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Last week, I was jumping around the internet searching for online courses on generative engine optimization, or GEO. The topic itself is important—at least to me—but I was also looking for something that matched my price point and learning style. And a big factor in both of those parameters is the platform the course is hosted.
For buyers like me, online course platforms affect my overall learning experience. What I’m going to get out of my investment and time. For sellers, they affect your control over pricing and marketing tools and dictate how your content reaches and looks to your target audience.
The online training industry is enormous, and it’s expected to grow 11% over the next 5 years [1]. Despite this, it’s still possible to stand out. And the course platform you choose plays a part in that.
I’ve sorted through masses of options to create a curated list of eight platforms worth checking out. The complete guide highlights all the important stuff, like use cases and pricing, so you can match the right platform to your training goals.
Why choosing the right platform to sell training videos online matters
The platform you pick directly affects both your sales process and the overall student experience. It shapes the way your content looks and how easily people can buy from you, and it also decides what tools you have to connect with students after they’ve joined.
When I choose any tool, I picture how it will fit my needs months from now, not just on day one. For you, the course creator, that means looking at how an online course platform can support your unique needs and goals as you create and sell.
A few things to think about:
Top platforms for selling educational content and resources can help you keep more from each sale and get your training videos to people who are ready to learn. It’s a business decision that affects your future revenue and reach.
Top online course platforms: An overview
Before you hop down to the list, I want to explain how I grouped the platforms. You’ll see three types: all-in-one platforms vs. marketplaces, vs. self-hosted options.
All-in-one platforms like learning management systems (LMS) give you the tools to build and sell online courses in one place. They serve as an all-in-one solution for course creators by combining course creation, marketing, payments, and community features.
Marketplaces let you publish next to other online course creators and tap into an existing audience.
Self-hosted don’t help you with online course creation, but they often run on your own site and give you full control.
And each type works differently. All-in-one platforms are quicker to set up than self-hosted tools and still keep you close to your buyers. Marketplaces can put you in front of students quickly, but often limit your presentation. Self-hosted setups give you the most control but take more work to manage.
The best online course platform for you depends on your specific needs and the features that matter most to your business.
All-in-one course platforms
These course platforms are designed to ease the online course creation process, making it easier for educators to develop and manage their online courses. I have yet to build an online course myself, so I thought it best to get some insight from a professional who has used an LMS to build theirs.
In the words of someone who built their business while selling training programs:
A proper learning management system or LMS, is not merely a video host. It assists you in managing your business, and it makes you well organized and allows your users to get a smooth and professional experience throughout the process.
Brian Clark, Founder at United Medical Education
LMS platforms for trainers are specifically designed to simplify online course creation and management for educators, providing the tools needed to create and sell online courses.
If that sounds like what you need, check out these four platforms.
LearnWorlds
LearnWorlds helps you sell training videos that keep students engaged. In an era where attention spans are fleeting, engagement plays a big part in the success of your online course. You can also customize the look of your school to match your brand, making it one of the best platforms for coaches and educators who want to sell online courses with a professional feel.
Key features
- Interactive video editor with in-lesson questions and prompts
- Custom branding, including your own custom domain
- 40+ native integrations plus API and webhooks
- Multiple languages and GDPR/ISO27001 compliance
- In-depth analytics with user groups, tags, and automation
- Bulk user actions and custom user roles for managing larger schools
Pros
- Excellent engagement tools for educators and coaches to enhance the learning experience
- Ability to host unlimited online courses, making it highly scalable for growing schools
- Strong branding control for selling to corporate clients or private groups
- Flexible pricing for single courses, memberships, or bundled programs
- Detailed analytics for tracking learner progress and improving valuable content
Cons
- Learning curve if you want to dive into advanced customization
- Higher starting cost than some beginner tools
- Some design options require extra tweaking to get just right
Pricing
Free trial. Plans start at $29/month when billed annually.
Kajabi
Kajabi is an online course platform built for more than just courses. You can use it to create training videos, of course, but also sell digital products while managing your website and email marketing, too. Its marketing tools make it a strong pick if you want to grow an audience and sell without juggling multiple apps.
Key features
- Online course builder for videos and coaching programs
- Website hosting with customizable themes
- Built-in email marketing automation and sales funnels—great for digital marketers
- Payment processing with recurring subscription support
Pros
- All-in-one setup for online courses, marketing, and sales
- No extra integrations needed for email or course landing pages
- Supports coaches and multi-product businesses
- Reliable hosting and support
Cons
- Quite a high monthly cost compared to most platforms
- Limited course interactivity than some other LMSs
- If you want to get into the design of your online course, you might find it limiting
Pricing
Free trial. Plans start at $79/month when billed annually.
*Pricing information retrieved from Kajabi on August 12th, 2025.
Teachable
Teachable is one of several online course programs known for its simple setup. But if you’re a total beginner, this platform stands out—its course builder and payment support make it a great choice if you’re selling your first training videos. The pricing tiers make it easy to start small and develop without having to eventually switch platforms.
