Choosing the right course builder can make all the difference in how effectively you can go about creating, managing, and selling your online courses.
But with too many choices, honestly, it’s a bit difficult to find out which course builder will work the best for your course creation.
Let us guide you through the top 12 course builders, their features, pros and cons, pricing plans, and real reviews to guide your decision.
Key feature and Pricing of Each Course Builder
| Tool | Key Features | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Podia | All-in-one platform, sales pages, memberships | Free plan; Paid plans start at $39/month |
| Thinkific | Course creation, quizzes, certifications | Free plan; Paid plans start at $39/month |
| Teachable | Course creation, sales tools, student management | Free plan; Paid plans start at $39/month |
| LearnDash | WordPress integration, advanced quizzing | Plans start at $199/year |
| SamCart | Checkout pages, upsells, subscription management | Plans start at $59/month |
| LearnWorlds | Interactive video, e-commerce, analytics | Plans start at $24/month |
| Kajabi | All-in-one platform, marketing automation, CRM | Plans start at $149/month |
| Systeme.io | Course creation, funnel builder, email marketing | Free plan; Paid plans start at $27/month |
| Udemy | Marketplace, course creation, student reach | Revenue share with Udemy |
| Skillshare | Marketplace, course creation, community focus | Revenue share with Skillshare |
| Coursera | Professional courses, certifications, corporate training | Revenue share with Coursera |
| Ruzuku | Simple course creation, quizzes, live sessions | Plans start at $74.75/month |
Details and Review of 12 Best Course Builders
Podia
Podia is a versatile all-in-one platform designed for course creators and digital product sellers. It offers a range of features including course creation, memberships, and sales pages. Podia is known for its ease of use and comprehensive tools that simplify the process of selling online courses.
Podia’s user-friendly interface makes it easy to set up and manage courses, memberships, and digital downloads. The platform also provides robust support for sales pages and marketing. However, its advanced features are available only in higher-tier plans, and it may lack some customization options found on other platforms.
Pros & Cons:
Pricing Plans:
- Free Plan: Basic features for free users.
- Mover Plan: Starts at $39/month, includes course creation, email marketing, and digital product sales.
- Shaker Plan: Starts at $79/month, adds advanced features such as memberships and affiliate marketing.
Thinkific
Thinkific is a popular course builder known for its powerful features and ease of use. It offers tools for creating courses, quizzes, and certifications, making it suitable for a wide range of course creators. Thinkific is ideal for those who want to create professional-looking courses with minimal effort.
Thinkific’s platform is highly customizable, allowing you to create a branded learning experience. The free plan provides essential features, while the paid plans offer advanced tools like certifications and detailed analytics. However, some users may find the interface a bit overwhelming due to the extensive feature set.
Pros & Cons:
Pricing Plans:
- Free Plan: Includes basic course creation features.
- Basic Plan: Starts at $39/month, adds more advanced features like quizzes and surveys.
- Pro Plan: Starts at $79/month, and includes advanced reporting, certifications, and more customization.
- Premier Plan: Starts at $399/month, and offers the most advanced features and dedicated support.
Teachable
Teachable is a robust course builder known for its user-friendly interface and powerful sales tools. It allows you to create and sell online courses with ease, offering features such as course creation, student management, and marketing tools. Teachable is ideal for those who want a comprehensive solution for course creation and sales.
Teachable’s platform is designed to be easy to use, with a range of features to support course creation and sales. The free plan offers basic functionality, while the paid plans provide more advanced tools and integrations. However, some users may find the transaction fees on lower-tier plans to be a drawback.
Pros & Cons:
Pricing Plans:
- Free Plan: Includes basic course creation features with a transaction fee.
- Basic Plan: Starts at $39/month, adds additional features, and removes transaction fees.
- Pro Plan: Starts at $119/month, includes advanced reporting, and more customization options.
- Business Plan: Starts at $299/month, and offers advanced features and priority support.
