If you're looking to sell online courses, WordPress offers some of the most powerful and flexible options available. But with dozens of learning management system (LMS) plugins on the market, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming.
We've built and managed course websites for clients across industries, and we've seen firsthand what works and what doesn't. In this guide, we'll break down the best WordPress plugins for courses, comparing features, pricing, and ideal use cases so you can make an informed decision.
Why Use WordPress for Your Online Courses?
Before diving into specific plugins, it's worth understanding why WordPress remains the platform of choice for course creators. Unlike hosted platforms like Teachable or Kajabi, WordPress gives you complete ownership of your content, your student data, and your revenue. There are no platform fees eating into your profits, and you're not locked into anyone else's ecosystem.
WordPress also offers unmatched flexibility. You can design your course site exactly how you want, integrate with virtually any payment processor or email marketing tool, and scale as your business grows. The tradeoff is that you need reliable hosting and someone to manage the technical side, but for serious course creators, the benefits far outweigh the learning curve.
The Top WordPress LMS Plugins in 2026
LearnDash
LearnDash has earned its reputation as the industry standard for WordPress course creation. Used by major universities, Fortune 500 companies, and solo educators alike, it strikes a balance between power and usability that few competitors match.
Key Features:
- Advanced course builder with drag-and-drop lesson organization
- Drip-feed content delivery on custom schedules
- Quizzes with multiple question types including essays and surveys
- Certificates and badges for completion milestones
- Focus Mode for distraction-free learning
- Built-in video progression tracking
- Group management for corporate training
Pricing: Starts at $199/year for a single site license. Higher tiers add priority support and additional site licenses.
Best For: Course creators who need robust features and plan to scale. LearnDash handles everything from simple mini-courses to complex certification programs with prerequisites and learning paths.
Considerations: The learning curve is steeper than some alternatives, and you'll likely want to purchase add-ons for features like subscriptions or advanced reporting. Factor those costs into your budget.
LifterLMS
LifterLMS takes a different approach by offering a free core plugin with premium add-ons for specific features. This makes it accessible for beginners while still providing enterprise-level capabilities for those who need them.
Key Features:
- Unlimited courses, lessons, and students in the free version
- Built-in eCommerce with one-time, recurring, and payment plan options
- Engagement triggers for automated emails and student communication
- Detailed student and course analytics
- Content restriction by membership level
- Private coaching and group areas
- Integrations with popular WordPress themes
Pricing: Core plugin is free. Individual add-ons range from $99-199/year, or you can purchase bundles starting at $360/year for essential features.
Best For: Course creators who want to start free and add features as they grow. Also excellent for membership sites that combine courses with community features.
Considerations: Costs can add up quickly if you need multiple premium add-ons. Calculate total costs before committing.
Tutor LMS
Tutor LMS has emerged as a strong contender by focusing on user experience for both instructors and students. Its clean interface and thoughtful design make it particularly appealing for those who prioritize aesthetics alongside functionality.
Key Features:
- Frontend course builder for creating content without touching the WordPress dashboard
- Multiple instructor support with revenue sharing
- Advanced quiz options with time limits and randomization
- Mobile-responsive student dashboard
- WooCommerce integration for payments
- Course prerequisites and certificates
- Student Q&A system built into each lesson
Pricing: Free version available with basic features. Pro starts at $199/year.
Best For: Multi-instructor marketplaces similar to Udemy, or anyone who wants an attractive, modern interface without custom development.
Considerations: Some advanced features require the Pro version, and the plugin works best with themes from the same developer (Themeum).
LearnPress
LearnPress offers a lightweight, free solution that covers the basics well. If you need a simple course site without complex requirements, it delivers solid functionality without bloating your WordPress installation.
Key Features:
- Course curriculum with lessons, quizzes, and assignments
- Student progress tracking and gradebook
- Multiple payment gateways through add-ons
- Course reviews and ratings
- Email notifications for key events
- Compatible with most WordPress themes
Pricing: Core plugin is free. Premium add-ons for additional features typically cost $29-59 each.
Best For: Budget-conscious creators with straightforward course needs, or developers who want a foundation to build upon.
Considerations: Customer support is limited compared to premium options, and you may encounter compatibility issues with certain themes or plugins.
