Home Page Blog Elearning Platform Development: Create Online Learning Platform – 2025 Guide and Essential Tips Elearning Platform Development: Create Online Learning Platform – 2025 Guide and Essential Tips Web Development Last Updated: 14/04/2025 Share on Social Media: 2,090 12 min. We have all noticed the increase in the number of online learning platforms. There’s everything from libraries of school-level materials to massive online academies. The growth of the market in recent years is impressive. The e-learning market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20% from 2020 to 2028. The global eLearning market is projected to reach $300 billion by 2025, highlighting the significant growth potential and the importance of creating effective and affordable products to succeed. If you plan on entering the market, our ProCoders guide can help. In 10 years of practice, we’ve created several platforms in the niche. So, we would love to share our insights into: must-have features benchmark platforms steps budgeting tips Let’s get familiar with how to create a successful e Learning platform! Introduction to eLearning Platform Development eLearning, also known as electronic learning, refers to education delivered through digital devices, providing learners with the flexibility to access educational content at their own pace. The e-learning industry has experienced significant growth in recent years, with the global e-learning market expected to reach $300 billion by 2025. Online learning platforms, such as Udemy and Coursera, have become increasingly popular, offering a wide range of courses and tutorials to learners worldwide. To create a successful e-learning platform, it is essential to understand the key features and essential components of an e-learning website, including course creation, user management, and analytics. Market Overview on eLearning Platforms and Online Learning Trends The e-learning market is booming, with online learning platforms becoming an essential tool for educational institutions, businesses, and individuals. The market is driven by factors such as the increasing demand for online education, advancements in technology, and the need for personalized learning paths. Popular online learning platforms, such as MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses), offer a range of courses and tutorials, while learning management systems (LMS) provide a comprehensive platform for managing and delivering online learning content. The trend towards mobile learning is also on the rise, with learners accessing online courses and educational materials through their mobile devices. eLearning Platform Types Type of e-Learning PlatformDescriptionLearning Management Systems (LMS)Software platforms designed to manage and deliver online education. They typically include features such as course management, student tracking, and assessment tools.Example: MoodleVirtual Classroom PlatformsProvide a virtual environment for students and instructors to participate in live, interactive classes. They often include features such as video conferencing, whiteboard tools, and file sharing.Example: ZoomMOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses)Online courses that are open to anyone and can have thousands of students enrolled. They are often free or low-cost and are typically self-paced.Example: CourseraCorporate Learning PlatformsThese platforms provide a wide range of training materials and resources tailored to the needs of organizations and businesses.Example: LinkedIn LearningMicrolearning PlatformsDeliver small chunks of learning content, such as short videos, quizzes, or interactive games. They are designed to be highly engaging and easy to access on the go.Example: Duolingo Building a proprietary online educational platform offers significant advantages in terms of security and customization compared to using external services. Must-Have Features of an Online Education Platform ProCoders have put together a list of must-have features: Course Management Instructors can create courses and organize materials like: syllabi assignments quizzes Student Tracking This helps teachers see how students are doing. It tracks participation, progress, and allows for feedback. Assessment Tools These tools let teachers create tests, quizzes, and other assessments. They also provide instant feedback to students. Communication and Collaboration Tools Modern students need more than just video lessons. Tools like live video streaming, chat, and discussion boards help students and teachers work together in real time. Incorporating interactive elements such as social media dialogues can enhance the learning experience by fostering engagement and communication among students, professors, and teaching assistants. Accessibility The platform should be accessible to all students, including those with disabilities. It must comply with accessibility standards such as WCAG. Personalization and Adaptive Learning These features let the platform adjust to each student. It can change the content or learning speed to match individual goals. Analytics and Reporting Teachers can track student performance and engagement. The platform also gives insights to help students improve. Does This Sound Like Something You Want to Develop? Book a Call for Free Consultation, and We’ll Tell You How ProCoders Can Help! Book a Call! Content Creation and Management Content creation and management are critical components of an e-learning platform. Educational institutions and businesses need to create high-quality digital learning content that is engaging, interactive, and relevant to their target audience. Content management systems (CMS) can help manage and deliver educational materials, while learning management systems (LMS) provide a platform for creating, managing, and delivering online courses. E-learning development companies can help create customized e-learning solutions, including course creation, content development, and platform development. How to Build an Online Education Platform: Trendy Features GamificationAdd fun features like: Points