The world is changing, and there are many new skills that you can acquire to climb the ladder, whether it’s corporate or personal. Learning new skills will always keep you ahead in life.

The best part of learning courses is learning from experts in specific fields. You don’t have to step out of your home and from your comfort zone; you can learn skills and add them to your resume.

If you are curious about learning new skills, then online learning platforms are the best place to start learning them. However, there will be confusion about which online learning platform is the best. 

If you are looking for the best online learning platforms, you have come to the right place. In this guide, I will walk you through the best online learning platforms that will enhance your skills. If you are a student, a professional, or someone looking to improve their skills, this online learning platform will help.

How To Choose The Best Online Learning Platform

Several companies are offering free online courses, so it will be difficult to know which will provide the quality courses. To know that we have evaluated dozens of online learning platforms to find which one suits the best for students and professionals. Here are some of the factors listed based on our evaluation.

Accessibility

The app or website should be convenient to access from anywhere without hassle. Students should be able to access the platform easily with just an internet connection. There shouldn’t be too many software requirements for learning. People should be able to access all the features at a limited cost, and few platforms offer online courses at no charge.

Flexibility 

People seek online learning as a convenient way as they cannot commit to a fixed time or schedule. We have listed companies that are making online courses as flexible as possible with trending skills. Another factor we have to consider is the duration of the course, as some people cannot take lengthy courses because of their schedules. We have listed companies who are offering courses that can be completed in a few weeks and months. 

Quality Education

Even if the course is free, people still expect it to be knowledgeable and help them upgrade their skills. Why do they not deserve the best education from experts in the industry? Many providers are giving access to courses taught by faculty in renowned educational institutions like Harvard and Oxford. They coordinate with expert professionals in their field to teach high-quality education and in-demand skills.

Reviews

Reviews speak a lot in the digital era, so I turned to student reviews on platforms like Reddit, Quora, and Google Reviews to learn what actual users are saying about the course. We looked at different aspects, starting from whether the students found their courses beneficial and engaging to their user interface and technical aspects. Also, the experience they had about the faculty and representation of the course.

Best Online Learning Platforms

1. Udemy

Best For All Courses

Udemy offers a wide range of courses, from programming to data science, design, content creation, and courses on self-improvement.

Udemy has whatever course you need.

All the courses are taught by professionals and people who are experts in their field. You can learn at your own pace, and new courses have been added to the platform. 

Various instructors have different teaching styles, so you can figure out which one suits you. Also, if you’re an expert in the field, you can create a course and earn money by teaching others. 

The best thing about Udemy is that it offers courses at a discount throughout the year. It’s a great platform for students as the courses are detailed, and you learn at your convenience.

Key Features

• Lifetime access to the courses helps you revisit the courses as often as you need to.

• Learn at your flexible schedules at your own pace.

• Learn from the experts in the field to gain knowledge and showcase your skills.

• Get certification to showcase your skills on the CV.

• Ask the instructors questions and get feedback that helps improve.

User Interface

The interface is clean, navigation is easy, and designing is simple to make users understand all the topics that are included in the course.

You can easily search for the topic you want the course on Udemy, which offers the course for you.

Pricing

• The pricing varies depending on the course you choose.

• Udemy offers various discounts on courses throughout the year.

Pros

• The wide range of courses available at Udemy is vast, from basic to advanced classes.

• You can access the courses from mobile applications and the web, which fits in the accessibility frame.

Cons

• Courses can be further enhanced for better learning and updating fresher quality content.

2. Coursera

Coursera offers a variety of courses to students all over the globe. They partner with universities and companies to provide the best courses for students that are free and paid.

It offers courses in different languages, which will make it one of the unique platforms and make education accessible worldwide. 

Coursera makes it easy for students to search the course with subject line, matter, skill, and length.

Enrolling in Coursera is easy, and you can get access to course materials and schedules.  When exploring the courses, students can filter the language to meet their course and communication needs.

