Coursera vs edX
Coursera vs edX are both university-partnered learning platforms with credentialed courses. Founded by different Ivy League schools, they take similar approaches with subtle differences. Either is excellent for serious learners.
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Quick Answer
Coursera beats edX for most users. It scores 9.3/10 vs 8.9/10 and courses from top universities. Choose edX if you need courses from harvard, mit, and top universities.
Coursera
WinnerUniversity courses and professional certificates
Starting from
$59/mo
edX
University courses from Harvard, MIT, and top institutions
Starting from
$25/mo
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 9.3/10 | 8.9/10 |
| Starting Price | $59/mo | $25/mo |
| User Reviews | ||
| Content | ||
| Courses | 5000+ | 3500+ |
| Certificates | ||
| Degrees | ||
| Free Content | ||
| Features | ||
| Projects | ||
| Subtitles | ||
| Offline Access | ||
| Mobile App | ||
| Business | ||
| Enterprise | ||
| Financial Aid | ||
Pros & Cons Breakdown
Coursera
- Courses from top universities
- Professional certificates from Google, IBM, Meta
- Accredited online degrees available
- Financial aid available
- Mobile app for offline learning
- Verified certificates
- Certificates can be expensive
- Some courses outdated
- Peer-reviewed assignments vary in quality
edX
- Courses from Harvard, MIT, and top universities
- Free audit option for most courses
- MicroMasters and MicroBachelors programs
- Accredited online degrees available
- Financial assistance available
- Mobile app with offline access
- Verified certificates can be expensive ($50-$300)
- Customer support issues reported
- Less courses than some competitors (3,500+ vs 7,000+)
Key Difference
Coursera is for-profit with more courses; edX is nonprofit with focused partnerships. Both offer university certificates. The course overlap is significant. Interface preferences and specific course availability usually decide.
Which Should You Choose?
Coursera
Choose Coursera if you want the largest selection of university courses, prefer a more modern interface, need Google Career Certificates, or want more professional certificate options.
edX
Choose edX if you prefer supporting a nonprofit, want specific MicroMasters programs, need courses from MIT or Harvard specifically, or prefer edX's particular degree partnerships.
Our Verdict
Coursera wins on course volume and interface with more courses and a smoother learning experience. edX wins on nonprofit mission and MicroMasters with some unique degree pathway programs. Both are excellent; differences are subtle.
Thinking of Switching?
Check both for your specific course before enrolling. Many courses exist on only one platform. No migration needed - your progress stays on each platform separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Coursera better than edX?
Coursera scores higher in our testing (9.3/10 vs 8.9/10). Coursera excels at courses from top universities, while edX is better for courses from harvard, mit, and top universities.
Which is cheaper, Coursera or edX?
edX is more affordable at $0.00/mo vs $0.00/mo. edX offers NaN% savings.
Coursera vs edX: which should I choose?
Choose Coursera if you prioritize courses from top universities. Choose edX if you need courses from harvard, mit, and top universities. Both are solid online learning options.
What's the main difference between Coursera and edX?
The main difference is Coursera offers university courses and professional certificates, while edX focuses on university courses from harvard, mit, and top institutions.