101 Best Online Course Websites to Learn, Sell, and Scale Your Knowledge!

Ready to build or buy an online course? Our definitive guide to 101 best online course websites breaks down every option — free, paid, and everything in between.

The 101 best online course websites, curated for creators and learners. Compare the best software for creating courses and the best online course platforms, features, and pricing to find your perfect fit today.

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Explore 101 online course platforms — including free online course app options, top online course marketplaces, and premium hosting tools — to help you learn new skills or launch your first course.

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101 Best Online Course Websites and Apps — From Free Online Course Platforms to Premium Course Marketplaces

The online course creation process doesn’t have to be complicated — but picking the wrong online course platform can set you and your online course development back months. Here are 101 options, categorized so you can find your match fast.

If you’re a knowledge creator tired of Googling “best course platform“ at midnight, this is the last list you’ll need. We’ve done the research. You just have to pick.

From completely free training platforms to all-in-one paid course hosting providers, this article covers every type of online course website worth your time.

Most creator guides tell you to “pick a niche” before they help you pick a course platform. We disagree. Pick the right course platform first — and we’ve done the work to make that easy.

The online course marketplace you choose directly impacts your course sales. This guide explains exactly what each online course platform charges, who they’re for, and what they’re terrible at.

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Key Takeaways (TL;DR): Best Online Course Websites and Platforms

• Key Takeaway 1: There are 101+ legitimate online course websites — knowing which category fits your goal (learn vs. sell) saves you weeks of wasted setup time.
• Key Takeaway 2: Free course platforms like Coursera (audit), edX, and Alison are legitimate starting points, but they come with limitations on certificates and customization.
• Key Takeaway 3: If you want to launch and sell your own course, platforms like Teachable, Kajabi, and Thinkific give you the most control over your online course sales process.
• Key Takeaway 4: Online course marketplaces like Udemy drive built-in traffic to your course — but they also control your pricing and compete with your own marketing.
• Key Takeaway 5: The best online course creation process starts with choosing the right hosting platform before you create a single video.
• Key Takeaway 6: Paid courses consistently outperform free ones in completion rates — pricing your course confidently is a feature, not a flaw.
• Key Takeaway 7: You don’t need a massive audience to generate online course sales — you need the right platform, a clear offer, and a simple funnel.

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Introduction to 101 Best Online Course Websites: The Only List You’ll Ever Need!

You searched “best online course websites” and got ten recycled names. Again.

Here’s the truth: there are hundreds of legitimate platforms out there — for learners who want to sign up for online courses, and for creators who want to build, host, and sell them. The problem isn’t the lack of options. It’s the lack of a useful map.

This is that map.

We’ve organized 101 of the best online course websites into clear categories — by purpose, price, and type of user — so whether you’re a student trying to learn a skill or a creator launching your first digital product, you can find your platform and move forward. Today.

Let’s get into it.

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What Type of Online Course User Are You?

Before we get to the list, be honest about which of these two camps you’re in:

The Learner — You want to sign up for online courses, acquire skills, and earn credentials. You need a platform with quality content in your area of focus.

The Creator — You’re an expert with knowledge to sell. You need an online course creator platform with hosting, payment processing, and marketing tools built in.

Many platforms serve both. Most are better at one than the other. We’ve flagged that in each section.

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Part 1: The Best Free Course Platforms & Free Training Platforms

These platforms let you sign up for online courses at no cost — or at very low cost. Some are free forever. Some use a freemium model. All of them are worth knowing.

Top Free Online Course Websites for Learners

A strong free course platform won’t just give you access to content — it’ll give you structured learning paths and community. Here are the ones that deliver:

