28 Unusual Alternative E-Learning E-Course Platforms (Plus the 25 Best Popular Platforms Too!)

There’s Online Money to Make When You Teach What You Already Know on the 32 Best E-Course Platforms

Everyone knows something that others want to learn. When you make your knowledge available using one of the 32 Best E-Course Platforms and Tools, others will pay to learn what you teach. And they’ll pay it over and over and over again.

E-courses and E-learning are favorite Online Money to Make strategies because it is residual income at its finest. You can create a course once, and collect the money from the knowledge contained in it forever. That’s the Internet money-making dream! Others dream about it. This article will show you 32 ways to make Online E-Course Money a reality.

E-Course and E-Learning Is a Multi-billion Opportunity and Growing Bigger

According to ElearningStats.education, global e-learning will be a $185.20 billion global industry in 2024. Future growth is projected to be 8.56%, which means that the online e-learning industry will generate $279.30 billion by 2029.

Udemy, the Internet’s largest online e-learning and e-course platform, reported in 2024 that it has 220,000 courses in 74 languages, with over 70 million learners and 970 million total course enrollments, according to Forbes. That’s a lot of Online E-Learning Money to Make!

What Kind of Content Is Best For You To Create?

There are primarily 13 different types of E-Learning and E-courses that are being created and consumed online today:

1. Blended Learning

   What It Is: A combination of online and in-person instruction.

   Examples of This Content and Who Creates It: Programs mixing in-class workshops with online modules, often created by universities, corporations, or trade schools.

   Best Platform For This Type of Content:

   • Moodle
   • TalentLMS
   • Absorb LMS
2. Digital Courses

   What It Is: Another term for e-courses, emphasizing the digital format of materials and delivery.

   Examples of This Content and Who Creates It: Interactive graphic design tutorials, downloadable photography workshops, or coding bootcamps developed by industry professionals and subject matter experts.

   Best Platform For This Type of Content:

   • Thinkific
   • Teachable
   • Kajabi
3. Distance Learning

   What It Is: A traditional term for learning conducted away from a physical campus, now often synonymous with online education.

   Examples of This Content and Who Creates It: Correspondence courses transformed into online degree programs, developed by colleges and universities with remote students in mind.

   Best Platform For This Type of Content:

   • Blackboard Learn
   • Canvas LMS
   • Open edX
4. E-Courses

   What It Is: Specific, structured programs of study or training delivered electronically.

   Examples of This Content and Who Creates It: Examples include step-by-step courses on platforms like Udemy or Thinkific, often created by professionals, instructors, or content creators targeting specific skills or topics.

   Best Platform For This Type of Content:

   • Udemy
   • Thinkific
   • Podia
5. E-Learning

   What It Is: A broad term encompassing all forms of learning conducted electronically, typically online.

   Examples of This Content and Who Creates It: Includes corporate training programs, online degrees, and skill-building modules created by universities, businesses, and independent educators.

   Best Platform For This Type of Content:

   • TalentLMS
   • LearnWorlds
   • Moodle
6. MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses)

   What It Is: Free or low-cost online courses open to large audiences, often offered by universities or global platforms.

   Examples of This Content and Who Creates It: Courses on Coursera or edX covering topics like artificial intelligence or business analytics, created by universities and expert professionals.

   Best Platform For This Type of Content:

   • Coursera
   • edX
   • FutureLearn
7. Online Education

   What It Is: Formal education programs conducted entirely online, often leading to degrees or certifications.

   Examples of This Content and Who Creates It: University-led programs offering MBA degrees, online diplomas, or certifications in fields like data science, created by academic institutions and educators.

   Best Platform For This Type of Content:

   • Blackboard Learn
   • Moodle
   • Canvas LMS
8. Online Workshops

   What It Is: Short, focused learning sessions conducted live or asynchronously online.

   Examples of This Content and Who Creates It: Examples include weekend writing workshops, one-day business bootcamps, or fitness webinars created by independent coaches, businesses, or educators.

