LinkedIn Learning vs Udemy: Which is Better in 2024?

Now, if you are short on time, here are the key takeaways from this review:

• Udemy has the biggest range of courses, with more than 204,000 classes available and a vast user base of over 50 million people. It also offers over 75 language options.
• LinkedIn Learning, on the other hand, has more course categories to choose from, covering Business, Creative, and Technology areas. Plus, the certificates you earn show up directly on your LinkedIn profile.

Both Udemy and Linkedin Learning offer their students single-course purchases and subscription options.

Single-course purchases are ideal if you seek lifetime access and want to study at your own pace.

On the other hand, subscription programs may be your best bet if you need access to multiple online courses and have a certain amount of time at hand.

Now that we’ve briefly covered two platforms, let’s discuss them in more detail.

About Udemy and LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn Learning overview

LinkedIn Learning emerged onto the online course scene in 1995 under the name Lynda.com.

Today, it stands out as one of the leading providers, with a staggering 27 million users and over 17,000 courses offered.

This online learning platform focuses on in-demand tech skills and personal development topics such as wellness and mindfulness.

Therefore, it’s no surprise that LinkedIn Learning has been able to attract such a vast user base — its growth alone reached 17 million in just four years.

But what makes LinkedIn Learning even more attractive is the free one-month trial it offers.

This perk allows anyone interested to explore all that LinkedIn Learning has to offer without any obligation to commit long-term.

In addition, featuring courses from the world’s largest professional network on your profile provides excellent value to any employer seeking skilled candidates.

And for managers, LinkedIn Learning presents an opportunity to invest in employee development by providing team access to a wealth of knowledge and expertise available on the platform.

Udemy overview

Identifying itself as a leading platform for online education, Udemy was first introduced in May 2010.

The platform now proudly hosts over 50 million users and offers more than 200,000 courses.

Recognized as one of the finest e-learning platforms in 2024, Udemy persistently extends its reach, supporting individuals in both their professional and personal development.

In contrast to some learning providers that solely offer subscription-based services, Udemy allows for the purchase of individual courses.

This approach affords you the flexibility to study on your own terms and in line with your personal obligations.

Some courses are even available at no cost.

Nevertheless, Udemy’s Personal Plan, a monthly subscription, often proves more advantageous in the long haul.

This plan provides access to over 6,000 courses for the duration of your active subscription.

Udemy vs LinkedIn Learning features

Udemy and LinkedIn Learning are both popular online learning platforms, but they offer different features that cater to various learning needs and preferences.

Here’s a comparison of their features:

Udemy features

• Vast selection of 204,000+ courses spanning from high-demand skills to leisure topics
• Opportunity for anyone to become a Udemy instructor and share their expertise with the world
• Individual course purchases allowing for targeted learning
• A monthly subscription option providing access to 6,000+ courses at a great value
• Over 500 free courses for budget-friendly education
• On-demand video lessons available anytime and anywhere, plus downloadable resources to help maximize learning potential

Linkedin Learning features

• Access to more than 17,000 courses in over 30 categories, including professional development, creativity, and wellness topics
• Opportunity to become a teacher on LinkedIn Learning
• Ability to purchase individual courses
• Subscription option that gives you access to all 17,000+ courses
• Eight free learning pathways and generous discounts
• On-demand video lessons and downloadable resources

Udemy vs LinkedIn Learning: How Userfriendly Are the Platforms?

Here’s how Udemy and Linkedin Learning stack up in terms of ease of use:

Udemy userfriendliness

Udemy prides itself on its easy-to-use platform, providing a seamless learning experience for its users.

Some of the key aspects of Udemy’s user-friendliness include:

• Intuitive interface: The platform boasts well-organized categories and a search function that allows users to find courses quickly and easily.
• Course previews: Users can preview course content, read reviews, and view instructor information before purchasing any course, ensuring that they buy only courses that meet their expectations.
• Progress tracking: Udemy tracks a user’s progress within a course, making it easy to pick up from where they left off.
• Mobile and offline access: With mobile apps available for both iOS and Android users, learners can access courses even while on the go.
• Offline viewing: Additionally, course materials can be downloaded for offline viewing at the train station or in other areas with limited internet connectivity.
• Personalized recommendations: Based on individual interests and preferences, Udemy suggests suitable courses tailored to each user’s learning history.
• Q&A and discussion forums: Learners can engage with instructors as well as fellow students through Q&A sessions, discussions boards helping them get more engaged with other learners

LinkedIn Learning userfriendliness

LinkedIn Learning is generally considered to be a user-friendly platform.

