Online Course Platforms Compared: 5 Options, Fees and Best Fit
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Online course platforms handle the parts of teaching online that are hard to build yourself: hosting videos, organizing lessons, taking payments and giving each student a login. The right one depends on how many courses you plan to sell, how much you want to pay each month and how much of each sale the platform keeps.
This guide compares five online course platforms that creators and coaches use: Thinkific, Teachable, Kajabi, Podia and Systeme.io. For each one you will find the entry price, the trial or free plan and the fees that apply to sales. Prices were checked on each official website in October 2026.
Online course platforms: quick comparison
| Platform | Best fit | Free option | Paid plans from | Fee on entry plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Systeme.io | First course on a small budget | Free plan (1 course) | $17/month (Startup) | No platform fee stated |
| Teachable | Simple course sales with built-in checkout | 7-day free trial | $39/month (Starter); $29 billed annually | 7.5% on Starter |
| Podia | Courses plus downloads, email and a website | 14-day trial, no card | $42/month on annual billing (Mover) | 5% on Mover |
| Thinkific | Structured courses and communities | 30-day free trial | $54/month (Basic); $40 billed annually | Payment processing applies |
| Kajabi | Full knowledge business in one tool | Free trial | $179/month (Basic); $143 billed annually | Payment processing applies |
What to look for in online course platforms
With online course platforms, three numbers decide most of the cost. The first is the monthly price. The second is the platform fee, a percentage some plans take from each sale on top of card processing. The third is the limit on products or courses. A cheap plan with a high fee can cost more than a pricier plan once you start selling.
As an example, on $1,000 of course sales in a month, a 7.5% platform fee is $75 and a 5% fee is $50. That is before the payment processor’s own charge.
The five online course platforms in detail
Thinkific
Thinkific is built around structured courses, with communities and digital downloads included. Plans are Basic at $54 per month, Start at $109 and Grow at $219, with lower prices on annual billing. The pricing page lists a 30-day free trial and no free plan. Basic includes 1 community and 1 administrator. Thinkific Payments is listed at 2.9%, and the page notes an additional gateway fee, which varies by plan, if you use a third-party processor.
- Good fit if: you want a dedicated course tool with room for several admins as you grow.
- Keep in mind: email marketing and funnels are lighter here than in all-in-one platforms.
Teachable
Teachable offers courses, digital downloads and memberships with its own checkout. Plans are Starter at $39 per month, Builder at $89 and Growth at $189, with lower prices on annual billing. Starter carries a 7.5% transaction fee, while Builder and above list 0% when you use Teachable’s own payment options. The page lists a 7-day free trial and a 30-day guarantee, and states that there is no free plan. Starter allows 5 published products.
- Good fit if: you want to launch quickly with a low monthly price and are comfortable with a fee while sales are small.
- Keep in mind: the 7.5% fee on Starter adds up, so compare it with the Builder plan once you sell regularly.
Kajabi
Kajabi covers courses, coaching, communities, memberships, newsletters and podcasts, with a website builder, email marketing and funnels included. Plans are Basic at $179 per month, Growth at $249 and Pro at $499, with lower prices on annual billing. Basic lists 5 products, 2,500 contacts, 1 website and 1 community. Processing fees apply through Kajabi Payments, and Kajabi lists an extra percentage for third-party payment providers.
- Good fit if: you want to run courses, email and your website from one account and your revenue supports the price.
- Keep in mind: it has the highest entry price in this comparison.
Podia
Podia sells courses, digital downloads and community access, and every plan includes a website builder, blog, custom domain and email marketing. Plans are Mover, Shaker and Earthquaker. Mover is listed at $42 per month on annual billing and carries a 5% fee on sales. Shaker and Earthquaker list no fees. Podia offers a 14-day trial with no card needed.
- Good fit if: you sell a mix of small digital products and want the storefront, email and courses together.
- Keep in mind: email subscriber allowances on each plan are modest, so check them against your list size.
Systeme.io
Systeme.io is a funnel and email platform that also hosts courses. The free plan includes 1 course, 3 sales funnels and up to 2,000 contacts. Startup, at $17 per month, raises that to 5 courses and 5,000 contacts. The company states that it charges no transaction fees on Stripe or PayPal sales.
- Good fit if: you are testing a first course and want the sales page, checkout and emails in the same free tool.
- Keep in mind: dedicated course platforms offer more learning features, such as detailed student management.
What online course platforms cost over 12 months
The table below multiplies each entry plan by 12 on monthly billing. Podia is shown at its annual price, because that is how its Mover plan is listed. Platform fees and payment processing come on top.
| Platform and plan | Per month | 12 months | Platform fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Systeme.io Startup | $17 | $204 | None stated |
| Teachable Starter | $39 | $468 | 7.5% |
| Podia Mover | $42 (annual billing) | $504 | 5% |
| Thinkific Basic | $54 | $648 | Processing applies |
| Kajabi Basic | $179 | $2,148 | Processing applies |
Fees can change which plan is cheapest. Take Teachable as an example. Starter costs $39 per month with a 7.5% fee, and Builder costs $89 with no platform fee on Teachable’s own payment options. The $50 difference equals 7.5% of about $667. If you sell more than that in a month, Builder costs less overall.
Common mistakes when choosing online course platforms
- Looking only at the monthly price. A low plan with a percentage fee can cost more once sales grow.
- Paying for an all-in-one too early. If you already have email and a website, a dedicated course tool may be enough.
- Ignoring product limits. Several online course platforms cap the number of courses or products on entry plans.
- Not checking the student experience. Enroll in your own course on a phone before you launch.
How to choose between online course platforms
- Work out the real monthly cost. Add the plan price to the platform fee on your expected sales.
- Count your products. Entry plans often limit courses or products.
- Check who processes payments. Fees can change depending on the payment option you pick.
- Use the trial with one real lesson. Upload a video, set a price and go through the checkout as a student.
- Plan for community. If discussion is central to your course, see our Skool vs Circle comparison.
A platform does not sell a course for you. Results depend on your topic, your audience and how you market the course.
How we researched this guide
We checked each company’s official website for its current focus, plan names, free option and entry price. We describe what each vendor says its product does and add practical notes on who it may suit. We have not tested these tools hands-on, and companies cannot pay to be included. See our review methodology.
Frequently asked questions
Which online course platforms are free to start?
Systeme.io has a free plan that includes 1 course. Thinkific, Teachable, Podia and Kajabi offer free trials instead of a free plan.
What is a transaction fee on online course platforms?
It is a percentage of each sale kept by the platform, separate from the card processing fee. Teachable Starter lists 7.5% and Podia Mover lists 5%.
Is Kajabi worth it compared with cheaper online course platforms?
Kajabi bundles website, email, funnels and courses. If you would otherwise pay for those tools separately, the total may be similar. If you only need course hosting, a cheaper plan may be enough.
Can I switch between online course platforms later?
Yes, but you will need to move videos, rebuild lessons and import students. Check export options before you choose.
The bottom line on online course platforms
For a first course on a tight budget, the Systeme.io free plan or Teachable Starter keeps fixed costs low. Thinkific suits structured teaching with a community. Podia fits a mix of small products, and Kajabi fits a business that wants everything in one account. Shortlist two online course platforms, run the numbers with your expected sales and use the trials before you decide.
Related guides: Skool vs Circle, webinar platforms compared and sales funnel builders compared.
Editorial note: Product names and trademarks belong to their respective owners. DCCommunity is not affiliated with or endorsed by the companies mentioned unless stated. Information was checked against official websites in October 2026 and is provided for general guidance only. Features and prices may change.
