21 Best Online Coaching Platforms For All Coaches & How To Choose
12 August, 2024
You’ve launched your online coaching business. You've identified your niche, honed your methodology, and brought in clients. But then reality hits. Running an online coaching business entails way more than just helping clients. There’s also the logistics. What platform will you use to deliver your services? How will you keep track of your client’s progress?
What will you use to collect payments and schedule sessions? The options can feel overwhelming. That’s where this guide comes in. Understanding coaching platforms is vital to running an effective online coaching business. This guide will help you compare online coaching platforms to find the right fit for your unique coaching business.
Delphi's digital clone is a valuable tool for achieving your objectives, such as comparing online coaching platforms for a coaching business. This innovative tool creates a digital profile of your coaching business to help you identify the features you need to run your unique online coaching business effectively.
What Is Online Coaching?
An online coaching business is a service-oriented venture where a skilled expert offers guidance to individuals through digital platforms. The goal is to help clients develop specific skills, improve their personal or professional lives, or achieve set milestones. Coaching can cover various areas, from sports and business to etiquette and parenting. Regardless of the niche, the core objective is to empower clients to reach their full potential and attain their goals.
The coaching industry is experiencing rapid growth, driven by increasing demand for specialized guidance. As of 2024, the industry is valued at $6.25 billion and boasts a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.43%. This expansion is particularly notable in personal and business coaching sectors, which have seen significant increases in interest.
Starting a coaching business can be lucrative, especially if you’re passionate about helping others. With the rise of remote work and digital communication tools, launching and running an online coaching business has never been more accessible. If you have expertise in a particular field and want to make an impact, the coaching industry offers a promising avenue to turn that passion into a profitable career.
What Is An Online Coaching Platform?
An online coaching platform is your all-in-one tool for running a coaching business smoothly and efficiently. Think of it as your digital assistant that helps you juggle all the behind-the-scenes tasks so you can focus more on coaching and less on admin work. Here’s a quick rundown of what you can do with an online coaching platform:
Create a Coaching Website
You’ll get to set up a professional website where clients can learn about your services, book sessions, and even pay for them. It’s like having a sleek online storefront without needing to be a web design expert.
Handle Invoices
Forget about manually creating and sending invoices. These platforms often have built-in tools to automate billing and track payments, saving you time and hassle.
Schedule Coaching Calls
Managing your schedule can be a nightmare, but you can easily schedule appointments with an online coaching platform. Clients can book slots that fit into your calendar, reducing the back-and-forth emails.
Sign Agreements
There is no longer a need to print, sign, and scan documents. Many platforms let you send and sign coaching agreements electronically, keeping things moving quickly and securely.
Manage Client Communication
Keeping in touch with clients is crucial, and these platforms often include features for messaging, email updates, and even creating client portals where they can access their materials and progress reports.
The best part? These platforms often have extra features like progress tracking, course creation, and analytics to help you understand your business's performance. In short, an online coaching platform is like having the most amazing toolkit that handles the logistical side of your coaching business so you can spend more time doing what you love.
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What To Look For In An Online Coaching Platform
Marketing Options: The Megaphone for Your Coaching Business
When searching for an online coaching platform, you're looking for the right mix of features that'll fit your unique business needs. Here's a list of features for Marketing Options:
Think of this as your business's megaphone
Look for features that let you integrate with email services, build attractive sales pages, and create irresistible offers. Some platforms even let you set up marketing or coaching sales funnels, helping you easily convert prospects into paying clients.
Sales Options: Manage Your Money
This is where you manage how you make money. You'll want features like point-of-sale integrations, the ability to handle transactions in different currencies, and tools for creating bundles or discounts. If the platform offers free trials, that's a bonus it can help potential clients experience your coaching before they commit.
Courses: Scale Your Business
To scale your business, having a robust course creation tool is critical. The best platforms allow you to build engaging online courses, whether live or pre-recorded. This way, you can reach more clients without sacrificing the quality of your coaching.
Groups: Manage Multiple Clients at Once
Group coaching can be a great way to offer different pricing options and serve multiple clients simultaneously. Ensure the platform supports managing groups, sorting out members, and providing a personalized experience for each participant.
Community: Foster Connections Between Clients
Building a thriving community around your coaching can be an advance. Look for platforms that facilitate discussions, content sharing, and client connections. A strong community adds value to your clients and amplifies your business’s reach and impact.
Apps & Access: Find a Mobile-Friendly Platform
Last but not least, check if the platform has a mobile app. In today’s world, having a platform with a dedicated app ensures that your clients can access their coaching materials and stay connected on the go. The right online coaching platform should help streamline your operations, enhance your marketing efforts, and make engaging and growing more effortless for you and your clients.
