Best Online Learning Platforms of 2024 (2024)

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Whether you’re aiming to learn some new marketable skills or just want to explore a topic, online learning platforms are a great solution for you and your family members to learn on your own schedules. Busy parents can also complete courses quickly and save money choosing virtual classes over in-person ones. In fact, individuals learn 40% faster on digital platforms compared to in-person learning.

Some online learning platforms provide certifications, while others are designed to simply grow your skills in your personal and professional life. Here are our recommendations for the best online learning platforms you can sign up for today.

Best Online Learning Platforms of 2024

Best Online Learning Platforms

Best Online Learning Platforms

  • Our Top Picks
  • Coursera
  • Udemy
  • Skillshare
  • MasterClass
  • EdX
  • Udacity
  • Pluralsight
  • See More (4)
  • Final Verdict

  • Compare Providers

  • How to Choose

  • FAQs

  • Methodology

Best Overall : Coursera

Key Specs

  • Courses: 5,800+
  • Price: Guided projects start at $10 per course, professional certificate courses start at $39 a month, and higher university-issued certificates begin at $2,000 per course
  • Certificate: Yes
  • Accredited Institution: Coursera is not accredited, but partners with accredited institutions

Why We Chose It

Coursera has partnered with over 300 leading universities and companies to create courses to supplement your education and set you ahead in your career.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Accredited certificates recognized by employers

  • In-depth courses built by universities and organizations

  • Offers over 2,500 free courses

  • Classes available in multiple languages

  • User-friendly website

Cons

  • Some courses have strict timelines

  • Degree programs require additional applications

  • No certification with free courses

Overview

Coursera isn’t just a place to take classes that are like college courses—it actually offers real academic courses from real professors and universities at a fraction of the cost of getting an online degree.

The platform partners with over 300 universities and companies to provide real learning experiences that can connect to real-world benefits. In some cases, you can even earn certifications or degrees entirely through Coursera, which can then potentially lead to professional benefits like raises, promotions, and more. Even if you’re not looking for professional development, Coursera offers challenging and interesting classes on plenty of topics, so you can explore all kinds of interests.

The platform allows for multimedia courses, so professors can construct classes, upload videos, assign and grade quizzes and homework assignments, and other elements that would be present in a “real” online college class.

Each course is individually priced (the cheapest start around $30 to $40 and increase from there), although there are some instances where you can purchase a bundle of courses at once (and sometimes at a discount) as a “track” or certification/degree program. You can also get unlimited access to over 7,000 courses with Coursera Plus for $399 a year. It’s pretty much the closest you’ll get to the online college experience without enrolling in college.

Best for Niche Topics : Udemy

Key Specs

  • Courses: 210,000+
  • Price: $15 to $200 or more per course
  • Certificate: For some courses
  • Accredited Institution: No

Why We Chose It

Udemy has by far the most courses available compared to other online learning platforms: Over 210,000 classes. With over 70,000 instructors, you'll find an expert teaching a course in every niche.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • 210,000+ courses for professional skills and hobbies

  • Multimedia lectures that incorporate readings and quizzes

  • 30-day refund guarantee

  • Courses available in 75 languages

  • No deadlines—work at your own pace

Cons

  • Not an accredited institution

  • Courses can be published by instructors without Udemy reviewing materials

  • Instructors not as engaging in Q&A section

Overview

If you want to learn something, you probably can on Udemy. The site is less of a unified platform and more of a portal or repository where students can access well over 213,000 courses on every topic imaginable.

Language, arts, music, and fitness courses can be found alongside lessons on programming and IT, business skills, teaching, productivity, and much more. There are even categories for personal development and lifestyle, which cover life skills and other topics that you wouldn't necessarily get in an academic setting.

There’s not one standard format for a Udemy course—the platform allows instructors to design multimedia lectures with audio, video, and text elements, plus readings, quizzes, and other activities. Udemy allows students to preview classes they’re interested in and does offer a 30-day refund if you’re dissatisfied.