WP Courseware
WP Courseware focuses on simplicity and speed. Developed by Fly Plugins, it's designed for course creators who want powerful features without spending hours learning a complicated system.
Key Features:
- Drag-and-drop course builder
- Detailed student reporting and progress tracking
- Drip content on schedules or based on student actions
- Multiple quiz styles with grade books
- Certificates and prerequisite courses
- Integration with major membership plugins
- Email notifications at course milestones
Pricing: Starts at $129/year for two sites. Higher tiers add more site licenses and priority support.
Best For: Course creators who value straightforward setup and don't need marketplace features. Particularly well-suited for coaches and consultants offering training alongside services.
Considerations: Smaller user base means fewer third-party integrations and tutorials compared to LearnDash or LifterLMS.
Sensei LMS
Sensei LMS comes from Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com and WooCommerce. That pedigree means tight integration with the WordPress ecosystem and ongoing development from a well-resourced team.
Key Features:
- Block-based course creation using the WordPress editor
- WooCommerce integration for selling courses
- Learning mode for focused, distraction-free study
- Student progress tracking and analytics
- Quiz functionality with multiple question types
- Course completion certificates
Pricing: Free version with core features. Sensei Pro costs $149/year and adds interactive video, flashcards, and advanced content scheduling.
Best For: WooCommerce users who want seamless integration, or anyone who prefers the native WordPress block editor for content creation.
Considerations: Feature set is more limited than LearnDash or LifterLMS, though the Pro version closes some gaps.
How to Choose the Right Course Plugin
With so many solid options, the decision often comes down to your specific situation. Here's a framework for making the choice:
Consider Your Budget
If money is tight, start with LearnPress or the free version of LifterLMS. You can always migrate to a more powerful solution later, though it does require effort. If you have budget for a premium plugin, LearnDash and Tutor LMS Pro offer the best value for comprehensive feature sets.
Evaluate Your Technical Comfort Level
Some plugins require more WordPress knowledge than others. Sensei LMS and Tutor LMS offer the smoothest experiences for beginners. LearnDash and WP Courseware assume some familiarity with WordPress administration. LifterLMS falls somewhere in between.
Think About Your Course Structure
Do you need simple linear courses, or complex learning paths with prerequisites? Will students work through content at their own pace, or do you need drip schedules and time-locked content? Do you plan to offer certificates, quizzes, or assignments? Match the plugin's strengths to your curriculum needs.
Plan for Growth
Where do you see your course business in two or three years? If you're planning to add multiple instructors, create a course marketplace, or offer corporate training, choose a plugin that supports those goals from the start. Migration between LMS platforms is possible but never painless.
Check Third-Party Integrations
Most course creators need their LMS to work with other tools: email marketing platforms, payment processors, membership plugins, marketing automation. Verify that your chosen plugin integrates with your existing tech stack before committing.
What About All-in-One Platforms?
You might be wondering how WordPress LMS plugins compare to hosted platforms like Teachable, Thinkific, or Kajabi. These platforms offer convenience at the cost of flexibility and higher long-term fees.
Hosted platforms charge monthly fees regardless of revenue, often take a percentage of sales, and limit customization. They can be good starting points, but most serious course creators eventually move to WordPress for the control and cost savings.
With WordPress, you pay for hosting (typically $20-50/month for quality managed hosting) plus your LMS plugin license. Your content stays yours, and there's no platform fee on each sale.
Our Recommendation
For most course creators, we recommend starting with LearnDash or LifterLMS. Both have proven track records, active development, and large communities for support.
Choose LearnDash if you want the most robust feature set and plan to scale your course business significantly. Choose LifterLMS if you prefer a modular approach where you only pay for features you actually use.
If budget is your primary concern, the free version of LearnPress or LifterLMS will get you started. Just understand you may need to migrate as your needs grow.
Need Help Setting Up Your Course Site?
Building a professional course website involves more than choosing a plugin. You need reliable hosting, proper security, payment processing, email integration, and ongoing maintenance to keep everything running smoothly.
At NorthMac Services, we help course creators build and maintain WordPress sites that work reliably day after day. Whether you're starting fresh or upgrading an existing site, we handle the technical details so you can focus on creating great content.
Get in touch to discuss your project, and let's build something that serves your students well.