   Best Platform For This Type of Content:

   • Zoom
   • WizIQ
   • Ruzuku
9. Remote Learning

   What It Is: Education or training conducted from a distance, typically online, often necessitated by logistical or situational challenges.

   Examples of This Content and Who Creates It: Pandemic-era online school programs, corporate training for remote teams, or asynchronous college courses, created by schools, universities, and businesses.

   Best Platform For This Type of Content:

   • Google Classroom
   • Blackboard Learn
   • Thinkific
10. Self-Paced Learning

    What It Is: Courses designed for learners to progress at their own speed without fixed schedules.

    Examples of This Content and Who Creates It: Language learning apps, certification prep courses, and personal development programs created by ed-tech companies and individual instructors.

    Best Platform For This Type of Content:

    • Teachable
    • Udemy
    • Kajabi
11. Virtual Learning

    What It Is: Learning conducted in a virtual environment, often with live interaction.

    Examples of This Content and Who Creates It: Virtual classrooms for K-12 education, live online tutoring sessions, or real-time language learning, created by schools, tutors, and educational platforms.

    Best Platform For This Type of Content:

    • Zoom
    • TalentLMS
    • WizIQ
12. Virtual Training

    What It Is: Training sessions delivered live via online tools like Zoom or Microsoft Teams.

    Examples of This Content and Who Creates It: Onboarding sessions, leadership development programs, and tech tutorials created by corporate trainers and HR professionals.

    Best Platform For This Type of Content:

    • Microsoft Teams
    • Zoom
    • Docebo
13. Web-Based Training (WBT)

    What It Is: Training programs delivered via the internet, often for professional development.

    Examples of This Content and Who Creates It: Workplace compliance training, customer service modules, and sales techniques courses created by corporate training departments or e-learning companies.

    Best Platform For This Type of Content:

    • Docebo
    • iSpring Learn
    • Absorb LMS

Online Money to Make With the Learning E-Course Content You Create

Once you’ve determined what type of e-learning content is best for the knowledge and expertise you have to share, you’ll need to decide where to share it. The Online Money to Make with the e-learning content and e-courses can increase exponentially when content, platform, and audience are compatibly matched.

When it comes to selling your e-courses, there are countless platforms to choose from. Some are well-known for their extensive reach and robust tools, while others offer niche opportunities that may be exactly what you need to stand out. The type of content often dictates the best platforms for successful online sales and distribution.

Unusual and Little-Known Platforms for Selling Your E-Course Content

However, there are 28 Unusual Alternative E-Learning E-Course Sales Websites that can help you sell your content in new, creative, and innovative ways. These content sales websites are sometimes hidden, often overlooked and almost always undervalued.

When it comes to selling your e-courses online, most people immediately think of the big-name platforms like Udemy, Teachable, or Skillshare. While these platforms are often considered the best, they also come with significant competition and high fees, which can eat into your profits. Fortunately, there’s a world of innovative and little-known platforms that can help you distribute and sell your e-course content in creative and cost-effective ways.

These alternative platforms not only allow you to showcase your expertise but also offer the flexibility to sell parts and pieces of your course—whether it’s written content, video modules, or audio lessons. This flexibility opens up a range of advantages, including:

A Hook for New Customers: Selling snippets of your course can act as an entry point for potential learners, guiding them through a funnel toward your more comprehensive offerings.

Cross-Format Upsells: Platforms that specialize in specific types of content (e.g., written, audio, or video) enable you to sell one format while upselling its companion formats. For instance, you might sell an eBook and then offer an audiobook or video series as a premium add-on.

A Complete Program with Multiple Access Points: You can sell an entire program, even if the components are accessed in different ways. For example, written materials might be available on a publishing platform, while video modules are hosted elsewhere.

Delivering Your Course LIVE: Live sessions not only allow you to interact directly with your learners and build stronger relationships, but they also create opportunities to generate reusable written, audio, and video content. This live content can then be packaged and sold as individual pieces or bundled into a comprehensive program.

