The 10 Best Platforms for Selling Digital Courses in 2025 Reviewed

The digital learning industry has experienced phenomenal growth in recent years. Digital course creation has become one of the most lucrative methods of sharing your expertise. Whether as a teacher, a creator or an entrepreneur, it can be a scalable source of revenue.

Before you begin selling your digital courses, selecting the most appropriate platform is the first step. Some platforms provide access to a wide audience but come with pricing restrictions, while others allow total freedom of branding but require more promotion on your part. This guide outlines the top digital course selling platforms in 2025 and helps you find the most suitable one for your objectives.

Best Platforms for Selling Digital Courses in 2025: The Rise of E-Learning, Key Insights and Projections

The global e-learning industry has witnessed remarkable growth over the past few years, largely facilitated by the rise of online platforms that enable the creation, marketing, and sale of digital products. In 2019, it was valued at approximately $200 billion. Just two years later, by 2021, that number had jumped to around $315 billion, largely due to the pandemic-driven shift towards remote learning and the broader adoption of online education platforms. View source – Statista

Looking ahead, the industry is expected to cross the $400 billion mark by 2025. This growth is being powered by AI-driven learning tools, more personalised content and increased access via mobile devices. The ability to learn anytime and anywhere is making online education more appealing to learners of all ages. View projection – Statista

Since 2020, there has been a massive 200% increase in the number of independent course creators. More individuals are now leveraging online platforms to share their knowledge and skills with global audiences, creating fresh career opportunities and new streams of income. As a course creator, you can use these platforms to sell digital products such as online courses, ebooks, and templates, expanding your reach and monetization options. Creator economy insights – Aspire

One of the most significant trends in this space is the adoption of mobile e-learning. This segment is growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25%, indicating a strong shift in how people consume learning content. The growing importance of mobile apps in delivering online learning content is enhancing accessibility and user engagement, making it easier for learners to access courses and community features on the go. With smartphones becoming more powerful and internet access more widespread, learning on the go is not just a convenience but a preferred choice. Mobile learning growth – Mastermind Behavior

Looking even further, by 2030, the global e-learning services market is forecasted to hit a staggering $842.64 billion, growing at an impressive CAGR of 18.6% from 2023 to 2030. This suggests that online learning is not just a temporary trend but a long-term transformation in how education is delivered. 2030 Forecast – Learning News

These statistics reflect the growing demand for digital learning solutions and highlight the massive opportunities available for course creators and other creators of digital products in this space, all made possible by robust online platforms.

Why Digital Course Creation is a High Growth OpportunitySelling digital courses is a scalable and long-term source of income. Unlike traditional teaching methods where earnings are tied to working hours, online courses offer the possibility of passive income.

The main advantages of digital course creation include:

• Scalability: Courses can be sold multiple times with a little recurring effort
• High profit margins: No shipping or inventory expenses
• Brand development: Builds credibility and expertise
• Diversified income: Potential for membership programs, bundled courses and coaching services

While there is so much a creator can do in this area, a reliable platform makes the journey quite easier.

Main Points to Consider Before Selecting a Platform

Before committing to a course selling platform, consider the following:

• Monetisation strategy: Choose between one-time payments (e.g. Gumroad, Simply Cue) or subscriptions (e.g. Skillshare, Kajabi)
• Branding control: Platforms like Simply Cue, Teachable and Thinkific offer full customization, while Udemy and Skillshare have limitations
• Audience and marketing: Udemy and Skillshare offer built-in audiences but restrict pricing. Simply Cue and Teachable give more control but require self-promotion
• Ease of use and automation: Simply Cue, Thinkific and Podia include automation features for smoother course delivery
• AI integration: Simply Cue features AI-generated course summaries and content suggestions to reduce workload

Introduction to E-Learning

E-learning, or online learning, has rapidly transformed the way people access education and develop new skills. With the explosion of online courses, learners now have the flexibility to study at their own pace, from anywhere in the world. This shift has made education more accessible and affordable, breaking down traditional barriers to learning. Online courses cover a vast range of topics, from professional development to personal interests, and are delivered through user-friendly online course platforms. The best online course platforms not only make it easy to create and deliver content but also provide tools for selling online courses and building a thriving online learning community. As more individuals and organizations embrace online learning, the demand for high-quality online courses and reliable course platforms continues to grow, making this an exciting time for both learners and course creators.

