The Best Online Course Platforms in 2026
These online course platforms were researched from official websites, including pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation, then ranked on course-building and selling capabilities, value for money and verified features.
Our top picks
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Top ranked
Thinkific#1 of 1469.3/10A full course business platform for established creators, with broad commerce and learning tools.
30-day trial
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Runner-up
LearnWorlds#2 of 1469.2/10A deep platform for interactive courses, learning paths, branded delivery, and digital sales.
30-day trial
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Top-ranked free plan
FreshLearn#3 of 1469.0/10A broad, budget-friendly course platform with commerce, marketing, mobile apps, and AI.
Free plan
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
The full ranking 146 tools, best first · page 1 of 3
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Best forEstablished creators needing a full platform
A full course business platform for established creators, with broad commerce and learning tools.
- Email marketing
- Custom domain
9.3/10★★★★★Visit Thinkific -
Best forInteractive academies and branded learning businesses
A deep platform for interactive courses, learning paths, branded delivery, and digital sales.
- Email marketing
- Custom domain
9.2/10★★★★★Visit LearnWorlds -
Best forBudget-conscious creators wanting broad features
A broad, budget-friendly course platform with commerce, marketing, mobile apps, and AI.
- Email marketing
- Custom domain
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit FreshLearn -
Best forOrganizations wanting a mature free LMS
A mature free LMS with broad assessment, integration, mobile, and customization options.
Free plan · 28-day trial Our Moodle LMS verdict → Visit MoodleFor vendors Sponsor this spot · #4 · $69/mo →8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Moodle -
Best forInstitutions needing open-source course delivery
A broad open-source course platform for institutions prepared to manage deployment and operations.
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Open edX -
Best forCreators wanting low-cost selling tools
A creator-focused course platform with broad selling tools and a notable Starter transaction fee.
- Email marketing
- Custom domain
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Teachable -
Best forAll-in-one course and marketing businesses
A broad course, marketing, commerce, and community platform for growing education businesses.
- Email marketing
- Custom domain
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Zenler -
Best forAcademies wanting broad selling and community tools
A broad online academy platform for courses, live learning, payments, and communities.
- Email marketing
- Custom domain
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit ClassOnLive -
Best forSmall teams needing an inexpensive LMS
An affordable LMS for small teams, with live teaching, analytics, and branded mobile apps.
- Email marketing
- Custom domain
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit TrainerCentral -
Best forPremium education businesses with marketing needs
A broad creator business platform for teams that can justify its premium starting price.
- Email marketing
- Custom domain
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Kajabi -
Best forCourse businesses needing payments and white-label apps
A broad course business platform with payments, memberships and branded mobile apps.
- Email marketing
- Custom domain
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Knorish -
Best forIndian providers needing strong operations and apps
A broad LMS for Indian providers that need delivery, operations, payments, and apps.
- Email marketing
- Custom domain
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Edmingle -
Best forCreators needing live classes and local payments
A broad course platform for live teaching, local payments, and branded mobile apps.
- Email marketing
- Custom domain
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Graphy -
Best forEuropean sellers needing scalable memberships
A broad course and membership platform for European sellers scaling paid learning.
- Email marketing
- Custom domain
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit ablefy -
Best forUnlimited-student academies needing CRM automation
A broad course and CRM platform for unlimited-student academies.
- Email marketing
- Custom domain
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Softbook -
Best forCohort programs with peer learning
A strong fit for cohort learning, with peer review, live sessions, and community tools.
- Custom domain
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Teachfloor -
Best forCreators wanting free video-focused course hosting
A creator-friendly course platform with adaptive video, payments, and a free plan.
- Custom domain
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Loopwise -
Best forSmall professional training programs
A broad web-based learning platform for small training programs and membership organisations.
- Email marketing
- Custom domain
7.5/10★★★★☆Try Continuum Learn -
Best forGrowing academies needing broad business integrations
A broad course platform combining learning, commerce, marketing, and branded apps.
- Email marketing
- Custom domain
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit Euron Systems -
Best forAll-in-one marketers adding courses to funnels
A broad course-and-marketing suite for creators who want funnels and CRM in one platform.
- Email marketing
- Custom domain
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forFormal blended-learning and compliance programs
A broad LMS for structured blended learning, classroom delivery, and compliance training.
- Email marketing
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit DynDevice -
Best forAI-focused creators needing rich content workflows
A flexible course platform for AI-focused creators, with transaction fees and web/API-only access.
- Email marketing
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit lernaura -
Best forWordPress users wanting free course selling
A capable WordPress LMS with a free core, commerce tools, certificates, and live classes.
