What’s the Best Platform for Your Digital Product or Course? A Side-by-Side Comparison
If you're thinking of launching an online course, membership, or digital product, one of the first questions you'll face is:
“Which platform should I use?”
There are so many options out there, and the truth is: there’s no one-size-fits-all. Each tool has strengths (and quirks!) depending on your goals, budget, and how much tech you want to manage.
To make your decision easier, I’ve broken down four of the most popular platforms I use and recommend to clients - so you can choose the right one for your business.
1. Kajabi
Best for: All-in-one course + marketing setup for coaches, educators & personal brands
Pricing: $$$
Pros:
✔️ Beautiful, polished design
✔️ All-in-one (emails, website, landing pages, payments, online courses, coaching products)
✔️ Strong automations and customer experience
✔️ Great support + community
Cons:
❌ Higher cost, especially for newer businesses
❌ Can feel overwhelming to start if you’re only using a few features
Perfect for you if: You want everything in one place and plan to scale with multiple digital offers or a membership in future.
2. LearnWorlds
Best for: Course creators who want advanced learning features and student tracking
Pricing: $$
Pros:
✔️ Affordable monthly plans
✔️ Advanced course tools (quizzes, certifications, progress tracking)
✔️ Great for professional development or education-focused businesses
✔️ Strong analytics and student engagement features
Cons:
❌ Less flexibility for design and branding
❌ Email marketing not as strong (best used with ConvertKit or MailerLite)
Perfect for you if: You run structured online courses or training programs and want a solid student learning experience.
3. Systeme.io
Best for: Budget-conscious service providers or course creators who want a simple, all-in-one tool
Pricing: $
Pros:
✔️ Free plan available with full features
✔️ Includes email marketing, funnels, courses, and more
✔️ Simple to use, great for getting started fast
Cons:
❌ Limited design flexibility
❌ Not as polished or intuitive as Kajabi
❌ Support and integrations are a bit more basic
Perfect for you if: You’re testing an idea or launching your first product and want a lean, low-risk option.
4. ThriveCart Learn
Best for: Course creators who want a simple course delivery add-on to an existing cart system
Pricing: One-time payment (lifetime) *as at Sept 2025
Pros:
✔️ No ongoing fees
✔️ Fast and easy course setup
✔️ Seamless checkout experience
✔️ Ideal for one-off offers, mini courses or client portals
Cons:
❌ No native email system (you’ll need to connect another tool)
❌ Limited customisation in course experience
❌ Best for content delivery, not full-scale learning platform
Perfect for you if: You’re already using ThriveCart for sales and want to add quick digital products or simple course access.
Final Thoughts
Which platform is right for you? The best platform is the one that works for your business model, your tech comfort, and your audience.
If you're:
Just starting out → Systeme.io or ThriveCart Learn
Focused on student experience → LearnWorlds
Ready to scale with an all-in-one system → Kajabi
Still unsure which is right for you? I help business owners map out their tech stack and set everything up - from strategy to setup - so it feels simple and aligned.