Written by
Shreya Vaidya
12 minutes

Key Takeaways

In the ever-evolving landscape of education, one thing remains constant: the deep symbolism of the concept of learning. Here, the classic saying befits well, “Knowledge is power. ” The process of gaining new knowledge and personal development is an unrelenting lifelong process. When a person fails to learn, then that person feels like they are not progressing or moving forward in life. As we now live in a digital world, this also holds for education: a lot of information can be found.

The changes in technology that have taken place in the recent past, culminating in web-based instruction, have brought about dramatic changes in the educational system. Not only limited to brick-and-mortar classrooms, learners can now interact with different topics and experienced trainers worldwide. These collaborative learning platforms are convenient and enable learners to choose the learning material and time that they prefer to spend on them. Many online learning platforms offer free courses, making education more accessible and affordable for learners of all levels. Nobody said it better than Benjamin Franklin when he remarked, ‘ An investment in Knowledge pays the best interest.

Whether you want to move up in your current job, start a new interest, or just general Knowledge, the right online learning platform can be a complete game changer. Choosing the right platform for education among the list of the best online learning platforms in 2024 is difficult because each online course platform has unique features and various colourful courses that can help students become more successful and intelligent. However, this challenge is also an opportunity for personal growth and discovery. Therefore, welcome to the world of possibilities, and let us take you through the best online learning platforms that will reveal the best.

What is Online Learning?

As the name suggests, online learning, also referred to as e-learning or digital learning, occurs via the World Wide Web. It covers various learning opportunities and course materials in multiple formats, such as courses, tutorials, lectures, webinars, or virtual classes. 

Online Learning Statistics: The Ultimate List in 2024 | Devlin Peck

In the above pictorial view, you can see how eLearning courses are making headlines and companies are showing interest in honing their employee's skills. Learning management systems, therefore, enable the flexible learning platform, of course content irrespective of the country, time, or device, be it a computer, tablet, or mobile phone.

Benefits of Online Learning Platforms

Flexibility and Convenience

Flexibility is one of the biggest strengths of online courses, as it allows students to progress through lessons at their own pace and on their own time. This is especially good for those with some form of commitment, such as work and family, among other responsibilities.

Wide Range of Courses

Online learning programs can be taken in just about any discipline, including the development of creative skills such as graphic design, animation, photography, and videography, and classes are offered online. For those who want to learn more than professional skills, massive online courses can help interested individuals in academic fields and personal interests.

Accessibility

Online education also provides convenience by breaking geographical barriers. Students worldwide can benefit from their quality education, which is particularly beneficial for those who reside in rural regions or have relatively low chances of attending a conventional school.

Cost-Effective

This is because the cost of delivering online courses is generally lower than that of delivering traditional classroom-based courses. Students are also relieved from physical transportation costs, housing costs, and other costs incurred when attending college.

Personalized Learning Experience

Learning can be done from various online platforms where students can modify their learning journeys, use learning technologies that are adaptive to their level of understanding, and receive individualized feedback where necessary.

Enhanced Technological Skills

Students must learn to work with online technologies and applications, so engaging in online learning platforms is an efficient skill beneficial in the modern world.

Access to Expert Instructors

Instructor-based online delivery systems may include courses delivered by industry professionals, university lecturers, or working professionals, thus exposing the students to the best practitioners in the online course marketplaces.

Interactive and Engaging Content

Multimedia components like videos, quizzes, and forums are common in online courses, making learning more engaging.

Using these advantages, online learning platforms help people fulfil their educational objectives, gain new opportunities, and sharpen new skills.

How to Choose the Best Online Learning Platform?

With many options available today on online learning platforms, it could be pretty challenging to choose from. The features and courses also vary from platform to platform, making it critical to assess the strengths of each to get the maximum return on learning.

Below are some important considerations to get the best online learning platform.

Available Courses and Quality of Material

Check the range and quality of the courses being offered. These and other platforms operate with prestigious universities and institutions, allowing you to get the best education through Coursera and edX.