- Email marketing
7.0/10★★★★☆Visit Tutor LMS -
Best forStructured WordPress course businesses
A deep WordPress course platform for structured learning businesses.
- Custom domain
6.9/10★★★☆☆Visit LearnDash -
Best forBudget-conscious web-only course publishers
A broad web-based course platform with unlimited students and 0% transaction fees.
- Email marketing
- Custom domain
6.8/10★★★☆☆Visit the platform -
Best forCohort programs needing detailed progress workflows
A detailed cohort platform for structured learning, progress tracking, and mentoring.
6.7/10★★★☆☆Visit Pathwright -
Best forLarge programs needing unlimited students
A broad course business platform for large programs that need unlimited students.
- Email marketing
- Custom domain
6.6/10★★★☆☆Visit EzyCourse -
Best forCreators wanting mobile apps and webinars
A broad creator platform with native apps, webinars and a $39 monthly entry plan.
- Email marketing
- Custom domain
6.5/10★★★☆☆Visit Gurucan -
Best forMembership businesses combining courses and CRM
A broad platform for membership businesses that need courses and CRM together.
- Custom domain
6.4/10★★★☆☆Visit Simplero -
Best forOrganizations wanting branded academy deployments
A broad academy platform for organizations that need branded learning delivery.
- Email marketing
- Custom domain
6.3/10★★★☆☆Visit Mykademy -
Best forAI-first course creators on a free plan
A flexible AI-first LMS with a free plan and broad course delivery options.
- Custom domain
6.2/10★★★☆☆Visit Coursebox -
Best forOrganizations needing broad self-hosted LMS coverage
A broad WordPress LMS for organizations that need courses, commerce, and learner management.
- Email marketing
6.1/10★★★☆☆Visit WPLMS -
Best forSmall creators wanting simple course commerce
A focused course-commerce platform with community, email, analytics, and AI tools.
- Email marketing
- Custom domain
6.0/10★★★☆☆Try Heights Platform -
Best forInteractive cohort and technical training providers
A broad web-based teaching stack for cohort, self-paced and technical training.
- Custom domain
5.9/10★★★☆☆Visit Classory -
Best forIndian creators wanting a free web platform
A broad, India-focused course platform with a capable free tier and low-cost paid plans.
- Email marketing
- Custom domain
5.8/10★★★☆☆Visit Prolaud -
Best forSelf-hosted WordPress course sites
A flexible WordPress LMS with a free core and paid add-ons for selling courses.
- Email marketing
- Custom domain
5.7/10★★★☆☆Visit LifterLMS -
Best forSecure branded learning businesses
A broad course-business platform for educators that need branding, security, and selling tools.
- Email marketing
- Custom domain
5.5/10★★★☆☆Visit Learnyst -
Best forAffordable academies needing white-label delivery
A broad course platform for branded academies, with paid plans from $29 per month billed annually.
- Email marketing
- Custom domain
5.4/10★★★☆☆Visit site -
Best forInstitutions needing collaborative learning
A broad learning platform for institutions that need collaboration, credentials, and course commerce.
5.3/10★★★☆☆Visit OpenLearning -
Best forBranded academies needing CRM and permissions
A broad academy platform for organizations that need branded learning and learner management.
- Email marketing
- Custom domain
5.2/10★★★☆☆Visit Uteach -
Best forSolo educators needing affordable coaching features
An affordable course platform for educators who need coaching and community tools.
- Custom domain
5.1/10★★★☆☆Visit SchoolMaker -
Best forWordPress schools needing apps and subscriptions
A flexible WordPress LMS for schools that need subscriptions, live lessons, and mobile access.
5.0/10★★☆☆☆Visit MasterStudy -
Best forCommunity-led organizations running cohort programs
A community-rich course platform for cohort programs, with a high starting price.
- Custom domain
4.9/10★★☆☆☆Visit Disco -
Best forWordPress creators wanting a low-cost LMS
A broad, low-cost LMS foundation for WordPress, with paid upgrades for advanced delivery and administration.
4.8/10★★☆☆☆Visit Masteriyo -
Best forAI-first academies with diverse learning formats
A broad AI-first course platform for academies selling varied learning products.
- Custom domain
4.7/10★★☆☆☆Visit Distinction -
Best forFree open-source LMS users needing standards support
A standards-ready LMS for organizations comfortable managing their own deployment.
4.6/10★★☆☆☆Visit Chamilo -
Best forSmall academies wanting free plans and mobile apps
A broad course platform with a free entry point, native apps, and scalable paid plans.
