Best Online Course Platforms to Build and Sell Courses

The online learning market is experiencing unprecedented growth, projected to reach $325 billion. This massive opportunity invites aspiring educators and entrepreneurs to create and sell their own online courses. To succeed in this thriving landscape, selecting the right online course platform is crucial. This guide provides an in-depth review of the best tools available to help you craft engaging content, manage students, and effectively market your courses.

Discover the ideal platform for your needs:

• Online Course Platforms: Dedicated solutions for creating and hosting courses, perfect for direct sales.
• All-in-One Course Platforms: Comprehensive tools that combine course creation with website building and marketing functionalities.
• WordPress LMS Plugins: Integrate powerful learning management systems directly into your existing WordPress site.
• Online Learning Marketplaces: Platforms where you can host and sell your courses to a built-in audience.

Choosing the Right Online Course Platform: A Strategic Approach

Many e-learning tools are not designed for selling or marketing online courses, but rather for corporate and internal training. These Learning Management Systems (LMS) can be highly customizable and expensive. For those focused on selling and marketing, the choice becomes simpler, as there are primarily four distinct types of online course software.

By understanding these categories, you can quickly identify the best fit for your specific goals.

With many hours of research, it becomes clear that only a few top course platforms truly stand out once you’ve identified the right category. All the listed online course platforms are reputable choices, as confirmed by user reviews. The key is to get started; don’t let platform selection delay your course creation journey.

What is an Online Course Platform? How It Fuels Your Success

An online course platform is a comprehensive tool that assists in building, hosting, and marketing your digital courses to your audience.

A virtual course shares many similarities with traditional classroom settings:

• Students enthusiastically enroll in new courses.
• Instructors deliver engaging content through videos, slides, presentations, text, and downloadable materials.
• Students access the course via the learning management system (LMS) software, where they can take notes, watch videos, complete exercises, and test their knowledge with exams and assessments.

An online course platform provides a streamlined framework for these processes, freeing you from technical complexities so you can concentrate on creating compelling course content. These platforms grant students access to digital classes and equip you with everything needed to create, market, and sell a successful online course.

The functionality packed into these tools is extensive, often including web hosting, domain name integration, landing page designers, video and content hosting, quiz and survey builders, shopping carts or payment gateways, and email marketing capabilities. While everyone has something valuable to teach, the right tools are essential for creating and marketing your e-courses effectively.

The Best Online Course Platforms

This section provides a detailed review of leading online course platforms, including their pros, cons, and pricing. This comparison of top e-learning tools focuses on ease of course building and selling, aiming to help you quickly select the perfect platform.

1. LearnWorlds Review – Online Course and LMS Software

LearnWorlds is a robust platform for creating, selling, and marketing online courses. It functions as a nearly all-in-one teaching tool, offering more advanced features for building highly engaging courses and training programs.

Key interactive elements include videos with pop-up texts and quizzes, social learning and community features, and interactive eBooks that allow for note-taking.

LearnWorlds is suitable for beginners and advanced course creators

LearnWorlds caters to both novice and experienced instructors. Even for first-time creators, a course can be set up in just a few hours. Instructors can progressively utilize more advanced features as their online school grows.

LearnWorlds excels in enabling a high level of student interactivity and engagement within courses.

Getting started with the LearnWorlds online course builder

Upon signing up, users gain access to the course admin area, designed for intuitive navigation with all options clearly laid out on a single screen. Within minutes, you can locate essential functions in the left-side navigation. You can begin adding lessons in the online course builder, manage users, upload videos and content, populate sales and signup pages with marketing materials, and review reports.

LearnWorlds Features

LearnWorlds stands out for its unique features that enhance value for both creators and students:

• Interactive eBooks: Learners can take notes directly within the reading material.
• Built-in social network: Fosters student connection without relying on external platforms like Facebook groups.
• Strong course assessments: Includes quizzes, assignments, and exams to thoroughly test student knowledge.
• Automated newspaper feature: Keeps communication relevant by sharing article headlines and social posts.
• Interactive video: Features pop-up text, links to resources, navigation, and in-video questionnaires.
• Integrated course selling: Offers an easy-to-use sales page builder with hundreds of quick-start templates on every plan.
• Your own Mobile App: Create a dedicated mobile app for your school, engaging students on the go and reaching new audiences via Google Play and Apple App Store.