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21 Best Online Coaching Platforms For All Types Of Coaches
1. Delphi
Delphi’s digital cloning platform allows users to capture their unique style, voice, and expertise, enabling them to scale personalized 1-1. Delphi enables content creators, coaches, influencers, CEOs, executives, and more to scale/clone their expertise, time, and availability.
Preserve your knowledge and wisdom and mass personalize communications with Delphi. Delphi's mentorship as a service allows knowledge-based professionals to clone themselves (texting, calling, video calling) with audience management features such as mass messages, hop-in conversations, alerts, analytics, and content strategy data. Get started and create your digital clone for free today.
2. CoachingLoft
CoachingLoft is a versatile coaching management platform designed to streamline various aspects of your coaching business. It covers essential functions such as scheduling, managing coaching agreements, automating invoices, and tracking client progress.
One standout feature is its public directory, which helps coaches promote their services by increasing visibility. Additionally, CoachingLoft offers online storage for client documents and commits to planting trees for every subscription, adding an eco-friendly touch to your coaching practice. Pricing is quite flexible, starting from $1 per month for up to two clients, with higher tiers available for unlimited clients beginning at $25 per month.
3. Bonsai
Bonsai is a highly regarded client management tool that caters to many professionals, including online coaches. While it wasn’t specifically designed for coaching, it provides valuable features such as scheduling, invoice management, and client tracking. Bonsai also boasts a comprehensive collection of templates for coaching agreements, session plans, and other essential documents, making starting easier. However, it’s important to note that Bonsai primarily focuses on administrative tasks rather than client communication. Its pricing starts at $17 per month.
4. Simply.Coach
Simply. Coach is a platform crafted by coaches for coaches, offering client and business management tools. On the client side, you can build action plans, set goals, and share resources while clients have their workspace to track progress and upload homework. On the business side, Simply. Coach covers scheduling, invoicing, and contracts, with upcoming features like email and LinkedIn integrations on the horizon. It also allows you to log your professional development, a unique feature among coaching platforms. Pricing starts at $9 per month.
5. Kajabi
Kajabi is well-known for its capabilities as an online course platform, making it ideal for coaches who also want to offer courses. It excels in providing comprehensive marketing tools and funnels to help you sell your courses. Kajabi’s features include module creation with text, files, and videos, email campaigns, landing pages, and complex marketing systems. However, its community features are limited, focusing more on course creation than group coaching or live sessions. Kajabi's pricing starts from $149 per month for the basic plan, which includes 3 products and 3 funnels.
6. Noomi
Noomi is a coaching marketplace that helps coaches list their services and connect with potential clients. It’s beneficial for starting, as it provides an existing marketing system with a database of potential clients. Coaches must undergo an onboarding process, including a video profile, to be listed. While Noomi helps you get leads, it’s limited in terms of features for building your business or scaling, and you may face significant competition from other coaches. Listing on Noomi costs $447 per year.
7. Satori
Satori is a scheduling and administrative solution designed specifically for coaches. It automates various processes like onboarding, scheduling sessions, and managing invoices. Built around a calendar interface, Satori allows clients to schedule sessions and complete forms before meetings. While it’s excellent for administrative tasks, Satori lacks features for creating courses or community-building and doesn’t offer a dedicated app. Pricing starts from $9 per month for up to 3 clients, with higher plans available for more clients and additional features.
8. Thinkific
Thinkific is a popular platform for building and selling online courses, and it can be a good fit for coaches with an existing WordPress website. It offers a drag-and-drop course builder and integrates with PayPal and Stripe for payments. Thinkific’s marketing features include selling through affiliates and supporting 100 currencies. However, it’s limited in terms of community functions and event management. Pricing starts from free with limited features, with paid plans beginning at $36 per month for more advanced features.
9. Coaching.com
Coaching.com provides comprehensive operations software for coaching businesses, including a dashboard, video platform, scheduling calendar, program templates, and notifications. It also features a marketplace where coaches can list their services for additional exposure. While it offers solid operational tools and a mobile app, it lacks community-building and course-delivery features. Pricing starts at $0 per month for up to 3 clients, with higher tiers available at $47 per month for up to 10 clients and $97 per month for unlimited clients.
10. Teachable
Teachable is known for its budget-friendly course creation capabilities, which are ideal for coaches focusing on pre-recorded content. It offers a solid LMS, native video options, and marketing features such as landing pages and affiliate sales. However, it doesn’t support community features or mobile apps beyond iOS. Pricing starts with a free plan with a $1 + 10% transaction fee, with paid plans beginning at $59 monthly for additional features and lower transaction fees.
