The Best Udemy Alternatives Today

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College credits, celebrity instructors, and free math help are just a few reasons to look beyond Udemy. This list of the best Udemy alternatives is the right place to start the search.

Of all the online learning platforms out there, few offer the selection of classes and affordability of Udemy. But while Udemy may be one of the premier learning platforms on the web, it isn’t the only option out there. Other quality online learning providers offer classes and content not found on Udemy. Some online course platforms even allow students to earn college credits and professional certifications. Although Udemy is well regarded for its instructors, other platforms feature classes taught by renowned professionals and celebrities. And while Udemy sells mainly complete courses, other platforms cater to students by giving them free access to specific lessons. Ahead, students can learn more about the best Udemy alternatives and what they have to offer.

BEST OVERALL: Skillshare
BEST FOR ADVANCED LEARNING: edX
BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Coursera
BEST FOR PROFESSIONALS: LinkedIn Learning
BEST FOR STUDENTS: Khan Academy
BEST FOR CODING: Codecademy
BEST FOR TECH: Udacity
BEST FOR CREATIVES: CreativeLive
ALSO CONSIDER: MasterClass

The Best Udemy Alternatives — Photo: istockphoto.com

What is Udemy?

Udemy is a platform that offers online virtual classes for lifelong learning. It’s one of the largest such sites, with hundreds of thousands of classes available. The site’s classes are wide-ranging, covering topics from cooking to pet training to selling real estate. Prices span from free to as much as $200 per course. Udemy’s course offerings vary in length from as little as 45 minutes to up to 17 hours. Students can purchase courses individually or subscribe to a plan called Udemy Personal that costs $30 a month and grants access to a large chunk of Udemy’s courses.

Since Udemy is not an accredited institution, most of its content does not allow students to earn college credits or certifications. This limitation, coupled with its eclectic mix of classes, makes the platform a good choice mainly for hobbyists looking to grow their knowledge and abilities in a particular area of interest and professionals who want to advance their skills in certain areas.

Learn more in our Udemy review.

What to Consider When Choosing One of the Best Udemy Alternatives

When selecting one of the best online course platforms, it’s crucial to consider a few important factors, including what subjects the site covers, pricing, and whether it offers accredited courses. Ahead, students can learn more about what to look for in an online course provider.

Areas of Learning

Perhaps the most important element to consider when shopping for an alternative learning platform to Udemy is finding one that meets the student’s needs. Students will want to consider what areas of learning interest them and choose an e-learning site that covers those areas.

There are many sites that focus on specific subjects, including business, arts, or computer science. Other platforms are similar to Udemy in that they offer thousands of courses covering a broader range of subject areas. The latter is ideal for those who have a diverse range of interests they want to pursue. Platforms that specialize in specific subjects will typically offer more in-depth courses in the subject areas they offer, making these platforms ideal for those who want to focus on a particular area of learning.

Credits, Degrees, and Certifications Available

One of the biggest reasons to look for an alternative to Udemy is to find accredited institutions and courses. Accredited online learning platforms or courses can offer college credits, professional certifications, and even complete degree programs. Students will want to be aware that institutions that do offer credits, degrees, and certifications often only do so for selected classes. If a student is looking for a class so they can earn credits or certification, they will want to carefully vet the courses that interest them. Students who are looking for college credits they can use at a different institution may want to contact their prospective school to see if credits from outside sources are accepted.

Trial Periods and Pricing

Online learning platforms vary in how they sell access to their courses. Some offer à la carte pricing, allowing students to pay for only the courses they want to take. Other platforms require students to sign up for either a monthly or annual subscription. Several platforms offer both options. While a subscription may make financial sense for students planning to take multiple courses from a single platform, a pay-per-course payment method is a better option for those interested in taking only a single class. Students who choose a subscription-based platform will want to review the trial period. Some sites allow students to use the service for 1 month before committing to an annual subscription, while others offer no trial period.

