The 10 Best EAD Platforms for Online Education in 2025

Online education in Brazil has exploded in recent years, largely driven by distance learning. Between 2011 and 2021, the number of students enrolling in higher education via EaD (Educação a Distância) rose by 474%, while enrolment in face-to-face courses dropped by 23%. In 2022 alone, more than 3 million students entered undergraduate EaD programs, covering over 3,200 municipalities across Brazil, an 87% increase from 2014

What to Look for in a Good EAD Platform

Every platform has its strengths and weaknesses.  The best ones strike a balance between ease of use, learner engagement and administrative control. Before choosing, consider these core features that make a platform truly effective for online education:

• Mobile-first learning: Students should be able to access lessons on any device, even in low-connectivity areas.
• Course creation tools: Look for platforms that help you build content quickly using AI, templates, or drag-and-drop editors.
• Assessment and certification: Built-in quizzes, grading, and certificate generation make it easier to track learning outcomes.
• Interactive elements: Engagement tools like discussions, flashcards, polls, and multimedia content help students stay focused.
• Student progress tracking: Real-time analytics allow you to monitor completion rates, identify drop-off points, and support at-risk learners.
• Scalability: Whether you're teaching 10 or 10,000 students, the platform should grow with your needs.
• Support for monetisation: If you plan to sell courses, check for e-commerce tools, subscriptions, and payment gateways.

Compliance and reporting: For institutions offering formal qualifications, automated reporting and audit logs are essential.

Top 10 EAD Platforms for Online Education

1. Coursebox AI

Coursebox AI is one of the most advanced and popular EAD platforms available today in Brazil and the greater Latin American region, with users from 180+ countries trusting the platform to deliver courses to their audiences.. It combines AI-powered course creation, learner engagement tools, and compliance support into one streamlined system. Designed for training providers and educators who want to build and scale online education without needing technical teams, it helps you move from raw materials to polished, branded courses in a fraction of the time.

You can upload slides, policies, or videos, and the platform instantly turns them into full training modules. These include interactive lessons, quizzes, certificates, and even an AI chatbot tutor to support your learners.

• AI Course Creator: Turn existing documents, slides, or transcripts into complete courses in minutes
• AI Video Generator: Generate training videos using avatars and voiceovers without filming anything
• AI Assessment Tools: Create quizzes and open-ended questions, with instant AI grading and feedback
• AI Chatbot Tutor: A built-in chatbot answers learner questions based on your course content
• Interactive Learning Options: Use flashcards, accordions, tabs, discussions, and embedded multimedia
• Branded Delivery: Customise the entire learner experience with your logo, colours, and mobile app
• E-commerce support: Sell individual courses or offer subscriptions with full payment tracking through Shopify Integration. 
• Multilingual Interface: Easily deliver content in multiple language.

You can try Coursebox for free and explore all features before choosing a plan.

2. Eadbox

Eadbox is a well-known EAD platform that offers tools for course creation, sales, and student management. It’s especially popular with educators and businesses looking to monetise their content through online courses and memberships.

However, some users report limitations in terms of platform flexibility and customer support response times. While it offers a lot for content monetisation, it may not be as fast or intuitive for building interactive or AI-enhanced learning experiences.

• Drag-and-Drop Course Builder: Quickly create structured lessons using video, text, and quizzes
• Custom Domains and Branding: Launch your course on your own website with your logo and colours
• Membership and Subscription Tools: Sell recurring plans and manage member access
• Student Progress Tracking: Monitor learner activity, course completion, and quiz results
• Email Marketing Integration: Use built-in tools or connect to platforms like Mailchimp
• Certificate Generator: Issue custom certificates automatically after course completion
• Mobile Access: Learners can access courses through responsive design on any device

Sales and Conversion Analytics: Track how your pages are performing and optimise your funnels

3. Hotmart

Hotmart is one of Brazil’s biggest platforms for selling digital products, including EAD courses. It’s a strong choice for creators focused on monetisation, offering everything from landing pages to payment processing and affiliate marketing.

That said, Hotmart is more of a marketplace and sales engine than a dedicated learning platform. It works best when paired with simple course structures and doesn’t offer advanced educational features like AI tools or deep learner personalisation.

