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Skillshare vs Coursera

Skillshare logo

Skillshare

Software

Online learning community for creative skills

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Coursera logo

Coursera

Software

Learn from top universities and companies worldwide

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

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

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Skillshare and Coursera actually diverge.

Attributes where Skillshare and Coursera differ
AttributeSkillshareCoursera
Pricing modelsubscriptionUnknown
Founded20102012

Identical on both: starting price (Free), 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 Skillshare

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

Only in Coursera

  • Video lectures
  • Quizzes
  • Peer assessments
  • Certificates
  • Offline access
  • Specializations
  • Degrees
  • Slack

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.

Skillshare

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

Coursera

  • Skill development
  • Career advancementnot Skillshare
  • Professional certificatesnot Skillshare
  • Degree programsnot Skillshare

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.

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

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

Pricing, plan by plan

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

Coursera

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

Which should you pick?

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

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

Questions people ask

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

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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
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: 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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