Looking to upgrade your skills or share your expertise? Online course platforms offer flexible learning opportunities and the potential to earn passive income through teaching.
12 Best Online Course Platforms to Learn or Teach Online (2025 Guide)
This guide explores the best platforms where you can either learn new skills cost-effectively or create courses to generate income. Whether you're a student or an aspiring course creator, you'll find the perfect platform to match your needs.
1. Udemy
Udemy stands out with its massive selection of over 210,000 courses. Students can access courses starting at $14.99 during frequent sales, while instructors earn 37-97% of the revenue per sale. The platform is particularly strong in tech, business, and creative skills. With lifetime access to purchased courses and a 30-day money-back guarantee, it's a safe choice for learners. For teachers, the platform provides robust course creation tools and access to over 60 million students.
2. Coursera
Partnering with top universities like Stanford and Yale, Coursera offers accredited certificates and even online degrees. Individual courses start at $49, while the Coursera Plus subscription ($59/month) provides unlimited access to 7,000+ courses. The platform specializes in academic and professional development courses, making it ideal for career advancement. Notable features include peer-graded assignments and university-recognized certificates.
3. Skillshare
Perfect for creative professionals, Skillshare offers a subscription model at $165/year (or $32/month). Teachers earn based on watch time and student engagement. The platform excels in creative courses like design, photography, and writing. You'll find many practical project-based courses, making it ideal for hands-on learners. For creators, the platform offers a supportive community and relatively easy course creation process.
4. LinkedIn Learning
Formerly Lynda.com, LinkedIn Learning offers professional courses at $39.99/month or $240/year. The platform stands out for its direct integration with LinkedIn profiles, automatically adding completed courses to your professional credentials. Courses focus on business, technology, and creative skills, with new content added weekly. The platform's integration with LinkedIn makes it particularly valuable for job seekers and professionals looking to advance their careers.
5. edX
Founded by Harvard and MIT, edX provides university-level courses with options for verified certificates ($50-$300) and full online degrees ($10,000-$25,000). The platform offers many free courses with the option to upgrade for certificates. Specializing in academic and professional courses, edX is perfect for those seeking rigorous, university-quality education. Their MicroMasters programs can even count toward actual master's degrees at participating universities.
Looking to maximize your learning investment? Check out our guide on how to get paid to write to put your new skills to work. Additionally, explore ways to sell photos online after mastering photography courses.
6. Teachable
Teachable is a platform for course creators, offering complete control over content, pricing, and student data. Plans start at $29/month plus 5% transaction fees. The platform provides comprehensive tools for creating and marketing courses, including custom domains, email marketing integration, and affiliate programs. Ideal for entrepreneurs who want to build their own branded course business.
7. Thinkific
Similar to Teachable, Thinkific offers course creation tools starting at $39/month with no transaction fees. The platform includes features like custom domains, marketing tools, and advanced course building options. Thinkific stands out for its robust free plan and excellent customer support. Perfect for creators who want to build a sustainable online course business with complete control over their brand.
8. Pluralsight
Focused on technology and developer training, Pluralsight offers subscriptions at $29/month or $299/year. The platform features skill assessments, learning paths, and interactive courses. Particularly strong in software development, IT ops, data science, and cybersecurity. Their unique skill assessment tool helps learners identify knowledge gaps and track progress.
9. MasterClass
MasterClass provides high-production courses taught by celebrity instructors, with an annual membership at $180/year. While you can't create courses here, it offers exceptional learning experiences in creative fields, business, sports, and more. Classes are taught by world-renowned experts like Gordon Ramsay for cooking or Neil Gaiman for writing. The platform focuses on quality over quantity, with outstanding production values.
10. DataCamp
Specializing in data science and programming, DataCamp offers interactive courses at $25/month or $199/year. The platform features hands-on learning with in-browser coding exercises. Perfect for aspiring data scientists, analysts, and programmers. Their unique interactive learning environment allows you to practice coding without installing any software.
11. Kajabi
Kajabi is an all-in-one platform for course creators, starting at $149/month. It includes website building, email marketing, and sales pipeline tools. The platform stands out for its comprehensive business tools, making it ideal for serious course creators who want to build a full digital business. While more expensive than other platforms, it eliminates the need for multiple third-party tools.
12. FutureLearn
Partnering with international universities, FutureLearn offers courses starting at $27.99/month for unlimited access. The platform provides short courses, expert tracks, and even online degrees. Strong in humanities, healthcare, and professional skills. Their social learning approach encourages discussion and interaction between students, creating a more engaging learning experience.
Final Words
Choosing the right online course platform depends on your goals, budget, and learning style. For career advancement, consider platforms with accredited certificates like Coursera or edX. If you're looking to teach, platforms like Udemy and Skillshare offer great opportunities to reach large audiences, while Teachable and Kajabi provide more control over your course business. Remember that many platforms offer free trials or money-back guarantees, so you can test them before committing.
When starting your learning journey, consider platforms that align with your career goals and learning preferences. If you're planning to create courses, factor in your technical expertise, target audience, and long-term business plans when choosing a platform. The investment in online learning can pay off significantly, whether you're acquiring new skills or sharing your expertise with others.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Course Platforms
Which online course platform is best for beginners?
Udemy is often considered best for beginners due to its user-friendly interface, frequent course discounts, and wide range of introductory-level courses. The platform offers detailed course descriptions, student reviews, and preview videos to help you make informed choices. Additionally, platforms like Skillshare and LinkedIn Learning offer excellent beginner-friendly courses with structured learning paths.
How much can you earn teaching online courses?
Earnings vary widely, but successful course creators can make anywhere from $1,000 to $50,000+ monthly. Top Udemy instructors report earning over $100,000 annually, while platforms like Coursera typically offer fixed rates per course. Success depends on course quality, marketing efforts, and choosing the right niche. Platforms like Teachable and Kajabi allow you to set your own prices and keep a larger percentage of sales.
Are online course certificates worth it?
Certificates from accredited platforms like Coursera and edX hold significant value, especially when backed by recognized institutions. While not always equivalent to traditional degrees, these certificates can enhance your resume, demonstrate commitment to professional development, and help in career advancement. Many employers now recognize and value online certificates, particularly in technical and professional fields.
What should you look for in an online course platform?
Key factors to consider include course quality, pricing structure, certificate value, platform reputation, and user interface. For learners, look for platforms with good reviews, clear learning paths, and strong support systems. Course creators should consider factors like revenue share, marketing tools, and platform fees. Also important are mobile accessibility, lifetime access options, and the ability to download course materials for offline use.
