There used to be a time when learning a new skill on your own was unheard of. Whether it be a technical skill, a vocational craft, or an artistic endeavor, you needed to hire a tutor or enroll yourself in an expensive course to learn the skill. However, thanks to the modern digital age, learning new things is as easy as clicking a few buttons and sitting through highly interactive and personalized online courses.
While it is true that there are countless options to choose from when it comes to online courses, knowing which learning platforms are worth your while can save you much trouble down the road. Not all platforms are built alike. Some offer great pricing but compromise on quality. Others even go as far as awarding certificates and diplomas but are also quite expensive. Fortunately for you, I have spent the last 3 years, as a full-time instructor, researching, using, and recommending to my students, the various e-learning platforms. Below you will find 10 of the best that I found to offer varying quirks and features.
In this Article
1. Udemy
Udemy is perhaps the most ubiquitous name when it comes to online learning platforms. Online courses might be as old as the internet and have existed in some shape or form for decades. However, it can be argued that Udemy pioneered the modern all-in-one learning platform that we all know today.
Udemy has a vast collection of courses. Over 185,000, to be precise. However, the good thing about Udemy is that it’s more than just the numbers that it excels in. Udemy is known for offering only the most high-quality content across a multitude of fields. You can learn virtually anything. From gardening to astrophysics, it has everything. Not to mention, Udemy boasts the biggest depository of free courses on the internet. And even the paid ones aren’t that expensive.
Pros:
- Biggest collection of online courses, including free courses
- Personalized learning recommendations based on a quick survey
- Features a specialized section for top-tier business courses
- Offline capability allows you to download courses in advance
Cons:
- UI might take some time to get used to
- Video quality of free courses could be better
Visit Udemy here.
If you have spent any amount of time on YouTube, chances are you have come across a sponsored ad for Skillshare. Skillshare is right up there with the giants as far as the quality of content is concerned. However, concerning variety, you may find it lacking a bit, unlike Udemy. That being said, Skillshare does an incredible job of only offering the best online courses.
The platform has four major categories – Business, technology, creative, and lifestyle. While courses from any of these fields are high-quality, most agree that the platform is best suited for the creative types.
One of the key advantages Skillshare has over other platforms is it’s monthly subscription model. Essentially, you pay a monthly subscription fee and have access to any and all courses the platform has to offer. This makes it a competent choice for those looking to get the most out of their dollar.
Pros:
- Very affordable pricing model
- Only the highest professionals get to design the courses
- Offers an online community for like-minded individuals to discuss and problem-solve
- Excellent mobile app that offers the same functionality as the desktop
Cons:
- Not as vast a collection as competing platforms
- Small number of niches to choose from
Visit Skillshare here.
3. Coursera
Coursera is undoubtedly a renowned name in the online learning space. Unlike most other platforms though, Coursera focuses on quality instead of quantity. This is not to say that the earlier mentions in this article lack in quality, it’s just that Cousera’s approach mimics academia. What separates Coursera from the crowd is the fact that it has been approved by a number of industry-leading tech giants such as IBM and Google. Not only that, renowned universities like Stanford and Yale also stand behind many of its courses. What this means is that you can earn credible certificates and degrees that employers will recognize due to the seal of approval from the aforementioned names.
Sure it can be argued that the platform only has a few thousand courses which puts it towards the bottom of the range amongst other platforms. However, it’s not an accurate comparison, as courses on Coursera earn you approved degrees and certificates, which go a long way in today’s competitive landscape.
Pros:
- Courses approved by academia and leading companies
- Highest quality content delivered through a state-of-the-art interface
- Most practical path to an entire career
- Great tools for online discussions with other users
Cons:
- Courses that offer certificates are expensive
- Customizability is not as good as other platforms
Visit Coursera here.
4. Codecademy
If you fancy yourself a coding nerd, there is no better option than Codecademy. The platform is specifically designed to offer highly detailed courses on coding languages. It has nearly all the coding languages you could think of, and the best part is that the basics of any language are completely free.
The platform currently has courses for over 100 coding languages, including CSS, HTML, Java, Python, PHP, Ruby, SaS, React.js, SQL, and many others. It has a vast community of 45 million users, and the good thing is that users and teachers can contact each other for help and feedback.
Pros:
- Courses available for any programming language under the sun
- Learn by actively writing code as you go along
- Vast number of quizzes and projects to help you test your progress
- Have your code tested immediately by professionals and receive instant feedback
Cons:
- The free courses only cover the basics of a programming language
- Even specialized courses might be lacking in depth
Visit Codecademy here.
