Best Course Creation Software 2021

Discover the best course software systems on the market. Use the tools below to create and market your online courses and grow your business.

Research Led By:
Analyst Image
Junior Research Analyst

We use a rigorous software review process to create our unbiased, in-depth research.
Learn more about our software review process.

Highest Rated Course Creation Software

Course creation software is used by individuals and all types of organizations to create engaging and multimedia filled courses online. Course creation software can also be used to market your courses and engage with your students. Different software vendors build solutions for beginner, intermediate, and advanced course creators.

Kajabi
Rating: 91
Starting Price: $149 per month

Kajabi is an advanced all-in-one course creation software solution with tens of thousands of instructors. Kajabi helps customers seamlessly build, market & sell online courses and coaching programs. Overall, its platform is robust and highly customizable. It has a steep learning curve, so it’s best for more experienced course creators.

Pros:
  • Kajabi is the most powerful course creation software platform
  • Kajabi offers advanced marketing tools not found in other platforms – email campaigns, pipelines, automation
  • Kajabi offers advanced customization features including design themes and animations
Cons:
  • Kajabi is one of the most expensive solutions in the market
  • Kajabi does not offer gamification features
  • Kajabi does not offer a designated student feedback feature
Thinkific
Rating: 90
Starting Price: $49 per month

Thinkific is an online course creation solution with approximately 50,000 instructors. It helps course creators build and market their online courses and websites. It’s not the most advanced solution, but it’s powerful and easy-to-use. Overall, it’s ideal for ambitious beginners and established course creators.

Pros:
  • Thinkific offers a basic, free plan that’s ideal for testing the platform or hosting your content
  • Thinkific is one of the more affordable middle-tier solutions available
  • Thinkific offers course templates
Cons:
  • Thinkific is limited in terms of customizing the design of your courses and website
  • Thinkific does not offer a mobile app
  • Thinkific does not support ACH payments
LearnWorlds
Rating: 89
Starting Price: $29 per month

LearnWorlds is a new, fast-growing course creation software solution with around a thousand instructors. LearnWorlds is an advanced solution that gives course creators complete control over the design of their websites. We recommend LearnWorlds if you value a professionally designed website, and the ability to fully customize your courses.

Pros:
  • The LearnWorlds course builder comes with a wider range of customization options than any other solution in the market
  • LearnWorlds is mobile and tablet friendly, and offers a mobile app for an extra fee
  • LearnWorlds offers interactive videos
Cons:
  • LearnWorlds' course player is not very customizable
  • LearnWorlds does not include an email marketing tool
  • LearnWorlds does not offer an in-platform student feedback feature
Teachable
Rating: 87
Starting Price: $39 per month

Teachable is one of the most popular course creation solutions with over 120,000 instructors. Teachable is an intuitive, powerful platform that beginners can master. Teachable is best for course creators who prefer a high-quality, mid-tier solution.

Pros:
  • Teachable works well for the hobbyist course creator
  • Teachable offers a clean and organized student experience
  • Teachable offers a built-in certificate creator to recognize students who have completed courses
Cons:
  • Teachable’s email feature is very limited and not marketing friendly
  • Teachable does not offer gamification features
  • Teachable’s platform does not offer translations of your site or courses
Podia
Rating: 85
Starting Price: $39 per month

Podia is a course creation solution with over a thousand instructors. Podia provides what you need to sell online courses, webinars, file downloads, and memberships without worrying about the technology involved. We recommend Podia to those who are beginners and need a basic platform to begin their course creation journeys.

Pros:
  • Podia is one of the more affordable solutions in the market
  • Podia allows you to stream live classes with no coding knowledge
  • Podia offers an in-platform student messaging feature
Cons:
  • Podia does not offer a mobile app
  • Podia does not offer gamification features
  • Podia does not offer an in-platform student feedback feature
Heights Platform
Rating: 84
Starting Price: $49 per month

Heights Platform is a new, up-and-coming course creation platform with a focus on driving successful student outcomes. It includes the standard features that help creators build online courses and sell digital products. Overall, Heights Platform is best for those who need a simpler, more basic course creation solution.

