When you want to learn more about a particular subject but have no desire to sit in an actual classroom, online courses are an ideal option. Thanks to modern technology, there are more than a handful of eLearning platforms to choose from.
Have you ever performed a search for online courses? Chances are, Udemy, Coursera or both appeared in the search results. Both platforms are reputable and offer excellent course options for all skill levels and learning styles.
Which is best? Let’s take a closer look at Udemy and Coursera, top courses each offers and how to decide on the ideal fit for you.
Best Udemy and Coursera Courses
Udemy
Online learning marketplace Udemy features over 150,000 courses on an array of subjects, including business, accounting, information technology, design, marketing, music, health and fitness, photography, lifestyle and so much more.
Classes are led by industry experts and most offer supplemental resources to take your learning experiences to another level. Udemy also issues a 30-day money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied with the course material.
Udemy has served over 50 million students with free and extremely affordable paid classes available in over 65 languages.
Coursera
Coursera offers free courses from over 190 top companies and universities, including IBM, Google, Duke, Michigan and Stanford. Some classes are part of multi-part specializations and others offer standalone options.
You can also use Coursera to earn a degree or certificate — and it’s cheaper than what you’d find elsewhere.
Thousands of students and career professionals have used Coursera to hone their skills and position themselves for career advancement opportunities. Many have also gone on to earn certificates or degrees from the most reputable universities around the globe.
Coursera offers over 3,900 courses and specializations, more than 13 professional certificates and well over 20 degrees and MasterTrack certificates.
How to Get Started
It’s easy to enroll in Udemy and Coursera. To get started, either visit the home page and conduct a search for courses on the desired subject. Select the most appealing option and review the class overview.
Keep in mind that some courses require prerequisites before you enroll. Pay attention to the fine print to ensure you meet the criteria so you don’t get trapped in a class that’s too advanced or doesn’t fit your needs.
When you’re ready to enroll:
- Select the “Buy now” button for Udemy courses.
- Click on “Enroll” for Coursera courses.
Once you’ve completed the registration, you’ll have instant access to the course material. Feel free to explore the course options to get a better feel for how Udemy and Coursera work.
The Best Udemy Courses
Here are the best selling Udemy courses.
1. Best for Web Development: Complete Python Bootcamp: Go from Zero to Hero in Python 3
- Who it’s for: Beginner and intermediate programmers
- Enrollment Fee: $194.99
Python programming is one of the most in-demand skills in the information technology sector. This course teaches you how to master the programming language from the ground up and create fun games like Blackjack.
Enrollment includes 185 lectures jam-packed into 24 hours of on-demand video and 18 articles. You’ll also complete 19 coding exercises to demonstrate your comprehension of crucial Python concepts. The class is led by Jose Portilla, head of data science at Pierian Data Inc.
2. Best for Graphic Design: Ultimate Photoshop Training: From Beginner to Pro
- Who it’s for: Beginner-level Photoshop users
- Enrollment Fee: $199.99
Want to learn the mechanics of Photoshop? This course features lessons that offer step-by-step instruction on designing business cards, characters, illustrations and creating text styles. You’ll also learn to repair photos and rid them of imperfections.
When you enroll, you’ll have access to 176 lectures, 2 articles and 178 downloadable resources. The course also includes several opportunities to test out your newfound skills and no Photoshop experience is required.
Instructor Cristian Doru Barin is a certified Photoshop expert. He’s taught over 180,000 students in his 5 best-selling Udemy courses.
3. Best for Business: The Complete Financial Analyst Course 2020
- Who it’s for: Individuals interested in learning the fundamentals of Financial Analysis
- Enrollment Fee: $194.99
Offered by 365 Careers, The Complete Financial Analyst Course 2020 prepares you for a rewarding finance career. It covers pertinent skills and teaches the basics of accounting, bookkeeping, financial statement analysis, data formatting and so much more. You’ll also learn how to calculate sales and analyze a company’s business performance.
Course material is delivered through 17 hours of video lectures. You’ll also have access to 3 articles and 463 downloadable resources to foster your material comprehension.
Make sure you’ve got Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint before you take the class.
The Best Coursera Courses
These courses made our list of Coursera’s top offerings.
1. Best for Data Science: Machine Learning by Stanford University
- Who it’s for: Individuals interested in machine learning
- Enrollment Fee: Free
Learn essential machine learning techniques in this introductory course from Stanford. You’ll get lessons on linear regression with 1 variable and multiple variables, linear algebra review and logistic regression. Professor Andrew Ng also covers Octave, MATLAB and neural networks.
The course takes 56 hours to complete.
2. Best for Personal Development: Learning How to Learn: Powerful Mental Tools to Help You Master Tough Subjects by McMaster University, University of California San Diego
- Who it’s for: Individuals interested in techniques to master tough subjects
- Enrollment Fee: Free
Does your brain always seem to shut down when you encounter difficult subjects? This course demonstrates how to overcome obstacles using effective learning and memory techniques. It also delves into the illusions of learning and how you can master procrastination.
You’ll change the way you approach learning, no matter the subject or difficulty level.
It’s co-instructed by Barbara Oakley, professor of engineering at Oakland University, and Terrence Sejnowski, professor at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies at the University of California.
3. Best for Personal Development: The Science of Well-Being
- Who it’s for: Individuals seeking proven strategies to incorporate wellness activities into their everyday lives
- Enrollment Fee: Free
The Science of Well-Being took the 3rd spot on Coursera’s list of most popular courses for 2019. It’s designed to help you boost happiness in your own life and develop more productive habits.
Laurie Santos, professor of psychology at Yale University, discusses common misconceptions about happiness, why most expectations are negative and ways to destroy biases. She also shares strategies to improve happiness.
The course is self-paced and requires you to work through a series of videos, readings and quizzes.
Udemy vs. Coursera: Which Option is Best?
There’s so much to love about Udemy and Coursera. Both platforms offer courses on a host of topics and allow you to learn at your own pace.
How do you decide which is best? If you’re looking for free courses to get your feet wet, Coursera may be a better fit.
On the other hand, if you’re already a subject-matter expert and know what you’re looking for, a Udemy course may be ideal. It’s also a solid choice if you’re willing to invest in your learning.
