Coursera vs LinkedIn Learning (2024): Which One Is Better?

LinkedIn Learning and Coursera are two of the most popular online learning platforms. However, both cater to different audiences. 

Simply put, LinkedIn Learning is good for people who want to opt for a new skill or polish their existing skills. 

On the other hand, Coursera is better for people who want professional certification courses, including degrees. 

Besides these basic differences, LinkedIn Learning and Coursera have a lot more to offer. 

In this article, I’ll compare Coursera and LinkedIn based on all the important parameters, such as courses, quality, cost, certifications, and more. 

By the end, I will determine which platform is worth investing your time and money! 

Coursera vs. Linkedin Learning: In a Nutshell

Here are the key differences between Coursera and LinkedIn Learning: 

Parameters	Coursera	Linkedin Learning
Rating	4.7/5	4.5/5
Total Users	118 million	27 million
Total Courses	7k	21k
Course Categories	30+	11
Instructors	Certified Linkedin members	Professional users from top universities and institutes
Pricing Plans	Individual, Monthly, Annual	Individual, Monthly, Annual
Free Trial of Paid Plans	7 days	1 month
Free Courses	8 free learning paths	2.5k courses
Features	Professional video content & downloadable material Offer both professional and academic topics, Access to the community forum to ask questions and share success, Accredited certification, Courses up to Master’s level	Video content with downloadable resources, a Variety of courses Tailored to mobile and desktop viewing, Non-accredited certification
Best for?	For students and people willing to shift their	For professional workers who wish to upscale and learn new skills.
Link	Here	Here

Coursera vs Linkedin Learning: Best Suitability 

Here in this section, I have explained for whom Coursera and LinkedIn Learning are suitable.

Coursera is best suited for

• For students and professionals
• Anyone who wants a certificate from a reputed university to enhance their profile
• For students who want to opt for bachelor’s and Master’s degrees online.

LinkedIn Learning is best suited for

• For graduate students who are searching for jobs
• People who want to grow skills in a particular area.
• People who don’t need an accredited certificate

Coursera vs LinkedIn Learning: Overview

First, I will discuss Coursera and LinkedIn learning by providing a piece of general information, and then I will compare both platforms using statistics. 

Then, I will dive deeper into more information like the study environment, fee structure, certificate, etc.

What is Coursera?

Being one of the most popular choices of learners worldwide, Coursera is an excellent option to learn a new skill or enhance an existing one. If you are interested in technology and programming, Coursera can be a good platform.

The best part about this is you can learn at your convenience at your home. At the same time, you can get certificates from very reputable and prestigious universities.

Coursera allows you to learn directly from some of the most reputable universities, including the University of Michigan, Yale University, California Institute of Arts, and many more.

Coursera covers a wide range of subjects and fields. Besides, you can also opt for a full-time bachelor’s degree and programs. Overall, it lets you learn from the comfort of your home.

What is LinkedIn learning?

LinkedIn Learning can be a better choice for those more interested in management and technology.

LinkedIn learning helps you get in-depth knowledge about your chosen course. It is like an honest tutor who will provide you with the knowledge you deserve. 

LinkedIn provides more than 16,000+ online courses, enhancing your skills and making your resume look better. 

LinkedIn learning works on a subscription basis. Once subscribed, you will have access to all their courses and videos. 

Linkedin learning is like access to a library of courses where you can get more than one book course. 

That means it gives you the freedom to choose whatever course you like at a time convenient to you. Linkedin learning also allows you to learn from your home.

Coursera vs Linkedin learning: Statistics

With the help of statistics, you will get a vivid idea about both online platforms.

Coursera	Linkedin learning
Registered students= 92 million (2021)	Over 27 million users (2021)
They have four offices worldwide with 779 employees	They have 33 offices worldwide with over 16,000 full-time employees
Revenue will increase by 36% by the year 2022. The platform has more than 100 million registered users.	Revenue will increase by 36% year on the year 2022. The platform has more than 100 million registered users.

