Pluralsight vs Coursera (2024): Unbiased Comparison

When it comes to online learning platforms, the debate of Pluralsight vs. Coursera has been a topic of discussion among learners worldwide. 

For anyone looking to upskill and learn new things, Pluralsight and Coursera offer great courses. 

Both sites are equally popular and demanded by students across the globe. So, we decided to dig deeper and had a personal experience on these platforms. 

The one major difference between the platforms is that Pluralsight offers tech-related courses, while Coursera offers them in varying subjects and skills. 

In today’s article, we’ll demonstrate a side-by-side comparison of Pluralsight and Coursera to help you make an informed decision. 

Without wasting time any further, let’s get started!

Pluralsight vs. Coursera 2024: Quick Comparison 

Here’s a quick table comparing various aspects of Pluralsight and Coursera. 

Aspect	Pluralsight	Coursera
Content focus	Software development, IT	Arts, Social Sciences, Business, IT, etc.
Instructors	Industry experts	University professors
Course structure	Video Lessons	Video lessons, quizzes, homework/assignments
Certifications	Does not offer a university degree	Offers specializations and university degrees
Learning experience	Hands-on experience and upskilling	Academic structure, theoretical learning
Free courses	Free access until the trial period lasts	Some courses are free for a lifetime
Mobile app	Yes	Yes
Accreditation	No	Yes
Subscription model	Monthly/annual subscription	Individual course purchases

Pluralsight vs Coursera: Key Differences

Here are the key differences between Pluralsight and Coursera.

• The instructors of Coursera are real-life teachers from popular universities, whereas the instructors of Pluralsight are tech experts focusing on skill training and assessment.
• Pluralsight is a great platform for anyone who wants to gain demanding tech skills, whereas Coursera is great for anyone who wants to explore different subjects and gain various skills.
• There are no free courses available on Pluralsight, whereas on Coursera, you can audit almost all the courses for free, but to get a course completion certificate, you have to pay.
• You get accredited certificates from Courses, whereas Pluralsight offers no course completion certificate.
• The pricing of a Pluralsight subscription is affordable compared to a Coursera Plus subscription. But you can also buy single courses on Coursera, whereas there is no such option available on Pluralsight. 

Pluralsight vs Coursera: Suitability

After using Pluralsight and Coursera, I figured out to whom both learning platforms are targeted. Let me list them below.

Pluralsight is Best Suited to:

• Upcoming programmers, developers, or even tech students.
• Anyone who loves technology and wants to learn an in-demand skill.
• Users who want to get hands-on learning on tech-related projects practically.

Coursera is Best Suited to:

• Students who aspire to get a qualifying degree virtually.
• Anyone who cannot afford education and get financial aid.
• Visual learners who would like to learn compelling courses and get certified.
• Aspiring enthusiasts looking for courses on multiple niches in a single place.

Pluralsight vs Coursera: Overview

Despite choosing two of the best e-learning platforms online, you might know to ensure that you select the best without compromising any aspect.

Regarding Pluralsight and Coursera, I have highlighted my honest experience with both so that you can make your final call and start learning online instantly!

What is Pluralsight?

Suppose you are searching for the best technology-based learning platforms. In that case, Pluralsight could be your perfect choice since it curates high-quality courses on topics like web programming, IT operations, and cybersecurity. You get a whopping 7000 courses.

We have already done an in-depth review of Pluralsight on NutMeg Education, rollover to check — Is Pluralsight worth it?

To give a heads-up, all the courses in Pluralsight are structured with adequate learning modules, making it convenient for you to get going with the desired subject. 

If you are new to Pluralsight, you can instantly pick the most appropriate for you by taking the Role IQ and Skill IQ assessments that help you search for the best Pluralsight course based on your interests, strengths, and weaknesses.

Pluralsight is also known for its exceptional hands-on learning configurations, which allow you to test cloud stations and pre-designed labs for practical learning. Plus, you get courses in 50+ languages in Pluralsight. 

What’s more? Pluralsight compiles specific courses under its belt in pathways where you can find multiple courses in similar categories for easy understanding. The paths in Pluralsight reduce the time in searching for relevant courses again.

Last but not least, the interface is well-designed and highly responsive. Since Pluralsight is constantly updating its platform, you might not see any lagging.

