Quick Overview
- 1#1: Kajabi - All-in-one platform for creating, marketing, and selling online courses with websites, email, and funnels.
- 2#2: Thinkific - User-friendly course builder with unlimited courses, students, and powerful marketing tools.
- 3#3: Teachable - Simple platform to create, host, and sell online courses with built-in payment processing.
- 4#4: LearnWorlds - Advanced LMS for interactive courses with quizzes, certificates, and white-label options.
- 5#5: Podia - All-in-one tool for selling courses, digital downloads, and memberships without transaction fees.
- 6#6: Mighty Networks - Build online communities with integrated courses, live events, and member engagement features.
- 7#7: Skool - Community-focused platform combining courses, discussions, and gamification for student growth.
- 8#8: New Zenler - Affordable all-in-one solution for courses, funnels, webinars, and communities.
- 9#9: Uscreen - Video membership platform for on-demand courses and live streaming with monetization tools.
- 10#10: Circle - Modern community space with course hosting, live rooms, and member management features.
Tools were selected based on robust feature sets (including course creation, marketing, and monetization), consistent performance, user-friendly design, and overall value, ensuring they cater to diverse needs from beginners to advanced creators.
Comparison Table
Creating online courses efficiently requires the right tool, and navigating options like Kajabi, Thinkific, Teachable, LearnWorlds, Podia, and more can be overwhelming. This comparison table simplifies the process by outlining key features, pricing, and ideal use cases to help you find the software that best fits your educational goals.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kajabi All-in-one platform for creating, marketing, and selling online courses with websites, email, and funnels. | specialized | 9.4/10 | 9.6/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 2 | Thinkific User-friendly course builder with unlimited courses, students, and powerful marketing tools. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 3 | Teachable Simple platform to create, host, and sell online courses with built-in payment processing. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 4 | LearnWorlds Advanced LMS for interactive courses with quizzes, certificates, and white-label options. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 5 | Podia All-in-one tool for selling courses, digital downloads, and memberships without transaction fees. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 6 | Mighty Networks Build online communities with integrated courses, live events, and member engagement features. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.0/10 |
| 7 | Skool Community-focused platform combining courses, discussions, and gamification for student growth. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 8 | New Zenler Affordable all-in-one solution for courses, funnels, webinars, and communities. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.1/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 9 | Uscreen Video membership platform for on-demand courses and live streaming with monetization tools. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 10 | Circle Modern community space with course hosting, live rooms, and member management features. | specialized | 8.0/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.5/10 |
All-in-one platform for creating, marketing, and selling online courses with websites, email, and funnels.
User-friendly course builder with unlimited courses, students, and powerful marketing tools.
Simple platform to create, host, and sell online courses with built-in payment processing.
Advanced LMS for interactive courses with quizzes, certificates, and white-label options.
All-in-one tool for selling courses, digital downloads, and memberships without transaction fees.
Build online communities with integrated courses, live events, and member engagement features.
Community-focused platform combining courses, discussions, and gamification for student growth.
Affordable all-in-one solution for courses, funnels, webinars, and communities.
Video membership platform for on-demand courses and live streaming with monetization tools.
Modern community space with course hosting, live rooms, and member management features.
Kajabi
specializedAll-in-one platform for creating, marketing, and selling online courses with websites, email, and funnels.
Pipelines: Visual builder for automated marketing and sales funnels
Kajabi is an all-in-one platform designed for creating, marketing, and selling online courses, memberships, coaching programs, and digital products. It provides a drag-and-drop course builder, customizable websites, email marketing automation, community forums, and integrated payment processing via Stripe. With powerful analytics and sales funnels, it enables creators to build scalable online businesses without juggling multiple tools.
Pros
- All-in-one platform eliminates need for separate tools like Teachable or Mailchimp
- No transaction fees on any plan, maximizing revenue
- Advanced marketing automation with Pipelines for sales funnels
Cons
- High starting price may deter beginners or small creators
- Steep learning curve due to extensive features
- Limited advanced customization without code
Best For
Established course creators, coaches, and entrepreneurs seeking a comprehensive tool to scale their online education business.
Pricing
Basic ($149/mo), Growth ($199/mo), Pro ($399/mo) when billed annually; 14-day free trial, no transaction fees.
Thinkific
specializedUser-friendly course builder with unlimited courses, students, and powerful marketing tools.
Zero transaction fees on payments processed through Thinkific
Thinkific is a comprehensive platform designed for creating, marketing, and selling online courses without transaction fees on its own payments. It features a drag-and-drop course builder, customizable landing pages, quizzes, assignments, and drip content scheduling to engage learners effectively. With unlimited courses and students on paid plans, it supports scaling from solo creators to large businesses.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop course builder with multimedia support
- No transaction fees on Thinkific payments
- Unlimited courses and students on all paid plans
Cons
- Limited built-in marketing automation on lower plans
- Advanced analytics and support require higher tiers
- Free plan lacks custom domains and removals of Thinkific branding
Best For
Course creators, educators, and businesses building professional, branded online schools to sell scalable digital courses.