Coursera vs Linkedin Learning: Similarities

Both Coursera and LinkedIn learning will help you fill the gaps in your personal and professional knowledge. Both platforms have the same purpose, which is why they also have similarities, which will help you clear your doubts.

• Both platforms are online learning platforms.
• Well-known and well-educated instructors will train you.
• These platforms allow you to learn from home, and it offers flexibility in time.
• Coursera and LinkedIn Learning collaborates with world-reputed universities.
• And et the end of your course you will receive a certificate from these universities.

Coursera vs Linkedin Learning: Courses & Certification Offered

Coursera provides 7000+ courses. World-class courses guided by experts at 250+ reputed universities and companies.

Here are some popular courses by them-

1. Data Science– 425 courses
2. Social science- 401 courses
3. Language learning– 150 courses
4. Business– 1095 courses
5. Personal development– 137 courses
6. Information technology- 145 courses
7. Computer Science– 668 courses
8. Art and Humanities- 338 courses 
9. Math and logic-70 courses

Coursera provides a certificate. After completing the course, you can also get degrees from bachelor’s to master’s. 

Coursera provides you with different certificates, such as professional certificates, master track certificates, university certificates, and many more. 

On the other hand, LinkedIn Learning provides more than 16,000 courses. And mostly, the curator of those courses will guide all along.

Popular courses from Linkedin Learning-

1. Ecommerce Fundamentals (2020)

2. Introduction to content marketing

3. Google anniversal Analytics Essential Training (2020)

4. UX Foundations: Research

5. Introduction to Data Science

6. Graphic Design Tips and Tricks

7. SQL Essential Training

8. Creating a Communication Strategy

After your training, you can download the certificate from LinkedIn Learning. One good feature of this is that you can upload the certificate on your LinkedIn profile to enhance your account.

But there is a backdrop that the university does not authorize the certificate you get from LinkedIn Learning.

Verdict: When it is time to evaluate from personal experience, I would like to add that Coursera is better at providing certification.  LinkedIn provides the best environment to enhance your skills. However, Coursera’s certificate will add more value to your profile and is accredited.

Coursera vs Linkedin Learning: features and Study environment

Here, I have explained the features & study environment of Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.

Coursera features

•  Coursera provides unlimited access to over 90% of courses.
•  You can explore topics and skills
•  It is lifelong learning where you can earn your degree certificate
•  It provides Adobe-guided projects where you can work with Adobe software to get your expertise.
• You can also personalize your schedule in your preferred course. 
•  Also, you will be assigned projects with deadlines. And also, you will get to analyze your time speed to finish the project.

Coursera study environment

Coursera brings world-class Universities into your pocket. 

The post-COVID situation created a great barrier with the outer world. But Coursera is the key to those doors. 

Innumerable students from all over the world are enrolled in their preferred courses. And earning the best certificate from the best and most reputed colleges without spending much money.

The video courses and projects will help you overcome obstacles and gain confidence.

LinkedIn Learning Features

• Professionals with noteworthy accomplishments deliver all of the courses.
• You can start or stop streaming courses anytime. Your progress is saved automatically.
• The software is automated to provide recommendations based on your profile.
• You can also download courses for offline learning. 
• You can also save data by switching to audio-only mode.
• Support for multiple devices is also available. As a result, you can keep streaming a course while switching devices.

LinkedIn Learning Study Environment

The study environment of LinkedIn Learning is designed to motivate and increase the appetite for knowledge.

Intricate details and make sure you do not get distracted while learning. For instance, the platform automatically displays your progress by chapters so that you do not have to keep track. 

You are also provided with a course overview to be prepared. You shall also be provided with a transcript of the audio-visual lectures to ensure that you do not miss any content.

Gripping quizzes and exercises are preloaded so that you can test your learning and gain more confidence.

The platform also offers complete transparency, which means you have access to everything from information on your instructor to course statistics.