Understanding the Target Audience

For any online course to succeed, understanding the target audience is essential. The target audience is the specific group of people who will benefit most from your course—those whose needs, interests, and challenges align with your expertise. Course creators should start by conducting thorough market research, analyzing competitors, and gathering feedback from potential learners. Consider factors such as age, location, professional background, learning goals, and pain points. By clearly defining your target audience, you can tailor your online course content, format, and delivery to address their unique needs. This not only increases engagement but also boosts course completion rates and positive reviews. Ultimately, knowing your target audience helps you create an online course that stands out in a crowded market and delivers real value to your learners.

Creating a Best Online Course

Creating the best online course involves more than just sharing knowledge—it requires strategic planning, engaging content, and effective marketing. Start by identifying your target audience and understanding what they want to achieve. Design your course format to suit their learning preferences, whether that means video lessons, interactive quizzes, or downloadable resources. High-quality course content is key, but so is how you present it. Use clear, concise language and break information into manageable sections. Once your course is ready, focus on reaching potential customers through a mix of marketing strategies. Leverage social media marketing to build awareness, use email marketing to nurture leads, and invest in paid advertising to expand your reach. Don’t forget to optimize your course sales page with compelling copy and testimonials. By combining great content with smart marketing, course creators can build a best online course that attracts and retains students.

Course Creation and Development

The process of course creation and development is a journey that starts with careful planning and ends with a successful course launch. Begin by defining your course objectives and outlining the key topics you want to cover. Identify your target audience to ensure your course content is relevant and valuable. Next, design your course by selecting the right course platform and choosing the best delivery methods—whether that’s video, audio, written materials, or a blend. Develop engaging course content that is easy to follow and supports different learning styles. Before launching, test your course to ensure everything works smoothly and gather feedback for improvements. Setting up your course platform with user-friendly navigation and clear instructions will enhance the learning experience. By following a structured approach to course creation, you can deliver a high-quality online course that meets the needs of your audience and stands out in the online learning marketplace.

Best Platforms for Selling Online Courses in 2025

The best online learning platforms in 2025 help creators sell courses online and digital products, making it easier than ever to reach a global audience. Choosing the right online course platform is crucial for maximizing your earnings, building your brand, and ensuring a seamless experience for your students.

1. Udemy
   Udemy is a popular online course platform with a large student base. It is often chosen by those launching their first online course, thanks to its accessible setup and wide reach. Udemy also offers free courses to attract new students and help creators build an audience. However, it has strict pricing and revenue-sharing rules which can limit your earnings.
2. Teachable
   Teachable offers complete control over course pricing, branding and structure. It features a drag and drop builder and robust course creation tools, making it ideal for those wanting to create a personalised course business. Teachable also provides a free trial so you can test its features before committing.
3. Thinkific
   Thinkific supports long-term scalability and includes automation tools, integrations, and advanced analytics. It stands out for its community features, advanced features, and the ability to create unlimited courses, making it suitable for growth-focused creators.
4. Simply Cue – The Ideal Platform for Independent Creators
   Simply Cue is gaining attention among creators who value control over pricing, branding and automation. It does not enforce revenue sharing and lets creators either absorb or pass on platform fees. Simply Cue also integrates analytics tools for tracking performance, supports selling digital products, and allows you to create more courses and coaching programs as your business grows.
5. Kajabi
   Kajabi is an all-in-one platform that includes course hosting, email marketing, and membership management. It supports pre recorded courses, offers an own branded app for a seamless mobile experience, and is powerful but comes with a higher cost.
6. Podia
   Podia is ideal for those selling digital downloads, memberships, and bundled products. It supports online community features, offers free tool resources to help creators engage users and set course price, and enables selling digital products and courses online.
7. Gumroad
   Gumroad is perfect for creators selling courses as one-time purchases. It is easy to use and functions as a digital marketplace, supporting digital art and other digital products, but lacks advanced automation.
8. Skillshare
   Skillshare operates on a subscription model. Creators earn through student engagement. It is best for short practical creative courses online and allows you to offer free courses to attract and support new learners.
9. YouTube Courses
   YouTube has introduced paid courses, allowing monetisation of educational content. It acts as an online marketplace for courses and supports creators looking to sell online courses to their existing following, though building an audience from scratch can be challenging.