1. Coursera — Partners with 200+ universities. Audit most courses for free. Certificates cost extra.
2. edX — Harvard and MIT-backed. Audit options available. MicroDegrees are paid.
3. Khan Academy — Completely free. Strongest for math, science, and test prep.
4. Alison — 4,000+ free courses with certificates. Ads-supported model.
5. MIT OpenCourseWare — Free access to actual MIT course materials. No instructor interaction.
6. FutureLearn — UK-based. Audit most short courses free. Certificates are paid.
7. OpenLearn (Open University) — 1,000+ free courses. UK-focused but globally accessible.
8. Saylor Academy — Free and accredited. Great for self-paced college-level learning.
9. Stanford Online (Free Courses) — Select free audit options from Stanford University.
10. Class Central — Not a platform itself, but the best free aggregator of online course platforms free options across every major site.
11. Google Digital Garage — Free digital marketing and data courses with Google certification.
12. HubSpot Academy — Free online course platform for marketing, sales, and CRM skills.
13. Semrush Academy — Free SEO and digital marketing courses with certificates.
14. LinkedIn Learning (Free Trial) — 30-day free trial. Then paid subscription.
15. YouTube — Technically the world’s largest free training platform. Unstructured, but massive.
16. Codecademy (Free Tier) — Coding basics for free. Pro version unlocks more.
17. freeCodeCamp — 100% free. Best for web development. No fluff, all substance.
18. The Odin Project — Free full-stack web development curriculum.
19. CS50 (Harvard via edX) — One of the most respected free computer science courses online.
20. Udemy (Free Courses Section) — Udemy hosts thousands of free courses alongside paid ones.

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Part 2: Best Online Course Marketplaces

An online course marketplace is where creators list their courses and buyers come to browse. Think Amazon — but for knowledge. The platform handles traffic; you handle content.

Why Creators Use Online Course Marketplaces

1. Built-in audience from day one
2. Payment processing is handled
3. Discovery is organic (when done right)

The downside? They control pricing, own the student relationship, and take a cut. Know what you’re agreeing to before you list.

Top Online Course Marketplaces Ranked

21. Udemy — The biggest online course marketplace in the world. 60M+ students. Heavy discounting culture. Competitive, but massive reach.
22. Skillshare — Subscription-based. Creators earn per minute watched. Great for creative skills.
23. Pluralsight — Tech and IT focused. Curated content. Creator application required.
24. LinkedIn Learning — Microsoft-owned. High credibility. Content creators apply through a vetting process.
25. Domestika — Design, craft, and creative courses. High production standards. Strong Latin American and European audience.
26. CreativeLive — Photography, art, and creative business. Combines live broadcasts with on-demand.
27. Coursera for Business — Enterprise-focused marketplace. Partner network of universities.
28. edX Marketplace — Academic-grade courses from verified institutions.
29. Udacity — Tech-focused nanodegrees. Higher price point, higher production quality.
30. DataCamp — Exclusively data science and analytics. Strong niche marketplace.
31. MasterClass — Premium production. Celebrity instructors. Subscription model. Extremely curated — most creators won’t get in.
32. Shaw Academy — Skill-based short courses. Certificate-focused model.
33. Treehouse — Web development and coding bootcamp-style marketplace.
34. Envato Tuts+ — Creative and tech courses. Mix of free and paid content.
35. StackSocial — Bundles software with courses. Good for tech and business skills.
36. BitDegree — Blockchain-based course marketplace. Crypto incentive model.
37. Miríadax — Spanish-language focused MOOC marketplace.
38. Swayam (India) — Government-backed Indian online course marketplace.
39. iversity — European MOOC platform. University-affiliated courses.
40. XuetangX — China’s largest online course marketplace.

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Part 3: Best Online Course Platforms for Creators

This is where you stop being a student and start being the teacher. These online course platforms are built for creators who want to run their own show.

What Makes a Great Online Course Platform for Creators?

• Hosting — Where do your videos and content live?
  • Here are a few big name hosting companies, including the following: EuroDNS, Domain.com, SSL.com, Hostinger, Network Solutions, Namecheap Web Hosting, Skystra.
• Sales tools — Can you upsell, bundle, and automate?
• Student experience — Is the interface clean and engaging?
• Pricing flexibility — Can you charge what you’re worth?

All-in-One Online Course Platforms (Best for Beginners & Serious Creators)

