5 Best Free Online Course Platform For Course Creators Compared (100% Free)
We’re supported by readers who buy via links on our site. While this may influence which products we write, it will not influence our opinions and evaluation. Learn more.
Are you an online course creator or edupreuneur looking for the best free online course platform and online learning platform that offers free plan for you to create online courses, market your course and sell your courses online.
ThinkiFic is the all-in-one online platform for every kind elearning business. Designed for high scalability, offering online courses and community building capabilities.
25% Off Annual Plans
Payhip is the best simple platform for selling digital products for online business. Designed for simplicity on growing your online business.
Systeme.io is the best all-in-one marketing platform for small and big business. Designed for advance marketing and offering unlimited scalability in selling online courses and building community.
30% Off Annual Plans
I’ve tested and tried dozens of best online course platform, some offers free trial, other offers free plans.
- Free Plans + Paid Plans
- Free Trials + Paid Plans
Best Free Online Course Platform for Online Course Creator
| Online Course Platform | Free Plans or Free Trial | Paid Plans |
|---|---|---|
| ThinkiFic | $0 Free Plan | From $36 per month (25% Off Annual Plan) |
| Payhip | $0 Free Plan | From $29 per month |
| Systeme.io | $0 Free Plan | From $27 per month (30% Off Annual Plan) |
| Podia | $0 Free Plan | From $33 per month (17% Off Annual Plan) |
| Teachable | $0 Free Plan | From $39 per month (33% Off Annual Plan) |
| LearnWorlds | 30-Days Free Trial | From $24 per month (20% Off Annual Plan) |
| Kartra | 30-Days Free Trial | From $99 per month (17% Off Annual Plan) |
| Kajabi | 30-Days Free Trial | From $199 per month (20% Off Annual Plan) |
| LearnDash | 30-Days Free Trial | From $29 per month (2-Month Free Annual Plan) |
| Passion.io | 14-Days Free Trial | From $79 per month (70% Lifetime Discount) |
| Mighty Networks | 14-Day Free Trial | From $33 per month (2-Month Free Annual Plan) |
| Yondo | 14-Day Free Trial | From $69 per month |
Best online learning platforms offers you course creation tools to create high-quality courses and learning material.
Many popular online course software only offers free trial, some popular online learning offer free plans for anyone to get started.
Here I’ll go through my handpicked list of the best free online learning platforms where you can create and sell online courses for free.
1. ThinkiFic (Top Choice)
ThinkiFic is an all-in-one online course platform designed for course creator to create highly engaging online courses. Together with a minimalist design, it is the most easy to use course builder to create your course.
Offering option of upgrade for unlimited growth and scale your business, ThinkiFic offers enterprise learning management system (LMS) solution, mobile Apps and course completion certificate with upgrades.
Used by many top universities, ThinkiFic is the most popular online learning platform for online education.
Features Offered With Free Plan
| No. of Courses | 1 |
| No. of Students | Unlimited |
| Types of Lessons | Audio, Video, PDFs, Text, Download, Presentation, Multimedia, and Live Lessons |
| Community Building | Yes |
| Others | App Store Integration, Course quizzes and surveys, Drip content |
| Transaction Fee | 0% |
| Pricing | Free, Paid plan starts from $33 per month |
| Website | Visit ThinkiFic |
Pricing Plans
ThinkiFic offers a few paid pricing plans:
- Free Plan: $0 per month
- Basic Plan: $36 per month
- Start Plan: $74 per month
- Grow Plan: $149 per month
- ThinkiFic PLUS: Contact Sales (Enterprise LMS Solution)
For all of the paid plans, you can have “Branded Mobile” Add-on where you can create your own branded mobile App that can be downloaded in Google Play and Apple Store.
My Opinion
The reason why I choose ThinkiFic as the #1 best free platform is because of it’s highly focused features that are designed for course creators and optimized for engagement. With the free plan you can create courses that your students will absolutely enjoy.
Key reason to choose ThinkiFic:
- Course quizzes and surveys, drip content and online course specific basic and advance features is key to higher student engagement and students retention.
