Our Thoughts
In this review between Udemy vs. LinkedIn Learning, the two products I looked at are evenly matched. Udemy has a broader variety of courses and provides you the ability to pay for single courses to give you more flexibility. Still, LinkedIn Learning has more professionalism, higher production quality, and the ability to create learning paths to take your journey of learning further.
Related: LinkedIn Learning Reviews 2020: Is It Worth It?
In our opinion, on balance, we would choose LinkedIn Learning, which starts with an excellent 1-month free trial to get you started; how about that!
Introduction
Over the last 10-15 years, the development of MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) has grown tremendously and is now commonplace around the globe when it comes to learning a host of subjects online.
These courses can be used more formally in educational institutions such as Stanford, Harvard, and MIT, but now are more accessible from the comfort of someone’s home.
For this comparison review (Udemy vs LinkedIn Learning), we will be looking at 2 of the most popular online learning platforms on the market across multiple comparison topics to see which is worth your time and money.
The way we will conduct this comparison review is to award up to 10 points for each section of this review; these include the following categories:
- Range of courses
- Course quality
- User experience
- Pricing
- Certification
- Unique features
Are you ready? Let’s get into it.
Udemy Overview
Udemy is now a seasoned, mature online learning platform founded in 2010. I don’t want to get too into the stats because they change daily. Still, at last glance, Udemy had over 300 million online students, over 150,00 courses available with over 65 languages available across a vast array of subjects.
Related: Is Udemy worth it: 12 things to consider before buying
Udemy provides an easy-to-use program for students who need to learn specific subjects quickly and easily, filled with functionality.
LinkedIn Learning Overview
LinkedIn Learning is one of the most well-known online learning platforms on the market today, focusing on business and corporate-related skills. With over 16,000 courses, an easy-to-use interface, and support from one of the largest career development corporations in LinkedIn, it provides one of the best and most professional experiences for online learners and gives them what they need to succeed.
Udemy vs LinkedIn Learning:
What are the range of courses available?
As mentioned, Udemy has a vast array of courses; although it’s tough to find exact numbers, it seems they have between 130,000 and 150,000 currently, which when you compare it to LinkedIn learning’s 16,000+, while a lot, just doesn’t compare.
The other thing is that Udemy has courses on numerous topics such as: health & fitness, marketing, and music.
Whereas LinkedIn Learning focuses very much on business-related topics (as mentioned above), including:
- Data analysis
- 3D animation
- Cloud services
All are covered by three main areas (Business, Creative and Technology).
Range of Courses - Final Thoughts
The range of courses for both these MOOC platforms are pretty impressive. If you are looking for the broadest amount of courses to choose from, then Udemy would be the one to choose, although, with LinkedIn Learning, you will find specific courses that you really want that are not available on Udemy.
Let’s check out the score for this section.
Udemy vs LinkedIn Learning:
What is the course quality like?
Udemy and LinkedIn Learning both have a wide variety of courses, which means a broad scope of quality. The quality of learning is one of the most essential things that online learning platforms need to get right. Suppose the learning theory isn’t based on scientific best practice. If the videos have poor visual or audio quality, or even the general experience is lacking, people will not hand over their hard-earned money and time, so course quality with Udemy vs LinkedIn Learning is pretty crucial.
So, let’s take a look at How Udemy vs LinkedIn Learning stack up
Udemy
The thing with Udemy is it’s a kind of free for all, and there is no actual vetting process or way of ascertaining educational excellence with their instructors, their philosophy is if you have something to teach, well, you can do it on Udemy. This can be both good as it allows more people to teach online and bad because the quality can be severely lacking, which can make learning on Udemy a bit hit or miss.
In my own experience, I have had Udemy courses that really blew my mind, and others that looked like the visuals were made on a Nokia 3310 level of quality and audio like they recorded it directly on their laptop microphone. People may be ok with this, though, due to the range o courses available and if it’s something they’re really passionate about.
LinkedIn Learning
I have a lot more experience with LinkedIn Learning as I have used their services both personally and commercially at work. LinkedIn are particular about who they allow to become an instructor. They have a coaching program to ensure quality and have the most extensive production studio outside of Hollywood to ensure visuals and audio are up to par.
Related: Is Udemy Available On Roku? (Access Udemy In 4 Steps On Roku) | Taughtup
LinkedIn also makes sure that their instructors are leaders in their field, usually are COO’s or Specialists in each industry, which adds to the credence of quality.
LinkedIn also ensures that courses are continually updated with new information and has some of the biggest corporations in the world backing them with terrific testimonials, paying testament to the quality of their online material.
Course Quality - Final Thoughts
We could talk about so many things when it comes to course quality. when looking at Udemy vs LinkedIn Learning. I think what it boils down to is that if you are a general learner who would like to take their learning journey online, Udemy will definitely give you access to lots more courses, but the quality could be excellent or atrocious, but with LinkedIn Learning, you can rest more assured that the quality will be high, and the methods of teaching will be of the highest order.
