9 Best Udemy Alternatives to learn new skills online in 2023

Online courses are a popular trend these days, and for good reason. Udemy is a well know online course platform in the market with over 183,000 courses and 44 million students.

However, it may not always be the best fit for everyone, with reasons ranging from its overwhelming options to the non-accreditation of its certificates.

That’s why we have researched and compiled a list of the best 9 alternatives to Udemy, with a focus on range and quality of online courses, cost and certification, and other features that may better suit your specific needs.

Join us as we explore these options for Udemy alternatives and find the perfect online course platform for you.

Udemy Review – Some Pros and Cons

Udemy is a popular online learning platform that offers a wide range of online courses in various categories, with over 213K courses available in 13 different categories and dozens of sub-categories.

The courses on Udemy are generally affordable, with prices ranging from $11.99 to $199.99. The platform also offers close to 600 free courses, giving you a chance to try out a variety of topics, from WordPress to fitness.

Pros:

• Very affordable prices
• Access to a wide range of free courses
• 30-day refund policy, with no questions asked
• Lifetime access to courses you have purchased
• Huge course catalog, with courses related to programming and many other topics
• Certificate of completion for paid courses

Cons:

• Non-accredited certificates
• Course quality depends on instructors
• Quality control of courses may not be thorough, with so many courses available

Who should consider an Udemy alternative?

Udemy is a great option for individuals who are looking to develop skills in a variety of disciplines without seeking accredited certification. The platform offers a one-stop-shop for all eLearning needs, including both professional and creative topics. It is also a good option for business owners and managers looking for a cost-effective way to educate their team.

However, Udemy may not be the best fit for individuals who are passionate creatives looking for a community of like-minded learners, seeking accredited certification and a more academic style of learning, or interested in a long free trial before committing to a subscription.

It is also not recommended for individuals who are focused purely on coding or seeking to pursue a career in data science. In that scenario, there are several great Udemy alternatives in this list.

Quick Summary – 9 Best Udemy Alternatives

The 9 Best Alternatives to Udemy

Udemy Competitor #1 – Skillshare

Our top pick for the best Udemy alternatives is Skillshare.

Skillshare offers a unique learning experience for students interested in personal growth, creativity, and productivity. With over 30,000 online courses, Skillshare provides students with a variety of topics to choose from.

Unlike many other platforms, Skillshare focuses on hands-on, practical knowledge delivered by real professionals in their respective fields.

Skillshare pros

• A vast collection of courses in creative fields such as design, illustration, and others
• Classes taught by successful industry leaders
• Short and focused courses with high impact
• Great for those who prefer video courses

Skillshare cons

• No official certificates or documentation provided
• Requires a substantial yearly subscription fee
• Not all instructors have professional credentials

How to choose between Skillshare vs Udemy?

Skillshare and Udemy are both online learning platforms that offer a range of online courses, with Skillshare being a well-known alternative to Udemy. Both platforms provide individual courses with varying focuses, including computer science, data science, and software development.

On Skillshare, students have unlimited access to a wide variety of high-quality courses taught by experienced course instructors. Udemy offers paid courses as well as free courses, with paid courses providing access to completion certificates.

Both platforms offer engaging and good quality lessons, with Skillshare having a slightly smaller range of courses than Udemy. However, the courses on Skillshare are known for their high quality and engaging content, with suggestions provided to students to help find the best course for them.

Compared to Skillshare, Udemy has more courses available for purchase, although some students may prefer the more personal touch provided by Skillshare’s course instructors. Skillshare is a great Udemy alternative and both are solid options for anyone looking for an online learning platform.

Skillshare pricing

• Free Trial: 30 Days
• Monthly Cost: $13.75 (Billed Annually, no monthly subscription avaialable)
• Annual Cost: $165 

Find out more about Skillshare’s pricing for a more informed decision.

Udemy Competitor #2 – Linkedin Learning

LinkedIn Learning, an alternative to Udemy, offers online courses to help you grow your professional and creative skills. With over 17,300 courses and the option to earn certificates, it is a great choice for those wishing to improve their position in the professional world.

The platform offers two paid plans and the option to purchase individual courses. The videos are created by industry experts with real-world experience and come with video transcriptions and a free trial for users to explore the platform.

LinkedIn Learning is focused primarily on business and technology topics, however, it offers a broad scope of topics to choose from and has a large user base with over 27 million users.

Linkedin Learning pros

• Learn from highly rated instructors with real-world experience
• Chance to earn and display a LinkedIn certificate
• Broad scope of topics to choose from
• One month free trial giving you plenty of time to decide if the platform is right for you.
• Ability to download courses to the mobile app for offline viewing on the go

Linkedin Learning cons

• Certificates are not accredited
• Big focus on business and technology topics

How to choose between Linkedin Learning vs Udemy?

