Top 5 Teaching Apps For Selling Online Courses: Start Making Money Online
Introduction
In the digital age, creating and selling online courses has become a lucrative opportunity for educators, entrepreneurs, and subject matter experts. Whether you’re an industry professional looking to share your expertise or a business owner aiming to monetize your knowledge, choosing the right platform is essential.
With numerous options available, it can be overwhelming to decide where to host your course. To simplify your decision-making, here’s a look at five of the best apps for selling online courses: Udemy, Coursera, Skillshare, Teachable, and Thinkific.
Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Udemy is one of the most well-known platforms for online courses, offering a massive marketplace where instructors can reach a global audience.
Why Choose Udemy?
- Large User Base: With over 60 million students worldwide, Udemy provides a built-in audience for your course.
- Easy Course Creation: The platform offers intuitive tools for video hosting, quizzes, and assignments.
- Marketing and Promotions: Udemy frequently runs discounts and promotions, helping instructors sell more courses.
Pros:
✔️ No upfront costs – Udemy earns a commission on course sales.
✔️ High visibility due to Udemy’s strong marketing efforts.
✔️ Access to analytics and performance tracking.
Cons:
❌ Pricing control is limited as Udemy often discounts courses.
❌ High competition with thousands of similar courses in each category.
If you’re looking for a platform that handles marketing while allowing you to focus on content creation, Udemy is a great choice.
Coursera is a leading platform for academic and professional courses, often collaborating with universities and businesses. Unlike Udemy, Coursera focuses on high-quality, structured learning experiences.
Why Choose Coursera?
- Credibility: Courses are often created in partnership with top institutions, adding credibility to your content.
- Certification Programs: Coursera offers certification programs, which can increase the perceived value of your course.
- Corporate Audience: Many businesses use Coursera for employee training, providing a steady stream of learners.
Pros:
✔️ Prestige of being associated with well-known universities and companies.
✔️ High engagement due to structured learning paths.
✔️ Potential for higher course pricing.
Cons:
❌ Competitive selection process – not everyone can publish a course on Coursera.
❌ Revenue sharing model can reduce profit margins.
If you are an educator or professional looking to sell courses with academic recognition, Coursera is a great option.
Skillshare operates on a subscription model, where students pay a monthly fee to access all courses rather than purchasing individual ones. This makes it an excellent choice for creators focusing on creative and skill-based content.
Why Choose Skillshare?
- Passive Income Potential: You earn revenue based on student watch time.
- Ideal for Creative Niches: Popular for design, photography, writing, and business skills.
- Community Engagement: Skillshare fosters an interactive community where students and instructors can connect.
Pros:
✔️ No need to handle individual course sales – revenue is based on engagement.
✔️ Great for niche subjects like arts, design, and entrepreneurship.
✔️ Free to publish courses with no upfront costs.
Cons:
❌ Earnings are dependent on the number of minutes watched, making it less predictable.
❌ Limited pricing control since students subscribe to the entire platform rather than individual courses.
For those in creative fields, Skillshare provides an easy way to reach students and generate passive income through engaging video lessons.
Teachable is one of the best platforms for course creators who want full control over pricing, branding, and marketing. Unlike Udemy or Skillshare, it allows you to build and sell online courses under your own brand.
Why Choose Teachable?
- Custom Branding: You can create a fully branded website with your own domain.
- Flexible Pricing: Set your own course prices, offer discounts, and create bundles.
- Comprehensive Tools: Includes features like quizzes, certificates, and membership options.
Pros:
✔️ Total control over branding and pricing.
✔️ Integration with payment gateways for direct sales.
✔️ Ability to create membership sites for recurring income.
Cons:
❌ Requires effort in marketing and driving traffic.
❌ Monthly subscription fees apply, starting from $39/month.
If you want to build a long-term business around your courses, Teachable offers the flexibility and branding tools to help you grow.
Thinkific is similar to Teachable but offers more customization and scalability, making it a top choice for businesses and professional educators.
Why Choose Thinkific?
- Highly Customizable: Provides advanced design options and integrations.
- No Transaction Fees: Unlike some platforms, Thinkific doesn’t take a percentage of your sales.
- Great for Businesses: Ideal for companies selling training programs or membership courses.
Pros:
✔️ Full control over your course pricing and branding.
✔️ No commission on sales – you keep 100% of your earnings.
✔️ Strong customer support and advanced course-building tools.
Cons:
❌ Requires marketing efforts to attract students.
❌ Higher-tier plans can be expensive for beginners.
For entrepreneurs who want a professional, scalable course business, Thinkific is one of the best options available.
Which Platform Should You Choose?
The right platform for selling your online course depends on your goals:
- If you want access to a large audience and don’t mind sharing revenue, Udemy is a good choice.
- If you are an academic or professional looking for credibility, Coursera is the way to go.
- For creative fields and passive income, Skillshare is ideal.
- If you prefer full control over pricing and branding, Teachable and Thinkific are your best bets.
Each of these platforms offers unique advantages, so choose the one that aligns best with your needs and business model. With the right platform and a high-quality course, you can turn your knowledge into a profitable online business.
Are you ready to start selling your course? Let us know which platform you prefer!
“Stay updated with the latest investing tips and financial insights—subscribe to our newsletter today and never miss an update!”