11. Kartra
Kartra is a robust alternative to Kajabi, offering a range of features for courses and marketing. It includes a coaching calendar, email marketing, and an LMS for course creation. While it provides a good set of marketing tools and a calendar for booking sessions, it lacks community features and is slightly less comprehensive than Kajabi. Pricing starts at $119 per month for up to 2,500 leads, with higher plans available for more leads and additional features.
12. Nudge Coach
Nudge Coach is an app designed to build coaching programs with video lessons and automated prompts called "nudges." It features messaging capabilities, goal tracking, and the option for a branded app. However, it doesn’t offer community or event features, and its customization options are limited. Pricing starts with a free plan for up to 5 clients, with paid plans beginning at $60 per month for up to 50 clients and $100 per month for up to 100 clients.
13. Profi
Profi is an all-in-one coaching platform that helps streamline operations for coaching businesses of all sizes. It offers client portals with custom branding, video conferencing for live coaching, and billing and invoicing through Stripe integration. Pricing starts at $99 monthly, providing a comprehensive solution for managing bookings, coaching calls, and client engagement.
14. Mighty Networks
Mighty Networks excels in community management, membership, and course delivery. It allows you to customize your community portal, create group chats, and sell digital products. It’s well-suited for managing a community and delivering courses, though more straightforward tools may suffice for some. Pricing starts at $33 per month.
15. BetterUp
BetterUp is a marketplace tailored for coaches focusing on corporate clients and one-on-one coaching. It matches coaches with clients and provides professional development resources. However, coaches must adhere to set rates and may find the platform more suited for gig work than building a personalized business. Joining BetterUp is free, and coaches are paid through the platform.
16. Delenta
Delenta is a comprehensive coaching software designed to manage various aspects of your coaching business. It includes CRM functionalities, scheduling, custom branding, e-contracts, and integrated payments. Delete’s features support client engagement and business scaling, with pricing starting at $19 monthly for the Starter plan, increasing with additional features and client capacity.
17. LearnWorlds
LearnWorlds stands out as a top-notch platform for online coaching, offering a comprehensive suite of features designed to enhance the coaching experience. Its integration with Calendly allows for seamless scheduling of sessions, while private notes keep track of each client’s journey. This makes it easy to manage your coaching sessions and ensure nothing falls through the cracks. The platform excels with its robust community features, which include a blog, course discussions, groups, and RSS feeds.
These tools foster client interaction and engagement, allowing them to exchange experiences and stay updated on relevant topics. LearnWorlds is also rich in sales, marketing, and management tools. It supports various selling options, including standalone courses, bundles, memberships, and subscriptions, and integrates with popular marketing tools. Despite its strengths, it lacks built-in billing functionality and can have a steep learning curve due to its many features. Pricing starts at $29/month for the Starter plan, with higher tiers offering more advanced capabilities.
18. Coach Accountable
CoachAccountable enhances client engagement by giving them access to their progress through a client portal. This transparency encourages clients to be more active in their coaching journey. The platform allows you to design custom coaching programs and offers diverse interaction options, including group sessions and direct messaging.
CoachAccountable features checklists, journal prompts, and session reflections to boost accountability. It also includes calendar tools, reminders, and automated invoicing. However, the interface can feel clunky, and the platform becomes increasingly expensive as your client base grows. Pricing plans start at $20/month for 2 clients and scale up based on the number of clients. This provides flexibility but may require manual management of new client sign-ups.
19. Paperbell
Paperbell focuses on simplifying the administrative aspects of coaching, allowing you to concentrate on your practice. It offers advanced scheduling, integrated onboarding, and flexible coaching packages. Additionally, it supports several tool integrations for hosting live sessions and managing client notes, though these notes are not session-specific.
Paperbell’s features include flexible coaching packages and automated emails and reminders, making it easy to manage your coaching business. However, it lacks online course functionality and has limited customization for its storefront page. At a flat rate of $57/month, it provides a cost-effective solution for those looking for a straightforward platform without additional fees for extra clients.
20. Upcoach
Upcoach is tailored for various coaching formats, including one-on-one, group, and cohort programs. It offers robust client management tools, such as a CRM, progress tracking, and habit tracking, though it relies on Zoom for live sessions rather than offering native video hosting. The platform is user-friendly and scalable, supporting group coaching and online courses.
It features a program and course builder, custom branding options, and basic automation tools to streamline your workflow. However, it has limited storage and customization options and no native payment system. Pricing starts at $39/month for the Basic plan, which supports up to 15 clients, and goes up to $99/month for the Pro plan, which has unlimited clients and courses.
