As a way of obtaining more information, learning new skills, and boosting certifications, eLearning has become a popular alternative for students and professionals of all types from across the world.
Coursera, one of the most prominent eLearning platforms, offers many free and paid courses from major universities and other institutions.
Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC), a free course of study made available to an enormous number of individuals over the Internet, are gaining popularity at an alarming rate. Coursera is one of the leading learning platforms that provide massive open online courses (MOOCs) on various topics.
Coursera’s mission is to make high-quality education available to almost everyone. Coursera collaborates with more than 150 prestigious institutions and colleges from across the world.
Coursera now offers over 2,500 courses, hundreds of specializations, and four academic degrees to nearly 40 million learners. The classes are entirely online.
There is a Coursera app for your smartphone as well. Once you’ve enrolled in your preferred course, you’ll have access to the study materials and other resources at any time and from any location.
Coursera is excellent for people who wish to learn something new or improve their abilities, mainly if the coursework is career-related.
However, Coursera is definitely not for everyone. For starters, it is tailored to university learning, so if you are not a big fan of conventional school-styled teaching, you may not like it on Coursera.
Moreover, Coursera is not always beginner-friendly as a lot of its courses require that you have prior knowledge of the subject.
If you’ve tried Coursera before and decided it’s not for you, you should undoubtedly check out these 10 Coursera alternatives and rivals, which offer just as many fantastic courses.
Best Coursera Alternatives
1. Udemy
Udemy, one of the most well-known eLearning sites like Coursera, boasts of having the broadest variety of courses available, with over 100,000 alternatives to pick from.
There are several themes to select from, ranging from music to business to personal development, and many new talents to master. The best thing is that, like Coursera, Udemy provides both free and paid courses (though the latter option is more common).
Of course, the platform has certain downsides. Because there is so much diversity, you may spend too much time browsing through the courses to get precisely what you need.
You may aid the process by using the filtering and classification options. Another disadvantage is that Udemy allows nearly anybody to become a teacher, so you must first check the instructor’s qualifications before enrolling in a course.
Courses vary in length and cost, so even if you have a limited budget, you should be able to find something worthwhile. When you finish a course, you will be given a certificate to prove it.
In addition, after you sign up, you will receive a custom list of suggested courses based on your personal information.
Another thing to keep in mind is that Udemy usually has cheap courses available, so keep a lookout for these as well.
Coursera vs. Udemy
Udemy operates on a pay-per-course model, with individual course prices ranging from $19.99 to $199.99.
Individual courses on Coursera range in price from $29 to $99, with the possibility of earning an online degree for about $25,000.
Udemy’s strength is the number of courses it offers (over 150,000), whereas Coursera offers almost 4000 courses and is affiliated with 200 colleges.
Pros
- It is very affordable
- They offer free courses
- They provide a 30-day refund policy
- Udemy offers lifetime access
- Udemy also offers a wide variety of courses
- They also offer a Certificate at Completion
Cons
- Non-accredited certificates
- Udemy doesn’t create course content
- There is no quality control of courses
2. edX
edX, like Coursera and Udemy, is unquestionably one of the top three most popular eLearning platforms available today.
The finest institutions from across the world provide a variety of free courses from which to select. Harvard, MIT, UC Berkeley, The University of Texas, Boston University, The University of Queensland, and many more colleges and institutes provide courses on the platform.
Although all programs on edX are free, you can obtain a certificate of completion for a nominal cost. There is something for everyone regarding course topics, which span from computer science to literature to business.
Furthermore, several language courses are available, including some that explicitly prepare you for examinations such as the TOEFL or IELTS.
Coursera vs. edX
Coursera and edX are the two most prominent MOOC providers.
In both scenarios, the courses are in-depth and designed by some of the world’s most prestigious institutions. Therefore, it is impossible to say which of the two is the better supplier.
Every decision is based on your specific learning objectives as well as the course you took. As a result, we suggest that you test the courses you’re interested in on Coursera and edX using the free version.
Consider user evaluations for direction, as well as alternative course providers. One complaint applies to both providers – Coursera and edX leave you mostly on your own.
