Looking for an alternative to Udemy when you want to take courses online?
It’s no wonder that online courses are all the rage these days. If you want to brush up on old skills, learn something new, or find a new hobby, there are plenty of online courses to choose from!
Not only are online courses extremely convenient (both in terms of location and scheduling), but they are also usually very affordable – especially when compared to the rising cost of college.
It’s also no wonder why people prefer Udemy over other online course websites. Udemy is one of the largest education portals on the market, with over 183,000 courses and 44 million students.
You can not deny that Udemy is a great option for taking courses online. However, there are many reasons why you should also look for alternatives to Udemy.
It’s possible that Udemy is overwhelmed with its options and offerings, that it’s too expensive, or that its certificates are not accredited, which is a problem for some. Others may simply be looking for options with a variety of courses that match their interests.
If you are looking for alternatives to Udemy, we have researched and compiled a list of the best alternatives for you.
Table of Contents
What to Consider When Choosing a Udemy Alternative?
Here is a list of features to consider when choosing the right Udemy alternative for yourself before we get to our list.
In addition to these features that make Udemy stand out, we think they should also be present in good online course platforms.
1. Interface
If you want your learning experience to be hassle-free and effortless, the first thing you should look for is whether the interface is intuitive and easy to use.
The programme’s interface should be comfortable for you to use from enrollment to course participation and even throughout the entire process.
2. The availability of free courses
Like Udemy, many platforms offer free courses in addition to their paid courses. This can be extremely useful not only for students on a budget, but also for those who want to learn new skills without having to pay for a full course.
You can then familiarise yourself with the skill before deciding to purchase it.
3. Number of courses
Free courses can be very tempting, but you should also pay attention to the number of courses available.
Some people like a wide range of options, while others may prefer a limited selection. Whatever you prefer, the list below is good for that.
4. Quality of courses
Some platforms require course instructors to meet certain professional requirements before their course videos can be published, but it can be quite difficult to judge.
In addition, many platforms offer courses that have been developed both in-house and by large companies. In this case, if you are not sure who your course instructor is, you can simply choose a course video from these creators.
5. Certifications
Certificates can make your learning worthwhile and help you stand out in interviews and promotions. Some online course platforms like Udemy and others offer such a certificate, while others do not. More important than the certificate itself is that it is accredited by a credible organization. Unfortunately, Udemy is not accredited.
Below we have compiled a list of Udemy alternatives that offer courses from a number of reputable institutions such as Harvard, Cambridge, and MIT.
6. Free Trial
Before you pay for an online course platform, you should be able to try it out. You can try Udemy alternatives for free to see if they are right for you before deciding whether to pay for an ongoing service.
10 Best Udemy Alternatives to Learn Online
1. Skillshare
You have probably come across Skillshare when looking for alternatives to Udemy or online courses in general.
For better or worse, the platform has been synonymous with online learning. Initially, there was too much junk because the platform relies solely on user-created content.
Fortunately, Skillshare has improved its testing procedures and is now considered one of the best e-learning platforms around.
The selection of courses on Skillshare is huge, and that’s a good thing. There are almost 30,000 courses available.
Among them are topics like macramé, programming, and foreign languages. No matter what your interests are, we have countless courses to choose from.
Unlike Udemy, Skillshare is a subscription-based site. The monthly subscription costs $19 per month, but the annual subscription costs $99 (or $8.25 per month).
Skillshare is the best Udemy alternative for you if you like to take a lot of courses on a lot of different topics.
Skillshare Pros
- Free trial: Skillshare offers a free trial of the paid premium membership so you can explore and enjoy the full range of courses.
- Community engagement: The community at Skillshare is very engaged, which makes the classes fun and interactive.
- Free classes: About 10% of Skillshare’s courses are free, which means 2,000 classes can be viewed for free.
- Open platform: Skillshare accepts courses from anyone who meets certain requirements.
- Affordable: Skillshare prices are affordable, especially if you choose an annual contract, because then you save almost 50%.
Skillshare Cons
- No certificates: When you complete a course, you do not receive certification (official or unofficial). Think of it as a platform for growth.
- A smaller number of courses: Skillshare specializes in creative and entrepreneurial niches. For this reason, the selection of courses is not as diverse as other platforms like Udemy or Coursera.
- There can be quality mismatches: Skillshare allows anyone to create a course, so the quality varies from course to course.
- Skillshare is only available in English: Although Skillshare offers courses in any language, there are not many languages other than English.
Skillshare vs Udemy
Udemy and Skillshare are the two e-learning platforms that are most similar, but Skillshare offers a more engaged community of learners than Udemy. Skillshare is a community focused on building skills and sharing knowledge.
