ChatGPT answers, unedited

If your priorities are low upfront cost + no platform fee + international customers + payment options that work in developing countries, there’s an important catch: truly zero platform fees are much rarer than “free to start” platforms.

Options worth considering

Payhip is particularly interesting for a creator in a developing country because it supports a large range of payment processors—not just Stripe/PayPal. It specifically lists Paystack, Flutterwave, Razorpay, Xendit, Midtrans, PayU, PayTabs, Iyzico, Mercado Pago, and others, with availability determined by your country. Payhip

However, its free plan charges 5% per sale. The 0% platform-fee plan is $99/month, although you would still pay the payment processor's own fees. Payhip Payhip

Thinkific is less universally suitable: its native Thinkific Payments service is currently available only in a defined list of countries, largely North America, Europe, and certain Asia-Pacific markets. Thinkific Support

What I'd do in your position

If you're just starting and don't have predictable sales yet, I would not pay $99/month merely to eliminate a 5% fee.

Instead, I'd look for a platform/payment combination where you can:

1. Start at $0/month.
2. Accept local payment methods, not just international cards.
3. Automatically deliver course access.
4. Upgrade to a zero-platform-fee plan only after your sales volume makes the math worthwhile.

For example, with Payhip's free plan, a $100 sale currently means a $5 Payhip fee plus the payment processor's fee. Once your monthly sales become substantial, the $99 Pro plan can become mathematically attractive. Payhip

The most important variable is your country. Payment-gateway availability differs significantly by country, so I wouldn't choose a platform until checking which gateways you can actually connect to.

If you tell me your country and whether you need local payments (mobile money/bank transfer) or mainly international cards, I can compare the available platforms and payment gateways specifically for you.

What I'd do in your position

If you're just starting and don't have predictable sales yet, I would not pay $99/month merely to eliminate a 5% fee.

Instead, I'd look for a platform/payment combination where you can:

If your priorities are low upfront cost, international reach, and payment flexibility, there’s an important distinction: “no platform fee” usually means you still pay payment-processor fees (Stripe/PayPal, etc.).

Platforms worth considering

• Payhip — probably the most practical starting point for a new course creator. Its free plan is $0/month but charges 5% per sale; its $99/month Pro plan has 0% platform transaction fees. It supports online courses and has expanded its payment-gateway coverage, including Stripe and PayPal. Payhip Payhip

payhip.com

• Ko-fi — attractive if you already have an audience on social media. Its free option charges 5% on shop sales/memberships, while Gold is $12/month with 0% service fees. Payments go directly to your PayPal or Stripe account. Ko-fi Ko-fi

ko-fi.com

• Gumroad — very easy to launch on, with no monthly subscription, but it currently takes 10% + $0.50 on direct sales, so I wouldn't consider it a “no platform fee” option. Its payout method varies by country. Gumroad

gumroad.com

What I'd look for in your situation

Because you're in a developing country, payment availability in your specific country may matter more than the headline platform fee. A platform can be “global” while Stripe or PayPal isn't available to sellers in your country.

I'd therefore prioritize:

1. A platform supporting multiple payment gateways available in your country.
2. No monthly fee while you're validating your course.
3. Built-in course hosting, rather than having to stitch together a website + video host + checkout.
4. Local-currency/payment options for your students, if available.
5. Easy withdrawal to your local bank, rather than relying on a payment method you can't access.

One particularly relevant point: Payhip says it supports 45+ countries through Stripe and 200+ countries through PayPal, although actual availability depends on your country and the processor's rules. Payhip

If you tell me your country and whether your students mostly pay by card, mobile money, bank transfer, or PayPal, I can narrow this to 3 platforms that you can realistically receive money from—and compare their actual fees on, say, a $20 course.

If by “no platform fees” you mean the platform itself takes 0% of each sale—while accepting that Stripe/PayPal/payment processors may still charge their own fees—the options are surprisingly limited.

For a new creator in a developing country, I’d focus heavily on payout availability in your country, not just the advertised fee.

My practical recommendation

Start with Payhip if Stripe or PayPal is available to you. Its free plan gives you unlimited products and revenue, but it currently charges 5% per sale. Its $99/month Pro plan removes Payhip's transaction fee, although you still pay your payment processor. Payhip Payhip

payhip.com

If you expect enough sales that $99/month is worthwhile, Payhip Pro is one straightforward route to 0% platform commission.

Gumroad is worth considering if simplicity and international tax handling matter more than fees. It has no monthly subscription, but currently takes 10% + $0.50 on direct sales and 30% for marketplace/discovery sales. Gumroad Gumroad

gumroad.com

One particularly important issue for a developing-country creator is getting your money out. Gumroad says payout methods vary by country and that some countries can only receive payouts through PayPal; it also explicitly says it does not support Payoneer or Wise/TransferWise as payout methods. Gumroad Gumroad

The important distinction

Don't look only for “0% platform fee.” You actually need:

Course platform → payment gateway available in your country → payout to your bank/account → reasonable currency conversion fees

A platform can advertise 0% and still be unusable if its payment processor doesn't support merchants in your country.

If you tell me which country you're based in, I can research the payment gateways available there and give you a shortlist of 3–5 genuinely workable platforms, including their total fees, payout methods, and whether students worldwide can pay by card/mobile money/bank transfer.

If your priorities are low upfront cost, global reach, and zero platform commission, the important catch is that “no platform fee” does not mean “no payment-processing fee.” Stripe, PayPal, Paystack, Flutterwave, etc. will still take their own processing fees.

My shortlist

Payhip is particularly interesting for a creator in a developing country. Its free plan has a 5% Payhip transaction fee, but its $99/month Pro plan has no Payhip transaction fee. More importantly, Payhip currently supports 13 payment processors, including PayPal, Stripe, Flutterwave, Paystack, Xendit, Razorpay, Mercado Pago, PayU, and others. That breadth can be much more important than the headline platform price when you're in a country where Stripe isn't available. Payhip Payhip Help Center

payhip.com

Thinkific is much more expensive upfront, so I wouldn't make it my first choice for a brand-new creator on a tight budget. Its current Basic plan is $54/month ($40/month annually), and its native Thinkific Payments doesn't add a separate platform transaction fee, although normal payment-processing fees still apply. The bigger limitation is geographic: Thinkific Payments is currently available in a relatively limited set of countries, mainly North America, Europe, Australia/NZ, and a few Asian markets. Thinkific Support Thinkific Support

thinkific.com

I wouldn't recommend Gumroad if keeping fees low is your primary objective. There's no monthly subscription, but direct sales currently cost 10% + $0.50 per transaction, before applicable payment-processing costs. Gumroad

gumroad.com

What I'd do in your situation

If you're just starting:

1. Start with Payhip's free plan if one of its supported payment processors works in your country.
2. Accept the temporary 5% platform fee while you're validating your course.
3. Once your sales volume makes $99/month economical, move to Payhip Pro, eliminating Payhip's platform transaction fee.
4. If Payhip doesn't support a payment method that your local customers actually use, consider WordPress + an LMS + your country's preferred payment gateway. That's potentially the lowest-fee route, but requires more technical setup.
5. Don't choose a platform merely because it says “global.” The critical question is whether you can actually receive payouts in your country.

If you tell me your country, your approximate course price (e.g. $20/$50/$100), and whether you need local payments/mobile money in addition to cards, I can narrow this down to the 2–3 cheapest options actually usable from your country.

Payhip is particularly interesting for a creator in a developing country. Its free plan has a 5% Payhip transaction fee, but its $99/month Pro plan has no Payhip transaction fee. More importantly, Payhip currently supports 13 payment processors, including PayPal, Stripe, Flutterwave, Paystack, Xendit, Razorpay, Mercado Pago, PayU, and others. That breadth can be much more important than the headline platform price when you're in a country where Stripe isn't available. Payhip Payhip Help Center

payhip.com

Thinkific is much more expensive upfront, so I wouldn't make it my first choice for a brand-new creator on a tight budget. Its current Basic plan is $54/month ($40/month annually), and its native Thinkific Payments doesn't add a separate platform transaction fee, although normal payment-processing fees still apply. The bigger limitation is geographic: Thinkific Payments is currently available in a relatively limited set of countries, mainly North America, Europe, Australia/NZ, and a few Asian markets. support.thinkific.com support.thinkific.com

thinkific.com

I wouldn't recommend Gumroad if keeping fees low is your primary objective. There's no monthly subscription, but direct sales currently cost 10% + $0.50 per transaction, before applicable payment-processing costs.

If you're in a developing country, I’d prioritize (1) no monthly cost, (2) payment methods actually available in your country, and (3) low/no platform commission. One important catch: “0% platform fee” does not mean 0% payment-processing fee—Stripe, PayPal, or another processor may still charge you.

My shortlist

Payhip is probably where I'd start. Its free plan gives you all features but charges 5% per sale; its $99/month Pro plan removes the platform transaction fee entirely. You still pay PayPal/Stripe processing fees. Payhip Payhip

Ko-fi is exceptionally cheap: its Gold plan is $12/month with 0% platform fees. However, it requires PayPal or Stripe, so it may be a poor choice if those processors aren't available in your country. Ko-fi Ko-fi

Thinkific is much more of a traditional course platform. Its current Basic plan is $54/month monthly or $40/month when billed annually, and its built-in payment system can avoid Thinkific's additional third-party gateway fee—but availability varies by country. Thinkific Thinkific Support

Ruzuku is worth investigating if you're literally starting with a handful of students: its free tier supports up to five participants with 0% platform transaction fees. Ruzuku

But there's a bigger issue for you

If you're in a country where Stripe and PayPal aren't available or are difficult to withdraw from, I would not choose a platform based on its advertised “0% fees.” Payment access is more important.

For example, Payhip explicitly relies on PayPal/Stripe for customer payments, and Ko-fi likewise requires one of those processors. Payhip Ko-fi

So my recommendation would be:

1. If PayPal/Stripe works in your country: start with Payhip Free.
2. Once sales become substantial: calculate whether Payhip Pro's $99/month saves you more than the 5% fee.
3. If you need a more sophisticated LMS: consider Thinkific.
4. If PayPal/Stripe don't work: don't sign up yet—find a platform/payment provider that supports your country's local payment methods and bank withdrawals.

If you tell me which country you're based in, I can narrow this down to platforms that actually let you receive money there, including local payment methods, payout options, taxes, and the cheapest setup.

Payhip is probably where I'd start. Its free plan gives you all features but charges 5% per sale; its $99/month Pro plan removes the platform transaction fee entirely. You still pay PayPal/Stripe processing fees. Payhip Payhip

Ko-fi is exceptionally cheap: its Gold plan is $12/month with 0% platform fees. However, it requires PayPal or Stripe, so it may be a poor choice if those processors aren't available in your country. ko-fi.com ko-fi.com

Thinkific is much more of a traditional course platform. Its current Basic plan is $54/month monthly or $40/month when billed annually, and its built-in payment system can avoid Thinkific's additional third-party gateway fee—but availability varies by country. thinkific.com support.thinkific.com

Ruzuku is worth investigating if you're literally starting with a handful of students: its free tier supports up to five participants with 0% platform transaction fees.

But there's a bigger issue for you

If you're in a country where Stripe and PayPal aren't available or are difficult to withdraw from, I would not choose a platform based on its advertised “0% fees.” Payment access is more important.

If “no platform fee” is your top priority, there’s an important catch: truly $0-platform-fee options are usually paid monthly, while the cheapest/free platforms take a percentage of each sale.

