With the age of digital technology comes the ability to learn online with online classes. With a vast array of online learning platforms, it can be difficult to know which one is best for you.

That is why we have decided to compare and contrast some of the most popular online learning platforms – so you can find the perfect fit for your needs! If you still don’t know what you would like to learn, check out our list of skills to learn in 2023.

Whether you are looking to start an online course or attend a virtual seminar, this article will help guide you in choosing the best online learning platform for your educational journey.

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The Best Online Learning Platforms

Udemy

UDemy is an online learning platform designed to provide students of all ages and backgrounds with educational resources.

It offers a variety of courses in various fields, from programming to photography, making it the perfect platform for anyone looking for educational content.

With interactive lectures, practical activities, and hands-on projects and assignments, UDemy allows users to learn in a way that suits their specific needs.

Coursera

Coursera is an online learning platform that offers a wide range of courses, including those from top universities and educational institutions around the world.

Courses are available in a variety of subjects, including computer science, business, and the arts. Coursera’s online learning is provided by colleges, universities and other organizations.

Coursera offers both free and paid courses, and allows users to access course materials at their own pace.

Benefits of Coursera

Coursera offers courses from leading universities, and they can be taken online at any time and from anywhere.

Coursera offers a wide selection of topics to choose from, ranging from computer science to business management and beyond.

There some free courses on Coursera, while others are offered at discounted prices compared to traditional university courses.

Courses offer self-paced learning, allowing students to work around their own schedules and complete the course when it is convenient for them. 

Coursera provides access to quality education to anyone with an internet connection, regardless of their location or financial situation.

LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn Learning is an online platform that offers a wide range of courses on business, technology, and creative skills.

Courses are taught by industry experts and are available at a variety of skill levels.

LinkedIn Learning is available to users with a LinkedIn premium subscription, and allows users to access course materials at their own pace.

Benefits of LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn Learning offers a wide range of courses and tutorials to help users expand their skills.

The LinkedIn Learning online courses are easy to access and navigate, with clear instructions that make it simple to use.

The platform is constantly updated with new content and resources, so users can stay up-to-date on the latest trends in their field.

Most courses are self-paced, allowing users to learn at their own speed and convenience. 

It provides an opportunity for experienced professionals to share their knowledge and expertise with others through engaging videos and lectures. 

edX

edX is an online learning platform that offers a wide range of courses from top universities and educational institutions around the world.

Courses are available in a variety of subjects, including computer science, business, and the arts.

edX offers both free and paid courses, and allows users to access course materials at their own pace. edX elearning courses are offered through colleges, universities and other institutions.

Benefits of edX: 

edX is another of the online learning platforms that offer a wide variety of courses from top universities in the world, allowing learners to gain quality education from some of the best institutions.

It is highly accessible as users can access content online without having to physically attend lectures or classes. 

edX also has a range of free courses which allow users to learn without spending any money. 

Their platform encourages collaboration among students with an interactive forum and discussion boards for each course. 

The platform also offers certificates and badges for completing courses, giving recognition for a job well done. 

Codecademy

Codecademy is an online platform that offers a wide range of courses on coding and computer science.

Codecadrmy’s online courses are available at a variety of skill levels and are taught by industry experts.

Codecademy offers both free and paid courses, and allows users to access course materials at their own pace.

Benefits of Codecademy 

Codecademy provides a convenient and accessible online platform for users to learn coding languages from any device with an internet connection.

There is a wide variety of courses available, each tailored to the user’s chosen language and skill level.

The courses are self-paced, allowing users to take as much time as they need to understand the material.

Codecademy offers interactive exercises and quizzes to help users track their understanding of the material.

Users can receive certificates for completing courses, making it easier to demonstrate knowledge in coding languages on resumes or job applications. 

The Great Courses

The Great Courses is an online learning platform that provides access to thousands of expert-led courses on a variety of topics. Whether you are an ambitious learner or someone just looking for a hobby, this platform has something to offer.

Founded in 1990 by Professor Thomas M. Rollins, The Great Courses offers engaging and informative content from some of the best teachers and professionals in the world. Subjects range from philosophy and cooking to astronomy and history, giving users plenty of options to choose from when it comes to expanding their knowledge base.

The Great Courses is perfect for those who want to learn something new without having to step foot inside a classroom.

Benefits of The Great Courses

The Great Courses provides access to courses taught by world-renowned professors. 

It offers a wide variety of courses that cover a range of topics, from economics and history to science and philosophy.

It is highly convenient, allowing users to learn at their own pace in the comfort of their home. 

