10 Best Online Teaching Platforms for Course Creators

Knowledge isn't just power – it's profit. With the right online teaching platform, you can transform your expertise into a thriving digital business that boosts conversions and builds recurring revenue.

Today's e-learning world eliminates all the limitations of in-person classes. Online education delivers a direct pathway to share your knowledge with a global audience while creating scalable income.

To launch courses, tutorials, or specialized training, you need effective course materials and a powerful platform. We've compiled the best online teaching platforms so you can leverage the right digital tools to create high-converting online courses that sell.

Top 10 Best Online Teaching Platforms

Online learning platforms represent massive business opportunities. Millions of people are selling online courses and products - it's a proven way to share knowledge and earn money online.

Many platforms support self-paced courses with 51% higher completion rates, while others specialize in live teaching. Here are the top 10 best online teaching platforms to help you choose the right solution for your business:

1. SamCart

SamCart provides a complete solution to create, sell, and deliver online courses without needing designers or developers. The platform works continuously to increase sales and boost profits for course creators.

The platform includes built-in features like dripped content, unlimited courses, unlimited students, unlimited video uploads, downloads, modules and lessons, worksheets and quizzes, and easy addition of text, audio, video, and images with content tier options.

Along with SamCart’s Courses App, SamCart full eCommerce suite of features maximizes conversions for course creators. SamCart’s checkout features include: conversion-optimized checkout experiences, payment options, upsell and order bump technology, and cart abandonment workflows.Key features:

• Pre-designed sales page templates for quick launches
• Auto-Enroll™ technology that reduces support requests by 67%
• Built-in video hosting with no upload limits
• Course Cross-Sells™ technology that increases back-end sales by 23%

Benefits:

• Complete automated student management system
• 1-Click integrations with 500+ other tools
• No technical skills required to launch a professional course
• Zero transaction fees to keep more money in your pocket

Pricing:

• All features starting at just $79 monthly subscription.

2. Teachable

Teachable's drag-and-drop builder lets you create professional-looking courses without coding or technical skills. The platform delivers an intuitive interface that transforms your content into courses in minutes – not days.

Upload videos, audio files, calendar events, guides, and supplemental content. As you build, you can instantly rearrange content blocks to optimize the learning experience.

Beginners benefit from specialized tools like AI course generation, which helps you rapidly create course content, curriculum structures, and sales pages.Key features:

• Express course customization with no-code tools
• Built-in marketing tools Payment processing
• Flexible pricing options

Benefits:

• User-friendly platform good for beginners
• Detailed analytics to track course performance and student progress
• Email marketing integration for automated course promotion
• Diverse course categories from personal development and business to health

Pricing:

• $69 for basic subscription or $159 pro subscription per month

3. Thinkific

Thinkific delivers a user-friendly online teaching platform that supports unlimited courses, websites, landing pages, and digital resources.

Thinkific has B2B selling features – like gifting and group orders – to help businesses. Connect Thinkific with your existing tools through API access to automate workflows.

Key features:

• Intuitive course builder with advanced customization options
• Flexible payment structures (subscriptions, one-time payments, free trials)
• Interactive community and discussion forums that increase student engagement

Benefits:

• Zero transaction feesExtensive customization capabilities
• Diverse course categories from marketing to business and technology

Pricing:

• $49 for basic subscription, $99 for start subscription, and $199 for monthly premium subscription.            

4. Kajabi

Kajabi provides an all-in-one platform with features for building digital products and scaling online classes. Kajabi lets users create courses, podcasts, newsletters, memberships, and more.

Kajabi can be too advanced for some course creators with its feature set. Its marketing tools include  email campaigns, sales funnels, automation sequences, and CRM systems.