My shortlist

🥇 What I'd choose as a beginner

Start with Payhip. Its free plan costs $0/month, gives you unlimited products and revenue, and takes 5% per sale. You still pay the underlying payment processor's fee. Payhip Payhip

The big advantage for someone in a developing country is payment-gateway flexibility: Payhip says it supports PayPal, Stripe and other payment providers, so you can see which gateways are actually available in your country rather than committing to an expensive course platform first. Payhip

Once you're making enough sales, its $99/month Pro plan removes Payhip's transaction fee. Payhip

🥈 If you absolutely want 0% platform fees

Ko-fi Gold is interesting: $12/month and 0% service fee. Payments go directly to your PayPal or Stripe account, although their normal processing fees still apply. Ko-fi

The catch is that Ko-fi isn't really a full traditional LMS. It's better for selling course access, downloads, memberships, tutorials, and similar digital products than for building a sophisticated university-style course experience.

What I would avoid initially

Gumroad is easy to use, but its current direct-sale fee is 10% + $0.50 per transaction, before applicable payment-processing fees. That's relatively expensive when you're operating on a tight margin. Gumroad Gumroad

Podia is excellent if you need a polished all-in-one course business, but its cheapest plan currently charges 5% per transaction, while the zero-transaction-fee plan is substantially more expensive. Podia Help Center Podia

One crucial point for your situation

“Works globally” doesn't necessarily mean you can receive payouts in every country. The platform may be worldwide while its connected payment processors aren't available in your particular country.

So I'd rank your priorities:

1. Can I receive money in my country?
2. Can my students pay using cards/local methods they actually have?
3. What currency can I sell in?
4. What is the platform fee?
5. Does it host video/course content well?

If you tell me your country and roughly how much you expect to charge per course (e.g. $10, $30, $100), I can narrow this down to the 2–3 platforms that are most realistic for you and calculate the actual fees per sale.

🥇 What I'd choose as a beginner

Start with Payhip. Its free plan costs $0/month, gives you unlimited products and revenue, and takes 5% per sale. You still pay the underlying payment processor's fee. Payhip Payhip

The big advantage for someone in a developing country is payment-gateway flexibility: Payhip says it supports PayPal, Stripe and other payment providers, so you can see which gateways are actually available in your country rather than committing to an expensive course platform first. Payhip

Once you're making enough sales, its $99/month Pro plan removes Payhip's transaction fee. Payhip

🥈 If you absolutely want 0% platform fees

Ko-fi Gold is interesting: $12/month and 0% service fee. Payments go directly to your PayPal or Stripe account, although their normal processing fees still apply. Ko-fi

The catch is that Ko-fi isn't really a full traditional LMS. It's better for selling course access, downloads, memberships, tutorials, and similar digital products than for building a sophisticated university-style course experience.

What I would avoid initially

Gumroad is easy to use, but its current direct-sale fee is 10% + $0.50 per transaction, before applicable payment-processing fees. That's relatively expensive when you're operating on a tight margin. gumroad.com gumroad.com

Podia is excellent if you need a polished all-in-one course business, but its cheapest plan currently charges 5% per transaction, while the zero-transaction-fee plan is substantially more expensive.

One crucial point for your situation

For a new course creator in a developing country, I would prioritize platforms that:

• Have $0 upfront cost or very low monthly cost
• Take 0% platform commission (you still usually pay payment processor fees like Stripe/PayPal)
• Support international students
• Work with payment options available in your country (important because Stripe availability varies widely)

Here are some strong options:

FreshLearn Course.link LearnHouse Cakto## My shortlist for your situation

1. Best beginner choice: FreshLearn

Good if you want to avoid technical setup.

Pros:

• Free entry option
• Course hosting, landing pages, payments, and memberships in one place
• Supports multiple payment gateways including Stripe, PayPal, and Razorpay
• Designed for international selling FreshLearn

Watch out:

• Confirm whether your country can connect to your preferred payment gateway before building your business around it.

2. Best "start with almost no budget": Course.link

Good if you are testing your first course.

Pros:

• Free plan
• No coding
• Can connect payment systems such as Stripe/Razorpay
• Lets you create a branded course experience Course.link

Watch out:

• Free plans usually have limits on features.

3. Best if you want full ownership: WordPress + LearnDash (or another LMS)

Good if you can handle some setup.

Pros:

• You own your website, customer list, and brand
• No platform taking a percentage of every sale
• Can add many payment gateways depending on your country

Watch out:

• Hosting, security, backups, and maintenance become your responsibility.

4. Best if Stripe is available in your country: LearnHouse

A lower-cost option for creators comfortable with more control.

Pros:

• Uses your own payment account
• Advertises 0% platform fees
• Your customer relationship stays with you LearnHouse

Watch out:

• More suitable if you are comfortable managing some technical details.

Platforms I would be careful with as a new creator

• Marketplace platforms (for example, large course marketplaces): they can bring students, but you usually give up control over pricing, branding, and customer relationships.
• High-end all-in-one platforms: excellent tools, but monthly costs can be difficult before you have consistent sales.

Payment strategy for developing countries

Before choosing the platform, check this:

1. Can students pay you internationally?

• Cards?
• PayPal?
• Local bank transfer?
• Mobile money?
• Local wallets?
• Can you receive payouts?

• A platform accepting payments globally does not always mean your country can receive funds.
• Can you sell outside your country?

• Price in USD/EUR if your audience is international.
• Offer local currency pricing if your audience is mostly domestic.

My practical recommendation

If you are starting from zero:

1. Start with FreshLearn or Course.link to validate your first course.
2. Use your own audience-building channels (YouTube, email list, social media).
3. Move to WordPress/LearnDash later if you need more control.

The biggest bottleneck for a new creator is usually not the platform fee—it is getting the first 50–100 paying students. Choose the simplest platform that lets you collect payments reliably in your country.

For a new course creator in a developing country, I’d prioritize platforms that have:

• No platform revenue cut (you only pay payment processor fees)
• Low or no monthly cost
• International payment support (especially PayPal, Stripe, Payoneer alternatives, local gateways where available)
• Ability to start before you have many students

A key point: “0% platform fees” usually does not mean “no fees at all.” Payment processors (Stripe, PayPal, etc.) still charge processing and currency-conversion fees. CourseProfit Lab Ruzuku

Best low-cost options

CreatorFees Ruzuku FreshLearn## My recommendations by situation

1. You have almost no budget (best starting point)

FreshLearn

• Good fit if you want a complete “academy” feel.
• Supports courses, memberships, communities, and multiple payment options. FreshLearn
• Better than many free tools because you can grow without immediately rebuilding elsewhere.

Ruzuku

• Useful for testing whether people will actually buy your course.
• Has a free option with limits and advertises no platform transaction fees. Ruzuku

2. You want a serious long-term brand

Thinkific

• Strong course-building features.
• Good if you plan to sell multiple courses or build a training business.
• Check whether its payment options are available in your country before committing. CourseProfit Lab

3. You need marketing tools more than advanced classrooms

Systeme.io

• Useful if you need: - landing pages
• email marketing
• sales funnels
• simple courses
• Often attractive for creators in countries where keeping monthly costs low matters. CreatorFees

Platforms I would be cautious about as a developing-country creator

• Udemy — great for discovery, but you don’t fully control pricing, branding, or customer relationships.
• High-end all-in-one platforms like Kajabi — powerful, but usually expensive before you have consistent revenue. SavingSec

A practical low-cost setup

For many new creators, I’d do:

1. Host course: FreshLearn / Ruzuku / Thinkific
2. Payments: whichever works in your country (PayPal, Stripe, local gateway, bank transfer where appropriate)
3. Marketing: free channels first (YouTube, LinkedIn, TikTok, WhatsApp communities, email list)
4. Upgrade only after you have paying students

Before choosing, tell me:

• your country
• your expected audience location (local, global, or diaspora)
• whether you can receive PayPal, Stripe, or neither
• your course type (video lessons, coaching, certificates, live classes)

I can narrow it down to platforms that will actually let you get paid where you live.

If your priorities are low upfront cost + broad international reach + payment flexibility, I’d shortlist these:

1. payhip.com — probably your best fit

Payhip is particularly interesting for creators in developing markets because it supports multiple payment gateways, rather than forcing you into a single processor. It currently supports Stripe, PayPal, Paystack, Flutterwave, Razorpay, Mercado Pago and others, with availability depending on your country. You can also connect multiple gateways simultaneously. Payhip Payhip

The catch: its free plan takes 5% per sale. The $99/month Pro plan removes Payhip's transaction fee, although your payment processor still charges its own fee. Payhip

This is especially useful if you're in Africa: Payhip supports Paystack, including countries such as Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and Côte d'Ivoire, with local payment methods available through Paystack. Payhip Help Center

I'd start here if you're testing your first course.

2. thinkific.com — better course-school experience

Thinkific is more purpose-built for online courses. It says it doesn't take a commission on sales, but you need a paid subscription, and payment-processing fees still apply. Thinkific Thinkific Support

The important limitation for someone in a developing country is payments: Thinkific Payments is currently available only in a defined list of countries, including the US, Canada, UK, EU countries, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and others. Thinkific Support

So I wouldn't choose it until you've confirmed that your country and preferred payment processor are supported.

3. gumroad.com — easiest, but not really "no-fee"

Gumroad has no monthly subscription, but its direct-sale fee is currently 10% + $0.50 per transaction, while marketplace/discovery sales can cost 30%. Gumroad Gumroad

Its big advantage is simplicity and international tax handling: Gumroad acts as a merchant of record and handles worldwide sales-tax obligations. Gumroad

For a low-priced course, though, 10% + $0.50 can eat a significant chunk of your revenue, so I wouldn't make it my first choice.

What I'd do in your situation

Start with Payhip's free plan, connect every payment gateway available in your country, and sell your first course there. You pay 5% to Payhip plus the payment processor's fee, but you avoid a monthly bill while validating demand.

Once you're consistently making enough revenue that the 5% exceeds $99/month, calculate whether upgrading to Payhip Pro makes sense.

One important clarification: "no platform fees" doesn't mean "no payment fees." Even a 0%-commission platform generally leaves you responsible for Stripe, PayPal, Paystack, Flutterwave, bank-transfer, currency-conversion, or card-processing fees.

If you tell me your country and the payment methods your students can actually use (e.g. mobile money, bank transfer, Visa/Mastercard, PayPal), I can narrow this to the 2–3 platforms that are genuinely practical for you, rather than just globally available ones.

For a new course creator in a developing country, the biggest challenge is usually not course hosting — it is getting paid internationally. A “0% platform fee” platform can still be unusable if it only supports payment gateways unavailable in your country. You should prioritize:

1. No revenue share/platform commission
2. Payment options available in your country
3. Low or zero monthly cost while validating your first course
4. Ability to accept international students

Here are some good options:

My recommendations by situation

If you have almost no budget

Start with:

• FreshLearn — good balance of free entry, course hosting, and payments. FreshLearn
• LearnHouse — attractive if Stripe works in your country. LearnHouse

If Stripe is not available in your country

Look for platforms supporting alternatives such as:

• PayPal
• Payoneer
• Razorpay (common in some regions)
• Local bank transfers
• Mobile money
• Regional payment processors

In many developing markets, a platform with slightly higher fees but easier payments can outperform a “0% fee” platform you cannot collect money through.

If you are testing your first course

I would avoid paying $50–$150/month before you have buyers. A simple setup can work:

• Course platform: free/low-cost platform
• Video hosting: unlisted YouTube/Vimeo or platform storage
• Payments: your available gateway
• Marketing: email list + social media/community

Platforms I would be cautious about for your situation

• High-end all-in-one platforms (often $100+/month) — great later, but expensive before revenue.
• Marketplace platforms — they may bring students but often take significant commissions or limit your customer relationship.
• Any platform that says “global payments” without listing supported countries and payout methods.