• Built-in Ecommerce System: Sell courses in Brazilian reais or other currencies with secure payments
• Affiliate Network: Expand reach by allowing others to promote and sell your courses
• Course Hosting: Upload videos, PDFs, and audio lessons directly into your course area
• Landing Page Builder: Create sales pages without needing a separate website
• Mobile App: Learners can watch lessons, download content, and access communities from their phones
• Analytics and Conversion Reports: Track revenue, engagement, and sales performance
• Drip Content and Member Areas: Release lessons gradually and protect paid content
• Integrations: Connect with email tools, CRM platforms, and webinar software

4. Thinkific

Thinkific is a globally recognised EAD platform known for its clean interface and no-code course builder. It’s popular among solo educators and small businesses launching their first online programs.

However, Thinkific’s free plan is quite limited, and advanced features like certificates, assignments, and bulk enrolments are locked behind paid tiers. It also lacks built-in AI tools or dynamic learning paths, which may be a drawback for fast-scaling institutions.

• No-Code Course Builder: Create structured lessons using video, text, quizzes, and downloads
• Customisable Website: Launch a branded learning site without needing developers
• Student Progress Tracking: Monitor completion, quiz scores, and engagement
• Quizzes and Assignments: Add assessments to test and reinforce learning
• Certificates of Completion: Issue automatically after learners finish a course
• Multi-Language Support: Translate your course into other languages
• Drip Scheduling: Control when learners access specific modules
• E-commerce Tools: Accept payments globally and offer coupons, bundles, or subscriptions

5. Kajabi

Kajabi is an all-in-one platform that combines course hosting with marketing automation, making it a strong option for creators focused on building a business around their content. It’s especially useful for those selling coaching programs, memberships, and premium video content.

The main downside is its price. Kajabi is one of the most expensive options on the market, which may be out of reach for small schools or solo educators just getting started. It also leans more toward sales than deep learning features.

• Course Builder: Upload videos, add quizzes, and structure multi-lesson modules with no coding
• Website and Blog Hosting: Build a full site, landing pages, and blog within the same dashboard
• Email Marketing Automation: Set up email flows, tagging, and segmentation
• Sales Funnels and Checkout Pages: Launch, promote, and sell courses directly
• Mobile App Access: Learners can access courses on the go via Kajabi’s mobile app
• Student Progress Tracking: View learner activity and course completion
• Memberships and Subscriptions: Sell ongoing access with flexible billing
• Community Features: Create discussion groups and forums within your learning environment

6. Twgo

Twgo is a lesser-known but capable EAD platform focused on corporate education. It offers a clean user experience and essential tools for creating, managing, and delivering training at scale.

That said, Twgo lacks some of the advanced AI or automation features found in newer platforms. It’s best suited for companies that need a simple, stable solution without too many bells and whistles.

• Course and Content Management: Build structured programs using video, PDF, and interactive elements
• Gamification: Add points, badges, and leaderboards to boost learner motivation
• White Labelling: Customise the platform with your company’s branding
• Analytics and Reporting: Track engagement, completions, and knowledge gaps
• User Segmentation: Assign different courses to teams or departments
• Mobile Access: Fully responsive design for learners on any device
• Support for SCORM: Compatible with standard learning content formats
• Multilingual Delivery: Offer training in multiple languages as needed

7. Apollo

Apollo is an EAD platform created by the team behind Viver de Blog. It enables course creators and educators to launch online schools with unlimited courses and members, all without needing technical expertise.

That said, Apollo is better suited to simple, membership-style schools. Some users have noted slow loading times and limited integration options. It may not offer the interactivity or automation features required by more complex training organisations.

• Unlimited Courses & Lessons: Create and manage as many programs as you like
• Automated Certificates: Automatically generate certificates upon course completion
• Drip Content & Mass Enrolment: Schedule content release and enrol learners in bulk
• Member-Only Area: Build a private learning community with custom access levels
• Feedback & Ratings: Collect learner reviews and ratings for each module
• White-Label Platform: Customise your platform with logos, colours, and domains

8. Moodle

Moodle is one of the most widely used open-source EAD platforms in the world. Known for its flexibility and strong community support, it’s a solid option for universities, schools, and training companies with in-house tech teams.

However, Moodle comes with a steep learning curve and often requires technical setup and ongoing maintenance. It is not ideal for organisations looking for a plug-and-play solution or modern UI out of the box.

