features); paid plans start at $49/mo (Basic, billed annually), $99/mo (Start), $199/mo (Grow), with custom Plus/Enterprise options.
Teachable
specializedEnables creators to build and sell online courses featuring built-in registration forms, student dashboards, and integrated payments.
Integrated sales and marketing funnels that turn course pages into high-converting registration experiences without external tools
Teachable is a comprehensive online course platform that enables creators to build, host, market, and sell digital courses without coding skills. It streamlines online course registration through customizable enrollment pages, integrated payment gateways like Stripe and PayPal, and automated student onboarding. With features for quizzes, certificates, and drip content, it supports scalable course delivery and revenue generation for educators and businesses.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop course builder simplifies registration and content setup
- Robust marketing tools including affiliates, coupons, and upsells boost enrollments
- No transaction fees on Pro and higher plans maximizes revenue
Cons
- Limited advanced customization without custom code on lower tiers
- Relies on third-party video hosting like Vimeo or Wistia
- Higher pricing tiers required for features like EU VAT handling and advanced analytics
Best For
Educators, coaches, and small businesses seeking an easy-to-use platform to create and sell online courses with built-in registration and payment handling.
Pricing
Free plan with 10% transaction fees; paid plans from $39/mo (Basic, 5% fees) to $499/mo (Business, 0% fees), billed annually.
Kajabi
specializedAll-in-one platform for course creation, marketing, and automated registration with advanced membership management.
Pipelines: Automated marketing and sales sequences that handle lead nurturing, upsells, and course registrations in one flow.
Kajabi is an all-in-one platform designed for creators to build, market, and sell online courses, memberships, and digital products with seamless registration and enrollment features. It provides drag-and-drop course builders, video hosting, quizzes, certificates, and integrated payment processing for easy student sign-ups and access management. Beyond registration, it includes website creation, email marketing automation, sales funnels, and community forums to support full business growth.
Pros
- All-in-one platform eliminates need for multiple tools
- Zero transaction fees on all plans
- Robust marketing automation and sales pipelines
Cons
- High monthly pricing may deter beginners
- Steeper learning curve for advanced customization
- Limited third-party integrations compared to specialized tools
Best For
Established course creators and coaches seeking an integrated solution for course delivery, marketing, and sales.
Pricing
Starts at $149/mo (Basic, 1 product/100 contacts), $199/mo (Growth, 15 products/1,000 contacts), $399/mo (Pro, unlimited/20,000 contacts); annual billing discounts available.
LearnWorlds
specializedAdvanced LMS for interactive online courses with customizable registration portals and white-label enrollment options.
Interactive video player with embedded quizzes, hotspots, and note-taking for superior student engagement
LearnWorlds is an all-in-one platform designed for creating, hosting, and selling interactive online courses with seamless registration and enrollment management. It supports various monetization options like one-time payments, subscriptions, bundles, and coupons, while providing tools for student tracking and automated access control. The platform excels in engagement features such as quizzes, certificates, and community forums, making it ideal for building comprehensive learning academies.
Pros
- Highly interactive course builder with video hotspots, quizzes, and gamification
- Integrated marketing tools including email automation and affiliate management
- Mobile app builder and white-label branding options
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers needed to avoid transaction fees
- Steeper learning curve for advanced customization
- Limited free plan and trial restrictions
Best For
Course creators and training businesses seeking an all-in-one solution for interactive academies with strong monetization and engagement tools.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month (annual Starter plan, 5% transaction fee); Pro Trainer $99/month (0% fee); Learning Center $299/month; 30-day money-back guarantee.
Podia
specializedSimplifies selling courses, memberships, and downloads with one-click student registration and email integrations.
Zero transaction fees across all plans, letting creators keep every dollar of sales
Podia is an all-in-one platform that enables creators to build, market, and sell online courses, digital downloads, memberships, and webinars with seamless student registration and payment processing. It offers drag-and-drop course builders, drip content, quizzes, and community forums to enhance the learning experience. Podia stands out by eliminating transaction fees, allowing creators to retain 100% of sales while providing built-in email marketing and affiliate tools for growth.
Pros
- No transaction fees on any plan, maximizing creator revenue
- Intuitive drag-and-drop builder for quick course setup and registration
- Built-in email marketing, affiliates, and community features
Cons
- Limited advanced customization and design flexibility
- Fewer third-party integrations compared to competitors like Teachable
- No native live streaming (relies on Zoom embeds)
Best For
Solopreneurs and small teams launching straightforward online courses without needing complex LMS features.
Pricing
Mover ($39/mo), Shaker ($89/mo), Earthquaker ($199/mo) billed annually; no transaction fees, 14-day free trial.
TalentLMS
specializedCloud-based LMS offering self-registration portals, branching courses, and multi-tenant enrollment for training programs.
Built-in eCommerce with multiple payment gateways for direct course sales and registrations without external plugins
TalentLMS is a cloud-based learning management system (LMS) that excels in creating, managing, and delivering online courses with robust registration features like self-service portals and automated enrollments. It supports eCommerce for paid courses through integrated payment gateways such as PayPal and Stripe, alongside tools for tracking learner progress and generating reports. The platform is particularly strong for corporate training but also suits public course providers with its customizable branding and mobile app.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with drag-and-drop course authoring
- Strong mobile app and gamification elements to boost engagement
- Seamless integrations with Zoom, GoToMeeting, and payment processors
Cons
- Pricing scales steeply with active user count
- Limited advanced reporting in lower tiers
- Course authoring tools lack deep customization without add-ons
Best For
Small to medium businesses and training coordinators needing simple course registration, employee onboarding, and monetization options.