Badges Leaderboards These keep students motivated by rewarding progress. For example, Duolingo uses gamification to make learning exciting and enjoyable. Virtual and Augmented RealityUse VR and AR to create interactive and immersive learning experiences. Some examples include: virtual field trips simulated labs 3D visualizations of complex concepts Artificial Intelligence and Machine LearningAI and ML can personalize learning by analyzing user data. They help platforms adjust content to fit each student’s needs. For instance, Knewton uses AI to provide real-time adjusted lessons. Video-based LearningOffer courses through video content, so students can learn at their own speed. Coursera is a great example, offering video lessons from university professors. MicrolearningBreak learning into small, focused segments like short videos or quizzes. It’s perfect for quick study sessions. Quizlet uses flashcards and quizzes for this purpose. Social LearningFacilitates learning through peer interactions with tools like: online communities discussion forums group projects peer-to-peer mentoring Let ProCoders Professionals Define Priorities for Your Project Through the Discovery Phase! Let’s Get Started! Let’s get started Top 10 eLearning Platforms for Benchmarking So, who’s your competition, and why do they lead the industry? Let’s see! PlatformDescriptionCourseraOffers online courses and specializations from top universities and industry leaders, with a focus on career advancement.Coursera is on track for its third consecutive year of over 20% revenue growth. In Q4 2023, the company recorded positive Adjusted EBITDA for the first time, and projects continued progress in 2024. The platform expects its Adjusted EBITDA to be between $26 million and $32 million for the year.UdemyProvides a marketplace of courses taught by experts in various fields, with a wide range of topics available.Udemy reported a full-year revenue of $729 million in 2023, marking a 16% increase from the previous year. The fourth quarter alone saw revenues rise by 15% to $190 million. Notably, Udemy Business, the platform’s enterprise segment, experienced a robust 27% year-over-year growth in Q4, reaching $115 million.edXOffers online courses and degrees from top universities, as well as professional education and corporate training.LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com)Provides on-demand video courses taught by industry experts, with a focus on business, technology, and creative skills.Khan AcademyOffers free, self-paced courses and practice exercises in a variety of subjects, primarily aimed at K-12 students.Khan Academy garnered $39.98 million in charitable contributions, with $21.1 million coming from foundations and individual donors, and $18.8 million provided by corporate sponsors.FutureLearnProvides free and paid courses in a variety of subjects, with a focus on social learning and collaboration.SkillshareOffers courses taught by industry professionals in creative fields such as design, photography, and writing, as well as some business and technology topics.According to PrivCo, the company has a post-money valuation ranging from $100 million to $500 million. To date, the company has raised $136.8 million over 11 funding rounds, as reported by Crunchbase in April 2023.CodecademyFocuses on teaching coding skills through interactive lessons and projects, with courses available for various programming languages.Between 2012 and 2017, Codecademy expanded its user base from zero to over 50 million without the aid of a marketing team or advertising efforts. Subsequently, from 2017 to 2019, the company quadrupled its revenue. This growth culminated in an acquisition in 2022 for over $500 million.TreehouseProvides courses and projects to help users learn web development, mobile app development, and other coding skills.PluralsightOffers video courses and assessments to help users develop and validate technology skills, with a focus on IT and software development.Pluralsight, an e-learning platform, currently serves 1,336 customers and holds an estimated market share of 0.46%, ranking it 37th in its sector. And a short checklist of their features: Platform NameCertificate OptionsCourse TypeCourse TopicsCourse DurationCostCourseraYesInstructor-ledVariousSelf-paced and instructor-ledPaid and FreeUdemyYesInstructor-led and Self-pacedVariousVariesPaid and FreeedXYesInstructor-led and Self-pacedVariousVariesPaid and FreeLinkedIn LearningYesInstructor-led and Self-pacedVariousVariesPaidKhan AcademyNoSelf-pacedMath, Science, Economics, etc.Self-pacedFreeFutureLearnYesInstructor-led and Self-pacedVariousVariesPaid and FreeSkillshareNoInstructor-led and Self-pacedCreative, Business, TechnologySelf-pacedPaid and FreeCodecademyYesSelf-pacedCoding and ProgrammingSelf-pacedPaid and FreeTreehouseYesInstructor-led and Self-pacedCoding and ProgrammingSelf-pacedPaidPluralsightYesInstructor-led and Self-pacedTechnology and BusinessVariesPaid How to Create Your Own Online Learning Platform: Step-by-Step Here are ProCoders’ steps for online learning platform development: Stage 1: Market and Competitor Research Start by studying your target audience and the market. Identify their demographics, preferred features, and pain points. Look for gaps in the market that your own eLearning platform can fill. Selecting an appropriate business model is crucial as the foundational step in the development of online learning platforms. The chosen business model not only influences revenue generation but also positions the platform strategically within the e-learning market, which has seen significant growth in demand due to external factors like the COVID-19 crisis. Analyzing competitors is also important. Consider their strategies for user engagement, marketing, and design. Check what users like and dislike about their platforms. For a starting point, you can explore this very article. Stage 2: Choosing a Working Model for Your Own eLearning Platform The right model depends on your situation: Have an idea but need clarity? Start with a Discovery Phase to define your goals and refine your