Online Software Skills Courses

Teach Excel, design or other software skills to individuals through live online classes.

Instructor teaching software skills to students at computers in a classroom.
Startup cost£100 to £1k
Monthly revenue£300 to £3k
Time needed6+ h/week
First incomeWeeks
  • £100-1k
  • Side hustle
  • Online

Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.

What it is

Live or part-recorded online courses teaching one software skill, such as Excel, Canva, Power BI or Adobe tools, to small groups.

Your first three steps

  1. Pick one software package and one audience, such as Excel for office admins, and outline a short course
  2. Run a discounted pilot class with a few friends or contacts and collect feedback
  3. Set up a simple booking page and share it in local business groups and on LinkedIn
Who pays

Individuals upskilling for work or career change, and small employers paying for a few staff.

How it makes money

Course fees per learner, either one-off or as a short course bundle, plus optional extras like follow-up support or templates.

Skills that help
  • Strong skills in the software you teach
  • Clear explanation for beginners
  • Planning lessons and course materials
Watch out for
  • Check the licence terms of any software or screenshots you use in course materials
  • Check data protection rules (UK GDPR) for learner details and any recordings, and whether you need to register with the ICO
  • Avoid claiming courses are accredited or lead to a qualification unless an awarding body has actually approved them
  • Check whether you need insurance such as professional indemnity or public liability

🔒 Full research report for UK

Real cost breakdown with current prices, licences and registration checklist, local competition, pricing, break-even and a 30-day launch plan, with sources.

Coming soon

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start teaching software courses online?

Startup costs are typically around £100 to £1,000, depending on your software, equipment, course materials and any booking platform. These are estimates, so plan your own spending before you launch.

How much can online software courses earn?

Monthly revenue is typically around £300 to £3,000, depending on the courses you offer, your pricing and how many learners or employers book. These are estimates, and results will vary as you build an audience.

What rules should I check before selling software training online?

Check software licence terms for any screenshots in your materials, and UK GDPR rules for learner details and recordings, including whether you need to register with the ICO. Avoid claiming accreditation unless approved, and check insurance such as professional indemnity.

Other ways to run this business

Similar teaching and tutoring ideas

Photo: StockSnap on Pixabay

More ideas →