The Best Online Course Platforms in 2024 - Thinkific
LearnWorlds is an all-in-one online learning platform that delivers high-tech white-label services to a general audience. Course creators can ...
online learning platforms
So, you may be wondering what exactly an online course platform consists of? With an array of different online platforms out there – from online teaching platforms, <anchor>online learning platforms</anchor>, learning management systems (LMSs), and online training platforms – it can be easy to get these mixed up. An online course platform is essential to selling your knowledge online, and it’s a browser-based site that assists you with these key elements:
The Top 10 Online Learning Platforms for 2024
Internet Explorer doesn’t work well with our website. We recommend using a different browser like Google Chrome.

Online learning student watching a lesson on their laptop

## Create Your Course

# The Top 10 Online Learning Platforms for 2024

by Stephanie Trovato on August 28, 2024
15 min read

#### Share this article

[](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=The Top 10 Online Learning Platforms for 2024+https://www.thinkific.com/blog/online-learning-platforms/) [](javascript: void(0);) [](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.thinkific.com/blog/online-learning-platforms/&title=The Top 10 Online Learning Platforms for 2024&summary=The Top 10 Online Learning Platforms for 2024&source=The Top 10 Online Learning Platforms for 2024)

There are a lot of online learning platforms out there, so how do you choose? Start by exploring these top picks!

There are a lot of online learning platforms out there, so how do you choose? Start by exploring these top picks!

Online learning platforms are great for helping you set up or teach a course. Often, you can also leverage them to monetize your own content, too!  Creators everywhere are learning how to build an online learning platform so that they can generate new revenue streams.

But, there are a lot of online learning platforms out there, so how do you choose? Start by exploring these top picks!

Skip ahead:

## Quick facts: Top online learning platforms

Platform****Best For****G2 Score****Pricing

Custom course creation4.7/5Free plan available; paid plans start at $149/mo

Accredited certificates & degrees4.5/5Free courses available; paid courses start at $9.99

Professional skill-building4.4/5$39.99/mo or $239.88/yr

Creative skills & projects3.4/5$168/yr or $14/mo

Formal education4.5/5Free classes available; certificates start at $50

Microcredentials & community4.6/5Free courses; credentials $150-$500

Variety & affordability4.5/5Courses from $10 to $200

Coding & web development4.3/5$25/mo or $250/yr

Learning from experts4.5/5$10/mo (billed annually)

Free foundational education4.5/5Free

## What value do online learning platforms bring?

In a paper titled Online Learning Platforms: Reconstructing Modern Higher Education, Zi-Yu Liu, Natalya Lomovtseva and Elena Korobeynikova argue that online learning platforms can change the way higher education works in the future. They said the greatest benefits to this type of tool includes, “ greater freedom of access, lower education prices, the possibility of dividing the content of the e-course into modules, flexibility of education, the ability to keep up with modern pace of life, and the ability to define criteria for assessing knowledge.”

## How to choose the best online learning platform

In general, you should look at structure, course content, community and price when evaluating which online learning platform is best suited for you. This will apply regardless if you’re using it to learn or to monetize your content!

Choosing the right online learning platform will generally mean balancing these four aspects in a way that works best for you.

1. ### Structure of the platform

Course structure is important because it leads to a better learning experience and more effective delivery of professional development programs. As an example, you can probably piece together knowledge on almost any topic through YouTube, but it would lack a structured and progressive environment. This would make it hard for students to learn independently.

2. ### Available course content

Looking at the course content is key to whatever you’re planning to learn or teach. All online degree programs and course materials are somewhat unique in how they approach any given subject. Take web development or programming, for example. There are so many principles, languages and frameworks that you can learn that it can’t simply be covered by individual courses. Some specialization is necessary.

If you’re planning to deliver a course through an online learning platform, it will help to look for ones that offer similar topics already. You can also look for platforms that offer similar set-ups. Free or mini courses attract a much different audience than Bachelor’s degree programs!

3. ### Community support

Community makes the learning process much more fun and effective. When you’re stuck and can ask your peers for help, it reinforces what you’ve just learned with another perspective. Plus, doing something with a cohort of students is much more motivating than going alone.

From the teaching perspective, you can leverage learning communities to empower brainstorming, independent problem-solving, and passion-building for the course topic.

4. ### Pricing

Price is another key factor in selecting course materials that work for you. There are many free courses available but paid ones tend to be more engaging and of higher quality. Some courses offer free trials while others offer refunds if you don’t like it. Some courses give you lifetime unlimited access while others rely on a subscription model or only work for a limited time.