Key features
- Drag-and-drop builder lets you create online courses with videos, downloads, and quizzes
- Customizable sales pages for each course
- Quiz and certificate creation tools
- Payment processing with automatic tax handling
Pros
- Beginner-friendly setup with some learning curve
- Built-in payment system that handles sales tax for you
- Certificates can add perceived value for learners
Cons
- Limited customization compared to other all-in-one platforms
- Starter plan includes transaction fees (7.5%)
- Fewer marketing tools than some other training program platforms
Pricing
Free plan available. Paid plans start at $29/month when billed annually.
*Pricing information retrieved from Teachable on August 12th, 2025.
Thinkific
Thinkific gives you more control over the design of your course site than many other beginner tools. You can create training videos and bundled offers, which is great if you’re a creator or organization and want to do more than just a single course offering. Its flexibility makes it well-suited for growing a profitable online course business over time.
Key features
- Gives you access to an easily customizable course site to match your course offerings
- Supports membership sites, bundles, and one-time course sales
- Drag-and-drop curriculum builder lets you easily make videos and quizzes
- Built-in payment processing and multiple currency support
Pros
- Flexible with its design, so you can easily make your school match your brand
- Membership tools work for recurring revenue models
- Scales well for creators by adding more courses or products
- Even if you have large student numbers, its performance and loading stay reliable
Cons
- More setup time than simpler platforms
- Marketing features are basic without integrations
- Some advanced customization requires knowledge of Liquid templates
Pricing
Free plan available. Paid plans start at $36/month when billed annually.
*Pricing information retrieved from Thinkific on August 12th, 2025.
Online marketplaces
Online marketplaces are a way to earn money from video content without building your audience from scratch. They work well if you want exposure or leads for other products without investing in your own site, and they’re great for building authority, too.
You can also backlink and refer potential buyers to your courses from other channels to these reputable marketplaces, which helps build trust with your audience.
Udemy
You may have heard of Udemy, or even taken a course from there. It’s actually where I ended up taking that GEO course I was talking about. For a course seller, Udemy is best if you want a built-in audience and are okay with lower control over pricing and marketing.
Key features
- Possible to offer free courses to draw in new learners
- Large, global audience of course buyers
- Built-in marketing campaigns and seasonal promotions, but you don’t always control these
- Mobile app for student access
- Role play lets students test their knowledge in simulated scenarios
Pros
- Self-paced courses are convenient for students
- Huge built-in audience for fast visibility
- No upfront costs to publish a course
- Easy to start selling and very low technical setup
- Can drive leads to your off-platform business
Cons
- It uses a revenue share model, which can limit your earning potential if you’re not bringing in sales independently
- Courses are often discounted heavily during promotions
- Limited control over branding and student data
Pricing
Free to publish. Instructors earn 37% of sales from Udemy-led marketing and 97% from sales they bring in themselves.
*Pricing information retrieved from Udemy on August 12th, 2025.
Skillshare
Skillshare is one of many Udemy alternatives and is heavily focused on creative and business topics. What I find most interesting about Skillshare, though, is its payment model. Students sign up using a subscription model, so instead of selling a course outright, you’re paid based on how much of your content people watch. If you needed a little push to make your courses more engaging, this is it.
Key features
- Easy course creation where you upload video lessons, and the platform helps you break them into chapters
- Create class projects for students to complete and share
- Built-in video hosting that gives your students HD playback
- You get access to an analytics dashboard showing watch time and engagement
- Supportive New Teacher program to get you going in the right direction
Pros
- Great fit for creative professionals and hobbyist teachers
- Potential for steady passive income with popular classes
- Strong community interaction through projects
- Has a referral system that gives you a bonus for bringing in students
Cons
- Earnings depend on watch time, which can be unpredictable
- Less suited for structured lessons compared to some LMS platforms like LearnWorlds—more like Vimeo OTT’s continuous streaming model
- Not really a video course hosting platform, more like a subscription to a library of lesson content. This means no direct course sales or higher-ticket pricing for you.
Pricing
Free to publish. Creators are paid monthly based on watch time and receive $10 per student they refer.
*Pricing information retrieved from Skillshare on August 12th, 2025.
Self-hosted solutions
Why not host your own video course? Hosting it yourself means you decide the look, the price, and how your sales pages feel. Plus, all your testimonials and marketing live right where people are buying, which can go a long way in building trust.
You can keep everything on your site or use an online store to sell courses and memberships together. With a self-hosted solution, you get freedom and flexibility, but you’ll also handle the tech setup and upkeep.
WordPress with MemberMouse
MemberMouse is a premium WordPress membership plugin that turns your site into a private course portal. You can create different membership levels and integrate with payment processors for subscriptions or one-off sales. This is best if you’re a tech-savvy creator who wants everything under your domain and isn’t afraid to handle setup.
