Udacity vs Khan Academy
Both Udacity and Khan Academy 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. Khan Academy leads with 9/10 overall.
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Quick Answer
Khan Academy beats Udacity for most users. It scores 9/10 vs 8.8/10 and 100% free core platform. Choose Udacity if you need industry-partnered curriculum (google, aws, microsoft).
Udacity
Tech-focused Nanodegrees with industry partnerships
Starting from
$211.5/mo
Khan Academy
WinnerFree education for anyone, anywhere
Starting from
$4/mo
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 8.8/10 | 9.0/10 |
| Starting Price | $211.5/mo | $4/mo |
| User Reviews | ||
| Content | ||
| Courses | 300+ | 10000+ |
| Certificates | ||
| Degrees | ||
| Free Content | ||
| Features | ||
| Projects | ||
| Subtitles | ||
| Offline Access | ||
| Mobile App | ||
| Business | ||
| Enterprise | ||
| Financial Aid | ||
Pros & Cons Breakdown
Udacity
- Industry-partnered curriculum (Google, AWS, Microsoft)
- Hands-on projects reviewed by mentors
- Career services included
- Portfolio-worthy projects
- GPT-4 powered AI assistant
- Named 2025 Corporate Learning Solution of the Year
- Expensive subscription ($249/month)
- No mobile app
- Certificates not accredited
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
The key difference: Udacity offers certificates while Khan Academy provides mobile app. This fundamental distinction shapes who each product serves best.
Which Should You Choose?
Udacity
Choose Udacity if you prioritize industry-partnered curriculum (google, aws, microsoft), want to start with a free tier, or value hands-on projects reviewed by mentors.
Khan Academy
Choose Khan Academy if you prioritize 100% free core platform, want to start with a free tier, or value personalized learning dashboard.
Our Verdict
After thorough testing, Khan Academy is our winner with a rating of 9/10 compared to Udacity's 8.8/10. Khan Academy stands out for its 100% free core platform and personalized learning dashboard. Khan Academy also offers better value at its price point. However, Udacity remains an excellent choice if industry-partnered curriculum (google, aws, microsoft) 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 Udacity better than Khan Academy?
Khan Academy scores higher in our testing (9/10 vs 8.8/10). Khan Academy excels at 100% free core platform, while Udacity is better for industry-partnered curriculum (google, aws, microsoft).
Which is cheaper, Udacity or Khan Academy?
Khan Academy is more affordable at $0.00/mo vs $0.00/mo. Khan Academy offers NaN% savings.
Udacity vs Khan Academy: which should I choose?
Choose Udacity if you prioritize industry-partnered curriculum (google, aws, microsoft). Choose Khan Academy if you need 100% free core platform. Both are solid online learning options.
What's the main difference between Udacity and Khan Academy?
The main difference is Udacity offers tech-focused nanodegrees with industry partnerships, while Khan Academy focuses on free education for anyone, anywhere.