14 Best Online Learning Platforms and Websites For All Levels

Discover the best online learning platforms on the market today to help you choose the best one for your needs.

Last edited on July 12, 2024 by Editorial Team

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Online learning platforms offer diverse learning opportunities, catering to various needs, from academic courses and professional development to creative skills and hobbies.

According to Statista, the number of users of online learning platforms is expected to amount to 1 bn by 2029, with a penetration of 13.5% in 2024, expected to hit 16.7% by 2029.

The platforms offer a convenient yet affordable way to acquire knowledge and skills. Whether you’re looking for a formal degree, career advancement, or personal enrichment, there’s likely a platform that fits your goals and learning style.

If you want to study something new but don’t have the time or money to enroll in a college degree, you may consider joining an online learning platform.
The flexibility of online learning allows you to study at your own pace, from anywhere in the world, making education more accessible than ever.

However, there are so many options to choose from, so if you are not sure of the best options, we have come up with a list that helps you find the top ones. Look no further; here are the 14 best online learning platforms and websites you can find on the internet today.

What Is an Online Learning Platform?

An online learning platform is a digital platform that offers educational content and resources online. It includes structured courses, interactive content, multimedia resources, assessment tools, and certificates.

These platforms cater to a wide range of learners, from K-12 students to professionals seeking continuing education. To support diverse learning styles, there are multimedia resources such as videos, audio recordings, slides, and reading materials.

Assessment tools like tests and exams are used to evaluate learners’ understanding and progress, and certificates are often awarded upon course completion.

These platforms also foster community and collaboration through forums, chat rooms, and peer interaction.

What Should You Consider When Choosing an Online Learning Platform?

Here are some top considerations when choosing an online learning platform:
1. Course Content and Quality
Look for platforms offering a wide range of courses in your desired subjects and ensure the courses are accredited or recognized by relevant bodies. Also read course reviews and ratings for a comprehensive understanding.

2. Learning Format and Flexibility
If you’re going to be using a learning platform, choose one with interactive elements like quizzes, assignments, and peer discussions. Ensure the platform is mobile accessible and if possible, allows offline access.

3. Technology and User Experience
Ensure the platform has an intuitive interface with reliable technical support and one that integrates with existing tools like Google Drive or Slack.

4. Cost and Value
Evaluate the cost of courses and subscription models. Also consider the value for money and financial aid options.

5. Certification and Career Impact
Verify if the platform offers certificates upon course completion and which are recognized by employers and industry professionals.

6. Community and Support
Look for a strong learner community, robust customer support and mentorship opportunities.

7. Platform Reputation and Stability
Research the platform’s reputation through reviews and industry reports.

Now let’s take a look at some of the best online learning platforms and websites today

Best Online Learning Platforms

1. Coursera
2. Skillshare
3. Udemy
4. edX
5. Brilliant
6. LinkedIn Learning
7. Khan Academy
8. Codecademy
9. MasterClass
10. Domestika
11. Udacity
12. Pluralsight
13. FutureLearn
14. Treehouse

1. Coursera

Best For: University-level courses from top institutions

Coursera is a versatile online learning platform that offers courses from over 275 top universities worldwide, including Harvard, Yale, Duke, and John Hopkins. It also partners with companies like Google, Intel, Microsoft, and IBM.

Coursera offers a diverse range of course topics, from certificates to master’s degrees, with over 3,000 programs available. The programs are quite affordable, with free courses serving as introductions.

However, these courses do not include completion certificates. Verified certificates start at $49 once a course is completed. Google’s professional certificates offer unlimited university verified certificates at no extra cost.

This allows you to start a new career in just 10 hours a week over six months for $39 a month, with no educational or experience requirements.

Coursera has an annual subscription plan, Coursera Plus which is priced at $59 per month (or $399 per year). It offers unlimited access to 7,000+ courses, guided projects, and specializations.

If you’re looking for college-level education, they have Master Track Certificates which begin at $2,000 per course and take less than a year to complete, giving you a university-issued certificate and credit that can lead you towards a degree.

And if you want to earn a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, you can do it on Coursera with an online degree program which starts at $9,000, a fraction of what it costs in traditional universities.

The most notable feature about Coursera is their Bachelor’s and Master’s degree program recognized by prestigious institutions. Overall, Coursera is an excellent option for any non-traditional student who wants to accelerate their learning journey and pay much less for it.

2. Skillshare

Best For: Creative skills and entrepreneurship courses

Skillshare is a well-known online learning platform offering courses in everything creative, from photography to filmmaking, graphic design, YouTube videos and music production. There are also many non-creative course topics such as personal development, productivity, and computer programming.

One noteworthy feature about Skillshare is their subscription-based payment system, with varying discounts and trials throughout the year. Skillshare Premium costs $32 per month, or $168 if you go for the annual subscription. While you are subscribed to Skillshare Premium, you will be able to access all of the courses on their site.
While Skillshare doesn’t offer accredited certificates, creativity focuses more on demonstrating your skills through a portfolio.