Pricing
Free for up to 5 users; paid plans start at $69/mo (Starter, 40 active users), $149/mo (Basic, 100 users), up to $459/mo (Premium, 500 users), billed annually with custom enterprise options.
Skool
specializedCommunity-focused platform for courses with simple member registration, classrooms, and gamified enrollment.
Gamified points, levels, and leaderboards that drive member participation and retention within course communities
Skool is an all-in-one platform for building online communities and hosting courses, enabling creators to manage registrations, content delivery, and member interactions seamlessly. It supports course modules with videos, quizzes, and drip scheduling, alongside community tools like feeds, chats, calendars, and gamification. Primarily designed for coaches and educators, it simplifies monetization through Stripe-integrated memberships rather than per-course registrations.
Pros
- Exceptionally intuitive no-code interface for quick setup
- Integrated community features enhance engagement around courses
- Flat monthly pricing scales well for growing audiences
Cons
- Limited advanced LMS tools like certificates or SCORM support
- Customization options are basic, lacking deep branding flexibility
- Best suited for community-focused courses, not complex enterprise training
Best For
Online coaches and educators who prioritize community building alongside simple course delivery and membership registrations.
Pricing
$99/month for up to 1,000 members (includes unlimited courses), $199/month for 10,000 members; free to start with Stripe payments.
Mighty Networks
specializedBuilds online communities with integrated courses and automated member registration for engaged learning groups.
Built-in social networking tools that turn course registrations into interactive community experiences with live events and member connections.
Mighty Networks is a versatile platform designed for creators to build online communities, host courses, memberships, and live events in one cohesive space. It enables seamless course registration, enrollment, and delivery with integrated payment processing and member management. While strong in fostering engagement through discussions, chats, and spaces, it positions courses within a broader community ecosystem rather than as a standalone LMS.
Pros
- Integrated community features like forums, chats, and member directories enhance course engagement
- Native iOS and Android apps for on-the-go access
- Robust course builder with video hosting, quizzes, and bundling with memberships/events
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for beginners due to extensive customization options
- Limited advanced LMS tools like detailed analytics or certificate generation compared to dedicated platforms
- Higher pricing tiers may not suit solo creators focused solely on course registration
Best For
Course creators and coaches who want to build thriving communities around their online courses and memberships.
Pricing
Starts at $49/month (billed annually) for the Community plan; Business at $119/month; higher tiers up to $500+/month for advanced features.
Moodle
otherOpen-source LMS supporting self-enrollment, cohort management, and flexible registration plugins for courses.
Modular plugin system enabling custom enrollment methods and seamless payment gateway integrations like PayPal or Stripe.
Moodle is a free, open-source learning management system (LMS) that supports online course creation, delivery, and management, with built-in enrollment and registration capabilities for users to self-register or be manually enrolled in courses. It offers flexible enrollment methods including guest access, cohort syncing, and plugin-based payment integrations for paid registrations. While excels as a full LMS, its registration features are robust yet require configuration, making it suitable for educational environments handling course sign-ups at scale.
Pros
- Completely free and open-source with no licensing costs
- Highly extensible enrollment via plugins for payments and automation
- Scalable for thousands of users and courses
Cons
- Requires technical setup and self-hosting expertise
- User interface can feel outdated and complex for beginners
- Limited out-of-box payment processing without plugins
Best For
Educational institutions and training organizations needing a customizable, no-cost platform for course registration integrated with full LMS functionality.
Pricing
Free open-source software; self-hosted or via paid cloud hosting starting around $100/year.
Canvas LMS
enterpriseScalable LMS with course registration, SIS integrations, and analytics for institutional online learning.
Join Codes for simple, secure self-enrollment without administrative intervention
Canvas LMS by Instructure is a robust learning management system that supports online course registration through flexible enrollment tools like self-registration via join codes, manual entry, CSV imports, and integrations with student information systems (SIS). It enables administrators to manage course access, waitlists, and sections efficiently within an all-in-one educational platform. While not a standalone registration tool, its capabilities make it viable for institutions handling course sign-ups alongside content delivery and grading.
Pros
- Flexible enrollment options including self-registration with join codes
- Strong SIS and third-party integrations for automated registrations
- Scalable for large institutions with thousands of users
Cons
- Lacks native payment processing or e-commerce for paid registrations
- Setup can be complex for users unfamiliar with LMS platforms
- Features geared more toward post-registration course management than marketing or event-style sign-ups
Best For
Universities and K-12 districts seeking integrated enrollment within a comprehensive LMS.
Pricing
Free-for-Teacher plan for individuals; institutional Canvas Cloud pricing is custom, typically $10-20 per active user/year with minimums and volume discounts.
Conclusion
The top course registration software options reviewed present diverse strengths, but Thinkific leads as the top choice, excelling with its seamless unlimited course hosting, intuitive self-registration, and strong enrollment management. Teachable and Kajabi follow closely, with Teachable impressing in student engagement tools and Kajabi standing out for its all-in-one marketing and automation, making them ideal alternatives for distinct needs.
For course creators seeking a robust, user-friendly platform, Thinkific is the clear pick—start your journey with it to transform how you manage registrations and deliver engaging learning experiences.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison