Online learning has become a core part of education, professional development, and business growth in 2025. Whether you’re an educator launching your first digital course, a coach building a personal brand, or an enterprise training a distributed workforce, the right course platform can make or break your success.
Today’s online course software does far more than just host videos. It manages student enrollments, payments, community engagement, certifications, and learning analytics — often with AI, automation, and seamless integrations.
In this guide, we break down the best software for online courses, from all-in-one platforms for creators to scalable learning management systems (LMS) for institutions.
What Is Online Course Software?
Online course software enables users to create, manage, and deliver educational content in a structured, digital format. These platforms typically support:
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Video/audio lessons
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Quizzes and assignments
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Drip content and course progress tracking
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Payments and monetization
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Learner communication and certificates
Common Use Cases:
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Selling paid courses or memberships
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Training remote teams or clients
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Launching coaching programs
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Building branded educational academies
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Running academic or nonprofit education
Best Software for Online Courses in 2025
1. Thinkific
Thinkific is a leading platform for solopreneurs and creators building, marketing, and selling courses without needing technical skills.
Key Features:
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Drag-and-drop course builder
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Built-in quizzes, surveys, and certificates
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Secure video hosting
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Custom domains and site builder
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Free plan with core features
2. Teachable
Teachable is built for course creators, coaches, and digital entrepreneurs looking to monetize their expertise.
Key Features:
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Unlimited courses and students (paid plans)
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One-time, subscription, and bundle pricing
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Sales pages and checkout builder
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Built-in payment gateway with tax handling
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Course compliance settings
3. Kajabi
Kajabi is an all-in-one platform that combines courses, email marketing, websites, and automation—ideal for knowledge businesses.
Key Features:
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Course, podcast, and coaching product types
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Marketing funnels and email campaigns
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Memberships and subscriptions
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Mobile app for students
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Advanced automation and CRM
4. LearnWorlds
LearnWorlds offers deep customization for branded course academies with interactive video and assessments.
Key Features:
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Interactive video tools and transcripts
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Custom SCORM and HTML5 content support
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Certification engine and course compliance
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Built-in affiliate program
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Branded mobile apps (premium plans)
5. Podia
Podia is a beginner-friendly platform for selling courses, digital products, webinars, and memberships — with a simple pricing model.
Key Features:
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Courses, downloads, webinars, and coaching
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Simple storefront builder
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Email marketing and automation
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No transaction fees on paid plans
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Free migration from other platforms
6. LearnDash (WordPress)
LearnDash is a powerful LMS plugin for WordPress users who want full control and flexibility over their online learning platform.
Key Features:
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Advanced quiz builder and drip content
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WooCommerce and membership integration
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Gamification with badges and points
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Course prerequisites and learning paths
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Compatible with Elementor and BuddyBoss
7. Moodle
Moodle is a widely used open-source LMS trusted by schools, universities, and enterprises for large-scale eLearning.
Key Features:
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Full learning paths with grading
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Extensive plugin ecosystem
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Mobile app for learners
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SCORM and LTI compliant
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Self-hosted or cloud-based via MoodleCloud
8. TalentLMS
TalentLMS is designed for corporate training, with easy content authoring, certifications, and team reporting.
Key Features:
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SCORM, xAPI, and CMI5 support
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Branches for multiple departments or clients
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Gamification with leaderboards
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Automated workflows and learning paths
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White-label branding
9. Ruzuku
Ruzuku is built for educators who want to launch simple online courses with minimal setup or tech hurdles.
Key Features:
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Step-by-step course creation wizard
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Webinars and live sessions
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Daily/weekly drip content
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Discussion boards and community tools
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Supports PayPal and Stripe payments
10. Coursera for Teams
For organizations and institutions offering academic-level online courses, Coursera provides a premium enterprise solution.
Key Features:
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World-class content from universities
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Custom learning paths and role-based learning
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Skill-based assessments and analytics
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Certificates from top institutions
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Enterprise admin tools and integrations
Comparison Table: Online Course Software (2025)
Platform | Best For | Built-in Marketing | Course Types | Certification | Pricing Model |
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Thinkific | Creators and coaches | Basic | Courses, bundles | Yes | Free + Paid plans |
Teachable | Solo edupreneurs | Yes | Courses, coaching | Yes | Paid only |
Kajabi | Full-scale digital business | Advanced | Courses, podcasts | Yes | High-tier pricing |
LearnWorlds | Academies and schools | Yes | Interactive courses | Yes | Mid- to high-tier |
Podia | Digital product sellers | Yes | Courses, downloads | Yes | Flat monthly plans |
LearnDash (WordPress) | Developers and agencies | Depends on plugins | Full LMS structure | Yes | One-time + add-ons |
Moodle | Institutions and nonprofits | No (plugin-based) | Academic content | Yes | Free/open-source |
TalentLMS | Enterprise training | Yes | Compliance, skills | Yes | Tiered pricing |
Ruzuku | Simple course delivery | Basic | Courses, webinars | Yes | Monthly plans |
Coursera for Teams | Universities and enterprises | Limited | Academic & career | Yes | Enterprise licenses |
How to Choose the Right Online Course Software
1. Solo Creator or Team?
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Solo creators or small teams: Thinkific, Teachable, Podia
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Larger brands or teams: Kajabi, LearnWorlds, TalentLMS
2. Need WordPress Integration?
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Self-hosted WordPress site: LearnDash
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Open-source LMS: Moodle
3. Built-in Marketing Tools?
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Need email, funnels, and automation? Kajabi, Podia, Teachable
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Prefer using external marketing tools? Thinkific, LearnDash
4. Corporate Training or Institutions?
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Business use cases: TalentLMS, Coursera for Teams
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Schools or NGOs: Moodle, LearnWorlds
Conclusion
In 2025, building and selling online courses has never been more accessible. Whether you’re sharing your skills, training your workforce, or launching a full digital learning academy, there’s a solution tailored to your needs.
The platforms listed above represent the best software for online courses — offering flexibility, automation, and learner engagement across different price points and industries. Start by defining your goals (revenue, training, community, branding), then choose a platform that aligns with your vision and technical comfort level.