What AI assistants actually recommend when buyers ask about online course platforms — measured weekly across 4 engines, published as open data.
Updated 2026-08-01 · 53 sampled answers · rolling 4-week window · methodology
Rankings are measured from sampled AI answers — never editorial, never paid. Orbator builds AI-visibility tooling; when Orbator itself appears in any category, it is measured by the same rules as everyone else.
Sample: 53 AI answers · Window: Jul 4, 2026 – Aug 1, 2026 (4-week rolling) · trend vs prior 4 weeks (42 answers)
Across 53 sampled AI answers from 4 engines, Thinkific is recommended most often — appearing in 75.5% of recommendations, followed by Kajabi (73.6%) and Podia (62.3%).
This is a measurement of share of voice across 4 AI engines — not an editorial pick. See the full ranking below.
| # | Product | Share | Trend | Engines | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thinkific thinkific.com Best for: AI recommends Thinkific most when buyers ask “best online course platforms for independent creators” (100% of those answers) | 75.5% 95% CI 62.4–85.1% 40 mentions · avg pos 4.6 first pick 17.5% | — | GEMINI 76.2%CHATGPT 75%CLAUDE 71.4%PERPLEXITY 76.2% | Claim |
| 2 | Kajabi kajabi.com Best for: AI recommends Kajabi most when buyers ask “best tools for building and selling an online course” (100% of those answers) | 73.6% 95% CI 60.4–83.6% 39 mentions · avg pos 4.6 first pick 23.1% | — | GEMINI 76.2%CHATGPT 100%CLAUDE 57.1%PERPLEXITY 71.4% | Claim |
| 3 | Podia podia.com Best for: AI recommends Podia most when buyers ask “best online course platforms for independent creators” (100% of those answers) | 62.3% 95% CI 48.8–74.1% 33 mentions · avg pos 5.4 first pick 21.2% | — | GEMINI 76.2%CHATGPT 75%CLAUDE 57.1%PERPLEXITY 47.6% | Claim |
| 4 | Teachable teachable.com Best for: AI recommends Teachable most when buyers ask “best online course platforms for independent creators” (100% of those answers) | 49.1% 95% CI 36.1–62.1% 26 mentions · avg pos 4.6 first pick 15.4% | — | GEMINI 47.6%CHATGPT 50%CLAUDE 28.6%PERPLEXITY 57.1% | Claim |
| 5 | Mighty Networks mightynetworks.com Best for: AI recommends Mighty Networks most when buyers ask “which course platform is best for cohort-based learning” (100% of those answers) | 43.4% 95% CI 31–56.7% 23 mentions · avg pos 6.3 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 52.4%CHATGPT 50%CLAUDE 42.9%PERPLEXITY 33.3% | Claim |
| 6 | WordPress wordpress.com Best for: AI recommends WordPress most when buyers ask “what should I use to host and sell my online course without platform fees” (100% of those answers) | 41.5% 95% CI 29.3–54.9% 22 mentions · avg pos 9.4 first pick 18.2% | — | GEMINI 52.4%CHATGPT 25%CLAUDE 28.6%PERPLEXITY 38.1% | Claim |
| 7 | Learnworlds learnworlds.com Best for: AI recommends Learnworlds most when buyers ask “best tools for building and selling an online course” (90% of those answers) | 35.8% 95% CI 24.3–49.3% 19 mentions · avg pos 4.8 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 42.9%CHATGPT 50%CLAUDE 14.3%PERPLEXITY 33.3% | Claim |
| 8 | Systeme.io systeme.io Best for: AI recommends Systeme.io most when buyers ask “affordable alternatives to the biggest hosted online course marketplaces” (77.8% of those answers) | 35.8% 95% CI 24.3–49.3% 19 mentions · avg pos 6.4 first pick 15.8% | — | GEMINI 52.4%PERPLEXITY 38.1% | Claim |
| 9 | Circle circle.so Best for: AI recommends Circle most when buyers ask “which course platform is best for cohort-based learning” (100% of those answers) | 34% 95% CI 22.7–47.4% 18 mentions · avg pos 5.9 first pick 5.6% | — | GEMINI 28.6%CHATGPT 25%CLAUDE 42.9%PERPLEXITY 38.1% | Claim |
| 10 | Udemy udemy.com Best for: AI recommends Udemy most when buyers ask “affordable alternatives to the biggest hosted online course marketplaces” (77.8% of those answers) | 30.2% 95% CI 19.5–43.5% 16 mentions · avg pos 7.5 first pick 6.3% | — | GEMINI 42.9%CLAUDE 28.6%PERPLEXITY 23.8% | Claim |
