Software · head to head
Udemy vs Coursera
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Udemy course quality varies significantly as Udemy allows anyone to create and sell courses without vetting; Coursera free audit does not include certificate upon completion
- They diverge on capability: Udemy covers Video courses, Coursera covers Video lectures.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Udemy and Coursera actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Unknown), 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 Udemy
- Video courses
- Assignments
- Offline viewing
- Q&A
- Reviews
- SSO
- SCIM
- API
Only in Coursera
- Video lectures
- Peer assessments
- Offline access
- Specializations
- Degrees
- SSO providers
- HRIS systems
- API support
Both cover
- Quizzes
- Certificates
- Mobile learning
- Slack
- Microsoft Teams
- Web support
- IOS support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Udemy
- Skill buildingnot Coursera
- Career transitionnot Coursera
- Professional developmentnot Coursera
- Team trainingnot Coursera
Coursera
- Skill developmentnot Udemy
- Career advancementnot Udemy
- Professional certificatesnot Udemy
- Degree programsnot Udemy
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
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
Udemy
Free- Personal$19/month
- 11,000+ courses access
- Team$360/year
- For 5-20 people
Coursera
Free- Free AuditFree
- Coursera Plus$59/month
- Professional Certificates$39/month
Which should you pick?
Choose Udemy if
- You need video courses.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android.
- You also want assignments.
Choose Coursera if
- You need video lectures.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android.
- You also want peer assessments.
Questions people ask
- Is Udemy or Coursera better?
- Neither clearly leads. Udemy 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, Udemy or Coursera?
- Udemy starts at Free and Coursera at Free.
- Does Udemy 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 Udemy for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Udemy best used for?
- Udemy is most often used for skill building, career transition, professional development, team training. Of those, skill building and career transition are not what Coursera is typically brought in for.
- What can Udemy do that Coursera cannot?
- Udemy covers Video courses, Assignments, Offline viewing, Q&A. Coursera covers Video lectures, Peer assessments, Offline access, Specializations. Both handle Quizzes, Certificates, Mobile learning, Slack.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
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.
SourceCoursera: Can I audit courses for free?
Yes. Most Coursera courses can be audited for free, allowing access to videos and assignments without a certificate.
SourceCoursera: 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.
SourceCoursera: Do enterprises get custom integrations?
Yes. Enterprise plans include SSO, APIs, AI-assisted Course Builder, and 30+ LMS integrations with dedicated customer success managers.
SourceCoursera: 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