Softwr

Learning Management · head to head

Coursera vs Udacity

Coursera logo

Coursera

Learning Management

Learn from top universities and companies worldwide

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Udacity logo

Udacity

Learning Management

Nanodegrees for in-demand tech skills

From
$249/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

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; Udacity expensive compared to many online learning alternatives at $249/month or annual commitments
  • They diverge on capability: Coursera covers Video lectures, Udacity covers Nanodegree programs.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Coursera and Udacity actually diverge.

Attributes where Coursera and Udacity differ
AttributeCourseraUdacity
Starting priceFree$249/month
Free tierYesNo
CategoryUnknownLearning Management
Founded20122011

Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), platforms (Web, iOS, Android), user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Udacity

  • Nanodegree programs
  • Real-world projects
  • Mentorship
  • Code review
  • Career services
  • Industry partnerships
  • Enterprise platforms
  • SSO

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 developmentnot Udacity
  • Career advancementnot Udacity
  • Professional certificatesnot Udacity
  • Degree programsnot Udacity

Udacity

  • Tech skill developmentnot Coursera
  • Career transitionnot Coursera
  • Upskillingnot Coursera
  • Team trainingnot Coursera

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

Udacity

  • Expensive compared to many online learning alternatives at $249/month or annual commitments
  • Course certificates lose value after subscription ends if not continuously maintained
  • Limited offline access to course materials
  • May lack breadth of non-tech courses compared to general learning platforms

Pricing, plan by plan

Coursera

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

Udacity

$249/month

No published plan breakdown. See the Udacity review.

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 Udacity if

  • You need nanodegree programs.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want real-world projects.
Udacity review

Questions people ask

Is Coursera or Udacity better?
Neither clearly leads. Coursera starts at Free and Udacity at $249/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Coursera or Udacity?
Coursera has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Coursera and $249/month for Udacity.
Does Coursera or Udacity 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?
Yes. Coursera has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Udacity starts at $249/month.
What is Coursera best used for?
Coursera is most often used for skill development, career advancement, professional certificates, degree programs. Of those, skill development and career advancement are not what Udacity is typically brought in for.
What can Coursera do that Udacity cannot?
Coursera covers Video lectures, Quizzes, Peer assessments, Certificates. Udacity covers Nanodegree programs, Real-world projects, Mentorship, Code review. 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
Udacity: How is Udacity priced?

Udacity offers subscription-based pricing: $249/month or $846 for 4 months (approximately $212/month with 15% discount). One subscription covers 500+ courses and all 80+ Nanodegree and Executive programs. Month-to-month subscriptions are cancellable anytime.

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
Udacity: Does Udacity offer degree programs?

Yes, Udacity offers a Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence ($199 enrollment fee plus subscription) and MBA in AI Product Management, both priced under $5,000 total, approximately 90% cheaper than traditional programs.

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
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
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Coursera

More on Udacity

Keep looking

Other head to heads