Best Online Course Platforms Compared: Create and Sell Your Knowledge in 2024

# Best Online Course Platforms Compared: Create and Sell Your Knowledge in 2024 The online education market continues to expand rapidly as more people turn to digital learning. For creators, experts, and entrepreneurs, this presents an excellent opportunity to package and sell expertise as online courses. This guide compares the leading platforms to help you choose the right solution for creating, hosting, and selling your online courses. ## Key Considerations for Choosing a Course Platform Before diving into specific platforms, consider these important factors: - **Business model:** Standalone course sales, membership, or both - **Technical expertise:** Your comfort level with web technologies - **Marketing features:** Built-in tools vs. integration with existing systems - **Scalability:** Growth potential as your course business expands - **Pricing structure:** Transaction fees vs. subscription models - **Content format:** Video, text, downloads, community features ## Comprehensive Platform Comparisons ### Teachable: Best All-Around Platform for Most Course Creators Teachable provides an excellent balance of user-friendly course creation tools, marketing features, and student experience. **Key Features:** - Unlimited courses and students - Custom domain and branding - Course completion certificates - Integrated coaching services - Built-in email marketing - EU VAT handling - Affiliate program management - Native mobile app for students **Pricing:** - Basic: $59/month ($49/month billed annually) - **Pro: $119/month ($99/month billed annually)** - Business: $299/month ($249/month billed annually) - Plus 5% transaction fee on Basic, no transaction fees on higher plans **Best for:** Course creators who want a dedicated platform with comprehensive features and room to grow [Get Teachable Pro Plan →](https://example.com/affiliate/teachable) ### Kajabi: Best All-in-One Business Platform Kajabi goes beyond course hosting to provide a complete business system including website, marketing automation, and multiple product types. **Key Features:** - Multiple product types (courses, memberships, communities) - Website builder with blog - Email marketing automation - Sales pipeline builder - Detailed analytics - Webinar hosting - Mobile app **Pricing:** - Basic: $149/month ($119/month billed annually) - **Growth: $199/month ($159/month billed annually)** - Pro: $399/month ($319/month billed annually) - No transaction fees on any plan **Best for:** Established businesses looking for an all-in-one solution and entrepreneurs planning to build a comprehensive digital product ecosystem [Get Kajabi Growth Plan →](https://example.com/affiliate/kajabi) ### Thinkific: Best for Course Customization ### Podia: Best for Simplicity and Multiple Product Types ### Udemy: Best for Marketplace Exposure ## Marketplace vs. Self-Hosted Platforms ### The Marketplace Approach **Advantages:** - Built-in audience - No/low monthly fees - Established trust and credibility - No marketing required **Disadvantages:** - Higher commission rates - Limited control over pricing - No direct access to student information - Brand building for the platform, not yourself ### The Self-Hosted Approach **Advantages:** - Complete control over branding and student experience - Direct relationship with students (own your email list) - Flexible pricing and promotion strategies - Higher profit margins per sale **Disadvantages:** - Need to generate your own traffic - Monthly platform fees regardless of sales - Responsible for all marketing and promotion - Steeper learning curve ## Course Platform Features Comparison ### Essential Features - Content delivery system - Payment processing - Student management - Progress tracking ### Advanced Features Worth Considering - Drip content scheduling - Certificates of completion - Quiz and assessment tools - Community/discussion forums - Affiliate program management - API access ## Making Your Final Decision Consider these questions when making your selection: 1. What's your budget before generating revenue? 2. How technical are you willing to get? 3. Do you already have an audience or marketing system? 4. What types of content will your course include? 5. How important is owning the entire customer experience? ## Conclusion The ideal online course platform aligns with your business goals, technical capabilities, and target audience needs. By carefully evaluating the features, pricing, and limitations of each platform against your specific requirements, you can select the solution that will best support your knowledge commerce business.