The internet has democratized education in ways unimaginable a couple of decades ago. Gone are the days when you had to enroll in a physical institution to acquire new skills or brush up on existing ones. Nowadays, online learning platforms offer a wide range of courses, from coding to cooking, accessible with just a few clicks. But with many options, how do you pick the right platform?
That’s the question we aim to answer in this article. We’ve sifted through the sea of online education platforms to identify the ones that offer the most bang for your buck, both in terms of quality and efficacy. We’re not just throwing names at you; we’ve meticulously reviewed each platform, considering factors like course structure, instructor qualifications, user interface, and overall value for money.
Whether you’re a career-changer, a lifelong learner, or simply curious about a new hobby, the platforms listed here offer something for everyone.
Coursera
Coursera is one of the top contenders for online learning platforms. Founded in 2012 by two Stanford University computer science professors, this platform has grown exponentially and now offers a wide range of courses from renowned universities and institutions worldwide.
One key feature that sets Coursera apart from other online learning platforms is its partnerships with top-tier universities such as Stanford, Yale, and Princeton. These partnerships mean you’ll have access to high-quality courses taught by some of the best educators in their respective fields.
Coursera offers diverse courses across various disciplines, including business, computer science, data science, and more. You can choose from:
- Individual Courses: These are standalone courses that cover specific topics. They usually include video lectures, quizzes, and assignments.
- Specializations: A series of courses to help you master a specific skill or subject area.
- Professional Certificates: Programs designed to help you gain job-ready skills and earn a professional certificate recognized by employers.
- Degrees: Full-fledged online degree programs offered in partnership with accredited universities.
Coursera understands that learners have different schedules and commitments; therefore, they offer flexible learning options. You can learn independently with on-demand video lectures and self-paced assignments.
Peer-reviewed Assignments
To ensure you’re genuinely grasping the material, Coursera incorporates peer-reviewed assignments into their courses. This allows you to receive feedback from fellow learners and helps improve your understanding of the subject matter.
Pricing
Many individual courses on Coursera are free or have a free trial period. However, if you want to earn a certificate upon completion or access graded assignments, there’s usually a fee involved. Specializations, Professional Certificates, and Degrees have their own pricing structures.
Coursera also offers a mobile app for iOS and Android devices, making it easy to learn on the go.
Udemy
Regarding online learning platforms, Udemy stands out as one of the top choices. With a vast selection of courses covering various topics, you’ll find something that interests you and helps you develop new skills or improve existing ones.
One of the main reasons Udemy is so popular is its extensive course catalog. Whether you’re looking to learn about web development, graphic design, business, or even yoga, there’s a high chance you’ll find a course on Udemy that caters to your needs. With over 150,000 courses available in multiple languages, the possibilities for learning are endless.
Another great feature of Udemy is its affordability. Many courses are priced reasonably low, making them accessible for people with different budgets. Plus, they frequently offer discounts and promotions that can help you save even more on your educational journey.
Lifetime Access
Once you enroll in a course on Udemy, you get lifetime access to the content. This means that you can revisit the material whenever you need to refresh your knowledge or catch up on updates made by the instructor.
Self-Paced Learning
Udemy’s self-paced learning model allows you to learn at your speed and schedule. There are no strict deadlines or timeframes for completing a course, allowing you to balance your education with other commitments.
User Reviews and Ratings
Knowing if a course is worth your time and money is essential before taking it. Udemy offers user reviews and ratings for each course, helping you make an informed decision based on feedback from others who have already taken it.
Furthermore, many Udemy instructors are experts in their respective fields and provide support through discussion boards or direct messaging within the platform. This allows students to ask questions and receive guidance throughout their learning experience.
LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda)
LinkedIn Learning is the perfect platform for boosting your professional skills and making yourself more marketable. Previously known as Lynda, this online learning platform was acquired by LinkedIn in 2015 and has since expanded its offerings to cater to professionals across various industries.
One of LinkedIn Learning’s key features is its vast library of high-quality courses taught by industry experts. With over 16,000 courses in business, technology, and creative skills, there’s something for everyone. The platform also offers personalized course recommendations based on your LinkedIn profile and interests.
Another significant aspect of LinkedIn Learning is integrating it with your LinkedIn account. This means that when you complete a course or earn a certification, you can easily showcase it on your profile. This helps you keep track of your accomplishments and adds credibility to your professional persona.
For those always on the go, the platform offers a mobile app that allows you to download courses and watch them offline. This way, you can continue learning even when you don’t have access to the internet.
