9 Best Platforms to Sell Online Courses in 2026: Complete Comparison
Here’s something most course creators won’t tell you: picking the wrong platform can cost you thousands in hidden fees and lost sales. I’ve seen creators migrate from Teachable to Thinkific, then to Kajabi, burning months and money in the process.
The online course market hit $7 billion in 2025, and platform choice matters more than ever. Some charge 10% transaction fees on top of payment processing. Others lock you into expensive monthly plans before you’ve made your first sale. A few — like Payhip — offer unlimited features on a free plan with zero transaction fees.
I spent 40+ hours testing 15 platforms, analyzing pricing, features, and real user feedback. This list cuts through the marketing noise and shows you exactly which platform fits your stage, budget, and goals.
What Makes a Great Online Course Platform in 2026?
Great question. After working with dozens of course creators, I’ve learned that the “best” platform depends entirely on your situation. But there are non-negotiables:
- Zero or low transaction fees — anything above 5% eats your margins fast
- Flexible pricing options — one-time, subscriptions, payment plans
- Built-in marketing tools — email, landing pages, coupons, affiliates
- Student experience — mobile apps, progress tracking, certificates
- No code required — you should launch in days, not months
Let’s get into the actual platforms.
1. Payhip — Best for Beginners and Solopreneurs
Payhip is the platform I recommend most often to creators just starting out. Here’s why: the free plan includes unlimited courses, zero transaction fees, and every feature you need to launch.
Key Features:
- Forever-free plan with 0% transaction fees
- Sell courses, digital downloads, memberships, coaching, and physical products
- Built-in email marketing and affiliate system
- VAT handling for EU customers
- Instant payouts to Stripe or PayPal
Pricing: Free plan (0% fees), Plus ($29/mo), Pro ($99/mo)
Best for: Solo creators selling their first course, creators who want zero monthly fees, sellers who need VAT handling without complexity
The catch: The interface feels a bit basic compared to Kajabi or LearnWorlds. But if you’re validating your first course idea, Payhip lets you launch today without spending a dime.
2. Teachable — Best for Marketing and Sales Features
Teachable has been around since 2014 and powers over 100,000 creators. It’s built for people who want to sell, not just teach.
Key Features:
- Native iOS and Android apps for students
- Advanced checkout with order bumps and upsells
- Built-in affiliate program management
- AI course builder to speed up content creation
- Integrated email marketing and automations
Pricing: Free plan (10% + $1 per sale), Basic ($39/mo, 5% fee), Pro ($119/mo, 0% fee), Enterprise (custom)
Best for: Creators focused on sales funnels, instructors who want mobile apps for students, teams needing advanced analytics
The catch: Transaction fees on lower plans add up fast. If you’re doing $10k/month in sales on the Basic plan, you’re paying $500/month in fees alone. Jump to Pro or consider Payhip.
3. Thinkific — Best for Course Building and Customization
Thinkific is the platform for creators who want full control over their course experience. It’s more technical than Teachable but infinitely more flexible.
Key Features:
- Unlimited courses and students on all plans
- Zero transaction fees across all pricing tiers
- Advanced quiz and certificate builder
- Customizable course player and branding
- Community features and discussion forums
Pricing: Free plan (1 course, 0% fees), Basic ($49/mo), Pro ($99/mo), Premier ($499/mo)
Best for: Established creators with multiple courses, educators who want deep customization, teams needing white-label solutions
The catch: The free plan limits you to one published course. Marketing features are basic — you’ll need Zapier or native integrations for advanced automations.
4. Kajabi — Best All-in-One Business Platform
Kajabi isn’t just a course platform — it’s a complete business operating system. You get courses, email marketing, landing pages, pipelines (funnels), community, and coaching in one dashboard.
Key Features:
- Unlimited landing pages and marketing funnels
- Advanced email automation with sequences
- Community hubs and membership areas
- Coaching calendar and session booking
- Native podcast hosting and website builder
Pricing: Starter ($55/mo), Growth ($159/mo), Pro ($399/mo) — all with 0% transaction fees
Best for: Established creators doing $10k+/month, businesses replacing multiple tools (ClickFunnels, ConvertKit, etc.), coaches selling high-ticket programs
The catch: It’s expensive. At $159/month minimum for useful features, Kajabi is overkill if you’re just launching your first $49 course. But if you’re running a six-figure knowledge business, it pays for itself.