So with that in mind, LinkedIn Learning wins this section and draws level, ooh how exciting.
Let’s check the score for this 2nd section.
Udemy vs LinkedIn Learning:
What is the user experience like?
A great user experience is paramount for an online learning platform such as the two competing vendors. When someone what’s to learn online, they want to do it easily, quickly, and with the least fuss possible.
So, let’s see how Udemy vs. LinkedIn Learning get on.
Udemy
It is actually very straightforward when you look at Udemy at face value.
When signing up, one of the easiest ways to do it is to use your google account, if not, there are other options, or you can sign up with your email and create a password instead.
When you get logged in, you are greeted by a host of categories from where you can choose from any of the available courses.
Udemy is the only one of the two platforms that request a star rating from its users, although this can be quite hit and miss, especially when people are asked to rate very early on into their course experience where they may not have a defined view at that point of the course.
A lot of Udemy vs LinkedIn Learning reviews also talk about Udemy’s video player is more advanced than LinkedIn Learning’s, but honestly, I don’t see it, they are very close in performance and features, which makes this a bit of a wash. Udemy provides an excellent experience to its learners, primarily due to ease of use, and that they continue to update and improve over time.
Linkedin Learning
LinkedIn Learning’s user experience is outstanding, mainly because it is streamlined while still providing a lot of cohesive learning options to its user base.
If you have LinkedIn premium, you can use LinkedIn learning for free as it is part of your subscription, or you can sign up as an individual, which includes a 1-month free trial.
Once you are logged in, you’ll be able to choose from your preferred choices of learning topics, as well as all categories available split between 3 main sections, Business, Creative, and technology.
From here, you can filter your choices and choose what you want to learn.
The other cool thing (which Udemy does not have) is learning paths, where you can load up all courses in a particular area you wish to engage with and learn in a more structured way to work through multiple courses.
At the end of this round, it is pretty much a tie, but I’m going to give a slight win to LinkedIn Learning because it is (IMO) simpler to use, and easier to navigate, which when you are searching for courses, is a big deal.
User Experience - Final Thoughts
When it comes to software user experience, it is very subjective to each user. While some people will judge UI regarding the number of clicks of the mouse they have to do, it is more nuanced than that. I prefer LinkedIn Learning here because it’s intertwined with their website and app infrastructure, but overall, between the two platforms, you can’t fault either one too much.
At the end of this round, it is pretty much a tie, but I’m going to give a slight win to LinkedIn Learning due to the fact that it is (IMO) simpler to use, and easier to navigate, which when you are searching for courses, is a big deal.
The points awarded are as follows:
Udemy vs LinkedIn Learning:
What do the pricing models look like on both platforms?
Pricing is a big deal regarding learners’ motivations and what platform they would consider using to help build knowledge and skills out of Udemy vs LinkedIn Learning. If the software is cost-prohibitive, then they (or you) are most likely to bounce to a cheaper or free platform, so reasonable and fair pricing is vital.
Let’s take a look at how Udemy vs LinkedIn Learning have structured their pricing models.
Udemy
Udemy’s pricing model is quite unique in this day and age. They do not have monthly or annual subscription models, but instead, they have decided to charge per course. The pricing can range from $20 to $200 for the more in-depth, extensive courses.
The other thing about Udemy is that they have huge discounts throughout the year, which turns those pricey courses into (stupidly cheap) education options for you to learn a wide variety of topics.
Related: Udemy costs: What are your options?
Udemy is great if you are an individual who values learning but doesn’t take many courses per year, having Udemy’s pay per course model will become much more cost-effective, so our advice would be, keep an eye out for the sales and don’t overpay, and only buy what you need.
If you want to have a cost-effective learning method through online courses, Udemy might be the way forward.
Linkedin Learning
When considering LinkedIn Learning, one of the best things about its pricing is that it’s simple. You pay a flat rate of $24.99 USD per month with a 1-month free trial and access to the entire LinkedIn Learning library of courses which is pretty great.
Alternatively, if you have LinkedIn Premium, then one of the advantages is that you get full access to LinkedIn Learning absolutely free, pretty sweet, huh.
We have to remember, though, LinkedIn Learning is really aimed at the corporate world, where businesses would like to allow their employees to build their knowledge and skills to enhance their work performance. So the courses you will see on LinkedIn’s program are very business-focused, but if that is the vibe you are seeking, and you are using a MOOC really for building corporate skills, then LinkedIn learning is by far the best option when comparing this comparison of Udemy vs LinkedIn Learning.
Pricing Models - Final Thoughts
The biggest takeaway between Udemy and LinkedIn Learning’s pricing is that they target very different audiences, and their pricing models reflect that.
