As the knowledge economy continues to expand and digital opportunities multiply, more people are building online businesses that leverage their expertise and can thrive from anywhere in the world.
But choosing the right platform to build your business on is crucial.
The wrong choice can lead to wasted time, unnecessary complexity, and hidden costs that eat into your profits.
In this guide, we'll compare the top 10 platforms for building a digital business so you can launch with confidence and focus on what matters – creating value and generating income.
Why knowledge-based digital businesses are booming in 2025
Before we dive into the platforms, let's talk about why digital businesses are especially attractive in today's knowledge economy:
Global reach: Digital products and services can be sold worldwide instantly, giving you access to a global customer base
Low startup costs: Launch without inventory, retail space, or manufacturing facilities - just your expertise and a laptop
Scalable business models: Create once, sell infinitely with digital products that don't require additional production costs
Location independence: Run your business from anywhere with an internet connection, embracing the freedom of remote work
Leveraged expertise: Package your knowledge and skills into products that work for you while you sleep
In a world that increasingly values expertise and digital solutions, knowledge-based businesses offer exciting opportunities for freedom and financial growth.
What to look for in a business platform
The best platform for your digital business should:
Offer all-in-one functionality: Avoid platform sprawl that increases costs and complexity
Support multiple income streams: Course? Community? Coaching? Downloads? Your platform should support diverse revenue sources
Keep costs predictable: Beware of platforms that take more from you than give back to you
Scale with your growth: No arbitrary product limits or forced upgrades as you expand
Provide built-in marketing tools: Email marketing, landing pages, and other growth tools should be included
With these criteria in mind, let's explore the top platforms for building your digital business:
1. Nas.io — Best Platform for Digital Entrepreneur
Starting price: Free to get started (7.9% transaction fee) or just $1 for first month then $29/month for Pro (reduced 4.9% transaction fee).
Nas.io has emerged as the leading choice for creators building digital businesses, offering a true all-in-one platform that's both powerful and intuitive
Pros:
Comprehensive: Email marketing, payment processing, challenges, courses, communities, and digital downloads all in one place
AI-powered advantage: Virtual community manager that analyzes your social media to generate product ideas automatically
Challenge-focused: Built for challenge-based learning that drives 3x higher engagement and completion rates than traditional courses
Revenue maximization: Built-in upsells, flexible fee allocation (choose who pays the transaction fees), and local payment options
Global payment processing: Accept payments worldwide with zero restrictions, plus special 4.9% rate structure for LATAM markets
Simplicity first: Fast, intuitive interface that gives you exactly what you need without overwhelming complexity
Standout feature: Nas.io's "Magic Reach" tool lets you seamlessly integrate your products into emails, helping you sell more with less effort
Pricing flexibility: No platform fee on the basic plan (just 7.9% when you make money), or upgrade to Pro at just $1 for the first month, then $29/month with a reduced 4.9% transaction fee
Best for: Creators at any stage who want a single platform that handles everything needed to build a digital business without unnecessary complexity or multiple subscriptions.
2. Mighty Networks — Community-First Platform
Starting price: $41/month (billed annually) with 3% transaction fee
Mighty Networks focuses on building thriving communities with courses as an add-on feature rather than the core offering.
Pros:
Unlimited members, spaces, and moderators on all plans
Strong community engagement features (direct messaging, member profiles)
Live events and streaming capabilities
Gamification features to boost engagement
Cons:
Transaction fees on all plans (1-3% depending on tier)
No built-in email marketing or website builder
Limited storage and streaming hours
Higher-tier plans required for courses and challenges
Best for: Community builders who prioritize member interaction over content delivery and don't mind using separate tools for marketing.
3. Kajabi — All-in-One Premium Solution
Starting price: $89/month (billed monthly) or $71/month (billed annually)
Kajabi is a comprehensive platform aimed at established creators willing to invest in a premium solution.
Pros:
All-in-one platform with website, email, and products
Zero transaction fees on all plans
Robust marketing automation features including Kajabi AI
Professional-looking templates and designs
Cons:
Significantly higher price point than competitors
Strict product and contact limits (Kickstarter plan: 1 product, 250 contacts)
Steep learning curve for beginners
Can be overkill for creators just starting out
Best for: Established creators with existing audiences who need advanced marketing features and don't mind paying a premium price.
4. Circle — Focused Community Platform
Starting price: $99/month (billed monthly) or $89/month (billed annually)
Circle is designed specifically for community building, with a clean, modern interface and strong engagement tools.
Pros:
Unlimited members on all plans
Excellent community engagement features (rich profiles, discussions, events)
Option to create a branded mobile app (Plus Branded App tier)
Clean, modern user interface with AI-powered features
Cons:
Higher starting price point compared to some alternatives
No built-in website or blog functionality
Email marketing requires Marketing Hub add-on ($99/month for 10,000 contacts)
Limited tools for digital product sales
Best for: Creators with established audiences looking to build premium communities with potential for a branded mobile app in the future.
5. Patreon — Membership Support Platform
Starting price: Free to set up (8-12% of earnings + payment processing fees)
Patreon is built for creators who primarily produce free content and want to offer premium benefits to supporting members.
Pros:
Well-known platform that audiences trust
Easy setup with minimal technical knowledge required
Multiple membership tiers with monthly and annual subscriptions
Engagement tools (chats, DMs, comments)
Cons:
High transaction fees (8% on Pro plan, 12% on Premium plan)
Limited customization options
Not ideal for selling courses or digital products
Requires existing audience for success
Best for: Content creators (YouTubers, podcasters, artists) who already have an audience and want to offer exclusive benefits to supporters.
