- July
18
2025 - 5
If someone told me five years ago that my living room would turn into everything from a classroom for my son Arnav to a business pitch room for Anjali, I’d laugh in disbelief. Now it’s just Tuesday. The chase for the perfect platform for online classes hasn’t slowed down since the pandemic pushed half the world online—and today, the answer to “What’s the most used platform?” sparks debates everywhere from school WhatsApp groups to office breakrooms. Forget dusty chalkboards and squeaky desks: in July 2025, it’s all about seamless taps, instant screen-shares, and digital community spirit across continents. But has one tool actually won the race, or does it depend on what you want from your class?
The Reign of Zoom: Why It's Still King of Online Class Platforms
When you picture a virtual classroom, Zoom is probably the first thing that pops up. And you’re not wrong. Despite the rise of dozens of ed-tech contenders, Zoom sits comfortably at the top. The company reported in March 2025 that they host over 350 million meeting participants per day globally—numbers that aren’t just riding the post-pandemic wave, but showing steady stickiness among teachers, students, and professionals. Why? It nails the basics: clear video, little lag (unless your WiFi’s acting up), breakout rooms for group chats, and the kind of screen-share options that let my son Arnav submit his math quiz without a single paper cut.
It’s not luck either. Zoom tackled the pain points other platforms struggled with—security, easy logins, and compatibility with whatever device someone’s managed to charge that morning. For schools, one underrated feature is its integration with Learning Management Systems (LMS) like Moodle and Canvas, which means grades, attendance, and lesson schedules can flow right into teachers’ daily dashboards. Colleges from India to the US use Zoom for everything from live lectures to virtual events. And if you’re wondering if young kids can handle it—the answer is clear. I’ve sat next to Arnav as he prepped penmanship with just three clicks. It’s intuitive, free for basic plans, and, when you dig into their privacy updates after 2020, now parent-approved.
But numbers speak best, so here’s a quick table of global platform use, as compiled by EdTech Digest in early 2025:
| Platform | Active Users (Monthly, 2025) | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Zoom | ~350 million | Universities, Schools, Corporate |
| Google Classroom | ~200 million | Schools, K-12, Assignments |
| Microsoft Teams | ~145 million | Colleges, Business Training |
| Moodle | ~80 million | Higher Ed, Custom E-learning |
| Coursera/EdX/Other MOOCs | ~60 million (combined) | Self-paced Adult Learners |
If you care about reliability, scale, and options for everything from teacher workshops to school quizzes, Zoom wears the crown in 2025. There’s a reason even virtual yoga teachers swear by it. But it’s not the whole story.
Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams, and Moodle: The Runners-Up with Unique Perks
Just because Zoom gets all the buzz, doesn’t mean it’s the answer for every school. Google Classroom is the platform almost every teacher in Arnav's primary school swears by—not for the live meetings, but for assignments, resources, and seamless connection to Google Drive. Think of it as your online homework diary that never spills tea. In April 2025, Google announced a user base of 200 million students and educators worldwide. Not bad for a tool that started as a simple assignment manager. If you love automatic saving, auto-graded quizzes, and comment threads that don’t vanish, Classroom wins for you.
Microsoft Teams leans more toward high schools, colleges, and anyone who craves a full-featured digital campus plus seamless email calendars. It’s king for group projects (no more "lost files" excuses!) and really shines when you have Office 365 subscriptions. Some of Arnav’s older cousins, prepping for the JEE or even CMS exams, tell me that Teams lets them make private study channels, schedule revision calls, and submit files all in one place. Security and privacy? Top notch—good news for schools that care about student data.
Moodle is for the customizers. Open source, endlessly tweakable, and the secret sauce behind many universities’ online modules worldwide. In March 2025, it logged almost 80 million active monthly users—not bad for a platform you can literally mold around any syllabus. A lot of Indian engineering colleges and European universities use Moodle for their semester-long classes or exam preps. If your school craves total control and is willing to handle a little tech complexity, Moodle is the sandbox you want to build in.
So how do you pick? If you’re a schoolteacher with a Gmail account, Google Classroom makes life simple. If your college runs on Microsoft, Teams will sync everything in your academic life. For customizable, self-hosted courses—especially in higher education—Moodle is like the Linux of online classes. Each platform nails a different vibe, but all are racing for better features each year.