Key features:

• All-in-one solution: courses,  email marketing, and automation
• Mobile app for learners on the go
• Support for memberships and coaching programs that generate recurring revenue

Benefits:

• Zero transaction feesAdvanced monetization tools Course topics spanning online business, digital marketing, and technology

Pricing:

• $149 for basic subscription and $199 for monthly grow subscription

5. Udemy 

Udemy is a leading e-learning marketplace providing tools for hosting courses targeting both organizations and individuals. Their extensive resources help you launch your instructor career and publish courses rapidly.

Teach any subject – from art to mathematics to technology.

Key features:

• Access to a marketplace with millions of potential learners worldwide
• Promotional tools and discount systems to attract customers
• Extensive library of existing course content

Benefits:

• Instant access to massive audience without building your own traffic
• No upfront investment
• Diverse course categories including programming, design, and data science

Pricing:

• Udemy doesn't charge for publishing but takes a commission on sales             

6. Coursera

Coursera represents a global online education platform and one of the largest providers of online classes. Their ecosystem encompasses courses, hands-on projects, certifications, and even full degree programs.

Through Coursera, deliver online classes to learners worldwide. Their partnership model and team collaboration systems help you reach millions of potential students.

Key features:

• Partnerships with prestigious universities and companies
• Professional certificates and accredited degrees
• Structured courses with clearly defined schedules and assessments

Benefits:

• Exceptional credibility and international recognition
• Access to a global audience seeking formal education credentials

Pricing:

• Free course uploads subject to review, with commissions ranging from 15% to 45%

7. Podia

Podia delivers an all-in-one platform designed specifically for content creators. Sell online courses, host webinars, offer digital downloads, and create online stores.

The platform includes advanced features for building communities and engaging your audience. Its built-in email platform connects newsletters and marketing campaigns with ready-to-use templates, segmentation tools, and automated sequences.

Key features:

• Unified platform for online courses, memberships, and digital downloads
• Zero transaction fees on premium plans
• Integrated email marketing

Benefits:

• No additional plugins or software required
• Course topics ranging from photography to art, creativity, and wellness

Pricing:

• $39 for monthly mover (basic) subscription and $89 for shaker (premium) subscription        

8. Skillshare

Skillshare focuses exclusively on creative online classes, functioning as an inspirational teaching center where you can share specialized knowledge with thousands of learners.

The platform specializes in illustration, music, photography, film, writing, and other creative disciplines. After applying to become an instructor, you can freely host your creative course content.

Once approved, upload your materials and offer 1-on-1 sessions to enhance the learning experience. New instructors gain access to Teach Lab, providing comprehensive guidance for launching your teaching career.

Key features:

• Subscription-based course model
• Interactive community features and hands-on learning experiences
• Revenue generation based on watch time metrics

Benefits:

• Premier platform for creative course categoriesCourse topics spanning art, creative writing, video editing, and more

Pricing:

• Free course hosting with commission structure based primarily on watch time

9. LearnWorlds

LearnWorlds enables educators, companies, and creators to host premium content products. Their platform quickly guides you through creating a complete academy website.

Access an extensive template library tailored to your niche or industry. Choose from over 50 designer-made templates to build your website and share your knowledge. Beyond your online school, develop a branded mobile app to increase engagement.

Key features:

• Interactive course creation with integrated quizzes and certification systems
• Built-in community features with forums and chat functionality
• Ability to develop branded mobile app

Benefits:

• Highly customizable for businesses and online academies

Ideal for creating gamified learning experiencesPricing:

• $99 for pro trainer subscription (basic) and $299 for learning center subscription (premium) per month

10. Mighty Networks

Mighty Networks provides a versatile online teaching platform for both live instruction and pre-recorded content. Beyond courses, offer events, memberships, challenges, and additional content to diversify revenue streams.

Their business strategy focuses on community building and branded mobile apps. The platform delivers specialized solutions and support for content creators, emphasizing the power of culture creation.