Pros
- edX offers accredited certificates
- edX provides an opportunity for partnerships
- The platform offers a 14-day refund policy
- Unlike most edX alternatives, it offers a free course audit option as well.
- You can learn at your own pace
Cons
- The edX platform offers limited topics
- edX does not have a course structure
3. MasterClass
MasterClass, a popular Coursera alternative, is an exception. The website is well-known for providing individual lessons taught by industry specialists, and it now offers over 100 programs in 11 different fields.
Of course, the cost isn’t the most affordable ($180 each year), but it’s well worth it if you’d like to learn from the experts.
- Martin Scorsese will teach you filmmaking
- Neil Gaiman will coach you on the art of storytelling
- Gordon Ramsay will teach you the beautiful art of cooking
- Tony Hawk will teach you the intricacies of skateboarding
- Alicia Keys will teach you Billboard’s standard ways of songwriting
- Marc Jacobs will teach you runway-worthy fashion design
- Bob Iger will coach you on business strategies
Coursera vs. MasterClass
MasterClass offers over 75 classes with an average of 20 10-minute sessions per class. The teachers design each course, which generally includes pre-recorded video content, a PDF of a class workbook, interactive assignments, and community activities.
While MasterClass relies on celebrities to attract students, Coursera provides courses taught by qualified teachers from world-renowned colleges and educational organizations.
The website also offers genuine recognized online degree programs in business, computer science, and data science while collaborating with Carnegie Mellon, Columbia, Duke, and Stanford.
Pros
- MasterClass parades lots of legendary teachers
- The platform videos are of top-notch video quality
- They have Quick Lists of content
- They also offer a variety of classes
- They also have a mobile app
- The platform is highly approachable
Cons
- The platform is not a replacement for traditional education
- They have pre-taped classes
- MasterClass has a Community feature
4. Udacity
Udacity, like the Coursera competitors highlighted above, is an outstanding eLearning service that provides courses in programming, data science, artificial intelligence, and digital marketing sectors. As a result, you will be gaining technological skills.
Even though their course selection is significantly smaller (just a few hundred courses), they are deliberately selected and of superb quality.
Even though their course selection is significantly less, they are carefully picked and of the best quality.
Indeed, Udacity is well-known for providing so-called “nano degrees,” or courses that provide information on specific areas that might assist professionals in enhancing their skills.
However, this does not imply that these courses are brief – you will most certainly need to commit to many months of learning as Udacity’s courses may be very extensive, but they are well worthwhile.
Coursera vs. Udacity
One of the most important features is the value for money when it comes to online learning platforms.
When we compare Udacity to Coursera, it is clear that Udacity provides better value for money than Coursera.
Furthermore, when comparing the overall quality of content and learning material, we can observe that Udacity provides superior content quality than Coursera.
When comparing the number of courses available on these two e-learning sites, Coursera offers a more excellent selection of about 3900.
However, when it comes to the number of languages accessible, it is evident that Udacity has a larger language count than Coursera, with ten languages available in this Udacity vs. Coursera comparison.
Pros
- They offer only top-quality content
- The platform is easy to use
- Udacity offers free courses
- They also provide certificates
- It’s a platform to help Improve your CV
Cons
- It’s pretty pricey, so you’ll need a budget
- The platform does not have an app
- They have limited topics
- It’s available only In English
5. Skillsoft
Skillsoft is one of the leading Coursera alternatives, with over 180 thousand resources on IT, business, leadership, compliance training, and several other areas.
Skillsoft, like Treehouse, offers a free trial period, after which you may pick from a variety of membership packages.
Though courses are the primary emphasis of Skillsoft, you also receive access to videos and books on the topic you wish to learn about.
The platform is also available in 160 countries and 29 languages, making it an excellent choice even for specialists from non-English-speaking nations.
Coursera vs. Skillsoft
Coursera is well-organized. They collaborate with the world’s most prestigious educational institutions.
As a result, they are highly “current” regarding themes of interest and new courses. Skillsoft covers many topics, including desktop/office skills, communications skills, and leadership development.
Skillsoft also provides knowledge portals centered on specific topics such as Management Development, Six Sigma, Professional Foundations, Sales, and so on, which collect material from the vast Skillsoft resources and deliver it valuable and relevant to the learners.
