Choosing the Right Platform for Your Online Course
If you are thinking about starting an online course or building a learning community, choosing the right platform is crucial. There are many options available, each with different features and pricing models. Some platforms focus on course creation, others on community engagement, and some offer an all-in-one solution. In this guide, we will compare the pricing and features of some of the best online course platforms, including Skool, Teachable, Kajabi, Mighty Networks, and Thinkific, to help you find the best fit for your needs.
Comparison of the Best Online Course Platforms
When selecting the right platform, it is important to consider your specific needs. Here is a breakdown of the most popular platforms, their key features, pricing, and the ideal audience for each:
#1. Skool
Skool is one of the easiest platforms to use, designed for community-based learning, and Skool pricing is also straightforward.
- Price: $99/month (fixed rate)
- Transaction Fees:9%
- Key Features: Community, courses, gamification
- Best For: Those who want to build an interactive learning community
For a fixed price of $99/month, you get unlimited members, courses, and a built-in community. Unlike other platforms, there are no transaction fees, ensuring you keep more earnings. Skool prioritizes engagement by offering discussion forums and gamification features, making it an excellent choice for creating an interactive social learning experience.
#2. Teachable
Teachable is a popular online course platform, especially for those looking to sell courses independently.
- Price: Free (limited), Basic: $39/month, Pro: $119/month, Business: $199/month
- Transaction Fees: 5% on Basic, none on Pro+
- Key Features: Course hosting, sales pages, student tracking
- Best For: Individuals who want to sell courses without a community aspect
It offers a free plan with limited features and includes transaction fees. If you want access to tools like custom branding and affiliate marketing, you need the Pro plan ($119/month). While Teachable is a solid option for course selling, it lacks strong community-building features, making it better suited for those focused solely on delivering educational content.
#3. Kajabi
Kajabi is a premium platform that provides everything you need to run an online education business.
- Price: Basic: $119/month, Growth: $159/month, Pro: $319/month
- Transaction Fees: None
- Key Features: Courses, email marketing, website builder, automation
- Best For: Entrepreneurs who need a complete business solution for online education
It includes course hosting, email marketing, automation tools, and website-building features. While it is more expensive than other platforms (starting at $149/month), it eliminates the need for additional marketing tools. If you are serious about building a large-scale online education business, Kajabi offers a powerful all-in-one solution.
#4. Mighty Networks
Mighty Networks is similar to Skool but places an even stronger emphasis on social interaction.
- Price: Free (limited), Community: $41/month, Business: $179/month, Pro: Custom pricing
- Transaction Fees: None on paid plans
- Key Features: Private communities, live events, course hosting
- Best For: Those who want to create a social-first learning space
Users can host discussions, live events, and courses on one platform. The Community plan ($39/month) is affordable but does not include course hosting. You will need the business plan ($119/month) for that. Mighty Networks is ideal for creating a membership-based learning space rather than just selling courses.
#5. Thinkific
Thinkific is a great alternative to Teachable. It offers flexible pricing plans and no transaction fees on its tiers.
- Price: Free (limited), Basic: $49/month, Pro: $99/month, Premier: $199/month
- Transaction Fees: None
- Key Features: Course hosting, quizzes, memberships
- Best For: Course creators looking for customization and no transaction fees
The free plan is excellent for testing the platform, while the Basic plan ($49/month) provides more customization options. Unlike Skool and Mighty Networks, Thinkific does not focus on community engagement. Instead, it is one of the best online course platforms for those who want a straightforward and customizable course-selling experience.
Which Platform is Right for You?
Here is a quick breakdown of the online course platforms based on your needs:
- Skool: Choose if you want an engagement-driven community with built-in courses.
- Teachable: Ideal for selling standalone courses without a focus on community.
- Kajabi: Best for those needing marketing tools and business automation.
- Mighty Networks: Pick this if you want to build a social-first learning space.
- Thinkific: Great for flexibility and no transaction fees on course sales.
Final Thoughts
The right platform is key to launching and growing your online course or learning community. Each of the best online course platforms we have discussed—Skool, Teachable, Kajabi, Mighty Networks, and Thinkific—offers unique features tailored to different needs. Whether you want to build an engaged community, sell standalone courses, or create an all-in-one business solution, you can find a platform that fits your goals. Consider your priorities, budget, and long-term vision for your online education business to make the best choice. With the right platform, you can deliver a meaningful learning experience and grow your online course business.
Recommended Articles
We hope this guide on the best online course platforms helps you choose the right solution for your learning or teaching needs. Check out these recommended articles for more insights on e-learning and digital education.
