Online education is growing fast, and as the year rolls by, the industry is shaping up to be a big one for creators who want to sell courses. More people are looking for flexible ways to learn new skills, and this has increased the demand for online learning platforms. From coaches to teachers, to entrepreneurs, having the right course hosting platform is key to reaching more students and making money from your knowledge.
But with so many options available, how do you choose the best one? Some platforms take a cut of your earnings, while others limit customization or lack marketing tools. This makes picking one a headache. To avoid many of the flaws of these platforms, creators can turn to Pushbio. Pushbio offers creators a simple and powerful way to sell courses without hidden fees or restrictions.
Create your own free link in bio page
Ready to simplify your online presence?
With Pushbio, you can;
- Link all your social media profiles together effortlessly.
- Showcase all your content, products, and services in one space.
- Share everything through a single link.
Create your own free link in bio page
Ready to simplify your online presence?
With Pushbio, you can;
- Link all your social media profiles together effortlessly.
- Showcase all your content, products, and services in one space.
- Share everything through a single link.
In this guide, we’ll compare the top online learning platforms and show why Pushbio is the best choice for creators who want full control over their courses and profits.
What to look for in a course hosting platform
No two course hosting platforms are the same even if they perform the same function. While their aim is to help you sell your online courses, they often have major differences in mode of operation, cost and others.
To truly pick a platform that works best for you in selling your online course, here are some major considerations to factor in:
1. Ease of use and course setup
A great course hosting platform should make it easy to upload, organize, and launch courses. Creators need a simple interface that allows them to add videos, PDFs, quizzes, and other materials without technical skills.
If setting up a course is complicated, it can slow down progress and affect sales. On the user side, the platform should also provide a smooth learning experience for students, with clear navigation and mobile-friendly access. A user-friendly system helps creators focus on teaching rather than dealing with tech issues.
2. Pricing and transaction fees
Cost matters when choosing an online learning platform. Some platforms charge high monthly fees, while others take a percentage of each sale. These expenses can reduce a creator’s earnings. It’s important to compare pricing plans and look for platforms that allow full revenue control. Hidden fees can add up, so creators should choose a solution that provides transparent pricing with no unexpected costs.
3. Customization and branding options
A strong brand helps creators stand out in the competitive creator education space. A good course hosting platform should allow complete customization of course pages, logos, colors, and domain names.
Some platforms limit branding, making it harder to create a unique identity. The best platforms let creators design a seamless experience that matches their brand, helping to build trust with students and increase engagement.
4. Marketing and sales tools
Selling courses isn’t just about content, it has more to do with reaching the right audience. A powerful online course platform should have built-in marketing tools like email campaigns, landing pages, discount codes, and affiliate programs. Without strong promotional features, creators may struggle to attract students. A platform that supports SEO, social media sharing, and analytics can help maximize course visibility and increase sales.
5. Payment processing and revenue control
Reliable payment options are essential for creators who want to sell courses globally. A good platform should support multiple payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, or direct bank transfers. Some platforms delay payouts or take high commission fees, reducing earnings. The best course hosting solutions ensure fast, secure transactions while giving creators full control over their revenue.
6. Integration with social media and existing tools
Creators often use different tools to manage their business, such as email marketing software, CRM systems, or membership platforms. A strong online learning platform should integrate with these tools seamlessly. Social media integration is also important for promoting courses and engaging with potential students. The easier it is to connect with existing systems, the smoother the workflow for creators, helping them grow their audience and increase sales.
The best course hosting platforms for creators
Now that you know what to look for in a course hosting platform, it’s time to look at some of the ebay ones available on the market today.
1. Pushbio
Pushbio is the ideal choice for creators who want complete control over their course hosting experience. It offers full branding customization, multiple payment processors, built-in marketing tools and there is no revenue-sharing.
Unlike other platforms, Pushbio allows creators to set their own prices and keep 100% of their earnings. With seamless payment processing, mobile-friendly course pages, and social media integration, Pushbio provides everything a creator needs to succeed in online learning platforms without hidden fees or restrictions.
Pricing
- To sell courses on Pushbio, the Pro plan stats at $14.99/month
- The Agency Plan starts at $59/month
Why Pushbio is the best platform for selling courses
1. No revenue-sharing
Many course hosting platforms take a cut of your sales, but Pushbio lets you keep everything you earn. There are no hidden transaction fees or commission-based pricing, meaning creators get full control over their profits.
This makes Pushbio an ideal choice for educators looking to maximize revenue without paying unnecessary platform fees. Whether you sell one course or thousands, every dollar goes directly to you.
2. Full control over your course pages
Pushbio gives creators complete freedom to design their online learning platform without limitations. Unlike other platforms that force branding elements, Pushbio allows custom logos, colors, and layouts to match your unique identity.
This ensures your course pages align with your personal or business brand, creating a professional and seamless learning experience for students while reinforcing your authority as a creator.
3. Reach more students easily
Marketing is crucial for creator education, and Pushbio simplifies it with built-in tools. It supports email marketing, social media sharing, and direct sales integration, helping you promote courses effortlessly.
You can engage potential students through email campaigns, drive traffic via social media, and convert leads with custom landing pages. No need for third-party services; everything you need to grow your audience is included.
4. Flexible and secure transactions
Pushbio supports multiple payment gateways, making it easy for students to purchase your courses. Whether they prefer PayPal, Stripe, or direct bank transfers, the platform ensures smooth and secure transactions.
