Choosing the right platform to host your online courses can significantly impact your success as an instructor. This comprehensive comparison breaks down the costs, features, and key considerations for the most popular online course platforms in 2025.

Thinkific

Starting at $49/month

Thinkific offers a range of plans suitable for different stages of your course creation journey:

• Basic: $49/month
• Start: $99/month
• Grow: $199/month
• Expand: $499/month
• Plus: Custom pricing

Key Features

• Unlimited courses and students on all plans
• Built-in assessments and certificates
• No transaction fees on paid plans
• Free 14-day trial available

Kajabi

Starting at $69/month

Kajabi positions itself as an all-in-one platform with comprehensive features:

• Kickstarter: $89/month
• Basic: $149/month
• Growth: $199/month
• Pro: $399/month

Key Features

• Complete platform for courses, marketing, and websites
• Integrated email marketing and sales funnels
• No transaction fees
• 30-day free trial

Circle

Starting at $99/month

Circle focuses on community-driven learning experiences:

• Professional: $99/month
• Business: $219/month
• Enterprise: $399/month
• Circle Plus: Custom pricing

Key Features

• Community-centric learning environment
• Live streaming capabilities
• Mobile apps and workflow automation
• Quiz functionality for basic assessments

Teachable

Starting at $59/month

Teachable provides flexible options for course creators:

• Basic: $59/month (+ 5% transaction fee)
• Pro: $159/month
• Pro+: $249/month
• Enterprise: Custom pricing

Key Features

• Free plan available (with 10% transaction fee)
• Course bundling capabilities
• Power Editor for customization
• Built-in email marketing and affiliate programs

Podia

Starting at $39/month

Podia offers straightforward pricing with comprehensive features:

• Mover: $39/month (+ 5% transaction fee)
• Shaker: $89/month

Key Features

• Sell courses, downloads, and memberships
• Built-in email marketing
• Custom domain support
• Simple, user-friendly interface

Udemy

• Free to host courses
• Revenue share model (up to 63% on paid courses)
• Access to large existing audience
• Strict content guidelines

Skillshare

• Free to host courses
• Revenue based on watch time and referrals
• Focus on creative topics
• Limited pricing control

Systeme.io

• Free plan available (1 course, 2,000 contacts)
• Startup: $27/month
• Webinar: $47/month
• Unlimited: $97/month

Mighty Networks

• Community: $49/month
• Course Plan: $119/month
• Business: $219/month
• Path-to-Pro: $430/month

Blitzain

• Free plan with free/paid courses
• No monthly subscription fees
• Instant payouts
• Unlimited course hosting

Key Considerations for Instructors

Transaction Fees

When choosing a platform, carefully consider the transaction fees structure:

• Teachable: 5-10% depending on plan
• Podia: 8-10% on lower tiers
• Thinkific and Kajabi: No fees on paid plans
• Blitzain: 4% commission for Polar

Platform Control

Different platforms offer varying levels of control:

• Udemy/Skillshare: Limited control, higher revenue share (63-66%)
• Self-hosted platforms (Thinkific, Kajabi): Full control, higher monthly costs
• Hybrid options (Blitzain): Good balance of control and cost

Marketing Tools

Consider included marketing features to reduce additional costs:

• Kajabi: Comprehensive marketing suite included
• Thinkific: Built-in email marketing and automation
• Circle: Strong community engagement tools
• Podia: Basic but effective marketing tools

Recommendations

For Budget-Conscious Creators

• Consider Systeme.io or Thinkific’s free trial
• Explore Blitzain’s commission-only model
• Start with free plans to test the market

For Established Educators

• Invest in all-in-one solutions like Kajabi
• Consider Thinkific’s Grow plan for scalability
• Evaluate Circle for community-focused courses

For Maximum Earnings

• Blitzain: Keep 85% of revenue with no monthly fees
• Thinkific/Kajabi: Higher monthly cost but no transaction fees
• Consider platform-specific features that could increase sales

Conclusion

The right platform choice depends on your specific needs, budget, and growth plans. Consider starting with a free or low-cost option to test your course concept, then upgrade as your audience and revenue grow. Remember to factor in both monthly costs and transaction fees when calculating your potential earnings.

For new course creators, platforms like Blitzain or Systeme.io offer low-risk entry points. Established educators might benefit from the comprehensive features of Kajabi or Thinkific. Community-focused educators should consider Circle or Mighty Networks for their engagement-first approach.