The online education market is booming, projected to reach $65 billion by 2027, driven by the demand for flexible, accessible learning. Whether you’re an educator building a course empire, a business training employees, or a creator monetizing expertise, choosing the right platform is critical. Below, I’ve analyzed the top 20 online course platforms, focusing on their unique value propositions, scalability, and learner engagement tools. Each entry includes company details, a 100-word description, and 5–10 key features, crafted to help you make an informed decision.
1. Thinkific
Founders: Greg Smith, Matt Smith, Matt Payne, Geoff Gower
Founded Year: 2012
Headquarters: Vancouver, Canada
Product Categories: Online Course Platform, Learning Management System (LMS), Digital Product Hosting
Description: Thinkific empowers creators and businesses to build, market, and sell online courses with ease. Known for its user-friendly interface and robust feature set, it supports over 50,000 course creators globally, including big names like Amy Porterfield. Thinkific’s versatility allows for everything from simple courses to complex membership sites, with seamless integrations for marketing and payments. Its focus on ownership—creators retain full control over content and student data—sets it apart from marketplace platforms. With affordable plans and extensive support, Thinkific is ideal for scaling an education business.
Key Features:
- Drag-and-drop course builder with customizable templates
- Integrated payment processing with Stripe and PayPal
- App Store with 80+ third-party integrations
- Live lesson streaming and assessment tools
- Comprehensive analytics for student progress and sales
- Mobile app for on-the-go learning
- Community-building features for student engagement
- 24/7 support and Creator Community forum
2. Kajabi
Founders: Kenny Rueter, Travis Rosser
Founded Year: 2010
Headquarters: Irvine, California, USA
Product Categories: Online Course Platform, Marketing Automation, Digital Product Sales
Description: Kajabi is a powerhouse for creators aiming to build a comprehensive digital business. Beyond courses, it supports memberships, coaching, and podcasts, with robust marketing tools like sales funnels and email automation. Its Product Blueprints simplify course creation, while the Creator Studio leverages AI to repurpose content. Kajabi’s all-in-one approach minimizes reliance on third-party tools, making it ideal for entrepreneurs and small businesses. Despite higher pricing, its polished features and intuitive design justify the investment for those prioritizing marketing and scalability.
Key Features:
- Pre-built Product Blueprints for quick course setup
- Advanced email marketing and sales funnel automation
- Native payment processing with upsells and order bumps
- AI-powered Creator Studio for content repurposing
- Community and membership site creation
- Detailed analytics for sales and student progress
- Mobile-friendly course delivery
- 14-day free trial with 30-day money-back guarantee
3. LearnWorlds
Founders: Panos Siozos, George Palaigeorgiou, Fanis Despotakis
Founded Year: 2014
Headquarters: Limassol, Cyprus
Product Categories: Online Course Platform, LMS, Employee Training
Description: LearnWorlds excels in delivering engaging, SCORM-compliant learning experiences, making it a top choice for professional educators and corporate training. Its intuitive course builder, interactive video features, and gamification tools enhance learner engagement. LearnWorlds supports unlimited courses and integrates with marketing tools like MailChimp and Zapier. Its white-label options and branded mobile app cater to businesses seeking a professional academy. Exceptional customer support and a focus on student experience make it stand out, though its interface may be less intuitive for beginners.
Key Features:
- SCORM support and interactive video elements
- Gamification, certificates, and assessment tools
- White-label and branded mobile app options
- Course builder with customizable player and checkout
- Integration with marketing tools (MailChimp, Zapier)
- 24/7 premium support on higher plans
- AI-powered course outline generation
- Detailed analytics and automated reports
4. Teachable
Founders: Ankur Nagpal
Founded Year: 2013
Headquarters: New York City, New York, USA
Product Categories: Online Course Platform, Digital Product Sales
Description: Teachable is a go-to platform for creators seeking simplicity and flexibility in course creation. With over 100,000 instructors and 46 million students, it offers a drag-and-drop course builder and customizable templates to match any brand. Teachable supports multimedia content and integrates with payment gateways for secure transactions. Its marketing features, including affiliate programs and email campaigns, help creators scale. While not as feature-rich as Kajabi, its affordability and ease of use make it perfect for beginners and solo entrepreneurs.