What does LearnWorlds cost?

You can try LearnWorlds for free. The paid version starts at $29/month, including a custom domain and unlimited paid courses. The $99/month plan adds a full site builder with unlimited pages, membership payment options, and no transaction fees.

The largest plan, designed for a full online school with 20 teachers and thousands of students, makes LearnWorlds one of the best online teaching platforms.

Learnworlds Discounts

Take advantage of their 30-day free trial. For a paid plan, a 20% discount is available on yearly plans, and full access to their LW Teaching Academy is included to assist in course creation.

Additionally, use code “JVR30” for 30% off for the first month on monthly Pro Trainer plans or above. Get started today to receive a month free and access to the academy.

2. Thinkific Review – Online course platform

Thinkific is a highly popular online course platform designed to help you create and sell digital courses. It boasts user-friendly features, integrated email marketing tools, membership site integration, and highly-rated 24/7 customer support.

While an all-in-one system, Thinkific can also seamlessly integrate with your existing website and marketing tools.

Thinkific standout features:

Thinkific is an excellent choice for a complete platform to build and promote your courses:

• Extensive media and resource support: Accommodates various file types, including video, PDF, audio, HTML, quizzes, and surveys. It also supports external resources like Typeform, Articulate, and Storyline to enhance the learning experience.
• Comprehensive e-commerce and student management: Features full enrollment and tracking functionality, with reporting to monitor sales and student progress.
• Integrations: Connects easily with tools like Segment.io for seamless data integration with other systems.
• Complete white-labeling: Allows you to brand your course platform entirely, removing any Thinkific branding.
• Excellent knowledge base: Provides readily available answers to common questions.

Help getting started and creating your online course

Thinkific offers significant support to help you get started and launch your courses quickly. The Thinkific Fast Track program provides a free course that guides you through building your course in three hours, enabling launch within 30 days or less. This program also includes a free month of the complete online course creator.

What does Thinkific cost?

It is recommended to take advantage of the free trial offered by Thinkific, which also includes a free course creator version. Paid plans start at $99 per month.

The Grow version, priced at $199, includes a membership site and additional payment and customization options, all with zero transaction fees.

Thinkific discounts and extras

A discount is available if you opt for the annual plan, reducing the platform cost to $74 per month with no transaction fees. You can start your free trial or get Thinkific today.

3. Teachable review – Online course platform

Teachable operates on the principle that “Everything is Teachable.” It is a highly popular online course creation software, empowering over 150,000 instructors who have collectively taught millions of students and earned over $2 billion through the platform.

The course pages on Teachable are aesthetically pleasing, and the setup process is straightforward, requiring no technical expertise.

Teachable is best for course creators

Teachable is an excellent choice for course creators aiming for a quick launch. While it may not offer granular customization of every page detail, its ease of use and rapid setup more than compensate. The platform provides perks such as unlimited students, free video hosting for your content, and the ability to customize your site to align with your brand.

Teachable simplifies the creation of both concise courses and more extensive online training programs or membership sites.

Getting started with the Teachable Online Course Builder

Once you sign up for Teachable, you gain access to the course creation dashboard. From there, the online course builder makes it simple to set up everything, including your payment system, course materials, and the course landing and sales pages.

Teachable features and special functions

Teachable stands out as a strong contender for the best online course platform due to its user-friendliness and distinctive functions:

• Professional course area design: Teachable ensures a polished and professional look for your course content.
• Included video hosting: Directly upload your course videos without needing a separate service.
• Built-in affiliate program: Allows others to promote and sell your course, potentially increasing your reach and sales.
• Proprietary payment processor: Teachable offers its own payment processor, with transaction fees similar to other payment providers.
• Diverse content offerings: Beyond courses, Teachable supports coaching sessions, digital downloads, memberships, and even community forums within your school.

While Teachable may not allow for every minor design tweak, it covers all critical aspects of course creation and delivery.

What does Teachable cost?

Teachable offers a 7-day free trial. By signing up, you receive a full month free to begin creating your course and exploring the platform.

