Udemy vs LinkedIn Learning – Which Learning Platform Wins
The popularity of online learning platforms is something that has seen a huge spike over the last few years – and for good reason!
Online learning platforms allow greater accessibility to education and provide a convenient platform for learning in today’s digital age.
If you are someone who is interested in online learning, you may have already heard of two extremely popular platforms: Udemy and LinkedIn Learning.
These two platforms both have incredible features and a great user interface. So, how do you choose between them?
This is where we come in. Today, we’ll be breaking down these two platforms and seeing how they stack up against each other in a comprehensive comparison.
We’ll cover everything you need to know, from pricing to real-world skill application.
Let’s go ahead and jump right into it!
Udemy: Platform Overview
In 2007, the two founders of Udemy, Eren Bali and Oktay Caglar, created a piece of software for a virtual classroom.
Realizing the potential of their creation, the founders decided to continue working on this project and ended up launching the online learning platform Udemy in 2010.
Udemy now offers over 210,000 online video courses which can be purchased individually as part of their pay-per-course option.
While long-term subscriptions or memberships are available, having one is not required to take part in one of their courses.
Udemy has an extremely wide range of topics on offer, ranging from web development to drawing.
LinkedIn Learning: Platform Overview
In 1995, a website called Lynda.com was founded as an online companion to go alongside the books of Lynda Weinman.
This website was purchased by LinkedIn in 2015, evolving into what now is branded as LinkedIn Learning.
LinkedIn Learning is now a hub of online learning that focuses on career development and professional skills.
There are over 20,000 expert-led courses available on LinkedIn Learning, covering topics ranging from public speaking to strategic thinking.
LinkedIn Learning is a subscription-based platform, meaning you will be able to access all of the courses that the platform has to offer if you have a subscription to this service!
That being said, there are also pay-per-course options available on this platform.
Course Selection and Variety
There is a significant difference in the number of courses that are offered by LinkedIn Learning and Udemy.
LinkedIn Learning currently has over 20,000 courses available, while Udemy has well over 210,000 courses.
That being said, Udemy offers courses across 12+ different categories, while LinkedIn Learning has courses in 30+ different categories.
So, if you’re looking at the sheer number of courses, then Udemy comes out on top. However, if you want more topic variety, then LinkedIn Learning is the way to go.
Course Quality and Instructor Expertise
Another way that Udemy and LinkedIn Learning differ is when it comes to course quality and instructor expertise.
Over at Udemy, anyone can create or teach a course! While this leads to a high number of courses, it also means that not every course is going to be led by professionals.
That being said, Udemy courses are screened before they are released to the public and are also ranked using a five-star system so that you can gauge the quality of the course before you decide to take it.
At LinkedIn Learning, all courses require the teacher to submit a personal application and attach their LinkedIn profile before they create a course. This information will be considered before they can lead a course.
This means that the quality of LinkedIn Learning courses is generally going to be higher.
Many professionals lead LinkedIn Learning courses, meaning that completing one can be a great foot in the door or an addition to your resume.
Pricing and Subscription Models
Both Udemy and LinkedIn Learning have subscription and pay-per-course options. The prices for both the subscription services and the individual courses differ significantly.
Individual courses at Udemy begin at around $12.99 per course. LinkedIn Learning’s courses, on the other hand, have an average course cost of around $35.
When it comes to monthly subscriptions, Udemy is significantly cheaper than LinkedIn Learning.
A monthly subscription to Udemy costs $29.99, while a monthly subscription to LinkedIn Learning costs $39.99.
In terms of free content, you can get over 500 free courses at Udemy!
At LinkedIn Learning, you can get your hands on 8 free learning paths with 20 courses. This again puts Udemy on top in terms of pricing.
User Experience and Platform Usability
When it comes to user experience and platform usability, Udemy and LinkedIn Learning are quite similar. Both of the websites for these platforms are easy to navigate and the courses are simple to access.
Both of these platforms also have mobile apps as well as active support staff that can aid with any user issues.
LinkedIn Learning and Udemy also both offer offline access to their course, meaning that you can download content from the courses and access it without the need for an internet connection.
Certifications and Professional Development
Neither Udemy nor LinkedIn Learning are considered formal institutions, meaning any certificates received on either of these platforms are not accredited.
So, while you will be able to receive certificates from both Udemy and LinkedIn Learning, none of these certificates will be accredited.
That being said, certificates earned through LinkedIn Learning have been known to hold some weight in professional settings due to the caliber of teachers who are active on the platform.
LinkedIn Learning certificates are a great addition to your LinkedIn profile and can help you stand out in the job market.
While Udemy certificates can also hold some significance, the quality of teachers on LinkedIn Learning generally means that these certificates are more likely to be noticed and respected.
Pros and Cons: Side-by-Side Analysis
Udemy and LinkedIn Learning both have their own fair share of positive and negative aspects.
Let’s go ahead and break down the pros and cons of both Udemy and LinkedIn Learning in order to see how these two platforms stack up against each other.
Udemy
Pros:
- Wide range of courses
- Affordable
- Plenty of free content available
Cons:
- Reputable and professional teachers not guaranteed
- Course quality can vary greatly
LinkedIn Learning
Pros:
- Professional and highly esteemed teachers
- Wide variety of course topics
- Courses that enhance professional skills
Cons:
- More expensive
- Less free content
Keep in mind that these are just a few of the pros and cons of these platforms!
Your personal needs and preferences are likely to have a large impact on which of these online learning platforms is the best fit for you.
Real-World Application: Skills and Career Impact
LinkedIn Learning courses are focused on improving skills that will benefit the career and professional life of the user.
This makes it a great choice for people who want to further their careers and develop skills that will benefit them in their professional lives.
Udemy also has many courses that are able to aid people in terms of their career and professional life, but this is not the main focus of the platform.
There are plenty of courses that are focused on more creative skills that cater more to entertainment and personal development rather than career advancement.
Conclusion: Which Platform Wins?
At the end of the day, whether you choose Udemy or LinkedIn Learning as your online learning platform depends entirely on your personal needs and preferences.
While both of these platforms are great choices, your learning goals, budget, and professional aspirations can contribute to which one is the best pick!
If you are looking for an affordable platform with a wide range of courses, then Udemy may be the best fit for you.
However, if you are on the hunt for courses that are led by esteemed teachers and professionals, then LinkedIn Learning is likely the superior choice.