| 11 | Stripe stripe.com Best for: AI recommends Stripe most when buyers ask “what should I use to host and sell my online course without platform fees” (100% of those answers) | 24.5% 95% CI 14.9–37.6% 13 mentions · avg pos 11.7 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 14.3%CHATGPT 75%CLAUDE 28.6%PERPLEXITY 23.8% | Claim |
| 12 | Skillshare skillshare.com Best for: AI recommends Skillshare most when buyers ask “affordable alternatives to the biggest hosted online course marketplaces” (66.7% of those answers) | 22.6% 95% CI 13.5–35.5% 12 mentions · avg pos 8.4 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 42.9%PERPLEXITY 14.3% | Claim |
| 13 | LearnDash learndash.com Best for: AI recommends LearnDash most when buyers ask “how do I build a membership site with courses and community” (88.9% of those answers) | 22.6% 95% CI 13.5–35.5% 12 mentions · avg pos 9.6 first pick 8.3% | — | GEMINI 42.9%CHATGPT 25%CLAUDE 14.3%PERPLEXITY 4.8% | Claim |
| 14 | FreshLearn freshlearn.com Best for: AI recommends FreshLearn most when buyers ask “affordable alternatives to the biggest hosted online course marketplaces” (55.6% of those answers) | 20.8% 95% CI 12–33.5% 11 mentions · avg pos 6.3 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 23.8%CLAUDE 14.3%PERPLEXITY 23.8% | Claim |
| 15 | Skool skool.co Best for: AI recommends Skool most when buyers ask “affordable alternatives to the biggest hosted online course marketplaces” (55.6% of those answers) | 18.9% 95% CI 10.6–31.4% 10 mentions · avg pos 6.6 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 19%CHATGPT 25%CLAUDE 28.6%PERPLEXITY 14.3% | Claim |
| 16 | Maven maven.com Best for: AI recommends Maven most when buyers ask “which course platform is best for cohort-based learning” (90% of those answers) | 15.1% 95% CI 7.9–27.1% 8 mentions · avg pos 3.5 first pick 12.5% | — | GEMINI 14.3%CHATGPT 25%CLAUDE 14.3%PERPLEXITY 14.3% | Claim |
| 17 | Teachfloor teachfloor.com Best for: AI recommends Teachfloor most when buyers ask “which course platform is best for cohort-based learning” (80% of those answers) | 15.1% 95% CI 7.9–27.1% 8 mentions · avg pos 4.6 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 14.3%CHATGPT 25%CLAUDE 14.3%PERPLEXITY 14.3% | Claim |
| 18 | LifterLMS lifterlms.com Best for: AI recommends LifterLMS most when buyers ask “affordable alternatives to the biggest hosted online course marketplaces” (33.3% of those answers) | 15.1% 95% CI 7.9–27.1% 8 mentions · avg pos 8.1 first pick 12.5% | — | GEMINI 28.6%CHATGPT 25%CLAUDE 14.3% | Claim |
| 19 | Disco disco.co Best for: AI recommends Disco most when buyers ask “which course platform is best for cohort-based learning” (80% of those answers) | 13.2% 95% CI 6.5–24.8% 7 mentions · avg pos 2.7 first pick 28.6% | — | GEMINI 14.3%CHATGPT 25%CLAUDE 14.3%PERPLEXITY 9.5% | Claim |
| 20 | Payhip payhip.com Best for: AI recommends Payhip most when buyers ask “affordable alternatives to the biggest hosted online course marketplaces” (33.3% of those answers) | 13.2% 95% CI 6.5–24.8% 7 mentions · avg pos 6 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 9.5%CLAUDE 14.3%PERPLEXITY 19% | Claim |
| 21 | Ruzuku ruzuku.com Best for: AI recommends Ruzuku most when buyers ask “which course platform is best for cohort-based learning” (70% of those answers) | 13.2% 95% CI 6.5–24.8% 7 mentions · avg pos 7.3 first pick 14.3% | — | GEMINI 9.5%CHATGPT 25%PERPLEXITY 19% | Claim |
| 22 | PayPal paypal.com Best for: AI recommends PayPal most when buyers ask “what should I use to host and sell my online course without platform fees” (100% of those answers) | 13.2% 95% CI 6.5–24.8% 7 mentions · avg pos 15.3 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 9.5%CLAUDE 28.6%PERPLEXITY 14.3% | Claim |
