AI Index / Online course platforms

Best Online course platforms

What AI assistants actually recommend when buyers ask about online course platforms — measured weekly across 4 engines, published as open data.

Updated 2026-08-02 · 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.

Updated weekly53 samples4 enginesmethodology

Sample: 53 AI answers · Window: Jul 5, 2026Aug 2, 2026 (4-week rolling) · trend vs prior 4 weeks (42 answers)

What is the best online course platforms?

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.

#ProductShareTrendEngines
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 62.485.1%

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 60.483.6%

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 48.874.1%

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 36.162.1%

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 3156.7%

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 29.354.9%

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 24.349.3%

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 24.349.3%

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 22.747.4%

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 19.543.5%

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 14.937.6%

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 13.535.5%

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 13.535.5%

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 1233.5%

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 10.631.4%

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 7.927.1%

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 7.927.1%

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 7.927.1%

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 6.524.8%

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 6.524.8%

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 6.524.8%

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 6.524.8%

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 5.322.6%

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 5.322.6%

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 5.322.6%

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 5.322.6%

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 4.120.3%

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 4.120.3%

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 4.120.3%

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 4.120.3%

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 317.9%

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 317.9%

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 317.9%

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 317.9%

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 317.9%

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 1.915.4%

3 mentions · avg pos 6.3

first pick 33.3%

GEMINI 14.3%
Claim
37
ThriveCart

thrivecart.com

5.7%

95% CI 1.915.4%

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 1.915.4%

3 mentions · avg pos 7.5

first pick 0%

CHATGPT 25%PERPLEXITY 9.5%
Claim
39
Coursify.me

coursify.me

5.7%

95% CI 1.915.4%

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 1.915.4%

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 1.915.4%

3 mentions · avg pos 10

first pick 0%

GEMINI 4.8%PERPLEXITY 9.5%
Claim
42
WooCommerce

5.7%

95% CI 1.915.4%

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 1.915.4%

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 1.915.4%

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 112.8%

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 112.8%

2 mentions · avg pos 8

first pick 0%

GEMINI 4.8%PERPLEXITY 4.8%
Claim
47
Masterstudy

masterstudy.com

3.8%

95% CI 112.8%

2 mentions · avg pos 8

first pick 0%

GEMINI 9.5%
Claim
48
Descript

descript.com

3.8%

95% CI 112.8%

2 mentions · avg pos 9.5

first pick 0%

CHATGPT 25%CLAUDE 14.3%
Claim
49
Loom

loom.com

3.8%

95% CI 112.8%

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 112.8%

2 mentions · avg pos 10

first pick 0%

GEMINI 4.8%PERPLEXITY 4.8%
Claim
51
Restrict Content Pro

3.8%

95% CI 112.8%

2 mentions · avg pos 13

first pick 0%

GEMINI 4.8%CLAUDE 14.3%
Claim
52
Stan

stan.store

3.8%

95% CI 112.8%

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 112.8%

2 mentions · avg pos 15.5

first pick 0%

CHATGPT 25%PERPLEXITY 4.8%
Claim
54
Slack

slack.com

3.8%

95% CI 112.8%

2 mentions · avg pos 16

first pick 0%

CHATGPT 25%PERPLEXITY 4.8%
Claim
55
GuideFlow

guideflow.com

1.9%

95% CI 0.39.9%

1 mentions · avg pos 1

first pick 100%

CHATGPT 25%
Claim
56
Bluehost

bluehost.com

1.9%

95% CI 0.39.9%

1 mentions · avg pos 4

first pick 0%

PERPLEXITY 4.8%
Claim
57
ConvertKit

convertkit.com

1.9%

95% CI 0.39.9%

1 mentions · avg pos 7

first pick 0%

CHATGPT 25%
Claim
58
Skilljar

skilljar.com

1.9%

95% CI 0.39.9%

1 mentions · avg pos 7

first pick 0%

GEMINI 4.8%
Claim
59
Vimeo Pro

vimeo.com

1.9%

95% CI 0.39.9%

1 mentions · avg pos 7

first pick 0%

GEMINI 4.8%
Claim
60
Camtasia

1.9%

95% CI 0.39.9%

1 mentions · avg pos 9

first pick 0%

CLAUDE 14.3%
Claim
61
Shopify

shopify.com

1.9%

95% CI 0.39.9%

1 mentions · avg pos 9

first pick 0%

GEMINI 4.8%
Claim
62
edX

edx.org

1.9%

95% CI 0.39.9%

1 mentions · avg pos 9

first pick 0%

GEMINI 4.8%
Claim
63
Discourse

discourse.org

1.9%

95% CI 0.39.9%

1 mentions · avg pos 10

first pick 0%

CLAUDE 14.3%
Claim
64
Kourses

kourses.com

1.9%

95% CI 0.39.9%

1 mentions · avg pos 10

first pick 0%

GEMINI 4.8%
Claim
65
Masterstudy LMS

1.9%

95% CI 0.39.9%

1 mentions · avg pos 10

first pick 0%

GEMINI 4.8%
Claim
66
NewZenler

newzenler.com

1.9%

95% CI 0.39.9%

1 mentions · avg pos 14

first pick 0%

GEMINI 4.8%
Claim
67
ClubSuite™

1.9%

95% CI 0.39.9%

1 mentions · avg pos 17

first pick 0%

GEMINI 4.8%
Claim
68
BuddyPress

1.9%

95% CI 0.39.9%

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 0.39.9%

1 mentions

first pick 0%

PERPLEXITY 4.8%
Claim
70
Deadline Funnel

deadlinefunnel.com

1.9%

95% CI 0.39.9%

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 0.39.9%

1 mentions

first pick 0%

PERPLEXITY 4.8%
Claim
72
Toolset

toolset.com

1.9%

95% CI 0.39.9%

1 mentions

first pick 0%

PERPLEXITY 4.8%
Claim
73
wpbeginner.com

wpbeginner.com

1.9%

95% CI 0.39.9%

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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