Flexibility and Accessibility

It is crucial to look for learning arrangements incorporating a flexible calendar and device accessibility. For example, Udemy offers lifetime access to the course content and learning material so that you can study at your own pace and review the course material whenever you want.

User Experience and Interface

Having an easily navigable design dramatically increases the learning potential of a platform. LinkedIn Learning also has an elegant design that integrates well with LinkedIn, allowing users to easily track their accomplishments and completed courses.

Certification and Accreditation

Examining whether the courses on the platform are accredited and whether the certificates received are recognized is also advisable. Organizations like Coursera and eDx give you a certificate from a recognized university, which is a plus when preparing for job hunting or preparing a portfolio.

Cost and Payment Options

Consider the prices of the courses and the schemes offered to meet the financial obligations. Some platforms, such as massive open online courses such as Khan Academy, are free to use, while those providing first-hand lessons from professionals need fees, such as MasterClass.

With these factors and examples from other famous and trusted brands, you can make an informed choice and select a learning management platform that best suits your educational needs and preferences.

The Best Online Course Platforms to Use in 2024

While the trends towards developing top online learning platforms have already been seen in the present years, even more promising opportunities for further evolution can be expected in 2024. This section will discuss some of the best online learning platforms that can offer quality education and training. Let's start with LearnWorlds.

1. EdisonOS: Best All-in-one Course Platform for Coaches

  • EdisonOS is an efficient and effective online learning software ideal for coaches and educators of any student population. 
  • EdisonOS presents a set of innovative tools intended for the efficient creation, marketing, and delivery of online courses. These tools address the specific requirements of coaching specialists. 
  • By having the EdisonOS, coaches have an opportunity to develop an efficient online platform that offers numerous functions for creating valuable educational content.
  • EdisonOS includes a fully built-in website builder, enabling the coach to create fully branded and effective websites without programming knowledge. 
  • Also, branded mobile apps are convenient for learners and allow for reading and learning on mobile devices. 
  • It also supports preparing students for different tests, including the SAT, making EdisonOS a bestseller for coaching. 
  • In addition, the platform offers other features like custom reports, 4k video support, API & webhooks, and a mock exam platform so that any coach's needs when delivering practical and exciting courses are met.

Features

  1. Fully integrated Website builder for professional and business websites
  2. Specifically mobile learning applications for smooth learning on the move
  3. The following need support for digital SAT and other standardized test preparations.
  4. Some extra functionalities include creating custom reports and compatibility with 4K videos.
  5. API and webhooks for integration with other tools
  6. It helps the student prepare for the overall test by providing a platform that offers mock exams.

Who is it for?

EdisonOS best suits coaches, educators, and training professionals who wish to design and deliver highly adaptable custom learning solutions. Its list of features is most advantageous for people who want to create a strong foundation for their operation of a flexible online learning platform and ensure that the quality of education they deliver is excellent.

Pricing

  • EdisonOS provides scaling options for users based on its cost structure. The pricing plans begin at US$69 per month. The next plan, which is $129/month, is best for tech startups. 

2. LearnWorlds

  • LearnWorlds is a highly customizable and reliable e-learning software that primarily assists educators, business owners, and nonprofit organizations in developing, promoting, and monetizing their online courses. 
  • Praised for its numerous features and straightforward navigability, LearnWorlds is ideal for those willing to create a solid online educational venture.
  • Another essential aspect that can be discussed while considering key elements of LearnWorlds is its versatile course builder. 
  • One can create content with multiple media options, such as audio, videos, and questions and answers, among the choices based on available themes and templates. 
  • It also possesses SCORM and HTML5 compatibility to make the courses responsive to different devices and learning management systems. 
  • Also, LearnWorlds provides integrated analytics and more detailed reporting, which allows the educator to understand the student’s performance and how the courses could be improved to facilitate learning.

Features

  1. Interactive video editor
  2. Ability to select choices of templates and themes
  3. Business intelligence and analytical methods
  4. Compatibility with SCORM and HTML5
  5. Integrated e-commerce tools

Who is it for?

