Coursera Review
Top PickUniversity courses and professional certificates
Overall Rating
Based on our testing
Quick Answer
Coursera scores 9.3/10 in our testing. It's best for most users and overall value. Key strength: Courses from top universities. Main weakness: Certificates can be expensive.
Quick Summary
Coursera partners with top universities and companies to offer courses, certificates, and degrees. Known for high-quality, accredited content from institutions like Stanford, Yale, and Google.
Pros & Cons
What we like
- Courses from top universities
- Professional certificates from Google, IBM, Meta
- Accredited online degrees available
- Financial aid available
- Mobile app for offline learning
- Verified certificates
What could be better
- Certificates can be expensive
- Some courses outdated
- Peer-reviewed assignments vary in quality
Typical Promotions
- •7-day free trial for Plus
- •Financial aid available
- •Black Friday - discounted annual
Best time to buy: Black Friday or check for financial aid
Coursera Pricing
- 7000+ courses
- Unlimited certificates
- Professional certificates
- Specializations
- Audit most courses
- No certificate
- Limited access
- Community support
- Per user/year
- Team analytics
- Custom learning paths
- Skills tracking
Key Features
Coursera In-Depth Review
Coursera is Coursera partners with top universities and companies to offer courses, certificates, and degrees. Known for high-quality, accredited content from institutions like Stanford, Yale, and Google. With an overall rating of 9.3/10 based on our testing, it stands as one of the top options in the online learning space.
Key Findings
- Courses from top universities: This stands out in our testing as a key strength of Coursera.
- Professional certificates from Google, IBM, Meta: This stands out in our testing as a key strength of Coursera.
- Accredited online degrees available: This stands out in our testing as a key strength of Coursera.
Performance & Speed
Coursera performed exceptionally well in our testing. Courses from top universities.
Features & Functionality
Coursera includes certificates, degrees, mobile app, offline access. The feature set is comprehensive and well-implemented, covering most user needs without unnecessary bloat. We particularly appreciated courses from top universities.
Pricing & Value
Coursera offers a free tier, making it accessible for users to try before committing. Paid plans start at $59/month. The free option is genuinely useful, not just a limited trial.
Ease of Use
Coursera's interface is intuitive and well-designed. New users should feel comfortable within minutes of signing up. There's room for UX improvements, but core functionality is accessible.
Our Testing Methodology
We completed at least 3 courses on each platform, evaluating instructor quality, content depth, and learning outcomes. We tested the platform's mobile experience, assessed certificate value through hiring manager surveys, and measured content retention after 30 days.
- Users who prioritize courses from top universities
- Those seeking a premium, reliable solution
- Budget-conscious users who want to try before buying
- Users seeking value without sacrificing essential features
- Users who can't accept certificates can be expensive
- Budget-restricted users who need a more affordable option
The Bottom Line
Coursera is an excellent choice that we confidently recommend. It excels in courses from top universities while offering strong value at its price point.
Affiliate Disclosure
Some products are sponsored. Rankings reflect our honest assessment. Our editorial content is independent and unbiased. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase through our links. Read our full disclosure
Free tier available • Paid plans from
$59/mo
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Coursera FAQ
How much does Coursera cost?
Coursera starts at $0.00/mo for the Free plan. They also offer Coursera Plus ($59/mo), Enterprise ($399/mo).
Is Coursera worth it in 2025?
Coursera scores 9.3/10 in our testing. Courses from top universities. However, certificates can be expensive.
What are the pros and cons of Coursera?
Pros: Courses from top universities; Professional certificates from Google, IBM, Meta; Accredited online degrees available. Cons: Certificates can be expensive; Some courses outdated; Peer-reviewed assignments vary in quality.
Is Coursera safe to use?
Coursera is a legitimate online learning service. We recommend reviewing their privacy policy for full details.
Does Coursera have a free plan?
Yes, Coursera offers a free plan with Audit most courses, No certificate. Paid plans start at $59/mo.