| 23 | Teachery teachery.com Best for: AI recommends Teachery most when buyers ask “what should I use to host and sell my online course without platform fees” (40% of those answers) | 11.3% 95% CI 5.3–22.6% 6 mentions · avg pos 7 first pick 16.7% | — | GEMINI 28.6% | Claim |
| 24 | LearnPress learnpress.io Best for: AI recommends LearnPress most when buyers ask “what should I use to host and sell my online course without platform fees” (50% of those answers) | 11.3% 95% CI 5.3–22.6% 6 mentions · avg pos 8.6 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 14.3%CLAUDE 14.3%PERPLEXITY 9.5% | Claim |
| 25 | MemberPress memberpress.com Best for: AI recommends MemberPress most when buyers ask “how do I build a membership site with courses and community” (77.8% of those answers) | 11.3% 95% CI 5.3–22.6% 6 mentions · avg pos 11.3 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 14.3%CLAUDE 14.3%PERPLEXITY 9.5% | Claim |
| 26 | Gumroad gumroad.com Best for: AI recommends Gumroad most when buyers ask “affordable alternatives to the biggest hosted online course marketplaces” (44.4% of those answers) | 11.3% 95% CI 5.3–22.6% 6 mentions · avg pos 11.6 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 14.3%PERPLEXITY 14.3% | Claim |
| 27 | EducateMe educate-me.co Best for: AI recommends EducateMe most when buyers ask “which course platform is best for cohort-based learning” (70% of those answers) | 9.4% 95% CI 4.1–20.3% 5 mentions · avg pos 6.8 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 14.3%PERPLEXITY 9.5% | Claim |
| 28 | Kartra kartra.com Best for: AI recommends Kartra most when buyers ask “best tools for building and selling an online course” (30% of those answers) | 9.4% 95% CI 4.1–20.3% 5 mentions · avg pos 7.8 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 19%PERPLEXITY 4.8% | Claim |
| 29 | Zenler Best for: AI recommends Zenler most when buyers ask “affordable alternatives to the biggest hosted online course marketplaces” (33.3% of those answers) | 9.4% 95% CI 4.1–20.3% 5 mentions · avg pos 9.3 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 19%PERPLEXITY 4.8% | Claim |
| 30 | BuddyBoss buddyboss.com Best for: AI recommends BuddyBoss most when buyers ask “how do I build a membership site with courses and community” (77.8% of those answers) | 9.4% 95% CI 4.1–20.3% 5 mentions · avg pos 15.2 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 14.3%CLAUDE 14.3%PERPLEXITY 4.8% | Claim |
| 31 | Tutor LMS Best for: AI recommends Tutor LMS most when buyers ask “what should I use to host and sell my online course without platform fees” (30% of those answers) | 7.5% 95% CI 3–17.9% 4 mentions · avg pos 4.8 first pick 25% | — | GEMINI 14.3%CHATGPT 25% | Claim |
| 32 | EzyCourse ezycourse.com Best for: AI recommends EzyCourse most when buyers ask “affordable alternatives to the biggest hosted online course marketplaces” (33.3% of those answers) | 7.5% 95% CI 3–17.9% 4 mentions · avg pos 5 first pick 0% | — | CLAUDE 14.3%PERPLEXITY 14.3% | Claim |
| 33 | Squarespace squarespace.com Best for: AI recommends Squarespace most when buyers ask “affordable alternatives to the biggest hosted online course marketplaces” (33.3% of those answers) | 7.5% 95% CI 3–17.9% 4 mentions · avg pos 5.7 first pick 25% | — | GEMINI 4.8%PERPLEXITY 14.3% | Claim |
| 34 | Zanfia zanfia.com Best for: AI recommends Zanfia most when buyers ask “what should I use to host and sell my online course without platform fees” (40% of those answers) | 7.5% 95% CI 3–17.9% 4 mentions · avg pos 7.7 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 9.5%PERPLEXITY 9.5% | Claim |
| 35 | Zapier AI zapier.com Best for: AI recommends Zapier AI most when buyers ask “best online course platforms for independent creators” (30% of those answers) | 7.5% 95% CI 3–17.9% 4 mentions · avg pos 9.5 first pick 0% | — | CHATGPT 50%PERPLEXITY 9.5% | Claim |
