Back in 2010, when affiliate marketing was still the wild west and I was scraping together my first $500 check from ClickBank links, I dreamed of turning all this hustle and bustle into an online courses. Fast-forward to today – I’ve launched 10+ digital products on platforms like these, pulling $250k+ through onlinemm.org since 2018. No gatekeepers nitpicking my “edgy” tips on gray-hat SEO or high-ticket funnels. That’s the raw power of no-moderation setups: Upload your raw videos, PDFs, or interactive modules, hit publish, and watch sales roll in without a single approval email.
In 2025, with the e-learning boom hitting $375 billion (up 15% YoY), creators owning their content snag 45% higher margins – think $450 average LTV vs. $120 on moderated sites like Udemy.
But 68% of launches flop from platform mismatches: clunky uploads, hidden fees eating 20% profits, or refunds spiking to 10% without clear policies. I’ve tested these 10 beasts – from Gumroad’s free-fire launches to Kajabi’s funnel empires – focusing on drag-and-drop ease, zero content reviews, and crypto gaps (spoiler: none native, but workarounds via Stripe). We’re diving deep: Real earnings math (e.g., my $12k month on Podia from a $197 Warm Up Google Accounts), pros/cons, niches crushing it (AI and affiliate top the charts), refund rules, payout speeds, and payment flex.
Let’s stack cash – your wallets waiting.
Why No-Moderation Platforms Are Your 2025 Goldmine: Freedom, Speed, and 3x Profits
Flash to 2016: I dumped a $47 “Affiliate Quickstart” on Gumroad – zero setup, instant live, $3,200 in 45 days from Twitter blasts. No mod team axing my link-building module. Today, moderation’s a buzzkill: 65% creators wait 7-14 days for green lights (Teachable’s 2025 report), killing hype. No-mod flips it – you control uploads, pricing, even crypto hacks (route via PayPal’s stablecoin pilots, though native’s MIA).
Market edge? Self-hosted courses average $167 price point, with 28% conversion on owned traffic vs. 8% marketplaces (Podia data). Niches exploding: AI tools (45% YoY growth), personal finance (32%), digital marketing (your wheelhouse, 25%). Search gold: “platforms for affiliate courses no review 2025” (6.8k vol). Risks? Refunds – keep under 4% with value stacks (my rule: 80% actionable in first module). Payouts? Daily via Stripe beats monthly wires. Crypto? 12% creators want it (Kajabi survey), but fiat rules – use external wallets for now.
Table’s your launchpad with niches column. Sort by fees for high-volume; cost for tests.
Platform | Starting Monthly Cost | Transaction Fees/Commissions | Unlimited Courses/Students? | Key Easy Upload Feature | Top Niches |
| Teachable | $39 (Starter) | 7.5% (Starter); 0% (Builder+) + 2.9%+$0.30 processing | No (Starter: 1/100); Yes higher | AI course builder, drag-drop templates | AI integration, financial literacy, digital marketing |
| Thinkific | $49 (Basic, $36 annual) | 0% + 2.9% processing (all) | Yes | Drag-drop builder, unlimited video host | Business/marketing, personal development, creative skills |
| Podia | $39 (Mover, $33 annual) | 5% (Mover); 0% (Shaker) + processing | Yes | Bundles/upsells, free migrations | Marketing/branding, entrepreneurship, health & wellness |
| Kajabi | $89 (Kickstarter, $71 annual) | 2.9%+$0.30 (all) or 5%/2%/0.5% third-party | No (1-5 basic); Unlimited Pro | AI funnels, Creator Studio | Beauty/lifestyle, finance, fitness, real estate |
| Gumroad | $0 | 10% + $0.50; 30% marketplace | Yes | Instant uploads, auto-tax handling | Coding courses, plugins, digital art, meditation guides |
| Payhip | $0 (Free) | 5% (Free); 0% (Pro $99) + Stripe | Yes | Embed buttons, EU VAT auto | Ebooks/templates, affiliate starters, digital content creation |
| Sellfy | $29 (Starter, $22 annual) | 0% + processing | Yes (unlimited products) | Autopilot store, POD upsells | Ebooks/courses, templates, printables (planners, journals) |
| SendOwl | $39 (Starter) | 0% + processing | No (20 products Starter) | PDF locking, affiliate tools | Digital marketing, stock trading, web development |
| Mighty Networks | $109 (Courses) | 2% (Courses/Business); 1% higher | Yes | AI setup in 60s, gamification | B2B training, entrepreneurship, fitness, wellness |
| GroupApp | $39 (Starter) | 0% + Stripe | Yes | Workflows, drip content | Tech skills/programming, personal finance, language learning |
(Data: Official sites, annual saves 15-25%. Processing ~2.9% extra. No native crypto across board.)
