Udemy vs Coursera
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.
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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.
Udemy
Largest course marketplace with frequent sales
Starting from
$12.99
Coursera
WinnerUniversity courses and professional certificates
Starting from
$59/mo
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 8.8/10 | 9.3/10 |
| Starting Price | $12.99 | $59/mo |
| User Reviews | ||
| Content | ||
| Courses | 200000+ | 5000+ |
| Certificates | ||
| Degrees | ||
| Free Content | ||
| Features | ||
| Projects | ||
| Subtitles | ||
| Offline Access | ||
| Mobile App | ||
| Business | ||
| Enterprise | ||
| Financial Aid | ||
Pros & Cons Breakdown
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
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- Some courses outdated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
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?
Udemy
Choose Coursera if you want credentials employers recognize, prefer university-quality courses, need structured learning paths, or are pursuing career advancement that values certificates.
Coursera
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 Udemy better than Coursera?
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, Udemy or Coursera?
Coursera is more affordable at $0.00/mo vs $12.99/mo. Coursera offers 100% savings.
Udemy vs Coursera: which should I choose?
Choose Udemy if you prioritize 200,000+ courses available. Choose Coursera if you need courses from top universities. Both are solid online learning options.
What's the main difference between Udemy and Coursera?
The main difference is Udemy offers largest course marketplace with frequent sales, while Coursera focuses on university courses and professional certificates.