It is best for education professionals, trainers, or business people who want to create, develop, and monetize their knowledge through courses and programs. It is also ideal for organizations that want employees to undergo professional development programs and training.

Pricing

Three main packages on LearnWorlds may be executed depending on the learner’s plan and economic possibility.

  1. The first is the Starter plan, which is $24/month and lets you create and deliver courses.
  2. If you need more advanced features or particular configurations, there is a Pro Trainer plan at $79 monthly, and the Learning Center plan for large companies begins at $249 monthly.

3. Udemy: Best Marketplace to Create Online Courses 

Learning Management System Integrations – Udemy Business
  • Udemy has become among the most extensive and specialized online learning platforms, providing lessons in numerous fields. 
  • Udemy currently offers more than 155000 courses, which are suited for 40 million international students, making it one of the most comprehensive sources of information and professional skills. 
  • So, if you want to master a new skill, prepare for a better job, or try something new, Udemy has thought of everything and has a course for every client.
  • Something that has remained strong about Udemy is its convenience and relatively low cost. 
  • Moreover, the organization of the site and the simplicity of the interfaces for purchasing and interacting with courses are well-developed and remain intuitive for learners. 
  • Course content purchased on the platform can also be accessed for a lifetime, thus allowing students to learn at their own pace and revisit any lesson in the future. 
  • Because of this flexibility, Udemy has gained millions of users who benefit from its programs across different fields.

Features

  1. More than 155,000 courses in different fields and disciplines
  2. It is important to note that once a course is purchased, the learner has unlimited access to their life.
  3. It has a friendly user interface that supports the use of mobile applications.
  4. Subject-matter course delivery in intent and content by instructors from the industry
  5. Readers should expect frequent sales and offers on products they want.

Who is it for?

Udemy is suitable for anyone who wants to acquire more information or credentials conveniently and at a relatively low cost. This way, it covers the audience, from students and working people to amateurs and those who love to learn something new. It has one of the largest catalogues of online classes and is an ideal corporate education and professional development partner.

Pricing

  1. Courses offered by Udemy are sold separately; the personal plan starts from ₹850 per month.
  2. It is common for the platform to have discounts and promotions in place that enable a user to purchase quality content at cheaper rates. 
  3. Furthermore, it also has a team plan (Starting from ₹1167 per month), which gives access to a selected list of more than 5,000 courses for professional growth.

4. Coursera: Best Academic Online Learning Platform

Coursera: Your Path to Upskilling and Career Growth in 2024
  • Since then, Coursera has become a significant provider of academic online learning, courses, specializations, and degrees offered by top universities and educational facilities from around the globe. 
  • Today, it has more than 82 million registered learners. It works with over 200 university and company partners, including Stanford, Yale, and Google, which demonstrates the company’s ability to offer a high-quality education.
  • It prides itself on offering quality education that extends to important subjects in essential categories, including data and science, business, arts, and humanities.
  • Since it has received accreditation from renowned schools and offers an array of subjects, Coursera is the best academic online learning platform. 
  • Whether pursuing a degree to advance their studies or learning new knowledge and skills for career enhancement, Coursera offers an academically sound, flexible course platform. 
  • For instance, Coursera teamed up with Google in July last year to provide the Google IT Support Professional Certificate, which has attracted more than 400,000 learners looking to develop and advance their skills in the tech industry.

Features

  1. Schooling programs, subjects, majors, areas of focus, and whole and part degrees from academic institutions and organizations.
  2. Official certificates and diplomas
  3. Free audit of courses if the learner is unable to enroll for any reason
  4. Detailed and frequent communication with the students through the mobile app.
  5. Group work and community support of peer-reviewed assignments

Who is it for?

Coursera suits students, working professionals, learners, or anyone interested in global higher education or professional training. It is most useful for those who want to acquire accredited certificates and degrees from leading universities.

Pricing

Coursera provides a combination of open content and paid courses. 