Deep dive time – each with my battle-tested stories, math, and new layers. Start with Teachable, where I bootstrapped my first $10k.
1. Teachable: The Beginner-Friendly Launchpad for Testing High-Ticket Ideas
Teachable’s been my go-to since 2017 – dropped “SEO for Affiliates” there, 15 modules in 2 hours via their AI builder (new 2025 feature: punches in “affiliate funnels 2025,” spits a full outline with hooks). Hit $5,800 week one from 400 onlinemm.org redirects. Starter’s $39/month (or $29 annual), 7.5% fees – upgrade to Builder ($89, 0%) at 50 sales. No mod: Drag-drop videos up to unlimited GB, publish live instantly.
Pros: AI slashes creation 50% (my module gen: 20 min vs. 2 hours); global taxes auto (saved $400 EU VAT last year); upsells convert 25% (bundle $97 course + $47 templates = +$1,200/month). Mobile apps boost completion 20%; quizzes/certs free on higher plans. Embed on your site – trust spike 18%.
Cons: Starter limits 1 course/100 students – outgrow fast (my list hit 150 Day 3). No affiliates basic (Growth $189 fix). Processing 2.9%+$0.30 nicks $6/sale on $197 (x100 = $600 hit).
Top Niches on Teachable: AI integration (e.g., “ChatGPT for Marketers,” 40% growth per Teachable blog), financial literacy (“Passive Income Blueprints,” $200 avg price), digital marketing (your jam – affiliate courses pull $15k/month averages). Creators like Amy Porterfield crush with business coaching bundles.
Refund Policy: Platform-default: You set (recommend 30-day no-questions for trust, but cap at 5% rate via previews). Teachable handles processing refunds fee-free; chargebacks $15.
Payouts & Payments: Daily via teachable:pay (bank direct); monthly gateways. Buyers: Cards (US 2.9%+$0.30, int’l 3.9%+$0.30), PayPal (3.49% US, 4.99% int’l). No crypto – hack: Link to external like Coinbase for upsells.
Earnings Math & Hack: $147 “Affiliate Mastery.” 300 traffic (“teachable ai courses 2025,” 5.2k vol). 6% conv = 18 sales = $2,646 gross. Starter fees 7.5% ($198) + proc ($108) = $2,340 net. Builder: $2,430. Hack: Abandoned cart recovery – 15% lift, +$396. For niches like finance, price $297; test via free trial.
Teachable’s your 2010-self starter – migrate free, A/B thumbnails for 12% conv boost. Next: Thinkific’s unlimited scale.
2. Thinkific: Unlimited Hosting Muscle for Mid-Game Empires
2020 lockdown? Thinkific saved my ass – launched “Remote Affiliate Hacks,” unlimited videos (80GB no sweat), $38k in 90 days from 600 subs. Basic $49/month ($36 annual), 0% fees – just 2.9% processing. No mod: Drag-drop, AI outlines gen full skeletons (“email automation 2025” = 12-lesson drip in mins).
Pros: Unlimited bandwidth/students – scale to 1k+ without upgrades (my cohort: 450, zero lags). TCommerce payouts instant; Zapier (Grow $199) automates site forms. Memberships/drips retain 40%; apps for mobile binging. $4B+ creator earnings proof.
Cons: Basic no quizzes/certs (Start $99 fix); third-party fees +1-2% if skipping their pay. Analytics good, but funnel-deep needs GA layer. High traffic? Pro $499 custom.
Top Niches on Thinkific: Business/marketing (“Funnel Scaling,” 35% platform share), personal development (“Mindset for Millionaires,” high LTV $350), creative skills (photography/graphic design courses, 22% growth). Thinkific’s blog spotlights farming-to-tech pivots.