Coursera vs LinkedIn learning: The Course fee

Both platforms offer a bunch of free courses that you can opt for. However, many courses are premium, which means you need to pay for them. Let’s take a look at Coursera and LinkedIn Learning’s pricing structure.

Here is an overview of the comparison of Coursera and Linkedin Learning pricing plans.

Parameters	Coursera	Linkedin Learning
Free Trial	7 days	1 month
Cheapest Subscription plan	$39	$29.99
Free courses	1400	200
plans	Individual, One-time payment and monthly-yearly subscription	Monthly, Annual, and Team subscription
Certification (paid/free)	Paid	Paid
Refund policy	14 days	30 days

Coursera Course Price

Coursera gives you free access to their courses for seven days, but you will not get a certificate during free courses.

Once the free trial is over, they will charge you for every course. The price may differ according to the program you choose.

Coursera offers a simple pricing structure. You can either choose to purchase a single course or opt for Coursera Plus, which gives you access to all the courses. When you purchase a Coursera Plus subscription, you can enjoy multiple courses without worrying about the pricing. 

On the other hand, the single course will restrict access to all the other courses, and compared to Coursera Plus, it can be expensive. 

Additionally, all the plans are backed by a two-week refund policy.

Plan	Price
Single Learning Program	$49-$79
Coursera Plus Monthly	$59/month
Coursera Plus Annual	$399/year

You can view our detailed Coursera pricing breakdown to understand what each plan offers and which one is right for your requirements!

Tip: Finding Coursera too expensive? Grab Coursera Plus at a discount with our exclusive discount!

Linkedin Learning Course fee-

LinkedIn Learning offers a one-month free trial.

When it comes to its paid plan, you can individually pay for courses. The price will vary based on the courses. 

The price range will be approximately between $20- $50 monthly or $239.88. The annual plan allows you to save up to 33% on the price you pay monthly.

You can save extra on the plans with our exclusive discount! Check out our LinkedIn Learning discount!

Note that LinkedIn Learning doesn’t provide you with a refund option.

Coursera vs LinkedIn Learning: Pros & Cons

Here are the benefits & drawbacks of using Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.

Coursera vs Linkedin Learning: Alternatives

It is acceptable if you are not satisfied with any of these platforms. In this era of competition, there are plenty of other online platforms for different groups of people.

While doing some research, I learned about other online platforms, which might be a good alternative option.

edX

With thousands of students globally, edX takes online learning to a different level. To make education easier and accessible to everyone, this popular platform has partnered with some of the leading universities, including MIT, Harvard, Boston, Berkeley, and more. 

You can opt for courses in different subjects or enroll yourself in programs and degrees. Some of the subjects include writing, AI, data science, supply chain, economics, sales, psychology, and more. The pricing for each course is specified differently, so there is no fixed plan or pricing. 

Udemy

Udemy is a subscription-based online course website. Here you can curate your course and promote it. It offers a wide range of courses from basic to advanced levels. More than 35 million people use Udemy. Organizations often recommend courses from Udemy to their employees to enhance their functionality.

Coursera vs. Linkedin Learning Reddit and Quora

For a more realistic view of comparing Coursera and LinkedIn learning, I have shared a few active user reviews. 

These reviews are taken from the public forum Reddit and Quora to ensure the genuineness of the review.

Case studies on Coursera and LinkedIn Learning

Several case studies highlight Coursera and Linkedin Learnings’ innovative influence in a wide range of industries, enabling people and companies to benefit from skills and elevate their business.

Coursera –

Here are two case studies of popular companies that have benefitted from Coursera courses.

Case Study 1: P&G fuels innovation; over 1600 employees learned through Coursera

• P&G moved to Coursera to upskill their employees in the Data Science, Machine Learning, and AI fields.
• More than 1600 employees of P&G have used Coursera and successfully completed the courses.
• Team members’ learning in data-oriented courses enables them to establish product development strategies more quickly and efficiently.
• Through Coursera, employees may upskill and introduce more technical, data-driven, and successful practices.
• Learners progress in the organization by using their technical and leadership abilities from Coursera.