• Fully Customisable: Open-source code allows complete control over features and design
• Extensive Plugin Library: Add advanced functionality through thousands of community plugins
• SCORM and xAPI Support: Compatible with most industry-standard content formats
• User Role Management: Assign permissions for admins, teachers, students, and external users
• Assessment Tools: Create quizzes, assignments, forums, and peer reviews
• Mobile App: Offers official Moodle app for iOS and Android
• Multi-language Support: Available in over 100 languages for global delivery
• Compliance Tracking: Useful for organisations needing audit trails or regulatory reports

9. Herospark

HeroSpark is an EAD platform designed for digital entrepreneurs who want to create, market, and sell online courses. It offers built-in tools for landing pages, payments, and email marketing, making it easy to manage the full customer journey.

That said, HeroSpark is heavily focused on sales rather than advanced learning design. It lacks features like AI assistance, in-depth learner analytics, or interactive content types commonly needed for structured training programs.

• Course and Product Creation: Build lessons using video, text, PDFs, and quizzes
• Sales Funnels and Checkout Pages: Create landing pages and sales flows without coding
• Email Marketing: Send automated campaigns directly from the platform
• Payment Integration: Accept payments in Brazilian reais and offer instalments
• Subscription and Membership Options: Sell ongoing access with flexible pricing
• Affiliate Program Management: Recruit and manage partners to boost reach
• Student Area: Simple learner dashboard for content access and tracking
• Mobile-Friendly: Works well across desktop and mobile devices

10. Sambatech

Sambatech is a Brazilian tech company that offers a robust video-focused EAD platform used by universities and corporations alike. It’s ideal for institutions that prioritise video delivery, secure streaming, and large-scale distribution.

The platform is more video-focused, which means it’s AI capabilities are extremely limited. It also has a very basic LMS and very less features to make the lives of educators easier.

• Secure Video Hosting: Stream high-quality educational content with DRM protection
• Content Monetisation: Sell access to videos or packages through a gated portal
• Custom Branding: Fully white-labelled learning environments for institutions and training providers
• Analytics Dashboard: Monitor viewer behaviour, completion rates, and device usage
• Adaptive Streaming: Deliver content optimised for the user’s internet speed and device
• Multi-Device Access: Learners can watch on desktop, tablet, or mobile
• SCORM and LMS Integration: Connect with existing platforms for advanced course tracking
• API Access: Build custom integrations and workflows as needed

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right EAD platform in 2025 is about more than just uploading videos. Whether you're an independent course creator, a growing training company, or an educational institution, your platform should support scale, engagement, and outcomes. Some platforms prioritise monetisation, others offer deep customisation or AI-powered speed. The best choice depends on your audience, your goals, and how much control you want over the learning experience.

If you're looking for a flexible, modern platform that helps you build, deliver, and personalise courses with almost no manual setup, Coursebox is worth exploring. Its AI-powered course builder, mobile-ready delivery, and white-label options make it a strong choice for educators and training providers ready to scale.

Book a demo today to see how Coursebox can support your EAD strategy.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

What is an EAD platform?

An EAD platform (Educação a Distância) is a digital system used to create, manage, and deliver educational content online. It allows students to access lessons, complete activities, and receive certifications without attending in-person classes. These platforms often include features for course building, learner tracking, quizzes, analytics, and mobile access.

Are there free EAD platforms?

Yes. Coursebox is a widely used EAD platform. Other tools like Moodle, Thinkific, and HeroSpark offer free plans with limited features. These free versions are useful for testing or launching small-scale courses, but may not include certificates, advanced analytics, or branded delivery unless you upgrade.

What features matter most for corporate training?

For corporate learning, prioritise white-labelling, learner segmentation, compliance tracking, analytics, mobile access, and integration with HR systems. Platforms like Coursebox also offer AI-powered assessments, chatbot trainers, and adaptive learning paths, which help scale training across departments.

Is Coursebox an EAD platform?

Yes. Coursebox is a modern EAD platform designed for speed, scale, and simplicity. It uses AI to turn documents, slides, or videos into full training modules. The platform includes features like branded delivery, real-time feedback, quiz generation, chatbot support, and mobile access. It’s ideal for both training companies and educators looking to scale without needing an in-house tech team.