The internet has opened up a world of possibilities when it comes to education. With just a click of a button, you can now access courses from top universities and experts in various fields. Online courses are a great way to learn new skills, advance your career or pursue hobbies and interests.
When looking for online courses, you will find there are many platforms to choose from. Some of the major players in this space include Udemy, Coursera, edX and Skillshare. With so many options, how do you decide which platform is right for your needs?
Here is a guide to help you make the best choice:
Key Factors to Consider
When comparing online course platforms, here are some key factors to evaluate:
- Course variety and quality – Number and variety of courses offered. Credibility of instructors. Student reviews.
- Cost – Paid or free courses. Deals, bundles and subscription options.
- Credentials – Certificates, digital badges, college credit offered.
- Learning experience – Video production quality. Assignments, quizzes, instructor interaction.
- Mobile accessibility – Mobile app or mobile-friendly web access.
6 Best Online Course Platform
Here is an overview of some of the top online learning platforms and their pros and cons:
Udemy
Overview: Global marketplace for online courses in business, tech, design and more.
Pros: Huge variety of affordable courses. Easy to use platform. Many offer certificates. Access experts.
Cons: Quality varies. Limited instructor interaction. No official credentials. Mostly paid.
Ideal For: Career skills, professional development, certifications.
Coursera
Overview: Partners with universities and companies to offer online courses.
Pros: High quality courses from top institutions. Variety of free and paid options. Earn certifications and credits. Flexible learning.
Cons: Mostly video lectures. Limited live interaction. Free access is limited.
Ideal For: Academic learning, career changers, resume building.
edX
Overview: Non-profit with courses designed by Harvard, MIT and more.
Pros: High academic rigor. Majority of courses are free. Verified certificates available. Structured format.
Cons: Fewer course options within topics. Limited instructor interaction. Free auditing limits participation.
Ideal For: Academic learners, college students, resume building.
Skillshare
Overview: Online learning community focused on creativity and creative skills.
Pros: Affordable subscription model. Huge variety of courses. Short course format. Accessible on mobile.
Cons: Lacking structure. Quality of instructors varies. Limited credentials offered.
Ideal For: Creative skills development, hobby learners.
LinkedIn Learning
Overview: Video courses on business, tech and design topics by industry experts.
Pros: 16,000+ courses. Expert instructors. Good production quality. Useful certificates of completion. LinkedIn integration.
Cons: Primarily business and tech focused. Interface not as user friendly. Paid subscription required.
Ideal For: Professional development, building business skills.
Udacity
Overview: “Nanodegree” programs focused on technology, data science, AI and other digital skills.
Pros: Cutting-edge tech courses. Project-based learning. Coaching and career support included. Flexible, self-paced. Earn credentials recognized by tech employers.
Cons: Limited course selection outside tech/business. Expensive monthly subscription. Intensive vocational focus.
Ideal For: Tech professionals, programming, data science career.
Key Takeaways
Evaluate variety, quality, credentials, experience and cost when choosing a platform.
- Udemy is great for affordable career skills courses with certificates.
- Coursera provides accredited courses to advance your career.
- edX offers high quality academic courses, mostly for free.
- Skillshare is perfect for short creative skills courses.
- LinkedIn Learning has expert-led business and tech courses.
- Udacity is ideal for hands-on tech nanodegree programs.
Focus on your goals and needs when picking the right platform. Try free courses before subscribing. With so many options, you can find quality online courses to gain valuable skills from home.