In addition, each month, editors refresh the featured topic.
Pros
- The website offers a wealth of educational resources.
- The Skillsoft platform is available in desktop, laptop, and tablet formats, making it available at all times.
- The scope and depth of reporting provided by Skillsoft are impressive.
- Assigning anything inside the platform is pretty easy from an administrative viewpoint and does not need any prior expertise to use.
Cons
- The platform can enhance its response time for support.
- They deleted what was known as “knowledge centers,” which were collections of books, courses, tests, practice exams, articles, and any asset inside the platform encircled by a specific subject.
- Because the platform’s library may be modified, it might not be easy to edit or update specific components inside Skillsoft.
6. Pluralsight Skills
Pluralsight Skills, like Udacity, is a Coursera alternative that concentrates on tech-related topics rather than offering a diverse range of courses from several sectors.
Pluralsight Skills is especially beneficial to developers and IT professionals since it helps them to enhance their existing certifications while also allowing beginners to acquire new skills from the ground up.
The best part about Pluralsight Skills is that it provides courses on the most prominent technologies of the moment, such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and many others.
You can select a monthly or yearly membership, a regular or premium subscription, and an individual or team subscription.
Coursera vs. Pluralsight Skills
To appreciate the strengths and distinctions of each platform, you must first understand what they provide.
Both provide a lot of technical information, but when should you select Pluralsight over Coursera or vice versa? Both sites are eager to give courses that offer certificates upon completion, but Coursera takes the notion to a whole new level.
Pluralsight has established itself as one of, if not the premier platforms for developers and programmers wanting to expand their skill set.
This is not by chance. Pluralsight has discovered a winning instructional formula for its courses that have already aided thousands of developers.
Moreover, Coursera is fundamentally intellectual, having been founded by professors and mainly taught by professors.
As a result, Pluralsight has risen to prominence as the leading online resource for cutting-edge IT research, developer-focused courses, and professional certification preparation.
Pros
- It is translated into almost all languages.
- The platform also offers offline and mobile downloads.
- They offer up-to-date courses.
Cons
- There are more ways to search/browse.
- You can’t filter/sort on ratings, etc.
- Chatting support is only available for premium users.
- You cannot share on LinkedIn.
7. Skillshare
Skillshare is a reputable Coursera alternative that has grown in popularity in recent years due to its inviting community and lessons on a wide range of topics.
There is so much to pick from, from cinematography to programming to DIY approaches to business.
Rather than depending only on colleges, as some other platforms do, Skillshare allows experts from many sectors to design their courses.
Signing up for Skillshare is free, and you will immediately get access to thousands of free lessons. Nevertheless, for a modest (monthly or yearly) price, you may receive access to all of the other premium classes, which implies you won’t have to pay for each premium class separately.
The platform also takes a unique approach to “learning by doing,” which means that you will frequently be required to complete projects as part of taking a specific course. Skillshare, on the other hand, does not issue certificates.
Therefore the tasks you complete and the information you gain will be your sole proof that you finished specific courses on the platform.
Coursera vs. Skillshare
When it comes to online learning platforms, one of the essential characteristics is the value for money.
When we compare Coursera with Skillshare, it is clear that Coursera provides a better value for the money. Examining the overall quality of content and learning material, we can observe that Coursera provides superior content quality than Skillshare.
Now looking at the number of courses available on these two e-learning sites, Coursera offers a more extensive selection (approximately 3900).
When it comes to the number of languages accessible, it is evident that Coursera has a larger language count than Skillshare, with ten languages available in this Coursera vs. Skillshare comparison.
Pros
- The platform offers free classes
- It is affordable
- They also provide a free trial
- They have an engaged community
- They also provide a big pool of classes
Cons
- There are no certificates
- There is no quality control
- It is only available in English
8. FutureLearn
FutureLearn is another Coursera alternative that provides a wide range of classes from prestigious colleges and institutions such as the University of Michigan, King’s College London, Johns Hopkins University, The Open University, British Council, etc.
FutureLearn provides an extensive range of language courses in addition to history and business courses.
Most courses on the site are free unless you want to access assessments or certifications. Certificate and degree programs are pay-as-you-go, so you won’t have to worry about paying for them right away.