approach. Have a plan but need more hands? Staff Augmentation lets you add skilled developers temporarily. Starting from scratch? Use a Discovery Phase first, then move to a Dedicated Team. This gives you a team focused entirely on your project. Let’s Start Your Discovery Phase and Take First Steps Toward Your E-learning Platform ASAP! Start Now! Let’s get started Step 3: Choose the Suitable Development Approach to Create Your Own Learning Platform Your development approach affects how your platform works and scales. Web-Based Development Web platforms use technologies like HTML and JavaScript. Web-based platforms are easier and quicker to develop. They are a cost-effective solution for e-learning. This type is ideal for reaching a broad audience where detailed customization isn’t important. The main drawback is their reliance on a strong and stable internet connection. Because the offline features of such apps are limited, performance might decrease with slower connections Mobile-Based Development Native apps (built for Android or iOS) provide a personalized experience. You can use languages like Java and Kotlin for Android and Swift for iOS apps. A mobile application provides a personalized user experience, crucial for engaging learners through gamification and social learning features. They use the full capability of the user’s device. For example, they can send push notifications and integrate with sensors. Development costs can be higher because you need people with native development skills. Also, updates require app store approval, which can delay them. However, there is a way out! You can use cross-platform frameworks that allow for the development of Android and iOS apps from a single codebase. This approach saves development time and costs. Hybrid Hybrid apps combine web and mobile technologies. As a result, your app functions across web browsers and mobile devices. Hybrid platforms offer: high performance offline capabilities access to device-specific features They are suitable for projects that aim to provide a wholesome user experience on all devices. Such development is more complex, though. It often requires diverse expertise and larger development teams to handle both web and mobile components. This can lead to increased costs and project timelines. Stage 4: Conducting a Discovery Phase ProCoders has years of experience in Discovery Phase services. If you prefer to handle this yourself, focus on these steps. Set Clear Goals and ScopeDefine what your employee training or eLearning website or app should achieve. Focus on the features, functionalities, and user experience. Analyze the Market and CompetitorsStudy market trends and competitors to spot opportunities and gaps. Gather and Prioritize RequirementsTalk to your stakeholders and gather input. Then, prioritize based on what brings the most value and impact. Create a Project RoadmapDevelop a clear plan. Include milestones, deliverables, and timelines, and you’ll get a guide to the project’s progress. Select Technology and Design ArchitectureChoose the right technology stack and design a system architecture. Focus on functionality, scalability, and security. Estimate Resources and BudgetCalculate the resources and budget needed. Account for technology, personnel, and potential risks. Organize for ExecutionEstablish communication practices with your team. Set up project management tools for proper execution. Stage 5: MVP Development with Key Features A Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is the best way to test your idea. Focus on essential features that solve key challenges for your audience. Including advanced features can significantly enhance the functionality and user engagement of your eLearning platform. Gather feedback and adjust quickly before moving to full development. Stage 6: App Development Develop both the front-end and back-end of your platform. Use APIs to connect extra features. Make sure there is regular communication with the development team for tracking progress. For smooth updates and iterations, we at ProCoders adopt Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) practices. This approach allows real-time feedback integration capabilities. Stage 7: Testing and Deployment Thorough testing of the app helps identify and fix any bugs before launch. This is important because issues can harm the app’s reputation early on. Testing should cover: functionality user interface security performance across different devices and platforms Once the app meets quality standards, deploy it. Now, the development stage is over, so you can move on to marketing to attract users. After deployment, make sure to collect user feedback and make improvements. Recommended: How to Create a Website like Udemy or Coursera? Sounds Complicated? ProCoders Will Help You Build an E-learning Platform Your Customers Will Love! Contact Us! Let’s get started User Engagement and Retention User engagement and retention is the key to an e-learning platform. Badges, points and leaderboards can increase user interaction and motivation, social learning platforms can facilitate discussion among learners. Personalized learning paths and adaptive learning can increase learner engagement and retention. Give learners feedback and assessment tools to track their progress and identify areas for improvement. Security and Compliance Security and compliance are important for e-learning platforms, especially when dealing with sensitive educational data. E-learning platforms must comply with relevant regulations like GDPR and COPPA and implement robust security measures to protect learner data. This includes encrypting data, using secure payment gateways, and implementing access controls to prevent unauthorized access. E-learning platforms must also ensure their content and courses comply with relevant standards and regulations, such as accessibility standards and copyright laws. By prioritizing security and compliance, e-learning platforms can build trust with their learners and have a safe and secure learning environment. Costs and Budget of e-Learning Platform Development