Coursera is a popular platform for e-learning, which is great for both people with and without degree programs.
This service allows customers to create educational courses.
These courses can then be sold to make a profit.
If you are searching for some alternatives to Coursera, you’ve come to the right place!
This guide will tell you everything you need to know about the best Coursera alternatives, including their advantages and disadvantages.
So without further ado, let’s dive into some of the platforms that can be used instead of Coursera!
Coursera Alternatives You’ll Love
As a course creation and e-learning platform, there are tons of different alternatives to Coursera.
They offer similar features and services but tend to have a different focus.
For instance, they tend to cover different topics.
Here are the best substitutes for Coursera:
LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn is a popular social networking site that has a digital learning platform, which is called LinkedIn Learning.
Originally known as Lynda.com, this platform was taken over by LinkedIn in 2015.
This alternative to Coursera has a more limited focus than some of the other platforms on this list.
LinkedIn Learning is focused on business and technology. (Check out our detailed article ‘Coursera Vs Linkedin Learning‘)
There is also a section dedicated to creative topics, though this tends to be smaller than the business and technology sections.
Among the most popular courses on LinkedIn Learning are the ones that cover subjects like data analysis, data science, computer skills, and time management.
So if you believe that these topics could be valuable to you, it may be worth signing up for LinkedIn Learning.
There are more than 20,000 courses on LinkedIn Learning.
This number is continuously growing, as courses are added to the platform constantly.
This platform is particularly great if you’re a LinkedIn user, as any certifications that you warm will automatically appear on your profile.
Pros Of LinkedIn Learning
- LinkedIn Learning is ideal for people interested in technology and business courses.
- You can pick up skills related to the world of industry and employment. Consequently, you will learn very practical skills.
- There’s a solid connection between LinkedIn and LinkedIn Learning.
- Students can earn certificates when they complete a course.
- High-quality lessons that are taught by knowledgeable teachers.
- Quizzes and learning exercises are a part of many of these online courses.
Cons Of LinkedIn Learning
- The content is more limited than its e-learning rivals. As mentioned, it primarily focuses on technology and business.
- The pricing model could have more versatile options.
- Not many advanced courses. Instead, the courses are more aimed at beginners.
Udemy
Up next, Udemy is another commonly used alternative to Coursera.
Udemy is used by more than 50 million people across the world.
The digital learning platform is home to more than 210,000 courses.
Like other platforms, Udemy houses courses that cover an assortment of different topics.
Yet, it’s worth considering that many of these courses are related to employment. (Check out our detailed article ‘Which Is Better Udemy Or Coursera? Honest Review 2023‘)
As a consequence, Udemy covers work-related topics like finance, business, marketing, and personal development.
However, there are other subjects found on this platform, including design, photography, and music.
So whether you are looking for a professional or personal development course, Udemy will likely cover it.
It’s something of a Swiss army knife, as it’s a good general e-learning site that’s suitable for most people.
This includes students and teachers alike.
On the other hand, one could make the case that Udemy is best suited for people who are looking to grow from a professional perspective.
Pros Of Udemy
- Some of the courses on Udemy are incredibly cheap. There’s even a plethora of free classes on Udemy.
- Udemy’s content is extensive. It covers a wide range of subjects, so you’re sure to find something suitable for you!
- When you buy a course, you will gain access to it forever.
- Many of the instructors are well-informed and passionate about the content.
- There are regular sales and discounts applied so you can grab a real bargain.
Cons Of Udemy
- Courses vary in price dramatically. As a result, you can end up spending a lot of money on the online course of your dreams.
- There aren’t any accredited courses on this platform.
- Course quality can also differ dramatically.
Skillshare
The chances are that you’re already familiar with Skillshare.
This is one of the most famous and widely-used online learning platforms on the market.
Founded in 2010, Skillshare is one of the oldest entries on this list.
Though its courses are not accredited, they can nonetheless teach students valuable skills and information. (Check out our detailed article ‘Which Is Better Skillshare or Coursera? Honest Review 2023′)
There are thousands of courses on this platform.
These massive open online courses cover a broad spectrum of topics.
Yet, many of them are centered around creative endeavors, such as graphic design, music, creative writing, and photography.
But some courses cover business and technology.
So if you are interested in any of these subjects, Skillshare may be the perfect option.
The courses on Skillshare can be taught by anyone, which means that their quality varies drastically.
The good news is that many of the course creators are leaders in their industry, meaning that customers can receive invaluable advice.
One of the benefits of this e-learning platform is that you may take classes whenever you fancy.
As a result, it’s super simple to organize them around your schedule.
Pros Of Skillshare
- Skillshare has a massive number of courses.
- Courses cover an impressive range of subjects.
- You can participate in a free trial that allows you to determine whether or not Skillshare is right for you.
- Courses are regularly updated so that you have even more access to learning content.
- Some course teachers are celebrities, which adds a certain level of exclusivity to the platform.
Cons Of Skillshare
- The quality of the content varies considerably. This is because anyone can become a teacher since there is no approval system.
- The style of teaching can also fluctuate largely.
- Billing issues seem to be quite common among customers.
Pluralsight Skills
First established in 2004, Pluralsight Skills is a service dedicated to providing educational videos.