Pros:
  • Heights Platform does not charge additional transaction fees
  • Heights Platform’s customer support is quick and highly responsive
  • Heights Platform lets you sell other products along with your courses – including digital products and messageboards
Cons:
  • Heights Platform is priced similarly to Thinkific and Teachable, but not as feature-rich
  • Heights Platform’s course & site builder offer limited design customizations
  • Heights Platform does not come with tools to execute affiliate marketing campaigns
Mighty Networks
Rating: 82
Starting Price: $98 per month

Mighty Networks is a course creation platform that helps creators build a community around their course content. If you believe that a community-focused online platform is the best fit for your school and courses, then Mighty Networks is an option worth considering. Overall, Mighty Networks is best for those who need a more basic course creation solution.

Pros:
  • Mighty Networks offers an advanced, in-platform student discussion tool
  • Mighty Networks offers a mobile app that lets students take courses on-the-go
  • Mighty Networks lets you customize the language used in your online school – for example, you can refer to yourself as a professor, or teacher
Cons:
  • You have to purchase Mighty Networks’ Business plan to create and host courses
  • Mighty Networks does not offer features found in most alternative solutions – including quizzes, assignments, coupons
  • Mighty Networks charges different transaction fees depending on the plan you purchase

Course Creation Software Prices

Course creation software prices range from free to hundreds of dollars per month. Most small businesses pay less than $100 per month for course creation software. The details below will help you compare prices for the most popular all-in-one course creation software platforms.

Software VendorStarting Monthly PriceFree TrialSubscription Add-Ons
Kajabi$149Yes
  • Kajabi Access: Additional $99 per month
Thinkific$49Yes
  • None
LearnWorlds$29Yes
  • Creating a mobile app costs extra
Teachable$39Yes
  • None
Podia$39Yes
  • None
Heights Platform$49Yes
  • None
Mighty Networks$98Yes
  • None

Course Creation Software FAQs

Course creation software allows entrepreneurs and small businesses to create and sell courses online. Common features include a course builder, a website builder, coupons, email marketing, payment processing, and reporting.

Most course creators pay $50 to $100 per month for their course creation software. The cheapest plans start at $29 per month, and the most expensive plans are more than $500 per month.

The best course creation software depends on the features you need and your budget. Overall, Kajabi is the most powerful course creation platform, however, it's also the most expensive. Thinkific is the best mid-tier solution, and Podia is the best affordable platform.

With over 120,000 course creators, Teachable is the most popular course creation software.

There are many benefits to using course creation software. This includes:

  • Saving hundreds of dollars per month by having a single solution to create and market your courses
  • Growing your online business using the included marketing tools
  • Creating professional courses with the need for extensive technical knowledge
  • Improved communication between you and your students
  • Multi-device compatibility for your courses

The most common course creation software features are:

  • Course builder
  • Site builder
  • Drip schedules
  • Live classes / webinars
  • Student discussions
  • Student feedback
  • Sales tracker
  • Affiliate management
  • Coupons
  • Integrations

New course creators typically make anywhere between $500 and $35,000 in their first year depending on whether or not they have an established audience. The amount you make is also determined by your pricing strategy.

Course Creation Industry Research & Advice

Teachable vs. Podia

By Amy Yang |

Is Teachable or Podia the better solution for you? This in-depth, feature-by-feature breakdown will help you select the best course...Read More >

LearnWorlds vs. Teachable

By Amy Yang |

Is LearnWorlds or Teachable the better solution for you? This in-depth, feature-by-feature breakdown will help you select the best course...Read More >

Kajabi vs. Thinkific

By Amy Yang |

Is Kajabi or Thinkific the better solution for you? This in-depth, feature-by-feature breakdown will help you select the best course...Read More >

Kajabi vs. Podia

By Amy Yang |

Is Kajabi or Podia the better solution for you? This in-depth, feature-by-feature breakdown will help you select the best course creation...Read More >

Kajabi vs. Teachable

By Amy Yang |

Is Kajabi or Teachable the better solution for you? This in-depth, feature-by-feature breakdown will help you select the best course...Read More >

Teachable vs. Thinkific

By Amy Yang |

Is Teachable or Thinkific the better solution for you? This in-depth, feature-by-feature breakdown will help you select the best course...Read More >

Kajabi vs. LearnWorlds

By Amy Yang |

Is Kajabi or LearnWorlds the better solution for you? This in-depth, feature-by-feature breakdown will help you select the best course...Read More >