Specialty Platforms: When Zoom, Classroom, and Teams Just Don’t Cut It
Bored of the usual suspects? The world of online classes is wild and full of less famous platforms that rule in certain niches. Coursera, edX, and Udemy, for starters, dominate self-paced e-learning for adults. A 2025 report by Class Central pegged their combined users around 60 million—and their draw is big-name university professors, professional certificates, and on-demand learning. Want to learn Python from Stanford while living in Punjab? Just log in. Need a crash course in digital marketing with a certificate you can show your boss? That’s Udemy’s bread and butter.
But there are even more focused players. Byju’s and Unacademy now handle massive exam prep for millions of Indian students. Khan Academy’s video library empowers remote classrooms and homeschoolers in 190 countries. For techies, Codecademy and freeCodeCamp offer “learn by doing” programming lessons that won’t let you slack.
Language learners swear by Duolingo for quick, game-like lessons (over 80 million active monthly users), while big corporate houses are leaning into LinkedIn Learning for upskilling their teams. If you thought online learning is only for schools, you’ll be amazed that niche gyms, music schools, and even art instructors have built surprisingly loyal fanbases on Teachable and Thinkific, selling live or pre-recorded classes directly to eager learners. A neighbor of mine, who paints on weekends, now earns serious income from live art workshops streamed through these platforms—it’s the kind of work-from-home hustle that just didn’t exist a decade ago.
The takeaway? If you want structured, live, institution-backed classes, you stick with the big four: Zoom, Google Classroom, MS Teams, or Moodle. If you care about flexibility, learning new hobbies, or exam prep—there’s a sea of “specialty” platforms designed for exactly that. It’s smart to match your learning goals with the unique strengths of each.
Smart Tips for Picking the Right Online Class Platform
By now, your head might be spinning with choice (mine does every semester registration season). How do you choose the best online class platform for yourself, your kids, or even your workplace?
- Check the basics: Does it work on both your phone and laptop? How stable is it on shaky WiFi? My family tests platform apps on both Android and iOS before committing.
- Look for security:
- Zoom had security hiccups in 2020, but tightened up massively—always enable waiting rooms and disable random screen-share for outsiders. Google Classroom and Microsoft Teams use Google and Microsoft’s secure logins, which are among the best for school privacy.
- Free or paid:
- Zoom and Google Classroom provide 90% of features free—no hidden costs for basics like meetings and assignments. Specialty platforms (like Coursera, Udemy) might charge for certificates or premium content—check this before your credit card takes a hit.
- Integration with what you already use:
- If your school uses Gmail or Google Docs, Classroom will feel natural. Using Outlook or Word? Teams is better.
- Recorded classes:
- Many teachers and parents rely on class recordings for revision—Zoom and Teams offer easy upload and download options, vital for students who miss live lessons or need to study at their own speed.
- Tech support and help:
- Online learning is only easy if you can get help on glitches fast. Test the chat support or help forum of a platform before going all-in.
- Test drive first:
- Most platforms allow free trials or demo classes—jump in and see how it feels. My wife Anjali tested three platforms before settling on one for her book club’s online discussions.
- Remember bandwidth:
- Some platforms hog more data than others. If you often work on mobile data, lighter solutions like Google Classroom or Teams (for basic assignments/discussions) use less bandwidth than HD video meetings on Zoom.
And here’s a pro tip: ask your peers for a recommendation, but always test that it fits your unique schedule, tech, and budget. What works for Arnav—structured, teacher-led, and simple—won’t always suit a busy MBA student or a professional learning a new skill.
So, what’s the most used platform for online classes? If you define ‘used’ by live scheduled classes, Zoom wins hands down in 2025. But the right choice is personal: pick the tool that meshes with your work, learning style, and real-life needs. If you can stream a class, submit assignments with no drama, and actually enjoy the digital camaraderie—then you’ve found your champion.
About Author
I am a passionate education specialist residing in India, deeply engaged in analyzing and enhancing the Indian educational landscape. I frequently contribute articles on educational reforms and emerging pedagogical trends in India. As a writer, I am committed to shedding light on the evolving role of technology in our education system. I believe in the power of informed discourse to bring meaningful changes for future generations.
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