Creating an online course in 2025 requires a modern toolbox to meet the advanced demands of today’s learning audiences. With the rapid evolution of technology and the increasing availability of online education, learners expect updated information and highly engaging, interactive, and accessible content.
To stay competitive, course creators need tools that facilitate seamless content development, interactive learning experiences, and smooth delivery across multiple platforms. Check out this list of the top course creation tools to meet these demands and create high-quality courses efficiently.
How to select the best course creation tools
Selecting the best course creation platform depends on your niche and audience preferences. Some key aspects to consider include:
- Budget: Look for tools that offer free features or the opportunity to test them out before fully committing.
- Video needs: Videos upgrade an online course and engage the learner. AI text-to-video tools like HeyGen make creating videos a breeze.
- Translation features: Consider whether you need to reach audiences globally with your courses.
- Audience: View the tools from an audience perspective and recognize which interactive elements and video features make the most sense for them.
Taking these aspects into consideration can help you select the best tool from this list and start generating your next course.
1. HeyGen
Best for: AI-powered video creation
HeyGen is by far the best video creation software for e-Learning. The tool uses AI avatars to quickly generate text-to-video, so you can input your course content, select avatar features and backgrounds, and produce video lectures in minutes. HeyGen also offers a library of customizable e-Learning video templates, helping you quickly structure material during course creation.
Additionally, its unique product placement feature lets you brand your avatars with custom clothing — perfect for reinforcing your e-Learning brand and creating a more immersive experience for learners.
Features
HeyGen’s advanced features stand out against the rest of this list and include:
- AI avatars: Create realistic, customizable, lip-syncing avatars to deliver course content
- Translation: Translate courses into over 170 languages and dialects
- Custom branding: Personalize avatars with branded clothing and backgrounds to reinforce your e-Learning identity
Price
HeyGen’s tiered pricing options include:
- Free: 3 videos per month, up to 3 minutes each
- Creator: $29 per month for unlimited videos up to 5 minutes each
- Team: $89 per month per seat for unlimited videos up to 30 minutes each
- Enterprise: Custom pricing options
2. Udemy
Best for: Selling courses to a large audience
One of Udemy’s biggest advantages is its built-in student base, allowing instructors to gain visibility without having to build an audience from scratch. Through the platform, you can plan your curriculum, upload videos, and launch globally.
The platform also handles payment processing, student enrollment, and course hosting, so you can focus on creating high-quality content. However, the platform lacks built-in video editing tools, so you will need another tool like HeyGen.
Features
Udemy offers several features, including:
- Curriculum builder: Structure your courses with assignments, lectures, and quizzes
- Udemy instructor community: Join a network of instructors to share insights and best practices
- Sales and performance insights: Track student enrollment, engagement, and revenue through analytics dashboards
Price
Udemy is free to create; however, the platform takes a revenue share.
3. Skillshare
Best for: Subscription-based audience
Skillshare is an online learning platform where anyone can create and share courses with a broad audience. Unlike pay-per-course platforms, Skillshare offers learners unlimited access to all courses through a subscription model. This allows instructors to reach a diverse student base across various niches, making it easier to attract engaged learners without relying on individual course sales.
However, you will need to prepare your course externally because Skillshare does not offer built-in course creation tools. The platform focuses on the sales end of the process.
Features
Skillshare offers several features for creators, including:
- Community-driven course promotion: Skillshare subscribers can easily access your course
- Unlimited course hosting: Upload as many courses as you would like and scale your business
- Student engagement tools: Interact with students through discussion boards or project feedback
Price
There is no cost to publish a course, but you must be approved by Skillshare to become a teacher.
4. Kajabi
Best for: Course management
Kajabi allows you to build, market, and sell your course in one central platform. With its built-in marketing tools, you can create automated email campaigns and landing pages to engage your audience. You can also convert social media followers to newsletter subscribers to promote your next course.
While Kajabi utilizes AI to help speed up the writing process and provide course outlines, it does not offer full video creation or AI avatars. You will need to use video creation tools like HeyGen to create fully immersive courses.
Features
Kajabi offers several notable features, including:
- Course creation and hosting: Use a drag-and-drop course builder with customizable lesson structures
- Sales tools: Offers sales funnels to convert leads into customers
- Analytics: Track the success of your courses
Price
Kajabi offers the following pricing options:
- Kickstarter: $89 per month for one product and one community
- Basic: $149 per month for three products
- Growth: $199 per month for 15 products
- Pro: $399 per month for 100 products
5. Thinkific
Best for: Customizable courses
Thinkific allows you to start course creation with a template but maintain full control over customization options. Unlike marketplace platforms, Thinkific lets you design a unique learning experience that aligns with your brand. You can also build a custom landing page to attract and convert students effectively.
The course creation platform also offers built-in marketing and e-commerce tools to drive sales further. You can leverage integration with email marketing, automation, and analytics to optimize your business.
Features
Thinkific offers several features to support course creators, such as:
- Website and branding: Custom domains and branding to match your business
- Course templates: Get started with a template before adding customizations
- App integrations: Help you scale content across other platforms
Price
Thinkific offers four pricing options, including:
- Basic: $49 a month for one community and five digital downloads
- Start: $99 a month for one community and unlimited digital downloads
- Grow: $199 a month for three communities and unlimited digital downloads
- Business: Custom for advanced options
6. LearnWorlds
Best for: Interactive elements
LearnWorlds uses AI to streamline course creation, offering tools like a feedback generator, content editor, and more to enhance the learning experience. The platform also allows you to edit interactive videos that change course based on user answers. This allows learners to enjoy a customized learning experience.
