DataCamp

If you mean platforms to create/host/sell your own online course, these are the brands people actually use most:

Best online course platforms for creators

My quick picks

• Best overall for most creators: Thinkific
• Best for beginners: Teachable
• Best all-in-one business platform: Kajabi
• Best simple low-fuss creator platform: Podia
• Best for professional/interactive training: LearnWorlds
• Best if you need a built-in audience: Udemy
• Best community-first option: Skool or Circle

If you mean platforms to take courses

One important 2026 update: Coursera and Udemy combined as one company on May 11, 2026, but they said the Coursera and Udemy learning experiences would remain separate initially. Together, they reported 290M+ learners, 18,000 enterprise customers, and 95,000 content creators. (about.udemy.com)

Bottom line:
If you’re selling your own course, start with Thinkific, Teachable, or Kajabi. If you’re buying/taking courses, start with Coursera, Udemy, edX, or LinkedIn Learning.

The top online course platforms that people actually use fall into two main categories: marketplaces for taking courses (with massive user bases like Coursera and Udemy) and tools for creating/selling your own courses (popular among independent creators). Popularity is driven by enrollment numbers, reviews, and real-world adoption as of 2025–2026 data.

Top Platforms for Taking Courses (Learners)

These are the most widely used based on registered users/learners and frequent mentions in comparisons:

• Coursera — Best overall for career-focused learning and credentials. It partners with 300+ universities and companies (e.g., Stanford, Google, IBM) for courses, specializations, professional certificates, and even degrees. Coursera Plus subscription unlocks thousands of courses; certificates carry real weight with employers. It has one of the largest user bases (~148–197 million registered learners). Strong for structured paths and recognized credentials.

• Udemy — Best value and widest selection. It offers 200,000+ courses on nearly any topic (tech, business, creative skills, etc.), often priced $10–20 on frequent sales with lifetime access. Huge variety from independent instructors; great for quick, practical skill-building. Tens of millions of users; acquired by Coursera in 2026 but platforms remain distinct for now.

• edX — Strong for university-level and academic content. Founded by MIT and Harvard; offers courses, MicroMasters, and verified certificates from top institutions. Good free audit options and professional programs. Tens of millions of learners.

• Skillshare — Popular for creative skills (design, photography, illustration, writing). Subscription model with project-based classes; community-oriented. Millions of members.

• LinkedIn Learning — Excellent for professional development and soft/business skills. Integrated with LinkedIn profiles; certificates add to your resume. Subscription or often included with LinkedIn Premium. Strong corporate/enterprise use.

• Others frequently used: MasterClass (high-production classes from experts/celebrities, subscription); Khan Academy (free foundational/K-12 content, massive reach); Pluralsight or DataCamp (tech/data science specialists); Alison (free courses with paid certificates, 50M+ learners).

Key trends: Coursera and Udemy dominate by scale. Many platforms offer free/preview access or trials; paid options unlock certificates or full libraries. Completion rates are generally low industry-wide (~10–15%), so choose based on your goals (credentials vs. quick skills).

Top Platforms for Creating and Selling Courses (Creators)

If you're an instructor or entrepreneur building/selling courses, these are the most recommended and used (based on creator reviews, market share mentions, and features like hosting, payments, and marketing):

• Thinkific — Frequently tops lists for first-time or established creators. User-friendly with strong customization, no transaction fees on higher plans, community features, and marketing tools. Affordable starting around $40/month.

• Kajabi — All-in-one powerhouse for serious businesses (courses + email marketing + funnels + community). Ideal if you want to replace multiple tools, but pricier (starts ~$70–179/month after recent increases). Popular for automation and scaling.

• Teachable — Beginner-friendly with solid marketing/affiliate tools and payment processing. Good for solopreneurs; plans from ~$29/month.

• Podia — Simple all-in-one for courses, memberships, emails, and digital products. No transaction fees on paid plans; affordable (~$33–42/month). Great for creators selling a mix of offerings.

