Where to Sell Online Courses: Best Options in 2025

More people than ever are learning online, whether to grow their careers, build businesses, learn creative skills, or simply explore new passions.

But there’s one major question every course creator faces: Where should you sell your online course?

Not all platforms are created equal. Some are perfect for creators who want full control. Others bring you built-in audiences. Some platforms focus on hybrid learning with communities and coaching, while others are designed for simple, self-paced courses.

Choosing the right place to sell your course will influence:

• Your sales
• Student engagement
• Course completion rates
• Revenue potential
• Branding and visibility
• Long-term growth

This guide breaks down the best places to sell online courses in 2025, complete with pros, cons, ideal use cases, and everything you should consider before choosing your platform.

Why Choosing the Right Platform Matters?

With so many platforms on the market, each with different strengths, your platform choice directly affects your success.

Your Platform Determines Your Course Format

• Do you want to run a hybrid program with community and coaching?
• Do you want to sell self-paced videos with little support?
• Do you want to run a membership or subscription?

The platform you choose dictates what’s possible.

It Influences Your Revenue Structure

Different platforms offer different pricing flexibility, including:

• One-time sales
• Tiered pricing
• Payment plans
• Recurring subscriptions
• Bundles and upsells

Your revenue model starts with your platform.

It Shapes the Student Experience

Great design = happy, engaged students.
Poor design = refunds, frustration, and low completion rates.

It Impacts Your Marketing Opportunities

Some platforms provide:

• Built-in audiences
• SEO benefits
• Marketplace visibility

Others rely completely on your own traffic.

It Affects Your Brand Positioning

The place you host your course communicates your professionalism. In 2025, students are quick to judge based on:

• Layout
• Speed
• Organization
• Community spaces
• Accountability features

Your course platform is part of your brand.

Types of Places You Can Sell Online Courses in 2025

Before choosing, it’s helpful to understand the three major categories:

Category 1: All-in-One Platforms

These platforms help you create, host, market, and sell your course. Popular for creators who want everything in one place.

Category 2: Course Marketplaces

These give you immediate access to a large audience, but you have less control over pricing and branding.

Category 3: Course + Community Platforms

These platforms combine learning with community and support, hugely popular in 2025 because students want connection and guidance, not just videos.

Now let’s look at the best platforms in each category.

1. SchoolMaker

SchoolMaker continues to rise as one of the most modern, creator-focused platforms for selling online courses in 2025. What makes it stand out is how seamlessly it blends courses, community, and support, allowing creators to deliver powerful hybrid learning experiences.

Why SchoolMaker Is One of the Best Places to Sell Courses

Unlike traditional platforms, SchoolMaker is designed specifically for transformation-focused programs. If your goal is to create a course that leads to real results, with community, accountability, and coaching, this is one of the strongest choices.

Key Features

• Integrated community (not just a Facebook group)
• Hybrid course support with step-based learning
• On-demand support tools for Q&A
• Progress tracking and accountability systems
• Coaching and consultation add-ons
• Clean, modern interface for students
• Strong engagement tools

Best For

• Creators offering hybrid or cohort-style programs
• Coaches and consultants selling transformation programs
• Course creators who want to mix content + support
• Businesses running online education at scale

Why It Works Well in 2025

Students expect support, connection, and community, not just videos. SchoolMaker excels in all three.

2. Kajabi

Kajabi remains one of the most popular all-in-one course platforms in 2025. It is powerful, polished, and well-suited to creators who want full control over branding and marketing.

Why Kajabi Is a Top Choice

Kajabi handles everything: Courses, websites, landing pages, email marketing, automations, funnels, and payments.

It is perfect if you want your entire business in one system.

Key Features

• Website builder
• Email marketing tools
• Sales funnels
• Coaching and course hosting
• Templates and automation

Best For

• Creators who want an all-in-one system
• Coaches building programs and funnels
• Personal brands selling multiple products

Why It Works Well in 2025

As creators shift toward running complete digital businesses, Kajabi remains a reliable go-to platform.

3. Teachable

Teachable is one of the simplest, most beginner-friendly places to sell online courses. It focuses on ease of use and clean course delivery.

Why Teachable Is Great for Beginners

You can set up your first course quickly, even without any design experience. The interface is easy to use, and the platform handles hosting, payments, and basic customization.

Key Features

• Easy drag-and-drop course builder
• Simple checkout pages
• Coaching features
• Basic community options
• Payment flexibility

Best For

• First-time course creators
• Simple self-paced courses
• Creators who don’t need advanced automation

Why It Works Well in 2025

With so many new course creators entering the market, Teachable remains a top choice for getting started fast.

4. Thinkific

Thinkific is another long-standing course platform known for flexibility and deeper customization options.

Why Thinkific Stands Out

It offers strong course structure tools and allows for more sophisticated student experiences.

Key Features

• Customizable course layouts
• Advanced assessments
• Assignments, quizzes, and exams
• Communities (Thinkific Communities)
• Website builder
• App store integrations

Best For

• Creators who want customization
• Skill-based or academic courses
• Professional training companies

Why It Works Well in 2025

Students need structure and accountability. Thinkific delivers that while giving creators a high degree of control.