Because each class is created and taught individually, they’re also priced separately: Lifetime access to a single course can range from inexpensive ($15) to pricey (roughly $200 or more).

Best for Creative Fields : Skillshare

Key Specs

  • Courses: 35,000+
  • Price: $14 per month ($159 per year)
  • Certificate: Yes
  • Accredited Institution: No

Why We Chose It

Skillshare is a subscription-based online learning platform that offers classes in 13 different creative topics, including creative writing, graphic design, and photography.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Wide range of course topics

  • Mostly skilled instructors, including celebrities

  • Covers nearly every creative field

  • Free seven-day trial for subscriptions

Cons

  • Limited free courses

  • Ad-free only on a premium subscription

Overview

While many online platforms basically provide college-style classes, Skillshare is less formal and aimed more at improving creative skills.

There are business and marketing classes on the platform, but the majority are courses in creative fields, taught by practicing experts in those fields: photography, film, animation, visual arts, writing, interior design, and more. The focus is on teaching practical skills that students can then use to create their own projects. Most courses involve a series of video lessons, combined with assignments for students to practice their skills.

Skillshare has a subscription model, rather than a per-course payment plan, so students who sign up can take as many or as few courses as they want while they’re subscribed. The current pricing is $159 per year (which works out to around $14 per month).

That being said, the platform does offer a set of free classes as well, from short, 20-minute videos to longer tutorials of an hour or more.They’re not as in-depth, but they’re a good way to try out potentially interesting topics.

Best for Celebrity Lessons : MasterClass

Key Specs

  • Courses: 180+
  • Price: $15 to $23 per month
  • Certificate: No
  • Accredited Institution: No

Why We Chose It

MasterClass courses tap into celebrities' expertise and experience, like Gordon Ramsay’s cooking talents and Anna Wintour’s leadership skills, to provide in-depth courses on a wide variety of topics.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • World-class instructors

  • Memberships give unlimited access to all classes

  • High-quality video production

  • Courses have comprehensive curriculum

  • 30-day satisfaction guarantee

  • Courses feature consistent level of quality

Cons

  • No free trial or free courses

  • No certifications

  • Fewer courses than competitors

  • Annual subscription only

Overview

Although MasterClass offers more than just creative courses, its marquee offerings put A-list actors, writers, artists, musicians, and more in the teacher’s seat.

And, these aren’t just one-off lecture-style classes: Most courses have around 20 lessons, so you get to really dive deep into your topic of choice. If you want to learn about these often-opaque professions, there’s no better way than to hear about it straight from the people who have been successful in them already.

These courses are video-based, with practical advice and demonstrations mixed in with straightforward lectures, workbooks, and class discussions. You can get TV writing advice from Shonda Rhimes, learn to cook from Gordon Ramsay, take a film class from Martin Scorsese, or explore creative leadership with Anna Wintour.

Since MasterClass is a subscription-based platform, you can take as many sessions as you want while your subscription is active. The price is about $15 per month for unlimited access, but you must commit to a year-long subscription.

Best for STEM : EdX

Key Specs

  • Courses: 3,500+
  • Price: Begins at $50 to receive a verified official certificate
  • Certificate: Yes
  • Accredited Institution: Yes

Why We Chose It

With partners like Harvard, MIT, and UC Berkeley, this online learning platform has over 15,000 instructors who teach education-oriented courses across several different categories. Plus it offers programs and degrees to advance your career from home.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Can audit classes for free

  • Has bachelor’s and master’s degree programs

  • Provides financial assistance

  • 14-day money-back guarantee

  • Known for its STEM-focused courses

Cons

  • Limited course availability in creative and humanities fields

  • Not all courses are eligible for financial assistance

Overview

EdX has a high-end pedigree—it was founded by Harvard and MIT—but an accessible system.