The Starter plan is available for $39/month, including one course, AI features, and mobile student apps, with a 7.5% transaction fee on each sale. To eliminate transaction fees, the Builder plan costs $89/month, offering 0% fees, five courses, email marketing, an affiliate program, course certificates, and live chat support.

For serious course businesses, the Growth plan is $189/month, and the top-tier Advanced plan is $399/month, featuring white-labeling, 100 courses, and advanced integrations.

Teachable Discount

Save 22% on Teachable by choosing an annual payment plan. The Starter plan reduces to $29/month, and the Advanced plan to $309/month when billed annually. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Alternatively, you can get a free month to develop your course and explore the platform.

4. FreshLearn review – Online course platform

FreshLearn is a relatively new online course platform that has rapidly gained traction. In just a few years, creators on FreshLearn have launched over 53,000 products, amassed more than 1.5 million enrollments, and collectively earned approximately $695 million from their courses.

FreshLearn is best for budget-conscious course creators

FreshLearn is an ideal solution for course creators seeking comprehensive, all-in-one features within a budget-friendly framework. It offers an affordable, creator-centric tool without compromising on functionality, providing an easy-to-use course builder alongside integrated tools for websites, email marketing, and communities.

A significant advantage of FreshLearn is its commitment to 0% transaction fees on course sales, even on the free plan, a substantial benefit for budget-conscious creators. The platform emphasizes being an “advanced yet affordable” solution, enabling you to expand your online course business without incurring substantial overheads.

Getting started with FreshLearn

Starting with FreshLearn is exceptionally simple. You can create your free account directly. Its interface is intuitive and beginner-friendly, allowing you to effortlessly design your course curriculum, upload videos, incorporate quizzes or assignments, and build website pages using a drag-and-drop editor. FreshLearn also streamlines payment integration.

As an added benefit, if you have existing courses on another platform, FreshLearn provides complimentary migration assistance to help transfer your content and students.

FreshLearn features and special functions

FreshLearn delivers substantial value with numerous standout features:

• All-in-one platform: Extends beyond course creation and hosting to include built-in tools for memberships, email marketing, blogging, and student communities.
• No transaction fees: You retain 100% of your course sales, with no commission charged, even on the free plan.
• Unlimited courses and students: Paid plans offer unlimited courses and free video hosting without bandwidth limits.
• AI course tools: Incorporates AI features to generate course outlines and quizzes, accelerating content creation.
• Community and engagement: Enables the creation of private student communities, gamification elements like quizzes and certificates, and the ability to conduct live classes or webinars.

Overall, FreshLearn offers a feature-rich, all-in-one tool that is surprisingly affordable, quickly establishing itself as a competitive platform.

What does FreshLearn cost?

One of the most attractive aspects of FreshLearn is its pricing structure. It offers a completely free plan that includes one course with 25 enrollments, entirely free of transaction fees. This is a robust option for testing course ideas or launching small pilots without any initial financial commitment.

Paid plans, starting at $49/month (Pro), include unlimited courses and students, and maintain the 0% transaction fee policy. These plans offer additional features like custom domains, email marketing, and drip content.

The $79/month No Brainer plan introduces live classes, certificates, assignments, and priority support. The top-tier No Brainer+ plan, at $149/month, provides advanced automation and API access.

FreshLearn discounts and extras

You can achieve significant savings with FreshLearn through yearly plans (25% off) and 2-year plans (40% off). The Pro plan, for instance, drops to approximately $41/month with annual billing. FreshLearn also provides free migration assistance for annual plans if you are transitioning from another platform. With a free plan available, you can immediately begin building and upgrade when ready.

Best All-in-One Online Course Platforms

Platforms like Kajabi and Thinkific offer comprehensive solutions, handling everything from course building and web security to online course hosting and marketing your digital learning products.

This category is ideal for those who aim to sell courses and build a business around them but may not yet possess a dedicated website or email marketing tools. Opting for an all-in-one solution simplifies the initial setup, allowing you to focus on course creation and successfully selling your programs.

5. Thinkific as an all-in-one platform

Thinkific also excels as a hosted online course platform, offering integrated marketing, sales, e-commerce, and membership tools.