When it comes to pricing, LinkedIn Learning offers a monthly subscription model. You get unlimited access to all courses on the platform for a fixed monthly fee. They also offer a free one-month trial so that you can test out their services before committing.
edX
edX stands out as a top choice for students and professionals alike. Founded by Harvard University and MIT in 2012, edX offers a wide range of high-quality courses from prestigious institutions across the globe.
With a mission to increase access to education and transform traditional learning methods, edX has become an essential resource for anyone looking to expand their knowledge and skills.
One key feature that sets edX apart from other platforms is its diverse course catalog. Subjects range from computer science and engineering to business management, humanities, and art.
Verified Certificates & Credit-Eligible Courses
While many edX courses are free, you can opt for a verified certificate upon completion for a fee. These certificates can be shared on your LinkedIn profile or resume to showcase your newly acquired skills. Additionally, some courses on edX are credit-eligible, which means you can earn college credits that may be transferable toward a degree program.
MicroMasters & Professional Certificate Programs
For those seeking more in-depth learning experiences, edX offers MicroMasters and Professional Certificate programs. MicroMasters programs are graduate-level courses designed to help you gain expertise in fields like artificial intelligence or project management.
Professional Certificate programs focus on skill-building in areas such as data analysis or digital marketing. Both options provide valuable credentials that can boost your career prospects.
Learning Experience
With interactive quizzes, engaging video lectures, and peer-reviewed assignments, the learning experience on edX is enjoyable and effective. The platform also encourages collaboration through discussion forums where learners can connect with instructors and fellow students.
Skillshare
Looking for a platform that offers a wide range of creative and entrepreneurial skills? Look no further, Skillshare is the place for you. With thousands of classes covering various topics such as design, photography, business, technology, and more, you’ll never run out of new skills to learn.
One of the unique features of Skillshare is its community-driven approach. Many courses are taught by industry professionals and experts passionate about sharing their knowledge with others. This means you’ll get real-world insights and tips from those who have been there and done that.
Skillshare operates on a subscription model, offering unlimited access to all its courses for a monthly or annual fee. This makes it an affordable option compared to other platforms, where you must purchase each course individually. Plus, they offer a free trial period to test the waters before committing to a subscription.
The platform also encourages interaction between students and instructors through class projects and discussion forums. This helps create a supportive learning environment where you can share your work, receive feedback, and collaborate with fellow learners.
To find the exact pricing, you’ll need to create a Skillshare account and see the pricing allocated for your specific country. In most cases, it should not be more than $14 per month, totaling roughly $168 annually.
Khan Academy
If you’re looking for a free and comprehensive online learning platform, Khan Academy is definitely worth checking out. This non-profit organization caters to learners of all ages and offers a wide range of subjects, from math and science to humanities and even test prep courses.
One of the key features that sets Khan Academy apart from other online learning platforms is its commitment to providing free education. That’s right – you can access all their courses without spending a dime! This makes it an excellent option if you’re on a tight budget or want to explore various subjects without financial constraints.
Khan Academy’s user-friendly interface allows you to navigate through its vast library of content quickly. The platform uses video lectures, interactive quizzes, and practice exercises to help reinforce your understanding of the subject matter. Plus, it offers personalized learning plans based on your progress and performance in each course.
Another notable aspect of Khan Academy is its focus on mastery learning. This means you’ll be encouraged to fully understand a concept before moving on to the next one.
This approach ensures that you grasp the fundamentals and helps build a strong foundation for more advanced topics. If you’re keen to learn more about this approach, the Khan Academy team has written a dedicated page for it—check it out here.
FutureLearn
If you’re looking for a top-notch online learning platform that offers a diverse range of courses from leading universities and institutions, FutureLearn is the perfect choice. This UK-based platform has partnered with some of the most prestigious universities and organizations worldwide to provide high-quality courses in various subjects.
FutureLearn offers extensive courses covering numerous topics, such as business, healthcare, technology, and even creative arts. Whether you want to learn about cybersecurity, brush up on your marketing skills, or explore the world of animation, this platform has something for everyone.
One of the best things about FutureLearn is its flexible approach to online learning. You can access courses independently and engage with other learners through interactive quizzes, peer reviews, and discussions. This makes learning new skills or expanding your knowledge easy without feeling overwhelmed.
Free and Paid Options
Many of FutureLearn’s courses are free, allowing you to explore new topics without breaking the bank. However, you can opt for a paid upgrade if you want to earn a certificate or access additional course materials and assessments. They also offer subscription plans called “Unlimited” that give unlimited access to hundreds of short courses for an annual fee.