ThinkiFic is the same platform that is trusted by top universities that offers online learning for their students, and with range of upgrades available, it give you the ability to grow your business without the need to migrate to other platforms (Content migration can be a real headache, and this is speaking from my own experience). (ThinkiFic Review)
Best Simplify Online Course Platform
Platform: Web & App
Use For: Online Course, Coaching, Membership Site, Webinar
Price: From $36
Promo: 25% Off Annual Plan
2. Payhip
Payhip is an online platform that is trusted by over 130,000 creators, a platform that let you sell digital downloads, courses and coaching all from one simple platform offering you the ability to monetize your knowledge easily.
What really makes Payhip different from the rest of the free online course platforms in the list is that it is the only platform that actually offers all features in it’s free plan. This makes Payhip the one true platform that is totally free for use.
Features Offered With Free Plan
| No. of Courses | Unlimited |
| No. of Students | Unlimited |
| Types of Lessons | Text, Video, Quiz, Download, Survey, Assignment, Embed |
| Community Building | Yes |
| Others | Email marketing, Coupons, Upsell and Affiliates |
| Transaction Fee | 5% |
| Pricing | Free, Paid plan starts from $29 per month |
| Website | Visit Payhip |
Pricing Plans
Payhip offers a few paid pricing plans:
- Free Plan: $0 per month
- PLUS Plan: $29 per month
- PRO Plan: $99 per month
My Opinion
The only difference between the plans is the difference in the transaction fee. While the features are pretty basic, the plans offered by Payhip is based on a win-win arrangement, where they only earn when you earn, making the 5% transaction fee a really small price to pay. (Payhip Review)
Best Simple Digital Product Platform
Platform: Web
Use For: Online Course, Coaching, eCommerce
Price: From $29
Promo: NA
3. Systeme.io
Systeme.io is one of the best online course platform with marketing capabilities that is trusted by over +300,000 entrepreneurs worldwide. Giving you the capability to build your own website, create sales funnels, send marketing emails, offer affiliates programs and create and sell your courses, Systeme.io is the only free online learning platform that aims to give the tools for advance marketing.
Features Offered With Free Plan
| No. of Courses | 1 |
| No. of Students | Unlimited |
| Types of Lessons | Text, Audio, Video, PDFs, Download, Presentation, Multimedia |
| Community Building | Yes |
| Others | Email marketing, Coupons, Upsell and Affiliates, Sales Funnels, A/B testing, Automation rules and Workflows |
| Transaction Fee | 0% |
| Pricing | Free, Paid plan starts from $27 per month |
| Website | Visit Systeme.io |
Pricing Plans
Systeme.io offers a few paid pricing plans:
- Free Plan: $0 per month
- Start Plan: $27 per month
- Webinar Plan: $47 per month
- Unlimited Plan: $97 per month
My Opinion
Systeme is probably the most value for money platform if you are looking to build and grow your online business. It is not only an online platform for you to sell course and products, it is a fully equipped marketing platform designed for both marketers and non-marketers.
Key reason to choose Systeme.io:
- Sales Funnels, A/B testing, Automation rules and Workflows are some of the most unique features that even premium online course platform don’t offer.
Personally, I think while the interface seems basic, Systeme.io is actually pretty good. The features offered even in their free plan are highly advance.
Their paid plans are just absolutely stunning, offering you all the features required to grow and scale your business.
Systeme.io is a great platform to get started if you are looking for platform with sales funnel and automation features. (Systeme.io Review)
Best All-In-One Marketing Platform
Platform: Web
Use For: Online Course, Coaching, Membership Site
Price: From $27
Promo: 30% Off Annual Plan
4. Podia
Podia is a cloud-based all-in-one platform that let you create your own personal website with a clean, professional look that comes with email marketing capabilities to promote and sell your digital products all in the same place.