Real college courses, created and taught by real college instructors, are available in a huge array of fields and topics. They do lean slightly toward STEM fields, but there are plenty of languages, humanities, and arts topics, too. In partnership with several universities, EdX offers professional degree certificates, plus “micro” degree programs at the bachelor’s and master’s levels, largely as a tool for professional development.

Through a partnership with Arizona State University, EdX also offers a “Global Freshman Academy” where you can earn transferrable undergrad credits for select courses. Classes are similar to real online courses: Lectures, reading material, assignments, discussions, and quizzes are just some of the elements you may encounter.

The big selling point for EdX is that the majority of its courses are free—but there’s a catch. If you’re just taking the class for your own learning experience, the free version will probably work. But if you want to have formal verification for professional reasons, the “verified certificate” option costs about $49 per class.

Each course does have an official start date, cycling over and over again, but once the session begins, students can proceed at their own pace.

Best for Career Building : Udacity

Key Specs

  • Courses: 200+
  • Price: Starts at $399 a month
  • Certificate: Yes
  • Accredited Institution: No

Why We Chose It

Udacity offers courses that the company calls “nanodegrees” which take, on average, four months to complete. Enrollment in these programs gives you full access to real advisors who work with you on building out your resume and work samples.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Features intensive programs with multiple lessons

  • Offers resume support and portfolio review

  • Provides personalized feedback on projects

  • Multiple scholarship programs available

  • Seven-day refund policy

Cons

  • Most expensive option

  • Project deadlines

  • Longer time commitment

Overview

Tech skills are among the most marketable classes you can take online, and Udacity has courses in all of the most in-demand fields.

The platform is a variation of the “coding bootcamp” style of learning, with programs focused on web development, programming, cloud computing, and data science. Whether you’re a total newbie trying to develop a new skillset or you’re looking to expand your knowledge of a certain topic, there’s probably a course at the right level for you.

Each program includes hands-on practice, real-world applications and examples, individual code reviews, and real instructors and career coaches who can address your individual needs.

Udacity’s platform is a little different than some of the others on the market. Rather than focusing on individual classes, its primary offering is a “nanodegree”—an intensive program which includes multiple lessons, projects, personalized reviews, class discussions, and one-on-one technical mentoring by experts. Most programs require one to five months of part-time study, depending on the subject.

All these features do come with a price tag, though: It's about $399 monthly, or = $1017 for students who buy three month access.

Best for Data Learning : Pluralsight

Key Specs

  • Courses: 7,000+
  • Price: $229 to $500 per year
  • Certificate: Yes
  • Accredited Institution: No

Why We Chose It

Pluralsight is designed for working professionals looking to expand their data knowledge. The company offers mini degree programs for both individuals and teams.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Organized into three levels for easy course selection

  • Unlimited access to classes with subscriptions

  • Affordable price for intensive courses

Cons

  • No refunds

  • Better for intermediate and advanced users

Overview

Designed with working professionals in mind, Pluralsight offers courses in subjects like software development, data science, information and cybersecurity, and more.

Students can take individual courses, but Pluralsight strongly encourages you to follow one of its “paths.” These programs are like mini-degrees: a series of connected courses in a specific area of expertise, such as individual programming languages, security certifications, creative skills in particular software, and so on. These preset paths take the guesswork out of learning—plus, you can do a quick pretest to set your skill level, which adds more customization.

The course library includes more than 7,000 individual classes across hundreds of paths, and if you’re not ready to tackle a full-length path, you can dip your toe in with individual courses that are only a couple hours long.

Regardless of how few or how many classes (or paths) you want to pursue, the price is the same: About $29 per month for a personal plan (or roughly $299 for a complete year at a slight discount). There’s a premium option, too, for around $500 per year. It includes all the regular features and courses, plus additional interactive courses and industry-standard practice exams for several professional certifications.

Final Verdict

Regardless of what stage of life you are in, online learning platforms provide a convenient way for you to grow in your career or start something new entirely.

