Coursera vs Udemy
Coursera vs Udemy represents university partnerships against marketplace learning. Coursera features courses from Stanford and Google; Udemy features courses from independent instructors. The credentialing and quality models differ fundamentally.
Some products are sponsored. Rankings reflect our honest assessment. See our affiliate disclosure
Quick Answer
Coursera beats Udemy for most users. It scores 9.3/10 vs 8.8/10 and courses from top universities. Choose Udemy if you need 200,000+ courses available.
Coursera
WinnerUniversity courses and professional certificates
Starting from
$59/mo
Udemy
Largest course marketplace with frequent sales
Starting from
$12.99
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 9.3/10 | 8.8/10 |
| Starting Price | $59/mo | $12.99 |
| User Reviews | ||
| Content | ||
| Courses | 5000+ | 200000+ |
| 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- Some courses outdated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
Udemy
- 200,000+ courses available
- Frequent sales (80%+ off)
- Lifetime access to purchases
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Diverse topics and instructors
- Mobile app available
- Quality varies significantly
- No accreditation
- Certificates not widely recognized
Key Difference
Coursera partners with universities; Udemy is a marketplace for anyone. Coursera certificates carry weight; Udemy certificates are less recognized. Coursera has quality control; Udemy has wider selection. Different credentials, different content.
Which Should You Choose?
Coursera
Choose Coursera if you want credentials employers recognize, prefer university-quality courses, need structured learning paths, or are pursuing career advancement that values certificates.
Udemy
Choose Udemy if you want to learn practical skills quickly, prefer lower per-course pricing, need niche topics not found elsewhere, or don't need formal credentials.
Our Verdict
Coursera wins for credentials with accredited certificates and university partnerships that employers recognize. Udemy wins for breadth and value with more courses on more topics at lower prices. Your learning goal determines the winner.
Thinking of Switching?
No migration needed - use both as appropriate. Coursera for career credentials; Udemy for practical skills. Many learners use both depending on what they're learning and why.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Coursera better than Udemy?
Coursera scores higher in our testing (9.3/10 vs 8.8/10). Coursera excels at courses from top universities, while Udemy is better for 200,000+ courses available.
Which is cheaper, Coursera or Udemy?
Coursera is more affordable at $0.00/mo vs $12.99/mo. Coursera offers 100% savings.
Coursera vs Udemy: which should I choose?
Choose Coursera if you prioritize courses from top universities. Choose Udemy if you need 200,000+ courses available. Both are solid online learning options.
What's the main difference between Coursera and Udemy?
The main difference is Coursera offers university courses and professional certificates, while Udemy focuses on largest course marketplace with frequent sales.