You can do this in a variety of ways: comment on other students’ work, upload your own work to the Projects & Resources tab, or start a class community discussion.
So if you want to share your online learning experience with other learners, Skillshare is a platform you should consider.
2. Udacity
Udacity is more like a highly specialized vocational school, while Coursera imitates a college.
Nanodegree programs allow you to acquire in-depth knowledge on a particular topic in just a few months – or even weeks.
They mainly cover technical topics like data science, programming, and cloud computing, which is rather limited compared to other Udemy alternatives. There is no creative content here.
Most courses are billed on a monthly basis. So if you finish them earlier, you can save some money.
There are also a few hundred free courses on Udacity if you want to see what it’s all about before you spend any money.
Udacity’s Pros
- Content of the highest quality: Udacity develops its own content in collaboration with companies such as Google, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Mercedes, and Nvidia.
- User-friendly: The backend is simple and intuitive.
- Free courses: Udacity offers several free courses. This is a great way to learn what you can expect from this popular e-learning community.
- Certificates: Udacity offers nanodegrees (that’s what they call their programmes) that allow you to earn a certificate. You cannot access these features if you have a free account with Udacity. There is no accreditation for Udacity certificates as it is a private institution.
- Improve your CV: Udacity’s Nanodegree certificate is recognized by employers, even if they do not offer accredited graduate degrees. You can also consult a career counselor to help you find and improve your career path.
Udacity Cons
- Budget is required: Udacity isn’t cheap, as we’ll see later. You will need a budget to join one of their programs.
- A small community: The community behind the Udacity courses does not seem particularly engaging. It seems to be more of a solitary learning experience.
- A limited number of topics: Udemy and Coursera offer more variety than Udacity, but they offer a wide range of courses in computer science and business.
- English only: There is a multilingual website and backend, but the course materials are mainly in English – some courses have subtitles in other languages.
Udacity vs Udemy
At Udacity, companies like Mercedes and Google partner with Udacity to create nanodegrees (learning programs), resulting in the programs being highly regarded by prospective employees.
While it’s true that Udemy offers completion certificates when you complete a course, you are unlikely to take them too seriously since they are not accredited.
Also, Udacity offers career counseling and CV writing support.
All of these services are useful for advancing your career or starting your professional career. It’s worth checking out Udacity if this sounds like what you are looking for.
3. Coursera
You can also use Coursera as an online university if you are looking for a more solid alternative to Udemy.
The Stanford MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) platform was founded in 2012 by two Stanford professors.
A course has a similar format to a real university course and lasts between four and twelve weeks. For each course, there are lectures, homework, tests, and sometimes even a final exam.
The best part is that many of these courses are free.
If you want to pursue certification (or even a full bachelor’s or master’s degree), you’ll have to pay for it. Compared to other Udemy alternatives, the prices are much cheaper than at a real university. There is also financial aid to lessen the financial burden.
In addition to Coursera Plus, there is a subscription programme for extra dedicated learners. The cost is $399 per year for access to more than 3,000 courses (and certificates of completion).
In many ways, it replaces in-person continuing education, which is much more expensive.
Coursera Pros
- Degrees from Accredited Universities: Thanks to partnerships with top universities (including Imperial College and Stanford), you can earn accredited degrees online when you take a course with Coursera.
- Cost of tuition: The course fees are considerably lower than those of traditional colleges or universities.
- Free Courses: The majority of the courses are free, so you don’t have to worry about obtaining a certification.
- Offline learning:If you are offline, you can download Coursera’s app to access course material. This allows you to study and learn on the go.
- Quality of Courses: Top experts in their fields teach courses from world-class universities and companies.
Coursera Cons
- Pricing is confusing: There are a variety of pricing subscriptions, which can make it difficult to determine the total price of the course.
- Background knowledge required: Due to the nature of the course material, some courses may require prior knowledge. They are not always suitable for beginners.
Coursera vs Udemy
Udemy does not offer accredited courses to its learners. Coursera offers a wide range of professional and accredited learning programs, including courses, guided projects, specializations, professional certificates, Mastertrack certificates, and online degrees.
Then Coursera is the best option for you if you are looking for accredited recognition after successfully completing a course or learning program from a top college or institution like Imperial College or AWS (Amazon).
4. edX
EdX offers a similar experience to the two options above. More than 160 universities worldwide offer complete online courses.
Some of them offer university credit at a fraction of the cost of traditional universities. edX even offers complete master’s degrees that can be completed online!
Most courses are also free, but earning a certificate will cost you.