Additionally, these alternative platforms often cater to specific niches, which means you can reach a more targeted audience—whether it’s educators, creatives, or even professionals in specific industries. By diversifying where and how you sell your content, you’ll unlock new revenue streams while building greater awareness of your brand.

Ready to explore a list of Unusual and Little-Known Platforms for Selling Your E-Course Content? Each platform in this list offers unique opportunities to share your expertise in innovative ways. Whether you’re distributing full courses, breaking them into bite-sized pieces, or delivering them live, these platforms give you the tools to grow your audience, revenue, and impact.

What follows is a comprehensive list of 28 Unusual Alternative E-Learning E-Course Sales Websites and Platforms, along with creative and innovative ideas about how to use them.

General Marketplaces for Selling Digital Content

1. CREATIVE MARKET
   Website: https://creativemarket.com
   How to Use This Platform: Offer polished products like slide decks, templates, or branded materials as standalone items for purchase.
   Strategy: Demonstrate that the skills behind these products can be taught through your course. Use product descriptions to explain how buyers can learn to create similar resources by enrolling in your training.
2. ENVATO MARKET (GRAPHICRIVER, AUDIOJUNGLE, ETC.)
   Website: https://envato.com
   How to Use This Platform: Showcase the finished products—design assets, video intros, or audio tracks—that your course teaches students how to create.
   Strategy: Sell these assets while highlighting that your course can teach buyers how to create similar items themselves, directing them to your full e-learning program.
3. ETSY
   Website: https://etsy.com
   How to Use This Platform: Sell printable course materials, worksheets, or planners designed for students.
   Strategy: Position these items as complementary to your full course and include links to the complete e-learning program.
4. GUMROAD
   Website: https://gumroad.com
   How to Use This Platform: Sell full e-courses, lesson modules, or additional learning materials like eBooks or workbooks.
   Strategy: Use its streamlined platform to combine multiple course components and deliver a seamless user experience, offering both standalone resources and complete bundles.
5. KO-FI SHOP
   Website: https://ko-fi.com
   How to Use This Platform: Offer short lessons, mini-courses, or downloadable course extras for small-scale consumption.
   Strategy: Build a community of supporters and guide them to larger course offerings available on other platforms.
6. PAYHIP
   Website: https://payhip.com
   How to Use This Platform: Deliver full e-courses or specific modules, combining video, audio, and written materials.
   Strategy: Use its secure platform to bundle components like live Q&A sessions or coaching, ensuring a personalized learning experience.
7. PIXABAY
   Website: https://pixabay.com
   How to Use This Platform: Share free or premium quote graphics and infographics related to your course topics.
   Strategy: Use these as lead magnets by including subtle links or branding that directs viewers to your complete course.
8. SELLFY
   Website: https://sellfy.com
   How to Use This Platform: Host full courses or sell supporting content like guides, templates, or certificates of completion.
   Strategy: Create packages that combine standalone resources with your larger course offering to encourage upselling.
9. ZAZZLE
   Website: https://zazzle.com
   How to Use This Platform: Create and sell graphics based on quotes, ideas, or principles taught in your course.
   Strategy: Attract potential students by showcasing visuals that resonate with your course content, directing them to your program for more in-depth learning.