- Custom domain
4.5/10★★☆☆☆Visit Klasio -
Best forB2B training teams needing compliance workflows
A compliance-focused LMS for organizations that need broad training workflows.
- Custom domain
4.4/10★★☆☆☆Try Academy of Mine -
Best forFree open-source academies with large learner limits
A flexible open-source LMS with strong authoring, AI, cohorts, and self-hosting options.
- Custom domain
4.3/10★★☆☆☆Visit ClassroomIO -
Best forWeb-only sellers needing SCORM and learning paths
A web-only LMS with SCORM, learning paths, storefronts, and a free plan.
- Email marketing
- Custom domain
4.2/10★★☆☆☆Visit Learn 360
No tools match those filters.
Compare at a glance
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Transaction fee | Custom domain | Course formats | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thinkific | No | 0 % | Yes | video, text, audio, PDFs, quizzes, assignments, surveys, downloadable files, SCORM | 9.3 | |
| 2 | LearnWorlds | No | $29/mo | Yes | Interactive video, PDF, SCORM/HTML5, LTI, PowerPoint, YouTube, audio, SoundCloud, live sessions, ebooks, exams, self-assessments, forms, certificates, social, embeds, and external links | 9.2 | |
| 3 | FreshLearn | Yes | $199/device/yr | 0 % | Yes | video, audio, documents/PDFs, quizzes, assessments, assignments, live sessions, embedded content | 9.0 |
| 4 | Moodle LMS | Yes | Free | 8.9 | |||
| 5 | Open edX | Yes | Free | 8.8 | |||
| 6 | Teachable | No | $29/mo | 7.5 % | Yes | video, text, quizzes, audio, files | 8.7 |
| 7 | Zenler | No | $47/mo | 0 % | Yes | video, audio, PDF, PowerPoint, ebook, text, SCORM, HTML | 8.6 |
| 8 | ClassOnLive | No | €12/mo | Yes | video, audio, documents, SCORM, live sessions, webinars, tests, assignments, interactive elements | 8.5 | |
| 9 | TrainerCentral | Yes | 0 % | Yes | text, documents, audio, video, PDFs, spreadsheets, images, external links | 8.4 | |
| 10 | Kajabi | No | $143/mo | 0 % | Yes | video, audio, text, downloadable files, quizzes | 8.3 |
| 11 | Knorish | No | 0 % | Yes | Video, PDF, DOC, Excel, YouTube, Vimeo, Prezi, ebooks, templates, guides, live meetings, webinars and workshops | 8.2 | |
| 12 | Edmingle | No | Yes | PDF, PPT, ZIP, video, audio, embeds, SCORM | 8.1 | ||
| 13 | Graphy | No | $49/mo | 0 % | Yes | PDF, video, audio, SCORM, files, text, links, quizzes, live tests, live classes, assignments, and forms | 8.0 |
| 14 | ablefy | No | €27/mo | 2.7 % | Yes | video, audio, text, presentations, downloads, quizzes, certificates, live formats | 7.9 |
| 15 | Softbook | No | $399/yr | 0 % | Yes | video, audio, text, images, PDF, DOC, XLS, slides, tests, assignments, certificates | 7.8 |
| 16 | Teachfloor | No | $89/mo | 0 % | Yes | video, live sessions, quizzes, assignments, peer reviews, group activities, discussions, files, embeds, SCORM | 7.7 |
| 17 | Loopwise | Yes | Yes | sections, lessons, quizzes, HD video, certificates | 7.6 | ||
| 18 | Continuum Learn | No | £49/mo | Yes | video, images, files, embeds, carousels, accordions, flashcards, quizzes, live events, SCORM 1.2 and 2004 | 7.5 | |
| 19 | Euron Systems | Yes | Yes | self-paced, live classes, hybrid, cohort batches, video, PDFs, quizzes, assignments, certificates | 7.4 | ||
| 20 | Course Creator 360 | No | $81/mo | 0 % | Yes | Video hosting, quizzes, certificates, drip-scheduled lessons, memberships, communities, digital downloads, coaching, webinars, and challenges | 7.3 |
| 21 | DynDevice LMS | SCORM, xAPI, text, audio, video, slides, files, microlearning, webinars, videoconferencing | 7.2 | ||||
| 22 | lernaura | Yes | 5 % | rich text, video, audio, PDFs, slides, embedded interactives, quizzes, assignments | 7.1 | ||
| 23 | Tutor LMS | Yes | $199/site/yr | 0 % | text, video, audio, downloadable resources, quizzes, assignments | 7.0 | |
