Softwr

Learning Management · head to head

Udacity vs Udemy

Udacity logo

Udacity

Learning Management

Nanodegrees for in-demand tech skills

From
$249/month
Rated
-
Udemy logo

Udemy

Education & E-Learning

World's largest marketplace for online learning

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Only Udemy 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; Udemy course quality varies significantly as Udemy allows anyone to create and sell courses without vetting
  • They diverge on capability: Udacity covers Nanodegree programs, Udemy covers Video courses.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Udacity and Udemy actually diverge.

Attributes where Udacity and Udemy differ
AttributeUdacityUdemy
Starting price$249/monthFree
Free tierNoYes
CategoryLearning ManagementEducation & E-Learning
Founded20112010

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

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

Only in Udemy

  • Video courses
  • Quizzes
  • Assignments
  • Certificates
  • Offline viewing
  • Q&A
  • Reviews
  • Slack

Both cover

  • Mobile learning
  • SSO
  • 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 Udemy
  • Career transition
  • Upskillingnot Udemy
  • Team training

Udemy

  • Skill buildingnot Udacity
  • Career transition
  • Professional developmentnot Udacity
  • Team training

Both are used for career transition, team training, 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.

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

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

Udacity

$249/month

No published plan breakdown. See the Udacity review.

Udemy

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Udacity if

  • You need nanodegree programs.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want real-world projects.

Choose Udemy if

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

Questions people ask

Is Udacity or Udemy better?
Neither clearly leads. Udacity starts at $249/month and Udemy at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Udacity or Udemy?
Udemy has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $249/month for Udacity and Free for Udemy.
Does Udacity 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 Udemy for free?
Yes. Udemy 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 upskilling are not what Udemy is typically brought in for.
What can Udacity do that Udemy cannot?
Udacity covers Nanodegree programs, Real-world projects, Mentorship, Code review. Udemy covers Video courses, Quizzes, Assignments, Certificates. Both handle Mobile learning, SSO, Web support, IOS 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
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
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

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