The Best Free & Low-Cost Course Platforms (2026)
Starting as a creator does not require a big spend. A couple of platforms still let you build and sell on a genuinely free plan, while the rest are cheap to start with a free trial. Here is who is actually free and who is just low-cost.
For a genuinely free start, Systeme.io bundles funnels, email, and courses free, Podia has a free tier, and Kit handles email free. Thinkific and Teachable dropped their free plans but are still cheap to start (from ~$39-49/mo) with free trials.
See all Coaches & Creators tools →At a glance
| # | Tool | Best for | From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Systeme.io | Best genuinely free all-in-one | $17/mo | VISIT ↗ |
| 02 | Podia | Best free simple option | $49/mo | VISIT ↗ |
| 03 | Kit | Best free email (to 10k subs) | $29/mo | VISIT ↗ |
| 04 | Thinkific | Low-cost, free trial (no free plan) | $49/mo | VISIT ↗ |
| 05 | Teachable | Low-cost, free trial (no free plan) | $39/mo | VISIT ↗ |
The picks
01 Systeme.io
Best genuinely free all-in-oneAll-in-one funnels, email, and courses.
Systeme.io bundles funnels, email, courses, and affiliate management in one free-to-start platform. A favorite for solo creators building a full stack cheaply.
- Sales funnels
- Email marketing
- Online courses
- Affiliate manager
02 Podia
Best free simple optionSimple courses, downloads, and community.
Podia is a clean, affordable platform for selling courses, digital downloads, and memberships with a built-in website. Great for creators who want simplicity.
- Courses and downloads
- Memberships
- Website builder
- Email marketing
03 Kit
Best free email (to 10k subs)Email marketing built for creators.
Kit (formerly ConvertKit) makes newsletters, sequences, and simple automations easy, with a generous free tier. The default email tool for many creators.
- Broadcasts and sequences
- Visual automations
- Landing pages and forms
- Subscriber tagging
04 Thinkific
Low-cost, free trial (no free plan)Powerful course creation, no code.
Thinkific lets creators build and sell courses and communities with strong customization and no transaction fees on paid plans. A solid Teachable alternative.
- Course and community builder
- No transaction fees
- Site customization
- App store
05 Teachable
Low-cost, free trial (no free plan)Create and sell courses with ease.
Teachable is a beginner-friendly platform for building, hosting, and selling online courses and coaching. A popular starting point for new creators.
- Course builder
- Coaching products
- Checkout and payments
- Basic email
// HOW WE PICK: We rank on merit for the job each tool does, using hands-on research and public pricing. Affiliate links fund the site and never change the order.
Frequently asked
Can I create a course for free?
Yes. Systeme.io and Podia have genuinely free plans you can build and sell on, and Kit is free for email up to 10,000 subscribers. Thinkific and Teachable no longer have free plans, only trials.
What is the best free all-in-one for creators?
Systeme.io bundles funnels, email, and courses on its free tier, making it the most complete genuinely-free option.
Do Thinkific and Teachable still have free plans?
No. Both retired their free plans and now start at about $39-49/mo, though each offers a free trial to test first.
Browse the full Coaches & Creators index
Every tool, honest pros and cons, and live pricing - filter by category and price.
OPEN THE COACHES & CREATORS INDEX →