Pricing
Free plan; paid plans from $36/mo (Basic) to $499/mo (Expand), billed annually with 0% transaction fees.
Teachable
specializedSimple platform to create, host, and sell online courses with built-in payment processing.
Zero transaction fees on paid plans combined with seamless integrated payments and student management
Teachable is a comprehensive platform designed for creators to easily build, market, and sell online courses without coding expertise. It features a drag-and-drop course builder for uploading videos, creating quizzes, assignments, and drip-feeding content to students. Additionally, it includes built-in payment processing, student management tools, and marketing features like affiliate programs and email integrations.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop course builder simplifies content creation
- No transaction fees on Pro and higher plans
- Robust student engagement tools including certificates and progress tracking
Cons
- Limited design customization compared to advanced platforms
- Free plan includes 5% + $1 transaction fees and restrictions
- Advanced analytics and features locked behind expensive Business plan
Best For
Independent educators, coaches, and small businesses seeking an all-in-one solution to quickly launch and monetize online courses.
Pricing
Free plan (with fees); Basic $39/mo, Pro $119/mo, Business $499/mo (billed annually).
LearnWorlds
specializedAdvanced LMS for interactive courses with quizzes, certificates, and white-label options.
Interactive video player allowing multi-layered questions, hotspots, and certificates directly embedded in videos
LearnWorlds is an all-in-one platform for creating, hosting, and selling online courses with a focus on interactive and engaging learning experiences. It features a drag-and-drop course builder, customizable websites, quizzes, certificates, and advanced tools like interactive videos with in-video questions. Creators can build branded academies, integrate payments, and leverage marketing automations to grow their audience.
Pros
- Highly interactive video player with quizzes and hotspots
- White-label branding and custom website builder
- Comprehensive marketing tools including affiliates and coupons
Cons
- Higher-tier plans required for advanced features like communities
- No perpetual free plan, only 30-day trial
- Steeper learning curve for complex customizations
Best For
Professional course creators and businesses seeking a fully branded academy with high-engagement interactive content.
Pricing
Plans start at $29/mo (Starter, billed annually), $99/mo (Pro Trainer), $299/mo (Learning Center), with custom High Volume options.
Podia
specializedAll-in-one tool for selling courses, digital downloads, and memberships without transaction fees.
Zero transaction fees on all plans, maximizing creator revenue
Podia is an all-in-one platform that enables creators to easily build, host, and sell online courses, digital downloads, memberships, and webinars without needing multiple tools. It features a drag-and-drop course builder, unlimited hosting, drip content scheduling, quizzes, and certificates, alongside integrated email marketing and payment processing. The platform emphasizes simplicity, community building, and zero transaction fees, making it suitable for course creators focused on quick launches and audience engagement.
Pros
- No transaction fees, keeping 100% of sales
- Intuitive drag-and-drop builder and beautiful templates
- All-in-one solution with email marketing and community features
Cons
- Limited advanced customization options for courses
- Basic quiz and assessment tools compared to specialists
- Higher entry pricing without a free plan
Best For
Solopreneurs and small creators seeking a simple, fee-free platform to launch and sell online courses alongside memberships.
Pricing
Starts at $39/month (Mover plan, billed annually) for core features; scales to $89/month (Shaker) and $199/month (Earthquaker) for advanced tools like affiliates and live chat.
Mighty Networks
specializedBuild online communities with integrated courses, live events, and member engagement features.
Community Spaces that blend courses with live discussions, events, and member networking for unparalleled engagement
Mighty Networks is a versatile platform designed for building online communities, hosting courses, and monetizing memberships, making it suitable for course creators seeking engagement beyond traditional LMS features. It allows users to create structured courses with videos, quizzes, drip content, and progress tracking, all embedded within dynamic community spaces that include discussions, live events, and member interactions. The platform emphasizes community building to boost retention and course completion rates.
Pros
- Seamless integration of courses with community features like chats and events
- Mobile app for members enhances accessibility and engagement
- Robust monetization options including memberships and bundles
Cons
- Higher pricing compared to pure course platforms
- Course builder lacks some advanced authoring tools found in specialized LMS
- Steeper learning curve for non-community features
Best For
Course creators who want to foster interactive communities around their online courses rather than deliver standalone training.
Pricing
Starts at $39/month (Community Plan, annual billing) for basic courses and communities; Business Plan at $119/month unlocks advanced features like payments and courses.