Overall, Coursera is our top choice for an online learning platform because of its variety of courses and official accreditation. Its partnership with leading universities and corporations ensures that courses are academically comprehensive and meet industry standards for career growth.

Compare the Best Online Learning Platforms

CompanyCoursesPriceCertificateAccredited
Coursera Best Overall3,000+Guided projects start at $10 per course, professional certificate courses start at $39 a month, and university-issued certificates begin at $2,000 per courseYesYes
Udemy Best for Niche Topics210,000+$15 to $200 or more per courseFor some coursesNo
Skillshare Best for Creative Fields35,000+$14 per month ($159 per year)NoNo
MasterClass Best for Celebrity Lessons180+$10 to $20 per monthNoNo
EdX Best for STEM4,100+Begins at $50 to receive a verified official certificateYesYes
Udacity Best for Career Building200+Starts at $399 a monthYesNo
Pluralsight Best for Data Learning7,000+$299 to $500 per yearYesNo

Guide to Choosing the Best Online Learning Platforms

What Is an Online Learning Platform?

An online learning platform is a website and/or app that allows students to study some topics of interest wholly online and remotely. They’re typically geared at adult professionals who have already finished their traditional schooling, and while some will offer full certificate or even degree programs, most focus on teaching individual courses. They can be a great option for parents looking to fit in studies around parenting and work responsibilities.

What to Look for in an Online Learning Platform

Like any other type of class, every online learning platform will structure its courses a little differently. The key is finding a platform whose style works for you in terms of how independent of a student you tend to be and what you’re hoping to get out of a given class.

Most classes on these platforms are self-paced, either in part or in full, so there won’t be as much simultaneous work with other students as you’d have in a typical class, and you probably won’t have to tune in to live lectures or meetings—although a few platforms do offer one-on-one tutoring or coaching for some courses.

For classes teaching hands-on topics, such as creative courses or computer science, the top platforms will usually have a built-in way for students to practice their new skills and get instructor feedback.

You'll also want to consider your family budget for courses, whether or not the duration or the courses work with your schedule, and whether or not earning a certificate is important.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How Much Do Online Learning Platforms Cost?

    Online learning platforms come with a pretty big range of prices, but in general, the one thing they all have in common is that they’re usually cheaper than similar courses at traditional colleges and universities.

    There are two main types of platforms: per-course platforms, where you pay by the class or course package, or subscription platforms, where you pay a flat rate (usually monthly or annually) to access an unlimited number of individual courses within the given time.

  • What Kind of Features Do Online Learning Platforms Have?

    Online platforms are usually video-based in some way, with audio and video lectures forming the backbone of the classes. Other features you might find are discussion boards, supplemental readings, quizzes or exams, and hands-on projects.

  • What Certifications Will Get Me a Job?

    Certifications won't ensure that you'll get a job, but they may be required in order to be considered for some positions, or to help your resume stand out when applying in a relevant field. Taking courses can also help you feel more confident in your skills during the interview process.

Methodology

There are more online learning platforms than ever before, so it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer number of options. We’ve selected the categories that we think will be the most useful to adult, professional learners, as opposed to children or teenagers (college students may find these selections useful, but they may already have access to similar resources through their schools).

This means that the platforms here are particularly aimed at adults looking to either explore a personal interest or gain measurable skills for professional advancement—that’s why we’ve focused on creative and tech platforms as the specialties featured here among the platforms with broader offerings.

Since learning online is typically a very personal experience, we’ve featured several platforms that allow for self-paced learning, interactivity, and/or learning tailored to a particular skill level. We’ve mixed in some informal options along with more traditional academic-style courses, but all of the platforms recommended here have top-notch instructors who are experts in their fields, regardless of the structure of the courses themselves.

Best Online Learning Platforms of 2024 (8)

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Best Online Learning Platforms of 2024 (2024)

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