Before choosing, check these 5 things

1. Can creators from your country open an account?
2. Can you withdraw money to your bank?
3. What currencies can students pay in?
4. Does it require Stripe?
5. Are refunds, taxes, and chargebacks handled?

If you tell me your country and whether you have access to PayPal, Stripe, Payoneer, or a local payment gateway, I can narrow this down to platforms that will actually work for you.

If by “no platform fees” you mean 0% taken from each sale, the choices are surprisingly limited—especially if you also need to start cheaply.

My shortlist

Payhip is probably the strongest fit for a new course creator. Its free plan has all features and lets you sell courses, but takes 5% per transaction. Its Pro plan is $99/month with 0% transaction fees. PayPal/Stripe processing fees still apply. Payhip Payhip

Ko-fi is exceptionally inexpensive if your courses can be delivered as digital content/memberships. Gold is $12/month with 0% service fees, although you still pay PayPal/Stripe processing fees. The free version charges 5% on shop and membership sales. Ko-fi Ko-fi

I wouldn't recommend Gumroad for your particular requirement: it's easy to start and has no monthly fee, but it currently charges 10% + $0.50 per direct sale (and 30% through Discover). Gumroad

The bigger issue for a developing country

Payment availability matters more than the advertised platform fee. A platform can say “global,” but if Stripe or PayPal can't pay out to your country, it isn't actually useful to you.

For example, Ko-fi sends payments directly to your connected PayPal or Stripe account, so your ability to receive money depends heavily on those processors being available where you live. Ko-fi Help

So my recommendation would be:

• Under ~$300/month initially: Start with Payhip Free and accept the 5% fee while validating your course.
• Once you're consistently selling: Calculate whether Payhip Pro ($99/month, 0%) saves you enough to justify the subscription.
• If PayPal/Stripe are available to you and your course model is simple: Consider Ko-fi Gold ($12/month, 0%).
• Avoid Gumroad if maximizing your take-home revenue is important.

If you tell me your country, I can narrow this down to platforms that actually support payouts and payment methods available there (including alternatives to PayPal/Stripe), which is the crucial part for your situation.

Payhip is probably the strongest fit for a new course creator. Its free plan has all features and lets you sell courses, but takes 5% per transaction. Its Pro plan is $99/month with 0% transaction fees. PayPal/Stripe processing fees still apply. Payhip Payhip

Ko-fi is exceptionally inexpensive if your courses can be delivered as digital content/memberships. Gold is $12/month with 0% service fees, although you still pay PayPal/Stripe processing fees. The free version charges 5% on shop and membership sales. Ko-fi Ko-fi

I wouldn't recommend Gumroad for your particular requirement: it's easy to start and has no monthly fee, but it currently charges 10% + $0.50 per direct sale (and 30% through Discover). gumroad.com

The bigger issue for a developing country

Payment availability matters more than the advertised platform fee. A platform can say “global,” but if Stripe or PayPal can't pay out to your country, it isn't actually useful to you.

For example, Ko-fi sends payments directly to your connected PayPal or Stripe account, so your ability to receive money depends heavily on those processors being available where you live.

So my recommendation would be:

If you're in a developing country, I’d prioritize payment-gateway availability and payout options over the course features. A platform can advertise “global payments” but still be useless if Stripe/PayPal—or its native processor—doesn’t support your country.

My shortlist

1. Systeme.io — my first choice for you

Systeme.io's free plan lets you host one course and up to 2,000 student contacts, and it says it charges 0% transaction fees on all plans. You still pay the underlying payment processor's fees. systeme.io

The big advantage for a new creator is that it's more than a course host: you get landing pages, sales funnels, email marketing and course delivery in the same system. That means you can potentially launch without paying for several separate services.

Systeme.io official site

2. Payhip — easiest low-risk alternative

Payhip has a free plan, supports online courses, and gives you essentially all features on the free tier—but the free plan takes 5% per sale. Its $99/month Pro plan has 0% platform transaction fees. Payment-processor fees from Stripe/PayPal still apply. payhip.com

So if by “no platform fees” you mean literally 0% from the platform, Payhip only qualifies once you're on Pro.

Payhip official site

3. Thinkific — better when you're growing

Thinkific can have 0% platform transaction fees when using Thinkific Payments, but this is where your country becomes critical. Thinkific Payments isn't available everywhere, and if you're forced to use a third-party processor, Thinkific can add its own transaction fee depending on the plan. support.thinkific.com

So I wouldn't choose Thinkific until you've confirmed your country + your preferred payment method + your payout bank all work.

Thinkific official site

4. Ruzuku — good for a tiny pilot

Ruzuku currently advertises a free plan with 0% transaction fees for up to five participants, with paid plans also charging 0%. It's more interesting for testing a small cohort than for building a large business on day one. www.ruzuku.com

Ruzuku official site

What I'd do in your situation

Start with Systeme.io if its available payment processor works in your country.

Your initial stack could be:

Systeme.io free → payment processor → your bank/mobile-money payout

That keeps your fixed software cost at $0 and your platform cut at 0%. You'd only have payment-processing costs.

If Systeme.io doesn't support a payment method you can actually receive money through, don't force it. Tell me your country and which payment methods you have access to (e.g. PayPal, Stripe, Payoneer, Wise, local bank, mobile money), and I can narrow this down to the platforms you can actually get paid through, including lesser-known options.

If “no platform fees” is your priority, I’d focus on platforms that let you connect your own payment processor. One important caveat: 0% platform fee does not mean 0% total payment cost—Stripe, PayPal, Paystack, etc. can still charge processing/currency-conversion fees.

My shortlist

🥇 What I'd choose in your situation

1. Payhip — best for testing cheaply

Payhip's free plan costs $0/month, but takes 5% per transaction. Its $99/month Pro plan has 0% platform transaction fees. More importantly for your situation, Payhip supports multiple payment processors. For example, it has integrations with Paystack in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and Côte d’Ivoire, including local methods such as M-PESA and mobile money. Payhip Payhip Help Center

That makes it unusually interesting if you're in a country where Stripe isn't available.

2. LearnHouse — best true 0%-platform-fee option

LearnHouse advertises 0% platform fees, with payments going through your own Stripe account and payouts to your bank. It currently says it supports 40+ Stripe-supported countries. LearnHouse

The catch is important: if Stripe doesn't support your country, this doesn't solve your payment problem.

3. Ruzuku — best simple course platform

Ruzuku has a free plan and advertises 0% transaction fees, with paid plans also at 0%. Its free tier is limited, though, so I'd treat it primarily as a way to get started/test your course. Ruzuku Ruzuku

What I would NOT prioritize

Gumroad is tempting because there is no monthly subscription, but it isn't what you're asking for: it charges 10% + $0.50 per direct transaction, and 30% when a sale comes through its Discover marketplace. Gumroad Gumroad

Payhip free is also not technically zero-fee, although it may still be the best practical choice if your country has payment gateways that other course platforms don't support.

The bigger issue: payment availability

For a creator in a developing country, I'd actually rank platforms by:

local payment support → ability to receive international payments → platform fee → monthly cost → course features.

A theoretically perfect 0%-fee platform is useless if you can't withdraw your money.

If you tell me your country, I can narrow this down to the 3 cheapest platforms that you can actually get paid through, including local options such as mobile money, Paystack, PayU, Flutterwave, bank transfer, PayPal, or Stripe where available.

If you're in a developing country, I’d prioritize payment-gateway availability and payout options over fancy course features. One important distinction: “no platform fees” usually means 0% commission from the course platform—you’ll still normally pay Stripe/PayPal or another processor’s payment-processing fee.

My shortlist for 2026

🥇 Payhip — probably your best starting point

payhip.com is particularly interesting for creators in countries with limited payment infrastructure.

Payhip supports a large number of payment gateways. Its own 2026 update says it supports Stripe in 45+ countries and PayPal in 200+ countries, alongside additional gateways. Payhip

The catch is pricing:

• Free: 5% Payhip transaction fee
• Plus: $29/month + 2%
• Pro: $99/month + 0% platform transaction fee
• Stripe/PayPal processing fees still apply. Payhip

So if you're genuinely starting from zero, I'd actually start on the free plan, validate that people will buy, and only move to Pro once your sales justify it.

🥈 Teachable — best if you want a professional school

teachable.com now has 0% platform transaction fees on Builder, Growth and Advanced, although payment-processing fees remain. Builder is currently $69/month when billed annually. Teachable Teachable Help Center

Its biggest advantage for international selling is payments: Teachable Payments is available in 41 countries, while its Custom Payment Gateway can be used in all countries if you have an appropriate Stripe account. Teachable Help Center

However, there's an important caveat: 0% platform fees doesn't mean zero fees. International card processing, for example, can still be 3.9% + $0.30 through Teachable Payments. Teachable Help Center

🥉 Podia — excellent, but check your country first

podia.com removes its own transaction fee on the higher-tier plans. It supports Stripe and PayPal, plus payment methods available through Stripe. Podia Help Center

The problem for your situation is that Podia currently supports only Stripe and PayPal, so if neither works reliably in your country, Podia isn't a good choice. Podia Help Center

What I'd do in your position

Don't start by paying $69–$99/month.

I'd use this strategy:

1. Check which payment processors you can actually receive money through in your country.
2. If PayPal or Stripe works, start with Payhip Free.
3. Sell your first course and validate demand.
4. Once you're consistently making enough sales, consider moving to Payhip Pro for 0% platform fees.
5. If you need a more sophisticated learning environment, consider Teachable Builder.
6. Avoid platforms whose only viable payment method isn't available in your country.

For a new creator with a tight budget, my #1 pick is Payhip because its free entry point and broad payment-gateway support are unusually useful when you're operating from a country with limited payment options. Its free plan does have a 5% platform fee, though, so it doesn't technically satisfy “0% fees” until you upgrade.

If you tell me your country, I can narrow this down to the platforms that can actually accept payments from international students and pay you out to your country, which is the much more important comparison.

🥉 Podia — excellent, but check your country first

podia.com removes its own transaction fee on the higher-tier plans. It supports Stripe and PayPal, plus payment methods available through Stripe.

The problem for your situation is that Podia currently supports only Stripe and PayPal, so if neither works reliably in your country, Podia isn't a good choice.

What I'd do in your position

Don't start by paying $69–$99/month.

If your priorities are very low upfront cost, global reach, and no platform cut, there’s an important catch: truly $0 platform fee usually means paying either a monthly subscription or the payment processor’s fees. For a new creator, I’d prioritize payment accessibility over having an absolute 0% platform fee.

My shortlist

1. Payhip — my recommendation

Payhip is particularly interesting for creators in developing markets because it supports a large range of payment gateways—not just Stripe and PayPal, but Paystack, Flutterwave, Razorpay, PayU, Xendit, Midtrans, Mercado Pago, Mollie, PayTabs, Iyzico, and others. You can also connect multiple gateways simultaneously. Payhip Payhip

The downside: its free plan takes 5% per sale. Its $99/month Pro plan removes Payhip's transaction fee, although Stripe/PayPal/payment-processor fees still apply. Payhip

For example, if you're in a country where Paystack is available, Payhip can connect to it; Paystack supports local methods such as mobile money in some markets. Payhip Help Center

2. Teachable — best if you can afford a monthly fee

Teachable's current Builder plan is $89/month monthly or $69/month when billed annually, with 0% Teachable transaction fees. However, payment-processing fees still apply. Teachable Teachable Help Center

It supports global payments and tax handling, but its payment infrastructure is more restrictive by country than Payhip's broad collection of gateways. So I wouldn't choose it without first confirming that your country and preferred payout method are supported. Teachable Help Center

3. Gumroad — easiest, but not cheap per sale

Gumroad has no monthly fee, but charges 10% + $0.50 per direct transaction and 30% when a customer discovers you through its marketplace. Gumroad Gumroad

Its payout options also depend heavily on country; Gumroad says creators outside certain supported bank-payout countries may need PayPal. Gumroad

What I'd do in your situation

Start with Payhip's free plan, especially if your country has access to one of its local gateways. You can launch without paying $69–$99/month, test whether people actually buy your course, and later move to the 0%-platform-fee plan if your sales justify it.

