Coursera vs Khan Academy
Khan Academy vs Coursera serve different educational purposes. Khan Academy offers free K-12 and foundational learning; Coursera offers paid professional and higher education. The overlap is minimal - they complement more than compete.
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Quick Answer
Coursera beats Khan Academy for most users. It scores 9.3/10 vs 9/10 and courses from top universities. Choose Khan Academy if you need 100% free core platform.
Coursera
WinnerUniversity courses and professional certificates
Starting from
$59/mo
Khan Academy
Free education for anyone, anywhere
Starting from
$4/mo
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 9.3/10 | 9.0/10 |
| Starting Price | $59/mo | $4/mo |
| User Reviews | ||
| Content | ||
| Courses | 5000+ | 10000+ |
| 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- Some courses outdated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
Khan Academy
- 100% free core platform
- Personalized learning dashboard
- Covers K-12 and test prep (SAT, AP)
- Khanmigo AI tutor available
- Progress tracking for parents/teachers
- Available in multiple languages
- Limited advanced/professional content
- No certificates or credentials
- K-12 focused, less for adults
Key Difference
Khan Academy is free foundational education; Coursera is paid professional education. Khan Academy serves K-12 and basics; Coursera serves college-level and professional. Different purposes, different stages, both excellent.
Which Should You Choose?
Coursera
Choose Khan Academy if you need foundational knowledge in math, science, or test prep, want completely free learning, are supplementing K-12 education, or need to fill basic knowledge gaps.
Khan Academy
Choose Coursera if you are pursuing professional development, want university-level courses, need credentials for career advancement, or are beyond foundational learning.
Our Verdict
Khan Academy wins for foundational learning - it's free, comprehensive, and excellent for fundamentals. Coursera wins for professional advancement with university credentials. Age and educational stage determine the appropriate platform.
Thinking of Switching?
These platforms serve different needs. Use Khan Academy to build foundations, Coursera to advance professionally. Many learners use Khan Academy to prepare for Coursera courses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Coursera better than Khan Academy?
Coursera scores higher in our testing (9.3/10 vs 9/10). Coursera excels at courses from top universities, while Khan Academy is better for 100% free core platform.
Which is cheaper, Coursera or Khan Academy?
Khan Academy is more affordable at $0.00/mo vs $0.00/mo. Khan Academy offers NaN% savings.
Coursera vs Khan Academy: which should I choose?
Choose Coursera if you prioritize courses from top universities. Choose Khan Academy if you need 100% free core platform. Both are solid online learning options.
What's the main difference between Coursera and Khan Academy?
The main difference is Coursera offers university courses and professional certificates, while Khan Academy focuses on free education for anyone, anywhere.