Best Paid Learning Platforms: Where Instructors Earn the Most in 2025

When it comes to best paid learning platforms, online teaching marketplaces that compensate instructors for course sales. Also known as e-learning marketplaces, these platforms let educators turn knowledge into income—but not all pay the same. If you’re thinking of teaching online, you need to know where your effort actually translates to real money.

The biggest mistake most new instructors make? Assuming visibility equals earnings. Udemy, a massive course marketplace with over 200 million students. Also known as online course hub, it gives you exposure but pays as little as $10 per sale after discounts and platform cuts. Skillshare, a subscription-based model where instructors earn based on watch time. Also known as passive income platform, it’s great if you have hundreds of thousands of views—but most creators earn less than $100 a month. Neither of these gives you control over pricing, audience, or branding.

Then there’s Teachable, a platform that lets you build your own course website and keep up to 97% of every sale. Also known as self-hosted course platform, it’s the top choice for instructors who already have an audience—or are willing to build one. If you run a YouTube channel, a newsletter, or a social media following, Teachable turns that traffic into revenue. You set the price. You own the customer. You keep nearly everything.

It’s not just about the platform—it’s about who owns the relationship. Platforms like Udemy and Skillshare own your students. Teachable lets you own them. That’s why top earners don’t just sell courses—they build email lists, offer free value first, and use their own brand to drive sales. One instructor we spoke to made $42,000 in six months selling a $97 course through Teachable, while earning less than $200 total on Udemy for the same content.

What about other platforms? Think about who’s paying you. If you’re on a platform that takes 50% or more, you’re working for them—not for yourself. The best paid learning platforms don’t just list your course—they help you grow your business. That’s why the smartest teachers invest in their own website, even if it means starting small.

Below, you’ll find real breakdowns of what instructors actually earn on these platforms in 2025. You’ll see which ones reward effort, which ones reward luck, and which ones reward strategy. No fluff. Just what works—and what doesn’t—when you’re trying to make money teaching online.

February 11 2025

Best-Paid MBA Programs: A Smart Investment for Your Career

Choosing an MBA program can be daunting, especially if the goal is to maximize earning potential post-graduation. This article dives into which MBA specializations and schools offer the highest salaries and why. By exploring key factors like industry demand and program reputation, this guide helps aspiring MBA students make informed decisions for a lucrative career.