The key question isn't actually "Which platform has 0% fees?" It's:

"Which platform lets my students pay with methods they already use and lets me withdraw the money in my country?"

If you tell me your country, I can compare the best options specifically for you—including local payment methods, payout options, fees, and whether students abroad can pay by Visa/Mastercard/PayPal.

If your priorities are low upfront cost + no platform cut + international reach, the tricky part is that “no platform fees” does not mean “no payment-processing fees.” Stripe/PayPal/local gateways will still charge their own fees.

My top picks

1. Payhip — probably the most interesting for you

Payhip is particularly attractive for creators in developing markets because it has been expanding its payment-gateway coverage. It currently supports 11+ payment gateways, including Stripe and PayPal, with PayPal available in 200+ countries according to Payhip. Payhip

The catch: Payhip's Free plan takes 5%, Plus takes 2%, and Pro costs $99/month with 0% Payhip transaction fees. Stripe/PayPal processing fees still apply. Payhip

So I would not jump straight to Pro. Start free, validate that people will actually buy your course, and upgrade once the math makes sense.

2. Thinkific — better if you want a serious course school

Thinkific can have 0% platform transaction fees when you use Thinkific Payments, but its integrated payment processor is currently available only in a specific list of countries, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, New Zealand and much of Europe. Thinkific Support

That's a major consideration for you: your country matters more than the platform's headline pricing.

If Thinkific Payments isn't available where you live, third-party payment arrangements can introduce additional fees depending on your plan and country. Thinkific Support Thinkific Support

What I'd do in your situation

Don't optimize for the cheapest LMS. Optimize for payment accessibility.

Your ideal stack is:

Course platform → payment gateway available in your country → students worldwide

For example, if you can receive PayPal or Stripe payments, Payhip is worth testing first because you can start with essentially no fixed cost. If your local payment ecosystem isn't supported by Stripe/PayPal, we should look specifically for platforms supporting your country's mobile money, bank transfers, local cards, or alternative gateways.

Tell me your country and roughly how much you expect to charge per course (e.g. $20, $50, $100), and I can shortlist 3–5 platforms that actually let you receive the money there, including the cheapest option after payment fees.

If you’re in a developing country, I’d prioritize payment availability over course features. A platform can advertise “0% platform fees” but still be useless if its payment processor isn’t available in your country.

Also, “no platform fee” does not mean zero fees: payment processors such as Stripe/PayPal will usually still charge processing fees.

My shortlist

1. payhip.com — probably my first choice

Payhip is particularly attractive for a new creator because you can start at $0/month, sell courses, memberships and digital products, and upgrade to a plan with 0% Payhip transaction fees once your revenue justifies the subscription. The catch is that its free plan takes 5% of each sale, in addition to payment-processing fees. Payhip

The big advantage for your situation is that Payhip connects to payment processors such as Stripe and PayPal, rather than forcing you into one proprietary payment system. That can give you more flexibility depending on what is available in your country.

Best if: you're launching your first course and have a small audience.

2. thinkific.com — best LMS, but check your country first

Thinkific is much more course-focused and polished. With Thinkific Payments, there isn't an additional Thinkific transaction fee; however, payment-processing charges still apply. Thinkific Support Thinkific Support

The problem for a creator in a developing country is payment eligibility. Thinkific Payments isn't universally available, and its third-party gateway rules can add fees. Thinkific Support

Best if: Thinkific Payments or a supported payment gateway is actually available where you live.

3. teachable.com — good, but I'd consider it later

Teachable has 0% transaction fees on its higher Builder/Growth/Custom plans when using its supported payment systems, but the Starter plan currently has a 7.5% transaction fee. Teachable

For someone just starting in a lower-income market, I'd generally rather avoid paying a substantial monthly subscription before you've validated demand.

Best if: you've already got consistent sales and want a more mature course platform.

4. Ruzuku — worth investigating for tiny cohorts

Ruzuku currently advertises a $0 plan with 0% transaction fees for up to five participants, with paid plans also charging 0%. Ruzuku

That could be useful if you're starting with a handful of students and selling manually.

What I'd do in your position

Start with Payhip + the payment processor(s) actually available in your country.

Don't spend $50–$100/month on an LMS before you've proven people will buy the course.

A sensible progression would be:

1. Launch: Payhip free plan + Stripe/PayPal or whatever compatible processor is available locally.
2. Validate: Get your first 10–30 paying students.
3. Optimize: Once the 5% Payhip fee becomes meaningful, calculate whether upgrading to its 0%-fee plan saves you money.
4. Scale: Move to Thinkific/Teachable or another full LMS if you need advanced quizzes, certificates, analytics, communities, etc.

One important caveat

If by “limited payment options” you mean you don't have access to Stripe or PayPal in your country, the recommendation changes substantially. In that case, I would not choose a platform first. I'd first identify which payment methods you can actually receive money through—local bank transfers, mobile money, Paystack, Flutterwave, PayU, PayPal, etc.—and then choose a course platform that supports those methods.

If you tell me your country + the payment methods/accounts you currently have, I can narrow this down to the 3 platforms you can realistically use, including their actual fees and payout options.

The big advantage for your situation is that Payhip connects to payment processors such as Stripe and PayPal, rather than forcing you into one proprietary payment system. That can give you more flexibility depending on what is available in your country.

Best if: you're launching your first course and have a small audience.

2. thinkific.com — best LMS, but check your country first

Thinkific is much more course-focused and polished. With Thinkific Payments, there isn't an additional Thinkific transaction fee; however, payment-processing charges still apply. Thinkific Support Thinkific Support

The problem for a creator in a developing country is payment eligibility. Thinkific Payments isn't universally available, and its third-party gateway rules can add fees. Thinkific Support

Best if: Thinkific Payments or a supported payment gateway is actually available where you live.

3. teachable.com — good, but I'd consider it later

Teachable has 0% transaction fees on its higher Builder/Growth/Custom plans when using its supported payment systems, but the Starter plan currently has a 7.5% transaction fee. teachable.com

For someone just starting in a lower-income market, I'd generally rather avoid paying a substantial monthly subscription before you've validated demand.

Best if: you've already got consistent sales and want a more mature course platform.

4. Ruzuku — worth investigating for tiny cohorts

Ruzuku currently advertises a $0 plan with 0% transaction fees for up to five participants, with paid plans also charging 0%.

That could be useful if you're starting with a handful of students and selling manually.

What I'd do in your position

Start with Payhip + the payment processor(s) actually available in your country.

If you’re in a developing country, I’d prioritize payment availability in your country first, then platform fees. “0% platform fee” doesn’t mean zero payment-processing fees—Stripe, PayPal, or local gateways will still charge their own fees.

My shortlist

1. Payhip — probably my first choice

Payhip is particularly interesting for creators in countries with limited payment infrastructure.

Its Pro plan is $99/month with no Payhip transaction fee, while the free plan charges 5% and Plus charges 2%. You still pay your payment processor's fees. Payhip

The big advantage is payment flexibility: Payhip supports multiple gateways, including Stripe, PayPal, Flutterwave, Razorpay, Mercado Pago and others, and says it supports 11 additional gateways added for international creators. You can connect multiple gateways simultaneously. Payhip Payhip

Important: Don't assume Stripe is available in your country. Payhip specifically says the available gateways are determined by your country and shown in your dashboard. Payhip

Best strategy: Start on the free plan while validating your course. Once your sales are high enough, upgrading to Pro eliminates Payhip's percentage fee.

2. Teachable — excellent, but expensive for a beginner

Teachable has 0% transaction fees on its Builder plan ($89/month) and higher plans. Starter is $39/month but takes 7.5% per transaction. Teachable

Its big advantage for international creators is payment infrastructure. Teachable Payments is available in 41 countries, while its Custom Payment Gateway is available in all countries where you can connect an eligible Stripe account. Teachable Help Center

It also supports cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay and various local payment methods depending on country. Teachable Help Center

The downside is obvious: $89/month is a lot when you're just starting. I'd choose it after you've demonstrated that your course can consistently generate sales.

3. Gumroad — easiest if cash is extremely tight

Gumroad has no monthly subscription, which makes it attractive when you have almost no startup budget. However, it takes 10% + $0.50 per direct transaction, so it doesn't meet your “no platform fees” requirement. Gumroad Gumroad

Its major advantage is that it handles tax obligations as a merchant of record, and it supports bank payouts in many countries. Gumroad Gumroad

I'd use it for testing demand, not necessarily as your long-term home for a successful course.

What I'd do in your situation

If money is tight, I wouldn't pay $89–$99/month just to get 0% platform fees.

I'd do this:

1. Start with Payhip Free — $0/month.
2. Connect every payment gateway available in your country.
3. Launch your first course and validate demand.
4. Once you're doing enough sales that the 5% fee hurts more than $99/month, move to Payhip Pro.
5. Consider Teachable later if you need a more sophisticated course-learning experience.

For example, if you're selling a $50 course:

• $1,000/month in sales → Payhip Free costs $50 in platform fees.
• $2,000/month → $100.
• $5,000/month → $250.
• At $5,000/month, Payhip Pro at $99/month could make considerably more sense, before payment-processing fees.

One crucial caveat: Tell me your country, and I can narrow this down much more effectively. Payment availability is the real bottleneck—especially for creators in developing countries—and I can check which platforms support your country's payout methods (bank, PayPal, Stripe, Flutterwave, Paystack, Razorpay, mobile money, etc.) and identify the cheapest combination.

Its Pro plan is $99/month with no Payhip transaction fee, while the free plan charges 5% and Plus charges 2%. You still pay your payment processor's fees. Payhip

The big advantage is payment flexibility: Payhip supports multiple gateways, including Stripe, PayPal, Flutterwave, Razorpay, Mercado Pago and others, and says it supports 11 additional gateways added for international creators. You can connect multiple gateways simultaneously. Payhip Payhip

Important: Don't assume Stripe is available in your country. Payhip specifically says the available gateways are determined by your country and shown in your dashboard. Payhip

Best strategy: Start on the free plan while validating your course. Once your sales are high enough, upgrading to Pro eliminates Payhip's percentage fee.

2. Teachable — excellent, but expensive for a beginner

Teachable has 0% transaction fees on its Builder plan ($89/month) and higher plans. Starter is $39/month but takes 7.5% per transaction. Teachable

Its big advantage for international creators is payment infrastructure. Teachable Payments is available in 41 countries, while its Custom Payment Gateway is available in all countries where you can connect an eligible Stripe account. Teachable Help Center

It also supports cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay and various local payment methods depending on country. Teachable Help Center

The downside is obvious: $89/month is a lot when you're just starting. I'd choose it after you've demonstrated that your course can consistently generate sales.

3. Gumroad — easiest if cash is extremely tight

Gumroad has no monthly subscription, which makes it attractive when you have almost no startup budget. However, it takes 10% + $0.50 per direct transaction, so it doesn't meet your “no platform fees” requirement. gumroad.com gumroad.com

Its major advantage is that it handles tax obligations as a merchant of record, and it supports bank payouts in many countries.

I'd use it for testing demand, not necessarily as your long-term home for a successful course.

What I'd do in your situation

If money is tight, I wouldn't pay $89–$99/month just to get 0% platform fees.

