Best Online Course Marketplace Site To Sell Your Course 

Udemy is the biggest name in the industry so it had to be mentioned in this list.

The whole process of creating your course there is fairly straightforward and simple.

They give you plenty of guidelines and tips to maximize your chances of getting found.

We also really like the tools they give you, so for instance you can estimate the demand for a certain topic based on Udemy’s data and your earning potential:

This can be really useful to have a real understanding of the competition and interest in certain niches as well. Whether that’s on Udemy or to create outside of it.

The platform has some really strict guidelines however on not allowing you to self promote or trying to take students away from Udemy.

So if your strategy is to funnel people to your own website, be aware and do it at your own risk.

Although there are many 6 figure earners on Udemy, it’s interesting to know that the average instructor makes about $3,000 per year.

This gives you a perspective on realistic expectations you should have on such marketplaces.

Udemy is the best way to reach a wide market of people looking for online courses in any industry.

The simple math of a large market makes Udemy the highest payer of instructors in the niche.

Udemy is also probably the marketplace that spends the most money on promotion (for itself) since it’s also the biggest player. This means more indirect marketing to you and your program on the platform.

CONS

Udemy is a mass market platform. It appeals to any industry and any student’s profile. The quality of the audience might be lower than a specialized marketplace.

The best way to take advantage of Udemy’s large audience is to opt into their marketing program. Which also means you give them the right to discount your course when they run a site-wide promotion.

Being the most popular marketplace means that you’ll be rubbing shoulders with a lot of top instructors from all levels.

If you’re within their target market, Skillshare can be more interesting than Udemy. More specialized and less saturated for example, the quality of students will also be better overall.

But keep in mind that the commission structure will encourage the most watch time which doesn’t always mean creating the best content.

It can also mean more variability in revenue - old courses might have less watch time.

This may result in incentivizing you in having to keep creating new classes.

PROS

If you’re in that niche then everything becomes a lot easier when you know that your people constitute the most of Skillshare. Better quality students, better reviews, more focused content.

With the platform already having so many paying subscribers, all you need to do is get them to watch your class. It’s not about competing on price but on content quality and packaging.

Once you’ve passed the threshold and made your way into the royalty pool, the on-going effort is a lot lower.

CONS

Because revenue is mostly based on watch time, it can vary from period to period. Also if you don’t pass the minimum 75min of watch time, you won’t have access to the royalty pool.

Since there is no setting your online course price, you give up a lot of control on Skillshare. You also have limited information about how they will promote and push your specific classes.

There’s a lot more guidelines to follow for your classes to be accepted on Skillshare than other platforms. For example every class needs to include a hands-on project.

 This platform isn’t for everyone — it’s highly selective. However, once you’re in, it’s worth it.

LinkedIn usually offers an upfront payment (reportedly between $1,000 and $5,000), making it a safer investment of your time. 

Before you get excited, make sure you understand the application process and assess your realistic chances of getting accepted.

PROS

Getting paid upfront provides peace of mind and a clear return on your time investment.

 LinkedIn is well-established, and being an official instructor enhances your brand.

LinkedIn offers hands-on assistance to help you create high-quality content.

CONS

Acceptance is the hardest part — LinkedIn is very particular about its instructors.

LinkedIn Learning is more of a "set it and forget it" platform, with limited community-building opportunities.

Content must stay professional. If your style is more casual or quirky, this may not be the right fit.

Coursera isn’t an open marketplace for indie creators. While the platform covers diverse topics, you’ll need academic credentials or organizational backing to participate. 

If you do qualify, Coursera’s revenue model is attractive and can be worthwhile.

PROS

Coursera attracts serious professionals seeking practical, high-level skills.

Being listed alongside top universities and companies boosts your reputation.

Courses can range from short modules to full degrees, with certification options.

CONS

Requires institutional backing and resources.

Pricing varies widely and depends on multiple factors.

Many of the same points as Coursera apply. The biggest challenge is simply qualifying to teach here — unless you’re backed by a top university or recognized organization, access is limited. 

There may be exceptions for highly specialized or emerging topics.

PROS

Institutions can use the Open edX software for self-hosted solutions.

EdX offers significant support for planning, production, and marketing.

Being featured alongside prestigious institutions elevates your profile.

CONS

You’ll need substantial backing and resources.

Some variability exists across courses, with outdated materials in some cases.

 If you’re in tech, Udacity is a solid option. The fixed contract provides income certainty, which is great if you want to minimize risk. 

It’s also slightly more niche than Pluralsight.

PROS

Fixed fees give you clear, predictable income.

You can earn additional income by participating in Udacity’s mentorship program.

Udacity helps creators through every stage of course development.

CONS

Flat fees cap your upside potential.

You’ll need to stick to Udacity’s approved tech subjects.

 This is another platform that will be challenging to access if you’re not affiliated with a university.

It’s also important to note that the curriculum needs to be academic and structured like a university program. 

FutureLearn emphasizes social learning and soft skills development.

PROS

A great platform to share academic research with a broad audience.

Courses can help attract students to the institution’s own degree programs.

Access to the FutureLearn Academic Network (FLAN) provides valuable peer interaction.

CONS

Primarily reserved for established institutions that meet strict quality standards.

Specific financial terms are not publicly detailed.

Alison may not be the best fit for many instructors.

There’s a rigorous approval process, and since monetization depends on ads and certificate sales, ROI can be unpredictable. 

However, it could be a good option for visibility if you’re offering a free course.

PROS

Potential to reach over 45 million learners globally.

An opportunity to establish expertise and grow your audience.

Open to experts who complete Alison’s training and testing requirements.

CONS

Earnings depend on ad revenue and optional certificate purchases.

Alison requires adherence to specific guidelines around course structure and content quality.

Free courses may be perceived as lower quality compared to paid platforms.

 Kajabi is one of the most popular choices for creators who want full ownership.

It’s not a hands-off experience like a marketplace, but you have total control over your business. 

It’s ideal for creators committed to building their audience and growing their business long term.

PROS

Combines email marketing, website building, funnel management, course hosting, and more in one platform.

You control pricing, structure, layout, and you own your student data for future marketing.

Kajabi doesn’t take a cut of your sales — just the flat monthly fee.

CONS

You’re entirely responsible for attracting students.

With so many features, there’s a steeper learning curve to get fully up and running.

 Pluralsight’s key difference from Udacity is its payment model.

Rather than a fixed fee, it uses a royalty-based system where you share in platform revenue based on watch time. 

While this means no guaranteed income, it opens the door for higher earnings if your courses perform well.

PROS

Popular courses can generate significant long-term royalties.

Includes individual tech professionals and large corporate clients.

Pluralsight maintains high standards through a selective author vetting process.

CONS

Requires proven expertise and strong teaching skills to be accepted.

Earnings fluctuate based on viewership and platform revenue.

Tech evolves rapidly, so courses can become outdated if not regularly updated.