Features Offered With Free Plan
| No. of Courses | Draft Course (1 Coaching and Downloads) |
| No. of Students | Unlimited |
| Types of Lessons | Text, Video, PDFs, Download, Coaching, Files, Multimedia |
| Community Building | Yes |
| Others | Email marketing, Course quizzes and surveys, Drip content |
| Transaction Fee | 8% |
| Pricing | Free, Paid plan starts from $33 per month |
| Website | Visit Podia |
Pricing Plans
Podia offers a few paid pricing plans:
- Free Plan: $0 per month
- Mover Plan: $33 per month
- Shaker Plan: $75 per month
My Opinion
Podia is probably one of the most popular platform used to by online business owners to sell digital products and downloads. With a simple pricing plans, you get offered to sell unlimited digital downloads in their Mover Plan which only cost approx. $1 a day.
If you are looking to have your full website up and running in less than 10 minutes, Podia can be a good place to start. (Podia Review)
Best All-In-One Online Course And Digital Product Site
Platform: Web
Use For: Online Course, Coaching, Membership Site, Webinar, eCommerce
Price: From $33
Promo: 17% Off Annual Plan
5. Teachable
Teachable is a popular online course platform that is trusted by +100,000 creators and endorsed by some of the top influencers in the industry. Offering no-code course builder and tools that let you market and sell your online courses, Teachable is known to be one of the best in the industry.
Features Offered With Free Plan
| No. of Courses | 1 |
| No. of Students | 10 |
| Types of Lessons | Text, Video, PDFs, Download, Coaching, Files, Multimedia |
| Community Building | Yes |
| Others | Email marketing, Course quizzes and surveys, Drip content |
| Transaction Fee | 10% + $1 |
| Pricing | Free, Paid plan starts from $39 per month |
| Website | Visit Teachable |
Pricing Plans
Teachable offers a few paid pricing plans:
- Free Plan: $0 per month
- Basic Plan: $39 per month
- Pro Plan: $119 per month
- Pro+ Plan: $199 per month
My Opinion
Teachable was one of the most popular choice for free platform, but the downside of their free plans is that it only offer 10 students, and when you get more than 10 students, you’ll need to signup for their paid plans.
Nonetheless, their free plan is a great place to start if you are intending to upgrade your plans in the future. (Teachable Review)
Best All-In-One Platform To Create Online School
Platform: Web & App
Use For: Online Course, Coaching, Membership Site
Price: From $39
Promo: 33% Off Annual Plan
How to Choose The Best Online Course Platform To Create and Sell Online Courses
Create an online course will take quite a lot of effort and time, but choosing the right online course platform can help you find success faster. Here are some tips to consider when choosing the right free online course to create your online class.
1. Understanding Your Needs
Before you start creating your online course, you need to assess your unique requirements. Think of it as choosing the right tools for the job. Here are some key points to consider:
- Course Type: Are you planning to offer a free online course, a paid course, or a mix of both?
- Content: What kind of course materials will you provide? This can be text-based, video-based, or a combination.
- Learning Experience: Consider the learning experience you want to deliver. Is it interactive, self-paced, or instructor-led?
- Goals: What are your long-term goals? Are you looking to sell your courses or offer them for free?
- Budget: What’s your budget for an online course platform? Keep in mind that while we’re focusing on free options here, it’s beneficial to think about potential upgrades in the future.
2. Features to Look for in a Free Online Course Platform
Free online course platforms come in various shapes and sizes. Here’s what to look for when evaluating them:
- Course Creation Tools: A user-friendly course builder can make your life easier, allowing you to create course content effortlessly.
- Learning Management System (LMS): An LMS helps you manage course materials, track student progress, and offer a seamless learning experience.
- Free Trial: Look for platforms that offer a free trial period. This lets you test the platform before committing.
- Certificate of Completion: Does the platform provide certificates? They can add credibility to your courses.
- Unlimited Courses: If you plan to offer multiple courses, ensure your chosen platform doesn’t limit your course creation.
- Video Course Support: Video content is a popular choice. Make sure the platform supports video courses.
3. Consider Upgrading to Paid Plans?
While our focus is on free platforms, it’s essential to consider the benefits of upgrading to a paid plan:
- Advanced Features: Paid plans often offer advanced tools and features for course creation, marketing, and analytics.
- Scalability: As your online course business grows, paid plans can accommodate your expanding needs.