What is Coursera?

Coursera is a solid competitive learning platform that provides more than technology-based courses. That’s a little shade on Pluralsight, yet it is true!

You can read my detailed Coursera review to learn about Coursera in detail!

In Coursera, you get a college-led curriculum wherein prestigious universities collaborate with Coursera to produce the best quality content. 

Wait. Yale? Stanford? Yes – many more top-excelling universities offer courses via Coursera that allow you to get an actual degree in the comfort of your home.

You also get specific specializations on various categories and niches, which means even if your subject is a sub-category under a topic, Coursera has got you covered.

To extend the language barrier to learning, Coursera delivers courses in multiple languages like German, Spanish, Russian, Korean, and many more. 

Despite allowing learning in-demand skills via well-formatted courses, Coursera also provides certificates on completion and offers financial aid, if needed. 

That’s a bonus benefit. Coursera is trying to help students get educated through scholarship-like services via financial aid by welcoming the global student database.

What’s more? You can also audit 1000+ selective courses for free without paying!

Pluralsight vs Coursera: Course Quality

Picking Pluralsight and Coursera based on the interface and frequent ads on Google is okay, but how compelling is the course quality in both learning platforms?

I used Pluralsight and Coursera by taking different courses, so I am sharing my verdict on the quality aspect. Let’s see if they do justice to all their claims. 

How is the course quality in Pluralsight?

Only professional and industrial experts handle the courses in Pluralsight, which means you learn directly from instructors who have years of expertise. 

While the instructor took care of the quality of the courses, Pluralsight ensured the structure of the modules in a way that it is easy to follow each section one by one. 

The instructors dropped insightful tips on the desired subject along with the teaching, making it more engaging throughout the course. Most courses were beginner-friendly, so it was great news since I had no prior experience. 

Lastly, you also get hands-on learning with real-like projects as practical tasks.

How is the course quality in Coursera?

Regarding course quality, Coursera offers university-led courses, which means there are no compromises in terms of quality at any cost. 

All the courses are explained in-depth with relevant examples and assignments to get going with the learning. You are in for a treat of boundless learning in Coursera.

In fact, not all professors teaching in prestigious universities get accepted into Coursera because it follows a strict protocol and reviews each course module.

Before releasing the courses online in Coursera, the courses are carefully curated in the review process and officially launched on the platform. 

If the course quality is not convincing enough for you, auditing a course in Coursera is suggested.

Courses Availability in Pluralsight and Coursera

Pluralsight and Coursera offer a wide range of courses. Let’s check the courses offered by both platforms below!

Courses Offered By Pluralsight

Pluralsight is mostly known for its technology-based programs and courses. You get to choose from thousands of high-quality courses on topics like web programming, cybersecurity, IT operations, etc. 

Pluralsight mainly focuses on tech-based topics. Its courses equip students with the knowledge to analyze and interpret data and use tools like SQL, Tableau, and machine learning algorithms. 

However, apart from tech-related subjects, Pluralsight also caters to creative minds by offering programs in graphic design, 3D animation, video editing, and more. 

One of my favorite things about Pluralsight is that it offers learning paths to guide students toward their career goals. Students can choose one learning path rather than jumping from one course to another. Here, students begin with learning fundamental concepts and gradually move to more advanced topics. 

Courses Offered By Coursera

Coming to Coursera, it has a more diverse range of topics and subjects to choose from. Here is a list of the subjects in which Coursera offers courses: 

• Data Science
• Business
• Computer Science
• Information Technology 
• Language Learning
• Health
• Personal Development 
• Physical Science and Engineering
• Social Sciences
• Arts and Humanities
• Maths and Logic 

So you see, Coursera has a multidisciplinary approach. Established universities around the world offer the courses. Some popular names you may have heard include the University of Michigan, the University of Utah, the University of Illinois, etc.  Not only that, but Ivy-league schools like Yale also offer courses on the platform. 

You get various courses under each category that I’ve listed. To extend the number of learners, Coursera offers courses in multiple other languages besides English. 

Coursera provides you with an official certificate from the respective university upon completion of the courses. It also offers financial aid for those in need. 

