Softwr

Learning Management · head to head

Coursera vs Skillshare

Coursera logo

Coursera

Learning Management

Learn from top universities and companies worldwide

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Skillshare logo

Skillshare

Learning Management

Online learning community for creative skills

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Coursera free audit does not include certificate upon completion; Skillshare limited language support available compared to Udemy which offers 75 languages
  • They diverge on capability: Coursera covers Video lectures, Skillshare covers Video classes.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Coursera and Skillshare actually diverge.

Attributes where Coursera and Skillshare differ
AttributeCourseraSkillshare
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Founded20122010

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), platforms (Web, iOS, Android), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Learning Management).

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
  • Certificates
  • Offline access
  • Specializations
  • Degrees
  • Slack

Only in Skillshare

  • Video classes
  • Class projects
  • Discussions
  • Offline viewing
  • Workshops
  • Curated paths
  • Teacher studio
  • Mobile apps

Both cover

  • Mobile learning
  • 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 Skillshare
  • Professional certificatesnot Skillshare
  • Degree programsnot Skillshare

Skillshare

  • Skill development
  • Creative projectsnot Coursera
  • Career growthnot Coursera
  • Side hustlesnot 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

Skillshare

  • Limited language support available compared to Udemy which offers 75 languages
  • Focus on creative skills means limited technical or professional development courses
  • Video quality and instructor expertise varies across courses

Pricing, plan by plan

Coursera

Free
  • Free AuditFree
  • Coursera Plus$59/month
  • Professional Certificates$39/month

Skillshare

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Select free classes
    • Class projects
  • Premium$13.99/month
    • All classes
    • Offline viewing
    • No ads
  • Teams$undefined/month
    • Team management
    • Analytics
    • Custom content

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.
Coursera review

Choose Skillshare if

  • You need video classes.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want class projects.
Skillshare review

Questions people ask

Is Coursera or Skillshare better?
Neither clearly leads. Coursera starts at Free and Skillshare at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Coursera or Skillshare?
Coursera starts at Free and Skillshare at Free.
Does Coursera or Skillshare run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, iOS, Android, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Coursera for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 Skillshare is typically brought in for.
What can Coursera do that Skillshare cannot?
Coursera covers Video lectures, Quizzes, Peer assessments, Certificates. Skillshare covers Video classes, Class projects, Discussions, Offline viewing. Both handle Mobile learning, Web support, IOS support, Android 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.

Source
Skillshare: How much does Skillshare cost?

Skillshare Premium membership costs $167.88 per year (about $13.99 per month) when billed annually, or $17.99 to $32 per month when paying month-to-month. New members receive a free trial before billing begins.

Source
Coursera: 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.

Source
Skillshare: What topics does Skillshare cover?

Skillshare offers more than 30,000 project-based classes in design, illustration, photography, video, writing, marketing, and productivity. Courses often include downloadable resources like templates, brushes, and design files.

Source
Coursera: Do enterprises get custom integrations?

Yes. Enterprise plans include SSO, APIs, AI-assisted Course Builder, and 30+ LMS integrations with dedicated customer success managers.

Source
Skillshare: Can I download Skillshare classes for offline viewing?

Yes, Skillshare Premium members can download classes for offline viewing, allowing you to watch content anywhere without an internet connection.

Source
Coursera: 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
Skillshare: Does Skillshare offer certificates?

Yes, Skillshare classes include certificates of completion as part of the project-based learning model, allowing you to track and share your learning progress.

Source
Skillshare: Is there a free tier on Skillshare?

Skillshare offers a free one-month trial to new users who provide card details. After the trial, a paid subscription is required for continued access.

Source
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