Best Online Learning of 2026
Discover the best online learning platforms to acquire new skills, earn certificates, and advance your career from anywhere.
Some products are sponsored. Rankings reflect our honest assessment. See our affiliate disclosure
At a Glance
Quick Answer
Coursera is the best online learning for most users in 2026. It scored 9.3/10 in our testing and starts at $59.00/mo. Courses from top universities. Khan Academy is better if you need 100% free core platform.
Online learning promises that anyone can learn anything, anywhere. And it's true - if you choose the right platform and courses.
The challenge is that there's too much choice. Millions of courses, dozens of platforms, and no easy way to know what's actually worth your time.
I've invested hundreds of hours into online courses. Some changed my career. Many were forgettable. These rankings will help you avoid the mistakes I made.
Our Top Pick
Editor's Choice
Coursera
Editor's ChoiceUniversity courses and professional certificates
Pros
- Courses from top universities
- Professional certificates from Google, IBM, Meta
- Accredited online degrees available
- Financial aid available
Cons
- Certificates can be expensive
- Some courses outdated
- Peer-reviewed assignments vary in quality
Free tier • Paid from
$59/mo
All Online Learning Ranked
Filter and sort to find your perfect match
- Courses from top universities
- Professional certificates from Google, IBM, Meta
- Accredited online degrees available
- Certificates can be expensive
- Some courses outdated
- Peer-reviewed assignments vary in quality
Free tier • Paid from
$59/mo
- 100% free core platform
- Personalized learning dashboard
- Covers K-12 and test prep (SAT, AP)
- Limited advanced/professional content
- No certificates or credentials
- K-12 focused, less for adults
Free tier • Paid from
$4/mo
- Interactive in-browser coding
- Strong data science curriculum
- DataLab AI coding assistant
- Expensive for developing countries
- No offline viewing
- Limited depth for advanced users
Free tier • Paid from
$25/mo
- Courses from Harvard, MIT, and top universities
- Free audit option for most courses
- MicroMasters and MicroBachelors programs
- Verified certificates can be expensive ($50-$300)
- Customer support issues reported
- Less courses than some competitors (3,500+ vs 7,000+)
Free tier • Paid from
$25/mo
- 200,000+ courses available
- Frequent sales (80%+ off)
- Lifetime access to purchases
- Quality varies significantly
- No accreditation
- Certificates not widely recognized
Starting from
$12.99
- Industry-partnered curriculum (Google, AWS, Microsoft)
- Hands-on projects reviewed by mentors
- Career services included
- Expensive subscription ($249/month)
- No mobile app
- Certificates not accredited
Free tier • Paid from
$211.5/mo
- Integration with LinkedIn profile
- High production quality
- Expert instructors
- No free tier
- Less depth than specialized platforms
- Mostly business/tech focused
Starting from
$19.99/mo
- Excellent tech content
- Skill assessments
- Learning paths by role
- Tech-only focus
- Expensive for individuals
- No free tier
Starting from
$29/mo
- Great for creative skills
- Project-based learning
- Active community
- No certificates
- Quality varies
- Limited tech/business courses
Free tier • Paid from
$13.99/mo
- Interactive in-browser coding
- Free courses available
- Career and skill paths
- Variable course quality
- Some outdated content
- Certificates not widely recognized
Free tier • Paid from
$17.49/mo
- World-class instructors
- High production value
- Inspiring content
- More inspirational than practical
- No direct instructor interaction
- Not for technical skills
Starting from
$10/mo
Best For Your Needs
Find the perfect online learning for your specific use case
Best Online Learning for Tech Skills
Learn coding, data science, and more
View recommendationsBest Online Coding Courses
Learn programming from scratch to advanced
View recommendationsBest Online Data Science Courses
Python, machine learning, and analytics
View recommendationsBest Online Business Courses
MBA-level education at a fraction of the cost
View recommendationsBest Online Learning for Creative Skills
Design, video, photography, and more
View recommendationsBest Online Language Learning
Learn Spanish, French, Japanese, and more
View recommendationsBest Online Marketing Courses
SEO, social media, and digital marketing
View recommendationsBest Online Learning for Career Change
Get certified in a new field
View recommendationsBest Online Learning for Kids
Fun, educational courses for children
View recommendationsBest Online Learning for Professionals
Upskill and advance your career
View recommendationsBest Online Learning for College Students
Supplement your education affordably
View recommendationsBest Online Learning with Certificates
Boost your resume with credentials
View recommendationsBest Self-Paced Online Courses
Learn at your own speed, on your schedule
View recommendationsBest Online Learning with Live Classes
Real-time instruction and interaction
View recommendationsBest Online Learning with Projects
Build real portfolio pieces as you learn
View recommendationsBest Free Online Learning Platforms
Learn without spending a dime
View recommendationsBest Affordable Online Learning
Quality education under $30/month
View recommendationsCompare Online Learning
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best online learning in 2025?
Coursera is our top pick for best online learning in 2025. It scored 9.3/10 in our testing, offering university courses and professional certificates.
What is the cheapest online learning?
MasterClass is the most affordable option at $10.00/mo. It scores 8.3/10 in our testing.
Which online learning has the highest rating?
Coursera has the highest rating at 9.3/10. Courses from top universities.
How many online learnings did you test?
We tested 11 online learnings for this comparison. Our testing methodology includes real-world usage, feature analysis, and price-to-value assessment.
Are these online learning reviews honest?
Yes, we independently test all online learnings using our own accounts. Some links are affiliate links, but this doesn't affect our ratings. See our disclosure policy for details.
How We Test
Our team tests every product thoroughly before making recommendations. We evaluate performance, features, ease of use, customer support, and value for money. Each product goes through real-world testing scenarios to ensure our ratings reflect actual user experience.