The e-learning industry is booming, with projections estimating it will surpass $400 billion by 2025. As more creators, educators, and entrepreneurs turn their expertise into profitable digital courses, choosing the right platform to sell your courses is critical for success. Whether you're a seasoned instructor or just starting, the best platforms offer user-friendly tools, robust marketing features, and scalability to grow your online course business. In this guide, we’ll explore the top platforms to sell digital courses in 2025, highlighting their key features, pricing, and why they stand out.
Why Sell Digital Courses in 2025?
Online courses are a lucrative way to share knowledge and generate passive income. With low startup costs, global reach, and the ability to scale, digital courses are ideal for creators in niches like digital marketing, fitness, personal development, and more. The right platform can streamline course creation, marketing, and sales, helping you reach a wider audience while maximizing revenue.
Top Platforms to Sell Digital Courses in 2025
Here’s a curated list of the best platforms for selling digital courses in 2025, based on features, ease of use, and creator feedback.
1. Teachable
Best for: Solo creators and beginners looking for simplicity and control
Teachable is a leading platform for course creators who want full control over branding, pricing, and course structure. Its drag-and-drop builder makes course creation intuitive, even for non-technical users. Teachable supports multimedia content, including videos, quizzes, and certificates, ensuring an engaging student experience.
Key Features:
- Customizable course pages and landing pages
- No transaction fees on paid plans
- Built-in affiliate marketing tools
- Integration with payment gateways like PayPal and Stripe
- Robust analytics to track student progress
Pricing:
- Free plan: Limited features with transaction fees
- Basic: $39/month (billed annually)
- Pro: $119/month (billed annually)
Why Choose Teachable?
Teachable’s flexibility and affordability make it ideal for beginners and small businesses. Its white-label option ensures your brand shines, and the platform’s templates simplify course creation.
2. Thinkific
Best for: Creators seeking advanced customization and scalability
Thinkific is a favorite for its powerful course-building tools and customization options. It supports everything from pre-recorded courses to cohort-based learning, making it suitable for creators at all levels. Thinkific’s free plan is a great starting point for testing your course idea.
Key Features:
- Drag-and-drop course builder
- Customizable themes and landing pages
- Supports drip content and live lessons
- No transaction fees on any plan
- Built-in blogging for SEO and content marketing
Pricing:
- Free plan: Limited features
- Basic: $36/month (billed annually)
- Start: $74/month (billed annually)
Why Choose Thinkific?
Thinkific’s robust customization and marketing tools make it perfect for creators who want to scale their course business while maintaining a professional look. Its free plan is a low-risk way to start.
3. Kajabi
Best for: Established creators needing all-in-one marketing tools
Kajabi is an all-in-one platform that excels in course creation, marketing, and community building. Its advanced automation features, like email campaigns and sales funnels, help creators scale their businesses efficiently. Kajabi is pricier but ideal for those with an established audience.
Key Features:
- Integrated email marketing and CRM
- Customizable website builder and blog
- No transaction fees
- AI-powered tools for course creation and marketing
- Supports memberships and podcasts
Pricing:
- Basic: $149/month (billed annually)
- Growth: $199/month (billed annually)
- Pro: $399/month (billed annually)
Why Choose Kajabi?
Kajabi’s comprehensive feature set is perfect for creators who want to combine courses with other digital products like memberships or coaching programs. Its marketing tools are unmatched for driving sales.
4. Podia
Best for: Solopreneurs selling courses and digital downloads
Podia is an easy-to-use platform that supports courses, memberships, and digital downloads like eBooks. Its clean interface and no-code setup make it a top choice for creators who want simplicity without sacrificing functionality. Podia also offers built-in email marketing and affiliate tools.
Key Features:
- No transaction fees
- Built-in email marketing and live chat
- Supports pre-selling courses
- Customizable storefront for branding
- Community features for student engagement
Pricing:
- Free plan: Limited features with 8% transaction fees
- Mover: $33/month (billed annually)
- Shaker: $75/month (billed annually)
Why Choose Podia?