LinkedIn Learning provides users with a full month free trial before committing to purchase, allowing them to fully explore the platform and determine if it is right for them. With its large user base, broad scope of topics, and real-world expert instructors, it is a great option for those seeking to improve their professional and creative skills.

You can read our full review of Udemy vs Linkedin Learning to make a more informed decision.

Linkedin Learning pricing

• 30 day free trial
• Individual plan: $29.99/month
• Teams plan: $379.88/year
• Enterprise plans: Need to get a quote

Find out more about Linkedin Learning’s pricing for a more informed decision.

Udemy Competitor #3 – Coursera

If you’re looking for a high-quality, structured online learning platform, like an online university, Coursera might just be the right choice for you. With over 5,100 courses, specializations, and degrees available, it’s an excellent resource for anyone looking to learn a new skill or expand their knowledge in a particular area.

Here are the pros and cons of using Coursera:

Coursera pros

• Coursera partners with some of the world’s top universities, including Imperial College and Stanford, to offer online accredited degrees upon course completion.
• Coursera’s fees are much lower than those of traditional schools or campus-based courses.
• Most courses are available for free, so you can try out Coursera without committing to a paid plan.
• Coursera’s app allows you to download course material for offline use, so you can continue learning even when you don’t have an internet connection.
• Courses are taught by experts in their fields from top universities and companies.

Coursera cons

• Coursera offers several different pricing plans, which can make it difficult to determine the exact cost of a course.
• Some courses may require prior knowledge, so they might not be suitable for absolute beginners.

How to choose between Coursera vs Udemy?

While Udemy is a great platform with a wide range of courses, it doesn’t offer the same level of accreditation as Coursera.

If you’re looking to gain an accredited recognition for your course completion, then Coursera is a better choice. With partnerships from over 200 universities and companies, Coursera offers a variety of professional and accredited learning programs, from courses and specializations to online degrees.

So, if you’re looking for a platform that provides a more structured, in-depth learning experience with recognized credentials, Coursera is the way to go.

Coursera pricing

• Accredited courses and degrees have a tuition cost, although much lower than a traditional on-campus course
• Most are free courses, without the need for a completion certificate
• Coursera Plus subscription offers unlimited access to 3,000+ courses, Guided Projects, and Specializations, with a monthly fee of $59, or $399 yearly
• Degree programs, Professional Certificates and MasterTrack Certificates have varying costs based on the length and type of program

Udemy Competitor #4 – Udacity

Udacity pros

• Expert instructors with real-world experience in the field
• Course content is created in partnership with leading industry partners like Google, AWS, Mercedes, and Nvidia
• Offers a range of courses and programs that are focused on developing specific skill sets
• Career services and coaching
• Some free courses available
• Certificates of completion offered for all courses

Udacity cons

• Certificates are not accredited by any official educational institution
• Can be expensive compared to other online course platforms
• May not be suitable for students looking to learn in other subjects
• Relatively fewer courses available compared to other platforms

How to choose between Udacity vs Udemy?

If you’re looking to start or further a career in a technology-related field, then Udacity could be the right choice for you. With its focus on creating projects-based learning experiences and tight collaborations with industry-leading companies, Udacity is well placed to provide students with the skills they need to succeed in a technology-driven world.

In addition, Udacity provides career services and coaching to help students find and develop a professional path. This could be particularly useful for students who are just starting out in their careers or are looking to make a career change.

For those who are interested in Udacity, it is important to note that the platform is more expensive than other platforms like Udemy. However, the quality of the content and the value of the certificates of completion make Udacity one of the worthy Udemy alternatives for those who are serious about their careers.

Udacity pricing

• Monthly access starting at $399 per month.
• Paying up front for some courses can cost as much as $199 or more.
• There are also a number of single short free courses that are available.

Udemy Competitor #5 – Masterclass

MasterClass is one of the most popular Udemy alternatives. It is an online platform that offers courses taught by renowned celebrities and experts in their respective fields. Launched in 2015, it now offers over 150 classes in 11 categories, including cooking, writing, and filmmaking.

Masterclass pros

• Learn from the best with celebrated and accomplished teachers
• Wide selection of classes to choose from
• Affordable pricing with multi-user options
• Access to community-led sessions
• High-quality production values and engaging content
• 30-day money-back guarantee

Masterclass cons

• No free classes available
• No certificates of completion offered

How to choose between Masterclass vs Udemy?