I'd do this:

If your priorities are very low startup cost + no platform cut + international reach, the tricky part is that “no platform fees” does not necessarily mean “no payment-processing fees.” Stripe/PayPal and local payment gateways may still charge per transaction.

Here are the options I’d consider:

My recommendation for your situation

1. Start with Payhip if you can afford $99/month once you're selling.
Its Pro plan has no Payhip transaction fee, unlimited products and revenue, while customers can pay by card or PayPal. The free plan is attractive for testing, but it takes 5% per transaction. Payhip

payhip.com

2. Consider Thinkific if you're in a country where Thinkific Payments is supported.
It currently has no commission on sales when you use Thinkific Payments, but the payment processor itself still charges transaction fees. Thinkific Payments is currently available in countries including the US, Canada, UK, EU countries, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and others—but not every developing country. Thinkific Support Thinkific

The downside for a new creator is cost: Thinkific's Basic plan is now $54/month after its August 2026 price increase. Thinkific Support

thinkific.com

3. Use Gumroad only if minimizing upfront cost matters more than fees.
There's no monthly subscription, but Gumroad takes 10% + $0.50 per direct transaction, so it becomes expensive as your sales grow. It does have an important advantage for international creators: Gumroad acts as merchant of record and handles sales-tax collection/remittance worldwide. Gumroad Gumroad

gumroad.com

The bigger issue: getting paid from your country

For someone in a developing country, payment availability is more important than the course platform. A platform can advertise “global payments” while the payment processor doesn't support your country or doesn't let you withdraw to your local bank.

If you tell me which country you're based in, I can narrow this down to 3–5 platforms that actually let creators in your country receive international payments, including options supporting local bank transfers/mobile money where available.

If by “no platform fees” you mean the course platform itself takes 0% of each sale (while accepting that Stripe/PayPal/payment processors still charge their own fees), the choices are surprisingly limited.

My shortlist

Important: Payhip's free plan is not fee-free—it takes 5%. Its Pro plan has no Payhip transaction fee, but Stripe/PayPal fees still apply. Payhip

Podia similarly has 5% on Mover, but no Podia transaction fee on Shaker/Earthquaker; Stripe/PayPal processing fees remain. Podia Help Center Podia

Thinkific is more complicated: its own payment system avoids its third-party gateway fee, but payment-processing fees still apply, and Thinkific Payments is currently supported in countries including the US, Canada, UK, EU countries, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Switzerland and Norway—not every developing-country market. Thinkific Support Thinkific Support

What I'd do in your situation

If you're starting with very little money, I would not pay $99/month just to get 0% platform fees.

Instead, prioritize:

1. A platform with a genuinely free/very-low-cost starting tier
2. Payment methods available in your country
3. Ability to accept international customers
4. Local payment methods or bank transfers, if cards/PayPal aren't widely available
5. Then worry about eliminating the platform's percentage once your sales volume justifies a subscription.

The biggest issue for creators in developing countries isn't actually the course platform—it's whether you can receive payouts from its supported payment processors.

If you tell me your country, I can narrow this down to the 3–5 platforms that you can actually get paid through, including options supporting local payment methods/mobile money/bank transfers where available.

Thinkific is more complicated: its own payment system avoids its third-party gateway fee, but payment-processing fees still apply, and Thinkific Payments is currently supported in countries including the US, Canada, UK, EU countries, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Switzerland and Norway—not every developing-country market.

What I'd do in your situation

If you're starting with very little money, I would not pay $99/month just to get 0% platform fees.

Instead, prioritize:

If your priorities are low upfront cost + 0% platform commission + international sales, I’d narrow the field quite aggressively. The catch is that “0% platform fee” does not mean zero payment fees: Stripe, PayPal, etc. will still charge their own processing/currency-conversion fees.

My top picks

1. systeme.io — best overall for a new creator

This is probably where I’d start.

• $0/month free plan
• 0% platform transaction fee
• Course hosting and student management included
• Sales funnels, email marketing, website tools and affiliate management included
• Payments through Stripe and PayPal
• Paid plans start relatively low if you outgrow the free plan. Systeme.io Systeme.io
• It also advertises integrations with additional gateways such as Razorpay, Flutterwave, Mercado Pago, Paystack and Xendit, which can be particularly useful outside wealthy-country payment ecosystems. Systeme.io

Why I like it for your situation: you can launch without paying a monthly subscription or surrendering a percentage of every sale to the course platform.

systeme.io

2. thinkific.com — best if you want a more traditional LMS

Thinkific is a stronger choice if the student learning experience is more important than having an all-in-one marketing system.

However, I'd put it below systeme.io for your circumstances. Its current Basic plan is $54/month ($40/month billed annually), and payment fees depend on your country and payment setup. Thinkific Payments is only available to creators in a defined list of countries, so this is an important limitation for developing-country creators. Thinkific Support Thinkific

Verdict: excellent platform, but not my first choice if keeping costs extremely low is the priority.

3. payhip.com — easiest low-cost alternative

Payhip is worth considering because it's extremely simple for selling courses and digital products.

The problem with your specific requirement is that its free plan takes 5% per sale. Its $99/month Pro plan removes the platform transaction fee, while payment processors such as Stripe/PayPal still charge their normal fees. Payhip Payhip

So I'd use Payhip if you value simplicity and don't mind the 5% initially, but it doesn't satisfy your "no platform fees" requirement on the free plan.

payhip.com

What I'd actually do

For a first course, I'd choose:

For comparison, current industry comparisons put Gumroad at around 10% + $0.50 per sale, while Teachable's lower-cost plans can also take a percentage of sales. SavingSec Podia

The really important issue: your country's payment rails

Because you're in a developing country, the payment processor is arguably more important than the course platform. A platform can say it works "globally" while Stripe or PayPal doesn't let you receive payouts in your country.

If you tell me which country you're based in, I can narrow this down to the platforms/payment gateways that you can actually use there, including options for local bank transfers, mobile money, Paystack/Flutterwave/Razorpay/Mercado Pago/etc., rather than recommending something that looks global but won't pay you.

If your priorities are very low upfront cost + no platform cut + the ability to sell internationally, the biggest catch is that “no platform fees” usually means you still pay payment-processor fees (Stripe, PayPal, etc.). And in developing countries, payment availability is often a bigger constraint than the course platform itself.

My shortlist

Payhip is probably the one I'd investigate first, but there's an important qualification: its current Free plan takes 5% per transaction, Plus takes 2%, and only Pro ($99/month) has zero Payhip transaction fees. You still pay Stripe/PayPal processing fees. Payhip

Thinkific isn't a great fit if you're specifically looking for “cheap + global + no fees.” Its current Basic plan is $54/month, and Thinkific Payments is only available to businesses in a defined list of countries. Thinkific Thinkific Support

The more important question: can you actually get paid?

For someone in a developing country, I'd choose the payment infrastructure first, course platform second.

Before committing, check whether your country supports:

• Stripe payouts
• PayPal receiving/withdrawals
• Local bank transfers
• Mobile-money or other local payment methods
• Payouts in your preferred currency

For example, Thinkific Payments currently lists countries such as the US, UK, EU countries, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and others—but many developing countries aren't on its supported-country list. Thinkific Support

What I'd do as a new creator

If you're starting with almost no budget, don't pay $99/month just to eliminate a platform fee.

I'd start with a platform that has $0 upfront cost, validate that people will actually buy your course, and accept the transaction fee initially. Once you're doing enough monthly sales that the percentage fee exceeds a subscription, then move to a zero-platform-fee plan.

If you tell me your country, I can narrow this down to platforms that actually support payouts to your country, including options with local payment methods rather than just Stripe/PayPal.

If your priorities are low startup cost + no platform transaction fee + international selling + workable payment options, the shortlist is actually pretty small.

One important distinction: “0% platform fee” does not mean zero payment-processing fees. Stripe, PayPal, or another payment gateway can still charge you per transaction.

My top picks

*Plan limits and payment availability can vary, so verify the current terms for your country before committing.

1. thinkific.com — my first choice

Thinkific is particularly attractive because its free option has 0% platform transaction fees, according to current 2026 comparisons. OnlineCourseTools Course.Coach

It's designed specifically for courses rather than being primarily a digital-download store. That gives you things like lessons, student accounts, course progression and a proper learning environment.

Best if: you want to build a serious course business without paying monthly fees initially.

Watch out for: the biggest issue for someone in a developing country isn't Thinkific's platform fee—it's whether the payment processor you can connect to actually supports your country and your bank account.

2. systeme.io — potentially the best value

Systeme.io is worth a serious look if you want more than course hosting. It combines courses with landing pages, email marketing, sales funnels and other business tools.

A current 2026 comparison reports that its free plan allows you to sell a course without a time limit, albeit with limits on courses/contacts. OnlineCourseTools

Best if: you're starting from zero and don't want to separately pay for a website, funnel builder and email system.

3. ruzuku.com — good for a tiny first launch

Ruzuku currently advertises a free plan with 0% transaction fees, although it's limited to five participants. Its paid plans also advertise 0% transaction fees. Ruzuku

That makes it interesting for validating a course before investing money.

Best if: you're planning a small pilot with your first few students.

What about Payhip?

payhip.com is actually one I'd recommend investigating even though it doesn't meet your “no platform fees” requirement on the free plan.

Its free plan is $0/month but takes 5% per sale; its $99/month Pro plan has 0% platform fees. Payhip says it supports payment through providers including Stripe and PayPal. Payhip Payhip

The reason I still like it for creators in countries with limited payment infrastructure is that payment-method availability can matter more than the headline platform fee.

I wouldn't make Gumroad your first choice

gumroad.com is extremely easy to start with, but its current direct-sale fee is 10% + $0.50 per transaction, and marketplace sales are 30%. Gumroad Gumroad

More importantly for your situation, Gumroad says payout methods vary by country, and in countries where PayPal isn't available to receive money, it may not have an alternative payout method. Gumroad

So I'd only choose it after confirming that you can actually withdraw your earnings in your country.

The biggest thing I'd check before choosing

For your situation, I'd rank the criteria:

1. Can I receive payouts in my country?
2. Can my students pay internationally with cards?
3. 0% platform transaction fee
4. $0 or very low monthly cost
5. Course-hosting features
6. Email/funnel/marketing tools

A platform advertising “global payments” isn't necessarily useful if its connected Stripe/PayPal account can't be opened by residents of your country.

My recommendation

If I were starting from your position, I'd test Thinkific and Systeme.io first, specifically checking their payment integrations for your country. If neither gives you a practical way to receive money, I'd look at Payhip next because accepting payments is more important than achieving 0% platform fees.

If you tell me which country you're in, I can narrow this down to platforms whose payouts and payment gateways actually work there, including local payment methods, and compare the real fees for a $20/$50/$100 course.

It's designed specifically for courses rather than being primarily a digital-download store. That gives you things like lessons, student accounts, course progression and a proper learning environment.

Best if: you want to build a serious course business without paying monthly fees initially.

Watch out for: the biggest issue for someone in a developing country isn't Thinkific's platform fee—it's whether the payment processor you can connect to actually supports your country and your bank account.

2. systeme.io — potentially the best value

Systeme.io is worth a serious look if you want more than course hosting. It combines courses with landing pages, email marketing, sales funnels and other business tools.

A current 2026 comparison reports that its free plan allows you to sell a course without a time limit, albeit with limits on courses/contacts. OnlineCourseTools

Best if: you're starting from zero and don't want to separately pay for a website, funnel builder and email system.

3. ruzuku.com — good for a tiny first launch

Ruzuku currently advertises a free plan with 0% transaction fees, although it's limited to five participants. Its paid plans also advertise 0% transaction fees. Ruzuku

That makes it interesting for validating a course before investing money.