Platforms for Written Content

1. AMAZON KINDLE DIRECT PUBLISHING (KDP)
   Website: https://kdp.amazon.com
   How to Use This Platform: Publish eBooks as standalone course components or comprehensive learning guides.
   Strategy: Focus on the written component of your course and include links to a private video library or companion tools elsewhere, as Amazon’s rules limit upsells within the book.
2. BLURB
   Website: https://blurb.com
   How to Use This Platform: Publish premium course manuals or printed handbooks as part of a bundled learning experience.
   Strategy: Offer a “bundle upgrade” option that includes digital versions of the written material along with audio and video components.
3. DRAFT2DIGITAL
   Website: https://draft2digital.com
   How to Use This Platform: Distribute polished eBooks summarizing course content or providing supplemental learning material.
   Strategy: Deliver standalone written materials, but include an exclusive access code for full course video content hosted on a separate platform.
4. PAYLOADZ
   Website: https://payloadz.com
   How to Use This Platform: Sell downloadable learning guides, worksheets, and other written course resources.
   Strategy: Combine written materials with multimedia or live components hosted elsewhere to create a complete course experience.
5. SMASHWORDS
   Website: https://smashwords.com
   How to Use This Platform: Distribute eBooks that deliver course lessons or supplemental guides.
   Strategy: Bundle written guides with optional links to premium multimedia resources like recorded lectures or live workshops, offered as an incentive.
6. TEACHERS PAY TEACHERS
   Website: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com
   How to Use This Platform: Provide lesson plans, activities, and educational resources tailored to teachers or learners.
   Strategy: Use your resources to build credibility and funnel buyers toward your full course offering for deeper mastery.

Platforms for Selling Videos

1. PATREON
   Website: https://patreon.com
   How to Use This Platform: Offer exclusive mini-courses, live lessons, or learning resources to your subscriber base.
   Strategy: Build a community of loyal learners who transition to your flagship courses.
2. REELHOUSE
   Website: https://reelhouse.org
   How to Use This Platform: Sell course-related video content or previews for learners seeking specific skills.
   Strategy: Offer additional links or QR codes within the video description to direct buyers to the full course.
3. USCREEN
   Website: https://uscreen.tv
   How to Use This Platform: Build and manage a video subscription platform for your e-learning courses.
   Strategy: Monetize your course content by offering membership access to exclusive libraries or live video sessions.
4. VIMEO OTT
   Website: https://vimeo.com/ott
   How to Use This Platform: Deliver full courses as subscription-based video series or on-demand lessons.
   Strategy: Provide learners with an immersive and flexible experience, leveraging video libraries or custom playlists.

Platforms for Audiobooks and Podcasts

1. ANCHOR BY SPOTIFY
   Website: https://anchor.fm
   How to Use This Platform: Create a subscription-based podcast featuring course content and additional lessons.
   Strategy: Use exclusive bonus episodes to incentivize sign-ups for your comprehensive course.
2. AUDIBLE (ACX)
   Website: https://acx.com
   How to Use This Platform: Convert your course content into audiobook chapters for convenient consumption.
   Strategy: Include links to additional multimedia resources and activities in the audiobook’s metadata or descriptions.
3. SPREAKER / PODBEAN
   Website: https://spreaker.com / https://podbean.com
   How to Use This Platform: Deliver entire course modules as a subscription-based podcast series.
   Strategy: Release one module at a time, with subscribers gaining access to the complete course over time.

Social Media Options

1. FACEBOOK LIVE
   Website: https://facebook.com
   How to Use This Platform: Deliver entire courses through scheduled live broadcasts, with private options for specific groups.
   Strategy: Offer live teaching sessions in private Facebook groups for a targeted audience, combining community engagement with interactive learning.
2. INSTAGRAM SUBSCRIPTIONS
   Website: https://instagram.com
   How to Use This Platform: Deliver course content through exclusive stories, live sessions, or private posts.
   Strategy: Use storytelling techniques to engage followers and convert them into loyal course participants.
3. LINKEDIN GROUPS
   Website: https://linkedin.com
   How to Use This Platform: Facilitate professional discussions and offer specialized lessons tailored to your course niche.
   Strategy: Position yourself as a thought leader while guiding members to sign up for your advanced training.
4. TIKTOK LIVE
   Website: https://tiktok.com
   How to Use This Platform: Provide live teaching sessions to deliver modules of your course in real-time. TikTok LIVE now includes paid features.
   Strategy: Charge for access to scheduled live broadcasts, offering Q&A or interactive elements that complement your course content.
5. TIKTOK / YOUTUBE SHORTS
   Website: https://tiktok.com / https://youtube.com
   How to Use This Platform: Deliver micro-lessons or even full course modules in bite-sized videos, released progressively.
   Strategy: Each video should conclude with a CTA directing viewers to deeper learning opportunities, such as your main course site.
6. YOUTUBE LIVE
   Website: https://youtube.com
   How to Use This Platform: Host live sessions with subscription-based access to specific lessons or series.
   Strategy: Offer private live lessons, using YouTube’s subscription or membership features, allowing learners to replay sessions at their convenience.

