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Learning Management · head to head

Udacity vs Coursera

Udacity logo

Udacity

Learning Management

Nanodegrees for in-demand tech skills

From
$249/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Coursera logo

Coursera

Learning Management

Learn from top universities and companies worldwide

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Coursera has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Udacity expensive compared to many online learning alternatives at $249/month or annual commitments; Coursera free audit does not include certificate upon completion
  • They diverge on capability: Udacity covers Nanodegree programs, Coursera covers Video lectures.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Udacity and Coursera actually diverge.

Attributes where Udacity and Coursera differ
AttributeUdacityCoursera
Starting price$249/monthFree
Free tierNoYes
Founded20112012

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

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 Udacity

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

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.

Udacity

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

Coursera

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

Where each one falls short

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

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

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

Udacity

$249/month

No published plan breakdown. See the Udacity review.

Coursera

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Udacity if

  • You need nanodegree programs.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want real-world projects.
Udacity 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 Udacity or Coursera better?
Neither clearly leads. Udacity starts at $249/month and Coursera at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Udacity or Coursera?
Coursera has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $249/month for Udacity and Free for Coursera.
Does Udacity 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 Coursera for free?
Yes. Coursera has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Udacity starts at $249/month.
What is Udacity best used for?
Udacity is most often used for tech skill development, career transition, upskilling, team training. Of those, tech skill development and career transition are not what Coursera is typically brought in for.
What can Udacity do that Coursera cannot?
Udacity covers Nanodegree programs, Real-world projects, Mentorship, Code review. Coursera covers Video lectures, Quizzes, Peer assessments, Certificates. Both handle Mobile learning, Web support, IOS support, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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: 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: 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: 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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