My favorite thing about Coursera is its dedication to providing quality education. Besides offering financial aid for their paid courses, the platform offers over a thousand free courses. All you need to do is sign up, choose your free course, and start learning!

Pluralsight vs. Coursera: Instructor 

The quality of the courses on any website depends on their instructors. Let’s take a look at what Pluralsight and Coursera have to offer in that aspect. 

Who are the instructors at Pluralsight?

Pluralsight has great instructors. Even though the courses are not from a world-famous university, they are taught by industry experts and practitioners. Therefore, you cannot go wrong when you pick a high-level Pluralsight course. 

The instructors come from diverse backgrounds and have real-world experience, which is valuable for learning. They make sure the content is delivered not only theoretically but practically as well. 

Who are the instructors at Coursera 

On the other hand, Coursera instructors are world-class experts in their respective fields. They often hail from the best institutions and universities in the world. Most Coursera instructors have made commendable contributions to academia, research, and real-world applications. 

Since Coursera instructors have worked in academic environments, they can employ a range of teaching styles. They know how to deal with students and their varying needs, making the courses perfect for every type of learner. 

Pluralsight vs Coursera: Ease of Use

Now is the time to brief you about the user experience and how smoothly you can take the courses in Pluralsight and Coursera without any hassles. 

Do you get annoying ads or face slow loading? Keep reading to find out! 

How is the user experience in Pluralsight?

I would vouch for Pluralsight for its top-notch user experience any day because it is constantly updated with easy-to-navigate tools that simplify the ease of use. 

As mentioned earlier, the path recommendations in Pluralsight are accurate because you get multiple courses of the same category under a single roof within the platform. So you do not have to hop on different platforms to learn them.

With paths, cloud stations, and labs, the user experience in Pluralsight is next level, and there is no doubt about that. I’d also highlight that Pluralsight has no outdated courses.

How is the user experience in Coursera?

In contrast, Coursera does not step down and gives a smooth user experience so that you are not disappointed by the ease of use while taking the courses. 

The self-paced modules in Coursera have handy tools, making it convenient to jump from one course to another without affecting the progress earned so far.

Although you cannot expect hands-on learning like Pluralsight, Coursera compensates it with course quality, the finest among competitors.

Pluralsight vs Coursera: Best features

Let’s look at the best features of Pluralsight and Coursera. 

How is Pluralsight different?

One of the best things about Pluralsight is its practical, hands-on learning. You can gain knowledge and training from industry experts on various tech-related subjects and use them to do real-world tasks. Pluralsight may not offer lessons from professors, but they sure prepare you to secure a job position. 

I also loved that Pluralsight provides guidance regarding which lessons you should take. You can take a skill assessment test and find out your strengths and weaknesses within seconds. Pluralsight’s learning path then recommends courses and programs for you to master your desired skill. Therefore, you get personalized treatment and care. 

Pluralsight has courses for all types of learners, from newbies to advanced ones. Regardless of your level of skill, you can find something that suits you. You can start from scratch and become an expert on the subject. 

How is Coursera different?

Coming to Coursera, we loved the platform for its high-quality instructors. Who doesn’t want to be taught by world-class professors from Ivy League institutions? If you can’t get into your dream college, Coursera can make it possible for you to study their courses. 

One of the best features of Coursera is that it lets you keep your course for a lifetime. There is no time limit on how long you can have access to the courses once you buy them. Moreover, there are thousands of free courses you can benefit from. 

With Coursera, you can move between multiple courses at once and earn multiple job-ready certificates. Upon completion of a program, you can get your professional degree without an additional cost. 

Pluralsight vs Coursera: Time Flexibility

Here, I will explain the time flexibility of both Pluralsight and Coursera in detail.

Pluralsight: Time Flexibility

The best thing Pluralsight offers, which I like, is that it allows you to learn at your own pace. There is no time bound in completing the assignments or quizzes, whereas some of the courses of Coursera do have these things. To get the most out of your Pluralsight course, you still need to pass a few exams to see how much you’ve learned with the course. However, the length of the courses is another matter.

The Pluralsight individual courses can take you from four weeks to 40 weeks, or probably more than that, depending on your learning speed. There are a few courses on Pluralsight that you can finish within hours. The Pluralsight paths consist of several courses, so finishing a path on Pluralsight can take you months. Pluralsight also offers a mobile app so you can also learn on the go.