To Be Exclusive or Non-Exclusive – That’s the E-Course Platform Question

Some e-course and e-learning platforms, like Udemy and Skillshare, for example, require that you list your courses solely on their platform. This means you can’t sell the same content on any other sites. You can’t even sell your own course on your own website if you use an “exclusive” e-learning platform.

The tradeoff, however, is that the “exclusive” platforms have marketing and audience reach. This makes it easier for you and your e-course to gain visibility without as much effort needing to be focused on marketing and promotion. As a new course creator, that might be a huge benefit.

By contrast, non-exclusive platforms, such as Teachable and Thinkific, give you the freedom to sell your courses wherever you choose. This allows for greater flexibility and control over the pricing, branding, and distribution of your e-course and e-learning content. But it will require more marketing effort on your part, which may or may not be something you can or want to do.

Here’s more information about the Exclusive and Non-Exclusive E-Course and E-Learning Platforms to help you decide.

Three Best Exclusive E-Learning E-Course Platforms

• EDX

  Website: https://www.edx.org

  Pricing: Offers free courses; verified certificates available for a fee.

  What Makes It Different: A high-profile platform partnering with leading universities and organizations to deliver professional and academic courses.

  This Works Best For: Academic institutions or professionals looking to provide globally recognized certification or advanced courses.

• SKILLSHARE

  Website: https://skillshare.com

  Pricing: No free plan; teachers earn royalties based on watch time.

  What Makes It Different: Leverages a subscription model, allowing students to access a wide variety of creative and professional courses.

  This Works Best For: Creatives, artists, and professionals seeking exposure to a broad audience through a subscription-based model.

• UDEMY

  Website: https://udemy.com

  Pricing: No upfront fees; revenue share model with instructors receiving 37% to 97% of course sales.

  What Makes It Different: Its massive global audience is the Internet’s largest. Its built-in marketing tools, make it ideal for instructors seeking exposure.

  This Works Best For: Instructors looking for a ready-made audience and easy-to-use tools to scale their course visibility.

22 Best Non-Exclusive E-Learning E-Course Platforms

You e-learning e-course content can be hosted on any or all of these sites at the same time. The audiences are smaller than the “exclusive” platforms, but there’s less competition among programs and course creators as well.

• ACADEMY OF MINE

  Website: https://www.academyofmine.com

  Pricing: No free plan; pricing starts at $599/month.

  What Makes It Different: Offers a fully customizable LMS tailored for corporate training and professional development.

  This Works Best For: Companies offering professional development or compliance training for employees, requiring customization and scalability.

• COURSECRAFT

  Website: https://www.coursecraft.net

  Pricing: No free plan; pricing starts at $29/month.

  What Makes It Different: Caters to creatives and hobbyists by making it easy to create and sell courses without technical expertise.

  This Works Best For: Hobbyists, artists, and small business owners creating niche courses, such as craft tutorials or DIY projects.

• COURSESTORM

  Website: https://www.coursestorm.com

  Pricing: No free plan; pricing starts at $99/month.

  What Makes It Different: Excels in managing class registrations and promoting community education programs.

  This Works Best For: Community education programs, nonprofits, and organizations offering local or small-scale training.

• EDUFLOW

  Website: https://www.eduflow.com

  Pricing: Offers a free plan; premium plans start at $49/month.

  What Makes It Different: Focuses on collaborative learning experiences with peer review and workflow automation.

  This Works Best For: Teams, educational institutions, and creators who want to encourage group learning and feedback.

• EDUONIX

  Website: https://www.eduonix.com

  Pricing: No free plan; pricing starts at $9.99/course.

  What Makes It Different: Offers affordable course bundles targeting tech learners and professionals seeking skill advancement.

