E-learning is growing rapidly, and creating an online course is easier than ever with WordPress. By using the right Learning Management System (LMS) plugins, you can design, sell, and manage courses directly on your website.
These plugins allow you to build structured lessons, quizzes, student dashboards, and even integrate payments. Here’s a list of the best WordPress plugins for online courses (LMS) to help you get started.
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1. LearnDash
Best for: Professional course creators and businesses.
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Drag-and-drop course builder.
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Content dripping (schedule lessons).
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Quizzes, certificates, and assignments.
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Integrates with WooCommerce, PayPal, and Stripe.
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Ideal for universities, training programs, and large-scale e-learning sites.
2. LifterLMS
Best for: Flexible course creation with memberships.
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Build unlimited courses with multimedia content.
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Offers membership features alongside LMS.
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Supports one-time or recurring payments.
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Integrates with PayPal, Stripe, and Authorize.net.
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Strong community support and add-ons for scaling.
3. Tutor LMS
Best for: Beginners looking for an easy-to-use LMS.
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User-friendly drag-and-drop course builder.
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Frontend course creation for instructors.
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Supports quizzes, certificates, and reports.
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Free version available with essential features.
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Premium version adds advanced monetization and integrations.
4. LearnPress
Best for: Free and lightweight LMS.
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Free plugin with optional paid add-ons.
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Simple course builder with lessons and quizzes.
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Supports multiple payment gateways via add-ons.
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Works well with many WordPress themes.
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Great choice for small-scale or budget-friendly projects.
5. MasterStudy LMS
Best for: Modern design and course marketplace.
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Built-in course builder with video lessons.
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Quizzes, certificates, and grading system.
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Course marketplace option for multiple instructors.
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Compatible with Elementor for easy design.
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Affordable premium plans with extra features.
6. Sensei LMS (by Automattic)
Best for: Seamless integration with WooCommerce.
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Created by the same team behind WordPress.com.
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Deep integration with WooCommerce for selling courses.
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Supports lessons, quizzes, and course analytics.
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Not as feature-rich as LearnDash or LifterLMS but reliable.
7. WP Courseware
Best for: Quick course creation with drag-and-drop.
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Drag-and-drop builder for fast setup.
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Supports quizzes, certificates, and grade books.
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Integrates with email marketing tools.
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Works well with membership plugins like MemberPress.
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Simple pricing without confusing add-ons.
How to Choose the Right LMS Plugin
When selecting a WordPress LMS plugin, consider:
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Ease of use – Is the interface beginner-friendly?
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Course features – Quizzes, assignments, certificates, forums.
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Monetization options – One-time payments, subscriptions, memberships.
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Integrations – Email marketing, payment gateways, WooCommerce.
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Scalability – Can it grow as your student base increases?
FAQ
Q: Can I build an online course for free with WordPress?
Yes. Plugins like LearnPress and Tutor LMS offer free versions with basic features.
Q: Which LMS plugin is best for beginners?
Tutor LMS and LearnPress are beginner-friendly with free options.
Q: Can I sell courses with these plugins?
Yes. Most LMS plugins support PayPal, Stripe, or WooCommerce integration for selling courses.
Q: Do I need a special WordPress theme for LMS plugins?
Not always. Many LMS plugins work with standard themes, but LMS-optimized themes provide better layouts.
Q: Which plugin is best for universities or corporate training?
LearnDash and LifterLMS are robust solutions suited for large-scale e-learning platforms.
👉 With the right LMS plugin, you can turn your WordPress site into a powerful e-learning platform, offering structured courses, engaging lessons, and smooth payment processing.