So, what comprises the cost of app development? Discovery ResearchEstimated Cost: $5,000 to $15,000 This phase can involve stakeholder interviews, competitor analysis, and creating user personas. MVP DevelopmentEstimated Cost: $20,000 to $50,000Developing a minimal viable product typically requires fewer features, which reduces the cost compared to full product development. Full Development Web-only Development: $50,000 to $150,000 Mobile-only Development: $50,000 to $200,000 (costs can increase significantly for native app development for multiple platforms) Combined Web and Mobile Development: $100,000 to $300,000 TestingEstimated Cost: $10,000 to $25,000 May include functional, usability, and performance testing. MaintenanceEstimated Cost: 15-20% of total development cost per year. When building an effective eLearning website, the development process and associated costs are crucial. This includes stages like discovery research, MVP development, full development, testing, and ongoing maintenance to ensure the platform is user-friendly and engaging. More on costs in our blog: Time and Material vs Fixed Price vs Dedicated Team: Practical Overview Costs of Research and Development Outsourcing Software Development: Pros and Cons Cost of Software Development Need a Clearer Price Tag? Get a Free Quote! Get Now! Let’s get started How ProCoders Can Help You Make eLearning Website and Save Costs? ProCoders offers complete support for developing educational platforms, working with clients of all sizes—from startups to large corporations. Our team is like a “Swiss army knife” for e-learning development, ready to adapt to your project’s unique needs by providing tailored eLearning solutions. We handle everything from the Discovery Phase, where we identify your market, technology, and features, to full-scale development. Our process ensures you get a cost-effective solution without compromising quality. ProCoders’ Experience in the E-learning Industry Quartz Network ProCoders helped Quartz Network build a platform that combines professional networking with a rich educational library and virtual conferences. We developed a user-friendly admin panel, a large course database, matching algorithms, and integrated payment systems. The platform provides online training and professional education, successfully hosting countless courses and events, creating a seamless experience for users. Membean For Membean, a language-learning platform, we created a personalized learning system that goes beyond traditional memorization. Our custom algorithm adjusts to each user’s skill level, helping them focus on critical thinking. This adaptive approach has set Membean apart in the competitive language-learning space. Additionally, the platform adjusts to each user’s educational background to provide a personalized learning experience. Let’s Make a Success Story Together! Contact Us to Start Working on the Development of Your Leading E-learning Product! Get Started! Let’s get started FAQ FAQ How long does it take to build an eLearning platform? It usually takes 3 to 12 months to build an eLearning platform. The exact timeline depends on the project’s complexity. Key stages include planning, design, development, testing, and deployment. To get an accurate estimate, consult an experienced development team. How do you create an e-learning app? The process begins with research to understand the market and competitors. From there, you choose a development model, plan your time and budget, and bring in skilled professionals. After creating an MVP (Minimum Viable Product), the full app development continues, followed by thorough testing and deployment. Careful execution at each stage is crucial for success. What features should an eLearning platform include? An eLearning platform should offer tools for course management, progress tracking, and collaboration. A mobile-friendly interface and robust security are also important. These features help create a better experience and make sure students keep coming back. What are some examples of eLearning platforms? Coursera, Udemy, and Khan Academy are well-known platforms offering diverse courses. Others, like Codecademy, focus on specific skills such as coding. What is the difference between an LMS and an online learning platform project? An LMS (Learning Management System) is designed for educators and administrators to manage courses and track learner progress. Online learning platforms, in contrast, focus on delivering content and facilitating interaction for students. While an LMS works behind the scenes, an online platform provides the user-facing experience. How do you build an LMS system? To build an LMS, you first define your goals and requirements, then design a user-friendly interface and select a technology stack. Then you develop core features like course tracking and user registration, with security and scalability in mind. After development, thorough testing prepares the system for deployment. What are the challenges in creating an e-learning platform today, and how can they be overcome? Challenges include high competition, user engagement, and protecting data. Focus on unique content, gamification, and designing adaptive learning paths. Keeping the platform secure and regularly updated also helps achieve long-term success. Conclusion E-learning is shaping global education, growing by 20% annually through 2028. To succeed in this space, focus on: Strategic planning. Features like gamification and AI. Support from experienced developers. ProCoders helps education providers build scalable platforms that engage users and meet market demands. With the right approach, businesses can lead in educational innovation and improve learning outcomes worldwide. Web Development 2,090 Posted: 2/05/2023 Last Updated: 14/04/2025 Previous post4 Reasons Why You Should Choose Bespoke eCommerce Solutions For Your Online Business Next postWooCommerce vs Shopify: What eCommerce Platform to Choose and Why? Write a Reply or Comment Cancel replyYour email address will not be published. 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