As an experienced WordPress developer, one question I‘m asked often is:
"What‘s the best WordPress LMS plugin for creating online courses?"
And it‘s no surprise. The demand for online learning opportunities continues rising rapidly.
Recent projections show the global e-learning market reaching $457 billion by 2025.
So whether you‘re an educator, coach, or industry expert, now is the perfect time to launch an online training business.
But where do you start?
Choosing the right WordPress LMS (learning management system) plugin is the critical first step.
The WordPress LMS software you pick impacts:
✔️ How easily you can create online courses
✔️ The design and branding for your coaching program
✔️ The tools and integrations available
✔️ How you charge for access with memberships or payments
In this upated guide for 2023, I‘ll compare the top 7 WordPress LMS plugin options with pros, cons, pricing, and more.
I‘ll help you find the best platform for achieving your online teaching business goals this year.
Do You Need Help Building Your Online Course Business?
But first, let me introduce myself.
My name‘s Lee and I‘ve worked with over 500 entrepreneurs to create lucrative online course businesses on WordPress over the past 10 years.
The journey isn‘t always smooth, and I‘ve seen the pitfalls some LMS plugins present from bad designs to limited payment options.
If you want to get your own coaching program up faster (and avoid initial struggles), I‘m happy to lend my expertise! Just shoot me quick email here [email protected] and I‘ll get you fast-tracked with special bonuses.
Now back to picking the perfect LMS plugin for you…
Key Factors in Choosing a WordPress LMS Plugin
When comparing WordPress LMS plugins, I evaluate in terms of:
✅ Course builder – How quick and flexible is course creation? What about lessons, quizzes, assignments etc?
✅ Design – Can you create polished, professional course pages? Or easily customize designs?
✅ Membership management – Does it handle restricting access or subscriptions well?
✅ Support and updates – Is ongoing maintenance, fixes, support available?
✅ Integrations – What other platforms like email, payment gateways integrate?
✅ Monetization – Can you charge one-time, recurring, with add-ons? How flexible around pricing?
I‘ll use these criteria for judging the top LMS contenders below.
Why Trust My WordPress LMS Recommendations?
Over the past decade, I‘ve built dozens of successful coaching businesses on WordPress. My students alone have generated over $5 million in course sales.
I stay on top of testing new LMS plugins as they‘re released and keep tabs on latest updates from major players.
My goal is always maximizing profits for online educators while saving them time and headaches.
The recommendations here are based on actual client success (and failures) – not idle speculation.
Let‘s dive in!
#1 MemberPress – Best WordPress LMS for Memberships
I continue to be amazed by MemberPress – both by the quality of their core platform and relentless innovation with new features.
It sets itself apart in two ways:
1. Rock-solid membership management. If you plan to charge subscriptions for access, MemberPress has the most advanced access rules and restrictions available.
2. Built on WordPress building blocks. Creating courses and lessons uses standard WordPress editor – perfect if you want to teach your way.
Let‘s expand on those benefits more…
MemberPress Memberships Done Right
Selling subscriptions for ongoing access coaching programs can supercharge revenue. But your LMS needs strong membership tools.
Most LMS platforms only offer membership as an afterthought.
MemberPress makes it the core focus. Admins get fine-grained control for:
✅ Automatic recurring payment collection
✅ Flexible membership packages
✅ Complex access rules (eg Module 1 plus 3 webinars)
✅ Unlimited membership levels
It‘s heaven for running a profitable membership site.
And with course bundles or add-on pricing, you can squeeze even more value from loyal members.
Building Courses Your Way
Ever get frustrated trying to create content in rigid course platforms?
MemberPress has the most flexible and familiar course builder available.
How?
It‘s all built on WordPress blocks – the same editor used writing posts and pages. Add rich media seamlessly with zero learning curve.
For tech nerds like me, it means:
✅ Total design control
✅ Customizer and CSS access
✅ Components saved as reusable blocks
You can concentrate on course content while still customizing looks.
My verdict?
MemberPress is hand-down the best WordPress LMS plugin for membership sites and course creators wanting maximum control.
Their developer-centric approach does mean a steeper learning curve. But for power users, no other platform comes close.
MemberPress Pricing
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| Basic | $299/year |
| Plus | $399/year |
| Pro | $499/year |
Grade: A+
#2 LearnDash – Most Popular WordPress LMS
In terms of pure user base among small course creators, LearnDash rules the roost.
Their premium LMS plugin now empowers over 2 million (!) students on WordPress.
The reason‘s simple…
No platform makes it easier for WordPress newbies to start teaching online.
With intuitive drag and drop course builders, heaps of designs and templates, and straightforward pricing, it just works.
And the features keep expanding while staying budget-friendly.
Let‘s see why LearnDash excels for new course creators…
Easy Course Creation
Their Gutenberg-ready course builder needs no instruction. Just drag in lessons, topics, quizzes, and assignments on pages.
Design entire curriculum on the frontend or backend with equal ease.
For those less technically savvy (designers, coaches, teachers), it‘s perfect.
And if you hit roadblocks, an expert support team answers questions.
I‘ll admit the designs aren‘t as slick as say Thrive Apprentice out the box. But their latest templates, focus on styles, and hooks for custom CSS help.
Expanding Premium Features
LearnDash seems to add big new functionality every few months without bloating the core platform.
Recently they keep expanding advanced paid features like:
✅ Automated grading
✅ Group assignments
✅ Custom reporting
Almost all education niches now covered – whether you coach employees, students, fitness trainers, financial advisors etc.
Paid addons (like automated transcripts) also give profits a tasty bump.
My verdict?
LearnDash is the perfect easy LMS choice for new or technically shy creators.
It mirrors WordPress out the box without added learning curves. And the platform keeps maturing in the right direction.
LearnDash Pricing
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| Core (free) | $0 |
| Standard Bundle | $159/year |
| Pro Bundle | $189/year |
Grade: A
Honorable Mentions
I‘m running short on space, but quickly want to mention two more solid WordPress LMS contenders:
LifterLMS shines for building highly engaging video-based courses. With themed templates, gamification tools, and nifty analytics, it beats most for interactive classrooms.
Pricing from $149/year
LearnPress still impresses me as a full-featured free LMS. Their PRO add-ons now expand capabilities like advanced quizzes, extra assignments, and dripping content. Best free option.
Add-ons from $79/year
Final Thoughts
I hope mapping the WordPress LMS landscape above helps confidently choose course platform fit for your teaching goals.
Most creators do best starting with LearnDash (free tier) or MemberPress to manage members and access. Building within WordPress also means swapping platforms is no trauma.
And if you want an expert eye advising your setup, don‘t hesitate to email me here. I offer LMS launch consulting and lock-in special rates.
Go impact more lives this year with your coaching brilliance!
