LinkedinLearning vs Udemy: Which is Better?
1. Overview of Platforms
LinkedIn Learning
Best for: Professionals looking for structured courses on business, technology, and creative skills.
LinkedIn Learning is a subscription-based learning platform offering thousands of courses created by industry experts. It originated from Lynda.com, which LinkedIn acquired in 2015. It provides short, structured courses focused on career growth and skill development in fields like business, technology, and creative arts.
Udemy
Best for: Individuals looking for budget-friendly, self-paced courses on a variety of topics.
Udemy is a course marketplace where any instructor can create and sell courses. This means course quality varies, but it offers one-time purchases instead of subscriptions, making it a cost-effective option. Udemy provides courses on a wide range of topics, including programming, business, design, personal development, and even hobbies.
2. Course Quality and Content
LinkedIn Learning
- Courses are created by vetted professionals with industry experience.
- Content is professionally produced, ensuring high quality.
- Covers topics like business, technology, leadership, software development, and creative arts.
- Courses are concise and structured, with most lasting 1-5 hours.
✅ Best for: Professionals looking for structured, expert-led courses.
Udemy
- Anyone can create a course, so quality varies (some courses are excellent, others are low-quality).
- Offers over 210,000 courses covering almost every topic imaginable.
- Courses range from 30 minutes to 50+ hours, depending on complexity.
- Some courses become outdated over time, as they are not always updated regularly.
✅ Best for: Those who want variety and flexibility, but need to check course reviews for quality.
3. Certification & Recognition
LinkedIn Learning
- Provides a LinkedIn Learning certificate for every course completed.
- Certificates can be added to your LinkedIn profile, which can improve job prospects.
- Not university-accredited, but useful for professional development.
Udemy
- Provides a Udemy certificate of completion, but it is not accredited.
- Certificates are not widely recognized by employers.
- Courses are better for learning new skills rather than professional certification.
✅ Winner: LinkedIn Learning (more recognized in professional settings).
4. Course Format & Learning Experience
LinkedIn Learning
- Structured, professionally designed courses with quizzes to reinforce learning.
- Self-paced learning with no interaction with instructors.
- Courses are short and to the point, ideal for busy professionals.
Udemy
- Self-paced video courses with lifetime access.
- Some courses include quizzes, exercises, and downloadable materials.
- Many courses offer direct interaction with instructors via Q&A sections.
- More variety, but also less consistency in teaching quality.
✅ Winner: Udemy (for interactive learning and variety).
5. Pricing & Subscription Plans
LinkedIn Learning
- Subscription model:
- $39.99/month or $239.88/year.
- Includes unlimited access to all courses.
- One-month free trial available.
Udemy
- Pay-per-course model:
- Course prices range from $10 to $200, but frequent sales offer huge discounts (courses often go for $10-$20).
- No subscription required (though Udemy does offer a business subscription plan).
- Lifetime access to purchased courses.
✅ Winner: Udemy (more affordable, with one-time purchases).
6. Learning Paths & Career Benefits
LinkedIn Learning
- Helps professionals upskill in business, leadership, and technical fields.
- Courses align with LinkedIn Jobs, suggesting relevant courses for career growth.
- More useful for career advancement and professional development.
Udemy
- Great for learning specific skills, but less structured for career progression.
- Good for side skills, hobbies, and programming courses.
- Some tech-related courses (e.g., Python, Web Development) are highly rated.
✅ Winner: LinkedIn Learning (for career-focused learners).
7. Mobile & Offline Learning
Both platforms offer mobile apps for iOS and Android, allowing users to download courses for offline viewing.
✅ Tie: Both offer excellent mobile learning experiences.
8. Pros & Cons
LinkedIn Learning – Pros & Cons
✅ Pros:
✔ High-quality, expert-led courses.
✔ Structured, short courses for professionals.
✔ Certificates can be added to LinkedIn profiles.
✔ Subscription provides unlimited access.
✔ Courses align with job skills in the market.
❌ Cons:
✖ More expensive than Udemy.
✖ No direct instructor interaction.
✖ Limited course variety compared to Udemy.
Udemy – Pros & Cons
✅ Pros:
✔ Wide variety of courses on almost any topic.
✔ One-time payment (lifetime access).
✔ Frequent discounts make courses very affordable.
✔ Some courses include instructor interaction.
✔ Great for learning new skills at a low cost.
❌ Cons:
✖ Course quality varies (some are outdated or low-quality).
✖ Certificates are not widely recognized.
✖ No structured learning paths.
Final Verdict: Which is Better?
The best platform depends on your goals, budget, and learning style.
🏆 Choose LinkedIn Learning if:
- You want structured, high-quality courses led by experts.
- You need professional development in business, leadership, or technical skills.
- You want certifications that look good on LinkedIn profiles.
- You prefer a subscription model with unlimited courses.
🏆 Choose Udemy if:
- You want affordable, pay-per-course options with lifetime access.
- You need variety (tech skills, personal development, hobbies, etc.).
- You like direct instructor interaction.
- You’re comfortable checking reviews to find high-quality courses.
Best of Both?
If your budget allows, you can combine both platforms:
- Use LinkedIn Learning for structured, professional skill development.
- Use Udemy for budget-friendly courses on specific skills or hobbies.