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Software · head to head

Coursera vs Udemy

Coursera logo

Coursera

Software

Learn from top universities and companies worldwide

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Udemy logo

Udemy

Software

World's largest marketplace for online learning

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Coursera free audit does not include certificate upon completion; Udemy course quality varies significantly as Udemy allows anyone to create and sell courses without vetting
  • They diverge on capability: Coursera covers Video lectures, Udemy covers Video courses.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Coursera and Udemy actually diverge.

Attributes where Coursera and Udemy differ
AttributeCourseraUdemy
Founded20122010

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Unknown), free tier (Yes), 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
  • Peer assessments
  • Offline access
  • Specializations
  • Degrees
  • SSO providers
  • HRIS systems
  • API support

Only in Udemy

  • Video courses
  • Assignments
  • Offline viewing
  • Q&A
  • Reviews
  • SSO
  • SCIM
  • API

Both cover

  • Quizzes
  • Certificates
  • Mobile learning
  • Slack
  • Microsoft Teams
  • 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 Udemy
  • Career advancementnot Udemy
  • Professional certificatesnot Udemy
  • Degree programsnot Udemy

Udemy

  • Skill buildingnot Coursera
  • Career transitionnot Coursera
  • Professional developmentnot 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

Udemy

  • Course quality varies significantly as Udemy allows anyone to create and sell courses without vetting
  • No formal credentials or degrees offered, unlike Coursera and edX which offer institution-branded certificates
  • Courses are self-paced with no instructor interaction or support, making structured learning difficult for some students

Pricing, plan by plan

Coursera

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

Udemy

Free
  • Personal$19/month
    • 11,000+ courses access
  • Team$360/year
    • For 5-20 people

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 peer assessments.
Coursera review

Choose Udemy if

  • You need video courses.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want assignments.
Udemy review

Questions people ask

Is Coursera or Udemy better?
Neither clearly leads. Coursera starts at Free and Udemy at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Coursera or Udemy?
Coursera starts at Free and Udemy at Free.
Does Coursera or Udemy 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, skill development and career advancement are not what Udemy is typically brought in for.
What can Coursera do that Udemy cannot?
Coursera covers Video lectures, Peer assessments, Offline access, Specializations. Udemy covers Video courses, Assignments, Offline viewing, Q&A. Both handle Quizzes, Certificates, Mobile learning, Slack.

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
Udemy: Does Udemy offer team/business pricing?

Yes, Udemy's Team plan costs $360 per user annually for groups of 5 to 20 people, in addition to individual Personal plan at $19/month.

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
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
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Related pages

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