Its comprehensive functionality is particularly beneficial for rapid course creation, providing numerous pre-made resources and templates to design sales pages. This approach streamlines the process of validating your course idea and launching effectively. While you can still use your own custom domain and website CMS like WordPress and WooCommerce, Thinkific provides robust support for these needs as well.

• Full e-commerce and student enrollment/tracking functionality, including reporting for sales and student progress.
• Integrated checkout pages and payment gateway integration.
• Website and sales page creation with a CMS and a wide array of templates.
• Tools to build sales funnels, lead magnet funnels, webinar funnels, and more.
• A complete Membership area.
• Built-in email marketing and automation tools.
• Ability to completely white-label your course platform, removing any Thinkific branding.

Creating your online course in a flash

Thinkific helps you get started and launch your course quickly. The Thinkific Fast Track program offers a free month of the online course platform and a guided course designed to help you build and launch your course in 30 days or less, with just three hours of focused assistance.

6. Kajabi Review – All-in-One platform: A bit more pricey but complete.

Kajabi is a comprehensive online teaching platform. It includes an online course builder and all the necessary features for selling your course, such as creating landing pages, sales funnels, and drip campaigns to convert visitors into students.

All your email marketing, including drip and follow-up campaigns, can be managed through Kajabi’s integrated tools. For creators seeking more advanced email marketing functionalities, Kajabi seamlessly integrates with popular platforms like ConvertKit, ActiveCampaign, and Mailchimp.

Aesthetically pleasing out of the box + Theme marketplace

Kajabi’s pages and courses feature attractive designs by default, offering a good selection of standard templates. Additionally, a marketplace for themes is available for those seeking alternative designs, providing a unique advantage for an online course builder to offer community-contributed designs, a feature not commonly found with alternatives like Teachable or Thinkific.

Video hosting and streaming is included

Kajabi integrates with Wistia, a leading video streaming platform, for all your video needs. This inclusion is part of the standard pricing, offering significant value, especially considering Wistia Pro’s typical cost.

Live events and virtual summits are easy to set up

Kajabi is highly capable for live events, making it easy to set up virtual summits or conferences. The platform provides all the necessary templates for streaming classes and events. You can launch a webinar in Kajabi and customize your funnel by simply adjusting text and video links on registration pages, promotional emails, and post-event follow-ups.

Customer support and Hero University

It is important to highlight Kajabi’s Hero University, an online training and community resource designed to support users. While the platform’s support and documentation are excellent, the active community further enhances assistance, with many companies creating custom themes and additional online resources.

Standout features of Kajabi

According to Kajabi users, its most valuable features include:

• Creation of engaging courses with video, PDFs, digital products, and mobile apps.
• Memberships, quizzes, and assignments.
• A WordPress-like CMS for managing your pages and blog.
• Ability to build various funnels: product launch, lead magnet, webinar funnels, complete with checkout pages and options for up-sells and cross-sells.
• An integrated simple payment cart and seamless integration with Stripe and PayPal.
• Useful email and automation tools.

What does Kajabi cost?

The starting price for Kajabi is notably higher than other platforms, reflecting its extensive feature set. A 14-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee are available. The platform begins at $149, with discounts offered for annual commitments.

Kajabi discounts and extra’s

Kajabi provides a 20% discount for users who opt for a yearly payment plan.

7. Academy of Mine – Enterprise online training software

Academy of Mine is an enterprise-grade training platform, offering a premium and comprehensive solution.

Starting at $599 per month, it is the most expensive platform on this list. As an all-in-one online training software, its team provides full customization of your environment, including a complete website and branding, to help you launch your brand and sell courses online.

Academy of Mine is an excellent choice for larger businesses, suitable for internal training, HR departments, or establishing online language or coding schools. Its comprehensive course building and learning management system capabilities justify its higher price point, delivering a premium service.