Key Features:
- Drag-and-drop course builder with multimedia support
- Customizable templates for branded course pages
- Integrated payment processing with multiple currencies
- Affiliate marketing and coupon creation tools
- Student progress tracking and analytics
- Mobile-friendly course delivery
- 24/7 support and knowledge base
5. Udemy
Founders: Eren Bali, Gagan Biyani, Oktay Caglar
Founded Year: 2010
Headquarters: San Francisco, California, USA
Product Categories: Online Course Marketplace, Professional Development
Description: Udemy is the world’s largest online course marketplace, boasting over 40 million students and 200,000+ courses. It’s ideal for instructors seeking instant access to a massive audience, though it sacrifices branding control and student data ownership. Udemy’s marketplace insights help creators choose trending topics, and its revenue-sharing model (3%–63% based on sales source) supports both free and paid courses. Best for beginners or those testing course ideas, Udemy’s vast reach comes at the cost of customization.
Key Features:
- Access to 40 million+ potential students
- Marketplace insights for topic selection
- Revenue sharing (3% for coupons, 63% for platform sales)
- Supports free courses with under 2 hours of video
- Mobile app for student access
- Instructor tools for course creation and analytics
- Multi-language course support
6. Skillshare
Founders: Michael Karnjanaprakorn, Malcolm Ong
Founded Year: 2010
Headquarters: New York City, New York, USA
Product Categories: Online Course Marketplace, Creative Education
Description: Skillshare is a creative haven, focusing on project-based courses in design, art, and technology. With over 5 million users, it pays instructors royalties based on minutes watched and referral bonuses. Its community-driven approach fosters engagement through discussion forums and class projects. Skillshare’s subscription model ensures steady access for learners, but instructors face a selective approval process. Ideal for creatives seeking passive income, it’s less suited for those wanting full branding control.
Key Features:
- Project-based courses with community forums
- Royalties based on minutes watched
- $10 referral bonus for premium memberships
- Support for course planning and production
- Mobile-friendly platform for learners
- Wide range of creative and technical topics
- Instructor application process for quality control
7. Coursera
Founders: Andrew Ng, Daphne Koller
Founded Year: 2012
Headquarters: Mountain View, California, USA
Product Categories: MOOC Platform, Online Degrees, Professional Certificates
Description: Founded by Stanford professors, Coursera partners with 190+ universities and companies to offer 3,900+ courses, specializations, and degrees. With an 87% career benefit satisfaction rate, it’s a leader in academic and professional development. Courses span business, computer science, and humanities, with free access to lectures and paid certificates. Coursera’s rigorous content and university-backed credentials make it ideal for learners seeking prestigious qualifications, though individual instructors can’t easily host courses.
Key Features:
- Partnerships with top universities and companies
- Free access to lectures, paid certificates
- Online degrees and professional certificates
- Self-paced and instructor-led courses
- Mobile-friendly learning experience
- High satisfaction rate for career outcomes
- Structured learning paths with assessments
8. edX
Founders: Anant Agarwal (MIT and Harvard joint venture)
Founded Year: 2012
Headquarters: Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
Product Categories: MOOC Platform, Online Degrees, Microcredentials
Description: A collaboration between Harvard and MIT, edX offers over 3,000 courses from 160+ institutions, focusing on academic rigor and accessibility. Courses range from computer science to humanities, with free audits and paid verified certificates. edX’s open-source platform supports self-paced and instructor-led learning, making it ideal for students and professionals seeking university-backed credentials. Its selective instructor model limits individual course creation but ensures high-quality content. edX is perfect for those prioritizing academic prestige over customization.
Key Features:
- Courses from 160+ top institutions
- Free course audits with paid certificates
- Online degrees and microcredentials
- Self-paced and instructor-led options
- Open-source platform for flexibility
- Mobile-friendly content delivery
- Focus on academic and professional development
9. FutureLearn
Founders: 12 UK university partners (e.g., King’s College London)
Founded Year: 2012
Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
Product Categories: MOOC Platform, Microcredentials, Online Degrees
Description: FutureLearn, backed by 12 UK universities, offers 418+ short courses, microcredentials, and degrees in areas like digital product management and cybersecurity. Its narrative-driven course structure and weekly to-do lists enhance learner engagement. FutureLearn partners with global institutions and companies, providing one-on-one tutor support and flexible learning options. While not designed for individual instructors, it’s ideal for learners seeking structured, university-backed education with a focus on accessibility and global reach.