It offers a variety of features that contribute to its ease of use and accessibility:

• User-friendly interface: The platform boasts a clean design with an intuitive layout, making it easy to navigate. Whether you’re browsing courses, exploring categories, or accessing your learning history, everything is just a click away.
• Personalized recommendations: With its unique algorithm, LinkedIn Learning recommends courses based on your profile, skills, and interests. This feature helps you discover relevant content more easily and tailor your learning experience to your needs.
• Convenient mobile app: Need to learn on the go? No problem! The LinkedIn Learning app is available for both iOS and Android devices, offering offline access to content as well as an attractive user interface that makes it easy to learn anytime, anywhere.
• Robust search function: Finding the right course has never been easier with LinkedIn Learning’s powerful search tool. You can find what you need by filtering results through keywords, categories, or other filters without any hassle.
• Clear course organization: Each course is organized into a series of short videos with clear objectives and structures that make it simple for users to follow along at their own pace.
• Interactive elements: Keep yourself engaged while learning with quizzes, exercises, and other interactive features that many of the courses offered on this platform.
• Seamless integration with LinkedIn: As an added bonus, the platform is integrated seamlessly with LinkedIn. This connection allows users to show off accomplishments, add new skills to their profile and connect with other professionals in their industry easily.

Udemy vs LinkedIn Learning: Pros and Cons

Linkedin Learning

Pros:

• Highly rated instructors with hands-on, practical experience
• Directly connected to LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional network
• Courses are well-crafted and available for online or offline viewing
• Extensive range of course categories to suit a variety of interests

Cons:

• Linkedin Learning can have unpredictable pricing changes
• Certificates earned on LinkedIn Learning are not accredited

Udemy

Pros:

• A wide selection of courses to choose from
• Great deals and sales regularly offered
• More than 500 free courses available
• Instructors who are passionate and knowledgeable, with some high-profile contributors
• Courses that strike a balance between professional and creative subjects

Cons:

• Course quality can vary greatly
• Certificates are not commonly accredited/recognized

Who benefits most from Udemy and LinkedIn Learning?

Who’s Linkedin Learning best for?

Linkedin Learning is an ideal resource for professionals and enthusiasts seeking to build upon their skillset.

As someone in the tech or business fields, you can further your knowledge with LinkedIn Learning’s expansive collection of high-quality courses focused on upskilling.

Even if you’re not trying to meet a specific goal or ambition, LinkedIn Learning is still beneficial.

It provides plenty of courses designed for personal and professional development.

Additionally, graphic designers and other creatives may find much useful material on the platform to help them learn new and emerging tools.

Who’s Udemy best for?

Udemy is the perfect place for passionate learners looking to pick up new skills or hobbies.

With such a variety of courses available, Udemy offers something for everyone!

Whether you’re interested in learning a language, taking up a new hobby, or mastering difficult-to-access tech topics, Udemy provides the perfect platform.

Plus, with the option to try out individual courses before you commit to a subscription, it’s ideal for those still searching for their favorite subject.

Businesses can also benefit from Udemy’s offerings as there are plenty of opportunities to upskill employees quickly and efficiently.

Comparison of Udemy and LinkedIn Learning Courses

Both LinkedIn Learning and Udemy offer a vast selection of courses, but how do they compare?

Let’s take a look at the differences between Udemy and LinkedIn Learning:

Udemy courses

Udemy has an extensive collection of 204,000+ courses spanning over 12 topics.

With pre-recorded videos and downloadable resources, the courses are divided into manageable lessons that can take between 1 to 20 hours to complete.

Each course is designed to help you gain expertise in specific skills and theories, with instructors providing assignments that enable you to practice what you’ve learned.

The best part about learning on Udemy is that you get a personalized experience based on your interests.

As you explore different courses, the platform learns what kind of classes pique your curiosity and offers tailored recommendations based on your preferences.