There is a set date for enrollment, but there is some flexibility when it comes to deadlines. Most courses last a few weeks and require students to work less than 10 hours per week.
The quality of the courses is excellent, as you would expect from the best universities in the world. However, there are some outdated courses and limited support, especially for free users.
If you enjoy learning online but are looking for something that leads directly to a degree or certification, edX is a good alternative to Udemy. However, the courses are less “fun” and more instructional.
edX Pros
- Accredited Certificates: Upon completion of the course, you will receive an accredited certificate.
- Partnerships: A number of prestigious universities and companies offer courses, such as Harvard, Berkeley, and Microsoft.
- 14-day Refund Policy: edX will give you a full refund immediately if you decide within 14 days that you do not want to continue with a verified course.
- A free audit of the course is available:
- You will have access to all course materials, except for graded assignments, and you will not receive a verified certificate at the end of the course. All other courses can be followed for free.
- Take your time to learn: Most of its courses can be started at any time and are self-paced.
edX Cons
- Limited Topics: Not all topics are available on edX, for example, baking or filmmaking are not included. EdX specializes in higher education and the sciences. Check out Skillshare or Udemy if you are looking for a broader range of topics
- There is no course structure: Courses on edX are developed by partners, who have the freedom to design courses as they wish. This can lead to inconsistency in course content.
edX vs Udemy
edX’s courses are offered in partnership with reputable academic institutions, which means that the faculty members teaching the programs are from those institutions. When you successfully complete a learning program at an accredited institution, you can be sure that the quality of teaching is of the highest standard.
Unlike Udemy, which allows anyone to teach their courses, the knowledge and quality of the courses might not be up to par. You should look at edX if you want top-notch teaching and accredited courses.
5. LinkedIn Learning
While you may not be familiar with LinkedIn Learning, the former name might sound familiar: Lynda.
In 2015, LinkedIn acquired Lynda (a year before LinkedIn was acquired by Microsoft) and in 2017 it was renamed LinkedIn Learning.
LinkedIn Learning’s courses focus primarily on job-related skills, as you might imagine. A certificate of completion can also be added directly to your LinkedIn profile to improve your visibility with potential employers.
There are a few Udemy alternatives that offer accredited certifications, but this is not one of them.
Jobs are not the only problem. There are also many creative courses, although most of them fall into the business and technology categories.
In all, there are more than 17,000 courses available, all of which require a one-time subscription fee. The monthly fee is $29.99 or $19.99 if you sign up for an annual subscription.
Plus, the courses are professionally produced and help you develop both soft and hard skills to improve your marketability. You can also start the 30-day free trial immediately by clicking below.
LinkedIn Learning Pros
- Free Trial: The free trial gives you access to 15,000+ courses and other resources.
- Offline viewing: Courses can be downloaded to the mobile app for offline viewing, making it super convenient when you’re on the go.
- Certificate completion: Completing a course and sharing it via your LinkedIn profile will earn you a certificate.
- Adapt your learning pace: Almost all of the courses are self-paced, so you can learn at your own pace and go back to review something if you need to.
- Multiple Languages: There is a language selector for the entire website, as well as courses in multiple languages.
LinkedIn Learning Cons
- No accredited certificates: You will receive a certificate of completion, but it is not an accredited certificate from a university or partner. You might want to check Coursera or edX if that’s what you are looking for.
- Limited course topics: You may not find a particular topic because LinkedIn Learning focuses on business, creative, and technology topics. In that case, check out platforms like Udemy, where you’ll find a wider selection of courses.
LinkedIn Learning vs Udemy
Although Udemy offers thousands of free courses, it is obvious that the free courses are not of the same standard as the paid courses.
The free trial offers full access to LinkedIn Learning’s course library (over 16,000), so you can explore the platform and see what it has to offer. LinkedIn Learning is a great solution if you want to get a feel for a platform before making a financial commitment.
6. Treehouse
Over 300 courses and nearly 300 workshops are available through Treehouse, an e-learning platform. Courses are offered on topics such as web development, mobile development and more.
There are two different learning programs for individuals: Courses and Techdegrees, all of which are subscription-based. In addition to video courses and quizzes, workshops and real-world projects are also offered.
Treehouse Pros
- Free Trial: The free trial gives you full access to the library of courses and resources for 7 days
- Real-life project experience: Treehouse courses focus on designing websites, web apps, mobile apps, and more.
- Courses of high quality: Its courses are created by Treehouse’s in-house experts who design interactive and engaging courses.
- Focused on your career: A number of its courses focus on giving you the skills to start a new career.