Key Features:
- Narrative-driven courses with weekly tasks
- Microcredentials and online degrees
- Partnerships with global universities and companies
- One-on-one tutor support
- Mobile-friendly, self-paced learning
- Wide range of topics from ecology to globalization
- Free course access with paid upgrades
10. Khan Academy
Founders: Sal Khan
Founded Year: 2008
Headquarters: Mountain View, California, USA
Product Categories: Free Educational Platform, Academic Learning
Description: Khan Academy is a nonprofit dedicated to free education, offering sequential courses in math, science, and economics for K-12 and early college students. Its mission-driven approach ensures accessibility, with interactive videos and exercises mapping to U.S. curricula. While not designed for course creators, it’s a gold standard for free, high-quality academic content. Khan Academy’s focus on structured learning and progress tracking makes it ideal for students and educators seeking supplemental resources without cost barriers.
Key Features:
- Completely free educational content
- Sequential courses in math, science, and economics
- Interactive exercises and progress tracking
- Mobile-friendly videos and readings
- Aligned with U.S. educational standards
- No instructor hosting; curated content only
- Global accessibility for learners
11. MasterClass
Founders: David Rogier, Aaron Rasmussen
Founded Year: 2015
Headquarters: San Francisco, California, USA
Product Categories: Online Course Platform, Professional Development
Description: MasterClass redefines online learning by featuring industry icons like Gordon Ramsay and Martin Scorsese. Its high-production-value courses focus on practical skills and inspiration across fields like cooking, filmmaking, and leadership. With subscription plans starting at $10/month, it’s accessible for learners seeking insights from top professionals. MasterClass’s curated content doesn’t allow individual instructors but excels in delivering premium, engaging experiences. It’s perfect for those prioritizing inspiration over interactivity.
Key Features:
- Courses led by industry leaders
- High-production-value video content
- Subscription-based access (Individual, Duo, Family plans)
- Mobile and TV-friendly learning
- Focus on practical skills and inspiration
- Limited interactivity but high engagement
- Offline viewing capabilities
12. Podia
Founders: Spencer Fry
Founded Year: 2014
Headquarters: New York City, New York, USA
Product Categories: Online Course Platform, Digital Product Sales, Membership Sites
Description: Podia is an all-in-one platform for creators, offering tools to sell courses, memberships, webinars, and digital downloads. Its clean, modern design and free migration service make it easy to start. Podia’s simplicity suits entrepreneurs who want to launch quickly without complex integrations. While it lacks advanced features like graded quizzes, its affordability and live chat support make it a favorite for creators building diverse digital businesses.
Key Features:
- Unlimited courses, webinars, and downloads
- Free content migration service
- Customizable sales funnels and branding
- Live chat for student engagement
- Integration with email marketing tools
- No mobile app but mobile-friendly
- 24/7 customer support
13. LearnDash
Founders: Justin Ferriman
Founded Year: 2012
Headquarters: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Product Categories: WordPress LMS Plugin, Online Course Platform
Description: LearnDash is a leading WordPress LMS plugin, ideal for businesses and educators wanting to host courses on their own site. It supports multi-tier courses, drip content, and group memberships, with integrations for WooCommerce and MailChimp. LearnDash’s flexibility and robust assessment tools make it perfect for universities and corporate training, though add-ons can increase costs. Its focus on WordPress users ensures seamless integration with existing websites.
Key Features:
- Multi-tier course builder with drip content
- Integration with WordPress and WooCommerce
- Advanced quizzes, certificates, and badges
- Group membership and progress tracking
- Mobile-friendly course delivery
- Add-on support for extended functionality
- Knowledge base and business-hour support
14. LifterLMS
Founders: Chris Badgett, Thomas Patrick Levy
Founded Year: 2014
Headquarters: Syracuse, New York, USA
Product Categories: WordPress LMS Plugin, Online Course Platform
Description: LifterLMS is a powerful WordPress plugin for creating scalable online courses and membership sites. Its free, open-source core allows customization, with paid add-ons for advanced features like payment gateways and marketing tools. LifterLMS supports MOOCs, individual courses, and corporate training, with robust content management and engagement tools. Its flexibility suits niche markets, though setup may require technical know-how.
Key Features:
- Free core plugin with paid add-ons
- Multi-tier courses with drip content
- Quizzes, assignments, and certificates
- Integration with MailChimp, WPForms, and Stripe
- Group memberships and progress tracking
- Customizable LMS for niche markets
- Mobile-friendly course delivery
15. SamCart
Founders: Brian Moran, Scott Moran
Founded Year: 2014
Headquarters: Fulton, Maryland, USA
Product Categories: eCommerce Platform, Online Course Sales
Description: SamCart is an eCommerce platform excelling in selling courses and digital products with conversion-focused features. Its checkout tools, upsells, and funnels boost sales, making it ideal for low-ticket courses and cross-selling. SamCart’s simplicity allows creators to launch quickly, though it’s less focused on advanced LMS features. Its sales-driven approach suits entrepreneurs prioritizing revenue over complex course delivery.
