Udemy vs Khan Academy
Both Udemy 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 Udemy for most users. It scores 9/10 vs 8.8/10 and 100% free core platform. Choose Udemy if you need 200,000+ courses available.
Udemy
Largest course marketplace with frequent sales
Starting from
$12.99
Khan Academy
WinnerFree education for anyone, anywhere
Starting from
$4/mo
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 8.8/10 | 9.0/10 |
| Starting Price | $12.99 | $4/mo |
| User Reviews | ||
| Content | ||
| Courses | 200000+ | 10000+ |
| 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
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 most significant difference is value positioning. Khan Academy 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?
Udemy
Choose Udemy if you prioritize 200,000+ courses available, or value frequent sales (80%+ off).
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 Udemy'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, 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 Udemy 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 Udemy is better for 200,000+ courses available.
Which is cheaper, Udemy or Khan Academy?
Khan Academy is more affordable at $0.00/mo vs $12.99/mo. Khan Academy offers 100% savings.
Udemy vs Khan Academy: which should I choose?
Choose Udemy if you prioritize 200,000+ courses available. Choose Khan Academy if you need 100% free core platform. Both are solid online learning options.
What's the main difference between Udemy and Khan Academy?
The main difference is Udemy offers largest course marketplace with frequent sales, while Khan Academy focuses on free education for anyone, anywhere.