5. LearnWorlds — Best for Interactive Learning Experiences
LearnWorlds stands out for one reason: interactivity. You can embed videos with quizzes, create interactive eBooks, add assessments, and build SCORM-compliant courses for corporate training.
Key Features:
- Interactive video player with hotspots and quizzes
- SCORM and xAPI compliance for corporate training
- White-label mobile apps (iOS and Android)
- Advanced assessments and certificates
- AI-powered course builder and assistant
Pricing: Starter ($24/mo annual, $5 per enrollment fee), Pro Trainer ($79/mo annual, 0% fees), Learning Center ($299/mo annual, 0% fees)
Best for: Corporate trainers, educators creating certification programs, creators who want interactive video content
The catch: The Starter plan’s $5 per enrollment fee kills margins unless you’re on Pro Trainer or higher. At $79/month, it’s competitive with Thinkific but less intuitive for beginners.
6. Podia — Best for Selling Multiple Product Types
Podia lets you sell courses, digital downloads, webinars, coaching, and memberships from a single storefront. It’s simpler than Kajabi but covers more ground than Teachable.
Key Features:
- Unlimited courses, downloads, and students on all plans
- Built-in email marketing and broadcast tools
- Webinar hosting with live chat
- 1:1 coaching session booking
- Community and membership areas
Pricing: Free plan (very limited), Mover ($39/mo), Shaker ($89/mo), Earthquaker ($199/mo) — all with 0% transaction fees
Best for: Creators selling mixed product types (courses + downloads + coaching), solopreneurs who want simplicity, educators building membership communities
The catch: The free plan is basically a trial — you can’t do much without upgrading. Course customization is limited compared to Thinkific or LearnWorlds.
7. Gumroad — Best for Simple Digital Product Sales
Gumroad started as a way for creators to sell PDFs and ebooks. Today it handles courses, memberships, and even physical products. It’s the easiest platform to launch on — literally two clicks from idea to live product.
Key Features:
- Instant setup — no website required
- Built-in audience discovery (Gumroad marketplace)
- Pay-what-you-want pricing option
- Simple email marketing and follower system
- Handles VAT and sales tax automatically
Pricing: Free to start, 10% flat fee on all sales + payment processing
Best for: Creators testing their first product, artists and writers selling digital goods, anyone who wants zero setup complexity
The catch: That 10% fee is steep. On $10k in sales, you’re paying $1,000 to Gumroad. It’s worth it for the simplicity when you’re starting, but migrate to Payhip or Podia once you hit consistent revenue.
8. SchoolMaker — Best for Community-First Courses
SchoolMaker is the new kid on the block, built for creators who want to blend courses with community. Think Mighty Networks meets Teachable, but with better pricing and modern design.
Key Features:
- Native community feeds and discussions
- Cohort-based course support
- Live sessions and office hours scheduling
- Hybrid learning (self-paced + live)
- Modern, mobile-first student experience
Pricing: Free plan (up to 25 students), Creator ($49/mo), Pro ($149/mo) — all with 0% transaction fees
Best for: Creators building cohort-based courses, educators who want community at the core, coaches running hybrid programs
The catch: It’s newer and less proven than Teachable or Kajabi. Some advanced marketing features are still in development. But the community-first approach is exactly what modern creators need.
9. SendOwl — Best for Digital Downloads and Software
SendOwl focuses on one thing: delivering digital products securely. It’s not a full course platform, but if you’re selling ebooks, software, music, or video files, it’s purpose-built for that.
Key Features:
- Secure file delivery with DRM options
- License key generation for software
- Pirate protection (anti-sharing technology)
- Subscription and one-time payment support
- Integrates with any website or landing page
Pricing: Starter ($18/mo), Growth ($49/mo), Pro ($99/mo) — all with 0% transaction fees
Best for: Software developers selling licenses, musicians selling albums, authors selling ebooks, creators who already have a website
The catch: No built-in course player or student management. You’re getting a checkout and delivery system, not a learning platform. Pair it with a separate course tool if you need both.
