Best Creator & Course Platforms in 2026
Quick answer: Payhip is the pick for creators who want to start selling for free, with every feature included and a 5% fee per sale. Stan Store fits social media creators who want a link-in-bio store with 0% platform fees for US$29 a month. Mighty Networks suits paid communities with courses and member apps, and SamCart is built for checkout pages with upsells.
Our picks by need
- Best for starting freePayhip: Payhip's Free Forever plan costs US$0 a month plus 5% per sale and includes all features, unlimited products and unlimited revenue. No card is needed to sign up.
- Best for selling through a link in bioStan Store: Stan Store is a mobile-friendly storefront for courses, digital products and paid bookings, with 0% transaction fees from Stan. The Creator plan costs US$29 a month or US$300 a year.
- Best for paid communities and membershipsMighty Networks: Mighty Networks combines community spaces, courses, events and payments, with iOS and Android apps for members. The Launch plan costs US$79 a month with a 2% transaction fee.
- Best for checkout pages and upsellsSamCart: SamCart includes unlimited pages, products and checkouts on every plan, starting at $79 a month on Core. One-click upsells, order bumps and A/B tests come with the Pro plan at $199 a month.
- Best for courses, website and email in one toolPodia: Podia sells online courses, digital downloads, coaching and memberships, and includes a website builder and email marketing. Check the official site for current plan prices and transaction fees.
Creator & Course Platforms compared
| Product | Best for | Starting price | Free plan / trial |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mighty Networks | Creators and coaches selling memberships | US$79/month (Launch) | 14-day free trial, no card required |
| Payhip | Creators selling digital products who want low upfront cost | Free (5% transaction fee) | Free forever plan, no card needed |
| Podia | Course creators and coaches who want one tool | See official site | See official site |
| SamCart | Creators selling courses and digital products | $79/month (Core) | 7-day free trial |
| Stan Store | Social media creators and coaches | US$29/mo (Creator) | No free plan; 14-day free trial |
Prices as listed on each official site, checked November 14, 2026. Prices change, so confirm before you buy.
How to choose
- Pricing models differ: Payhip can be free with a 5% fee per sale, while Stan Store, SamCart and Mighty Networks charge a monthly subscription with no free plan.
- Platform fees on sales vary: Stan Store charges 0%, Payhip charges 5%, 2% or 0% depending on the plan, and Mighty Networks charges 2% on Launch down to 0.5% on Growth.
- Payment processor fees from Stripe or PayPal apply on top of platform fees on Payhip and Stan Store, and SamCart lists its SamPay rate at 2.9% + 30ยข.
- Selling features are often tied to higher plans: upsells and order bumps need SamCart Pro at $199 a month or Stan Creator Pro at US$99 a month.
- The store format differs: Stan Store is built around a single link-in-bio page, Payhip and Podia give you a store or website, and Mighty Networks centers on a member community with mobile apps.
- Payhip gives every feature on every plan, so its plans differ only by transaction fee.
Each option in one line
Mighty Networks
All-in-one platform to run paid communities, courses, events and memberships with mobile apps. Starting price: US$79/month (Launch). Free plan / trial: 14-day free trial, no card required. Best for: Creators and coaches selling memberships.
Payhip
Online store builder for selling digital downloads, courses, memberships and physical items, with a free plan. Starting price: Free (5% transaction fee). Free plan / trial: Free forever plan, no card needed. Best for: Creators selling digital products who want low upfront cost.
Podia
All-in-one platform for creators to sell online courses, digital downloads, coaching and memberships. Starting price: See official site. Free plan / trial: See official site. Best for: Course creators and coaches who want one tool.
SamCart
Checkout pages and selling tools for digital products, courses and subscriptions. Starting price: $79/month (Core). Free plan / trial: 7-day free trial. Best for: Creators selling courses and digital products.
Stan Store
Link-in-bio storefront for creators to sell courses, digital products and bookings, with 0% transaction fees. Starting price: US$29/mo (Creator). Free plan / trial: No free plan; 14-day free trial. Best for: Social media creators and coaches.
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest platform for selling digital products?
Payhip is the cheapest to start because its Free Forever plan costs US$0 a month plus a 5% fee per sale. Among subscription plans, Stan Store's Creator plan and Payhip's Plus plan both cost US$29 a month. Payhip Plus also charges 2% per sale, while Stan charges no platform fee.
Which creator platforms have a free plan or free trial?
Payhip has a free forever plan with no card needed. Stan Store and Mighty Networks each offer a 14-day free trial, and Mighty Networks does not require a card. SamCart offers a 7-day free trial.
Is Payhip or Stan Store better for beginners?
Payhip is better for beginners who do not want a monthly bill, because its free plan includes all features and charges 5% per sale. Stan Store costs US$29 a month after a 14-day trial but takes 0% of sales, and it suits creators who sell mainly through a social media bio link. Stan's email marketing, discount codes and upsells need the US$99 a month Creator Pro plan.
Which creator platform has no transaction fees?
Stan Store charges 0% transaction fees on both of its plans, starting at US$29 a month. Payhip removes its fee on the Pro plan at US$99 a month. Stripe or PayPal processing fees still apply on both.
What is the best platform for a paid community?
Mighty Networks is the best fit here for a paid community, because it combines member discussions, courses, events and built-in payments with native iOS and Android apps. Plans start at US$79 a month with a 2% transaction fee, and there is a 14-day free trial with no card required. Custom branded apps need the custom-priced Mighty Pro plan.
Is SamCart or Payhip better for selling online courses?
Payhip costs less, with course selling included on its free plan for a 5% fee per sale. SamCart starts at $79 a month and adds a built-in course app, cart abandonment follow-up and stronger checkout tools. SamCart fits sellers who want to raise revenue per sale with upsells and order bumps on the $199 a month Pro plan.
We summarise each product from its official website, pricing page and documentation. We don't run hands-on tests or give star ratings. Some links on this site may be affiliate links. See our affiliate disclosure.