| 24 | LearnDash | No | Yes | lessons, topics, quizzes, assignments, video | 6.9 | ||
| 25 | OnlineCourseHost.com | No | $290/yr | 0 % | Yes | video, rich-text, digital downloads, audio, quizzes, assignments | 6.8 |
| 26 | Pathwright | No | $89/mo | 6.7 | |||
| 27 | EzyCourse | No | $97/mo | 0 % | Yes | video, text, PPT, PDF, audio, quiz, survey, assignment, download, live, embedded, SCORM/HTML, multiple | 6.6 |
| 28 | Gurucan | No | $39/mo | 0 % | Yes | video, image, text, audio, links, PDFs, quizzes, downloads, webinars, community chats, blog | 6.5 |
| 29 | Simplero | No | 0 % | Yes | 6.4 | ||
| 30 | Mykademy | No | $79/mo | 0 % | Yes | video, audio, PDF, documents, text, SCORM, HTML, quizzes, assignments, live classes | 6.3 |
| 31 | Coursebox | Yes | 30 % | Yes | videos, quizzes, documents, interactive elements, flashcards, scenarios, narrated videos | 6.2 | |
| 32 | WPLMS | video, audio, documents, PDF, text, quizzes, assignments, SCORM, xAPI | 6.1 | ||||
| 33 | Heights Platform | No | $29/mo | 0 % | Yes | video, audio, text/image, downloads, assignments, quizzes, multimedia embeds | 6.0 |
| 34 | Classory | No | ₹1,999/mo | 0 % | Yes | self-paced courses, cohort batches, weekly-drip batches, video courses, live classes | 5.9 |
| 35 | Prolaud | Yes | ₹1,249/mo | 0 % | Yes | video, text, PDF, quiz, embedded documents, slide decks | 5.8 |
| 36 | LifterLMS | Yes | Yes | video, audio, text, images, quizzes, assignments | 5.7 | ||
| 37 | Learnyst | No | ₹26,997/yr | 10 % | Yes | courses, live classes, mock tests, test series, SCORM, Tin Can | 5.5 |
| 38 | CreateOnlineAcademy | No | $29/mo | 0 % | Yes | video, audio, PowerPoint, PDF, text, HTML, Flash, quizzes, assignments, exams, webinars, downloadable files | 5.4 |
| 39 | OpenLearning | $6,170/yr | mixed | 5.3 | |||
| 40 | Uteach | Yes | video, audio, files, text, quizzes, forms, live sessions | 5.2 | |||
| 41 | SchoolMaker | No | $29/mo | 0 % | Yes | video, audio, PDF, text, images | 5.1 |
| 42 | MasterStudy LMS | Yes | text, video, PDF, audio, live stream, Zoom, Google Meet, slides, quizzes, assignments, SCORM | 5.0 | |||
| 43 | Disco | No | $399/mo | Yes | 4.9 | ||
| 44 | Masteriyo LMS | Yes | $99/site/yr | 4.8 | |||
| 45 | Distinction | No | 40 % | Yes | videos, articles, quizzes, flashcards, slides, coding labs, ebooks, guides, templates, interactive lessons | 4.7 | |
| 46 | Chamilo LMS | Yes | Free | 4.6 | |||
| 47 | Klasio | Yes | $49/mo | 0 % | Yes | text, video, audio, PDF, quizzes, assignments, external embeds | 4.5 |
| 48 | Academy of Mine | No | $999/mo | Yes | 4.4 | ||
| 49 | ClassroomIO | Yes | $35/mo | Yes | lessons, notes, slides, videos, exercises, live classes | 4.3 | |
| 50 | Learn 360 | Yes | $100/mo | 0 % | Yes | video, PDF, SCORM, quizzes, surveys, discussions, embeds, rich text, images, downloads | 4.2 |
Head-to-head All 27 comparisons →
- Thinkific vs LearnWorlds
- Thinkific vs FreshLearn
- Thinkific vs Moodle LMS
- Thinkific vs Open edX
- Thinkific vs Teachable
- Thinkific vs Zenler
- Thinkific vs ClassOnLive
- LearnWorlds vs FreshLearn
- LearnWorlds vs Moodle LMS
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How we rank online course platforms
Every tool on this page was researched by iTechGuides Editors from its official website — pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. We rank on how well each one does this category's core job, what the free or entry plan includes, and where it falls short. Where we have enough verified facts, the score out of 10 is a rubric — job fit, value and how much we could verify — shown with its breakdown on every tool's page; a tool we have not verified enough to score yet shows its rank without a number. Scores are re-checked when a product changes its plans. Read the full editorial policy, or submit a tool we missed.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update