Best 8 Course Website Builders in 2026: Compared by Price and Features
By Great Startup Tools
Introduction
Thinkific is the best overall course website builder because it puts a branded site, course hosting and checkout in one place. This list covers eight options: course platforms with built-in site builders, plus general website builders. Prices run from free to premium, and the picks range from simple to design-heavy.
Quick comparison table
| Tool | Best for | Platform | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thinkific | Branded course site in one place | Web | Freemium |
| Kajabi | All-in-one courses and marketing | Web, iOS | Free trial |
| Teachable | First-time course sellers | Web, iOS | Freemium |
| Heights Platform | Courses with built-in page builder | Web | Free trial |
| Webflow | Design and content control | Web | Freemium |
| Squarespace | Polished marketing sites | Web | Free trial |
| Wix | Beginners wanting many features | Web, iOS | Freemium |
| Google Sites | Free internal training | Web | Free |
Thinkific, Kajabi, Teachable and Heights host courses natively. Webflow, Squarespace, Wix and Google Sites need a plugin, add-on or third-party embed for lessons. Pricing changes often, so check current plans before you commit.
1. Thinkific
Best for: creators who want a branded course site without stitching tools together.
Thinkific lets you build and host a branded course website with lessons, quizzes and checkout. What stands out is the site builder, which ties your storefront directly to your curriculum. Page customization is more limited than in a dedicated design tool like Webflow.
2. Kajabi
Best for: creators who want courses, landing pages and digital product sales in one subscription.
Kajabi is an all-in-one setup that suits solo creators scaling a product line. Landing pages and sales tools live in the same account as the course, which is its best feature. The tradeoff is cost, since it's pricier than most picks here. It's available on Web and iOS.
3. Teachable
Best for: first-time course sellers who want a simple route to a live course.
Teachable has its own site builder for creating and selling courses. The flow from creation to sale is straightforward and gets you live quickly. You get less design freedom than with Webflow or Squarespace. It's available on Web and iOS.
4. Heights Platform
Best for: creators who want a course platform with a built-in page builder and a modern interface.
Heights Platform includes a web page builder, so you can make sales and landing pages next to your courses. That built-in builder is what sets it apart. Setup feels about as approachable as Thinkific or Teachable, with a more modern look.
5. Webflow
Best for: designers and creators who update content often and want full layout control.
Webflow is a no-code builder with a CMS that suits course catalogs, blogs and resource libraries. Managing content at scale is where it shines. Expect a learning curve, and plan on a separate tool for course delivery.
6. Squarespace
Best for: creatives who want a polished course marketing site fast.
Squarespace is strong for coaches and course creators who care about looks. Its design-forward templates look good with little tweaking. It falls short on advanced course features, such as deep student tracking.
7. Wix
Best for: beginners who want an easy builder with many features and apps.
Wix is simple enough to get a course landing site running quickly, and its wide feature range covers most needs. The big draw is the number of built-in features and app options. Course delivery relies on add-ons, not a dedicated learning platform. It's available on Web and iOS.
8. Google Sites
Best for: free, simple sites for internal training or small cohorts.
Google Sites offers a drag-and-drop editor that works with Docs, Forms and Drive. Free hosting and Google integration are the main reasons to pick it. It has no native payments, course hosting or advanced branding.
How we picked these tools
We judged each tool on how easily you can build a course site, sell and deliver lessons, how much design flexibility you get, and what it costs.
We balanced all-in-one course platforms against general site builders, and covered different budgets and skill levels. No tool here is sponsored, and rankings reflect fit for course creators.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest course website builder for beginners?
Teachable and Thinkific are the simplest starting points, since both guide you from course creation to checkout. Wix is the easiest general builder if all you need is a landing page.
Do I need a course platform, or can a general website builder work?
Use a course platform if you need lesson hosting, quizzes, student progress and checkout in one place. A general builder works when you mainly need a marketing site and can add a plugin or embed for delivery.
Can I build a course website for free?
Yes. Google Sites is free, but it has no native payments, course hosting or advanced branding. Some paid tools offer free plans or trials, so check current terms.
Which option is best for design control?
Webflow gives you the most control over layout and content structure, though you'll pay for it with a learning curve. Squarespace is faster, with templates that look polished out of the box.
Can I sell courses from my own domain?
Generally yes. Most of these tools support custom domains, but it often depends on your plan. Check plan details before you buy.
The verdict
Thinkific is the strongest overall pick because it handles your branded site, course hosting and checkout together. Kajabi is the runner-up for all-in-one selling, and Webflow is the runner-up for design and content control.
For a quick launch, pick Teachable or Heights Platform. For free internal training, use Google Sites.
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