Coursera: Time Flexibility

The specialization and courses of Coursera take you much more time than Pluralsight’s paths and courses. You can complete specialization courses within a few weeks or maybe months; however, the MasterTrack courses can take you years to complete because you will be getting university-grade education in them. There are a few limitations on Coursera that I don’t like, such as you need to finish certain exams and assignments to move forward in the course.

You also need to pass those exams to access the next lessons or chapters of the course. You can not learn at your own pace here because you need to complete assignments before the deadline ends. However, they have given you the feature to reset the deadlines if you miss completing a certain task on time, so that’s a plus point.

Pluralsight vs Coursera: Pricing Battle

I have explained everything about Pluralsight and Coursera so far except the crucial factor that allows you to fix on the desired learning platform. Yes – pricing plans!

How much does Pluralsight cost?

You can access all the paths and core libraries in Pluralsight by paying only $299 as a standard plan. If you want to acquire hands-on learning, you can pay $449 for the premium plan and get real-like projects with practical exams. (Individual Plan)

In case you are a team or an organization and want to offer in-demand skill courses to your members/employees, you can purchase Pluralsight at 

• $399 as a started plan
• $579 as a professional plan
• $779 as an enterprise plan

Only the enterprise plan gives access to advanced analytics in Pluralsight. You can use the Pluralsight free trial on all the plans except the starter plan in Team plans.

How much does Coursera cost?

Regarding the pricing in Coursera, there is a slight twist since Coursera follows individual pricing and subscription services for its courses. Let me explain.

• You can audit 1000+ selective courses for free.
• Buy courses anywhere from $25-$99 and get lifetime access.
• Pay $399 as an annual subscription and get access to everything in Coursera.
• Get a virtual degree from Coursera by paying anywhere from $10,000-$25,000.

You need to buy courses from the verified tracks only to earn an accredited certificate. Audit courses do not guarantee a certificate of completion in Coursera.

There is a 7-day free trial available on Coursera Plus, which you can try right now.

Alternatives to Pluralsight and Coursera:

It is fair and understandable if you are not satisfied with Pluralsight and Coursera and want other options to make your final call in choosing the best e-learning platform. In my research, I also found other learning platforms that might help:

edX

edX is a solid alternative to Coursera, which also offers financial aid and the option of auditing courses of your choice. In fact, edX allows you to audit any course on its platform. Like Coursera, edX is also partnered with prestigious universities and offers accredited certificates for completing the desired courses successfully.

If you are curious about edX, you can check out my detailed review of edX!

Udemy

Udemy is one of the popular learning platforms where you get courses in all niches in 60+ universal languages, making it accessible to global users. The courses in Udemy are short and digestible. Additionally, anyone can become an instructor and get paid in Udemy. There is no subscription service to buy a single course in Udemy. Lastly, Udemy also promises a certificate of completion.

Bonus: We have already done a detailed Udemy vs Pluralsight comparison here.

MasterClass

MasterClass could be your last option since it primarily offers courses on entertainment. Still, the quality is promising, and the fact that all the courses are led by celebrities and world experts makes MasterClass stand apart from its competitors. You get insightful resources and workbooks to get going with the learning.

We have already done a detailed Masterclass Review that will give you an understanding of what MasterClass has in store for you!

Related Read:

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

Which One Is Better — Coursera or Pluralsight?

After closely reviewing Pluralsight and Coursera, I must say that both the learning platforms delivered the best in different aspects. For example, Pluralsight exceeded the hands-on learning aspect, while Coursera was excellent in course quality.

The main downside with Pluralsight is that it is constrained to tech-related courses only, which could be a doubting factor for most users. On the other hand, Coursera is open to multiple niches and categories. In fact, Coursera provides virtual degrees.

About the budget, Pluralsight follows a subscription-based service, while you can audit a course for free in Coursera. You also get an accredited certificate in Coursera, which might help you apply for a job in the desired field.

In the end, I’d suggest getting a free learning experience before paying any money by using the free trial and the auditing option in Pluralsight and Coursera, respectively!

FAQs On Pluralsight vs Coursera