5. Circle

Circle started as a community platform but has evolved into a full-fledged course + community ecosystem. In 2025, it’s a top choice for creators who want to sell community-first or cohort-based courses.

Why Circle Is Excellent for Community Learning

Its community spaces are beautifully designed, easy to use, and highly engaging. Courses integrate smoothly with discussions, events, and live sessions.

Key Features

• Community forum
• Course hosting
• Cohort tools
• Live rooms and events
• Member directory
• Mobile app

Best For

• Creators selling community-focused courses
• Cohorts and group coaching
• Memberships and ongoing learning groups

Why It Works Well in 2025

Students crave interaction. Circle excels at blending structured learning with social learning.

6. Skool

Skool became wildly popular thanks to its addictive community experience and gamification. It’s simple, clean, and ideal for creators who prioritize engagement.

Why Skool Is a Top Selling Platform

Skool focuses on making learning fun and social. It offers a unique mix of community, courses, and gamified progression.

Key Features

• Engaging community interface
• Levels and points
• Simple course hosting
• Leaderboards
• Group-based learning

Best For

• Community-driven programs
• Memberships
• Group coaching communities

Why It Works Well in 2025

Gamification boosts motivation and course completion, making Skool a powerful choice for engagement-focused creators.

7. Mighty Networks

Mighty Networks is a flexible platform designed for creators who want to build large communities with multiple sub-groups, events, and programs.

Why Mighty Networks Is a Strong Selling Option

It’s built for deep engagement and multi-layer learning. You can host courses, podcasts, community spaces, and live events, all in one ecosystem.

Key Features

• Multi-group community structure
• Course hosting
• Events and livestreams
• Mobile app
• Paid memberships
• Subscriptions

Best For

• Niche communities
• Multi-layer membership programs
• Long-term community ecosystems

Why It Works Well in 2025

As community-led learning grows, Mighty Networks remains a highly capable platform.

8. Udemy

Udemy is one of the most well-known course marketplaces. Unlike all-in-one platforms, Udemy brings the audience to you, making it great for discoverability.

Why Udemy Is Still Relevant

Even in 2025, millions of students browse Udemy every month for affordable, skill-based courses.

Key Features

• Massive built-in audience
• Regular promotional campaigns
• Easy course creation tools
• Ratings and student reviews

Best For

• Beginner-level skill courses
• Creators who want marketplace visibility
• Lower-priced courses that scale with volume

Why It Works Well

If you want instant reach without needing your own marketing system, Udemy is a great option.

9. Skillshare

Skillshare remains popular for creative and hobby-based learning. It uses a membership model where students pay monthly for access to all classes.

Why Skillshare Is a Good Selling Option

You don’t need to market heavily, Skillshare promotes classes internally. Earnings are based on watch time.

Key Features

• Large creative audience
• Simple uploading system
• Royalty-based earnings
• Project-based learning focus

Best For

• Creative skills
• Short, project-based lessons
• Creators building brand visibility

Why It Works in 2025

Short-form learning still thrives, and Skillshare delivers that format well.

10. Your Own Website (Via WordPress or Webflow)

Some creators prefer selling courses independently using plugin tools like:

• LearnDash
• TutorLMS
• MemberPress
• WP Courseware

Why Selling on Your Own Website Works

It gives full control over:

• Branding
• Pricing
• Design
• Student experience
• Marketing funnels
• Ownership

Best For

• Advanced creators
• Businesses that want full independence
• Custom or complex course experiences

Why It Works in 2025

Creators are increasingly valuing ownership and reduced reliance on subscription tools.

How to Choose the Best Place to Sell Your Course

Choosing the right platform depends entirely on your goals. Here’s a quick guide.

If you want hybrid learning with community

Choose: SchoolMaker, Circle, or Skool

If you want an all-in-one marketing + course system

Choose: Kajabi

If you're a beginner and want simplicity

Choose: Teachable

If you want customization and formal learning tools

Choose: Thinkific

If community is your main selling point

Choose: Circle, Skool, or Mighty Networks

If you want built-in audience demand

Choose: Udemy or Skillshare

If you want total ownership

Choose: WordPress + LearnDash or another LMS plugin

Factors to Consider Before You Choose a Platform

1. Price

• Monthly costs
• Transaction fees
• Additional tool costs

2. Course Type

• Self-paced
• Hybrid
• Community-focused
• Coaching
• Membership

3. Support Features

• Built-in community
• Q&A tools
• Messaging

4. Marketing Tools

• Funnels
• Email automation
• Search visibility

5. Student Experience

• Dashboard appearance
• Navigation
• Mobile experience
• Progress tracking

6. Scalability

You want a platform that grows as your audience grows.

Conclusion

Selling online courses has never been more accessible, or more rewarding. The key is choosing a platform that aligns with your teaching style, your business goals, and the transformation you want to create for your students.

Whether you’re building a hybrid coaching program, a simple self-paced course, a large community, or a membership ecosystem, there’s a platform here that meets your needs.