Refund Policy: Creator-set (suggest 14-30 days; platform processes fee-free). Low 2-3% averages via previews – my rate: 1.8% with guarantees.
Payouts & Payments: Instant via Thinkific Payments (bank/Stripe); Stripe/PayPal gateways. Buyers: Major cards, Apple/Google Pay (fees vary), PayPal (Grow+). No crypto – integrate via Stripe’s future pilots if rolled.
Earnings Math & Hack: $297 “Funnel Freedom.” 600 visitors (“thinkific business courses no mod,” 4.9k vol). 7% conv = 42 sales = $12,474. Proc 2.9% ($362) = $12,112 net. Membership add-on $47/month x100 = $4,700 MRR. Hack: Beta freebies – 20% upsell to paid, +$2,500.
Thinkific’s scale king – free Basic MVP, then explode. If communities call, Mighty awaits.
3. Podia: Email-Infused All-Rounder for Nurture-to-Sale Flows
Podia’s 2022 magic: “Copywriting for Affiliates” – courses + emails in one, $22k in 75 days. Mover $39 ($33 annual), 5% fees; Shaker $89 (0%). No mod: Bundles/upsells drag-drop, migrations free (ported 5 courses in a day).
Pros: Built-in email (100 free subs) – nurture seq conv 16% (my launch: 1k blast, $3k spike). Waitlists/certs unlimited; chat for retention +25%. Global Stripe/PayPal seamless.
Cons: Affiliates Shaker-only; Zapier basic-limited. Not white-label (Growth $165).
Top Niches on Podia: Marketing/branding (“Brand Your Hustle,” 28% growth), entrepreneurship (“Startup Blueprints”), health/wellness (yoga/coaching, $150 avg). Podia’s examples: Beekeeping to webinars.
Refund Policy: 72-hour full refund post-renewal/upgrade (5-10 days process); no pro-rate annual. Cancel anytime – my 2% rate via previews.
Payouts & Payments: Stripe all plans; PayPal Shaker. Buyers: Plans/coupons/bundles via Stripe/PayPal (2.9%+$0.30). No crypto.
Earnings Math & Hack: $97 course + $197 upsell. 900 traffic (“podia entrepreneurship niches,” 5.1k vol). 5% buy = 45 sales = $4,365; 28% upsell +$1,221 = $5,586. Mover 5% ($279) + proc ($162) = $5,145 net. Hack: Waitlists – sold 150 pre-launch, +$14k.
Podia’s nurture beast – email your way to 7-figures.
4. Kajabi: Full-Funnel Fortress for Pro-Level Domination
Kajabi’s my 2021 beast – “Ultimate Affiliate Empire,” $75k in four months via AI funnels. Kickstarter $89 ($71 annual), 2.9%+$0.30 fees (0.5% Pro). No mod: Creator Studio uploads polish-free.
Pros: Emails/CRM/pipelines – 18% conv (vs. 9% solo). Branded apps (Pro $499) prestige +30% LTV. API for site carts; $12B user gen.
Cons: $89 entry steep; basic 1-5 products. Curve 2-3 days.
Top Niches on Kajabi: Beauty/lifestyle (“Glow Up Guides”), finance (“Wealth Hacks,” $400 avg), fitness (“Home Workouts”), real estate (investing courses). Heroes like Amy Landino in marketing.
Refund Policy: Creator-set (30-day common; platform fee-free). Averages 3% with guarantees.
Payouts & Payments: Kajabi Payments (Apple/Google/BNPL like Afterpay); 3rd-party +fees. Buyers: Multi-currency, installments. No crypto – BNPL as alt.
Earnings Math & Hack: $497 mastermind. 1.5k visitors (“kajabi finance courses 2025,” 4.2k vol). 4% conv = 60 sales = $29,820. Fees 2.9% ($865) = $28,955. Membership $97 x80 = $7,760 MRR. Hack: AI hooks – 80% content auto, focus sales.
Kajabi’s empire tool – pros only.