No matter which course you are looking for, Coursera has it for you.

There is a wide range of courses, from business to information and technology. The signup process is simple and easy, and the platform helps to set learning goals and appropriate courses.

Key Features

• Coursera offers courses in 56 different languages, which makes it the most accessible online learning platform.

• It provides learning goals and appropriate courses.

• Easily accessible course materials and schedules.

• Get certification to showcase your skills on the CV.

• They have partnered with the best companies, such as Google and Amazon, and internationally recognized schools, such as Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and Glasgow University, to offer courses with global appeal.

User Interface

Easy navigation and a simple design make it appealing. The course highlights and call to action are clear.

Courses are laid down with testimonials.

Pricing

• There are several free courses, but Coursera is only partially free. You won’t be able to receive the graded assignments or certificate.

• You can upgrade to the paid version to receive the assignments and certificate.

Pros

• Enrolling is easy. You need to sign up and start learning the course you want.

• Courses are available in 56 different languages.

• Learn from industry experts and courses from renowned companies like Google and universities like Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and Glasgow University.

Cons

• No lifetime access is provided for the courses.

3. Skillshare

Skillshare is an online learning platform that is more focused on creativity and design. If you want to learn about creativity and design, skillshare is a great platform for you.

You can access the platform with a mobile app or through the web, making it convenient to use on the go and accessible no matter where you are.

Skillshare is an excellent platform for people looking for like-minded communities and projects assigned to them. For people who want to improve their creative skills, skillshare is the go-to place.

There are courses in design, illustration, and photography in any field. Skillshare has a course that provides you with a lot of exposure to creative aspects.

Key Features

• Learn from anywhere with the mobile app, which makes accessibility easy and convenient.

• Connect with a like-minded community, which will help you lead a creative life.

• Online learning platforms for creative skills will help you achieve your goal with real-life examples and community.

User Interface

Product recommendations are precise and straight and show relevant options that you might consider.

Pricing

• There are some free courses which you can learn.

• Skillshare for teams allows you to get together and access the content with a group of people.

• Corporate gift cards will help employees develop.

Pros

• If you’re in a creative field, skillshare will benefit you greatly as the courses are more demonstrative.

• A community of like-minded people will help you grow in the creative field.

Cons

• Some courses do not provide more details about the topic.

4. EdX

EdX is one of the best and top learning platforms for the world’s educational institutions, offering high-quality learning in various fields.

Learning high-quality will help you get closer to your career goals from the comfort of your home, which is the added advantage this platform will offer. 

EdX offers courses in various disciplines, including business, data science, computer science, languages, and humanities. 

It is partnered with prestigious institutions like MIT, Harvard, and UC Berkeley, offering content developed by top professionals in the field.

In addition to single courses, edX provides micro masters and professional certificate programs from recognized universities, including bachelor’s and master’s degrees.  

Key Features

• Many courses can be audited for free, although access to graded assignments and certificates requires fees.

• It provides self-paced learning, allowing the user to complete the coursework at their convenience.

• From computer science and engineering to business management, you can find suitable courses on edX.

User Interface 

You can see the progress of the course, which will motivate you to do more, and the progress is presented in the form of a pie chart. Also, there is a timeline and leaderboard information, which is helpful.

Pricing

• It depends on the course you’re going for.

• In a free plan, you’ll get access to audits, although access to graded assignments and certificates requires fees and a price range from $50 to $300 per course.

• Micromasters and professional certificates cost between $600 to $1500. 

Pros

• High-quality content from top universities.

• Free auditing option for many courses.

• Self-paced learning with a flexible schedule.

• Users have the option to modify anything in the project.

Cons

• Some courses are expensive.

5. Linkedin Learning

Best For Business Professionals

Many people use LinkedIn for networking; LinkedIn learning is one of the great platforms for learning and improving skills.