You can use the search bar if there’s something particular you want to learn or browse by Course categories or Recommended courses.

With Udemy being such a vast platform catering to diverse skill sets and interests, it offers opportunities for continuous learning regardless of your background.

Linkedin courses

Udemy may offer a vast selection of courses, but it’s hard to deny that LinkedIn Learning takes things up a notch with its extensive range of course categories.

What’s even better is that once you complete a course from LinkedIn Learning, you can add a LinkedIn Learning certificate to your LinkedIn profile – providing concrete proof of the skills you’ve acquired.

But there’s more!

The courses on LinkedIn Learning are optimized for video learning, with expert instructors breaking down each topic in an accessible manner.

Plus, many of these courses include extra materials like articles and journals — perfect for expanding your knowledge on the subject matter.

And the best part?

You can access most resources while on-the-go, so you’re not limited to studying at one location only!

Udemy vs LinkedIn Learning: Teaching Quality

Teacher quality is a critical factor in any course’s success.

A knowledgeable, skilled, and passionate educator who can simplify complex information can make all the difference.

Additionally, instructors must develop and meet their course objectives to ensure student success.

As a student, you should know what to expect from your learning experience at the beginning of it and emerge with added knowledge and comprehension when it concludes.

So how do Udemy and LinkedIn Learning compare when it comes down to teacher quality?

Udemy Teachers

In essence, Udemy presents an opportunity for anyone to create and share a comprehensive online course.

However, there are specific guidelines that must be adhered to, including a minimum of 30-minute classes, at least five distinct lectures, and topics suitable for the workplace only.

Nonetheless, having any formal training in the course category is not always necessary to become an instructor on Udemy.

Many distinguished academics and professionals don’t hold any formal qualifications in their field of expertise but are top-rated Udemy instructors.

Some accomplished Udemy teachers include:

• Rob Percival: This web developer and teacher is known for his comprehensive courses on web development. His offerings include “The Complete Web Developer Course” and “The Complete iOS Developer Course.”
• Jose Portilla: As a data scientist and instructor, Jose Portilla has created popular courses on data science, Python programming, and machine learning.
• Colt Steele: With a background in web development, Colt is a well-known Udemy instructor. His courses, such as “The Web Developer Bootcamp” and “The Modern Python 3 Bootcamp”, have attracted thousands of students.
• Angela Yu: Founder of the London App Brewery and experienced mobile app developer, Angela Yu offers highly-rated courses on mobile app development such as “The Complete 2024 Flutter Development Bootcamp” and “iOS & Swift – The Complete iOS App Development Bootcamp.”
• Jonas Schmedtmann: Focused on teaching HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and other web technologies from his perspective as both a designer and developer. Jonas’ popular offerings include “Advanced CSS and Sass: Flexbox, Grid Animations” and a more recently released course named “The Complete JavaScript Course.”

These are just some examples of the many talented instructors available on Udemy. Each brings a unique experience to create exciting learning opportunities for students across the globe.

LinkedIn Learning Teachers

One notable difference between Udemy and LinkedIn Learning is the application process for teachers.

While Udemy accepts courses from anyone, LinkedIn Learning requires all teachers to submit a personal application for review.

Additionally, having a LinkedIn profile is mandatory as it will be referenced during the application process.

This stringent selection process ensures that only qualified and experienced professionals teach on the platform.

LinkedIn Learning boasts a formidable roster of instructors who are experts in various fields.

Aspiring professionals can learn from some of the best in the business, including these notable instructors:

• Guy Kawasaki: Guy Kawasaki is recognized as a marketing guru and is currently the chief evangelist of Canva. He is also a former Apple Fellow and teaches courses on social media, entrepreneurship, and marketing.
• Dorie Clark: As a branding and marketing expert, Dorie Clark has authored several best-selling books and delivers keynote speeches around the world. Her courses cover networking, personal branding, and thought leadership.
• Deke McClelland: Deke McClelland possesses vast knowledge in graphic design and digital imaging; he is an Adobe Certified Expert with numerous published works. His courses focus on Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, to name but a few.
• Chris Croft: Chris Croft is an experienced management trainer who provides instruction in project management, time management, and leadership skills through his diverse range of courses tailored for businesses.
• Ben Long: Ben Long knows all there is to know about photography as a professional photographer himself with years of experience teaching others how to capture stunning images. He teaches on topics such as digital photography basics alongside video production techniques using Apple Final Cut Pro while offering insights into image editing software like Adobe Lightroom.
• Morten Rand-Hendriksen: Morten Rand-Hendriksen specializes in web development coupled with website design utilizing WordPress expertise amongst other front-end development skills that have won him plaudits among professionals worldwide.