  1. Free access permits individual course auditing, while the paid certificate level starts at $49 monthly with a free trial for a day.

5. Thinkific: Best All-in-one Online Learning Platform for SMEs

LMS Comparison: Thinkific vs Teachable vs MemberPress
  • Today, Thinkific is the ideal solution for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) seeking to develop, promote, and sell their online courses. 
  • One of the tools recognized for its extensive feature set and relative simplicity, Thinkific helps businesses create complex and compelling education products without the need for extensive technical experience.
  • Due to these factors, there is no doubt that Thinkific provides a comprehensive solution that makes it the best all-in-one e-learning software for SMEs. 
  • For those starting a new educational business or those looking to expand their business, Thinkific has the necessary tools to steer through the competitive online education market. 
  • For instance, Thinkific has been especially helpful for the Hootsuite business, which adopted this platform for training over 350,000 participants in social media; this showcases the platform's capacity for supporting major educational projects.
  • This is particularly advantageous for SMEs since Thinkific has inherent marketing platforms such as email advertising, an affiliate marketing system, and in-depth studying facilities. 
  • This ability to scale enables the platform to support growing businesses and increase its outreach in the educational sector.

Features

  1. Simplistic drag-and-drop course management interface
  2. A broad array of unique features and services and even more opportunities for branding
  3. Integrated marketing communication instruments and affiliates and associates
  4. Advanced tools like analytics and reporting
  5. Compatibility with other top-shelf applications

Who is it for?

Thinkific’s target market is business owners, educators, and other individuals and companies interested in developing and selling courses online. With limited technical expertise required to operate the software and a broad range of tools available, it remains suitable for users from all levels of technical experience and Was established for businesses that can experience significant growth.

Pricing

Thinkific provides its services under various pricing models depending on the marketer's capacity and the project's extent. 

  1. The Free plan is perfect for trying out the service and can create courses, while the Basic plan at $36 per month includes more course creation and marketing features. 
  2. The Pro plan costs $74 per month and offers additional features like custom branding and dedicated support. 
  3. The Premier plan will cost $149 per month for more prominent companies, and the package comes with many features and support.

6. edX: Best Marketplace and Open-Source LMS for Online Learning

Update: Course Navigation Changes - Open edX
  • edX is one of the most favorite online learning platforms. It is famous for its work and aims to provide quality education with the help of partnerships with various universities and colleges. 
  • edX was developed by Harvard and MIT, and it provides many courses, micro-credentials, and degree programs that can be suitable for students in terms of academic demands and individuals searching for professional advancement. 
  • edX can boast more than 35 million learners and over 3000 courses, which proves the platform to be a reliable learning marketplace.
  • Moreover, based on its audit track, edX ensures it offers free course content but with an offer to provide a verified certificate at a fee.
  • Incorporating famous universities and colleges, a wide range of courses, and the free, open-source LMS, edX is one of the best online learning platforms deserving attention. 
  • For example, MicroMasters in Artificial Intelligence is a program developed by edX in cooperation with Columbia University that exposes learners to a thorough graduate-level knowledge of Artificial Intelligence, including an understanding of the career market for the course and preparation of learners for this burgeoning field.

Features

  1. University courses, individual units or micro-credentials, full qualifications or degrees
  2. Self-hosted, fully customizable LMS: Open edX
  3. Availability of free audit for courses
  4. Original certificates and legitimate certificates
  5. Over 35 million strong global community of learners

Who is it for?

edX is the best online course platform suitable for students, working professionals, or anyone in learning mode who wants access to quality academic courses and certifications. It also acts as a reference for educational institutions and businesses that need help designing and implementing unique online learning solutions based on Open edX.

Pricing

edX provides both freemium and paid learning options. 

  1. Courses are free, and learners can pay prices starting from around $359 per learner per year.
  2. To unlock features, they can opt for an enterprise plan—each custom enterprise plan is based on several users or learners.

