5 BEST Online Course Platforms in 2026

I’ve built a 6-figure business selling online courses and coaching, and I’ve used or tested most of the major online course platforms out there.

There are tons of options to choose from and it can feel overwhelming.

Picking the wrong one can cost you months of progress and thousands of dollars.

So in this video, I’ve put together my top 5 BEST online course platforms for 2026 and more importantly, who each one is best for.

Because the truth is, there’s no “one perfect platform” for everyone. There’s only the perfect platform for your business, your budget, and your goals right now.

Why use an online course platform vs a course marketplace?

Using your own online course platform is the difference between owning your business and just renting a spot in someone else’s store.

On a marketplace like Udemy or Skillshare, they control everything from your pricing, your customer data, your branding, and the student experience.

They keep your student emails and data so you can’t even follow up with them in the future to sell more courses or offers.

On top of that, you’re competing with hundreds of similar courses on one page, and the platform's pricing stucutre means most instructors typically earn $3–$10 per sale. 

So even with 100 students, you’re walking away with maybe $300–$1,000 total. 

But when you use your own online coure platform, you own the brand, the audience, and keep the revenue. 

Let’s say you sold that same exact course for $100, 100 students will put you at $10,000.

Now, if you price that course at $200, you’re looking at $20,000 in revenue.

Same work for a totally different outcome.

The big thing to know is that marketplaces give you visibility but no ownership. 

Your own course creation platform gives you full control, way more profit, and an asset that actually grows your business - not a business built on someone else’s rules.

KAJABI — Best All-In-One

• Best for: coaches, experts, businesses wanting everything in one place
  
  
• Pricing: higher cost, includes website + email + courses + funnels
  
  
• Course builder: simple, clean, pro
  
  
• Standout: automations + true all-in-one
  
  
• Dealbreaker: price + can feel heavy for beginners
  
  
• Verdict:
  
  
• Best for: scaling creators
  
  
• Strength: all tools connected
  
  
• Watch out: premium pricing
  
  

TEACHABLE — Best for Beginners & Side Hustlers

• Best for: first-time creators wanting simple setup
  
  
• Pricing: affordable but transaction fees on lower tiers
  
  
• Course builder: easiest to use
  
  
• Standout: simple, beginner-friendly setup
  
  
• Dealbreaker: weak website + marketing
  
  
• Verdict:
  
  
• Best for: getting your first product out fast
  
  
• Strength: lowest learning curve
  
  
• Watch out: you’ll outgrow it
  
  

THINKIFIC — Best for Just Courses

• Best for: creators focused only on delivering structured courses
  
  
• Pricing: fair, no crazy fees
  
  
• Course builder: modular, strong student experience
  
  
• Standout: powerful course-only tools
  
  
• Dealbreaker: no real marketing ecosystem
  
  
• Verdict:
  
  
• Best for: course-first businesses
  
  
• Strength: strong builder
  
  
• Watch out: need extra tools
  
  

SYSTEME.IO — Best Budget Option

• Best for: beginners needing an all-in-one feel on a tiny budget
  
  
• Pricing: free plan, low monthly cost
  
  
• Course builder: basic but functional
  
  
• Standout: free funnels + email + membership
  
  
• Dealbreaker: clunky design + limited customization
  
  
• Verdict:
  
  
• Best for: ultra-low budget creators
  
  
• Strength: best value
  
  
• Watch out: limited polish
  
  

CIRCLE — Best for Communities

• Best for: memberships, group programs, community-first experiences
  
  
• Pricing: mid-range monthly cost
  
  
• Course builder: basic; mostly community features
  
  
• Standout: community spaces, live rooms, engagement tools
  
  
• Dealbreaker: not a full course platform (need to pair with something else)
  
  
• Verdict:
  
  
• Best for: community-driven programs
  
  
• Strength: world-class community tools
  
  
• Watch out: not great for standalone courses

Choosing the right course platform isn’t about picking the trendiest software — it’s about choosing the foundation your entire business will grow on.

The truth is, you don’t need the “perfect” platform to win. You just need the right one for you and the courage to start building.

Every creator you admire started in the exact same place you are now: staring at a decision that felt bigger than it really was.

What moved them forward wasn’t more research… it was action.

So take what you’ve learned here, pick your platform, and start building the asset that will move your business forward for years to come.

If you want a step-by-step roadmap that shows you exactly how to create, launch, and automate your course — I’ll show you how inside my full training.

Let’s build something you’re proud of.