6. Thinkific — Course-Focused Platform
Starting price: $49/month (billed monthly) or $36/month (billed annually)
Thinkific is primarily designed for creating and selling online courses, with community features as a secondary offering.
Pros:
No transaction fees on paid plans
Unlimited students on all plans
AI-powered landing pages and course creation tools
Website builder included
Cons:
Membership features only available on Start plan ($99/month or $74/month annually)
Limited features on Basic plan (5 digital downloads, 5 coaching sessions)
Community spaces limited based on plan tier
Basic marketing automation compared to competitors
Best for: Educators and trainers focusing primarily on course delivery with community as a secondary element.
7. Podia — Creator-Friendly All-in-One
Starting price: $39/month (billed monthly) or $33/month (billed annually) with 5% transaction fee
Podia offers a balanced approach for creators who want to sell various digital products, including memberships and courses.
Pros:
All-in-one platform with website, email, blog, and online store
Unlimited products on all plans (courses, downloads, coaching, memberships)
Clean, easy-to-use interface with pre-made templates
Built-in email marketing (free for first 100 subscribers)
Cons:
5% transaction fee on Mover plan
PayPal integration only available on Shaker plan ($89/month)
Affiliate marketing restricted to higher-tier plan
Limited design customization compared to premium alternatives
Best for: Solo creators who want a simple, all-in-one solution for selling digital products and building a membership without technical complexity.
8. Stan.store — For Personal Brand Monetization
Starting price: $25/month or 14-day free trial
Stan.store is designed specifically for creators looking to monetize their personal brand through various digital offerings.
Pros:
Simple setup for personal brand monetization ("link-in-bio" store)
Support for multiple income streams (courses, digital products, coaching)
Mobile-optimized with one-tap checkout
No coding required, user-friendly interface
Cons:
Less robust than full-featured platforms
Advanced features like email marketing flows and affiliate links require upgraded plan ($79/month)
Newer platform with fewer integrations
Better suited for individual creators than teams
Best for: Influencers and personal brands looking to quickly monetize their following without complex setup.
9. Skool — Challenge-Based Community Platform
Starting price: $99/month with 2.9% transaction fee
Skool focuses on challenge-based community building with a simple, engagement-focused interface.
Pros:
Lower transaction fees than many competitors (2.9%)
Unlimited courses and members on all plans
Strong focus on challenges and accountability
Simple, clean interface with all features included
Cons:
Higher starting price point
Limited to 1 group per account
Fewer integration options
Less flexible than some competitors
Best for: Creators focused on running challenges and building accountability-focused communities.
10. Hotmart — International Focus with LATAM Strength
Starting price: Free to join with 9.9% + $0.50 transaction fee per sale
Hotmart is particularly strong for creators targeting international markets, with robust payment processing for sales in over 188 countries.
Pros:
No monthly fees (you only pay when you sell)
Strong presence in global markets, especially Latin America
Proprietary payment system with local payment methods
Built-in marketplace with affiliate program
Cons:
Transaction fee of 9.9% + $0.50 per sale
Additional withdrawal fees based on amount ($3.00-$9.00)
Interface may feel complex for beginners
Less known in North American markets
Best for: Creators targeting international audiences with digital products and courses who prefer paying fees only when they make sales rather than monthly subscriptions.
How to choose the right platform for your business
When deciding which platform is right for your digital business, consider:
Your primary offering: Is it challenges, courses, community, or a mix?
Your technical comfort: Some platforms require more setup than others
Your budget: Starting costs range from free to $100+/month
Your growth plans: Will you need advanced features as you scale?
Your audience location: Some platforms are stronger in certain regions
The platform you choose should align with your business model, audience needs, and personal workflow preferences.
Why Nas.io stands out for new digital entrepreneurs
For creators just starting their entrepreneurial journey, Nas.io offers several unique advantages that set it apart:
True all-in-one solution: Unlike platforms that force you to cobble together multiple tools, Nas.io provides everything you need in one place—email marketing, payment processing, challenges, courses, communities, and digital downloads
AI-powered business companion: Nas.io's AI doesn't just offer templates—it actively analyzes your social media content to generate product ideas tailored to your audience, effectively serving as a virtual community manager
Revenue optimization tools: Built-in upsells in challenges, flexible fee allocation (you decide who pays the transaction fees), and local payment options through zero links all help maximize your income
Challenge-based business model: Built specifically for time-bound, community-focused learning experiences that generate 3x more revenue than passive courses
Streamlined experience: You get exactly what you need without overwhelming complexity—fast, intuitive, and designed for creators, not tech experts
Global business made easy: Accept payments worldwide with special transaction fee structures for global markets (including a reduced 4.9% rate for LATAM)
While other platforms excel in specific niches or require multiple subscription fees and integrations to achieve full functionality, Nas.io provides everything in a single, affordable solution.
The platform is particularly well-suited for creators transitioning from employment to entrepreneurship who need simplicity, affordability, and built-in tools to maximize earnings.
The Bottom Line: your platform is just the beginning
Remember that no platform guarantees success.
The real determinants of your business growth will be:
The value you provide to your audience
Your consistency in creating and engaging
How well you understand your customers' needs
Your ability to market your offerings effectively
The right platform simply removes technical barriers and lets you focus on what matters most – building a sustainable business that serves your audience and supports your lifestyle.
Ready to make the leap? The knowledge economy has never been more accessible, and with the right platform, you can build a business that transforms your expertise into a thriving digital enterprise.
Start building your knowledge-based business today, and join the next wave of entrepreneurs creating wealth and opportunity in the digital economy.