This flexibility increases sales opportunities, as students can pay using their preferred method. With fast payouts and no revenue-sharing, you get full access to your earnings without delays.
5. Hassle-free course management
Pushbio makes course creation simple, even for beginners. The platform’s intuitive dashboard allows creators to upload content, set pricing, and launch courses in minutes. Plus, it’s fully optimized for mobile, ensuring students can access lessons on any device without issues. Regardless of whether you are using a phone, tablet, or desktop, Pushbio provides a smooth, responsive experience, helping creators reach a wider audience effortlessly.
2. Teachable
Teachable is a popular course hosting platform that makes it easy for beginners to create and sell courses. It offers a simple drag-and-drop interface, built-in payment processing, and student management tools.
Teachable is an all-in-one course hosting platform that helps creators build websites, launch courses, and manage students. It offers tools for email, affiliate, and referral marketing. A standout feature is its course compliance tool, which allows instructors to set required prerequisites before students can move forward.
The downside to Teachable is that it’s free and lower-tier plans come with high transaction fees, which reduce earnings. For creators who want full revenue control, these costs can add up. In addition, its customer support can be slow, making it challenging to get quick assistance when needed.
Pricing
- The Basic plan costs $39/month, allowing unlimited courses but still charging a 5% transaction fee.
- Higher-tier plans, starting at $119/month with the Pro+ plan starting at $199/month, remove these fees and unlock premium features.
3. Thinkific
Thinkific is a flexible online learning platform that allows creators to customize their course websites fully. It offers a range of design options, membership features, and student engagement tools.
It includes features like live lessons, student communities, and customizable course websites. A key advantage is the Thinkific App Store, which allows creators to integrate third-party tools for email automation, lead conversion, and promotions. This flexibility makes it a great choice for those who want to expand their course business with additional marketing and sales features.
Although there is an app store, Thinkific offers basic in-built marketing tools that are not as advanced as some competitors. While Thinkific excels in customization, those looking for strong marketing support without additional costs may need additional solutions. Also, its community feature is only available on higher-tier plans, making it less accessible for creators on a budget.
Pricing
- Thinkific plans start with the Basic plan at $36/month with access to most features and no transaction fees.
- Other plans cost $74/month and $149/month for the Start and Grow plan respectively.
- A 14-day free trial is available.
4. Kajabi
Kajabi is a premium creator education platform that combines course hosting, email marketing, automation, and website building in one package. Its Product Blueprints feature provides ready-made templates for different course types, making it easy to structure content.
With built-in marketing tools and a customer relationship management (CRM) system, Kajabi streamlines course promotion and student management. It is designed for those who want an all-in-one solution without relying on multiple tools.
On the flip side, its pricing is steep, making it less ideal for smaller creators or those just starting. Also, Kajabi’s interface can feel overwhelming for beginners due to its many advanced features. Add to this, it lacks a free plan and is more expensive than most other course hosting platforms.
Pricing
- Kajabi’s plans start at $71/month and rises as high as $319/month when billed annually.
- There’s no free plan, but users can test the platform with a 14-day trial.
5. Podia
Podia is an easy-to-use course hosting platform that provides a simple way to sell courses, memberships, and digital products. It has no transaction fees and supports unlimited courses.
With Podia, creators can build landing pages, offer standalone or drip courses, and engage with students through email marketing tools. It’s ideal for those looking for a beginner-friendly platform without complex setups.
However, a noticeable disadvantage is that Podia lacks advanced analytics, making it difficult for creators to track student behavior and optimize their sales strategy. Also, the platform lacks an open API, limiting advanced integrations with other tools. Its rigid page design and basic website builder make it difficult for creators to customize their course sites fully.
Pricing
- Plans start at $33/month, with unlimited courses, coaching sessions, and digital downloads.
- More advanced plans include features like webinars and affiliate marketing available for $75.
- A 30-day free trial is available.
6. Udemy
Udemy is a well-known online learning platform that attracts millions of students worldwide. It helps creators get exposure without needing heavy marketing efforts.
It provides tools like the Marketplace Insights feature to help creators identify trending topics. The Teaching Center offers resources on structuring courses, while instructors can use the custom coupon tool to attract students. Courses must be at least 30 minutes long and include five or more lectures.
However, Udemy controls pricing, often offering deep discounts that lower earnings. Udemy keeps a significant portion of course sales, making it harder for instructors to maximize earnings. Additionally, the platform’s high competition means standing out among thousands of courses can be challenging.
Creators also have limited branding options and must follow Udemy’s strict guidelines. While it provides great reach, those who want full control over their courses and revenue may prefer a more independent platform.
Pricing
- Instructors can list courses for free, but Udemy takes a percentage of sales. If a student buys through the instructor’s referral link, Udemy keeps 3%.
- However, if a student purchases through Udemy’s marketplace or ads, the platform takes 63% of the revenue.
Which is the largest course hosting platform?
The largest course platform by student base is Udemy, with over 62 million learners and 210,000+ courses. It operates as a marketplace where instructors can create and sell courses, reaching a massive global audience. However, Udemy takes a significant revenue share, making it less ideal for creators who want full pricing control.
Conclusion
Choosing the right course hosting platform is key to your success as a creator. The right platform should give you full control over your content, pricing, and branding while making it easy to reach and engage students. With so many online learning platforms available, it’s important to pick one that aligns with your goals.
Pushbio stands out by offering custom branding, built-in marketing tools, seamless payments and no revenue-sharing. It’s a perfect choice for creator education, allowing you to maximize earnings and grow your audience.