41. Teachable — The gold standard entry point. Clean interface. Solid online course sales tools. Affordable tiers.
42. Thinkific — Excellent free tier. More customization than Teachable. Strong community features.
43. Kajabi — The premium all-in-one. Email marketing, websites, podcasts, and courses under one roof. Higher price, fewer headaches.
44. Podia — Simple and affordable. Great for digital downloads + courses. No transaction fees on paid plans.
45. Mighty Networks — Community-first course platform. Best if your course revolves around a network or membership.
46. Circle — Community + course hybrid. Strong for creators who want engagement as a core feature.
47. LearnWorlds — Interactive video and advanced quizzes. Best for corporate training and high-ticket courses.
48. Kartra — Full marketing funnel builder + course hosting. Steep learning curve but powerful.
49. Systeme.io — Generous free plan. Email marketing, funnels, and online course hosting in one affordable tool.
50. Groove.cm — All-in-one competitor to Kajabi. Lifetime deal options available.
51. Simplero — Email automation + course platform. Strong automation features.
52. Academy Of Mine — White-label course platform. Great for B2B training businesses.
53. Ruzuku — Simple setup, solid delivery. Under-the-radar option for coaches and consultants.
54. CourseCraft — Lightweight and clean. Good for course creators who want minimal complexity.
55. iSpring Learn — eLearning LMS platform. Corporate training focus.

WordPress-Based Online Course Platforms

For creators who want total control over their online course, WordPress plugins turn any site into a fully-functional course website:

56. LearnDash — The most powerful WordPress LMS. Used by Fortune 500 companies.
57. LifterLMS — Feature-rich with strong membership integration.
58. Tutor LMS — Udemy-like experience for WordPress. Clean interface.
59. MemberPress Courses — Add courses directly into your MemberPress membership site.
60. WP Courseware — Drag-and-drop course builder. Simple and effective.
61. Sensei LMS — Built by WooCommerce’s parent company. Native WooCommerce integration.
62. Good LMS — Lightweight option for smaller WordPress course sites.
63. Namaste! LMS — Open-source LMS for WordPress. Free core version.

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Part 4: Online Course Apps & Mobile-First Platforms

The online course apps category is growing fast. Learners want content on their phones. Creators need to meet them there.

Best Online Course Apps

64. Duolingo — Language learning app. Gamified. 500M+ users. The benchmark for mobile learning UX.
65. Blinkist — Book summaries as micro-lessons. Not a traditional course app, but powerful for creators studying their market.
66. Skillshare App — Full mobile experience for creative courses.
67. Coursera App — Download courses for offline learning.
68. Udemy App — Strong mobile UX. Offline downloads on paid courses.
69. edX App — University-grade learning on mobile.
70. LinkedIn Learning App — Clean mobile interface. Integrates with LinkedIn profile.
71. MasterClass App — Premium production on mobile. Great cinematic experience.
72. Headspace — Mindfulness courses via app. Demonstrates the subscription learning model.
73. Mimo — Coding on mobile. Bite-sized lessons. Gamified structure.
74. Enki — Tech skill-building on mobile. Data, coding, and productivity.

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Part 5: Niche & Specialized Online Course Websites

These platforms serve specific industries or audiences. If your course fits a niche, going where the audience already is can dramatically improve your online course sales.

Niche Online Course Websites Worth Knowing

75. Pluralsight — IT and software development exclusively.
76. DataCamp — Data science and analytics.
77. CFA Institute Online — Finance and investment.
78. Rosetta Stone — Language learning. Premium subscription.
79. Pimsleur — Audio-first language learning.
80. MedBridge — Healthcare continuing education.
81. ProBlogger (Courses) — Blogging and content creation.
82. ConvertKit Commerce — Email marketing + course sales. Great for creator-educators.
83. Epidemic Sound Academy — Music licensing education for creators.
84. School of Motion — Motion design and animation. Premium, highly curated.
85. Interaction Design Foundation — UX and product design. Affordable subscription model.
86. Reforge — Growth, product, and marketing. Invite-only, premium community.
87. Wharton Online — Business education from Wharton School, UPenn.
88. Coursera Health — Medical and health science courses from top universities.
89. Alchemy — Web3 and blockchain development education.
90. Zero To Mastery — Development, design, and data science. Creator-driven community.

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Part 6: Best Online Course Hosting & Infrastructure Tools

These aren’t course platforms in the traditional sense — they’re the infrastructure layer that powers online course hosting for advanced creators.

91. Vimeo OTT — Custom video streaming and course delivery.
92. Uscreen — Membership + video on demand. Great for fitness and wellness creators.
93. Wistia — Professional video hosting with viewer analytics. Used inside many course platforms.
94. Loom — Async video for course content creation and team training.
95. Riverside.fm — Record studio-quality course lessons remotely.
96. Descript — Edit video and audio with a document. Game-changer for the online course creation process.
97. Canva — Design course slides, PDFs, and workbooks.
98. Notion — Build course outlines and student portals.
99. Airtable — Organize your online course creator workflow with a powerful database.
100. Zapier — Automate the entire online course sales process — from signup to delivery to follow-up email.
101. Gumroad — Sell courses as digital products. Zero monthly fees. Simple and effective.