Whether you’re monetizing or purchasing a course, you need to consider the value that the course provides to the student. Is the topic of interest, and does it provide enough content to be worth the pricing model offered?

When you’re selling through an online learning tool, you’ll also want to consider if there are any added costs. Sometimes the cost is accrued per sale, and sometimes it is a monthly fee.

## What’s the difference between online learning platforms and learning management systems?

When you’re researching which online learning platform is right for you, it’s important to know how it differs from other similar solutions such as learning management systems (LMS) and online course websites.

An online learning platform is a user-facing environment where students can learn new skills. In comparison, a learning management system is a back-end solution that provides all the necessary tools to the online learning platform so it can function smoothly. This would provide features like uploading videos, creating quizzes, grading assignments and much more.

Online learning platforms are similar to online course websites. In practice, the difference is that the online learning platforms tend to offer more flexibility than course websites. Online course websites are used for course creation, whereas online learning platforms can encompass all kinds of learning experiences, from short videos to online degrees.

## 10 Best online learning platforms

Now that you know what online learning platforms offer, and have a general idea of what you’re planning to study or teach, you can see which one of these 10 top-notch learning platforms suits you best.

Skip ahead here:

Pros

- Learn to create courses for free
- Flexible, intuitive system to create your own courses
- Plenty of customer support for course creators

Cons

- No library of courses to discover

Pros

- More than 1,500 courses are free
- A variety of subjects, from arts to computer science
- Official certificates recognized by many employers

Cons

- Free courses don’t come with certificates
- Some courses have time limits

Pros

- 17,000+ courses available
- Detailed how-tos for the most popular software
- Easily add new certifications to your LinkedIn profile

Cons

- Need a LinkedIn profile to access learning

Pros

- More than 35,000 courses available
- A mobile app for on-the-go learning
- Learning from “real” people rather than organizations

Cons

- Courses rarely go in-depth
- Instructors may not have professional training

Pros

- A large library of high-quality courses
- Earn a bachelor’s or a master’s degree
- Works with Ivy League schools

Cons

- Not as many courses in creative fields

Pros

- Use credentials toward university degrees
- Supportive community
- Platform powered by AI

Cons

- Courses can be expensive

Pros

- The largest selection of courses
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- No subscription
- No deadlines

Cons

- Some courses can be low quality
- No credits for higher education

Pros

- High-quality progressive courses
- A built-in text editor for assignments
- Affordable

Cons

- Not many options besides programming

Pros

- Celebrity instructors
- High-quality videos and unique content

Cons

- Introductory knowledge in most courses
- No ability to measure progression
- Smaller content creators cannot freely publish courses

Pros

- Free courses
- A variety of topics
- Supports a charity initiative

Cons

- Focused on K-12 students



Start by looking into the most flexible online learning platform of all — Thinkific.

Thinkific is not a gallery of courses, rather it’s one of the best platforms to create learning products and organize a custom learning experience for your team. The flexibility of the platform makes it work great for educating students, training employees, and building product education programs, or anything else you can dream up!

Not sure where to start? Thinkific Academy will teach you how to build with an online learning platform, as well as how to price and market your courses effectively.

Best For: Custom course creation and digital products

G2 Score: 4.7/5

Thinkific Pricing

Thinkific has a free plan that allows you to start building courses right away. Paid plans provide you with access to more engagement, tracking, and monetization features, and start at $149 per month.

For learners, Thinkific’s courses are all priced independently by the course creators using the platform. Take some time to research a topic that you love and you’ll likely find a bunch of free courses, too!

“ It was just so easy. I decided to stick with it, and I have never had any problems. If I’d known that platforms like Thinkific were available to me, I think I could have handled it better on my own from the beginning.” — Amanda Schonberg

Pros

Cons

No library of courses to discover

### 

Coursera partners with top universities like Stanford and Yale, offering certificates and degrees recognized by employers. Whether you want to boost your career or explore a new subject, Coursera has thousands of courses to choose from.

Best For: Accredited certificates and degrees

G2 Score: 4.5/5

Coursera Pricing

Lots of courses are available for free. Paid courses start at $9.99, with certificate-level courses beginning at $39, and university courses at $2,000. You can also choose to pay $59 a month or a $399 annual fee to unlock all the courses on Coursera. However, the monthly or yearly subscriptions do not include university degrees or MasterTrack certificates.

“Being a mother — especially a working mother means I’m constantly trying to juggle my schedule, my kids’ schedules, and work. I am very grateful for the flexible and remote learning programs that Coursera has to offer.” — Kenia R.