LinkedIn Learning offers specialized courses based on the industry, skill, and role. Along with social networking, LinkedIn learning helps you learn new skills with tailored content that enables you to reach your career goals.

It helps to showcase courses and certifications directly on the profile. This online learning platform allows professionals to upskill, reskill, and stay competitive in their industry with a library that covers a wide range of professional topics.

LinkedIn Learning provides access to over 16000 courses across diverse fields like leadership, project management, software development, data science, design, and more.

Key Features

• The platform offered tailored course recommendations based on a user’s LinkedIn profile.

• Industry experts and professionals teach all courses with in-depth experience in the field.

• It offers convenient and easy access to courses via its mobile app.

User Interface

The platform recommends skills that might be helpful in your current role.

It provides specific recommendations that are beneficial.

Pricing

• Monthly plan at $39.99 per month.

• Annual plan of $239 per year. A free trial of one month is available for new users.

Pros

• Wide range of professional and technical courses.

• Easy integration with a LinkedIn profile for showcasing skills.

• Flexible learning and convenient learning.

• Expert instructors with in-depth knowledge in the field.

Cons

• Subscription costs are higher for casual learners.

• With a wide focus on business and tech skills

6. DataCamp

Datacamp is an online learning platform for data science, programming, and analytics courses. 

It focuses on helping users learn the skills they need to get jobs in the tech industry. They have a variety of courses that cover topics like Python, SQL, and more.

DataCamp offers certification courses that will help you stand out when you’re applying for jobs. It has regularly updated content, which will help to stay up to date with the tech industry.

With professional courses in various fields ranging from non-coding to data science, this platform will help you learn everything about data. If you’re looking for an online learning platform in the tech industry, DataCamp is a platform.

Industry experts offer various courses that you can learn at your own pace and your convenience.

Key Features

• Learn data skills online at your own pace and convenience.

• Learn easily with interactive exercises and short videos.

• You can directly practice and implement the code you’re learning from the browser.

• With regularly updated content, you can stay up to date with the tech industry.

Pricing

The basic plan is free.

Premium: $12.42 (Single Person) /Per month 

Teams: $12.42 per person (2 People) / Per month 

Enterprise: Contact for pricing 

Pros

• No software installation is required to learn from your browser directly.

• Enterprise solution for the team.

• Instant feedback on code.

• Library of SQL, python.

Cons

• Subscription costs are higher.

• Some topics lack depth.

7. FutureLearn 

FutureLearn is an online learning platform founded by an open university in the UK. It offers various courses, certifications, and degree programs partnering with renowned universities and organizations.

It offers various courses in various disciplines, including healthcare, business, humanities, and more.

The platform focuses on providing an interactive social learning experience, with courses designed to encourage students through quizzes and group activities.

Key Features

• Story-based learning for better understanding.

• Digital certificates for showcasing the achievement.

• Articles and videos will help you understand and implement in a better way as both video and text formats are available.

• Peer-to-peer discussions are available so you can directly talk and discuss complex topics with peers.

Pricing

An unlimited learning plan is at $54.

Pros

• Unique course offerings 

• Strong social science content is offered, which makes it unique among all the online learning platforms. 

• Courses are designed clearly.

Cons

• Free access is only for 14 days.

• Mobile app functionality is limited.

Conclusion

Choosing the best online learning platform depends on your individual learning goals. Platforms like edX and FutureLearn are excellent for those seeking courses from prestigious universities, offering free classes and accredited degree programs.

LinkedIn learning is ideal for professionals looking to develop career-focused skills quickly. Its vast learning courses and seamless integration for showcasing skills make it a great choice.

Each platform has its pros and cons. It depends on which platform you find more detailed, and most importantly, it also depends on the course you are opting for.

If you like this, don’t forget to share it with friends and family who are looking for the best online learning platforms. Do let us know which online learning platform you are using. Also Check our guide on the 10 Best AI Content Generators