Key features:

• Comprehensive community creation with integrated course delivery
• Focus on social interaction and networking among learners
• Mobile app development for members

Benefits:

• Perfect for building learning-focused communities
• Ability to offer other types of content beyond courses

Pricing:

• $49 community plan, $119 courses plan, and $219 business plan per month

Why Optimize Your Online Teaching Platform?

here your courses live and where you interact with students is a crucial part of your business. Optimizing this critical business asset delivers measurable results across several key metrics:

Enhancing Learning Outcomes

Optimized course design helps ensure your courses deliver the d outcomes your students are looking for, significantly reducing subscription cancellations and refund requests.

Highlight your content's value and clearly communicate specific tools, and skills learners will acquire. Ensure users understand course content, activities, and assessments offered through your platform. Clear guides to activities and evaluations let students visualize their learning path, dramatically increasing completion rates.

Improving Engagement

Offering diverse media types – text, video, animations, audio, and interactive elements – accommodates different learning styles and substantially boosts student engagement.  Enhance the learning experience with compelling visuals, infographics, and videos.

Multimedia content enables effective gamification strategies. Teaching through gamification dramatically improves engagement and connection to the course.. 

Be sure to pick a course platform that supports diverse media types to increase engagement with your course content.

Boosting Visibility Through SEO

Optimizing keywords and website content is critical to outperforming competing courses and reaching your target audience efficiently.

Identify specific terms your audience uses when searching for online courses that you offer. Then strategically place these keywords in titles, headings, blogs, and course content to maximize discoverability.

A high-quality blog with valuable content that uses those keywords drives organic traffic to your website while demonstrating knowledge and brand authority.

Supporting Interactive Elements

Interactive elements – live sessions, quizzes, real-time feedback, downloadable materials, and webinars – foster community, improve student satisfaction, and significantly enhance the learning experience. Make sure your course platform supports interactive elements.

Improve User Experience

An effective user experience minimizes distractions and enables students to focus on learning rather than navigating platform complexities. Intuitive navigation encourages learners to spend more time studying – particularly crucial for beginners - therefore spending more time in your course and content and becoming a more engaged customer..

Pick a user-friendly platform to enhance the learning experience for your students and ultimately increase engagement and retention.

We also recommend implementing social listening to enhance the user experience. Conduct surveys, solicit suggestions, and monitor student feedback to identify features or course content that needs improvement.

Mobile Responsiveness

For content creators, ensuring your online teaching platform is optimized for mobile is non-negotiable. Whether accessed via web, tablet, Android or iOS app, content and layouts must adapt perfectly to different screen sizes.

Increase student satisfaction by delivering high-quality course content across all devices. When learners switch between platforms, the experience should remain consistent and engaging.

An ideal teaching platform loads rapidly, minimizing bounce rates. 

SamCart, The Perfect Ally for Course Creators

SamCart transforms your online course business by combining a powerful Course Platform with an optimized checkout experience. Here's why over 58,000 course creators and coaches trust SamCart:

• Checkout Anywhere: Place your lightning fast checkout anywhere such as on social media posts, sales pages, blogs, or link in bio, reducing clicks and cart abandonment.
• Conversion-Optimized Templates: Mobile-friendly designs proven to convert at twice the industry average
• One-Click Upsells: Increase average order value instantly with strategic post-purchase offers
• Payment Options: Increase conversions by offering multiple payment options to accommodate all types of buyers, including credit card, digital wallets, PayPal, and Buy Now Pay Later.
• Subscription Management: Build recurring revenue with flexible payment options

SamCart's CheckoutOS was engineered specifically to increase profit and streamline payments. While your teaching platform delivers great content, SamCart ensures you convert more visitors into paying customers. You can use SamCart for your courses and checkout platform or combine SamCart’s powerful checkout with your existing course platform.

The e-learning industry continues to grow exponentially. With the right tools, you can reach more people, build your community, and create sustainable revenue.

Ready to boost your course sales? With SamCartt, you can create a seamless buying experience that drives conversions and increases revenue by 30%. 

Sign up today for our 7-day free trial!

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