Get Access to All Key Features to Deliver Best Learning Experience 

7 Kajabi: Best Course Platform with Marketing Features for Online Learning

  • Kajabi is one of the top platforms for creating and selling online courses with unique marketing capabilities. 
  • It suits all entrepreneurs and educators who want to design and market their products for online sales. 
  • Offering a one-stop solution for course creators, Kajabi provides course building, marketing, and selling features within this platform.
  • Kajabi’s most notable aspect is the marketing tool. This incorporates email campaigns, landing pages, sales funnels, and integrated analytics. 
  • These tools allow course creators to market their courses and target potential audiences effectively. 
  • Also, Kajabi provides website themes that can be edited, enabling users to make an excellent first impression of their online business.

Compared to Kajabi, EdisonOS offers better features and experiences because the platform is designed to address coaching professionals. It provides:

  • Built-in site designing solutions.
  • Custom branded mobile applications.
  • Specialized services, such as SAT practice tests, are available on the Web. 

EdisonOS builds the concept of customization and scalability to address the need to equip coaches with adequate utilities to develop enriched and more relevant courses and online courses.

Features

  1. Marketing hub with campaign email branding, sales funnels, and landing pages
  2. Professional web templates for building an individual Web site
  3. Integrated automation to enhance and support marketing as well as sales operations.
  4. Friendly GUI and integration of tools methodology
  5. Using high-level methods and tools to measure performance and monitor the effectiveness of tactics

Who is it for?

Kajabi is perfect for the digital marketer, educator, or business-oriented individual disseminating knowledge online. This is very useful for those who need consolidated features, especially when they want to strengthen their online presence.

Pricing

Consequently, Kajabi provides various pricing plans to suit the diverse needs of the intended users.

  1. The Basic plan costs $55 monthly and enables course creation and marketing necessary features.
  2. The Growth plan, costing $119 per month, additionally provides features like enhanced automation of tasks and the absence of Kajabi branding.
  3. The Pro plan is $159 monthly for individuals who would benefit from more robust features with priority support and enhanced settings.

8 Docebo: Best Traditional LMS for Enterprises

  • Docebo is one of the best-known traditional learning management systems, specially built for enterprise clients' needs, and it provides a solid set of features needed in large-scale training. 
  • Recognized for scalability, simplicity, and integration features, Docebo ensures enterprises provide efficient training to their overarching groups and branches.
  • For features, scalability, focus, and specifications, Docebo is the best traditional LMS for enterprises to facilitate corporations in enhancing their organizations’ employee training and skills development in improving organizational performance.

Features

  1. The functionalities that Docebo offers include a versatile and user-friendly platform encompassing different forms of learning, such as scheduled courses and e-learning courses, as well as training courses and blended categories of learning.
  2. The platform affords numerous customization features, enabling organizations to regulate the LMS to the organizational logo and training needs.
  3. In reporting and analytics, Docebo empowers administrators to monitor learners' performance, measure the efficacy of training, and make informed decisions toward enhancing learners’ achievements.

Who is it for?

Docebo can, however, be recommended for large enterprises that require a scalable and robust solution for their LMS. It is primarily helpful for corporate training departments, human resource managers, professionals, and learning and development employees who need practical tools that support training interventions and help improve organizational employee competencies. 

The platform is versatile, and the enterprise-level security measures suit industries such as technology, healthcare, finance, and manufacturing.

Pricing

  1. At Docebo, the pricing is decided according to the enterprise's needs and often includes specific details of the required setup depending on the organization's size and the features it needs. 
  2. It offers three significant plans: Docebo Enterprise, Engage, and Docebo Elite.