5. LinkedIn Learning
Who hasn’t heard of the professional networking platform LinkedIn? However, many are often unaware that the networking giant also offers a wide selection of specialized online courses. Although a recent player, LinkedIn Learning has quickly risen to prominence thanks to its high-quality business courses. The platform excels in business-related classes but also offers competitive courses in many other niches, such as technology and creativity.
The top advantage of choosing LinkedIn Learning over other platforms is the ability to network with industry professionals and get real-time feedback and advice. While some courses are free, if you are willing to pay, you will get the most out of the platform.
Pros:
- Top-tier courses come with industry-approved certificates
- Puts you in touch with other like-minded professionals to seek help
- Most courses are designed by industry experts
- Learning paths enable you to learn from highly personalized courses
Cons:
- Small depository of courses as compared to other platforms
- UI could be improved
Visit LinkedIn Learning here.
6. Udacity
Udacity, much like Udemy, is a familiar name in the world of online learning. It came onto the scene back in 2011 and quickly became the go-to platform for millions of users. Udacity was the first player to put hundreds of high-quality online courses within reach of millions of people. That too without cost.
Sure, the platform is not known for offering accredited courses. However, Udacity is the right place if you want high-quality learning with no strings attached. Currently, the platform offers some 200 courses free of cost, with many more available for a fee. Some courses are also officially recognized by tech giants such as Google and the like.
Pros:
- 200 free courses on various skills
- Receive constant feedback from mentors at any time of the day
- Courses promote active learning by indulging you in real-life projects
- Customize the timetable as per your availability
Cons:
- Not accredited by any academic institution
- Little variety as compared to other platforms
Visit Udacity here.
7. edX
If you are strictly about academic courses such as the STEM field, edX is your best bet. Designed by faculty from MIT and Harvard, edX is an open-source platform with an impressive portfolio of over 3200 high-quality academic courses. As long as your area of interest falls within STEM, you will indeed find a comprehensive course that will take you from scratch to a professional level.
What is highly commendable about edX is the fact that all of its courses are free. However, if you want a certificate at the end of your course only then are you expected to pay. Else, you can learn anything you want without spending a penny.
Pros:
- Accredited courses from 140 institutions
- Free for everyone to learn
- Offers the option to receive a certificate
- Specialized MIT courses that cant be found anywhere else
Cons:
- Only focuses on STEM subjects
- Limited interaction with instructors
Visit edX here
8. FutureLearn
FutureLearn is a platform where only the top experts in their respective fields get to offer their courses. The platform, although new, has stringent criteria for quality and even offers certificates for free which are unheard of in the online learning space. Currently, you will find some 2400 courses in total. All of which are incredibly detailed and cover a wide spectrum of topics.
Also, the platform is accredited by around 170 top institutions from across the world. However, do note that not every course on the platform is accredited by a university.
Pros:
- Flexible online courses made specifically by universities
- Accredited certificates that are recognized world over
- Large variety of free courses
- Stellar UI and video content
Cons:
- Credentialed programs are quite expensive
- Not the best option for arts and creativity
Visit Futurelearn here
9. MasterClass
Want to become a filmmaker? How about a course from none other than Martin Scorsese himself? Interested in culinary? How about a direct lesson from Gordon Ramsey? That’s exactly what MasterClass offers. You can find leading names from their respective fields offering pristine video courses. Masterclass excels in quality, both in terms of production and the course content. The videos are shot with cinema-grade cameras and the scripts are highly refined. This is a perfect platform for those interested in the arts.
Pros:
- World renowned individuals offering courses
- Highest quality content out of any platform
- Over 100 high quality courses available
- Beautiful and easy-to-use UI
Cons:
- Introductory knowledge
- Little variety
Visit MasterClass here.
10. Khan Academy
Khan Academy might be what started it all. Dating back to the early days of YouTube, Khan Academy started as a small channel geared towards students who needed help in science subjects. However, the videos quickly exploded and their popularity made way for a standalone learning platform that we know was Khan Academy today. Khan Academy is a charitable endeavor that has empowered millions of students to learn and excel at a variety of subjects. The platform is absolutely free for everyone and offers highly detailed courses in an easy-to-understand format.
Pros:
- Every single course absolutely free
- Plenty of quizzes and exercises to test your learning
- 8000 video lessons
- Specialized courses for SAT prep
Cons:
- Production quality below par
- Not ideal for arts and creativity
Visit Khanacademy here.
Conclusion
Online learning has become easier than ever, thanks to the many options listed in this article. However, as with anything else, no one platform is all-encompassing. Hence, we reviewed ten of the most sought-after online learning platforms, each with its own pros and cons. Fortunately, due to the abundance of options, you will find something suited explicitly to you.