• Self-Paced Course Creation: Develop courses using free-form text, HTML, video, audio, PowerPoint, PDF, SCORM, TinCan, and more.
• Live Virtual Training: Conduct live sessions with video conferencing, live chat, screen sharing, collaborative whiteboards, and presentations.
• Corporate and Group Onboarding: Designed for larger clients and schools, it includes specific functionality for bulk selling. The Group Onboarding feature enables the sale of multiple course seats and delegates student management to company representatives.
• Advanced Functionality: Features such as in-person bookings, calendars, e-books, downloadable products, and user roles with personal audit trails underscore its comprehensive business focus.

Best WordPress LMS plugins

A WordPress Learning Management System (LMS) is a software solution you install on your existing WordPress website. This option is primarily attractive if you already operate a WordPress site with a domain name and possess a degree of technical expertise to manage extensive control over your platform.

8. LearnDash Review – Best WordPress LMS Plugin

LearnDash is a highly popular and feature-rich LMS plugin that transforms your WordPress website into a self-hosted learning environment. It includes an intuitive online course builder and a wide array of functionalities.

A notable feature in LearnDash, introduced in version 3.0, is “Focus Mode,” which eliminates distractions for students during their course progression by hiding all other elements from your membership pages.

LearnDash LMS features a drag-and-drop online course builder, simplifying the creation of courses complete with lessons, videos, quizzes, and more. It includes email drip campaigns, allowing you to either offer all lessons at once or deliver content incrementally via a paced email drip feed.

As a WordPress plugin, this Learning Management System seamlessly integrates with bbPress, MemberPress, and other WordPress e-commerce and membership plugins.

LearnDash enables you to sell individual courses, offer subscriptions, memberships, or utilize a shopping cart for selling access to your online training courses. It supports payment gateways like PayPal or Stripe. Upon a student’s course purchase, a WordPress member profile is automatically generated for them.

The automatically generated certificates and badges, customized with student names and scores, are a valuable addition, allowing you to award official recognition based on quiz performance and course completion.

What does LearnDash WordPress LMS cost?
You can get started today with a $40 discount and a full 15-day money-back guarantee on their annual plans. Note that you will still need to arrange online course hosting for your videos, as uploading them directly to your WordPress environment is not recommended.

9. Lifter LMS – WordPress Course Software

LifterLMS is a comprehensive course software for WordPress, facilitating the easy creation and sale of online courses directly from your own WordPress site.

Its core functionalities can be extended through integrations with various add-ons, including Stripe, PayPal, Authorize.net, and more. You can also integrate it with your preferred email marketing or marketing automation platforms.

Similar to LearnDash, LifterLMS offers student engagement features like certificates, badges, and social interaction, and supports integration with 1:1 coaching. The LMS platform allows for the sale of individual courses, course bundles, or the creation of membership sites with discount options.

Addons for LifterLMS start at $120, while the comprehensive universe bundle is available for $360.

10. Masterstudy LMS – WordPress Online Course Plugin and Theme

Masterstudy LMS is a contemporary online education and learning management system plugin for WordPress. It boasts a sleek design and high responsiveness, being built entirely in Vue.js. The plugin and themes were developed by the template builders at StylemixThemes.

MasterStudy LMS features an intuitive course admin panel, a messaging system, quizzes, and course announcement capabilities.

As an online course builder, it supports three lesson types: text lessons, video lessons, and slideshow lessons, with options to add elements, use templates, and include text blocks specific to each type.

The Masterstudy WordPress LMS Pro version includes additional features such as a Udemy Course Importer, Prerequisites, Online Testing and Assignments, Sequential Drip Content, a Gradebook, Live Streaming Lessons, Group Courses, and WooCommerce integration. The full WordPress Educational Theme offers even more functions, including extensive customization options.

The Best Online Learning Platforms (Marketplaces)

Online marketplaces such as Skillshare and Udemy actively attract students and course creators alike. These platforms can assist with sales efforts and alleviate many design and hosting concerns. While they offer a built-in audience, it’s important to remember that courses don’t sell themselves, and competition among creators exists even on the best online teaching platforms.

Udemy – The Best Learning Platform for General Knowledge and Business

Udemy is one of the most popular online learning platforms, renowned as a top destination for purchasing online courses with over 40 million students. Learners can utilize ratings and reviews to identify high-quality content. However, is it an effective platform for building and selling your course?