Quick Comparison Table
| Platform | Starting Price | Transaction Fees | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payhip | Free | 0% on all plans | Budget-conscious beginners |
| Teachable | Free (10% fee) | 0-10% depending on plan | Sales-focused creators |
| Thinkific | Free (1 course) | 0% on all plans | Multi-course educators |
| Kajabi | $55/mo | 0% on all plans | Full business replacement |
| LearnWorlds | $24/mo | $5/enrollment or 0% | Interactive corporate training |
| Podia | Free (limited) | 0% on all plans | Mixed product sellers |
| Gumroad | Free | 10% flat fee | Instant product launches |
| SchoolMaker | Free (25 students) | 0% on all plans | Community-first courses |
| SendOwl | $18/mo | 0% on all plans | Digital downloads & software |
How to Choose: A Simple Framework
Still stuck? Here’s the decision tree I use with clients:
- Just starting, no budget? → Payhip (free plan, 0% fees)
- Want mobile apps for students? → Teachable or LearnWorlds
- Selling multiple courses? → Thinkific or Podia
- Running a six-figure business? → Kajabi (replace all your tools)
- Building community-first? → SchoolMaker or Mighty Networks
- Selling software or downloads? → SendOwl or Gumroad
- Need interactive content? → LearnWorlds
Honestly, most creators overthink this. Start with Payhip or Gumroad, validate your course idea, then migrate once you’re doing consistent revenue. The platform won’t make or break your course — your content and marketing will.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best platform to sell online courses for beginners?
Payhip is the best platform for beginners in 2026. The free plan includes unlimited courses, zero transaction fees, built-in email marketing, and VAT handling. You can launch your first course today without spending any money upfront.
Which online course platform has the lowest fees?
Payhip, Thinkific, and Podia all offer 0% transaction fees on their paid plans. Payhip stands out by offering 0% fees even on its free plan. Avoid platforms like Teachable’s free tier (10% fee) or Gumroad (10% flat fee) once you hit consistent sales.
Can I sell online courses without a website?
Yes. Platforms like Payhip, Gumroad, Teachable, and Podia provide hosted storefronts with custom domain support. You don’t need a separate website — your course platform handles landing pages, checkout, and delivery.
Do I need to handle VAT and sales tax?
It depends on your platform. Payhip, Gumroad, and Lemon Squeezy handle VAT and sales tax automatically as the merchant of record. Platforms like Teachable and Thinkific require you to configure tax settings and file returns yourself. For global sales, a MoR platform saves significant complexity.
What’s the best platform for cohort-based courses?
SchoolMaker and Kajabi are best for cohort-based courses. SchoolMaker offers native community features, live session scheduling, and hybrid learning support. Kajabi provides pipelines, email sequences, and community hubs for running structured cohorts.
Final Thoughts
Here’s the truth: your course platform is a tool, not a strategy. The best platform is the one that gets you launched fastest with the least friction.
If you’re reading this and still haven’t launched, stop researching and pick Payhip. Create your account, upload your content, set a price, and share the link. You can always migrate later.
And if you’re handling payments, taxes, and compliance yourself, consider whether a merchant of record makes sense. Fungies.io handles global tax compliance, checkout, and payments for digital products and SaaS — so you can focus on creating, not filing VAT returns.
Sources
- SchoolMaker — “Where to Sell Online Courses: Best Options in 2026” — https://schoolmaker.com/blog/where-to-sell-online-courses
- LearnWorlds — “The 11 best platforms to sell digital products in 2026” — https://www.learnworlds.com/blog/market-sell/best-platforms-to-sell-digital-products/
- Colorlib — “15 Best Platforms to Sell Digital Products Online 2026” — https://colorlib.com/wp/platforms-for-selling-digital-products/
- Rupa.pro — “13 Free Places to Sell Digital Products in 2026” — https://rupa.pro/blog/13-free-places-to-sell-digital-products-in-2026-zero-investment/
- EZYCourse — “Kajabi vs Teachable vs Thinkific | Unfiltered Review in 2026” — https://ezycourse.com/blog/kajabi-vs-teachable-vs-thinkific
- Ruzuku — “Teachable vs Thinkific: Honest Comparison for 2026” — https://www.ruzuku.com/learn/articles/teachable-vs-thinkific
- Payhip — “Payhip vs Podia – Which is Best For 2026?” — https://payhip.com/payhip-vs-podia
- SchoolMaker — “LearnWorlds Pricing 2026: Plan Comparison, Fees & Alternatives” — https://schoolmaker.com/blog/learnworlds-pricing