- Self-paced courses:Treehouse offers a variety of self-paced learning programs that allow you to learn when and where you want.
Treehouse Cons
- You will need a credit card: You will be required to enter your credit/debit card information when signing up for the free trial (you won’t be charged until the trial ends).
- Courses with limited enrollment: Due to their limited number of courses, LinkedIn Learning and Udemy may be worth a look if you are looking for more.
- Unaccredited: Sadly, its learning programs do not have official accreditation. edX or Coursera may be worth checking out if this is something you are interested in.
Treehouse vs Udemy
Treehouse offers highly interactive courses and techdegrees on technology. Courses consist of real-world projects such as website design, web apps, and mobile apps. Udemy courses focus on learning a new skill rather than real-world experiences.
When you take one of Treehouse’s learning programs, you’ll have a well-rounded portfolio of real-world projects. Give Treehouse a try if you are looking for something like this.
7. Pluralsight
PluralSight is one of the best Udemy alternatives for tech professionals. In addition to PluralSight Skills, the platform also offers an Enterprise Plan.
In this case, the above platforms do not provide you with any of the creative options. It all depends on your IT skills.
A wide range of topics are covered, including machine learning, artificial intelligence, IT security, and software development. For IT professionals looking to advance their careers, this is the perfect place to start.
There are plenty of exercises to practice and easy-to-follow courses.
Instead of paying for courses individually, the entire catalog is available as a subscription. Although it’s not cheap, it’s worth it if it can lead to a promotion or a job!
If you sign up for the annual subscription at $275, you can save more than 10%. There is also a premium plan for $410 that includes the IT certification exams.
Pluralsight Pros
- Free trial: You get ten days of free access to either of the course libraries or 200 minutes whichever comes first.
- Good support: Pluralsight offers email support that is available 24/7, as well as phone support and the option to submit a ticket if you have any questions or concerns.
- Courses for Individuals & Businesses: The courses have been designed to meet the needs of individual learners and teams.
- Course Learning Checks: To test retention of course material, short self-paced quizzes are provided.
- Offline and mobile downloads: The ability to download course material and watch videos offline makes it very convenient if you are on the go or going on a trip.
Pluralsight Cons
- Limited topics: Technology-based subjects are covered in the courses. It is worth checking out Udemy or Coursera if you are looking for a variety of topics.
- No free Courses: There are no free courses at Pluralsight, only a 10-day free trial. Check out other platforms such as Skillshare or edX if you are looking for free courses where you can learn at your own pace.
Pluralsight vs Udemy
Pluralsight’s courses aim to improve learners’ technology skills for the future. On the platform, you can take the free Skill and Role IQ assessments to measure your proficiency in a specific technology skill.
Based on the results, you will receive suggestions for improvement and courses you can take. The website does not offer this feature, and there are few hints to help you find the perfect course.
So, if you are looking for guidance and want to gain a specific technology skill or advance your career, Pluralsight is for you.
8. Datacamp
Datacamp, an online platform specializing in topics such as data science and analytics, opened its doors in 2013 and has since attracted more than 8 million participants worldwide.
Both personal and business plans are available, with the standard plan being the most popular with over 350 courses. They are all interactive and hands-on.
The Skill and Career Tracks programs offered by Datacamp consist of a combination of courses that help learners gain comprehensive knowledge and skills to succeed in their careers. It also helps companies to upskill their employees.
Datacamp Pros
- Engaging & Interactive: There are many videos and engaging exercises to complete in Datacamp courses, which emphasize interactive learning.
- Experts with experience: More than 270 experts from Caltech and Anaconda in the data science world.
- Free Plan: You can access the first chapters of courses and assessments for free with the Start For Free plan.
- Plans with clear pricing: It is refreshing to see a pricing plan page that is so clear and simple as not all online platforms are.
- A wide range of topics: Datacamp is for absolute beginners and learners with some experience. It has something for everyone.
Datacamp Cons
- There is no accredited certificate: Datacamp does not offer an official accreditation. Instead, it provides a Statement of Accomplishment upon successful completion of the course. If you are looking for a validated certificate, you should look at platforms like Coursera or edX.
- Lack of detail in video content: Some of Datacamp’s video tutorials are a little short and lack detail, so you may feel like something is missing.
Datacamp vs Udemy
Datacamp’s Skill and Career Tracks tell you everything you need to know about a career in Data Science.
Data Science Tracks are put together by experts who teach you everything you need to know to succeed in the field. In contrast, Udemy courses focus on learning skills without the goal of a future career.
You can gain the skills you need for a career in data science or analytics by enrolling in Datacamp’s Skill and Career Tracks.