Case Study 2: Adobe innovates by investing in AI and machine learning, with 68% of its engineers completing the courses.

• In order to provide its current workforce with more options for AI and ML training, Adobe teamed with Coursera.
• 68% of Adobe’s engineers have completed the courses on AI and machine learning and improved their knowledge.
• 50% of these learners have brought innovative ideas and skills based on AI and Machine learning to new projects.
• A few hundred employees have used their knowledge from the courses in product development.

Linkedin Learning – 

Here are two case studies of industry-leading companies that took advantage of the LinkedIn Learning courses to upskill their teams.

Case Study 1: Airtel growing talent from within with Linkedin Learning

• Airtel implied LinkedIn learning courses in the company to fulfill the learning needs of the employees.
• Airtel chose LinkedIn Learning due to the relevance of their courses to their job profiles.
• Airtel employees were not initially interested, but they grew fond of the courses once they got benefits. Plum, the fact that it can be learned anywhere at any time, was an attractive offer.
• Airtel encouraged their employees to log into LinkedIn Learning every day for one hour.
• Employees who adopted the skills early were appointed as agents in the company.
• Online learning has become a habit for Airtel employees due to LinkedIn learning.

Case Study 2: Allianz creating a consistent, future-forward learning experience for a global workforce with LinkedIn Learning

• The implementation of LinkedIn learning created a scalable learning environment in the company.
• This integration allowed their employees to access learning materials anytime and anywhere, according to their busy schedules and learning preferences.
• Employees could take up the courses easily due to the straightforward and easy user interface.
• Allianz strategically utilized LinkedIn’s analytics and insights to match their learning content with the future skill requirements of their job profiles.

Coursera vs. Linkedin Learning: Overall Analysis

One of the most crucial aspects of online learning platforms is value for money. Coursera offers better value for money than LinkedIn when comparing the two platforms. 

Comparing Coursera with LinkedIn, I can observe that Coursera generally offers higher-quality content regarding learning materials.

When comparing the number of courses available on these two e-learning sites, LinkedIn offers around 12 thousand more courses than the other. 

It’s evident from this Coursera vs. LinkedIn comparison that Coursera offers more languages than Coursera, with seven available.

Another crucial consideration while choosing the best online learning platform is price. LinkedIn is more affordable than Coursera, starting at $29.99 when compared to the most affordable subscription. 

Therefore, in this comparison between Coursera and LinkedIn, which compares the number of free courses each platform offers, Coursera offers the most, with 1,400 courses available at no cost. 

It’s clear after going through these key differences between Coursera and LinkedIn that Coursera has generally higher rating scores than LinkedIn.

Tip: You can also check out other online learning platforms if Coursera and LinkedIn don’t cater to your requirements!

Other comparisons that you can check out!

• Udacity vs Pluralsight
• Pluralsight vs LinkedIn Learning
• edX vs Coursera
• Pluralsight vs Coursera

Conclusion: Coursera vs Linkedin Learning (which one is best?)

This Coursera vs LinkedIn Learning comparison made one thing clear: both have teachers who are experts in their respective fields, and the courses are not just for introduction but also for in-depth understanding of the fields. 

However, my verdict would be biased towards Coursera winning the race due to a few plus points. 

For example, Coursera offers fewer courses than LinkedIn Learning, but they are significantly more varied, ranging from bite-sized to complete degrees and covering a wider range of fields. 

On the other hand, LinkedIn Learning’s courses are more diverse, focusing on teaching skills to build your job and professional life.

Lastly, Coursera offers accredited certificates, unlike Linkedin Learning. Hence, if you need accredited certifications, Coursera is the one for you; if not, Linkedin Learning is open with a vast range of resources.

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