21. Practice
Practice is a versatile platform that excels in client management. It offers a centralized location for coaches to manage their business and client interactions. It integrates with Google for scheduling and reminders and supports various pricing models, making it adaptable to different coaching styles and business needs.
Why You Need An Online Coaching Platform For Your Coaching Business
Manage the Chaos with an Online Coaching Platform
As your coaching business grows, you will attract more clients and generate more revenue. This is great news, but it also means more work. Juggling multiple clients, appointments, and resources without a centralized system can get messy fast. Imagine trying to keep track of everything with a stack of sticky notes or a jumble of different apps. An online coaching platform brings everything together, so you don’t have to hunt for information or worry about missed appointments.
Grow Your Coaching Business by Breaking Geographic Barriers
Traditional coaching often means you’re limited to clients who can come to you or call during certain hours. But with an online platform, you can connect with clients from anywhere. This expands your reach and opens up new opportunities for growth and diversification.
Keep Your Clients Engaged with Your Coaching Platform
Keeping clients motivated and engaged in a virtual setting can be tricky. Online coaching platforms often have features that help maintain client interaction and involvement. Whether through community forums, progress tracking, or engaging course content, these tools can make your coaching more interactive and personal.
Optimize Your Time Management Skills with a Coaching Platform
Balancing coaching sessions, administrative tasks, and personal time requires serious time management skills. An online platform can streamline your scheduling, automate reminders, and handle administrative tasks, giving you more time to focus on coaching and less on paperwork.
What Other Tools Do Online Coaches Use? A Coach's Usual Tech Stack
Beyond your core coaching platform, several essential tools can help you streamline operations, enhance communication, and elevate your brand. Here’s a rundown of the must-have tools for any online coach:
Your Website Is Your Home Base
Your website is like the front door to your coaching business. It’s where potential clients can learn about what you offer, your coaching philosophy, and how to get in touch. A well-designed website helps establish your brand and credibility.
Webflow, WordPress, Wix, Weebly, Dorik.
Keep Your Schedule Organized
Keeping your schedule organized is crucial for managing your time and appointments. A scheduling tool helps clients book sessions based on availability, reduces conflicts, and sends automatic reminders.
Calendly, Acuity Scheduling, Doodle.
Get Paid on Time
Managing payments smoothly is essential. A reliable payment processor handles transactions securely and efficiently, making it easier for clients to pay for your services or products.
Stripe, PayPal, Square.
Create Eye-Catching Visuals
Visual content is vital for grabbing attention and delivering your message. A design tool lets you easily create eye-catching graphics, presentations, and marketing materials, even without a design expert.
Canva, Visme, Adobe Creative.
Communicate Effectively via Email
Effective email communication is crucial for nurturing relationships and keeping your audience engaged. An email marketing tool allows you to create campaigns, automate follow-ups, and share valuable content.
MailChimp, Mailerlite, Active Campaign, AWeber, ConvertKit.
Meet Clients Where They Are
Virtual coaching sessions are a big part of the online coaching world. Video conference tools provide a platform for real-time communication, screen sharing, and collaboration.
Zoom, Skype, Webex, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet.
Make Data-Driven Decisions
Understanding how your business is performing helps you make informed decisions. Analytics tools provide insights into website traffic, user behavior, and other key metrics so you can refine your strategy and improve results.
Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Hotjar.
Collect Feedback to Improve Your Services
Collecting client feedback and information is important for improving your services. A form builder allows you to create surveys and questionnaires to gather valuable insights from your audience.
LearnWorlds Form Builder, Typeform, Jotform, SurveyMonkey.
Sell Your Digital Products with an E-Commerce Platform
If you sell digital products or merchandise, an e-commerce platform is essential. It helps you create an online store, manage inventory, and process payments securely.
Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce.
These tools support different aspects of your coaching business, from managing your website and communications to handling payments and scheduling. By integrating these tools into your tech stack, you can run your business more efficiently and provide a better experience for your clients.
Create Your Own Digital Clone with Delphi Today
Digital Cloning for Coaches? Digital cloning refers to capturing your unique knowledge, style, voice, and expertise and creating a digital version of yourself to scale your personalized communications and offerings. Delphi's digital cloning allows users to capture their unique knowledge and expertise and design a digital clone to preserve their voice and style. This allows users to personalize communications and scale their coaching business massively.
How can Delphi help scale your coaching business? Getting started with Delphi is easy. Create your digital clone for free today. Then, use the step-by-step prompts to set up your personalized clone. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you can create your digital assistant to help you run your coaching business and communicate with your clients.