Summary of Platform Features
Each online course platform offers unique strengths. Udemy and Skillshare are great for reaching large audiences and offering free courses, but have less control over pricing. Teachable and Thinkific provide advanced features, course creation tools, and scalability, while Simply Cue stands out for its automation, analytics tools, and flexibility. Kajabi is a powerful all in one platform with its own branded app and support for pre recorded courses, but may be costly. Podia excels in community features and free tool offerings, while Gumroad is a straightforward digital marketplace for selling digital products. YouTube Courses and other platforms offer additional options, each with their own strengths and weaknesses in terms of community, automation, and monetization.

Why Simply Cue Stands Out

• Full control over pricing and branding
• AI tools for course summaries and content generation
• Customisable store and automated workflows
• Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
• A diverse platform that lets the creator sell other digital goods like templates, e-books etc.
• Valuable insights for course creators through analytics tools
• Support for creating online courses and selling digital products

For creators wanting control, flexibility and smart automation, Simply Cue is a top choice.

Conclusion
The digital course industry presents massive opportunities for creators in 2025. Your choice of platform can greatly impact your revenue and branding. Selecting the right platform is essential for making money online, whether you want to sell digital products, offer coaching programs, or build a thriving online community. The best course platforms help you sell digital products and courses efficiently, and can support your growth as you create more courses.

A compelling course title and effective keyword research are also key to course discovery and enrollment. Many platforms offer tools to help you optimize your course title and content for better visibility.

For those seeking access to ready audiences, Udemy and Skillshare are reliable. However, if your goal is full control over pricing and brand presentation, platforms like Simply Cue, Teachable and Thinkific are better options. As e-learning continues to grow, now is the time to start building your course business.

Looking for a reliable place to sell your course? Contact us at support@simplycue.com to get started.

Marketing and Selling Courses

Once your online course is ready, effective marketing and selling strategies are crucial to reach your audience and drive course sales. Start by building a strong online presence through social media marketing, sharing valuable content and engaging with your community. Use email marketing to keep your audience informed about new courses, special offers, and updates. Create compelling landing pages that highlight the benefits of your course and encourage sign-ups. Consider using marketing tools like sales funnels and affiliate programs to expand your reach. Paid advertising on platforms like Google Ads and social media can help you target specific audiences and boost visibility. Continuously optimize your sales page and marketing campaigns based on analytics to increase conversions. By combining these strategies, course creators can effectively sell courses, grow their audience, and maximize revenue from their online course business.

Using a Marketing Platform to Promote Online Courses

Leveraging a marketing platform is one of the most effective ways to promote online courses and scale your course business. The right digital marketing platform offers a suite of tools—such as email marketing tools, landing pages, and analytics—to help course creators reach a wider audience and drive more course sales. Many course platforms now integrate with popular social media platforms, making it easier to share updates and engage with potential students. When choosing a marketing platform, look for key features like automation, customizable templates, and robust analytics to track your results. The best online course platforms often include built-in marketing tools, allowing you to manage everything from one dashboard. By using a comprehensive marketing platform, course creators can streamline their promotional efforts, connect with their target audience, and grow their online learning business more efficiently.