Pros

More than 1,500 courses are free

A variety of subjects, from arts to computer science

Official certificates recognized by many employers

Cons

Free courses don’t come with certificates

Some courses have time limits

Related:



LinkedIn Learning is ideal for professionals looking to develop career-relevant skills. With thousands of courses on business, tech, and creativity, it’s easy to add certifications directly to your LinkedIn profile.

Best For: Professional skill-building

G2 Score: 4.4/5

LinkedIn Learning Pricing

Individual courses vary between $20 and $50. LinkedIn Learning costs $39.99 for a monthly subscription, and $239.88 for an annual plan (which is a 50% savings!) These plans also give you access to LinkedIn Premium, with advanced networking and career-building tools.

Bulk pricing is also available for companies or educational institutions who want to offer the platform to their organization.

“Step by step, we’re leveraging LinkedIn Learning to exchange knowledge and create a more open learning culture,” said Stefanie. “We’re changing the learning mindset to teach our coworkers how they can use LinkedIn Learning to build up their skills and grow their careers.” — Stefanie Reich

Pros

17,000+ courses available

Detailed how-tos for the most popular software

Easily add new certifications to your LinkedIn profile

Cons

Need a LinkedIn profile to access learning



Skillshare is great for learning creative skills in a flexible, accessible way. Most courses are project-based and led by real-world creatives, making it a favorite for artists, designers, and makers.

Best For: Creative skills and projects

G2 Score: 3.4/5

SkillShare Pricing

The pricing seems to depend on the country where you reside. However, on average, you can expect to pay $168 per year, or $14 per month.

“I absolutely love Skillshare! There are a huge range of subjects to choose from with different levels usually available. The rating system is terrific for picking teachers. I’ve also never had a bad teacher—of the classes I’ve taken, the teachers have all been wonderful. Can’t recommend Skillshare enough!” — Elizapainter

Pros

More than 35,000 courses

A mobile app for on-the-go learning

Learning from “real” people rather than organizations

Cons

Courses rarely go in-depth

Instructors may not have professional training



edX offers courses from top universities like Harvard and MIT. It’s perfect for learners who want formal education without the high cost of in-person programs. Most courses are STEM-focused but there are options across various subjects.

Best For: Formal education

G2 Score: 4.5/5

edX Pricing

Free classes do not offer certificates. Courses that come with certificates cost between $50 and $300. Full degree programs combine multiple courses and are usually $1,000 or higher.

“edX has a wide range of courses that are easy to follow and genuinely useful. I just finished a course in Project Management, and it’s already making a difference at work.” — Louise

Pros

A large library of high-quality courses

Earn a bachelor’s or a master’s degree

Many courses in the sciences

Works with globally ranked universities

More affordable to get a degree than in-person options

Cons

Not as many courses in creative fields



OpenLearning is a community-focused platform that emphasizes collaboration and interaction. It’s especially popular in Australia and offers microcredentials that can be applied toward university degrees.

Best For: Microcredentials and community learning

G2 Score: 4.6/5

OpenLearning Pricing

Free courses available; microcredential courses $150-$500. Course creation starts at $900/year.

“The taster team at CSU has had unbelievable support from the OpenLearning team. Whether it involved suggesting ways to improve our search results, creating a results-oriented marketing campaign, developing creative and clean online modules, responding to any technical requests, or providing input and feedback into a myriad of questions, OpenLearning has been there for us.” — Professor Valerie Peachey

Pros****Cons

- Use microcredentials toward university degrees

- Supportive community

- Leverages AI technology

- Courses can be expensive



Udemy has the widest selection of courses, covering everything from personal development to professional skills. You pay per course, making it easy to pick and choose what you need.

Best For: Variety and affordability

G2 Score: 4.5/5

Udemy Pricing

Each course on Udemy is sold separately, from as little as $10 and up to $200. Udemy subscriptions are not available to all students. Hence, you may have to shell out on individual courses if you are looking for premium learning. Note that only a selection of 10,500 courses from the full catalog are provided to subscribers on the Personal Plan.

“The beauty of Udemy is that anyone, anywhere with an internet connection can learn from the world’s experts. Most courses are taught on demand, meaning you can take them at your own pace, and every course includes a discussion board where you can interact with the instructor and your fellow students. The best part is that most courses are free(!)… and even the paid courses cost far less than what you’d pay at a local college or university.” — Udemy Reviews, edshelf

Pros

The largest selection of courses

30-day money-back guarantee

No subscription

No deadlines

Cons

Some courses can be low quality (minimal vetting process done by Udemy for instructors)

No credits for higher education

Related:



Treehouse is an interactive platform for learning to code. Courses are organized into tracks, offering structured learning in topics like front-end development, cybersecurity, and app development.