MasterClass sets itself apart from other online learning platforms with its focus on bringing iconic figures to the classroom. With its engaging content and immersive learning experience, it offers a unique way of learning that is both enjoyable and affordable.

Additionally, the 30-day money-back guarantee ensures you have nothing to lose by trying it out.

Masterclass pricing

• Individual Subscription: $15 per month, billed annually
• Shared Subscription: $20 per month, billed annually, with a friend or up to 6 family members
• Family Subscription: $23 per month, billed annually, for up to 6 family members.”

Udemy Competitor #6 – Datacamp

Datacamp is a platform that was established in 2013, which provides online data science and analytics courses to over 8 million learners worldwide that is a great option for someone looking for more programming-related Udemy alternatives.

In terms of DataCamp’s pricing, with the Standard plan being the most popular, it offers Personal and Business plans with over 350 courses. The online courses focus on interactive learning and provide a hands-on learning experience.

Datacamp provides Skill and Career Tracks, which are combinations of courses to help learners gain comprehensive knowledge for a successful career path. It also partners with businesses to upskill their teams.

Datacamp pros

• Interactive and Engaging: Courses on Datacamp focus on interactive learning with numerous videos and interactive exercises.
• Expert Instructors: Datacamp features over 270 experts in the field of data science, including professionals from institutions such as Caltech and Anaconda.
• Free Plan: Datacamp offers a Start for Free plan that provides access to the first chapters of courses and assessments.
• Clear Pricing Plans: The platform has a transparent pricing plan page, which is not a common feature among online learning platforms.
• Wide Range of Courses: Datacamp caters to both beginners and experienced learners with a variety of courses available.

Datacamp cons

• No Accredited Certificate: Instead of an official accreditation, a Statement of Accomplishment is given after successful completion of the course. For a recognized and validated certificate, platforms like Coursera or edX would be a better choice.
• Video Content Lacks Detail: Some of the video tutorials on Datacamp may be short and lack detail, leaving learners feeling like they are missing information.

How to choose between Datacamp vs Udemy?

Datacamp offers Skill and Career Tracks, which are designed to help individuals gain the knowledge and skills needed for a successful career in data science. These tracks are curated by experts to provide learners with everything they need to learn.

On the other hand, Udemy courses are more focused on learning a new skill without the goal of leading to a future career path. Unlike Udemy, If you are interested in pursuing a career in data science, Datacamp’s Skill and Career Tracks would be a great choice for you.

Datacamp pricing

• Personal plans:
  • Basic: $25/month
  • Standard: $33.25/month
  • Premium: $44.25/month
• Business plans:
  • Teams: starts at $300/year/user
  • Enterprise: custom pricing
• Free trial: Start for Free plan with access to initial chapters of courses and assessments
• Annual Subscription: $224/year for full access to all courses on the platform.

Udemy Competitor #7 – Treehouse

Treehouse is a one of the most technology-focused Udemy alternatives that offers a range of courses and workshops in web design, web development, mobile development, and other tech-related topics. With a focus on real-world projects, Treehouse courses are designed to be interactive and engaging, and they are taught by in-house expert teachers.

Treehouse pros

• 7-day free trial with full access to course library
• Courses based on real-life projects
• High-quality, interactive courses taught by expert teachers
• Career-focused courses available
• Self-paced learning programs

Treehouse cons

• Credit/debit card required for free trial
• Limited course offerings compared to other platforms
• Not accredited

How to choose between Treehouse vs Udemy?

Treehouse is designed for aspiring tech professionals and offers a range of interactive, career-focused courses based on real-life projects. The curriculum is structured and progressive, and it provides students with the opportunity to build a portfolio of real-world projects that can help them stand out in the tech industry.

Treehouse offers a free 7-day trial and allows students to cancel their subscription at any time. The platform also provides access to live chat and calls with course experts and Treehouse staff for support.

Compared to Udemy, Treehouse offers a more structured and progressive learning experience with real-world projects and live support. However, Udemy provides more flexibility with a wider range of courses and the ability to choose a course that focuses on your specific interests.

Treehouse pricing

• Treehouse Techdegree: $199/month (self-paced online coding bootcamp)
• Treehouse courses: Monthly subscription fee’

Udemy Competitor #8 – Codecademy

Codecademy is an online learning platform is perhaps the most niched of the Udemy alternatives that specializes in coding education. It provides a comprehensive range of courses in 14 different programming languages and covers various skill levels, making it an ideal choice for anyone looking to start, continue, or advance their coding journey or learn a new programming language.