However, while LearnWorlds supports video interactivity and editing, it does not offer direct text-to-video generation like some AI-powered platforms. Creators looking for AI-driven video production may need to integrate third-party tools to enhance their course content.
Features
LearnWorld’s provides several key features, such as:
- AI tools: Generate quizzes, emails, and learner feedback with AI assistance
- Website builder: Create a website to promote your course
- Assessment builder: Build personalized exams and self-assessments
Price
LearnWorld offers various pricing options:
- Starter: $29 per month with $5 transaction fees per course enrollment
- Pro trainer: $99 per month with no transaction fees
- Learning center: $299 per month with no transaction fees and growth tools
- High volume and corporate: Custom pricing options
7. Coursera
Best for: Creating certified, accredited courses
Coursera is the ideal course creation software for educators and university course creators. The platform allows you to collaborate with universities and organizations to create certified courses so students can earn course credits.
Additionally, Coursera for Business and Coursera for Government provide tailored training solutions for workforce development and professional upskilling. The platform also offers AI-powered tools to customize the learning experience, offering adaptive course recommendations, real-time feedback, and automated assessments.
Features
Coursera offers several features, including:
- University and industry partnerships: Create accredited courses in collaboration with universities
- AI-powered learning: Create customized courses and use AI to help you grade student assignments
- Interactive course elements: Enhance learning with quizzes, peer-reviewed assignments, discussion forums, and real-world projects
Price
Coursera offers pricing options for businesses, individuals, universities, and government entities. The pricing for businesses includes:
- Team: $399 per year per user for 5-125 users
- Enterprise: Customized pricing for 125+ users
8. Teachable
Best for: User-friendly course creation
Teachable offers an AI course starter to help you create your curriculum, lesson content, and sales page. You can then use a drag-and-drop builder to add videos, audio, and personal branding. The platform is user-friendly and makes it easy to get started quickly.
The platform also offers advanced data reporting and business management features so you can track success. Additionally, Teachable supports coaching services, digital downloads, and subscription-based courses.
Features
Teachable offers several important features to support course creators:
- AI course starter: Use AI to get you started and add branding and customizations later
- Course pricing calculator: Determine the ideal price for your course with Teachable’s guide
- Integrations: Connect with third-party integrations to market your course
Price
Teachable offers four pricing tiers, including:
- Basic: $59 a month for five published products
- Pro: $159 a month for 50 published products
- Pro+: $249 a month for 200 courses
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
9. Podia
Best for: Digital downloads
Podia is a creation platform that allows entrepreneurs to sell online courses, memberships, and digital downloads like eBooks, templates, and guides. This makes it an excellent option for creators who want to monetize various types of digital content while growing their audience.
You can also upload resources like PDFs and videos into any course and customize modules and lessons to fit your audience. Use a high-quality video creator like HeyGen to ensure your resources match the quality of your course.
Features
Podia offers several course-related features, such as:
- Built-in discussion forums: Foster community and collaboration with learners
- Digital downloads: Create spreadsheets, worksheets, and more to boost sales
- Marketing tools: Automate emails and generate leads with Podia’s built-in marketing features
Price
Podia offers several plans, including:
- Mover: $39 per month with a 5% transaction fee
- Shaker: $89 per month for no transaction fees
- Email: Free for 100 subscribers
10. Mighty Networks
Best for: Creating community
After the initial creation process, Mighty Networks focuses on creating a strong community around your online course. The platform offers features like chat, live streaming, and setting up live events. This allows you to grow your audience and generate meaningful leads.
Additionally, Mighty Networks provides AI-enhanced course creation tools, but they are more limited compared to other AI-driven platforms. While it streamlines some content creation aspects, it doesn’t offer AI-powered video generation, auto-grading, or interactive assessments.
Features
Mighty Networks offers several unique features, including:
- People Magic AI: Use AI to bring members together based on similarities
- Drip courses: This allows you to create timed or sequential unlock throughout your courses
- Events: Create and promote in-person or virtual events to foster collaboration
Price
Mighty Networks offers four pricing plans:
- Community: $49 per month for features like events and polls
- Course: $119 per month for features like courses and challenges
- Business: $219 per month for features like SSO and auto-generated polls
- Path to pro: $ $430 per month for features like space banners and advanced automations
How to create an online course
Creating an online course will vary depending on the tool, but the basic flow remains the same.
The key steps to creating an online course include:
- Select and validate your course idea
Before diving into content creation, identify a profitable course topic that aligns with your expertise and market demand. Conduct surveys, analyze competitor courses, and research trending topics to ensure your course has an audience. - Define objectives and research content
Clearly outline what students will learn and define measurable learning objectives. Gather relevant research, case studies, and resources to build a course that provides actionable value to your audience. - Design your course structure
Organize your content into a structured learning path with modules and lessons. Many platforms offer pre-built course templates to streamline this process. HeyGen’s online course templates can also help structure video-based courses efficiently. - Create and produce course materials
Develop engaging course materials, like videos, slides, PDFs, and quizzes. HeyGen’s AI-powered avatars can help quickly generate professional-looking video lectures without needing extensive production time. - Launch and market your course
Once your course is ready, set up pricing, sales pages, and promotional strategies. Use email marketing, social media, and SEO to drive traffic and boost sales.
Streamline course creation with HeyGen’s text-to-video feature
Online course creation can be a time-consuming process when done manually. However, HeyGen makes it easy to generate e-Learning videos using AI avatars. Simply upload a script, select an avatar, choose from over 170 languages and dialects, and generate your course video.
The tool also offers product placement features, so you could, for example, create a digital twin of yourself wearing a branded shirt. This allows you to reinforce brand identity throughout your course content, making your lessons more professional and visually cohesive.
Sign up for HeyGen and start upgrading your online course videos.