- Marketing Tools: Paid plans may include marketing features, helping you promote your courses effectively.
- Support and Assistance: Paid plans often come with dedicated support, which can be invaluable when you encounter issues.
4. Cost-Benefit Analysis
Let’s break down the cost vs. benefits of upgrading to a paid plan:
- Initial Investment: Calculate the cost of the paid plan, and compare it to the value it brings in terms of added features and scalability.
- Revenue Potential: Consider how much you can potentially earn from selling courses. A paid plan can pay for itself through course sales.
- Efficiency: Paid plans can save you time and effort in course creation, marketing, and management.
- Case Study: Here’s a real-life example: Jane, a course creator, upgraded to a paid plan and saw a 30% increase in course sales in just three months.
5. Long-Term Business Sustainability
Thinking ahead is key to long-term success:
- Consistency: Paid plans can help you maintain consistency in course delivery and quality.
- Sustainable Growth: They support your business’s long-term growth, ensuring you can scale without limitations.
- Quality vs. Quantity: Focus on delivering high-quality courses, and paid plans can help you do just that.
Best Free Online Learning Platform Compared
Regardless if you are offering free courses or paid courses, these free online learning platforms offer you all the tools and features for online course creation.
When you create courses that engages your students, you can encourage them to purchases your course and build your brand in the online education industry.
Here is a quick comparison between the best free online learning platforms available today:
| Platform | ThinkiFic | Payhip | Systeme.io | Podia | Teachable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Plan Pricing ($) | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Digital Products | 1 Course, Coaching, Downloads | Unlimited Course, Coaching, Downloads | 1 Course | 1 Coaching, Downloads and Draft Course | 1 Course, Coaching, Downloads |
| Live Events | No | No | No | Draft Webinar | No |
| Community | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Students or Members | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | 10 |
| Admin or Instructors | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Coupons and Discounts | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Automation | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Funnels | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Affiliate | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Integrations | Apps Store | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Processing Fees | 0% Fees | 5% | 0% | 8% Fees | $1+10% Fees |
From the quick comparison table, we can conclude on the following:
- 0% transaction fee choose: ThinkiFic or Systeme.io
- Unlimited students and members choose: ThinkiFic, Payhip, Systeme.io or Podia
- Community Building choose: ThinkiFic, Payhip, Systeme.io or Podia
- Automation and Sales Funnels choose: Systeme.io
- Drip, quiz, assignments choose: ThinkiFic, Podia, Teachable
Having tested and tried all the of the platforms listed here, and have tested dozens of online course platform, these are my top picks for free online course platform.
I personally like ThinkiFic, as it is highly focused on creating and selling online courses. However, if you are more of a marketing person, Systeme.io can be a great choice as well.
Depending on your business objectives, you may want to choose a different platform from me. Regardless, all the platform listed are FREE, so that is no risk to create an account on each of them to try it out.
Pro Tip: Free plans are an excellent starting point, but don’t overlook the advantages of upgrading to paid plans. Your choice should be a balance between your current needs and your vision for your online course business.
So, what are you still waiting for, click on any of the platforms and get started!
Starting at $0 per Month
Promo: Save 25% Off Annual Plan
Read Also
- 7 Best Teachable Alternative for Course Creators (Free and Paid)
- LearnWorlds Features: In-Depth eLearning LMS Overview
- ThinkiFic Features: Course Creator’s In-Depth Overview
- +59 Best Proven Membership Site Ideas to Get Started This Year (Read First)
- Passion.io Review 2024: Still The Best App For Coaches & Creators? (Limited Time Lifetime Deal)
Join 900+ BUDDIES who are growing their wealth with our weekly Income Newsletter
Antony C. is a dividend investor with over 15+ years of investing experience. He’s also the book author of “Start Small, Dream Big“, certified PMP® holder and founder of IncomeBuddies.com (IB). At IB, he share his personal journey and expertise on growing passive income through dividend investing and building online business. Antony has been featured in global news outlet including Yahoo Finance, Nasdaq and Non Fiction Author Association (NFAA).