Pros of the Udemy learning platform:

Udemy democratizes course creation, allowing anyone to utilize training materials like PDF documents, PowerPoint, text, and video content.

• No setup or platform cost.
• Online course hosting is fully managed.
• Supports self-paced learning and video courses.
• Requires no technical knowledge whatsoever.
• Offers a large, built-in audience that may purchase your courses.

The platform often promotes courses that are already performing well, so success also depends on your marketing efforts. Udemy retains control over course pricing and frequently offers discounts, which benefits students. Udemy is an ideal starting point for teachers, instructors, educators, and freelancers new to online course creation.

Pricing: You can start for free. The Udemy learning platform charges a 3% administration fee on courses sold through your direct links. Commissions on sales generated by Udemy itself are substantial, ranging from 50% to 75%.

Skillshare – Best Learning Platform for Creative Learning

Skillshare is a leading online learning platform, hosting over 4 million students and 24,000 lessons across its course marketplace.

Course lessons typically range from 20 to 60 minutes and are structured as a series of short videos. The platform features class projects and an active member community with interaction facilitated through a class discussion forum.

The online training platform categorizes its courses into “Create, Build, and Thrive,” further divided into four primary areas:

1. Creative topics: The largest segment, encompassing subjects from music lessons to graphic design and cooking.
2. Business courses: Includes marketing, freelancing, and business analytics.
3. Web and technology: Covers web development, UX/UI design, and e-commerce.
4. Lifestyle: Offers learning in languages, wellness, interior design, and more.

A notable aspect of Skillshare, beyond being an online course creation software, is its discussion forum that encourages student interaction and feedback, providing a complete package. Premium students gain access to over 20,000 classes for a single fee. While some might compare Skillshare to Teachable in functionality, the key difference is that Teachable primarily serves as an online course hosting platform for your classrooms, not a marketplace.

Skillshare is well-suited for instructors aiming to generate supplementary income, allowing them to earn royalties from their courses and participate in the Skillshare referral program.

Coursera – Best learning platform for Academics

Coursera is an online learning platform established in 2012 by two former Stanford professors. Its instructors are affiliated with top universities and major companies, offering Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). While excellent for online learning, direct course creation and hosting on Coursera are typically exclusive to those teaching at institutions like Harvard.

The platform features main courses, specialized programs, and online degrees across various disciplines, including engineering, data science, machine learning, mathematics, business, computer science, digital marketing, humanities, medicine, biology, and social sciences. Coursera is free to sign up for, with most training lasting 4-6 weeks and involving two calls per week. Certification and degree prices, viewable after login, range from $29-$99/month, with higher costs for specializations.

Code Academy

Code Academy is a learning platform that provides niche MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) tailored for the IT and programming community. Code Academy is structured to accommodate learners at any experience level, from foundational HTML, JavaScript, and Python. As online education platforms go, coding is distinct because it necessitates hands-on interaction with code.

Classes are designed to progress learners through various levels, enabling them to build websites, applications, and master advanced programming. The free plan offers 180 hours of learning, and a Pro membership includes a free one-week trial.

Other leading online learning platforms include Linkedin Learning, edX, and Treehouse.

How to Create and Sell an Online Course

While there’s no single fixed method for building a course, here are practical steps to quickly launch your first online course.

1. Let the experts show you how to create your own course

The most straightforward way to master course creation is through step-by-step guidance from experts. Fortunately, many platforms featured in this guide are invested in your success, recognizing that it fosters long-term customer relationships. As a result, they frequently offer free training programs specifically designed to help you launch your first course. These programs also provide an excellent opportunity to experience the platform from a student’s perspective, informing what you’d like to include in your own training.

Consider these highly recommended free training resources to launch your online course:

• LearnWorlds Academy (free)
• Thinkific Fast Track (free)

2. Pick a course topic your audience is interested in

Selecting a course topic is as simple as identifying what people are eager to learn. Everyone possesses knowledge that can be shared, even if it’s just a bit more than your potential students. Don’t overthink this step. If it’s your initial course or training, it’s advisable to create a short course first.

The primary objective for your first course is to learn about course creation and become familiar with your chosen platform. You’ll gain invaluable insights for your subsequent, more comprehensive courses. Later, this short course can be repurposed to build your email list or serve as an introduction to your main offerings.