Although just a fraction of the talented individuals providing instruction at LinkedIn Learning were mentioned above, they provide invaluable resources for those looking to improve their skill sets or delve into new fields altogether!

The emphasis of LinkedIn Learning on delivering high-quality content ensures learners benefit from top-tier industry knowledge provided by industry leaders themselves!

At present, LinkedIn Learning garners an average course rating of 4.5 which speaks volumes about the quality of its offerings.

Udemy vs LinkedIn Learning: Cost Comparison

Udemy cost

The price range for individual Udemy courses varies between $12.99 and $199.99.

However, there are frequent opportunities to secure discounts on popular courses.

Additionally, over 500 courses are available free of charge.

Udemy also offers a subscription service called the Personal Plan, granting access to 6,000 handpicked courses.

You can start with a 7-day free trial, and then the service costs $29.99 per month.

Feel free to cancel your subscription whenever you like; you’ll still have access to the courses until your next billing cycle.

Similar to many online learning platforms, Udemy provides a 30-day refund policy on its courses which is subject to eligibility requirements.

As a result, your refund request may be denied if, for example, you’ve completed a substantial portion of the course or have a history of excessive refund requests.

LinkedIn Learning cost

The cost of a LinkedIn Learning course ranges from $35 to $40 for individual courses.

However, there are 8 free learning paths available, and the platform offers regular discounts.

Additionally, those seeking employment may have access to free courses for a limited time.

To access the entire library of courses on LinkedIn Learning, you can subscribe monthly or annually.

Both options come with a 30-day trial period so you can test the waters before committing.

If you decide to cancel your subscription, don’t worry — you’ll still have access until your next billing date.

If you’re not satisfied with a course you’ve purchased, LinkedIn Learning has a 30-day refund policy.

In some cases, exceptions may be made, and you can submit your account for review if you feel your circumstances warrant it.

Overall, LinkedIn Learning offers a flexible and affordable way to upskill and advance your career.

Udemy vs LinkedIn Learning: Certifications

When it comes to certificates, both Udemy and LinkedIn Learning offer them upon course completion.

However, as neither platform is an accredited institution, the certificates are not officially recognized.

That being said, displaying these certificates on your job profile or mentioning them in your resume can still be of great merit to potential employers.

On Udemy, you can download your Udemy certificates as a PDF or JPEG file and share them on social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.

Similarly, LinkedIn Learning also offers certificates on all of their paid courses.

Udemy vs LinkedIn Learning: Customer Support

Udemy and LinkedIn Learning both understand the importance of providing exceptional customer support to their students and instructors.

Let’s take a closer look at what each platform offers:

Udemy Customer Support

If you’re an Udemy user with questions or concerns, there are multiple ways to get in touch with their customer support team.

Start by visiting their customer service webpage, which features an extensive collection of FAQs covering topics such as account setup, problem-solving, and refund inquiries.

If you can’t find the information you’re looking for within the FAQs, you can submit a request through their contact form.

Expect to receive a response via email within 3-5 business days.

LinkedIn Learning Customer Support

LinkedIn Learning’s dedicated Help Center is designed to provide users with comprehensive resources and learning shortcuts.

You can also use the search bar to find relevant results based on specific queries.

To ensure prompt assistance for urgent matters, the best options for contacting a support representative are Live Chat or email.

The Live Chat feature ensures that you receive fast and efficient assistance from a knowledgeable professional who can address your concerns or answer your questions.

In conclusion, both Udemy and LinkedIn Learning prioritize customer satisfaction by providing robust channels for customer support.

Whether you prefer email support or quick access to live chat representatives, these platforms will ensure that your needs are met.

Ultimately, the extent and quality of customer support may vary depending on the complexity of your request and the availability of resources at any given time.

