Short answer
For a small or occasional audience, pay per student usually costs least. learnfrom.co charges $4.99 per enrolled student and nothing when no one enrolls. A $29 monthly plan costs $348 a year whether or not anyone enrolls. A free plan with a 5% fee can be cheaper only on courses priced under about $100.
What a small or occasional audience changes
If you run a cohort once or twice a year, or sell to a few dozen people, a monthly subscription keeps billing you in the months with no students. Pay per student only charges when someone enrolls.
What it costs at small enrollment numbers
| Students enrolled | learnfrom.co | $29/month plan | 5% fee on a $99 course |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | $24.95 | $348 | $24.75 |
| 10 | $49.90 | $348 | $49.50 |
| 20 | $99.80 | $348 | $99 |
| 50 | $249.50 | $348 | $247.50 |
A 5% fee costs less per sale than learnfrom's $4.99 only on courses priced under about $100. Above that price, pay per student costs less per sale. Payment processing fees from Stripe or PayPal apply on every platform.
Which model fits a small audience
- A cohort once or twice a year: pay per student, because you pay nothing in the months between cohorts.
- Fewer than about 69 new students a year: pay per student costs less than a $29 per month plan.
- A course priced under about $100: a 5% fee can cost a little less per sale, but check the free plan's student limits first.
- A small list that needs a full marketing suite: a subscription may still be worth it if you use the tools every month.
Test your own numbers with the course pricing calculator or the course profit simulator.
Figures reflect the pricing we found on each platform's website as of October 2026. Plans change, so confirm current pricing before you decide.