Top 10 Tools to Create and Host Your Online Course in 2025
The world of online courses keeps evolving. In 2025, creators, coaches, and educators want simplicity, speed, and affordability. The best tools today are those that help you launch quickly, deliver value, and actually make money without burning hours or dollars on setup.
Here’s a breakdown of the top 10 tools to create and host your course in 2025. We ranked them based on ease of use, features, flexibility, and value for money.
1. Cajobo
Cajobo is hands down the easiest and most affordable way to turn your Notion content into a sellable course.
If you already use Notion to plan or build your course, Cajobo lets you monetize it without ever leaving the tool. Paste your Notion link into Cajobo, set a price, and share your product. That’s it.
Why it’s number one:
Use the tool you already love (Notion)
Set up in minutes
Automatically manage payments and access
Only verified buyers can view your course
No tech skills or course builders required
Track access and performance with built-in analytics
Way cheaper than most traditional platforms
Whether you’re launching your first course or looking for a leaner setup, Cajobo keeps everything clean and simple.
2. Kajabi
Kajabi is still one of the biggest names in the space. It’s packed with features: websites, funnels, email marketing, courses, and automation. But in 2025, many creators feel it’s overbuilt and overpriced.
The pros:
Powerful course builder
Good for all-in-one marketing and content management
The cons:
Expensive (starts around $120 per month)
Steep learning curve for beginners
Many features go unused for smaller creators
Content creation can feel boxed in and rigid
Kajabi works well for teams or advanced marketers but can feel overwhelming if you’re just trying to sell a simple course.
3. Teachable
Teachable is one of the more accessible platforms. It’s easy to set up and good for straightforward video or lesson-based courses.
Pros:
Beginner-friendly
Clean course layout
Built-in payment processor
Cons:
Limited customization without higher plans
No advanced community or membership tools
Still more expensive than Notion-based alternatives
Great for video-first courses but not ideal for creators using Notion or offering flexible learning experiences.
4. Thinkific
Thinkific is similar to Teachable but includes more flexibility for course structure and custom pages.
Pros:
Strong course builder
Free plan available
Community and quiz features
Cons:
Interface can feel outdated
Takes time to learn
Locked features behind high pricing tiers
Thinkific is solid but not the fastest way to go live if you want to test a small product or MVP.
5. Gumroad
Gumroad started as a way to sell digital downloads but has grown into a platform for selling memberships and courses.
Pros:
Simple checkout experience
Free to start (with transaction fees)
Ideal for pre-selling or MVPs
Cons:
Not made for structured course content
No access control for Notion pages unless you do it manually
Lacks native course or lesson builder
Use Gumroad for selling templates or downloads, but not for a full course delivery experience.
6. Podia
Podia is an all-in-one platform similar to Kajabi but a bit more affordable and simpler.
Pros:
Email, sales pages, and courses in one place
Easy to use
Cons:
Still more expensive than lean alternatives
Not ideal if you want to use Notion for delivery
A good Kajabi alternative, but still more than most need.
7. Tally + Notion + Stripe (DIY Stack)
For creators who love duct-taping tools together, the Tally + Notion + Stripe combo works. Use Tally for forms, Notion for content, and Stripe for payments.
Pros:
100 percent customizable
Free or cheap
Cons:
Manual access management
No analytics or user tracking unless you build it yourself
Time-consuming setup
It’s flexible but clunky unless you love building systems.
8. Circle.so
Circle is best known for community building, but it also lets you host courses inside your community hub.
Pros:
Blends learning and community
Good for cohort-based courses
Cons:
Pricing starts high
Course builder is basic
Not ideal for solo creators with a small audience
If you want to create an interactive learning experience with community features, Circle is worth exploring.
9. Skool
Skool is another rising tool for combining community and course content. It’s super simple and mobile-first.
Pros:
Simple layout
Built-in gamification and engagement tools
Good for creators running coaching groups
Cons:
Monthly fee starts around $99
Limited customization
Not ideal for standalone digital courses
Best for creators focused on community-first course models.
10. Lemon Squeezy
Lemon Squeezy is a digital commerce tool that supports selling digital products and managing subscriptions. It has recently added some content delivery features.
Pros:
Easy digital product setup
Great checkout experience
Handles taxes automatically
Cons:
Not designed for structured course delivery
No built-in LMS features
Not connected to Notion
Good for selling access or downloads, but not a true course platform.
Final Thoughts
If you're a modern creator in 2025, simplicity and speed matter. Cajobo + Notion is the most flexible, fast, and affordable stack to launch and grow your course business without overthinking it.
While other tools may offer depth, they often come with high costs and complexity. Cajobo helps you focus on what really matters: sharing your knowledge, selling your product, and keeping your course in the tool you already use.
If you're ready to launch smarter and sell directly from Notion, try Cajobo for free. 💜