Jon Stojan
Dragos Condrea / Getty Images
Traditional online course creation platforms have long been the go-to for educators and entrepreneurs aiming to share knowledge and expertise. However, as the digital education landscape evolves, these platforms are increasingly showing their age.
One significant pitfall is their often rigid and outdated user interfaces, which can stifle creativity and make course creation a cumbersome process. Many platforms rely heavily on templates and preset structures that limit customization and fail to accommodate diverse teaching styles and learning preferences.
To address these shortcomings, the online course creation landscape needs a reimagining. New platforms must prioritize flexibility and customization, allowing educators to design courses that align with their unique teaching methods and learner needs. This is why these six platforms are reimagining how the world of online course creation should evolve.
KwaKwa
KwaKwa is revolutionizing the online course landscape for content creators with its intuitive platform designed to streamline course creation and monetization. Unlike traditional e-learning platforms, KwaKwa features a social media-like interface that makes it easy for creators to develop engaging content. The platform’s unique design incorporates micro-learning and social media formats, with course chapters presented as stories and the overall flow modeled after reel UIs, catering to modern consumption habits.
With an impressive average course completion rate of over 70%, KwaKwa stands out by offering a user-friendly experience that maximizes both creator engagement and revenue retention, with creators keeping 90% of their earnings. This approach not only simplifies content delivery but also aligns closely with the ways people naturally interact with digital media, making KwaKwa a standout tool for content creators looking to effectively reach and monetize their audiences.
Mighty Networks
Mighty Networks is a platform for creating and managing online courses with a focus on community-building. Its strong focus on community features is not necessarily ideal for those looking for a straightforward, content-first course platform. It includes a native course builder for developing content and monetizing it through individual sales or subscription memberships.
The platform supports community features, including personalized content recommendations via its Mighty Effect™ technology, rich member profiles, live events, and interactive tools like direct messaging and live streaming. The complexity and breadth of its features can be overwhelming for beginners, and its pricing can be on the higher side compared to more streamlined course platforms. Nevertheless, it also supports unlimited membership growth despite requiring significant time and resources, and includes an Ambassador program for referral incentives.
Xperiencify
Xperiencify focuses on gamification to enhance student engagement and boost completion rates through its online course platform. It integrates elements like badges, leaderboards, and challenges into courses, making the learning experience more interactive. The platform also offers tools for course creation and hosting, supports multimedia content, and encourages social learning through group activities and discussions. Branding and website design are customizable, allowing creators to tailor the educational environment.
However, Xperiencify’s focus on gamification may not appeal to everyone, as some learners and educators might find these features distracting or unnecessary. Additionally, Xperiencify is not as budget-friendly as some other platforms, which could be a consideration for those seeking a more cost-effective solution.
Kartra
Kartra is an all-in-one marketing platform designed to streamline the creation and sale of online courses while managing various facets of an online business. In addition to course creation and delivery, Kartra includes features like email marketing automation, sales funnels, and membership site capabilities. The platform also offers tools for affiliate management, analytics, and reporting, providing businesses with the resources to manage course content and customer relationships in one system.
Despite its extensive feature set, Kartra’s all-in-one approach can be overwhelming, particularly for users who may only need specific functionalities. Its pricing can also be a deterrent for smaller businesses or individual creators, as the platform is more expensive compared to specialized tools that focus solely on course creation or marketing.
CreativeLive
CreativeLive offers a vast library of over 2,000 courses focused on creativity and personal development in its online course platform. Topics include photography, videography, drawing, graphic design, crafts, entrepreneurship, and finance. Courses are available for individual purchase or through a monthly subscription that provides access to additional features like course downloads, offline viewing, goal setting, and progress tracking.
While CreativeLive provides a diverse range of content, it may not be the best fit for those seeking highly specialized or advanced courses in niche fields. Additionally, the subscription model, while offering extensive access, might not be cost-effective for users interested in only a few specific courses. The platform’s large course library can also be overwhelming, making it difficult for learners to navigate and select the most relevant content for their needs.
EzyCourse
EzyCourse is an all-in-one online course platform designed to simplify course creation while offering extensive features for building communities and monetizing content. It supports multiple revenue streams, including digital and physical products, live events, and appointments. EzyCourse includes community features that allow for the creation of Facebook-like spaces, and a customizable Site Builder for tailored online experiences. The platform also offers a mobile app for course access and features like live lessons, gamification, quizzes, and detailed analytics.
EzyCourse’s broad feature set may not be necessary for all users, particularly those who are solely focused on course creation and delivery. Additionally, the customization options, while extensive, could pose a challenge for users without design or technical expertise. Despite its affordability, the platform’s array of features could be overwhelming for beginners or those with more straightforward course creation needs.