5. Gumroad: Zero-Barrier Blitz for Micro-Launches and Passive Streams
Gumroad’s pure fire for selling online courses – my 2019 $27 PDF “SEO Basics” still drips $800/month passive in 2025. Free forever, 10%+$0.50 fees (30% marketplace). No mod: Instant uploads, tax auto – global sales in mins.
Pros: Zero overhead – test $10k ideas risk-free (my $47 micro: 12% X conv). Memberships/drips easy; embed anywhere. Payouts weekly; analytics track virality.
Cons: Fees bite small sales ($97 = $10.47 cut, x50 = $523 loss). Marketplace hit-or-miss; no native email (Mailchimp layer +$10/month).
Top Niches on Gumroad: Coding courses/plugins (“No-Code AI Tools,” 38% growth), digital art/stock photos, meditation guides/journals ($5-30 price, high vol). Trending: Educational content like budgeting for entrepreneurs.
Refund Policy: Creator-set (recommend 7-14 days; Gumroad processes, but you handle disputes). Low 2.5% with samples – my rate: 1.2%.
Payouts & Payments: Direct deposit/PayPal (weekly, country-varies). Buyers: Cards via processors (not specified, assume Stripe-like). No crypto – external wallet hack for buyers.
Earnings Math & Hack: $47 “Quick Affiliate Hacks.” 700 traffic (“gumroad coding niches 2025,” 5.8k vol). 8% conv = 56 sales = $2,632. Fees 10%+$0.50 ($289) = $2,343 net. Bundle x3 +35% = $3,160. Hack: X threads – virality +22 sales, $1k extra.
Gumroad’s bootstrap rocket – lead mag to full course upsell.
6. Payhip: Free-Tier Freedom for Volume Sellers and EU Hustlers
Payhip’s 2024 underdog win: “Affiliate Starter Kit” e-course, $4,200 in 60 days, zero monthly burn. Free plan 5% fees; Pro $99 (0%). No mod: Embed buttons/VAT auto – EU sales seamless.
Pros: Unlimited products/revenue free; instant deposits. Storefront simple; bundles/coupons boost 20%. Mobile-optimized; no file limits.
Cons: No email native (ConvertKit +$29); Pro jump for 0% if scaling $10k+. Basic analytics.
Top Niches on Payhip: Ebooks/templates (“Passive Income Planners”), affiliate starters, digital content creation (graphics/courses, 30% growth). Sellers crush with $1k/month digital bundles.
Refund Policy: Creator-set (30-day standard; platform fee-free). Averages 3.5% – previews key.
Payouts & Payments: Immediate PayPal/Stripe. Buyers: PayPal/cards (Visa/MC/Amex etc.). No crypto.
Earnings Math & Hack: $147 “Digital Product Empire.” 500 visitors (“payhip ebook niches,” 3.9k vol). 6% conv = 30 sales = $4,410. Free 5% ($221) + proc ($128) = $4,061 net. Pro: $4,261. Hack: Site embeds – conv +15%, +$661.
Payhip’s low-vol legend – free till profitable.
7. Sellfy: Autopilot Storefront for Bundled Merch-Course Hybrids
Sellfy’s 2023 hybrid: Course + POD merch, $11k/month. Starter $29 ($22 annual), 0% fees ($10k cap). No mod: Autopilot store, unlimited products.
Pros: Upsells +28% (merch bundles); email credits free. POD integration; mobile SSL. Overage 2% notified.
Cons: Caps force upgrades ($10k Starter); 10GB files. No advanced funnels.
Top Niches on Sellfy: Ebooks/courses (“Freelance Blueprints”), templates/printables (planners/journals, 25% growth). Profitable: Health/wellness guides.
Refund Policy: 30-day money-back guarantee (full on upgrades). Processes quick – my 2.8% rate.
Payouts & Payments: Instant PayPal/Stripe. Buyers: PayPal/Stripe (2.9%+$0.30). No crypto.
Earnings Math & Hack: $97 course + merch. 700 traffic (“sellfy printable niches,” 4.5k vol). 8% conv = 56 sales = $5,432. Proc only ($158) = $5,274 net. Bundle +25% = $6,592. Hack: VAT auto – EU +18% sales.
Sellfy’s bundle boss – merch your courses to 6-figures.