Nevertheless, Udemy and LinkedIn Learning stay committed to their mission of providing accessible and high-quality learning experiences for everyone.

Udemy vs LinkedIn Learning Alternatives

When considering online learning platforms beyond Udemy and LinkedIn Learning, there are several noteworthy alternatives to explore.

These options cater to a wide range of learning styles, interests, and budgets.

Some popular alternatives include:

edX

edX features courses developed by renowned universities such as MIT, Berkeley, and Harvard.

As an accredited institution, edX allows you to obtain official degrees.

Numerous free courses are available on the platform.

However, to receive an edX completion certificate, you’ll need to pay for the course, which typically ranges from $50 to $300.

Masterclass

MasterClass stands out as a truly distinctive platform.

In contrast to Udemy and Skillshare, where anyone can create courses, MasterClass showcases instruction from top-tier, celebrity-level talents, such as Gordon Ramsay and Bill Clinton.

Moreover, MasterClass is renowned for its exceptional production quality, delivering cinematic video lessons.

Impressively, an individual membership costs just $15 per month, offering excellent value for your investment.

MasterClass has also introduced MasterClass Sessions, 30-day courses that you can participate in alongside a group of fellow students.

Coursera

Established in 2012, Coursera has amassed over 92 million users and features 7,000 courses from leading institutions like Yale and Stanford, making it a strong contender among other e-learning platforms.

Boasting 11+ categories and collaborations with 250+ esteemed partner institutions, Coursera provides both pay-per-course and subscription options.

One of its most appealing aspects is the offering of accredited courses with certificates.

If you’re seeking more formalized training that can contribute to a degree or provide a standalone certificate, Coursera is an excellent choice.

Skillshare

Skillshare shares some similarities with LinkedIn Learning, particularly in its subscription model.

Offering a one-month free trial for its premium paid membership, Skillshare stands out due to its highly engaged community of learners.

Many of its classes include peer assessments, making the learning experience interactive and enjoyable.

Focusing on creative courses, Skillshare caters to those looking to acquire new skills or enhance existing ones.

In addition to individual courses, it also provides plans for businesses and teams, making it a versatile platform for various needs.

Simplilearn

Formed in 2009, Simplilearn has over 1 million learners and 2,000+ courses in collaboration with leading institutions and top experts.

It’s a popular choice for professionals seeking career advancement and skill development.

With 12+ categories and partnerships with prestigious institutions, Simplilearn focuses on professional training and certification courses.

A key selling point is its blended learning approach, combining self-paced online learning with live virtual classrooms and expert mentorship.

This ensures a more comprehensive and engaging learning experience.

If you’re seeking practical, industry-relevant training with certification, Simplilearn is a platform worth considering.

Udemy vs LinkedIn: Which One is Better for Businesses?

Offering employee training and development opportunities is becoming increasingly common for businesses and organizations.

Both Udemy and LinkedIn Learning have recognized this need and offer their services to help companies fulfill it.

Udemy for Business has two plans, the Team plan and the Enterprise plan.

The Team plan is designed for small companies or growing teams consisting of 5-20 users.

This plan gives you access to more than 5,500 courses for $360 per user per year (minimum of 5 users required).

The Enterprise plan, on the other hand, caters to larger organizations with a user base of more than 21 members.

With this plan, businesses can access over 5,500 courses, customize topics based on their needs, create user groups, and enjoy additional features.

To get a quote for the Enterprise plan, you will need to contact Udemy’s sales team to request a free demo.

Similarly, LinkedIn Learning also provides content tailored specifically for businesses.

If you’re interested in availing yourself of this service or want to learn more about it for your team, then you should contact LinkedIn Learning’s sales department.

Their approach involves personalizing the content library while encouraging engagement among employees through a seamless learner experience.

Unlike Udemy’s transparent pricing strategy, LinkedIn Learning offers customized pricing based on the size and needs of your company, making it difficult to estimate the cost without directly contacting them.

In summary, both Udemy for Business and LinkedIn Learning offer comprehensive employee training and development opportunities.

While Udemy provides two pricing plans to choose from, LinkedIn Learning’s pricing is customized based on your business’s unique needs.

Ultimately, your decision will depend on which platform best fits your company culture and budget.