Coursera vs. FutureLearn
It is tough to choose between FutureLearn and Coursera because both services overlap. FutureLearn and Coursera both offer accreditation and are primarily regarded as two of the top MOOCs available today.
Although Coursera has more courses than FutureLearn, they are both excellent learning platforms in their own right.
FutureLearn is adaptable enough to teach you specific courses while still being comprehensive enough to provide you with a complete college education.
Coursera offers college-level classes taught by actual university professors – the ease of a MOOC combined with the benefits of a university.
Pros
- You can quickly check out courses for free without payment.
- There are good quality courses from reputable institutions.
- The platform is a clean, fuss-free website.
- You have the chance to receive credit towards formal qualifications.
Cons
- The platform offers no mobile app.
- There isn’t much from US colleges.
- The platform is pretty weak on software and online marketing courses.
9. Khan Academy
Khan Academy is not an online course platform but a website containing free eLearning resources in history, economics, physics, and many more.
The Coursera alternative platform typically teaches children and teens, but anybody can sign up and begin studying. It also provides training tools for standardized examinations such as the SAT.
According to Kirsten Cobbles of onlinewritersrating.com, “Khan Academy is a non-profit institution, which is what makes it so amazing.”
It is funded by contributions and was established to provide individuals with free access to education from anywhere in the globe – which is why everyone is already using it.
Coursera vs. Khan Academy
Khan Academy is more laid-back, with searchable video lessons, but Coursera includes multimedia options.
Coursera provides more job training and certificates, whereas Khan Academy focuses solely on learning. Coursera collaborates with more traditional university partners, whereas Khan Academy provides more unique teachings.
Finally, Khan Academy focuses on STEM-specific courses, whereas Coursera covers the whole learning spectrum.
Pros
- Khan Academy is free and accessible.
- Khan Academy has a wide variety of subjects available
- You can learn and work at your own pace at Khan Academy
- Unlike most Khan Academy alternatives, it provides an incredible amount of math problems.
Cons
- Khan Academy is less interactive than having a face-to-face teacher or tutor.
- You are only exposed to one teaching style in Khan Academy.
- Khan Academy does not provide the collaborative aspect of education.
- Khan Academy lessens spontaneous creativity.
10. Treehouse
Treehouse, another more tech-focused alternative to Coursera, provides online courses in programming, coding, web design, and other topics.
The website offers a free trial, after which you may pay for a membership to continue accessing their courses, which include a library of over 300.
In addition, students may gain access to a specialized Slack community, portfolio growth, job-ready skills, and a certificate through the so-called “Techdegree.”
The most significant feature of Treehouse is that it makes learning fun by including features like quizzes, projects, a guided curriculum, and a forum for conversations with other students and teachers.
In other words, you’ll be studying Python, UI/UX, or web programming in a friendly setting.
Coursera vs. Treehouse
When comparing Treehouse vs. Coursera, we recommend Coursera for most people. Let’s take, for instance, considering the question, “What are the best websites to learn to code?” Coursera is ranked 10th, while Treehouse is ranked 13th.
The most important reason people chose Coursera is that Treehouse is suitable for anyone searching for a platform solution offering online coding classes for at-home learning.
At the same time, Coursera is ideal for individuals or organizations that want to learn via online courses.
Pros
- Treehouse offers a free trial
- You gain real project experience with Treehouse
- Treehouse offers high-quality courses
- Treehouse offers career-focused courses
- Treehouse provides self-paced learning
Cons
- There is no credit card required
- Treehouse offers limited courses
- Treehouse courses are not accredited
Conclusion
To summarize, Coursera is not the only eLearning site you should look at if you want to enroll in online courses. In reality, you have several free and paid choices accessible to you.
Examine the eLearning platforms discussed in this article to determine the best fit for your specific requirements and interests. You will undoubtedly discover an excellent choice for yourself among these, whether you desire to study programming, art, or something else entirely.
That being said, my top pick is Udemy as it comes with lifetime access to course materials and you can upskill quickly at your own pace.
Udemy is, in my opinion, the best online learning platform for complete beginners that want to learn new skills in a more relaxed learning style without the stress of deadlines.