Unlike most online platforms, Skillshare is a multi-language platform covering courses in English, Español, Français, German, and Português by translating their website to each of these languages and offering subtitles for all of their courses.

Skillshare is an excellent option for students who want to discover new skills they would likely never acquire due to constraints of time or money to enroll in a college degree program. Plus, their pricing plans aren’t too high, especially considering all the knowledge that you have access to.

3. Udemy

Best For: Affordable courses on diverse topics

Udemy has a large repository of high-quality courses. There are over 213,000+ courses in various topics with a wide range of programs to choose from. Anyone can create a course on Udemy. This is why they have an extensive system to help you decide if a course is right for you.

Udemy has a five-star rating system, reviews, and information about the course creator and when the course was last updated. There’s even a course preview video.

Udemy’s prices range from $12.99 to over $200, though most courses cost from $80 to $100. Before purchasing access to the course, you get to see all the content that’s included before starting.

There is a 30-day refund in case you buy it and you’re not satisfied. And just like Coursera, once you finish a paid course, you get an official certificate that proves your knowledge.

4. EdX

Best For: Academic courses with verified certificates

EdX is an online education platform created by Harvard University and MIT members with partnership with over 160 universities and businesses. It offers 3,800+ high-quality courses from over 160 top universities and businesses.

They mostly serve students interested in STEM fields including science, technology, engineering and math. Most of their courses are free.

Also once you finish a course, you get a professional certificate, a bachelor’s degree, or a master’s degree. Though many courses can be enrolled in for free, the pricing for certificates is often hidden, ranging from $50 to $300 for certificates and more for professional certificates.

EdX’s degrees and master’s degrees cost in the thousands of dollars, but the free education offered is highly valuable. Compared to Coursera Plus’s $399 annual subscription, EdX’s offerings are more expensive, but still worth considering.

Some EdX programs have a free audit track available. This gives you temporary access to all course materials except for graded assignments. You won’t be able to complete the assignments, nor will you receive a completion certificate, which is what universities or future employers will ask you to show as proof of your knowledge.

To earn these certificates, you’ll have to pay the certificate fee, which, depending on the course, costs between $50 and $300. But keep in mind that high-level classes may have higher prices.

With the recognition of numerous top universities, access to a vast amount of valuable content for free, EdX is a great platform to get the much needed knowledge and skills.

Just keep in mind that you still need to pay to earn the approved certificate. But with it, you’ll have a valuable diploma that also works as transfer credit for your college.

5. Brilliant

Best For: Interactive math and science lessons

Next up on our list, we have Brilliant, a perfect platform for learning anything about math, science and problem-solving. With over 50,000 5-star reviews on iOS and Google Play Store and a 4.7 rating on Trustpilot, there is no better destination for science education.
Brilliant offers courses in math, engineering, physics, programming, and more. These courses are created by top educators in their respective fields and are suitable for all ages and knowledge levels, from beginner to genius.

Brilliant does not offer certificates. It focuses on learning scientific principles and pursuing knowledge. A Brilliant subscription costs $24.99 per month or $13.49 per month if billed annually. Currently, you can get a 20% discount on the annual subscription.

6. LinkedIn Learning

Best For: Professional development and career skills

Formerly called Lynda.com, LinkedIn Learning has over 20,000 courses created by business leaders and industry professionals, LinkedIn Learning’s main purpose is to educate and instruct students in developing corporate skills. They cover topics such as marketing strategy, database administration, spreadsheets, leadership skills, programming, and more.
Although the certificates are not accredited, they can be posted on your LinkedIn profile to showcase your skills.

They have a subscription-based plan that, once you pay for it, you gain access to all the courses you want. LinkedIn Learning subscription costs $39.99 per month or $320 per year, but in case you have doubts, they also have a one-month free trial to try more in depth all that they offer.

Despite their prices being a little bit higher than other platforms and lacking high-quality standards, LinkedIn Learning may be worth it if you’re looking to expand the list of your professional contacts. Perhaps you’ll find more recognition with business and technology-related courses.
Still, you may not have the same luck with the programs focused on other fields like arts, humanities, and social sciences, which in comparison, are much fewer.

So if you want to improve your business skills, their courses in this field are much well-developed and have a much more solid validity within institutions. Plus, you will further develop your LinkedIn page and expand your contact list much easier.

LinkedIn Learning offers a monthly subscription for $39.99 or an annual subscription for $19.99 per month billed annually. There’s also a business option for team subscriptions.

7. Khan Academy

Best For: Free K-12 educational resources.

Khan Academy is a 100% free, non-profit education website offering school-level education in math, science, computing, arts and humanities, reading and grammar, and even life skills. The courses are created by teachers and passionate education professionals.
The content is designed to be accessible for learners of all ages, from young students to adults. Khan Academy’s mission is to make learning personalized and fun, allowing users to learn at their own pace and track their progress.

Khan Academy does not offer certificates, focusing instead on supplementing regular learning. In addition to the core subjects, Khan Academy also partners with institutions like NASA, The Museum of Modern Art, and MIT to offer specialized content.