Key Features:
- Conversion-optimized checkout pages
- Upsells, cross-sells, and order bumps
- Templated sales funnels and landing pages
- Integration with Stripe and PayPal
- Analytics for sales and revenue tracking
- Mobile-friendly checkout experience
- Limited LMS features but strong eCommerce focus
16. Kartra
Founders: Andy Jenkins, Mike Filsaime
Founded Year: 2018
Headquarters: Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Product Categories: Online Course Platform, Marketing Automation, eCommerce
Description: Kartra is an all-in-one platform for creators seeking to build a business beyond courses. It offers robust tools for courses, memberships, and marketing, including advanced funnels and email automation. Kartra’s native features reduce reliance on third-party tools, making it ideal for entrepreneurs scaling digital products. While its course tools are less advanced than dedicated LMS platforms, its marketing prowess is unmatched.
Key Features:
- Advanced sales funnels and email marketing
- Unlimited courses and membership sites
- Native video and webinar hosting
- Built-in helpdesk and analytics
- Integration with Stripe and PayPal
- Mobile-friendly course delivery
- Affiliate program management
17. Mighty Networks
Founders: Gina Bianchini
Founded Year: 2017
Headquarters: Palo Alto, California, USA
Product Categories: Online Course Platform, Community Platform
Description: Mighty Networks blends course creation with community building, allowing educators to host courses, discussions, and live events in a branded ecosystem. Its robust community features foster peer learning, improving course completion rates. While its course tools are less advanced than Kajabi’s, its focus on engagement makes it ideal for creators building loyal student bases.
Key Features:
- Course creation with community integration
- Groups, subgroups, and live event hosting
- Customizable branding and landing pages
- Mobile app for community engagement
- Analytics for student and community activity
- Limited advanced LMS features
- Marketing tools for course promotion
18. Payhip
Founders: Kah wai Foong
Founded Year: 2011
Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
Product Categories: Online Course Platform, Digital Product Sales
Description: Payhip is a versatile platform for selling courses, digital downloads, and memberships with a free plan and no feature gating. Its VAT and tax handling simplifies global sales, while integrations with Zoom and Calendly enhance functionality. Payhip’s affordability and simplicity make it ideal for creators selling diverse digital products, though it lacks advanced LMS features.
Key Features:
- Free plan with all features included
- Unlimited products and revenue
- VAT and tax handling for EU/UK sales
- Integration with Zoom and Calendly
- Marketing tools for coupons and affiliates
- Mobile-friendly course delivery
- Inventory management for digital products
19. EzyCourse
Founded Year: 2021
Headquarters: Not publicly disclosed
Product Categories: Online Course Platform, Community Platform, eCommerce
Description: EzyCourse is a feature-rich platform for creators seeking to sell courses, memberships, and digital products. Its 20+ revenue streams, including live events and appointments, and Facebook-like community features boost engagement. EzyCourse’s customizable site builder and branded mobile app cater to creators building vibrant learning ecosystems. While newer and less established, its affordability and extensive features make it a compelling choice for entrepreneurs.
Key Features:
- 20+ revenue streams (courses, memberships, events)
- Facebook-like community for engagement
- Customizable site builder and branded mobile app
- Live lessons, gamification, and quizzes
- Email marketing and automation tools
- Detailed analytics dashboard
- Coupons, bundling, and upselling options
20. Graphy
Founders: Sumit Jain, Sushil Kumar, Shobhit Jain
Founded Year: 2020
Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Product Categories: Online Course Platform, Community Platform, Digital Product Sales
Description: Graphy, a fast-growing platform from Bengaluru, empowers creators to build, market, and sell online courses, memberships, and digital products with a focus on community engagement. Backed by Unacademy, it supports over 50,000 creators globally, offering a seamless course builder, integrated payment systems, and robust marketing tools. Graphy’s white-label mobile app and live class capabilities make it ideal for educators seeking a branded, interactive learning experience. Its affordability and localization for global markets, including multi-currency support, position it as a strong contender for creators aiming to scale efficiently.
Key Features:
- Drag-and-drop course builder with multimedia support
- White-label mobile app for iOS and Android
- Live classes with Zoom and YouTube integration
- Community features for student interaction
- Built-in marketing tools (email, affiliates, coupons)
- Multi-currency payment gateways for global sales
- Detailed analytics for course performance and engagement
- 24/7 customer support with onboarding assistance