Best if: you're planning a small pilot with your first few students.

What about Payhip?

payhip.com is actually one I'd recommend investigating even though it doesn't meet your “no platform fees” requirement on the free plan.

Its free plan is $0/month but takes 5% per sale; its $99/month Pro plan has 0% platform fees. Payhip says it supports payment through providers including Stripe and PayPal. Payhip Payhip

The reason I still like it for creators in countries with limited payment infrastructure is that payment-method availability can matter more than the headline platform fee.

I wouldn't make Gumroad your first choice

gumroad.com is extremely easy to start with, but its current direct-sale fee is 10% + $0.50 per transaction, and marketplace sales are 30%. gumroad.com gumroad.com

More importantly for your situation, Gumroad says payout methods vary by country, and in countries where PayPal isn't available to receive money, it may not have an alternative payout method.

If your priorities are low cost + 0% platform commission + international selling + payment options that can work in developing countries, I’d put systeme.io at the top of the list.

One important distinction: “0% platform fees” does not mean 0 payment-processing fees. Stripe, PayPal, etc. will still charge their own fees.

My shortlist

🥇 1. Systeme.io — my first choice

This is unusually well suited to a creator in a country with limited payment infrastructure.

Its free plan has 0% transaction fees, and its payment integrations currently include Stripe, PayPal, Razorpay, Flutterwave, Mercado Pago, Paystack, Xendit, and others. systeme.io

That matters because you aren't forced to rely exclusively on Stripe. For example, if Stripe isn't available in your country, another supported gateway may be.

The free plan also includes one course and up to 2,000 student contacts, while paid plans expand the course limits. systeme.iowww.lemonsqueezy.com

Why I'd choose it: you can start at $0, keep 100% of the sale apart from payment-processor fees, and have your course, landing pages, email marketing, funnels and affiliate system in one place.

🥈 2. Payhip — excellent if you want simplicity

Payhip is very easy to get started with and supports multiple payment gateways. It says PayPal is available in 200+ countries and Stripe in 45+ countries, while it has continued adding regional gateways. payhip.com

However, its free plan takes 5% per sale. The $99/month Pro plan is the one with 0% Payhip transaction fees; you still pay Stripe/PayPal processing fees. payhip.com

So I'd use Payhip if you value simplicity more than minimizing fees from your very first sale.

🥉 3. Thinkific — better LMS, but not ideal for your budget

Thinkific is considerably more sophisticated as a course-learning platform, but its current Basic plan is $54/month ($40/month billed annually). www.thinkific.com

It doesn't take a commission on sales when using its own payment system, but payment-processing fees still apply, and Thinkific Payments isn't available everywhere. Its current supported-country list is concentrated in places such as the US, Canada, UK, EU, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Hong Kong. support.thinkific.com

For someone in a developing country with limited payment options, I'd choose systeme.io before Thinkific unless you specifically need Thinkific's advanced LMS features.

What I'd avoid initially

Podia is good, but the no-transaction-fee plan is currently $89/month, so I don't think it makes sense for a new creator trying to keep costs extremely low. www.podia.com

Lemon Squeezy is attractive for global digital sales because it handles taxes and supports many currencies, but it charges 5% + $0.50 per transaction, with possible additional fees. www.lemonsqueezy.com So it doesn't meet your “no platform fees” requirement.

My recommendation

I'd start with:

Systeme.io free → connect the payment gateway(s) actually available in your country → launch your first course → upgrade only when you hit a genuine limitation.

The payment gateway available in your specific country is actually the most important factor here. A platform can advertise “global payments” while still being unable to pay you in your country.

If you tell me which country you're based in, I can check the currently available payment gateways there and give you the 3 cheapest course-platform/payment combinations, including which ones let students pay by card, PayPal, mobile money, bank transfer, or local payment methods.

Yes—but there’s an important distinction: “no platform fee” usually still means you pay the payment processor (Stripe, PayPal, etc.). For someone starting in a developing country, payment availability is often more important than the course software itself.

My top picks

🥇 Payhip — probably your best starting point

Payhip

Payhip is particularly interesting for your situation because it supports 13 payment processors, including PayPal, Stripe, Paystack, Flutterwave, Xendit, Midtrans, Razorpay, PayU, PayTabs, Mercado Pago and others. That gives creators in countries where Stripe isn't available considerably more options. help.payhip.com

The catch: the free plan takes 5% per sale. Its $99/month Pro plan removes Payhip's transaction fee, although your payment processor still charges its own processing fee. payhip.com

So I'd start on Free, validate your course, then move to Pro once your monthly sales make the $99 worthwhile.

🥈 Thinkific — better if you want a traditional “online school”

Thinkific is stronger for a polished, dedicated course-learning experience. Current 2026 comparisons show 0% transaction fees on appropriate paid plans/payment arrangements, but payment availability depends heavily on your country, so I'd verify that your local payout method works before committing. www.savingsec.comwww.ruzuku.com

Thinkific

🥉 Ruzuku — worth considering for a tiny launch

Ruzuku currently advertises a free plan with 0% transaction fees, limited to five participants, with paid plans also at 0%. www.savingsec.comwww.ruzuku.com

Ruzuku

The limitation for you is again payments: zero platform fees don't help if your country can't receive payouts through its supported processor.

One I'd not recommend for your specific goal

Gumroad is extremely easy to start with and handles international sales taxes as merchant of record, but it charges 10% + $0.50 per direct transaction (and 30% for marketplace-discovery sales). That's quite expensive when you're trying to maximize income from a developing-country business. help.payhip.comwww.savingsec.comwww.ruzuku.comgumroad.com

Gumroad

What I'd do in your position

Start with Payhip Free → connect every payment gateway available in your country → launch your first course → upgrade to Payhip Pro only after sales justify $99/month.

The really important question is which country you're in. Payhip's gateway list varies considerably by country—for example, PayPal covers 200+ markets, while Stripe is available in 40+ countries, and Payhip also offers regional processors such as Paystack, Flutterwave, PayU and Razorpay. help.payhip.com

If you tell me your country, I can narrow this down to the 3 cheapest platforms/payment combinations that you can actually receive money through, including local payment methods and payout options.

If by “no platform fees” you mean the platform itself takes 0% of each sale (while unavoidable payment-processor fees may still apply), the choices are surprisingly limited.

Best options for your situation

For a new creator with very little upfront capital, though, I wouldn't jump straight into a $99/month plan.

My recommendation: start with Payhip

Payhip is particularly interesting for creators in countries with limited payment infrastructure. Its free plan costs $0/month and includes unlimited products/revenue, but it charges 5% per transaction. Its Pro plan removes Payhip's transaction fee for $99/month. PayPal/Stripe processing fees still apply. payhip.compayhip.com

More importantly, Payhip supports actual online courses, including videos, quizzes, assignments, drip content, certificates, student accounts and payment plans. It also says it integrates with PayPal, Stripe and other payment gateways and handles relevant digital taxes. payhip.compayhip.com

So you could start at $0, validate that people will actually buy your course, and only move to the 0%-platform-fee plan once your sales justify it.

One I'd avoid for your specific requirement

Gumroad is attractive because there's no monthly subscription, but it doesn't meet your “no platform fees” requirement: its current direct-sale fee is 10% + $0.50 per transaction, and Discover sales are 30%. gumroad.com

It can nevertheless be useful if your country has limited payment options, because Gumroad says creators can generally use it if they can receive PayPal, although payout methods vary by country. gumroad.com

The big issue: your country

“Works globally” is not the same as “you can receive payouts in your country.” Payment-gateway availability is likely to matter more than the course platform itself.

If you tell me which country you're in, I can narrow this down to 3–5 platforms that actually let creators in your country receive payments, including local/mobile-money options where available, and compare their real total fees.

For a new course creator in a developing country, I’d prioritize (1) no platform commission, (2) payment options that work in your country, (3) low/no monthly cost, and (4) easy setup. A “0% fee” platform usually still means you pay payment processor fees (Stripe, PayPal, local gateways, etc.), so check whether those processors are actually available to you.

Here are some strong low-cost options:

My recommendations by situation

If you have almost no budget

• Start with Ruzuku’s free option to validate your course idea. www.ruzuku.com
• Alternatively, use a simple website + payment link + private community (WhatsApp/Telegram/Discord) until revenue grows.

If you want a professional academy

• Consider FreshLearn or LearnHouse if their payment gateways support your country. freshlearn.comwww.learnhouse.app

If Stripe and PayPal are unavailable where you live
Look beyond “course platforms.” Your biggest challenge is probably payments, not course hosting. Consider platforms that support:

• local bank transfers
• mobile money
• regional gateways
• merchant-of-record services (where the platform handles payments and pays you)

Before choosing, check these 5 things:

1. Can students in your target countries pay easily?
2. Can you withdraw money to your bank/mobile wallet?
3. Does it support your currency?
4. Does it add a sales commission?
5. Does it require Stripe/PayPal only?

If you tell me your country and how you expect students to pay (bank card, mobile money, PayPal, bank transfer, etc.), I can narrow this to platforms that are realistically usable for you.

If your priorities are low cost + 0% platform fees + international sales + limited payment options, I’d narrow the field considerably.

My top picks

1. 🥇 systeme.io — my recommendation

For a new creator, this is probably the strongest fit.

Its free plan includes one course, unlimited students, unlimited email sending, funnels, a members area, and 0% transaction fees. You pay the normal payment-processor fee charged by Stripe or PayPal, but systeme.io itself takes no percentage. systeme.iohelp.systeme.io

The particularly important part for someone in a developing country is payment flexibility: systeme.io supports Stripe and PayPal, and its Stripe integration supports buyers worldwide and numerous currencies/payment methods. help.systeme.io

Why I'd choose it: you can start at $0, validate one course, and only upgrade when you actually need more courses/contacts.

See systeme.io pricing

2. Thinkific — excellent, but check your country first

Thinkific is better if you want a more traditional, professional-looking online-school experience.

The catch is important: Thinkific Payments is only available to creators in a specific list of countries, mostly North America, Europe, Australia/NZ, Singapore and Hong Kong. Students themselves can be worldwide, but your business location has to qualify. support.thinkific.com

Also, "0% platform fee" doesn't mean payment processing is free. Thinkific Payments still charges payment-processing fees. support.thinkific.com

So for someone in a developing country with constrained payment infrastructure, I'd put systeme.io ahead of Thinkific unless Thinkific Payments/Stripe is confirmed to work where you live.

Check Thinkific payment-country support

3. WordPress + an LMS — best if local payment methods are critical

This is the option I'd investigate if Stripe and PayPal aren't available in your country.

You host WordPress yourself and connect an LMS/course plugin to whichever payment gateway is actually available locally—potentially a regional gateway, mobile-money provider, bank-transfer system, etc.

The platform itself doesn't need to take a percentage of your sales, but you'll have hosting, domain, and possibly LMS-plugin costs, plus payment-processing fees.

It's more technical, though, so I wouldn't start here unless your country's payment situation makes hosted platforms impractical.

One important distinction

Be careful with the phrase "no platform fees."

It normally means:

Platform takes 0% + payment processor still charges its normal processing fee.

For example, systeme.io explicitly says it takes 0% while Stripe/PayPal fees still apply. systeme.iohelp.systeme.io

That is very different from a platform like Payhip: its free plan is $0/month but takes 5% per sale, while its $99/month Pro plan removes that fee. payhip.com

So I wouldn't choose Payhip for your stated requirements.

My ranking for your situation

1. systeme.io → Start here
2. WordPress + local payment gateway → If Stripe/PayPal don't work in your country
3. Thinkific → If your country is supported and you want a more sophisticated course platform

If you tell me which country you're based in, I can check the actual payment gateways available there and identify the cheapest platform that lets your students pay internationally and lets you withdraw the money locally.