The platform is widely used by students, teachers, and parents to supplement traditional education. The site is free, but donations are welcome to support their mission.

8. Codecademy

Best For: Hands-on coding and programming courses

Codecademy, is perfect for those who want to get into programming or an IT job. It is an online platform designed to teach people how to code. Course topics include JavaScript, Python, SQL, C++, data science, and cybersecurity. The courses are created by an in-house team of software engineers.

What sets Codecademy apart is its hands-on approach to learning. Instead of just reading about coding concepts, you get to write and test your code directly in the browser. This immediate feedback helps reinforce learning and makes the process more engaging. Codecademy provides a structured path for beginners, starting with basic concepts and gradually moving on to more advanced topics.

Codecademy is very career-focused, offering career advice, interview help, a Discord group, and more.
The platform offers both free and paid content. The free courses cover the basics and provide a solid foundation, while the paid subscription (Codecademy Pro) includes more in-depth lessons, real-world projects, quizzes, and personalized learning plans.

9. Masterclass

Best For: Lessons taught by industry experts

Masterclass offers courses for students of all skill levels from the world’s best business minds, musicians, actors, writers, filmmakers, sports stars, and more. These courses provide insights from renowned experts and celebrities like Gordon Ramsay on cooking, Serena Williams on tennis, Martin Scorsese on filmmaking, and many more. As a result, there are no certificates.

The courses are designed to be both inspirational and educational, featuring high-quality video production. Each class includes a series of lessons, typically ranging from 10 to 20, along with downloadable workbooks and assignments. The focus is often on sharing personal insights, experiences, and professional techniques rather than just basic skills.

MasterClass requires a subscription, which gives you access to all the courses available on the platform. The subscription is billed annually at $180. You can gift a membership for free with your annual subscription. The knowledge you gain from top industry professionals is invaluable.

10. Domestika

Best For: Creative project-based learning courses

Domestika, combines aspects of Skillshare and Udemy and offers courses in English and Spanish for creative professionals and enthusiasts. Domestika covers similar topics to Skillshare, such as design, filmmaking, and illustration.

The online learning community started as a small forum for creatives in Spain and has grown into a global platform offering courses in various creative disciplines such as illustration, design, photography, craft, and more. The courses are taught by industry professionals and are known for their high-quality production.

They have one-off course sales and a subscription model. Purchasing a course costs around $59, and with regular sales, prices can drop to as low as $10.

Subscribing to Domestika Plus will cost you $9.99 per month or $83.88 annually, which translates to $6.99 per month. Certificates from Domestika are issued by the course creator and are not accredited, but they focus on expanding practical skills and building portfolios.

11. Udacity

Best For: Tech skills and nanodegree programs

Udacity is a tech-savvy learning platform offering Nanodegree programs. These are intensive, project-based courses designed in partnership with industry leaders like Google and IBM. They focus on in-demand skills in fields such as programming, data science, and artificial intelligence.

The pricing for Nanodegrees typically ranges from $399 to $599 per month, but Udacity frequently offer discounts and financial aid options.

If you’re looking to break into a tech career or level up your skills, Udacity’s hands-on approach and real-world projects can be a great fit.

12. Pluralsight

Best For: Comprehensive tech and IT training.

Pluralsight is a comprehensive learning platform for tech professionals. It is packed with courses in software development, IT operations, data, and cybersecurity. What sets it apart is its Skill IQ and Role IQ assessments. These help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, making it feel like having a personalized roadmap to mastering your chosen field.

Pluralsight offers several subscription plans: the Standard plan at $29 per month or $299 per year, and the Premium plan at $45 per month or $449 per year, which includes certification practice exams and interactive courses.

13. FutureLearn

Best For: Online degrees and short courses

FutureLearn is like a global classroom where you can learn alongside peers from around the world. It offers a diverse range of courses, many of which are created by top universities and cultural institutions.

The platform emphasizes social learning, encouraging discussions and interactions with other learners.

FutureLearn’s pricing includes free access to many short courses, with the option to upgrade (usually around $39 to $89) for additional benefits like certificates and extended access.

They also offer FutureLearn Unlimited for $249.99 per year, granting access to hundreds of short courses.

Whether you’re interested in professional development or simply exploring a new topic, FutureLearn’s collaborative environment makes learning a shared experience.

14. Treehouse

Best For: Web development and coding courses

Treehouse focuses primarily on web development, programming, and design, with a structured curriculum that guides you from beginner to pro.

Treehouse offers a Basic Plan for $25 per month and a Pro Plan for $49 per month, which includes additional perks like downloadable videos and access to exclusive workshops.

With interactive challenges, quizzes, and a supportive community, Treehouse makes learning to code accessible and engaging. It’s a great place to start if you want to build a solid foundation in tech.

Wrapping Up

That’s it for today! That concludes the 14 best online learning platforms and websites on the web today. But there are more out there so continue researching to find the right one for you.

Which of these platforms are you thinking of checking out? Share with us your experience in the comments below.

What did you like or dislike? What would you like to see more of? Please comment, and remember to share this with someone who needs to learn new skills. Thank you for stopping by.

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