Course-hosting features look similar across most platforms — modules, lessons, video, quizzes. What actually determines your take-home revenue is what happens at checkout: which payment methods are accepted, what percentage the platform keeps, and whether GST-compliant invoices are generated automatically.
This guide compares platforms on the commerce layer, not just the course builder.
Quick answer: For 0% commission with native UPI/Razorpay checkout and built-in affiliate marketing, WeMakeSuccess and Thinkific (once on a paid tier) lead. For the lowest possible barrier to entry, TagMango's free-but-10%-commission model gets you selling today.
What Actually Affects Your Revenue at Checkout
- Commission per sale: a flat monthly fee costs the same at ₹10,000 or ₹10,00,000 in monthly sales; a percentage cut scales against you as you grow.
- Payment gateways supported: UPI intent (GPay/PhonePe/BHIM), Razorpay, Cashfree, PhonePe, and MobiKwik cover different segments of Indian buyers — more options generally means fewer abandoned checkouts.
- Payout speed: BYOK (bring-your-own-keys) platforms pay out on your payment gateway's normal T+1/T+2 schedule; marketplace-style platforms that pool funds before disbursing to you add settlement delay.
- GST invoicing: automatic tax-compliant invoices save real accounting time if you're registered.
- Upsells and order bumps: platforms with native 1-click upsells and order bumps increase average order value without extra tooling.
Course-Selling Platforms Compared
| Platform | Commission | Payment Gateways | Payout Speed | Built-in Affiliate Marketing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WeMakeSuccess | 0% | Stripe, Razorpay, PhonePe, Cashfree, MobiKwik | Direct — your gateway's normal schedule | Yes |
| TagMango | 0–10% | Razorpay, Paytm PG, Stripe (paid tiers) | Platform-mediated on free tier | Yes |
| Graphy | 0% (paid plans) | Indian gateways + international cards | Direct on paid plans | Limited |
| Thinkific | 0% (US markets) | Stripe, PayPal | Direct | Yes (paid tiers) |
| Teachable | 0–7.5% | Teachable:pay (Stripe-based) | Direct, standard Stripe schedule | Limited |
| Podia | 0–5% | Stripe, PayPal | Direct | Yes |
Figures reflect publicly listed rates as of mid-2026 — payment processor fees (typically 2–3% for cards, often 0% for domestic UPI under RBI's zero-MDR rules) apply on top of platform commission on every platform listed here.
Why UPI Support Changes the Math
Under RBI's zero-MDR mandate, domestic UPI transactions carry no merchant discount rate for the buyer or seller in most configurations — meaning a UPI sale processed through Razorpay or a similar Indian gateway can be materially cheaper to accept than the same sale routed through international card rails via Stripe. Platforms without native UPI support push every Indian buyer toward card checkout by default, which is both a higher-friction experience for the buyer and a costlier one for you.
Built-In Monetization Tools Worth Checking For
Beyond the base commission rate, look for: 1-click order bumps and post-purchase upsells (they increase average order value without extra development), a native affiliate center (so other creators can sell your course for a commission without a third-party tool), and coupon/discount support. WeMakeSuccess bundles all three natively — see the monetization feature page for the full breakdown.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which platform has the lowest commission for selling courses in India?
WeMakeSuccess, Thinkific (on paid tiers), and Graphy (on paid tiers) all charge 0% commission — you keep 100% of the sale price minus standard payment processing fees. Free-tier platforms like TagMango's no-cost plan trade the 0% subscription for a 10% commission instead.
Do I need GST invoicing built into my course platform?
If you're a GST-registered seller, automatic invoice generation saves meaningful bookkeeping time versus manually issuing invoices for every sale. Not every platform includes this by default, so it's worth confirming before committing if you're operating at volume.
What's the difference between platform commission and payment gateway fees?
Platform commission is what the LMS itself keeps from your sale price. Payment gateway fees are charged separately by Razorpay, Stripe, or whichever processor handles the transaction — typically around 2% for domestic cards and often 0% for UPI under current RBI rules.
Both apply regardless of which platform you use; a "0% commission" platform still has gateway fees.
How fast do payouts actually reach my bank account?
On BYOK platforms where you connect your own Razorpay or Stripe account, payouts follow that gateway's normal settlement schedule (commonly T+1 to T+3 business days). On platforms that pool all creator funds and disburse periodically, payouts can take longer and are subject to the platform's own payout schedule and minimum thresholds.
Can I sell courses in India without a business registration?
Individual creators can generally sell using a personal Razorpay/Stripe account, but most payment gateways in India require KYC and, above certain volumes, GST registration. This is a payment-gateway requirement rather than a platform requirement, and applies regardless of which LMS you choose.
Compare WeMakeSuccess's full checkout and monetization stack on the pricing page.