edX vs Udemy
Both edX and Udemy promise to help you learn new skills, but they take different approaches to education. After completing multiple courses on each, I've identified where each platform excels. edX leads with 8.9/10 overall.
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Quick Answer
edX beats Udemy for most users. It scores 8.9/10 vs 8.8/10 and courses from harvard, mit, and top universities. Choose Udemy if you need 200,000+ courses available.
edX
WinnerUniversity courses from Harvard, MIT, and top institutions
Starting from
$25/mo
Udemy
Largest course marketplace with frequent sales
Starting from
$12.99
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 8.9/10 | 8.8/10 |
| Starting Price | $25/mo | $12.99 |
| User Reviews | ||
| Content | ||
| Courses | 3500+ | 200000+ |
| Certificates | ||
| Degrees | ||
| Free Content | ||
| Features | ||
| Projects | ||
| Subtitles | ||
| Offline Access | ||
| Mobile App | ||
| Business | ||
| Enterprise | ||
| Financial Aid | ||
Pros & Cons Breakdown
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+)
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
The most significant difference is value positioning. edX offers excellent quality at a lower price point ($0.00/mo), while Udemy ($12.99/mo) targets users who want premium features and are willing to pay for them.
Which Should You Choose?
edX
Choose edX if you prioritize courses from harvard, mit, and top universities, want to start with a free tier, or value free audit option for most courses.
Udemy
Choose Udemy if you prioritize 200,000+ courses available, or value frequent sales (80%+ off).
Our Verdict
After thorough testing, edX is our winner with a rating of 8.9/10 compared to Udemy's 8.8/10. edX stands out for its courses from harvard, mit, and top universities and free audit option for most courses. edX also offers better value at its price point. However, Udemy remains an excellent choice if 200,000+ courses available is your priority. There's no universally "wrong" choice here - both are quality options that serve their target audiences well.
Thinking of Switching?
Consider the migration effort before switching. Most services offer data export, but rebuilding workflows and configurations takes time. Evaluate whether the benefits outweigh the switching costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is edX better than Udemy?
edX scores higher in our testing (8.9/10 vs 8.8/10). edX excels at courses from harvard, mit, and top universities, while Udemy is better for 200,000+ courses available.
Which is cheaper, edX or Udemy?
edX is more affordable at $0.00/mo vs $12.99/mo. edX offers 100% savings.
edX vs Udemy: which should I choose?
Choose edX if you prioritize courses from harvard, mit, and top universities. Choose Udemy if you need 200,000+ courses available. Both are solid online learning options.
What's the main difference between edX and Udemy?
The main difference is edX offers university courses from harvard, mit, and top institutions, while Udemy focuses on largest course marketplace with frequent sales.