Did you know the online course market is projected to reach $375 billion by 2026, fueled by creators turning expertise into revenue? If you're wondering what are the best platforms for selling online courses, this article breaks down top options, pros, cons, and tips to help small creators like you start earning directly from your audience — without complex setups or guesswork.
We'll cover popular platforms, key insights from recent research, and how tools like ours at Rupa make it simple to launch and sell mini-courses or digital products. Let's dive in.
Why Choose the Right Platform Matters
Selecting from the best platforms for selling online courses can make or break your launch. With the industry growing at 11% annually (according to Statista), creators need tools that handle everything from course building to payments. Focus on ease for small audiences, low fees, and features that warm up leads for higher-ticket offers like coaching.
Key factors include customization, marketing tools, and no revenue shares — helping you keep more earnings while building trust step by step.
Top Platforms for Selling Online Courses
Based on 2024 reviews and user data, here are standout options. We've drawn from sources like G2 and Capterra for ratings and insights.
- Thinkific: Great for creators seeking control. Pros include multimedia builders and email marketing; cons are higher costs for advanced plans (starting at $49/month). Ideal if you want no revenue share, per expert reviews noting its "perfect balance of flexibility" (Forbes).
- Teachable: Beginner-friendly with simple setups. It handles hosting and payments (from $39/month), but lacks robust marketing. Users praise its ease, though some miss advanced features (Trustpilot).
- Kajabi: An all-in-one for courses plus funnels ($89–$119/month). Strong on communities and emails, but pricey for starters. Experts call it "ultimate for high-end marketers" in recent comparisons.
- Udemy: Marketplace-style with built-in audiences (over 14,000 business courses). Free to start, but it takes a revenue cut. Best for exposure without marketing, though you lose pricing control.
- Coursera: Focuses on accredited content with university partnerships. Varies in pricing; great for certificates, but less flexible for individual sellers.
For small creators, we at Rupa stand out by analyzing your content to suggest products your audience will buy. Our $29/month plan includes no transaction fees, quick launches of mini-courses, and integrations with communities like WhatsApp — helping you start small and grow to 1:1 bookings.
Pros, Cons, and Comparisons
Here's a quick list to compare:
- Customization and Control: Self-hosted like Thinkific or Kajabi give full ownership; marketplaces like Udemy offer traffic but split earnings (up to 50%).
- Pricing and Fees: Budget picks start at $29–$49/month; watch for revenue shares that eat into profits.
- Ease for Small Creators: Tools with trials (most offer 14–30 days) let you test without risk. Prioritize mobile-friendly checkouts for audience conversion.
- Marketing Features: All-in-ones excel here, reducing tool overload — vital since 70% of creators struggle with promotion (Thinkific's 2024 report).
Research shows platforms like these enable recurring revenue through memberships, with success stories of creators hitting $10,000+ monthly by starting with low-priced offers (Entrepreneur).
Tips for Getting Started
To pick from the best platforms for selling online courses:
- Assess Your Needs: Start with free trials to build a sample course.
- Focus on Audience Fit: Use data-driven tools to validate demand — our platform at Rupa does this by reviewing your content.
- Build Step by Step: Launch free products to build trust, then add paid mini-courses to qualify leads for coaching.
- Maximize Earnings: Avoid high fees; aim for no-transaction models to keep 100% of sales.
- Stay Compliant: Follow privacy guidelines like GDPR for global audiences (FTC guidelines).
Expert quote: "Success ties to marketing over platform alone — start simple and scale," says online education analyst from eLearning Industry.
How Rupa Fits In
We help you launch digital products, including mini-courses, without hassle. For $29/month with a free trial, create landing pages, handle payments, and integrate with your communities. It's designed for small creators to boost earnings directly — turning followers into customers and booked sessions.
Ready to try? Check out Rupa and start building today.
FAQ
What are the best platforms for selling online courses for beginners?
Options like Teachable or our tool at Rupa are ideal, with simple builders starting at $29–$39/month. They focus on ease without overwhelming features.
Do these platforms charge transaction fees?
Many don't, like Thinkific or Rupa (we have zero transaction fees), so you keep all earnings. Marketplaces like Udemy do take a cut.
How do I choose between self-hosted and marketplace platforms?
Self-hosted gives control for long-term growth; marketplaces provide quick audiences but less flexibility. For small creators, start self-hosted to own your data.
Can I sell mini-courses on these platforms?
Yes — most support them. We at Rupa specialize in quick launches of mini-courses, guides, and more, tailored to your audience.
What's the market growth for online courses?
It's booming at 11% annually, hitting $375 billion by 2026 (Statista), making now a great time to start.