Key features
- Create and manage unlimited membership levels
- Drip content on a set schedule
- Works with major payment gateways like Stripe and PayPal
- Content protection to keep courses private for paying members
- Reporting dashboard for sales and member activity
Pros
- Give your total control over your course content and customer data
- Highly customizable design and course structure, so you can use your preferred branding and design
- Supports multiple pricing models and bundles
- Integrates with email marketing features for upsells
Cons
- Only works if you’re using WordPress and your course is set up through WordPress
- Updates and maintenance are your responsibility and may take some technical know-how
- Pricing is per year, which means a big commitment if you’re just starting
Pricing
At the time of writing, MemberMouse was having a sale with plans starting at $149/year, not including WordPress hosting costs. When not on sale, plans can start at $299/year for a basic plan.
*Pricing information retrieved from MemberMouse on August 12th, 2025.
Payhip
Payhip is a digital product platform that makes it easy to sell training videos and manage memberships without much setup. It’s not technically a self-hosted tool since Payhip handles hosting and checkout for you, but it still gives you a standalone storefront where you own the customer relationship and set your pricing.
Key features
- Known for its secure streaming
- Allows you create product pages and bundles for your courses
- Built-in checkout with multiple payment options
- EU/UK VAT handling for international course sales
- Gives your students an easy-to-use customer dashboard for accessing their course content
Pros
- Great for independent creators or those who want a simple setup
- Very easy to set up, no technical skills needed
- Supports not just video sales, but memberships and digital downloads too
- Includes marketing tools like coupon codes and affiliate programs
- No monthly fee on the free plan (small transaction fee applies)
Cons
- Limited site customization compared to full WordPress setups and some LMSs
- Less suited for large course libraries
- Branding options are basic on free and lower-tier plans
Pricing
Free Forever plan available with a 5% transaction fee. Paid plans start at $29/month with 0% transaction fees.
*Pricing information retrieved from Payhip on August 12th, 2025.
All 8 platforms compared: A feature comparison table
There’s a lot to consider when choosing your platform. Teachable vs Kajabi? Self-hosted or marketplace? And how do LearnWorlds’ features square up with its pricing and marketing tools?
For a Thinkific comparison, it sits close to Teachable in starting price but offers different marketing tools and membership capabilities. Kajabi is the highest-priced hosted option, while Udemy and Skillshare are free to publish on but have unique payout models.
In case you need the facts laid out neatly, here’s a quick table to help you visualize your options.
When it comes down to selecting the right platform to sell training videos, the advice from Alex Veka, Founder at Vibe Adventurers, is to:
“Ensure it’s a provider that allows you to have full ownership of your content and customer data, native video hosting (to keep IP safe and get the highest-quality streaming possible), flexible pricing models (one-time, subscription, bundles), built-in marketing tools (think email automation and landing pages), and deep analytics insights into viewer habits.”
These capabilities are key because, as she says, they can give you the ability to grow in a sustainable way while maintaining control over your business.
While exploring platform features, you need to look at things from the learners’ perspective, too.
Founder & Creative Director at Lambda Animation Studio, Ryan Stone, says:
“While the video content itself is the hero material, creators should look beyond the usual video features. It’s all about the student experience after all. One of the most important features, in my opinion, is a broader learning toolkit; the ability for students to download resources, take quizzes, submit tasks, or upload assignments. These interactive elements turn passive viewing into active learning, which keeps users engaged and helps them retain more.”
Ready to sell training videos online?
When it comes down to it, all eight of these platforms are great choices. That’s why they made the list. But what really matters is which platform fits your needs the best.
Here are some final notes to help you choose the right online course platform for you.
Best for beginners, budget, and advanced features
Teachable works well if you want a quick setup. Payhip can be a smart choice if you want to start selling without monthly costs. LearnWorlds is well-suited for experienced sellers who want interactive video tools and strong branding control, balanced with a good price point.
How to test platforms before committing
Take advantage of free trials or starter plans. When you do, don’t just build a course and play with branding. Go through the discovery, buying, and course-taking processes to see what the experience will be like for your future students. Also, check the course monetization tools available and ensure that you find the admin dashboard intuitive and easy to use.
Try LearnWorlds for free
A free trial of LearnWorlds gives you 30 days to explore. You’ll get to try features like its interactive video tool and see how it can help you sell training videos to your audience.
Start your free trial today, and see how LearnWorlds helps you launch and grow your training courses.
Sources
[1] E-Learning Market Size & Share Analysis – Growth Trends & Forecasts (2025 – 2030)
Ciera Lamb
Ciera is a freelance content writer and editor connecting companies with their ideal audiences through blog articles and other online content. She approaches her writing with curiosity and research and enjoys the ever-present learning that comes with being a content writer. She is also an avid scuba diver, an aspiring Dutch speaker, and lover of all things nature.
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