In this guide: Best online course platforms compared: hosted platforms vs WordPress LMS plugins, top options, fees and payouts, and our recommendation for selling courses.
If you have knowledge people want to learn, an online course can become a valuable product. But where should you host it? You can use an all-in-one course platform or build courses on your own WordPress site with an LMS (Learning Management System) plugin.
Note: platform features and pricing change regularly — check current plans.
Hosted platforms vs LMS plugins
Hosted course platforms (e.g., Teachable, Thinkific, Kajabi, Podia)
✅ Pros:
- Quick setup — no hosting or maintenance.
- Built-in video hosting, payments, and student management.
- Mobile-friendly learning experience.
- Support included.
❌ Cons:
- Monthly subscription fees and sometimes transaction fees.
- Less design and functionality control.
- Your course lives on someone else’s platform.
WordPress LMS plugins (e.g., LearnDash, LifterLMS, Tutor LMS, Sensei)
✅ Pros:
- Full ownership and control.
- Integrates with your existing WordPress site, blog, and SEO.
- Flexible design and extensions.
- Often lower long-term costs.
❌ Cons:
- You manage hosting, security, updates, and performance.
- Video hosting usually needs a separate service.
- More setup work.
Marketplaces (e.g., Udemy)
- Large built-in audience, but less control over pricing and a revenue share with the marketplace. Useful for exposure, less ideal as your main business.
Top hosted platforms
Teachable
- Beginner-friendly course builder, sales pages, and payment handling.
Thinkific
- Strong course builder, communities, and a generous feature set for course creators.
Kajabi
- All-in-one business platform: courses, website, email marketing, funnels, community, and coaching — at a higher price.
Podia
- Simple platform for courses, digital downloads, webinars, and community.
Others: platforms focused on specific regions or languages may offer local payment options and Arabic interfaces — worth considering if your audience is regional.
Top WordPress LMS plugins
LearnDash
- Powerful and popular LMS with quizzes, drip content, certificates, and many integrations.
LifterLMS
- Free core plugin with paid add-ons; strong membership and engagement features.
Tutor LMS
- Free version with a friendly front-end course builder; Pro adds advanced features.
Sensei LMS
- Built by the team behind WooCommerce; integrates well with WooCommerce.
MemberPress Courses
- Course features included with MemberPress for membership-based learning — see How to Create a Membership Site With WordPress.
Video hosting: use a video platform (e.g., Vimeo, Bunny Stream, Wistia, or YouTube unlisted for free content) rather than uploading large videos directly to WordPress.
Fees and payouts
Compare total cost:
| Cost type | Hosted platforms | WordPress LMS |
|---|---|---|
| Platform fee | Monthly subscription | Plugin license (often yearly) |
| Transaction fees | Some plans charge extra | None from the plugin |
| Payment processing | Gateway fees | Gateway fees |
| Hosting | Included | Your hosting (needs enough resources) |
| Video hosting | Usually included | Separate service |
| Email marketing | Sometimes included | Separate tool |
| Maintenance | None | Your time or a developer |
Also check:
- Payout schedules and supported payout countries.
- Tax handling (some platforms handle VAT/sales tax for you).
- Payment gateways available in your region — see Payment Gateways Explained.
Our recommendation
- Testing your first course or non-technical: a hosted platform like Thinkific, Teachable, or Podia.
- Building an all-in-one creator business: Kajabi (if the budget fits).
- Already have a WordPress site with traffic: LearnDash, LifterLMS, or Tutor LMS for ownership and SEO benefits.
- Selling courses alongside products: WordPress + WooCommerce + an LMS.
- Want exposure: publish an introductory course on a marketplace and link to your main offer.
Before building, validate your course idea: pre-sell to your email list or run a live workshop first. See How to Sell Digital Products Online.
Further reading: Google’s Core Web Vitals guide on web.dev
Key Takeaways: Online Course Platforms
- Hosted platforms are easy and fast; WordPress LMS plugins offer ownership and flexibility.
- Compare platform fees, transaction fees, hosting, and video costs.
- Use a dedicated video host for course videos.
- Validate your course before investing heavily.