Refund Policy

One pitfall with online courses is that it can be difficult to vet the course before paying for it. Some students may sign up for a class and then find out it’s not what they thought it would be. To avoid paying for a course that doesn’t meet their needs, students can determine what the refund policy is for the course before committing to it. Some subscription-based services allow students to try out their platform for up to 30 days and still receive a refund, while others do not. Outlets that sell their classes individually may or may not offer a refund. Students will want to look for platforms that comprehensively describe the course content to avoid purchasing a class that doesn’t meet their needs.

User Reviews and Ratings

Online courses and teachers vary in quality, so vetting the course before paying for it is crucial, especially for online learning platforms that do not offer refunds. It’s wise to look for classes with a high volume of user reviews. These reviews allow prospective students to see what current and past students thought about the instructor and content. Reputable online learning platforms should enable students to leave ratings for the course after they’ve taken it and the option to write a course review that prospective students can read.

Our Top Picks

The diverse collection of Udemy competitors below includes online courses like Udemy that offer a broad range of courses for hobbyists as well as accredited sites for serious learners.

Best Overall

Skillshare

Specs

Areas of learning: Creative, business, lifestyle
Certifications available: Certificate of completion
Pricing: $165 per year
Trial period: 1 month free

Pros

Nearly 35,000 classes available across distinct areas of interest
Access to all site content for an annual price of $165
1-month free trial for new users
Active, engaged student and instructor community

Cons

Price structure not ideal for hobby learners

Why It Made the Cut: Skillshare rivals Udemy with its collection of some 35,000 classes and ability to promote a thriving community of teachers and students. Skillshare’s volume of diverse class offerings and active community of students and educators make it the best all-around alternative to Udemy for those who don’t mind the annual subscription-based price plan. Skillshare boasts some 35,000 classes covering everything from graphic design to film to sewing, and subscribers can access all of the site’s material. It differentiates itself from Udemy by focusing on creative fields, and many of the classes feature award-winning experts who are well known in their areas of expertise. Skillshare also has features that promote communication with other students and instructors, helping enrich the learning experience. With its rating and review system, students can also thoroughly vet each course before taking it. Skillshare allows students to try the site for up to 1 month at no charge.

Best for Advanced Learning

edX

The Best Udemy Alternatives edX — Photo: edx.org

Areas of learning: Arts, humanities, STEM, business, social sciences
Certifications available: Verified professional certificate, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, college credits (varies by university)
Pricing: Free; about $50 to $300 for individual courses
Trial period: N/A

Pros

Wide range of free courses from accredited universities available
Professional boot camp courses offered through prestigious universities
Option to earn college credits and degrees online

Cons

Relatively significant time commitment of several weeks may be required

Why It Made the Cut: edX offers course credits, degrees, and certifications via partnerships with some of the world’s top learning institutions. Those looking for an online education platform that will allow them to earn college credits, professional certifications, and even full degrees will find edX to be a standout choice. It accomplishes this feat through partnerships with an impressive list of accredited colleges and universities, including Harvard University, New York University, University of California Berkeley, and the Sorbonne. Courses cover diverse subject areas including education, electronics, computer science, literature, law, and environmental studies. edX also offers “boot camp” courses that come with university-backed certifications in such areas as data analytics, cybersecurity, and coding that allow students to gain certification in a relatively short period. When it comes to Udemy vs. edX, edX is certainly an option for more focused learners. Students who are pursuing credits or certification will want to be aware that these courses cost more and require a significantly greater time commitment than courses for hobbyists. But edX allows students to access course content for free by auditing the classes.

Best Bang for the Buck

Coursera

Areas of learning: Arts and humanities, STEM, business, social sciences
Certifications available: Verified professional certificate, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, college credits (varies by university)
Pricing: Free; $399 per year or $59 per month for Coursera Plus; about $30 to $100 for individual courses
Trial period: 7 days free for Coursera Plus

Pros

Wide range of free courses from accredited universities available
Relatively affordable certificate programs
Option to earn college credits and degrees online

Cons

Reports of limited support capabilities

Why It Made the Cut: Coursera offers perhaps the most affordable way to take college courses and gain professional certifications. Coursera offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees, college credits, and professional certifications in the STEM, business, social sciences, and arts and humanities fields. The paid courses are relatively affordable, ranging from $30 to $100 per course. Students can also opt to pay $399 a year or $59 a month for access to courses through the Coursera Plus subscription service. While this pricing makes it a great option for those looking for an affordable way to take classes that will help them meet their professional goals, students will want to be aware that Coursera users report that the site offers little support from instructors or company representatives. But since users can audit Coursera classes and learn all of the material without paying a dime, prospective students can easily ascertain whether or not a course is right for them before committing.

