computer screen displaying an online course hosting platform interface

Top 8 Video Hosting Platforms for Your Online Courses

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Creating and selling online courses has become more accessible than ever before. Video hosting platforms provide content creators with a powerful tool to share their expertise with a global audience. These platforms offer an all-in-one solution to host, manage, and monetize online courses, making it easier for instructors to focus on creating high-quality educational content. In this article, we’ll explore the top 8 video hosting platforms for online courses in 2024. Each platform offers unique features and benefits, catering to a diverse range of needs and preferences.

What Is an Online Course Platform?

An online course platform lets you create and host your own course, giving you complete creative control over the development process. For both seasoned video producers and beginners looking to supplement their educational content, this is an ideal way to get started.

A laptop with a well-organized desk displaying a variety of hosting platform logos, symbolizing the options for online course creators

You could host your course on your own website. There are disadvantages to keep in mind:

● There could be confusion among students about which course they are enrolled in and how to get support
● Making changes or deleting content can be difficult if you do not have the support of an instructor
● You may not make as much money as you would if the course were offered through a platform like Udemy or Coursera
● You may experience higher costs associated with hosting and maintaining your own website

A better alternative is to host your course on an online platform. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks inherent to its design and function. Deciding which online platform is best for your course depends on your specific needs and goals. Here are some tips on how to choose an online platform for hosting your course:

1. Consider the features: Look for a platform that offers the features you need to create and deliver your course content effectively. Features to consider include video hosting, course creation tools, customization options, analytics, and marketing tools.

2. Evaluate pricing: Make sure you understand the pricing structure of the platform you’re considering. Look for a platform that offers transparent pricing and fits within your budget.

3. Check for support: Look for a platform that provides good support options, such as email support, phone support, or live chat. You’ll want to have a way to get help if you run into technical issues or have questions about using the platform.

4. Consider the user experience: Choose a platform that offers a good user experience for both you and your students. Look for a platform that’s easy to use and navigate, and that provides a good experience for your students when they’re taking your course.

5. Check for integrations: Look for a platform that integrates with other tools you use, such as your website, email marketing software, or learning management system. Integrations can make it easier to manage your course and reach your target audience.

The following is a list of the top 8 platforms to host your video course:

YouTube

YouTube has a massive user base, with over two billion monthly active users, making it an excellent platform for hosting online courses. It offers a wide range of features, including video editing tools, captioning options, and live streaming. YouTube also provides advanced analytics tools that can help content creators understand their audience and optimize their content for better engagement.

Pros of hosting your online course on YouTube:

1. Massive user base: YouTube has over two billion monthly active users, providing a vast potential audience for your online course.

2. Ease of use: YouTube offers a user-friendly platform for uploading and managing video content, making it accessible for both instructors and learners.

3. Cost-effective: YouTube provides free hosting for your videos, eliminating the need for expensive video hosting solutions.

4. Built-in community and engagement: YouTube’s commenting system allows for interaction with your audience, fostering engagement and feedback on your course content.

5. SEO benefits: YouTube is a search engine in itself, and optimizing your videos with relevant keywords can help improve their discoverability on the platform and even in general search engine results.

6. Monetization options: YouTube offers various monetization features such as ads, channel memberships, and Super Chat, allowing you to earn revenue from your course content.

Cons of hosting your online course on YouTube:

1. Limited control over branding and customization: YouTube provides limited options for customizing the look and feel of your course platform, which can limit brand consistency and control over the user experience.

2. Potential distractions: YouTube is primarily a video-sharing platform with a wide range of content. Learners may be exposed to distractions, such as suggested videos or unrelated content on the platform.

3. Lack of advanced course management features: YouTube is primarily designed for video sharing, and while it offers basic video analytics, it lacks advanced course management features such as quizzes, assessments, or progress tracking.

4. Potential copyright issues: YouTube’s content ID system can automatically flag and potentially restrict or monetize videos that contain copyrighted material, which may impact the inclusion of certain content in your course.

5. Limited revenue potential: While YouTube provides monetization options, the revenue potential from ads alone may not be as substantial as other dedicated course platforms that offer more robust pricing and monetization models.