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How to Choose the Right Platform for Your Online Course

Choosing between 101 options is still overwhelming without a framework. Use this:

Step 1: Define Your Goal

• Learn something → Go to a free course platform or marketplace.
• Sell something → Go to a creator-first online course platform.

Step 2: Assess Your Audience Size

• 0–500 followers: Systeme.io or Podia. Low cost. Plenty of room to grow.
• 500–5,000 followers: Teachable or Thinkific. Better sales tools.
• 5,000+ followers: Kajabi or LearnWorlds. Full automation.

Step 3: Map Your Online Course Creation Process

A strong online course creation process follows this sequence:

1. Validate your topic (before you record anything)
2. Outline your curriculum
3. Choose your platform
4. Record your lessons
5. Build your sales page
6. Set up your online course sales funnel
7. Launch and iterate

Step 4: Price With Confidence

Paid courses have higher perceived value and higher completion rates. Don’t undercharge because you’re new. Price based on the transformation, not the time it took you to create it.

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The Wealthy Creative Pick: Top 5 Platforms for Creator-Entrepreneurs

If you want to build a profitable automated online business around your course — not just a hobby project — these five platforms are where we’d start:

1. Kajabi — Best all-in-one for serious creators ready to invest.
2. Teachable — Best balance of simplicity and sales features.
3. Systeme.io — Best free plan. Best value for new creators.
4. Thinkific — Best for community-driven course businesses.
5. LearnWorlds — Best for high-ticket, interactive course experiences.

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FAQ: 20 Common Questions About Online Course Websites

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the best online course website for beginners?

For learners, Khan Academy and Coursera (audit mode) are the best starting points — both are free and structured. For creators just starting out, Thinkific offers a generous free plan with solid features and no transaction fees, making it ideal if you’re launching your first course with a small audience.

2. What is the difference between an online course platform and an online course marketplace?

An online course platform is a tool you use to host and sell your course directly to your own audience — you control the pricing, branding, and student data. An online course marketplace like Udemy is a shared storefront where your course sits alongside thousands of others, and the platform drives the traffic. Marketplaces offer discovery; platforms offer control.

3. Are there legitimate free course platforms that actually teach valuable skills?

Yes. Google Digital Garage, HubSpot Academy, freeCodeCamp, and Alison all offer high-quality, free training on valuable skills. Many even provide certificates. The catch is that free platforms often lack community features and personalized feedback, which affects completion rates.

4. What are the best free training platforms for professional development?

LinkedIn Learning (free trial), Coursera (audit mode), HubSpot Academy, Semrush Academy, and edX (audit mode) are the top free training platforms for professional development. All offer courses aligned with real career skills and, in many cases, verifiable certificates.

5. How do I sign up for online courses on Coursera or edX?

To sign up for online courses on Coursera or edX: create a free account with your email, search for your desired course, and select “Enroll.” For Coursera, look for the “Audit” option if you want free access without a certificate. On edX, click “Audit this course.” Both platforms are mobile-friendly and allow offline access on their apps.

6. What is the best online course creator platform for solopreneurs?

Kajabi, Teachable, and Systeme.io are the top three for solopreneurs. Kajabi is the most powerful but has the highest price point. Teachable balances ease-of-use with strong sales tools. Systeme.io has a generous free plan and solid automation — it’s the best starting point if budget is tight.

7. What does online course hosting actually mean?

Online course hosting refers to where your course content — videos, PDFs, quizzes, and lessons — lives on the internet. When you use a platform like Teachable or Thinkific, they host all your files on their servers. If you use WordPress with LearnDash, you’ll need separate video hosting (like Vimeo or Wistia) because WordPress doesn’t host large video files natively.

8. How does the online course sales process work?

The online course sales process typically flows like this: a potential student finds your course via social media, search, or email → they land on your sales page → they review the offer → they complete checkout → they get access to your course. Automation tools like Zapier, your email platform, and your course platform handle everything after the initial click.