3 killer ideas for your first micro-course

Idea 1: Select a smaller subtopic and develop a three-lesson course. For example, if your main topic is weightlifting, your first class could focus on correct posture. If it’s email marketing, create a training on writing compelling subject lines.

A simple lesson structure could be:

• Lesson 1: Importance and learning objectives.
• Lesson 2: Key do’s and don’ts.
• Lesson 3: Examples and a practical exercise.

Idea 2: Discuss the four biggest trends in [your chosen topic], dedicating each trend to a separate lesson.

Idea 3: Convert a comprehensive blog article about [your topic] into a series of lessons.

Starting with a micro-course or training is highly recommended, as taking action “now is better than never” to bring your online course vision to life.

3. Figure out how much creating your online training costs

Some reports suggest online course creation can be very expensive, averaging around $3,000. However, this figure can be misleading. You have the flexibility to manage your budget, opting for either a grand production or a cost-conscious approach.

You can develop a high-quality online course on a very modest budget. With just PowerPoint, a laptop, a webcam, and a proactive attitude, you possess all the essential tools to begin your course creation journey. A decent online course can be produced for under $250, with a recommended budget of $100 – $500 for creation. Your most significant investment will typically be your time.

The hosting, marketing, and selling aspects of your new course can be effectively managed through the platforms reviewed in this guide. Below is an overview of the starting prices for five top online course platforms.

You might wonder if there are entirely free online course platforms. While most offer a free trial or a free tier to begin your first course, realize that the primary investment is usually in time, not solely the platform fees.

4. The best equipment for creating an online course

You don’t need the most elaborate setup to create a highly successful online course. However, some essential equipment will significantly enhance your production quality. Let’s explore your primary gear options.

Microphone ($25 – $109)

Even with excellent content, poor audio quality can be a major deterrent to the learning experience.

• Consider the Samson Meteor Mic. This compact USB microphone offers impressive sound capture and costs around $25.
• A popular choice for podcasters and course creators is the Logitech Yeti USB desk microphone (formerly Blue Yeti). Though slightly more expensive, it delivers excellent quality and a professional aesthetic.

Camera ($0 – $60)

Most modern laptops and computers include a built-in camera, which may suffice. However, if you require an external webcam or seek higher quality, the Logitech BRIO Ultra HD is a strong option. Position it on your monitor to record stunning 4K video. For trainings where you demonstrate skills on camera or on location, your smartphone’s built-in camera typically offers exceptional quality.

Screen capture recording software ($0 – $20)

Combining monitor and screen capture with your video is a common and effective format for online courses and blended learning. Popular tools include Zoom.us (for meetings and live training) and Loom (for screen and video capture). Both offer free options. Always ensure you download all your videos and inform attendees if sessions will be recorded, respecting their privacy.

Lighting kit ($0 – $50)

Effective lighting for video course recording is critical. Natural light is often the best and free option; simply sit facing a window for even illumination. A ring light or desk lighting kit ensures consistent and well-lit training videos, even in the evenings.

Cool Course Creators Coffee mug (you know you want it!) $10

As you can see, successful course creators don’t need an extravagant setup to launch an excellent course. If your video course primarily involves a “talking head” presentation style, your equipment needs are similar to what you’d use for a conference call or webinar!

How to Choose the Best Online Course Platform for Your Business

As you’ve learned, the ideal online course platform is entirely dependent on your specific requirements. Here are tailored recommendations based on common needs:

• For the best tool to create engaging online course content and experiences:
  – Explore LearnWorlds or Thinkific.
• If you need an all-in-one solution covering online courses, email marketing, website, memberships, and sales funnels:
  – Kajabi is the platform for you.
• If you’re primarily seeking a quality e-learning tool with robust email marketing and drip campaign capabilities:
  – Consider LearnWorlds or Teachable.
• If your online course software must include a solid membership and login section:
  – Kajabi and LearnDash are excellent platforms to investigate.
• If you’re looking for a quick start and assistance with setting up your training:
  – You’ll find LearnWorlds (with their Academy), Thinkific, and Teachable to be very helpful.