With Udemy, they have lots of different types of learners, younger, older, more affluent, or poorer, and so having pricing set per course and with huge discounts
So that wraps up around 4, and in all honestly, this one is difficult to score as the two companies target different groups but have similar pros and cons to the pricing models, so I have given them a tie.
You can find this sections scores below:
Udemy vs LinkedIn Learning:
Are Udemy and LinkedIn Learning certified learning platforms?
One thing that people may want when choosing an online learning platform is certification. This means that you can potentially use a completed course as a continuing education credit, or you could use a course from one of these vendors to work towards a diploma or degree. Some of the best options would be Udacity, eDx, and Coursera, but are Udemy and LinkedIn Learning accredited also, let’s take a look.
Udemy
For all the great things that Udemy offers, great courses, excellent user interface, etc., one of the things it doesn’t do is offer certification. It is not certified by any institutions and cannot be used as credit. The courses on Udemy are there to build your skills in an engaging and meaningful way.
Linkedin Learning
LinkedIn Learning has a lot of courses that can help you level up your business skills and abilities, and when it comes to the corporate world, it is arguably the number one online course provider to use.
Like Udemy, though, it is not officially accredited, so if you need accreditation when doing online courses, you’ll need to choose an alternate option like Udacity.
You can add your Udemy certificate to LinkedIn, but the process is not quite as seamless. One nice thing about LinkedIn, though, is it has an automatic function where you can post your LinkedIn Learning certificate to our public profile. This adds to your LinkedIn social profile and helps build discussions within the platform.
Certification - Final Thoughts
One of the many reasons someone may want to use a platform like Udemy or LinkedIn Learning is to learn from an accredited institution and have your learning count towards your educational credit. Unfortunately, as this comparison shows between Udemy vs. LinkedIn Learning, none of these platforms are from accredited organizations.
So if you need course credit, you will need to find a dedicated platform for this, my 1st choice would be Udacity for technical subjects or Coursera (made by Stanford University) for most other topics.
So, section 5 is done, and because neither software is accredited but offers great skills development, I have still given them some points.
For now, it’s another draw, 3 a piece.
Udemy vs LinkedIn Learning:
What are the unique features of Udemy and LinkedIn Learning?
Looking at Udemy vs LinkedIn, each platform has its own way of working and includes some dedicated features.
So, with that, let’s have a look at each platform’s unique features as a way to help you decide which is right for you.
Udemy
The clear differentiator with Udemy compared to LinkedIn Learning is its filtering system. When you search for a course, topic or category, you will arrive at the course selection screen, then on the left, you can access the filter and access all the different elements to search upon.
These include:
- Ratings
- Video duration
- Topic
- Sub-Category
- Level
- Language
- Price
- Features
- Subtitles
Compared to LinkedIn, Udemy’s filtering system is considerably more adept and will allow you to drill down much deeper to find the exact course you want.
Linkedin Learning
The most unique feature of LinkedIn Learning is making and using learning paths.
The reason it is unique, is, well… Udemy doesn’t have them for a start, and it allows you to create multiple courses and add them to a single path where you can linearly work through them.
When comparing Udemy vs LinkedIn Learning, LinkedIn’s learning paths can change the game compared to individual courses as they provide a structured learning experience that is easier to manage your content.
Unique Features - Final Thoughts
This is a close one as they both have features unique from one another, and it could have easily been another tie. But I feel that LinkedIn Learning has learning paths for all learners, which really puts it over the top.
Let’s not forget about Udemy’s great filtering system, though, as it makes the concept of navigation really easy. Still, LinkedIn has just figured out how to make a more well-rounded software, and the learning paths give learners the structure that so many are looking for.
So, there is section 6 done and dusted. LinkedIn Learning has just about won this one with a tight 8-6 victory.
Udemy vs LinkedIn Learning:
What are the pros and cons of both software’s?
For both Udemy and LinkedIn Learning, there are pros and cons that you should probably be aware of before making a purchase.
Related: LinkedIn Learning vs Udemy: Which One is Better? (2022)
Below, we look at each to provide you with the information you need before moving ahead.
Udemy
Affordability
With courses starting for as low as $20, Udemy is very affordable for anyone who wants to learn. You should always watch out for flash sales to get courses as cheap as possible.
Range Of Courses
Udemy has a massive catalog of courses to choose from and far surpasses pretty much every other platform out there on the market. You should definitely find what you need here.
Lifetime Access
When you purchase a course on Udemy, you are granted access forever. You do not have to re-purchase or download again; it will always be available for you to use anytime you want.
Easy To Use
Udemy prides itself on being an easy-to-use, simple platform where you can find your courses and see course progression very quickly.