LearnDash
LearnDash is a powerful course builder designed specifically for WordPress users. It offers advanced features such as quizzes, certificates, and course progression tracking. LearnDash is ideal for those who want to build complex and interactive courses within a WordPress site.
LearnDash’s integration with WordPress provides a high level of customization and flexibility. The platform is well-suited for creating detailed courses with advanced features. However, it requires a WordPress site, which might be a drawback for those looking for a standalone solution.
Pros & Cons:
Pricing Plans:
- Single Site License: Starts at $199/year, and includes basic features for one site.
- Plus Package: Starts at $399/year, and includes additional features for up to 10 sites.
- Pro Package: Starts at $799/year, and offers advanced features and support for up to 25 sites.
SamCart
SamCart is primarily known for its powerful checkout pages and sales optimization tools. It’s designed to help you increase conversions and manage subscriptions effectively. While it’s not a full-fledged course builder, it integrates well with other platforms to support course sales and management.
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SamCart’s focus on checkout and sales optimization can significantly boost your revenue. The platform includes features such as upsells, order bumps, and subscription management. However, its course creation capabilities are limited, making it better suited for integrating with other course builders.
Pros & Cons:
Pricing Plans:
- Basic Plan: Starts at $59/month, includes essential checkout features and support.
- Plus Plan: Starts at $119/month, adds additional features like subscription management.
- Pro Plan: Starts at $299/month, includes advanced features and integrations.
LearnWorlds
LearnWorlds is a feature-rich course builder that offers interactive video, e-commerce capabilities, and detailed analytics. It’s ideal for creating engaging and monetizable online courses with a range of interactive elements. LearnWorlds is suitable for those looking to offer a premium learning experience.
LearnWorlds’ interactive features, such as video and assessments, set it apart from other course builders. The platform also includes strong e-commerce tools to help you sell your courses effectively. However, its pricing may be higher than some competitors, and the wide range of features might be overwhelming for new users.
Pros & Cons:
Pricing Plans:
- Starter Plan: Starts at $24/month, includes basic course creation features.
- Pro Plan: Starts at $79/month, adds interactive features and e-commerce tools.
- Learning Center Plan: Starts at $249/month, includes advanced features and priority support.
Kajabi
Kajabi is an all-in-one platform known for its powerful course creation tools, marketing automation, and CRM features. It’s designed to help you build, market, and sell your online courses with ease. Kajabi is ideal for those who want a comprehensive solution with integrated marketing and sales tools.
Kajabi’s robust set of features includes course creation, email marketing, and sales funnels, making it a powerful choice for course creators. The platform also offers a range of customization options and integrations. However, its higher price point may be a consideration for those with a limited budget.
Pros & Cons:
Pricing Plans:
- Basic Plan: Starts at $149/month, includes core features and 3 products.
- Growth Plan: Starts at $199/month, adds more products and advanced features.
- Pro Plan: Starts at $399/month, offers the most comprehensive features and dedicated support.
Systeme.io
Systeme.io is an affordable all-in-one platform for course creation, sales funnels, and email marketing. It’s designed to be a cost-effective solution for building and managing online courses while offering additional marketing tools. Systeme.io is suitable for those looking for a comprehensive yet budget-friendly option.
Systeme.io provides a range of features, including course creation, funnel building, and email marketing, all in one platform. The free plan offers basic functionality, while the paid plans provide more advanced features. However, the platform’s design options may be more limited compared to higher-end tools.
Pros & Cons:
Pricing Plans:
- Free Plan: Includes basic features for up to 2,000 contacts and 1,000 emails per month.
- Startup Plan: Starts at $27/month, adds more features and supports 5,000 contacts.
- Webinar Plan: Starts at $47/month, includes additional features and webinar support.
- Enterprise Plan: Starts at $97/month, offers the most comprehensive features and support.
Udemy
Udemy is a popular marketplace for online courses that offers a platform for course creation and distribution. It’s known for its large audience reach and ability to provide a global platform for instructors. Udemy is ideal for those looking to leverage a marketplace to sell their courses.