Most courses are accompanied by helpful resources such as transcripts and quizzes that can aid in learning retention and test knowledge gained from lectures. 

Many courses are available for purchase on DVD or digital download formats for offline viewing.  

Udacity

Udacity is the modern way to learn new skills, upgrade existing ones, and open up a world of career opportunities.

Udacity is one of the leading online learning platforms that offers bite-sized courses and nanodegrees in various topics ranging from programming and data science to digital marketing and creative fields.

With their easy-to-follow curriculum, you can start mastering new technologies from the comfort of your own home at your own pace.

Plus, with Udacity’s comprehensive job placement assistance services, you can be confident in landing your dream job after completing their program.

Benefits of Udacity

Udacity offers high-quality online courses from top industry experts and universities. 

The platform provides students with a vast selection of specialized online programs, certificates and degrees that can be completed at their own pace. 

Udacity offers flexible payment plans for all its courses, allowing students to pay for them monthly or in full on their own time. 

Students have access to round-the-clock technical support to ensure their learning experience is as smooth as possible. 

Udacity’s courses feature interactive elements like forums and discussion boards, which offer an engaging way to learn while connecting with peers and mentors alike. 

Treehouse

Treehouse is an innovative online learning platform that provides users with access to hundreds of courses and hundreds of hours of educational content.

It’s perfect for those looking to upskill, change careers or simply learn something new! Whether you’re a tech guru or just starting out, Treehouse has something for everyone. From coding languages like HTML and CSS to UX Design, you can find it all on Treehouse.

With a wide range of topics and ever-growing library of courses, Treehouse makes it easy to get the skills you need without leaving home. Plus, its interactive platform makes learning fun and engaging — no dry lectures at Treehouse.

Benefits of Treehouse

Treehouse provides an extensive library of courses and tutorials on web development, coding and business. 

The online platform is convenient, allowing students to learn at their own pace from any location. 

It provides students with real-world projects and challenges to help them apply what they are learning. 

Notable experts in the field are available as instructors. 

There is an interactive community of users where students can ask questions and get feedback from peers.

Upgrad

Upgrad is an online learning platform that provides students with the tools they need to gain new skills and stay ahead of the curve.

With a focus on providing personalized, interactive courses, Upgrad allows learners to become experts in their chosen field – from software engineering to digital marketing and more.

Upgrad courses are designed for anyone who wants to develop their skillset or take their career in a new direction.

The platform curates content from industry-leading institutions like Google and IIMBx, so users can be sure they’re getting quality education without having to leave the comfort of their home.

Benefits of Upgrad

Upgrad provides access to a wide range of courses in various disciplines.

It offers interactive learning experiences with expert mentors and peers.

The platform is easy to use and accessible from anywhere, anytime.

It has comprehensive course material and assessment tools for effective learning.

Upgrad has flexible payment options that make it easier to join the platform.

Skillshare

Skillshare is an online learning platform that provides access to a variety of courses and workshops from everyday people just like you. 

It’s the perfect place for creative minds who want to learn something new or enhance their existing skills. 

Whether you’re just starting out or are looking to expand your knowledge, Skillshare has got you covered with over 25,000 classes in design, photography, business, technology and more! 

Benefits of Skillshare

Skillshare offers a wide range of classes and topics, so there is something for everyone.

Classes are taught by everyday people just like you, ensuring that they really enjoy the topic they are teaching.

Courses are affordable and accessible to all types of learners. 

There is an active online community of like-minded individuals who can provide insight and feedback on projects. 

The platform provides useful resources such as tutorials and guides to help students along their learning journey.  

You may have noticed that we didn’t include any cons for the different platforms. What we have found is that none of the online learning platforms have drawbacks that are specific to their online courses. This is because online learning is a different way of learning.

Here are the overall drawbacks for the online learning platforms:

There maybe difficulty getting technical support. Each online learning platform has their own tech support so you may get help with things such as accessing the course but it only relates to the tech of specific online learning platform.

It may be difficult to get support or additional information from the instructor of the courses. Some instructors on the different online learning platforms may be very responsive to the students in their online classes, others may not.

With some of the online courses you may not know exactly what you will get from the instructor. As you may remember from school, some instructors are really great and others know the information but might have difficulty explaining concepts.

There you have our list of the best online learning platforms. The benefits of using online learning platforms are clear. Aside from being convenient, these platforms enable learners to build a wide range of skills in their own time and at their own pace. They also offer an opportunity to connect with peers and industry professionals on a global scale, which is invaluable. Whether you’re looking to learn something completely new or expand on existing knowledge, these best online learning platforms have you covered.