9. What is involved in the online course creation process?

The online course creation process includes six key stages: (1) validate your topic and audience, (2) outline your curriculum in modules and lessons, (3) choose your hosting platform, (4) record your video or audio content, (5) build your sales page and checkout, and (6) set up your delivery and follow-up automation. Most creators spend too long on production and not enough time on validation — validate first.

10. Are paid courses better than free courses?

Research consistently shows that paid courses have significantly higher completion rates than free ones. When people invest money, they invest attention. Additionally, paid courses tend to be better structured, more updated, and offer more direct creator-to-student support. For creators, pricing your course correctly is a signal of quality, not greed.

11. What is the best platform for online course sales specifically?

For maximizing online course sales, Kajabi offers the most complete funnel-building toolkit — landing pages, email sequences, upsells, and affiliate programs in one place. Teachable and Thinkific are strong runners-up. If you already have an audience and email list, even Gumroad can generate significant sales with minimal setup.

12. Can I build an online course website without coding skills?

Absolutely. Every platform on this list — from Teachable to Systeme.io to Podia — is designed to be used without a single line of code. The online course creation process on these platforms involves drag-and-drop builders, pre-built templates, and guided setup wizards. If you can send an email and use Google Docs, you can build a course website.

13. What are the best online course apps for mobile learning?

The best online course apps for mobile learning are Duolingo (language), Mimo (coding), Coursera (academics), Udemy (broad skills), and LinkedIn Learning (professional development). All five offer offline downloads on paid plans and a clean mobile experience optimized for short, focused learning sessions.

14. Do online course marketplaces take a percentage of my course sales?

Yes — every online course marketplace takes a cut. Udemy takes 50% of organic sales and 3% of sales driven by your own coupons. Skillshare pays per minute watched rather than per sale. SkillShare and Coursera have their own royalty models. If maximizing per-student revenue is your goal, self-hosted platforms like Teachable or Kajabi are more efficient, though they require you to drive your own traffic.

15. What is the best platform for selling online courses without a large audience?

Udemy and Skillshare are your best bets if you have no existing audience — they bring the traffic. However, if you want long-term control, start small with Systeme.io or Gumroad while you grow your email list. The platform that “drives traffic for you” also sets the rules — including pricing floors and discount requirements.

16. How much does it cost to host an online course?

Online course hosting costs vary widely. Thinkific and Systeme.io offer free plans. Teachable’s entry plan starts at approximately $39/month. Kajabi starts at around $149/month. WordPress + LearnDash can be set up for under $30/month if you already have hosting. The general rule: the more automation and marketing tools included, the higher the monthly cost.

17. What is an online course app versus an online course platform?

An online course app is primarily mobile-focused and often targets learners (e.g., Duolingo, Mimo, Blinkist). An online course platform is a broader web-based system used by creators to build, host, and sell courses (e.g., Teachable, Kajabi). Some platforms — like Coursera and Udemy — function as both a marketplace and a mobile app.

18. Are online course websites worth it for career advancement?

Yes — with caveats. Courses from accredited online course websites like Coursera (partnered with universities) or edX (MIT, Harvard) carry weight with employers. Google, HubSpot, and Semrush certifications are also respected in their industries. Platforms like Udemy or Skillshare are better for skill acquisition than credentialing. Always check if the certificate is recognized in your target industry before paying.

19. What’s the fastest way to launch a course on an online course platform?

The fastest launch sequence: (1) Choose Systeme.io or Gumroad for a zero-friction setup. (2) Record your first module — even on a smartphone. (3) Write a one-page sales description. (4) Set your price and payment details. (5) Publish and promote to your existing contacts or social following. From zero to live, this can be done in under 48 hours. Perfection is the enemy of launch.

20. How do I choose between online course platforms if I want to scale?

For scaling, prioritize these four factors: (1) Email marketing integration — can you automate follow-ups and upsells? (2) Affiliate program tools — can students and partners refer new buyers? (3) Analytics — can you see where students drop off? (4) Flexibility — can you add memberships, coaching, or live events without rebuilding everything? Kajabi scores highest across all four. Thinkific and LearnWorlds are strong second options.

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Published by Tyler DeBroux on Wealthy Creative \ WealthyCreative.com — Built for solo creators who want systems that work while they sleep.