Skool
specializedCommunity-focused platform combining courses, discussions, and gamification for student growth.
Built-in gamification and community forums that transform static courses into dynamic, member-driven ecosystems
Skool is an all-in-one platform for creators to build online schools and communities, enabling the creation of structured courses with videos, modules, quizzes, and drip content. It combines course hosting with interactive features like forums, live chat, calendars, and gamification to foster member engagement. Ideal for membership-based learning, it handles payments and scales with unlimited members without extra fees.
Pros
- Seamless integration of courses and community tools for high engagement
- Intuitive drag-and-drop course builder with no technical skills required
- Unlimited members, courses, and payments with no platform transaction fees
Cons
- Limited advanced LMS features like detailed analytics or certificates
- Minimal customization for branding and design
- Flat $99/month pricing may feel steep for solo creators with small audiences
Best For
Course creators and coaches building interactive membership communities around ongoing education and group interaction.
Pricing
$99/month (billed annually) for unlimited everything; free to start but monetization requires paid plan (Stripe fees apply).
New Zenler
specializedAffordable all-in-one solution for courses, funnels, webinars, and communities.
All-in-one marketing automation with built-in funnels, email, and SMS, eliminating the need for multiple tools
New Zenler is an all-in-one platform designed for creating, marketing, and selling online courses, memberships, and coaching programs. It provides drag-and-drop course builders, live class scheduling, quizzes, drip content, and integrated sales funnels without transaction fees. Users can also build custom websites, manage communities, and automate email marketing, making it a comprehensive solution for course creators.
Pros
- Unlimited courses, students, and bandwidth on all paid plans
- No transaction fees on sales
- Integrated marketing tools like funnels, emails, and SMS
Cons
- Some advanced customization options are limited
- Occasional bugs in newer features
- Customer support can be slow during peak times
Best For
Solopreneurs and small course creators seeking an affordable all-in-one platform for building and selling online courses without extra fees.
Pricing
Starts at $27/month (billed annually) for Starter plan; higher tiers like Pro ($67/month) and Academy ($197/month) unlock advanced features; 14-day free trial available.
Uscreen
specializedVideo membership platform for on-demand courses and live streaming with monetization tools.
Branded native mobile apps for iOS and Android included in all plans
Uscreen is an all-in-one platform tailored for creators to build, host, and monetize video-based online courses and membership communities. It provides secure video hosting, customizable player, course bundling, live streaming, and subscription management without transaction fees. While strong in video delivery and member engagement, it emphasizes memberships over traditional LMS features like quizzes or certifications.
Pros
- Native iOS and Android apps for seamless member access
- No transaction fees on payments via Stripe integration
- Robust video hosting with DRM protection and live streaming
Cons
- Higher starting price limits appeal for solo beginners
- Limited advanced course tools like quizzes or progress tracking
- Best suited for video-heavy content, less flexible for text-based courses
Best For
Video-focused course creators and membership site owners seeking mobile apps and monetization without extra fees.
Pricing
Starts at $49/mo (Basic, 50 members) to $399/mo (Pro, unlimited), no transaction fees, 14-day free trial.
Circle
specializedModern community space with course hosting, live rooms, and member management features.
Community Spaces that embed courses directly into interactive forums, live events, and member discussions for unparalleled engagement.
Circle.so is an all-in-one platform primarily designed for building online communities, with robust tools for creating and selling online courses integrated into its community spaces. It features a drag-and-drop course builder that supports video lessons, quizzes, assignments, certificates, and drip scheduling, allowing creators to structure content into modules effortlessly. Beyond courses, it excels in fostering engagement through live rooms, events, forums, and member chats, making it a hybrid solution for course delivery and audience building.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop course builder with multimedia support
- Seamless integration of courses within vibrant communities
- Built-in monetization, payments, and analytics
Cons
- Higher pricing compared to dedicated course platforms
- Limited advanced LMS features like SCORM or complex grading
- Less customization for course layouts and branding
Best For
Course creators who prioritize community engagement alongside structured online learning experiences.
Pricing
Starts at $49/month (Basic), $99/month (Professional), $219/month (Business), and custom Enterprise; 14-day free trial available.
Conclusion
After examining the top 10 tools for building online courses, it becomes clear each has distinct strengths, yet Kajabi leads as the best overall, offering a seamless all-in-one platform for creation, marketing, and sales. Thinkific shines with its user-friendly design and unlimited scalability, perfect for expanding student bases, while Teachable excels with its simple course-building process and integrated payment tools. Together, the top three—Kajabi, Thinkific, and Teachable—cater to diverse needs, ensuring there’s a strong option for nearly every creator.
Don’t miss out—begin with Kajabi to unlock a streamlined, effective way to launch and grow your online course, turning your expertise into a successful, sustainable offering.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison