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LMS · head to head

edX vs Udacity

edX logo

edX

LMS

Online courses from the world's top universities

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Udacity logo

Udacity

LMS

Nanodegrees for in-demand tech skills

From
$249/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: edX individual course costs not displayed; pricing requires enrollment to view; Udacity expensive compared to many online learning alternatives at $249/month or annual commitments
  • They diverge on capability: edX covers Video lectures, Udacity covers Nanodegree programs.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which edX and Udacity actually diverge.

Attributes where edX and Udacity differ
AttributeedXUdacity
Starting priceOn request$249/month
Pricing modelsubscriptionUnknown
Founded20122011

Identical on both: free tier (No), platforms (Web, iOS, Android), user rating (Not yet rated), category (LMS).

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 edX

  • Video lectures
  • Interactive exercises
  • Discussion forums
  • Certificates
  • MicroMasters
  • Professional certificates
  • Degrees
  • LMS integrations

Only in Udacity

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

Both cover

  • Mobile learning
  • Enterprise platforms
  • Web support
  • IOS support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

edX

  • Learners seeking university-level credentials from elite institutions (MIT, Harvard, Cambridge)not Udacity
  • Career changers pursuing MicroMasters or professional certificatesnot Udacity
  • Individuals in regions with limited access to higher educationnot Udacity

Udacity

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

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

edX

  • Individual course costs not displayed; pricing requires enrollment to view

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

edX

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the edX review.

Udacity

$249/month

No published plan breakdown. See the Udacity review.

Which should you pick?

Choose edX if

  • You need video lectures.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want interactive exercises.
edX 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 edX or Udacity better?
Neither clearly leads. edX starts at On request and Udacity at $249/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, edX or Udacity?
edX starts at On request and Udacity at $249/month.
Does edX or Udacity run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, iOS, Android, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
What is edX best used for?
edX is most often used for learners seeking university-level credentials from elite institutions (mit, harvard, cambridge), career changers pursuing micromasters or professional certificates, individuals in regions with limited access to higher education. Of those, learners seeking university-level credentials from elite institutions (mit, harvard, cambridge) and career changers pursuing micromasters or professional certificates are not what Udacity is typically brought in for.
What can edX do that Udacity cannot?
edX covers Video lectures, Interactive exercises, Discussion forums, Certificates. Udacity covers Nanodegree programs, Real-world projects, Mentorship, Code review. Both handle Mobile learning, Enterprise platforms, Web support, IOS support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

edX: Does edX offer free courses?

Yes, edX allows you to audit courses for free, as indicated by their 'How to Audit a Course' resource. Auditing provides access to course content without earning 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
edX: Do you have to pay for certificates on edX?

Yes, edX offers Verified Certificates which require payment. Exact pricing varies by course but is available when you view individual course pages.

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
edX: What types of credential programs does edX offer?

edX offers Professional Certificates (multiple bundled courses), Degree Programs (Master's, Bachelor's, MicroMasters, MicroBachelors), and Executive Education premium offerings.

Source
edX: Are there current discounts on edX?

Yes, edX offers periodic discount codes. Currently they have a code ACTION2026 providing up to 20% off for a limited time.

Source
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