| 36 | ProProfs Training Maker proprofstraining.com Best for: AI recommends ProProfs Training Maker most when buyers ask “which course platform is best for cohort-based learning” (40% of those answers) | 5.7% 95% CI 1.9–15.4% 3 mentions · avg pos 6.3 first pick 33.3% | — | GEMINI 14.3% | Claim |
| 37 | ThriveCart thrivecart.com | 5.7% 95% CI 1.9–15.4% 3 mentions · avg pos 6.7 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.8%CHATGPT 25%CLAUDE 14.3% | Claim |
| 38 | SamCart samcart.com | 5.7% 95% CI 1.9–15.4% 3 mentions · avg pos 7.5 first pick 0% | — | CHATGPT 25%PERPLEXITY 9.5% | Claim |
| 39 | Coursify.me coursify.me | 5.7% 95% CI 1.9–15.4% 3 mentions · avg pos 7.7 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 9.5%PERPLEXITY 4.8% | Claim |
| 40 | Wix wix.com Best for: AI recommends Wix most when buyers ask “how do I build a membership site with courses and community” (33.3% of those answers) | 5.7% 95% CI 1.9–15.4% 3 mentions · avg pos 9.5 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.8%PERPLEXITY 9.5% | Claim |
| 41 | SchoolMaker schoolmaker.com Best for: AI recommends SchoolMaker most when buyers ask “what should I use to host and sell my online course without platform fees” (40% of those answers) | 5.7% 95% CI 1.9–15.4% 3 mentions · avg pos 10 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.8%PERPLEXITY 9.5% | Claim |
| 42 | WooCommerce | 5.7% 95% CI 1.9–15.4% 3 mentions · avg pos 10 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 9.5%CHATGPT 25% | Claim |
| 43 | Moodle moodle.com Best for: AI recommends Moodle most when buyers ask “what should I use to host and sell my online course without platform fees” (30% of those answers) | 5.7% 95% CI 1.9–15.4% 3 mentions · avg pos 13.3 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 9.5%CHATGPT 25% | Claim |
| 44 | Memberful memberful.com Best for: AI recommends Memberful most when buyers ask “how do I build a membership site with courses and community” (44.4% of those answers) | 5.7% 95% CI 1.9–15.4% 3 mentions · avg pos 13.5 first pick 0% | — | CHATGPT 25%CLAUDE 14.3%PERPLEXITY 4.8% | Claim |
| 45 | GroupApp group.app Best for: AI recommends GroupApp most when buyers ask “which course platform is best for cohort-based learning” (40% of those answers) | 3.8% 95% CI 1–12.8% 2 mentions · avg pos 5.5 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.8%PERPLEXITY 4.8% | Claim |
| 46 | Coursera coursera.org Best for: AI recommends Coursera most when buyers ask “self-hosted course platforms vs marketplace platforms for course creators” (44.4% of those answers) | 3.8% 95% CI 1–12.8% 2 mentions · avg pos 8 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.8%PERPLEXITY 4.8% | Claim |
| 47 | Masterstudy masterstudy.com | 3.8% 95% CI 1–12.8% 2 mentions · avg pos 8 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 9.5% | Claim |
| 48 | Descript descript.com | 3.8% 95% CI 1–12.8% 2 mentions · avg pos 9.5 first pick 0% | — | CHATGPT 25%CLAUDE 14.3% | Claim |
| 49 | Loom loom.com | 3.8% 95% CI 1–12.8% 2 mentions · avg pos 9.5 first pick 0% | — | CHATGPT 25%CLAUDE 14.3% | Claim |
| 50 | OnlineCourseHost onlinecoursehost.com Best for: AI recommends OnlineCourseHost most when buyers ask “what should I use to host and sell my online course without platform fees” (30% of those answers) | 3.8% 95% CI 1–12.8% 2 mentions · avg pos 10 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.8%PERPLEXITY 4.8% | Claim |
| 51 | Restrict Content Pro | 3.8% 95% CI 1–12.8% 2 mentions · avg pos 13 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.8%CLAUDE 14.3% | Claim |
| 52 | Stan stan.store | 3.8% 95% CI 1–12.8% 2 mentions · avg pos 13 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 9.5% | Claim |