If your priorities are low upfront cost + 0% platform commission + international selling, the shortlist is surprisingly small. The key distinction is that 0% platform fee does not mean zero payment-processing fees—Stripe, PayPal, or another processor may still charge you, and availability depends heavily on your country. payhip.comsysteme.io

My top picks

1. Systeme.io — my first choice

Its free plan currently supports 1 course and 2,000 student contacts, and Systeme.io says it takes 0% transaction fees on all plans. You still pay whatever Stripe/PayPal charges. It also includes sales funnels, email marketing, course hosting, and automated lesson delivery, which means you don't need several separate tools. payhip.comsysteme.io

For someone starting in a developing country, that's particularly attractive because $0/month + 0% platform fee keeps your fixed costs extremely low.

2. Payhip — easiest alternative

Payhip is very beginner-friendly and supports courses, memberships, downloads, and coaching. However, its free plan takes 5% per sale, while the $99/month Pro plan is the one with 0% platform transaction fees. payhip.com

So I wouldn't choose Payhip if “no platform fees” is a hard requirement and you're just starting. At low sales volume, paying 5% may actually be cheaper than $99/month.

3. Thinkific — good once you're growing

Thinkific is more purpose-built around online education and can give you a more traditional “academy” experience. Current comparisons report 0% transaction fees on its relevant payment setup, but its paid plans make more sense once you have consistent sales. picklogic.co

One important issue for you: payment availability

“Works globally” is not the same as “works in every country.” Your biggest constraint may actually be whether Stripe, PayPal, or another supported payment processor can onboard a business/person in your country and pay out to your local bank.

For example, Systeme.io's 0% fee still leaves the payment processor's fees, and Payhip explicitly says PayPal/Stripe fees still apply. payhip.comsysteme.io

What I'd do in your situation

Start with Systeme.io's free plan if Stripe/PayPal (or its other available payment options) can pay you in your country.

That gives you:

• $0 monthly platform cost
• 0% platform commission
• Course hosting
• Sales pages/funnels
• Email marketing
• Payment plans
• Room to validate your first course before paying for software

Then upgrade only after your course is making enough money to justify it.

If you tell me which country you're in, I can narrow this down to platforms whose payment gateways and payouts actually work there, including options that support local/mobile-money payments.

If by “no platform fees” you mean the course platform itself takes 0% of each sale (while payment processors like Stripe/PayPal may still charge their normal processing fees), the options narrow considerably.

My shortlist

What I'd choose as a new creator

If you have very little money upfront: I'd actually start with Gumroad, despite the fee. There is no monthly subscription, and Gumroad currently supports direct bank payouts in a large number of developing-market countries—including Bangladesh, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, Vietnam and others. gumroad.com

If you already have enough sales to justify a subscription: Payhip Pro is more attractive because it explicitly has no transaction fee and supports multiple payment gateways. Its free plan, however, charges 5%, so don't confuse “free to start” with “zero platform fee.” payhip.compayhip.com

If you want a more sophisticated traditional course platform: Teachable Builder is a solid option, but $89/month is a lot for someone validating their first course. support.teachable.comwww.teachable.com

One important caveat

For someone in a developing country, payment availability matters more than the course platform. A platform can advertise “global payments” while its payout processor doesn't support your country.

If you tell me your country, I can check the current payment gateways/payout options available there and give you 3–5 platforms that you can actually receive money from, ranked by total cost.

Yes. For your situation, I’d prioritize 0% platform transaction fees + payment gateways that are actually available in your country. “No platform fee” does not mean zero payment-processing fees—you’ll still usually pay Stripe/PayPal or another processor.

My top picks

🥇 1. Systeme.io — my first choice

This is the one I'd investigate first.

Its free plan lets you build and sell a course, and Systeme.io says it takes 0% transaction fees on all plans. It supports Stripe and PayPal, with the payment processor charging its normal fees. The free plan includes one course and 2,000 contacts according to its current course documentation. systeme.io

Start with Systeme.io

Why it fits your situation:

• $0 monthly to start
• 0% platform commission
• Course hosting
• Checkout/payment plans
• Email marketing
• Sales funnels
• Affiliate functionality
• You don't need to buy several separate tools

The big question is whether Stripe or PayPal can pay out to your country. If neither is available where you live, the platform itself isn't enough.

🥈 2. Payhip — easiest alternative

Payhip is attractive because it's extremely simple. However, its free plan charges 5% per transaction. Its $29/month Plus plan charges 2%, while the $99/month Pro plan has 0% Payhip transaction fees. Stripe/PayPal fees still apply. payhip.com

Payhip pricing

So I wouldn't choose Payhip if “no platform fees” is a hard requirement at launch—unless you're willing to pay $99/month.

🥉 3. Teachable — good later, not necessarily now

Teachable's current Starter plan is $29/month when billed annually but takes 7.5% per transaction. Builder starts at $69/month annually and has 0% platform transaction fees. Payment-processing fees remain. support.teachable.com

Teachable pricing

It's a good choice once you're generating enough sales to justify the subscription, but I wouldn't make it my first choice for a cash-constrained new creator.

What I'd avoid for now

Gumroad is tempting because there is no monthly subscription, but it takes 10% + $0.50 per direct sale, and marketplace-discovery sales can be 30%. gumroad.com

That's expensive once you start selling at volume.

Thinkific is also more expensive than it initially appears. Its current Basic plan is $54/month monthly or $40/month equivalent annually after its August 2026 price increase, and payment fees depend on how you process payments. More importantly, Thinkific Payments is currently available only in a specific set of countries, including the US, UK, EU countries, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and others—not every developing-country market. support.thinkific.com

The important issue for you: payment availability

If you're in a developing country, the payment gateway is actually more important than the course platform.

For example, a platform can advertise “global payments,” but if its only practical payout methods are Stripe and PayPal and neither supports merchants in your country, you can't actually use it.

I'd therefore rank your priorities:

1. Can I receive payouts in my country?
2. Does it accept payment methods my international students can use?
3. 0% platform transaction fee
4. $0–$20/month startup cost
5. Course-hosting/marketing features

My recommendation

If you're starting with very little money:

Start with Systeme.io's free plan. It gives you the strongest combination of $0 upfront + 0% platform fee + course hosting + marketing tools. systeme.io

Then, before building the entire course there, verify that its supported payment gateways can actually pay out to your country.

If you tell me which country you're in, I can narrow this down to platforms that support your country's actual payment methods/banks, including options beyond Stripe and PayPal.

If your priorities are very low startup cost + 0% platform fees + payment options that work beyond Stripe/PayPal, I’d narrow it down considerably.

Best options

1. systeme.io — my top recommendation

This is probably the strongest fit for your situation.

• $0/month free plan
• 0% platform transaction fee
• Course hosting, checkout, sales funnels, email marketing and memberships are built in. systeme.io
• It supports Stripe and PayPal, but also gateways that can be much more relevant in developing markets, including Flutterwave, Paystack, Razorpay and Xendit. systeme.io
• For example, its current Flutterwave integration supports African merchants and currencies including NGN, GHS, KES, RWF, UGX, ZAR, USD and several others. systeme.iohelp.systeme.io
• Its Razorpay integration is particularly useful for Indian merchants. help.systeme.io

Catch: 0% platform fee doesn't mean 0% payment-processing cost. Your payment gateway will still charge its own processing fee.

For a new creator with limited capital, I'd start here.

2. Payhip — easiest alternative

Payhip is extremely beginner-friendly and supports selling courses/digital products.

The free plan is $0/month but charges 5% per sale. Its $99/month Pro plan has 0% Payhip transaction fees, although Stripe/PayPal processing fees still apply. payhip.com

So I wouldn't choose Payhip if zero platform fees is a hard requirement from day one.

3. Gumroad — easy, but expensive at scale

Gumroad has no monthly fee, but charges 10% + $0.50 per direct transaction, and marketplace-discovered sales can cost 30%. gumroad.com

That's quite expensive for a course creator. For example, on a $100 course, you're giving up roughly $10.50 before considering other applicable costs.

I'd use Gumroad mainly if simplicity matters more than maximizing your margins.

4. Thinkific — good later, not my first choice

Thinkific is a much more established course-school platform, but it's considerably more expensive. Its Basic plan is now $54/month, following its August 2026 price increase. support.thinkific.com

It also has payment-processing considerations and third-party gateway fees depending on your country and setup. support.thinkific.com

I'd consider it once you've proven your course sells—not when you're trying to minimize risk.

What I'd do in your position

Start with systeme.io's free plan.

Your stack could be:

Course: systeme.io
→ Payment: whichever local gateway is available in your country (e.g. Flutterwave/Paystack/Razorpay/Xendit)
→ Marketing: systeme.io email + funnels
→ Video: YouTube unlisted/Vimeo/etc., depending on your content-protection needs

This is especially attractive because you don't have to wait until you can afford $30–$100/month in software subscriptions. The free systeme.io plan includes a course, and the company says it takes 0% of course sales. systeme.iosysteme.io

One important caveat: "works globally" is really two separate questions: Can international students pay you? and Can you, as a merchant in your specific country, receive the money? The second is the limiting factor. A platform may support Flutterwave, for example, while Flutterwave itself only onboards merchants in particular countries. systeme.iohelp.systeme.io

If you tell me your country, I can narrow this to the 3 cheapest platforms/payment combinations actually available to you, including local payment methods and payout options.

If your priorities are low cost + 0% platform fees + international selling, I’d narrow it down to these:

My top recommendation: Payhip

For a new course creator in a developing country, I'd start by investigating Payhip first. It has a proper course builder, memberships, quizzes, certificates, digital products, and storefront, and its free plan gives you all features. The catch is that the free plan takes 5%; its $99/month Pro plan removes the transaction fee entirely. payhip.com

The important part is payment availability in your country. A platform can advertise "global selling," but if neither Stripe nor PayPal can pay out to your bank, it doesn't solve your problem.

If you absolutely mean zero platform fee

Stan Store is attractive because it charges 0% per transaction, with the Creator plan at $29/month. You still pay Stripe/PayPal processing fees. help.stan.store

However, Stan's Stripe integration currently supports a relatively limited set of countries. Stan says that if your country isn't on its Stripe list, you can instead use PayPal if PayPal supports your country. help.stan.store

Ko-fi Gold is another inexpensive 0%-platform-fee option at $12/month, although I wouldn't choose it as the primary platform for a serious structured course—it is more of a creator storefront/membership tool. shop.ko-fi.com

The sleeper option: WordPress

If you're comfortable with a little more setup, WordPress + a free/low-cost LMS + a payment gateway available in your country can be the most globally flexible approach.

You don't pay a platform percentage to WordPress. Your costs are mainly hosting, the LMS (if paid), and payment processing. This also lets you connect local bank-transfer gateways, mobile money, regional processors, PayPal, Stripe, etc., rather than being locked into one platform's payment ecosystem.

That's particularly valuable if you're in a country where Stripe isn't available.

One I'd not prioritize

Thinkific is excellent for courses, but its native Thinkific Payments service currently covers a defined list of countries including the US, UK, EU countries, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Switzerland and Norway—not most developing countries. support.thinkific.com Its plans have also become considerably more expensive: Basic is now $54/month monthly or $40/month equivalent annually following its August 2026 price increase. support.thinkific.com

What I'd do in your situation

If your country supports PayPal/Stripe: → Payhip initially, then move to Pro once sales justify $99/month.

If Payhip's payment options don't work in your country but PayPal does: → Stan Store is worth considering at $29/month and 0% platform fee.

