Softwr

Learning Management · head to head

Coursera vs Whova

Coursera logo

Coursera

Learning Management

Learn from top universities and companies worldwide

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Whova logo

Whova

Webinar & Virtual Events

Award-winning event management app

From
$1500/event
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; Whova mobile app experiences slow loading and occasional crashes during large events
  • They diverge on capability: Coursera covers Video lectures, Whova covers Event mobile app.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Coursera and Whova actually diverge.

Attributes where Coursera and Whova differ
AttributeCourseraWhova
Starting priceFree$1500/event
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
CategoryLearning ManagementWebinar & Virtual Events

Identical on both: platforms (Web, iOS, Android), user rating (Not yet rated), founded (2012).

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
  • Mobile learning
  • Offline access
  • Specializations
  • Degrees

Only in Whova

  • Event mobile app
  • Agenda management
  • Attendee networking
  • Live polling
  • Virtual sessions
  • Zoom
  • Salesforce
  • HubSpot

Both cover

  • Web support
  • Android support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Coursera

  • Skill developmentnot Whova
  • Career advancementnot Whova
  • Professional certificatesnot Whova
  • Degree programsnot Whova

Whova

  • Event planningnot Coursera
  • Ticket salesnot Coursera
  • Attendee managementnot Coursera
  • Virtual eventsnot Coursera
  • Event marketingnot 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

Whova

  • Mobile app experiences slow loading and occasional crashes during large events
  • Limited customization options to align with specific event branding needs
  • Notification overload can overwhelm attendees with too many messages
  • Default privacy settings include contact sharing concerns and data hosting in the US

Pricing, plan by plan

Coursera

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

Whova

$1500/event
  • Basic$1500/event
    • Event app
    • Agenda builder
    • Networking
  • Professional$3000/event
    • Virtual event support
    • Gamification
    • Analytics
  • Enterprise$6000/event
    • Custom development
    • API access
    • Dedicated support

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 Whova if

  • You need event mobile app.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want agenda management.
Whova review

Questions people ask

Is Coursera or Whova better?
Neither clearly leads. Coursera starts at Free and Whova at $1500/event, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Coursera or Whova?
Coursera has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Coursera and $1500/event for Whova.
Does Coursera or Whova 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. Whova starts at $1500/event.
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 Whova is typically brought in for.
What can Coursera do that Whova cannot?
Coursera covers Video lectures, Quizzes, Peer assessments, Certificates. Whova covers Event mobile app, Agenda management, Attendee networking, Live polling. Both handle Web 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
Whova: How much does Whova cost?

Whova uses a quote-based pricing model. Final cost depends on event size, frequency, and features required. Contact their sales team for customized pricing.

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
Whova: Does Whova offer a free tier or trial?

Whova does not publish a permanent free plan, but offers no per-ticket registration fees for free events. A demo/trial is available by request.

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
Whova: What platforms does Whova support?

Whova provides native apps for iOS and Android covering 97% of mobile users, plus a web portal accessible from any device including browsers on laptops and desktops.

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
Whova: Does Whova integrate with other tools?

Yes, Whova integrates with Zoom, Slack, and Mailchimp through Zapier for automation, enabling seamless data flow between platforms without manual data entry.

Source
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