| 53 | SiteGround siteground.com Best for: AI recommends SiteGround most when buyers ask “what should I use to host and sell my online course without platform fees” (30% of those answers) | 3.8% 95% CI 1–12.8% 2 mentions · avg pos 15.5 first pick 0% | — | CHATGPT 25%PERPLEXITY 4.8% | Claim |
| 54 | Slack slack.com | 3.8% 95% CI 1–12.8% 2 mentions · avg pos 16 first pick 0% | — | CHATGPT 25%PERPLEXITY 4.8% | Claim |
| 55 | GuideFlow guideflow.com | 1.9% 95% CI 0.3–9.9% 1 mentions · avg pos 1 first pick 100% | — | CHATGPT 25% | Claim |
| 56 | Bluehost bluehost.com | 1.9% 95% CI 0.3–9.9% 1 mentions · avg pos 4 first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.8% | Claim |
| 57 | ConvertKit convertkit.com | 1.9% 95% CI 0.3–9.9% 1 mentions · avg pos 7 first pick 0% | — | CHATGPT 25% | Claim |
| 58 | Skilljar skilljar.com | 1.9% 95% CI 0.3–9.9% 1 mentions · avg pos 7 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.8% | Claim |
| 59 | Vimeo Pro vimeo.com | 1.9% 95% CI 0.3–9.9% 1 mentions · avg pos 7 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.8% | Claim |
| 60 | Camtasia | 1.9% 95% CI 0.3–9.9% 1 mentions · avg pos 9 first pick 0% | — | CLAUDE 14.3% | Claim |
| 61 | Shopify shopify.com | 1.9% 95% CI 0.3–9.9% 1 mentions · avg pos 9 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.8% | Claim |
| 62 | edX edx.org | 1.9% 95% CI 0.3–9.9% 1 mentions · avg pos 9 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.8% | Claim |
| 63 | Discourse discourse.org | 1.9% 95% CI 0.3–9.9% 1 mentions · avg pos 10 first pick 0% | — | CLAUDE 14.3% | Claim |
| 64 | Kourses kourses.com | 1.9% 95% CI 0.3–9.9% 1 mentions · avg pos 10 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.8% | Claim |
| 65 | Masterstudy LMS | 1.9% 95% CI 0.3–9.9% 1 mentions · avg pos 10 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.8% | Claim |
| 66 | NewZenler newzenler.com | 1.9% 95% CI 0.3–9.9% 1 mentions · avg pos 14 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.8% | Claim |
| 67 | ClubSuite™ | 1.9% 95% CI 0.3–9.9% 1 mentions · avg pos 17 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.8% | Claim |
| 68 | BuddyPress | 1.9% 95% CI 0.3–9.9% 1 mentions · avg pos 23 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.8% | Claim |
| 69 | Audiorista audiorista.com Best for: AI recommends Audiorista most when buyers ask “self-hosted course platforms vs marketplace platforms for course creators” (33.3% of those answers) | 1.9% 95% CI 0.3–9.9% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.8% | Claim |
| 70 | Deadline Funnel deadlinefunnel.com | 1.9% 95% CI 0.3–9.9% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.8% | Claim |
| 71 | LearnPress LMS learnpresslms.com Best for: AI recommends LearnPress LMS most when buyers ask “self-hosted course platforms vs marketplace platforms for course creators” (44.4% of those answers) | 1.9% 95% CI 0.3–9.9% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.8% | Claim |
| 72 | Toolset toolset.com | 1.9% 95% CI 0.3–9.9% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.8% | Claim |
| 73 | wpbeginner.com wpbeginner.com | 1.9% 95% CI 0.3–9.9% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.8% | Claim |
Reading the numbers: Share is a point estimate on 53 sampled answers, so each row also shows its 95% CI — the Wilson score interval around that share. When two products' intervals overlap, the gap between them isn't statistically meaningful at this sample size. First pick is the share of a product's recommending answers where it was named first, which separates “always mentioned” from “usually the top recommendation”. Full methodology.
Independence: Orbator customers are badged for disclosure. Customer status does not affect prompts, sampling, extraction, or ranking — see the methodology. Your product on this list? Claim it to see the prompts behind your rank and track it weekly.
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