Software · head to head
Coursera vs LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning
Software
Develop skills with expert-led courses
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Coursera has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Coursera free audit does not include certificate upon completion; LinkedIn Learning listed on UK G-Cloud 14 at £5.80 to £286 per user per year for LinkedIn Learning, submitted directly by LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company
- They diverge on capability: Coursera covers Video lectures, LinkedIn Learning covers Video courses.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Coursera and LinkedIn Learning actually diverge.
| Attribute | Coursera | LinkedIn Learning |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | On request |
| Pricing model | Unknown | subscription |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Founded | 2012 | 2003 |
Identical on both: platforms (Web, iOS, Android), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Coursera
- Video lectures
- Quizzes
- Peer assessments
- Offline access
- Specializations
- Degrees
- Slack
- Microsoft Teams
Only in LinkedIn Learning
- Video courses
- Learning paths
- Skill assessments
- LinkedIn integration
- Offline viewing
- Recommendations
- Microsoft 365
Both cover
- Certificates
- Mobile learning
- SSO providers
- Web support
- IOS support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Coursera
- Skill development
- Career advancementnot LinkedIn Learning
- Professional certificatesnot LinkedIn Learning
- Degree programsnot LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning
- Skill development
- Career growthnot Coursera
- Team trainingnot Coursera
- Professional developmentnot Coursera
Both are used for skill development, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Coursera
- Free audit does not include certificate upon completion
- Limited offline access to course materials
- Paid specializations require monthly subscription rather than one-time purchase
LinkedIn Learning
- Listed on UK G-Cloud 14 at £5.80 to £286 per user per year for LinkedIn Learning, submitted directly by LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company
Pricing, plan by plan
Coursera
Free- Free AuditFree
- Coursera Plus$59/month
- Professional Certificates$39/month
LinkedIn Learning
On request- Monthly$29.99/month
- All courses
- Certificates
- LinkedIn integration
- Annual$19.99/month
- All courses
- Offline viewing
- Personalized recommendations
- Enterprise$undefined/month
- Admin tools
- Analytics
- Learning paths
Which should you pick?
Choose Coursera if
- You need video lectures.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android.
- You also want quizzes.
Choose LinkedIn Learning if
- You need video courses.
- You work on Web, IOS, Android.
- You also want learning paths.
Questions people ask
- Is Coursera or LinkedIn Learning better?
- Neither clearly leads. Coursera starts at Free and LinkedIn Learning at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Coursera or LinkedIn Learning?
- Coursera has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Coursera and On request for LinkedIn Learning.
- Does Coursera or LinkedIn Learning run on more platforms?
- Coursera runs on Web, iOS, Android. LinkedIn Learning runs on Web, IOS, Android.
- Can I use Coursera for free?
- Yes. Coursera has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. LinkedIn Learning starts at On request.
- What is Coursera best used for?
- Coursera is most often used for skill development, career advancement, professional certificates, degree programs. Of those, career advancement and professional certificates are not what LinkedIn Learning is typically brought in for.
- What can Coursera do that LinkedIn Learning cannot?
- Coursera covers Video lectures, Quizzes, Peer assessments, Offline access. LinkedIn Learning covers Video courses, Learning paths, Skill assessments, LinkedIn integration. Both handle Certificates, Mobile learning, SSO providers, Web support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Coursera: Can I audit courses for free?
Yes. Most Coursera courses can be audited for free, allowing access to videos and assignments without a certificate.
SourceCoursera: What is Coursera Plus?
Coursera Plus is a subscription for $59/month or $399/year providing unlimited access to over 7,000 courses and specializations with certificates.
SourceCoursera: Do enterprises get custom integrations?
Yes. Enterprise plans include SSO, APIs, AI-assisted Course Builder, and 30+ LMS integrations with dedicated customer success managers.
SourceCoursera: What is the cost of a degree program?
Coursera offers accredited degree programs starting at $50,000 and above, with costs varying by program and institution.
Source