This platform is especially focused on tech skills, which means that it has a more narrow focus than other Coursera substitutes.
The good news is that these courses are taught by subject-matter experts, who will be well-informed about the content.
As a result, you can rest assured that you will receive plenty of helpful tips and tricks. (Check out our detailed article ‘Pluralsight Vs Coursera: Which LMS is the best?’)
This tech-related content covers topics such as software development, programming languages, machine learning, and cloud computing.
Pluralsight Skills also has two different memberships, namely standard and premium.
This allows you to choose the membership scheme that works best for you.
Pros Of Pluralsight Skills
- Annual or monthly payment models.
- The instructors are highly educated, which means that you don’t have the same fluctuation in quality that is an issue with other platforms.
- Great for tech-related content.
- Courses are regularly updated so that students can receive the latest information.
- Standard and premium membership.
Cons Of Pluralsight Skills
- Most courses aren’t accredited.
- Pluralsight doesn’t have the best range of content. Most of it focuses on technology, which may not be suitable for everyone.
- Course videos can be quite lengthy.
Masterclass
Formed in 2015,
This means that the course teachers are extremely knowledgeable.
In general, this has meant that the quality of the courses is much higher than on other platforms.
Many of these classes are taught by celebrities.
As a result, students can experience the high-quality vibe of this platform. (Check out our detailed article ‘Masterclass Vs Coursera (detailed comparison 2023)’)
Among the celebrities who teach classes through
Masterclass has access to a wide range of different course subjects, such as sports, food, science, wellness, and music.
Thus, you can learn about pretty much whatever you want through
Pros Of Masterclass
- Masterclass offers memberships based on the number of users. For instance, you can sign up for a family membership. This increases the versatility of the platform.
- Courses are taught by experts. These well-known names tend to be charismatic individuals who are excellent at teaching.
- Generally, the course content is of exceptional quality.
- These classes tend to be short and sweet, which is ideal if you prefer bitesize content.
- Masterclass is ideal for creative content. So if you want to pick up a new creative skill, this platform is perfect for you.
Cons Of Masterclass
- This platform can be a little more expensive than other e-learning sites. After all, you are paying to be taught by well-known experts.
- Though classes cover a range of topics, the number of courses is smaller than some of the other alternatives.
- You won’t earn certificates or qualifications through
Masterclass .
Khan Academy
Khan Academy is a little different from the other alternatives to Coursera in that it’s a non-profit organization.
As a result, Khan Academy is completely free to use. Simply choose a free course and you’re ready to learn!
So if you are looking for a cheaper Coursera alternative, Khan Academy is an excellent choice.
It’s worth bearing in mind that Khan Academy is aimed at preschool, high school, and college-level students.
This is great if you are looking for a way to educate kids, Khan Academy is amazing.
Yet, it may not be suitable for more advanced students.
Khan Academy is great for traditional academic pursuits.
This includes topics like math, computing, humanities, economics, and language courses.
It can also be used to prepare for official tests, such as the SATs.
Pros Of Khan Academy
- This platform is entirely free!
- Anyone can sign up for Khan Academy.
- Courses are devised by experts, ensuring that content is relevant and informative.
- It covers different grade levels. As a result, school students can easily find content that’s relevant to them.
- A wide variety of academic subjects are covered.
- A variety of teaching styles are implemented, such as quizzes and videos.
- There is a gamified quality to this platform, which is a wonderful way of motivating young learners.
Cons Of Khan Academy
- Because it’s primarily aimed at students, Khan Academy may not be appropriate for more advanced learners.
- Khan Academy is geared toward students in the United States. Students from other countries may not find this platform to be as useful.
- Some students may struggle with the less interactive elements of Khan Academy.
edX
Our final pick is edX. This platform was created by two of the biggest universities in the US, namely Harvard and MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology).
As a result, you can rely on this platform to provide excellent educational content. (Check out our detailed article ‘Coursera Vs Edx: Which platform Is the best‘)
The range of subjects encompassed by edX is truly masterful.
It covers popular and less popular subjects alike, including architecture, economics & finance, computer science, medicine, humanities, law, ethics, and literature.
As a result, if you are looking to study some more academic subjects, edX may be a good replacement for Coursera.
Some of the courses on the site are even free courses. Therefore, you can learn something new without having to pay anything.
Pros Of edX
- Course content is delivered by world-leading academic institutions.
- Certificates are offered by these institutions. So you will have something to add to your resume after studying through edX.
- Courses cover a range of academic topics, meaning that it’s easy for students to find something suitable for them.
- Class content is quite deep.
- A range of teaching styles is employed so that students can learn in whatever way suits them best.
Cons Of edX
- The design of the website isn’t overly user-friendly.
- Masters-level content can be quite costly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Coursera Better Than LinkedIn Learning?
It’s tough to say. Both of these platforms are great.
LinkedIn Learning has a larger number of courses than Coursera. However, the course content on Coursera covers a wider range of topics.
What Is The Best Online Learning Platform?
This is a subjective question, and it depends on whether you want free or paid courses, so it’s entirely up to you which of these learning platforms is best.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are lots of different e-learning platforms that are akin to Coursera. So if you don’t want to use this service, there are plenty of other options out there for you to explore.
So why not give one of these platforms a try? Who knows, you could learn something new!