Best for Professionals

LinkedIn Learning

Areas of learning: Business, technology, creative
Certifications available: Certificate of completion
Pricing: $239.88 per year or $39.99 per month
Trial period: 1 month free

Pros

Wide range of professional skills taught across many industries
Live webinars with instructors and industry experts
1-month free trial for new users

Cons

Somewhat intimidating library of content

Why It Made the Cut: LinkedIn Learning’s formidable collection of courses allows its members to advance their skills while providing them with another means to network. Most people think of LinkedIn as a site for advancing their careers through networking. While that may be true, LinkedIn also happens to offer a wide range of classes for earning various professional certifications. These classes cover a broad range of industries and can help students advance their careers by making them more marketable to employers. Additionally, the courses serve as a means for professionals to interact with the experts in their field who teach them.

While LinkedIn Learning’s online class offerings are vast, they can be a challenge to navigate. The site’s limited course descriptions and lack of organization can make it difficult for students to identify the courses that best meet their needs. In order to access this content, LinkedIn customers can purchase either a monthly subscription, which costs $39.99 per month, or an annual subscription, which is $239.88. There’s a 1-month free trial for new users, and students can also gain access to live webinars where they can ask questions and hear industry experts interact.

Best for Students

Khan Academy

Areas of learning: Math, science, computing, humanities, language arts, life skills, economics, standardized test prep
Certifications available: None
Pricing: Free
Trial period: N/A

Pros

Totally free of cost
Learning materials for students from pre-kindergarten through college
Self-paced, personalized learning

Cons

Reports of potentially inconsistent material quality

Why It Made the Cut: Khan Academy’s lesson approach and coverage of pre-K to AP material make it an ideal online study source for students. Students looking for help preparing for that upcoming geometry test of biology quiz can look no further than Khan Academy. This online learning platform helps fill in learning gaps for students ranging in age from preschool through college with video and written tutorials covering everything from trigonometry to world history. Users do report that while the math and science sections are high quality, some errors have been spotted in reading-comprehension lessons. However, Khan Academy does appear to have a receptive support team to remedy these issues.

When it comes to Udemy vs. Khan Academy, the latter makes its content available through individual lessons. This design allows students to zero in on specific lessons that align with what they’re learning in school. It also makes it easier for students to focus on gaps in their knowledge or to use Khan to prepare for assessments that focus on specific skills. Since Khan Academy is a nonprofit organization that offers its content for free (though the site does welcome donations), it’s a great option for full-time students.

Best for Coding

Codecademy

Areas of learning: Programming, web development, data science, web design, cybersecurity, machine learning
Certifications available: Certificate of completion, professional certifications
Pricing: Free; $209.88 per year or $34.99 per month for Plus plan; $360 per year or $60 per month for Pro plan
Trial period: N/A

Pros

Intuitive, interactive learning platform
Active, engaged student community
Wide array of free student resources

Cons

Somewhat limited free classes

Why It Made the Cut: The depth of Codecademy’s coding classes and wealth of support material makes it a premier online programming-education platform. With its learn-by-doing approach and vibrant student community, Codecademy is the best online option for those looking to pursue a career in programming or just learn enough to write the code for a personal website. Codecademy takes a hands-on approach to learning with lessons, with students writing code from the start. Understanding that students often run into walls when going through the learning process, Codecademy promotes interaction between students with the idea that they can help each other work through roadblocks.

While Codecademy does offer some free content, most is limited to older coding languages. Access to most of Codecademy’s content requires one of the platform’s paid subscriptions. Codecademy also includes a broad range of support materials to accompany the classes, including cheat sheets and video tutorials. After getting a few classes under their belts, students can test their abilities through Codecademy’s code challenges, based on real-world interview assessments from such tech companies as Google, Amazon, and Meta.

The Best Udemy Alternatives Today

What is Udemy?