Micro-credentials and Programs
In addition to individual courses, FutureLearn also provides micro-credentials and programs designed to help you build professional skills or even earn academic credit toward a degree. These collections of courses focus on specific areas like data science or project management and offer a more in-depth learning experience.
Pluralsight
Catering to software development, IT, data, and design professionals, Pluralsight offers a vast library of high-quality courses taught by industry experts.
Pluralsight’s extensive course catalog covers a wide range of topics like programming languages (C#, Java, Python), web development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript), mobile app development (Android, iOS), game development (Unity, Unreal Engine), cloud computing (AWS, Azure), and more.
With thousands of courses available on-demand and new ones added regularly, you’ll never run out of learning opportunities.
Learning Paths
One unique feature of Pluralsight is its Learning Paths. These are curated collections of courses designed to help you master a specific skill or technology from scratch. By following a Learning Path, you’ll gain comprehensive knowledge in your chosen area without any guesswork about which course to take next.
Pluralsight offers Skill Assessments to help you identify your strengths and areas for improvement. These short quizzes evaluate your knowledge of various technologies and provide personalized recommendations on which courses to take based on your results.
Pluralsight also boasts interactive features like hands-on coding challenges and projects that allow you to apply your new skills in real-world scenarios. This way, you can build up your portfolio while learning simultaneously.
Pricing & Subscription Plans
Pluralsight operates on a subscription-based model with two pricing tiers: Personal and Premium. The Personal plan grants access to the entire course library and Learning Paths, while the Premium plan includes additional features such as certification practice exams and interactive courses. The pricing for both plans is $29 and $45, respectively.
Udacity
If you want to level up your tech skills, Udacity is your platform! This online learning platform focuses on technology and programming courses, making it a go-to resource for those who want to break into or advance their careers in the tech industry.
One of Udacity’s unique aspects is its Nanodegree programs. These are comprehensive, project-based courses that cover a specific skill or field from start to finish. Offerings include data science, artificial intelligence, web development, and more. These programs are designed to give you hands-on experience and help you build a portfolio that stands out to potential employers.
Udacity’s partnership with leading tech companies like Google, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and IBM ensures that their course content is up-to-date with industry trends. As a result, you can be confident that what you’re learning is relevant and valuable in today’s job market.
Mentorship & Support
While learning new skills can be challenging, Udacity offers support through personal mentors and an active community of fellow learners. This means that when you’re stuck or need guidance on a project, there’s always someone available to help.
With self-paced courses and flexible deadlines, Udacity makes it easy for busy individuals to fit learning into their schedules. Whether you have just a few hours per week or can dedicate more time to your education, this platform accommodates your needs.
Pricing & Scholarships
While Udacity’s Nanodegree programs are expensive (typically $300-$400 per month), they often provide substantial value compared to traditional degree programs. Plus, they offer scholarships and financial assistance for those who qualify, making quality tech education accessible to more people.
Codecademy
As one of the most popular online learning platforms, Codecademy specializes in teaching programming languages and web development skills in an interactive and user-friendly environment.
Codecademy offers a unique approach to learning programming languages, focusing on hands-on experience rather than just theory. The platform provides various coding courses, including popular languages like Python, JavaScript, Ruby, and HTML/CSS.
With its gamified learning environment, you’ll earn points and badges as you progress through each course. This makes the learning process more engaging and fun while still being challenging enough to motivate you.
Codecademy Pro
For those looking to advance their coding skills, Codecademy offers a premium subscription called Codecademy Pro. With this subscription, you’ll access exclusive content like quizzes, projects, and personalized learning plans tailored to your goals. Additionally, Pro subscribers can benefit from real-world projects that help build a strong portfolio and guidance from dedicated mentors.
The Pro plans start at $14.99 per month.
Is Codecademy suitable for me?
Whether you’re an absolute beginner or an experienced coder looking to learn a new language or skillset, Codecademy has something for everyone. The platform’s interactive lessons make it easy for learners at any stage of their coding journey to gain valuable knowledge and experience.
The platform is often the initial stepping stone for moving on to more extensive and in-depth courses. That said, Codecademy has grown exponentially over the years and offers detailed lessons that you can practice to intermediate levels.
Summary
So there you have it—a comprehensive look at online platforms where quality education and effective skill-building intersect.
Whether you’re looking to pivot your career, deepen your knowledge in a current field, or even explore an entirely new interest, these platforms offer a structured path to achieving your goals.
No platform houses all the world’s courses in one place. Each platform offers something unique, including different classes and instructors. This curated roundup is an excellent starting point for anyone looking for practical everyday life courses and more complex topics like computer science and much more!