  This Works Best For: Tech-savvy creators focused on developing courses for software, IT, or coding-related skills.

• EDUPRENEUR

  Website: https://www.edupreneur.com

  Pricing: No free plan; pricing starts at $49/month.

  What Makes It Different: Designed for individual instructors, providing an all-in-one platform for course hosting and marketing.

  This Works Best For: Solo course creators and small educators looking for simplicity and integrated marketing tools.

• KAJABI

  Website: https://kajabi.com

  Pricing: Offers a 14-day free trial; no free plan; pricing starts at $149/month.

  What Makes It Different: Known for its all-in-one marketing and course creation tools, ideal for entrepreneurs scaling their business.

  This Works Best For: Entrepreneurs, marketers, and creators selling high-value courses with robust sales and marketing tools.

• LEARNWORLDS

  Website: https://learnworlds.com

  Pricing: Offers a 30-day free trial; no free plan; pricing starts at $24/month.

  What Makes It Different: Focuses on interactive course delivery with features like interactive video and gamification.

  This Works Best For: Educators and businesses looking to engage students with interactive and gamified course content.

• PODIA

  Website: https://podia.com

  Pricing: No free plan; pricing starts at $39/month.

  What Makes It Different: A straightforward, creator-friendly platform that combines courses, memberships, and digital downloads in one place.

  This Works Best For: Independent creators or small businesses selling courses, subscriptions, or other digital products.

• RUZUKU

  Website: https://ruzuku.com

  Pricing: Offers a 14-day free trial; no free plan; pricing starts at $74.75/month.

  What Makes It Different: Emphasizes simplicity and reliability, with tools to make course creation easy even for beginners.

  This Works Best For: New course creators who want a user-friendly and approachable platform to get started quickly.

• SKILLSHARE

  Website: https://skillshare.com

  Pricing: No free plan; teachers earn royalties based on watch time.

  What Makes It Different: Leverages a subscription model, allowing students to access a wide variety of creative and professional courses.

  This Works Best For: Creatives, artists, and professionals seeking exposure to a broad audience through a subscription-based model.

• TEACHABLE

  Website: https://teachable.com

  Pricing: Offers a free plan with transaction fees; premium plans start at $29/month.

  What Makes It Different: A popular platform for creators, with powerful course sales and marketing features like upsells and coupons.

  This Works Best For: Entrepreneurs and educators focused on building branded, scalable courses with built-in marketing features.

• THINKIFIC

  Website: https://thinkific.com

  Pricing: Offers a free plan; premium plans start at $49/month.

  What Makes It Different: Offers robust customization for courses and branding, ideal for businesses scaling their e-learning efforts.

  This Works Best For: Businesses and creators seeking a highly customizable and professional online course platform.

• UDEMY

  Website: https://udemy.com

  Pricing: No upfront fees; revenue share model with instructors receiving 37% to 97% of course sales.

  What Makes It Different: Boasts a massive global audience and built-in marketing tools, making it ideal for instructors seeking exposure.

  This Works Best For: Instructors looking for a ready-made audience and easy-to-use tools to scale their course visibility.

• WIZIQ

  Website: https://wiziq.com

  Pricing: Offers a 14-day free trial; no

  free plan; pricing starts at $25/month.

  What Makes It Different: Specializes in live virtual classrooms and webinar capabilities, perfect for real-time teaching.

  This Works Best For: Educators and businesses offering live classes, training, or webinars in real-time.

DIY Profit-Yourself, Create-It-Yourself, Design-It-Yourself, Host-It-Yourself, Market-It-Yourself Distribute-It-Yourself Online E-Learning E-Courses

Why in the world would anyone choose a Create-It-Yourself, Design-It-Yourself, Host-It-Yourself, Market-It-Yourself, Distribute-It-Yourself option for their e-learning e-course when they could just choose more than a dozen platforms that will do all of that for you? There could be any number of reasons to do that. But the two most compelling motivations are Control and Cash.

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