6. Terms of service changes: YouTube’s terms and policies can change over time, which may impact how you can monetize your course or the overall terms of hosting your content on the platform.

Sign Up to YouTube

2. Vimeo

Vimeo is a video hosting platform popular among creative professionals. It offers advanced features such as customizable video players, password protection, and analytics. Vimeo also provides high-quality video playback and customization options, making it a great choice for hosting courses that require professional video content.

Pros of hosting your online course on Vimeo:

1. High-quality video playback: Vimeo is known for its superior video quality, providing a professional and polished viewing experience for your online course.

2. Customizable video player: Vimeo offers extensive customization options for your video player, allowing you to brand it to align with your course and maintain a consistent visual identity.

3. Advanced privacy and security features: Vimeo provides robust privacy settings, including password protection, domain restrictions, and the ability to hide videos from public search results, ensuring that your course content remains accessible only to your intended audience.

4. Analytics and statistics: Vimeo offers detailed video analytics, providing insights into viewer engagement, geographic distribution, and other metrics to help you understand your audience and optimize your course content accordingly.

5. Ad-free viewing experience: Unlike YouTube, Vimeo provides an ad-free environment, ensuring that learners can focus solely on your course content without distractions.

6. Professional community: Vimeo attracts a community of creative professionals, which can create networking opportunities and potentially attract a more focused audience for your course.

Cons of hosting your online course on Vimeo:

1. Limited free hosting options: Vimeo offers a limited amount of free hosting space, and beyond that, you may need to upgrade to a paid plan to accommodate larger course content, which can involve additional costs.

2. Smaller user base: While Vimeo has a dedicated user base, it may not have the same level of reach or audience size as platforms like YouTube, potentially limiting the exposure of your course.

3. Higher pricing: Vimeo’s premium plans can be more expensive compared to some other hosting platforms, especially if you require additional storage or advanced features.

4. Limited social engagement: Vimeo’s social features are not as robust as those offered by platforms like YouTube, which may impact the ability to build a community or foster discussions around your course content.

5. Less discoverability: While Vimeo offers a video-sharing platform, it is primarily geared toward professional and creative content. It may not provide the same level of discoverability or search engine optimization benefits as YouTube or other dedicated course platforms.

Sign Up to Vimeo

3. Wistia

Wistia is a professional video hosting platform focused on businesses and marketers. It provides advanced features such as lead generation tools, customizable video players, and detailed analytics. Wistia is particularly useful for instructors who want more control over branding, user experience, and viewer engagement.

Pros of hosting your online course on Wistia:

1. Professional video player: Wistia offers a fully customizable video player that can be tailored to match your brand and course design.

2. Advanced analytics: Wistia provides detailed metrics, including viewer engagement, heatmaps, and video performance tracking, allowing you to optimize your course content effectively.

3. Lead generation tools: Wistia offers built-in features to collect leads, such as email capture forms, which can help you grow your audience and email list.

4. Ad-free viewing experience: Wistia ensures that your learners watch your content without interruptions from ads, improving focus and learning outcomes.

5. Integration with marketing tools: Wistia can integrate with popular marketing platforms, email software, and CRM tools, enabling seamless workflows for course promotion and student engagement.

6. High-quality playback: Wistia delivers professional-quality video playback, maintaining the integrity of your course content.

Cons of hosting your online course on Wistia:

1. Higher cost: Wistia is a premium platform, and its pricing may be more expensive than other hosting options, especially if you have a large course library.

2. Smaller audience reach: Wistia does not have a built-in public audience like YouTube, so you’ll need to drive traffic to your courses through your marketing efforts.

3. Limited free plan: The free plan has restrictions on the number of videos and features, which may require upgrading to a paid plan for full functionality.

4. Learning curve: While Wistia offers robust features, some users may find it slightly more complex to set up and manage compared to simpler video hosting platforms.

Sign Up to Wistia

4. Thinkific

Thinkific is a user-friendly platform for creating, marketing, and selling online courses. It is designed for educators, entrepreneurs, and businesses who want a complete solution to manage their online courses. Thinkific allows you to design multimedia-rich courses, integrate quizzes and assignments, and track student progress. It also offers a variety of customization options for branding and marketing your courses.