Codecademy pros

• Free basic plan with access to lessons and daily tasks
• Courses for all skill levels, including beginners
• Covers 14 programming languages, including popular ones like HTML, Javascript, and Python
• Strong community for support during learning
• Opportunities to build a portfolio of projects to showcase to potential employers

Codecademy cons

• Certificates of completion are not accredited
• Just for those who want to only learn programming (not a con, a consideration)

How to choose between Codecademy vs Udemy?

If your primary focus is coding, Codecademy offers a specialized platform that has more to offer. With courses designed for all skill levels and career paths, Codecademy is committed to meeting the coding needs of its users.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced coder, Codecademy provides the resources and support to help you succeed in your coding journey. If coding is your only focus, the quality and quantity of courses offered in Codecademy is leaps and bounds ahead of Udemy.

Read more about Codecademy vs Udemy to find out which is right for you.

Codecademy pricing

• Free plan (Offer courses to get started)
• Pro Lite Plan ($13.99 per Month)
• Pro Plan ($19.99 per Month)

Find out more about Codecademy’s pricing for a more informed decision.

Udemy Competitor #9 – Pluralsight

Pluralsight is an eLearning platform that specializes in technology-based subjects and practical skills. It was founded in 2004 and has been providing top-quality education to individuals and businesses alike. With over 7,000 courses taught by 1,400+ experts, Pluralsight is dedicated to helping users stay ahead in the ever-changing job market.

Pluralsight pros

• High-quality courses taught by experts
• Skill and role IQ assessments
• Lab and Pathways for extra learning support
• Available offline and on-the-go
• Good email and phone support

Pluralsight cons

• Limited to technology-based subjects
• No free courses (apart from the free trial)

How to choose between Pluralsight vs Udemy?

Pluralsight stands out from the crowd with its free Skill and Role IQ assessments. These assessments evaluate your proficiency in your chosen subject and suggest courses that are best suited for your level and needs.

Udemy, on the other hand, leaves users to their own devices, with little guidance on how to find the right course. If you’re looking for a platform that offers personalized recommendations, then Pluralsight is the way to go.

Pluralsight pricing

Individuals:

• Core library (2,500+ courses): $29/month or $299/year
• Expanded library (7,000+ courses): $45/month or $499/year

Teams and businesses:

• Various plans for teams and businesses with customized pricing based on the size of the team and the features required.

Find out more about Pluralsight’s pricing to make a more informed decision.

What Should You Consider When Choosing An Online Learning Platform?

To help you make this decision, Here is a list of some of the things that you should consider:

1. Course Content

Consider the quality and range of courses offered on the platform, and whether they are relevant to your career or personal goals.

2. Course Instructors

Look for platforms with knowledgeable and experienced instructors who offer engaging courses.

3. Accredited Certification

Consider if the platform offers accredited certification for individual courses or programs.

4. Free Courses

Determine if the platform offers free basic courses, or if you need to pay for courses to access the full range of content.

5. Interactive Lessons

Look for platforms with interactive lessons and hands-on exercises that enhance the learning experience.

6. Job-Related Skills

If you are looking to develop job-related skills, consider platforms that offer courses in areas such as computer science, data science, web development, and software development.

7. Unlimited Access

Consider if the platform offers unlimited access to its courses, or if you need to pay for each course individually.

8. Completion Certificates

Check if the platform provides completion certificates, which can help demonstrate your skill development to potential employers.

9. Engaged Community

Consider if the platform has an engaged community of learners, where you can connect and collaborate with others.

10. Free Trial

Look for platforms that offer a free trial, so you can get a sense of the platform and its features before committing to a monthly or annual subscription.

Honorable Mention

Khan Academy is an honorable mention for an alternative to Udemy, as it is a non-profit organization that provides free online education to anyone, anywhere.

It offers an extensive library of subjects, including math, science, economics, and computer programming, that cater to students of all ages. The platform is known for its engaging lessons, and its focus on delivering high-quality education that is accessible to everyone.

Khan Academy also offers a personalized learning experience, where students can track their progress and get recommendations on what they should study next. Despite being a free resource, Khan Academy is a valuable alternative to Udemy for anyone looking to expand their knowledge and improve their skills.

It is a great option for those who are looking for a more affordable or accessible online learning platform.

Alternatives to Udemy – Conclusion

In conclusion, when choosing an online learning platform, there are several important factors to consider such as the range of courses offered, the quality of the courses, the instructors, and the learning experience.

There are many options available, including Udemy, Datacamp, and even Khan Academy, each with its own unique features and benefits. Based on your specific needs, you may find one of these platforms to be the best fit for you.

It’s always a good idea to do your research and explore the different options before making a final decision.

By doing so, you can ensure that you choose the online learning platform that will provide you with the resources and tools you need to achieve your educational and career goals.