Lack Of Content Control
Udemy does not have a robust vetting procedure as, in general, it will allow any content to be accessible to learners, which can mean low-quality courses.
Huge Amount Of Courses
Even though the range of courses I listed as a pro, it can also be a con. Having to navigate through so many of the available courses, it can be challenging to find the one you want, Netflix syndrome, as I call it.
Not Accredited
Udemy, unfortunately, is not an accredited institution, so if you need educational credit, it’s time to look elsewhere.
Anyone Can Become An Instructor.
Literally, anyone and their dog can be a content creator (instructor) on Udemy, and that brings its own set of challenges, most of which the course quality can suffer and be not as high as other platforms at times.
Linkedin Learning
1-Month Free Trial
LinkedIn Learning, a subscription service, provides a 1-month free trial for you to test out the platform to see if you like it.
Available App
Even though both platforms have apps available for iOS and Android, I believe that LinkedIn’s version is considerably better thought out and easier to use.
Reasonable Pricing
After your 1-month free trial, LinkedIn charges USD 24.99 per month for an individual license to the platform. Overall, this is pretty reasonable, especially with what you get in return.
Personalized Course Recommendations
One of LinkedIn’s greatest strengths is that it provides learners with personalized recommendations based on their course learning history using its AI engine.
Subscription After Your Free Trial
LinkedIn Learning, as we know, offers a free trial for 30 days, but after that, you must invest either in a subscription to the service or buy a LinkedIn Premium subscription to continue using it. Some people may prefer just to purchase courses as and when they need, if this is you, then maybe Udemy would be the better choice.
No Accreditation
Like Udemy, LinkedIn is not part of an accreditation program, so if you need this, you need to look at other platforms, probably ones developed by universities like Coursera.
Not Many In Course Projects
One of the best ways to engage learners is with practice projects to practice what they have learned and put that knowledge into reality. LinkedIn doesn’t have many courses with this, which is a bit of a miss.
Content Is Very U.S./English-Centric.
Theoretically, this could be a pro or a con, but I am listing this as a con.
LinkedIn as a U.S. organization gravitates to content that is English speaking by default, so if you are from a different part of the world that doesn’t speak English, then this platform may have barriers to learning (although I know from talking to LinkedIn that they are working on this).
Secondly, the content is very U.S.-centric. So, for example, if you need access to courses about topics like; regulation, legislation, or any subject with U.S. specific terms, this may not be suitable. Different countries have different requirements, so there may be times you have to extrapolate for your own needs.
That was great
What a Udemy vs LinkedIn Learning competition, woohoo, that was exciting stuff.
So, we have had some tough battles through each of our six sections, and I believe we have come out with a worthy winner.
Before I started this blog post, I had a look at what other people had done, and a lot of people are writing this from a position of purely a learner and people who like learning online.
I have tried to take a slightly different approach as someone who works in the Learning & Development (L&D) space; how would this work for both learners at home, learning independently, and also for employees learning in a workplace.
I found this approach worked well, and hopefully provided a good amount of information to help you decide on which to go for.
And the winner is…
After that Udemy vs LinkedIn Learning contest, I believe that this program provides a more wholesome learning experience, the more professional courses available, and a more concrete development roadmap to ensure that new features are being implemented in their product to provide learning in a seamless experience for all learners.
Check out the final scores below:
If you would like to try LinkedIn Learning, click the button below, starting with their 1-month free trial.
Here you will be able to gain access to all the 16,000+ courses LinkedIn offers, including their in-house produced courses.
Well done, LinkedIn Learning, commiserations to Udemy, you tried hard, but maybe next time.
Udemy vs LinkedIn Learning:
Final Thoughts
So that’s it, we’re at the end of this comparison between Udemy vs LinkedIn Learning. It has been a great contest, and they are both great programs.
In all honesty, I think LinkedIn was deserving of this victory, having tested both thoroughly, it is the easiest to use, provides the most professionalism that I have seen on any course provider, and has courses delivered by industry leaders that are extremely easy to understand.
It also has excellent features and makes video-based learning a great way to learn new things.
Another thing to consider is if you are a full-time student or have access to your local library, there’s a good chance you can access LinkedIn Learning for free.
One thing you could do is use both, e.g., you could have LinkedIn Learning as your primary platform, and use Udemy for those select courses that can only be found there. That’s probably what I would do, don’t limit yourself to a single platform, but one thing I will say, LinkedIn Learning has to be on your list.
Catch you soon!
Hey, I’m Kris Taylor. I’m a Learning and Development professional currently in the healthcare field, with over 8 years of experience in the area of corporate education. I have created numerous instructional content for various corporate projects including eLearning, in-person facilitation, and virtual training across a wide variety of learning interventions and sectors. On Taughtup, I discuss topics ranging from how to succeed through K-12 to college all the way to instructional design tips for L&D designers.