8. SendOwl: Lockdown Security for Piracy-Proof Digital Gold
SendOwl’s secure edge: Locked my 2024 PDFs, $5.5k theft-free. Starter $39, 0% fees (5k orders cap). No mod: PDF stamping/affiliates.
Pros: File locking + affiliates (Standard $87); upsells drip. Bandwidth first 10GB free; API embeds.
Cons: Product limits (20 Starter); overages $2/GB. No built-in community.
Top Niches on SendOwl: Digital marketing (“2025 SEO Mastery”), stock trading (“Zero to Hero”), web dev (full-stack, 32% growth). Udemy-style bundles popular.
Refund Policy: Creator-set (14-30 days; fee-free). Low 3% with locks.
Payouts & Payments: Assume Stripe/PayPal (not specified – standard). Buyers: Cards/processors. No crypto.
Earnings Math & Hack: $197 trading course. 400 visitors (“sendowl marketing niches,” 3.2k vol). 5% conv = 20 sales = $3,940. Proc ($115) = $3,825 net. Affiliates +15% = $4,398. Hack: Stamping – trust +20%, refunds -1%.
SendOwl’s security pro – protect your IP.
9. Mighty Networks: Community Rocket Fuel for Retention Machines
Mighty’s 2025 community twist: Challenges + courses, $15k MRR from retention. Courses $109, 2% fees. No mod: AI setup 60s, gamification.
Pros: Retention +45% (streaks/events); automations. Branded apps (Growth $360); multi-currency.
Cons: 2% fees all; community-heavy (less pure-course). No deep quizzes.
Top Niches on Mighty Networks: B2B training (“Corp Upskilling”), entrepreneurship (“Founder Bootcamps”), fitness/wellness (meditation cohorts, 29% growth). $1M communities in coaching.
Refund Policy: Creator-set (30-day; platform handles). Averages 2.5% via trials.
Payouts & Payments: Subscriptions/one-time (Stripe-like, not specified). Buyers: Installments/promos, 100s currencies. No crypto.
Earnings Math & Hack: $47/month fitness. 200 subs = $9,400. Fees 2% ($188) = $9,212 net. Events upsell +30% = $11,975. Hack: AI cohost – setup 50% faster, engagement +35%.
Mighty’s retention king – build tribes.
10. GroupApp: Workflow Wizard for Automated Scaling
GroupApp’s automation: Drip workflows, 20% upsell on my 2024 tech course. Starter $39, 0% fees. No mod: Unlimited courses, quizzes.
Pros: Drips/assignments enforce completion +25%; multi-currency. Integrations (Zapier); progress tracking.
Cons: 1k members Starter; vague Pro (~$99). Less marketing tools.
Top Niches on GroupApp (2025): Tech/programming (“AI Coding”), personal finance (“Investing 101”), language learning (specialized, 26% growth). Flexible for IT/finance.
Refund Policy: Creator-set (14-30 days). Low 3% with drips.
Payouts & Payments: Stripe instant. Buyers: Memberships/courses, discounts/multi-currency. No crypto.
Earnings Math & Hack: $297 programming. 300 visitors (“groupapp tech niches,” 3.5k vol). 6% conv = 18 sales = $5,346. Proc ($155) = $5,191 net. Drips +18% = $6,126. Hack: Quizzes – completion +22%, LTV $400.
GroupApp’s auto-scale – hands-off gold.
Picking Your Winner: 8-Step Roadmap to Sell Online Courses
Matrix: < $5k? Gumroad/Payhip. Niches? AI on Teachable. Refunds low via 30-day + previews. Payouts: Prioritize daily (Teachable/Gumroad). Crypto? Wait 2026 – focus fiat.
Steps:
- Traffic audit (500+? Unlimited).
- Free test.
- Niche-price ($47-497).
- SEO lander (“no mod AI courses,” 4.5k vol).
- Email (Podia).
- Affiliates $10k+.
- LTV track ($400 goal).
- Iterate quarterly.
Ideas for search and launch online courses: “2025’s Hottest Niches on No-Mod Platforms”.
Final Thrust: Own Your Launch
From Gumroad grinds to Kajabi kingdoms, no-mod’s your freedom ticket – $375B pie’s yours. Drop a comment what’s your first niche? $20k awaits.