Thinkific Pros and Cons

Pros

  • User-Friendly Interface: Intuitive and easy-to-navigate, suitable for creators with varying technical experience.
  • Comprehensive Course Creation Tools: Includes video, quizzes, assignments, and surveys for a rich learning experience.
  • Customizable Course Pages: Flexible templates and design options help maintain a professional, branded appearance.
  • Flexible Pricing Options: Supports one-time payments, subscriptions, memberships, and payment plans.
  • Built-In Marketing Tools: Offers email automation, landing pages, and coupons for effective promotion.
  • Student Management: Tracks student progress, course completion, and automates engagement emails.
  • Integration with Third-Party Tools: Works with email marketing platforms, CRMs, and analytics tools.
  • Secure Hosting: SSL encryption, backups, and secure payment processing protect content and data.
  • 24/7 Customer Support: Access via live chat, email, and an extensive knowledge base.
  • No Transaction Fees: Retain full revenue from course sales.

Cons

  • Limited Free Plan: Some features require upgrading to a paid plan.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features: More advanced tools may take time to master.
  • Cost for Additional Features: Higher-tier plans are needed for advanced integrations.
  • Basic Website Customization: Design flexibility may be limited compared to dedicated website builders.
  • No Built-In Payment Processing for International Currencies: Third-party services may be needed for non-USD transactions.
  • Email Marketing Limitations: Built-in tools are less robust than specialized platforms.
  • Mobile Experience: Functional but could be smoother for both creators and students.
  • Reporting and Analytics: Useful but not as in-depth as dedicated analytics platforms.
  • Course Completion Tracking: Some users find it less intuitive.
  • Community Building: Basic features only, lacking full membership site functionality.

Sign Up to Thinkific

5. Teachable

Teachable is a popular online course platform that allows creators to build, market, and sell courses easily. It provides an intuitive interface and a variety of tools for course creation, customization, and student management. With Teachable, you can design multimedia-rich courses, set pricing options, and integrate marketing tools to reach a wider audience. It also supports analytics and student engagement tracking, giving creators insights to improve their courses.

Teachable Pros and Cons

Pros

  • User-Friendly Interface: Simple and intuitive platform suitable for beginners and experienced creators alike.
  • Course Customization: Offers flexible course page designs, multimedia content, and branding options.
  • Pricing Flexibility: Supports subscriptions, one-time payments, bundles, and free courses.
  • Marketing Tools: Built-in email marketing, coupons, affiliate programs, and landing pages for promotion.
  • Student Management: Tracks progress, completions, and engagement with automated notifications.
  • Analytics: Provides reports on student activity, revenue, and course performance.
  • Integration: Works with payment gateways, email marketing software, and other third-party tools.
  • Secure Hosting: SSL encryption and reliable hosting protect course content.
  • Mobile-Friendly: Courses are accessible and functional on mobile devices.
  • Support: Offers email and live chat support, plus a knowledge base for guidance.

Cons

  • Transaction Fees: Some plans include fees on course sales unless you choose a higher-tier plan.
  • Limited Design Flexibility: Customization is not as advanced as dedicated website builders.
  • Pricing for Advanced Features: Some tools, like advanced reporting or integrations, require higher-tier plans.
  • Learning Curve: Advanced features may take time to master for beginners.
  • Email Marketing Limitations: Built-in tools may require third-party integrations for advanced campaigns.
  • No Built-In Community Features: Limited social engagement tools compared to other platforms.
  • International Payments: Payment options for non-USD currencies may need external solutions.
  • Course Completion Tracking: Less intuitive for some creators.
  • Reporting Limitations: Analytics may not be as detailed as specialized tools.
  • Mobile Experience: Functional but could be improved for seamless student interaction.

Sign Up to Teachable

6. Panopto

Panopto is a video hosting platform designed for businesses and educational institutions. It offers advanced features such as video editing tools, automatic captioning, and integrations with popular content management systems like SharePoint and Salesforce. Panopto also provides analytics tools that help content creators understand their audience and optimize their content for engagement.