• Others commonly used: Systeme.io (strong free tier for beginners); LearnWorlds (advanced interactivity and branding); Mighty Networks or Circle (community-focused).

Note on creation platforms: These often emphasize no/low transaction fees, branding control, and integrations vs. marketplaces like Udemy (which provide built-in audience but take a revenue share and limit pricing control).

Quick Recommendations by Use Case

• Career credentials/structured learning — Coursera or edX.
• Affordable, broad skills — Udemy.
• Creative/hobby projects — Skillshare or MasterClass.
• Building/selling your own courses — Start with Thinkific (budget/customization) or Kajabi (all-in-one scale).
• Free options — Khan Academy, Alison, or free tiers on the above.

"Best" is subjective and depends on your needs (e.g., budget, topic, credentials vs. flexibility). Check current pricing/trials directly, as they evolve. User reviews consistently praise Coursera/Udemy for accessibility and the creator tools above for ease of use. For the latest specifics, search recent comparisons or platform sites.

Top online learning platforms include Coursera, Udemy, DataCamp, Skillshare, and Maven, each tailored to different learning goals ranging from career credentials to creative skills and live cohort-based learning SkillScouter+2.

1. Coursera

Best for career-focused learners seeking employer-recognized credentials.

Price: $59/month (Coursera Plus) or $399/year Courses: 7,000+ including programs from Harvard, Stanford, Google, IBM, and Meta Strengths: Academic quality, professional certificates recognized by employers, structured multi-course programs, and career tracks in data, AI, marketing, and business. Ideal for: Career changers, professionals adding credentials, and anyone targeting tech or business roles.

2. Udemy

Best for affordable, targeted skill learning.

Price: $10–20 per course (with frequent sales), no subscription required Courses: 210,000+ across nearly every category Strengths: Project-based, practical skills courses; ideal for developers, designers, or learners with a specific goal in mind. Certificates: Completion certificates only; generally not recognized by employers. Ideal for: Budget-conscious learners and those looking to gain a specific skill quickly.

3. DataCamp

Best for data science, AI, and analytics learning.

Price: $25/month (annual plan) Courses: 400+ in Python, R, SQL, machine learning, AI, and Data Analyst/Scientist career tracks Strengths: Hands-on coding exercises in-browser, structured career tracks, skill assessments, certifications gaining recognition in data roles. Ideal for: Aspiring data analysts, data scientists, and professional pivoting into analytics or AI.

4. Skillshare

Best for creative skills and portfolio development.

Price: $14/month (7-day free trial) Courses: 29,000+ in design, photography, writing, video, entrepreneurship, and coding Strengths: Project-based courses, practitioner instructors, community feedback mechanisms Certificates: Not formally recognized; emphasis is on portfolio-building. Ideal for: Designers, illustrators, photographers, creative entrepreneurs, and makers.

5. Maven

Best for live, cohort-based professional learning.

Price: $199–$3,000/course Courses: 500+ in product management, leadership, marketing, AI, and career development Strengths: Live classes, structured multi-week courses, mentorship, networking opportunities with peers and instructors Certificates: Yes, completion recognized within professional communities Ideal for: Professionals seeking interactive, accountability-driven learning over pre-recorded content.

Other Notable Platforms

LinkedIn Learning: Business, leadership, Microsoft Office skills; completion certificates link directly to LinkedIn profiles. MasterClass: High-quality instruction from world-class practitioners; more inspirational than practical skills. edX: Academic-style courses, MicroMasters, and Professional Certificates; ideal for rigorous STEM or business credentials. Brilliant: Math, science, and computer science fundamentals; interactive problem-solving emphasis, not career-focused.

Choosing the Right Platform

Career credentials: Coursera or edX for university-backed certificates Specific, practical skills: Udemy or DataCamp (depending on topic) Creative learning: Skillshare or MasterClass Interactive cohort experience: Maven or live workshops Consider a mixture of platforms depending on your goals: e.g., Coursera for career advancement, Udemy for supplementing technical skills, and Skillshare for creative projects.