Best For: Coding and web development

G2 Score: 4.3/5

Treehouse Pricing

Treehouse charges $25 per month for regular memberships, or $250 for the annual plan (which essentially gives you two free months). If you want a certificate, however, there are even more structured Techdegree programs starting at $49 per month.

“Treehouse has such a variety of learning, and the easy-to-follow videos, challenges, and practices are fantastic. The community is amazing, especially in the Techdegrees.” — Claire Tregunna

Pros

High-quality progressive courses

A handy text editor built right in

Cons

Not many options besides programming



MasterClass features top professionals like Gordon Ramsay and Martin Scorsese, offering insight into their crafts. The platform is perfect if you want to learn directly from industry leaders.

Best For: Learning from experts

G2 Score: 4.5/5

MasterClass Pricing

Billed annually, MasterClass costs $10 per month on an Individual plan, $20 for Duo (which allows access on 2 devices) and $23 for Family (up to 6 devices).

“Masterclass is amazing! The instructors are top experts, and the lessons are both inspiring and practical. The platform is user-friendly, and the video lessons are so engaging. I really can’t fault Masterclass!” — Jasmine

Pros

Celebrity instructors

High-quality videos and unique content

Introductory knowledge in most courses

Cons

No ability to measure progression

Smaller content creators cannot freely publish courses



Khan Academy offers free courses primarily focused on K-12 subjects like math, science, and economics. It’s a valuable resource for students, parents, and lifelong learners.

Best For: Free foundational education

G2 Score: 4.5/5

Khan Academy Pricing

Absolutely free! Khan Academy is a non-profit.

“Fantastic resource for all! I’m so very impressed with the extensive content available to everyone, for free, via Khan Academy. What a gift!” — Caroline Williams

Pros

Free courses

A variety of topics

Gamified learning experience

Cons

More focused on K-12 students

## How to monetize your own content on online learning platforms

There are so many online learning platforms and so much to learn on almost any subject imaginable. The best thing is that once you acquire enough knowledge, you can start monetizing it as well through your own courses in your own unique way. All you need is the platform to do it!

As you build your course, a few tips to keep in mind are:

- Reflect on the skills you currently have
- Consider what other people want to learn
- Figure out the best structure for your course
- Determine how to price your course
- Consider how you’ll market your course
- Get feedback from your students about what they like or don’t like
- Continually optimize and refresh your content over time

## Start building an online learning platform with Thinkific

Thinkific is an intuitive and easy-to-use course-creation solution that enables you to build and sell courses of any complexity. No coding skills required — just use a professionally designed template and customize it to your liking using a drag-and-drop editor. As a result, you can create a course in an hour and monetize it for years to come.

This blog was originally published in February 2024, it’s since been updated in August 2024 to include the most relevant information.

#### Share this article

[](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=The Top 10 Online Learning Platforms for 2024+https://www.thinkific.com/blog/online-learning-platforms/) [](javascript: void(0);) [](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.thinkific.com/blog/online-learning-platforms/&title=The Top 10 Online Learning Platforms for 2024&summary=The Top 10 Online Learning Platforms for 2024&source=The Top 10 Online Learning Platforms for 2024)

author profile picture

Stephanie Trovato

Stephanie is a content marketing expert with a passion for connecting the dots of strategy and content. She has worked with industry leaders including HubSpot, Oracle, Travel + Leisure, and Forbes.

Most Popular

## Related Articles



## Why is Activating Prior Knowledge Important For Learning

Taking your students prior knowledge into account when designing online courses is integral to success. Learn how here.

## How Deanne Love Built an Online Course Business Teaching Hoop Dancing

The inspiring story of how Thinkific customer Deanne Love from Hooplovers built a successful online course business teaching hoop dancing.



## The 14 Best Influencer Marketing Courses

Discover the best influencer marketing courses designed to boost your expertise and expand your digital reach effectively—great for every skill level.

Most Popular

### Try Thinkific for yourself!

## Accomplish your course creation and student success goals faster with Thinkific.

Please enter a valid email

Get Started Free

Start free. No credit card required.



Thinkific logo icon

Copyright ©
Thinkific 2024



Download this guide and start building your online program!

Thank you!

It is on its way to your inbox

Download the guide