Podia’s affordability and all-in-one approach make it ideal for creators who want to sell courses alongside other digital products without complex setups.
5. Udemy
Best for: New creators leveraging a large existing audience
Udemy is a marketplace with a massive student base, making it ideal for creators who want instant visibility. However, it comes with less control over pricing and branding, as courses are part of Udemy’s catalog. Instructors earn a revenue share based on sales.
Key Features:
- Access to a global audience
- Easy course creation with video-based lessons
- Built-in marketing through Udemy’s platform
- Supports quizzes and assignments
- No upfront costs to publish
Pricing:
- Free to publish, but Udemy takes a revenue share (up to 50% depending on the sale)
Why Choose Udemy?
Udemy’s vast audience makes it a great starting point for new creators, but its revenue-sharing model and limited branding options may not suit those seeking full control.
6. Skillshare
Best for: Creative professionals teaching niche skills
Skillshare is a subscription-based platform focused on creative courses like photography, design, and writing. Instructors earn royalties based on student watch time, making it ideal for those with engaging, project-based content. It’s less suited for creators who want control over pricing.
Key Features:
- Project-based learning with community discussions
- Earn royalties based on watch time
- No upfront costs to publish
- Access to a creative-focused audience
- Structured course format (20-60 minute videos)
Pricing:
- Free to publish, with earnings based on watch time
Why Choose Skillshare?
Skillshare is perfect for creative professionals who want to tap into a community-driven platform with a built-in audience. Its royalty model rewards engaging content.
7. Heights Platform
Best for: Creators wanting AI-powered tools and community features
Heights Platform stands out with its AI-powered tools for course creation, website design, and business coaching. It’s an all-in-one solution that supports courses, communities, and digital products, making it ideal for creators who want a modern, tech-forward platform.
Key Features:
- AI tools for course outlining and copywriting
- Built-in email marketing and affiliate programs
- Drag-and-drop website builder
- Public community channels for SEO
- Flexible pricing options (subscriptions, one-time payments)
Pricing:
- Pricing starts at $39/month (billed annually)
Why Choose Heights Platform?
Heights Platform’s AI features and community tools make it a forward-thinking choice for creators who want to streamline course creation and engagement.
How to Choose the Right Platform for Your Course
With so many options, selecting the best platform depends on your goals, budget, and technical expertise. Here are key factors to consider:
- Ease of Use: Platforms like Podia and Teachable are beginner-friendly with no-code interfaces.
- Branding and Control: Thinkific and Teachable offer white-label options for full branding control, while Udemy and Skillshare limit customization.
- Marketing Tools: Kajabi and Heights Platform excel in marketing automation, while Podia offers basic email and affiliate tools.
- Audience Reach: Udemy and Skillshare provide built-in audiences, ideal for new creators.
- Pricing: Consider transaction fees, subscription costs, and revenue-sharing models. Free plans from Thinkific or Podia are great for testing.
Tips for Selling Digital Courses in 2025
To maximize your success, combine the right platform with effective strategies:
- Optimize for SEO: Use relevant keywords in your course title, description, and landing pages to improve discoverability.
- Leverage Content Marketing: Create blog posts, videos, or podcasts related to your course topic to attract organic traffic.
- Use Social Media: Promote your course on platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook with targeted ads or organic posts.
- Build an Email List: Offer a free mini-course or lead magnet to capture emails, then nurture leads with automated email sequences.
- Incorporate AI Tools: Use AI-powered platforms like Heights Platform to streamline course creation and marketing.
Selling digital courses in 2025 offers immense opportunities for creators to monetize their expertise. Whether you prioritize ease of use (Teachable, Podia), advanced marketing tools (Kajabi), or a built-in audience (Udemy, Skillshare), there’s a platform tailored to your needs. For most creators, Thinkific stands out for its balance of customization, affordability, and scalability, while Heights Platform is a strong contender for those embracing AI-driven tools. Evaluate your goals, test free trials, and start building your course empire today!
Ready to launch your course? Choose a platform, create valuable content, and use smart marketing to connect with your audience. The e-learning boom is here—don’t miss out!