If mainstream processors don't work reliably in your country: → WordPress + LMS + a local payment gateway is probably your best long-term solution.

And one important distinction: "0% platform fee" never necessarily means 0% total fees. You will generally still have payment-processing, currency-conversion, and potentially tax-related costs.

If you tell me your country, I can check the payment gateways actually available there and give you the 3 cheapest course platforms you can realistically receive money through, rather than recommending platforms that look global but won't pay out to you.

Yes. For your situation, I’d prioritize 0% platform transaction fees + payment gateways that work in developing markets, rather than simply looking for the cheapest course builder.

My top picks

🥇 1. systeme.io — my strongest recommendation

This is unusually good for someone starting with very little budget.

The free plan supports one course, up to 2,000 contacts, unlimited students, and 0% transaction fees. You still pay the underlying payment processor's fee, but systeme.io itself doesn't take a percentage of your sales. systeme.io

More importantly for your situation, systeme.io supports payment integrations including Stripe, PayPal, Razorpay, Flutterwave, Xendit, and Mercado Pago. That gives it a major advantage over platforms that effectively require Stripe/PayPal. systeme.io

It also includes:

• Course hosting
• Checkout
• Sales funnels
• Email marketing
• Payment plans
• Coupons
• Affiliate program
• Upsells/order bumps

So you can potentially run your entire first course business from one account. systeme.io

Cost: Start at $0. The current paid plans shown by systeme.io are $27/month, $47/month and $97/month, with 0% transaction fees. systeme.io

Verdict: ⭐ Best choice if you're starting with almost no budget.

🥈 2. Payhip — excellent if payment availability is your biggest problem

Payhip is particularly interesting for international creators because it has been expanding its payment-gateway coverage. Its current gateway lineup includes Stripe (45+ countries), PayPal (200+ countries) and additional gateways. payhip.comsupport.thinkific.com

However, there's an important catch:

• Free: 5% Payhip fee
• Plus: 2%
• Pro: 0%
• Pro: $99/month

Payment processors such as Stripe/PayPal still charge their own fees. payhip.com

So I wouldn't choose Payhip Pro as a brand-new creator unless you already expect enough sales to justify $99/month.

Verdict: ⭐ Excellent payment flexibility, but less attractive when you're starting from zero.

🥉 3. Thinkific — better when you want a serious "school"

Thinkific is a stronger choice if you care about having a polished, dedicated learning environment with multiple courses.

Its payment system doesn't mean payments are free, though. Payment processors charge transaction fees, and Thinkific's own payment-processing rates vary by country and payment method. For example, its listed rates for several supported countries start around 3.9% + a fixed fee. support.thinkific.com

Verdict: Good platform, but I wouldn't make it my first choice when your priorities are extremely low cost and payment accessibility.

What I'd actually do in your position

I'd start with systeme.io's free plan.

Your setup could be:

Course videos → systeme.io → local/global payment gateway → student automatically gets access

And don't spend money on a fancy website initially.

The most important question, however, is your country. Payment availability is highly country-specific. A platform can advertise "global payments" while the particular gateway you need isn't available to you.

If you tell me which country you're in, I can narrow this down to the 3 platforms that actually accept payments from your country, including options such as mobile money, local bank transfers, Razorpay, Paystack, Flutterwave, etc.

For a new course creator in a developing country, I would prioritize (1) no platform commission, (2) payment gateways that work in your country, (3) low upfront cost, and (4) ownership of your student list.

A key point: “0% platform fees” usually does not mean zero payment costs. Stripe, PayPal, or local payment processors may still charge their normal processing fees. www.learnhouse.app

Here are some good options:

My recommendations by situation

If you have almost no budget

1. Start with a platform that has a free tier:
   • Ruzuku (good for validating a course idea) www.ruzuku.com
   • YesCourse (simple setup) yescourse.com

If you already have students/audience

• Use a 0%-commission platform where students pay you directly:
  • LearnHouse www.learnhouse.appyescourse.com
  • FreshLearn freshlearn.com

If payment access is your biggest challenge
Before choosing a platform, check whether you can receive money through:

• Stripe
• PayPal
• Payoneer
• Wise
• Local bank gateways (for example, mobile money or regional processors)

A platform can advertise “global payments,” but if your country cannot open the required payment account, it will not help much.

A low-cost setup I would consider for a developing-country creator

1. Create your course content:
   • Videos hosted privately (or uploaded directly if supported)
   • PDFs/workbooks
   • Community via email, WhatsApp, Telegram, or Discord

2. Use a low/no-fee course platform initially.

3. Avoid marketplaces like large course marketplaces if your goal is building a business, because they often control pricing, customer access, or take a revenue share.

My shortlist for a first-time creator:

• Best overall low-cost start: Ruzuku or YesCourse
• Best if you can access Stripe: LearnHouse
• Best for scaling into a bigger academy: FreshLearn

If you tell me your country and which payment methods you can access (bank card, PayPal, mobile money, Payoneer, etc.), I can narrow this down to platforms that will actually pay you there.

If your priority is low upfront cost + 0% platform fees + the ability to accept international payments, I’d focus less on the course software itself and more on which payment processors you can actually access in your country.

My shortlist

1. Systeme.io — best overall starting point

Systeme.io

• Free plan at $0/month
• 0% platform transaction fees
• Unlimited students
• Course builder plus landing pages, email marketing, funnels and affiliate tools
• Supports Stripe and PayPal without an additional platform fee. systeme.io
• Particularly attractive if you have very little money to invest because you can build your sales funnel and email list without paying for several separate tools.

Caveat: Stripe/PayPal availability depends on your country. “Global” doesn't mean every payment method works in every country.

2. Ruzuku — best if you want a dedicated course platform

Ruzuku

• Free plan
• 0% platform transaction fees
• Unlimited courses
• Free plan allows up to 5 students, so you can validate your first course without spending money
• Accepts Stripe and PayPal, with the payment going directly to your account. www.ruzuku.com
• Paid Core plan is $99/month, so I'd use the free plan only for validation and consider upgrading once sales justify it. support.ruzuku.com

This is a particularly clean option if you don't need a large marketing/CRM system.

3. LearnHouse — interesting low-cost alternative

LearnHouse

• 0% platform fees
• Uses your own Stripe account
• Payments can be paid out directly to your bank
• Currently advertises availability in 40+ Stripe-supported countries. www.learnhouse.app

The important limitation is that 40+ countries isn't truly global, so I'd check your country before building around it.

What I'd choose

The big catch for developing countries

There isn't really a course platform that can magically make payments “global.” The payment processor is the bottleneck. For example, Stripe currently supports businesses in a defined list of countries rather than every country worldwide. stripe.com

So if you're in a country where Stripe isn't available, a platform advertising 0% fees may still be useless to you.

Also, don't confuse 0% platform fees with 0% payment fees. Stripe/PayPal will generally still charge processing fees. Ruzuku, for example, explicitly says its 0% means Ruzuku takes nothing; the processor's fee still applies. support.ruzuku.com

If you tell me your country, I can narrow this down to 3–5 platforms that actually accept payments there, including options using local payment methods/mobile money rather than just Stripe.

If you’re in a developing country, I’d prioritize payment reach and payout availability over having the fanciest course features. Also, “no platform fees” usually means the platform takes 0% of the sale—you’ll still pay Stripe, PayPal, or another payment processor.

My shortlist

🥇 My first choice: Payhip

Payhip is particularly interesting for your situation because it supports a large number of payment gateways, rather than forcing you to rely exclusively on one processor. As of 2026, Payhip says it supports Stripe in 45+ countries, PayPal in 200+ countries, plus additional regional gateways. payhip.com

The catch: its free plan takes 5% per sale. The $99/month Pro plan removes Payhip's transaction fee, although Stripe/PayPal processing fees still apply. payhip.com

So if you're just starting, I wouldn't pay $99/month immediately. Start on the free plan, validate that people will actually buy, then move to Pro once the 5% becomes more expensive than $99/month.

🥈 Best if you need the lowest possible upfront cost: Systeme.io

Systeme.io has a free tier and advertises 0% transaction fees on memberships, while combining courses, funnels, email marketing and communities. systeme.io

It's worth considering if your budget is extremely tight, although I'd verify that its supported payment processor(s) can actually accept payouts in your country before building your whole business around it.

🥉 Best polished option: Teachable

Teachable is considerably more expensive, but its Builder plan is $69/month when billed annually and has 0% platform transaction fees. The Starter plan is cheaper ($29/month annually) but takes 7.5% per transaction. systeme.iosupport.teachable.comwww.teachable.comhelp.podia.com

It also specifically advertises global payments and tax handling, which can be valuable if most of your students will be overseas. systeme.iosupport.teachable.comwww.teachable.comhelp.podia.com

What I would not choose for your requirement

Gumroad is easy to start with, but it doesn't meet your “no platform fees” requirement: its direct sales fee is 10% + $0.50, before applicable processing costs. Its payout options can also be restrictive in countries outside its direct-deposit list. gumroad.com

Thinkific is excellent as an LMS, but its built-in Thinkific Payments is currently available only in a defined list of countries, mainly North America, Europe, Australia/NZ and several Asian financial centers. support.thinkific.com That makes it less attractive if you're actually based outside those supported markets.

Podia removes its own transaction fee on Shaker/Earthquaker, but its cheaper Mover plan takes 5%; Stripe/PayPal fees remain. Podia also notes some limitations around Stripe applications for accounts based in certain countries. help.podia.com

The important part for you

If you tell me your country, I can narrow this down dramatically. Payment availability varies enormously by country.

I can compare the 5–7 best platforms that actually let creators in your country receive money, including PayPal, Stripe, Payoneer, local bank transfer/mobile money, pricing, platform fees, payout methods, and which one I'd choose for a first course.

If “no platform fee” is the priority, I’d focus on platforms where you pay only the unavoidable payment-processor fee (Stripe, PayPal, local gateway, etc.). A true 0% platform fee does not mean receiving 100% of the sale—you’ll generally still pay payment-processing and possibly currency-conversion fees. www.coursemargin.comsupport.thinkific.com

Best options for your situation

1. Thinkific — best course-focused option

• Has a free plan, so you can start without a monthly subscription.
• Its own platform transaction fee can be 0%, depending on the payment setup.
• Big caveat for a developing-country creator: Thinkific Payments is currently available only in a defined list of countries, largely North America, Europe, and several Asia-Pacific markets. support.thinkific.com
• If your country isn't supported for Thinkific Payments, you'll need to investigate which third-party gateways are available to you and what additional fees apply.

2. Podia — simple, but check the free-tier economics

Podia is attractive if you want courses plus digital downloads, email marketing, and a simple storefront. Its paid plans can have 0% platform transaction fees, but the cheapest/free options may impose a percentage fee. www.savingsec.com

3. Teachable — strong international payment infrastructure

Teachable Payments supports creators in 41 countries and offers local-currency payouts and 35+ local payment methods. It also lets creators connect their own Stripe account in countries where that's available. support.teachable.com

The downside: its cheapest plans aren't necessarily 0%-fee, so I'd only choose it if its payment coverage is substantially better in your country. www.savingsec.com

What I'd do in your position

For a creator in a developing country, payment availability matters more than the headline platform fee. You don't want to build your course business on a platform whose checkout can't actually pay you.

I'd shortlist:

I wouldn't recommend Gumroad if your primary goal is keeping fees near zero: its lack of a monthly subscription is appealing, but the 10% + $0.50 transaction charge is significant for a course business. www.savingsec.com

Most important: tell me which country you're in and whether your students will pay by bank transfer, mobile money, debit/credit card, PayPal, or another local method. I can then narrow this to the 3 platforms you can actually receive money through, including their current fees and payout options.