Pros of hosting your online course with Panopto

  • Robust video management: Covers video hosting, recording, editing, and streaming with a user-friendly interface.
  • Integration with learning management systems (LMS): Seamlessly delivers course content within your LMS, providing a cohesive learning experience.
  • Interactive features: Includes quizzes, polls, and discussions directly within videos to increase engagement.
  • Video analytics: Tracks metrics such as views, watch time, and drop-off rates for data-driven improvements.
  • Advanced search: AI-powered search allows students to find content using keywords, captions, and objects in videos.

Cons of hosting your online course with Panopto

  • Limited customization options: Branding and player customization may not be as flexible as on specialized course platforms.
  • Pricing considerations: Targeted toward enterprises and educational institutions, which may be expensive for individual creators.
  • LMS dependency: Works best if you already have an LMS; alternatives may require additional setup.
  • Learning curve: Feature-rich interface may take time for beginners to master.
  • Limited course-specific features: For assignments, grading, and progress tracking, you may need external tools.

Sign Up to Panopto

7. Udemy

Udemy is an online learning platform that enables instructors to create and sell courses on a variety of topics, including video courses. It provides tools for course creation, marketing, and analytics. With a large student base, Udemy is popular for instructors looking to reach a wide audience. Courses can include video, audio, and text-based materials.

Pros of hosting your online course with Udemy

  • Large student audience: Access a vast user base actively searching for courses.
  • Built-in marketing: Marketplace promotion, discounts, and campaigns drive enrollment.
  • Course creation tools: User-friendly interface with templates, video uploads, and assessments.
  • Revenue potential: Income from course sales through Udemy’s revenue-sharing model.
  • Student engagement: Quizzes, assignments, discussions, and direct communication improve learning.

Cons of hosting your online course with Udemy

  • Pricing limitations: Limited control over course pricing; discounts may reduce perceived value.
  • Limited control over learning experience: Standardized interface may restrict customization.
  • Revenue-sharing model: Udemy takes a percentage of sales, which can reduce overall income.
  • Limited learner data access: Student data is mostly retained by Udemy, limiting marketing options.
  • Competition: Large number of courses may make it challenging to stand out without effective promotion.

Sign Up to Udemy

8. Thinkific

Thinkific is a user-friendly platform for creating, marketing, and selling online courses. It allows educators and entrepreneurs to design multimedia-rich courses, integrate quizzes and assignments, and manage student progress. Thinkific offers a variety of customization options for branding and marketing tools, making it a scalable solution for professional online learning.

Pros of hosting your online course with Thinkific

  • User-Friendly Interface: Intuitive platform accessible for creators of all technical levels.
  • Comprehensive course creation tools: Supports video, quizzes, assignments, and surveys for a multimedia learning experience.
  • Customizable course pages: Flexible design options to ensure professional branding.
  • Flexible pricing: Offers one-time payments, subscriptions, memberships, and payment plans.
  • Built-in marketing tools: Email automation, landing pages, and coupon management for promotions.
  • Student management: Progress tracking, certificates, and automated emails enhance engagement.
  • Third-party integrations: Works with email marketing, CRMs, and analytics tools.
  • Secure hosting: SSL encryption, backups, and secure payment processing protect content.
  • 24/7 support: Live chat, email, and knowledge base provide assistance.
  • No transaction fees: Creators retain full revenue from course sales.

Cons of hosting your online course with Thinkific

  • Limited free plan: Free tier may not include enough features for full use.
  • Learning curve for advanced features: Some advanced tools require time to master.
  • Cost for additional features: Higher-tier plans needed for advanced integrations.
  • Basic website customization: Design options are more limited than dedicated website builders.
  • No built-in payment processing for all currencies: Non-USD payments may require third-party solutions.
  • Email marketing limitations: Built-in tools may be less robust than standalone platforms.
  • Mobile experience: Functional but could be smoother on smartphones and tablets.
  • Reporting and analytics: Basic analytics may lack depth compared to specialized tools.
  • Course completion tracking: Less intuitive for monitoring student progress.
  • Community building: Lacks advanced membership site features for community engagement.

Sign Up to Thinkific

Last Updated on January 2, 2026

by Daniel Zohar