9. Codecademy
Programming is taught online at Codecademy. You can choose from 14 different programming languages and 10 different subjects. Some of the courses are for beginners, so perfect for those who have no prior knowledge.
You can choose between a free basic plan and a paid Pro plan (which includes a 7-day trial). You’ll get peer support, real-world projects, step-by-step instructions, and certificates of completion.
Codecademy Pros
- Free Courses: The free plan at Codecademy offers interactive lessons and daily practice.
- Suitable for beginners: The interactive coding courses are easy to understand for complete beginners.
- Offering a wide variety: There are so many different programming languages covered on Codecademy – 14 in total, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and much more.
- Create a Portfolio: Your portfolio-worthy projects will be showcased to potential recruiters after you gain practical experience.
- Communities of Support: You can ask questions and get answers to your doubts to coaches, advisors, or other graduates.
Codecademy Cons
- There is no instructor bio: The creator of the course has limited information.
- Unaccredited: Since Codecademy’s courses and paths are not accredited, their certificates only serve as proof that you passed the course. If you are looking for a platform that offers accredited courses, it may be worth checking out Coursera or EdX.
Codecademy vs Udemy
If you are looking for an online learning platform, you can learn programming at Codecademy. Codecademy’s courses are easy to understand and suitable for beginners. Even though Udemy offers programming courses, you can be sure that Codecademy’s courses are tailored to all programming needs.
In addition, Codecademy offers career and qualification programs, as well as coding for teams and companies. Codecademy has everything you need if you are interested in programming.
10. MasterClass
The Udemy alternative MasterClass takes a very unique approach to online learning.
Courses on the platform are taught by well-known and respected professionals, many of whom are also celebrities.
For example, there’s Natalie Portman’s acting tips, Gordon Ramsay’s cooking tips, and Neil Gaiman’s guide to storytelling.
All instructors are top-notch and each course is immaculately produced.
Still, there are few courses. You pay more for quality than quantity.
As for payment, there is only one option, which is an annual subscription for $200.
Most online learners can not afford that, but MasterClass has a certain celebrity value that no other learning platform can match.
MasterClass Pros
- It’s fun: MasterClass is first of all fun because you get to watch celebrities teach you something that interests you.
- Produced well: Watching the first video for just 10 seconds, you’ll realize that the MasterClass videos are very well produced. There’s a cinematic feel to them.
- Top instructors:The MasterClass offers you the opportunity to learn a craft from world-renowned professionals. For example, Spike Lee teaches filmmaking or best-selling author Dan Brown teaches writing.
- Affordable: If you compare MasterClass to other educational platforms, it is cheap, but there are also very few courses compared to alternatives like Udemy or Skillshare.
- Refund policy that is generous: After purchasing a MasterClass membership account, you’ll have 30 days to request a refund, which is not bad at all.
MasterClass Cons
- There are no free courses: Unfortunately, MasterClass doesn’t offer any free courses, so you can’t test any course before you subscribe.
- The community isn’t the best: Spike Lee will not answer your questions about how best to adjust the camera for a particular scene (online). Lecturers represent the class, so they will not engage too much with the community. The instructors should be more concerned with the community.
- Goals in education: It doesn’t seem that the courses are that educational, even if they are structured and have goals. This is more like a TED Talk (on steroids) on a particular topic.
- There are only certain topics: The topics offered by MasterClass are not the most diverse. Sports, filmmaking, cuisine, writing, business, science, and politics are just some of the courses available.
- Reviews cannot be read: All courses have 5-star reviews, but you can’t read reviews from past students. So where did those reviews come from, and how come all the courses have a rating between 4.5 and 4.7?
MasterClass vs Udemy
MasterClass could be the platform you are looking for if you are looking for a lecturer or VIP to motivate and inspire you. Udemy does not offer this because the courses are filmed and put together by the individual instructors and they do not have the budget.
One of the first things you will notice about MasterClass is how beautifully put together and filmed the courses are.
At MasterClass, you are not learning a skill from scratch. Rather, it’s about motivating yourself to keep improving, and it helps if that motivation comes from a celebrity or VIP you may idolize.
MasterClass is the right choice if you are looking for a beautifully produced motivational video from an acclaimed teacher.
Conclusion: Udemy Alternatives
I am sure that after reading this comprehensive review of the Udemy alternative, you will better understand which platform is right for you.
Here are a few other things to consider before you do:
- What is your budget?
- Are you willing to commit a certain amount of time to the course?
- What is the real purpose of your learning experience?
Considering all of these factors, I believe you will make an excellent decision.