Udemy’s marketplace provides access to a broad audience, making it easier to reach potential students. The platform offers tools for course creation and management, though the revenue share with Udemy may impact profitability. It’s a great option for those who want to tap into an existing user base.
Pros & Cons:
Pricing Plans:
- Instructor Fees: Udemy takes a percentage of course sales, which varies based on how students find your course.
- Promotional Pricing: Instructors can set their own prices and promotions.
- Marketplace Reach: Provides access to a global audience.
Skillshare
Skillshare is a creative community platform that allows instructors to create and sell courses, primarily focusing on creative and business skills. It offers a marketplace for courses and a community-driven approach. Skillshare is ideal for those who want to share their expertise with a creative audience.
Skillshare’s community focus and creative course offerings make it a unique platform for instructors. The revenue share model allows you to earn based on student engagement and course popularity. However, like Udemy, Skillshare’s revenue share and limited branding options may be considerations.
Pros & Cons:
Pricing Plans:
- Instructor Revenue Share: Earn based on student engagement and course popularity.
- No Setup Fees: No upfront costs to create and list courses.
- Skillshare Membership: Access to courses through Skillshare’s subscription model.
Coursera
Coursera is a well-known platform for professional and academic courses, offering a range of options from universities and institutions. It provides a platform for creating and selling courses, certifications, and degree programs. Coursera is ideal for those looking to offer accredited and professional courses.
Coursera’s association with educational institutions adds credibility to your courses. The platform offers tools for creating professional courses and certifications. However, it operates on a revenue share model and has specific requirements for course approval, which may limit some creators.
Pros & Cons:
Pricing Plans:
- Institutional Revenue Share: Revenue share with Coursera based on course sales and enrollments.
- Course Development: Courses typically developed in collaboration with institutions.
- Professional Courses: Focus on accredited and professional learning.
Ruzuku
Ruzuku is a straightforward course builder that focuses on simplicity and ease of use. It offers features for creating, managing, and selling online courses with a focus on ease of setup and user experience. Ruzuku is ideal for those looking for a simple and effective course creation tool.
Ruzuku’s intuitive interface makes it easy to create and manage courses without a steep learning curve. The platform includes features such as quizzes, live sessions, and course tracking. However, it may lack some advanced features found in other tools, and its pricing may be higher compared to some competitors.
Pros & Cons:
Pricing Plans:
- Bootstrap Plan: Starts at $74.75/month, includes basic course creation features.
- Elevate Plan: Starts at $149.75/month, adds more features and integrations.
- Distinct Plan: Starts at $199.75/month, offers advanced features and priority support.
FAQs Related To Course Builder Tools
Q1: What is a course builder?
A course builder is a tool that helps you create, manage, and sell online courses, offering features like course creation, quizzes, and student management.
Q2: How do I choose the best course builder?
Consider your needs, budget, and desired features, such as course creation tools, marketing capabilities, and integration options.
Q3: Can I use multiple course builders together?
Yes, using multiple tools can be beneficial if they offer complementary features and integrate well with each other.
Q4: Are free course builders effective?
Free tools can be effective for starting out, but they may have limitations compared to paid options.
Q5: How often should I update my course builder tools?
Regularly review and update your tools to ensure they meet your needs and take advantage of new features and improvements.
Q6: Can I integrate course builders with other platforms?
Many course builders offer integrations with other platforms for marketing, CRM, and sales, enhancing their functionality.
Conclusion: How To Choose the Right Course Builder
Choosing the right course builder is essential for creating a successful online learning experience. Each of the tools reviewed here offers unique features and benefits, catering to various needs and budgets.
If you want to choose the right graphic design software you can simply compare their pros, cons, pricing plans, and detailed reviews, you can select the tool that best aligns with your course creation and business goals.
From all-in-one platforms to specialized tools for creative courses, there is a course builder to suit every need. help you to find the perfect tool based on your requirements, and you’ll be well-equipped to create and manage engaging and profitable online courses.