9. Litmos: Easiest-to-Use Traditional LMS

  • Litmos is a popular LMS that lacks complexity and is designed for organizations of any size and type that look for an easy-to-navigate yet efficient tool for training management. Purchased by SAP in 2018, Litmos has remained unchanged and progressive, delivering a robust, user-friendly system packed with features. 
  • This is due to its easy deployment and usability, even in large organizations, making it easy for individuals with little technology skills to deploy.
  • A unique feature of Litmos is the ability to drag and drop a course, which makes creating a course easier for trainers or administrators. 
  • The Litmos Learning Management System is a traditional LMS that is all about simplicity and functionality. It is the simplest LMS that will help organizations provide relevant training without many frills. 
  • When onboarding new employees, conducting compliance training, or offering professional development courses, Litmos helps with the tools and services required to ensure improvement in the learning process without any hitches.
  • Litmos also supports the mobility feature, which allows learners to take courses from any device, further increasing flexibility.

Features

  1. A seamless drag-and-drop course creation platform
  2. Multimedia to enhance the support for interactive materials
  3. Easy user interface that is suitable for use in mobile devices to support learning.
  4. In-depth coverage and assessment
  5. Interfaces with other applications

Who is it for?

Litmos is the perfect LMS for any business or training provider needing a system that works without the complications found with other platforms. It serves those organizations that urgently need to improve their training management plans but do not wish to sacrifice practicality or usability.

Pricing

  1. Thus, Litmos is implemented with various pricing options depending on the number of users and the added benefits desired. 
  2. Other aspects are typically less explicitly detailed and often depend on the requirements and size of the organization in question. 
  3. Therefore, the platform offers three plans, Foundation Suite, Premier Suite, and Platinum Suite, allowing the expansion of their training offering in parallel with their growth.

10. Moodle: Most Popular Open-Source LMS for Online Learning

  • Moodle is the world’s most popular open-source learning management system ( LMS), and it allows educators or institutions to mold their learning management system to suit their needs. 
  • Based on shared effort and contribution principles, Moodle offers an ideal platform for creating engaging e-learning spaces. 
  • Moodle is widely used in educational institutions, enterprises, and non-profit sectors, and it is growing more as an effective tool for presenting informative and innovative classes online.
  • Moodle’s capabilities in the course creation and layout are specific aspects of Moodle worth highlighting. 
  • With multimedia content, interactive lessons, activities, and collaborative tools, educators can personalize courses for learners according to their learning preferences and learning outcomes. 
  • Moodle features several learning models that enhance learning, such as blended learning and the flipped classroom.

Features

  1. Open and flexible course formats can be accelerated using additional multimedia materials.
  2. Interactive and engaging communication tools
  3. Various learning styles (such as the blended learning concept and the flipped classroom model)
  4. Significantly rich official repository for plugins that offer advanced features
  5. Modular and flexible design for small, medium, and large-scale solutions.

Who is it for?

Moodle can also be suitable for educational institutions, the training division of large companies, and non-profit organizations that seek a low-cost and customizable e-learning platform. It is helpful for administrators and educators who would like to implement learner-centered approaches to enhance students’ learning processes.

Pricing

Moodle is an open-source solution that is freely accessible for download and use by anyone who wishes to set up an online course management system

  1. Despite this, other activities such as hosting, customization, and support services may attract charges based on the specific organizational need. 
  2. Thanks to Moodle being an open-source application, the system can be modified extensively and interfaced with many other systems to provide more excellent value within institutions at minimal cost.

Conclusion

All in all, stepping through 2024, the prospect of online learning is more vibrant and filled with opportunities than ever.

  1. Depending on the need, there are general hubs, such as LearnWorlds and udemy, that allow access to multiple classes in multiple subjects, and there are specific platforms, such as Kajabi and EdisonOS, that suit edupreneurs, Large tutoring, Universities and educators alike.
  2. Other platforms, such as Coursera and edX, remain relevant to the study and offer accredited courses and degrees from various universities worldwide.
  3. Furthermore, Moodle, other open-source programs, and several new systems like Litmos highlight that flexibility and creativity are famous in this industry.

These platforms, whether the goal is career growth, education, or a hobby, are not just sources of information. They are gateways to a new era of technology-powered interactive learning experiences. The future of education is here, and it's more exciting and promising than ever before.

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Author
Shreya Vaidya
Content Marketing Associate

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