Best CXL Alternatives & Competitors 2025 Which One is Best & Why ?

  • Linkedin Learning

    Linkedin learning logo
    • Career-oriented courses
    • Personalized learning paths
    • Certificate of completion
    • Integration with LinkedIn profiles
  • Udemy For Business

    Udemy new logo
    • Vast course catalog
    • Team management tools
    • Progress tracking features
    • Flexible, on-demand access
  • Skillshare

    skillshare logo
    • Creative course focus
    • Project-based learning approach
    • Interactive community feedback
    • Affordable membership plans

When it comes to learning and improving skills, CXL is often mentioned as a top choice. However, there are plenty of other platforms that offer similar benefits, each with its own unique features.

Whether you’re looking to train a team, learn something new for yourself, or even create and sell your own courses, there are alternatives out there that could be a better fit for your needs.

In this article, we’ll explore the 10 Best CXL Alternatives that can help you reach your learning and business goals more effectively.

10 Best CXL Alternatives & Competitors In 2025 

1. LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn Learning (Lynda)

LinkedIn Learning is an online platform offering a wide range of video-based courses in areas like business, technology, marketing, and creative skills.

It’s designed for professionals, allowing them to improve their skills and advance in their careers. One of its key benefits is the seamless integration with LinkedIn, so you can easily showcase completed courses and certifications on your profile, boosting your professional visibility.

The platform also offers personalized course recommendations and structured learning paths tailored to your career goals, making it ideal for continuous skill development.

Key Features:

  • Video-based learning with thousands of tutorials across various subjects.
  • Integration with LinkedIn to easily add certifications to your profile.
  • A wide variety of subjects, ranging from business skills to software training.
  • Personalized course recommendations based on career interests.
  • Learning paths to build expertise in specific areas.

Pros:

  • Easy integration with your LinkedIn profile.
  • Personalized course suggestions help focus learning.
  • Courses are well-organized, catering to all skill levels.
  • Great for professional networking and career growth.

Cons:

  • Limited interactive features compared to other platforms.
  • Some courses might feel basic for those already experienced in the topic.

2. Udemy for Business

Udemy for Business

Udemy for Business is an online learning platform specifically designed for companies looking to provide their teams with self-paced learning.

It offers a vast library of courses across a range of subjects, from leadership and management to technical skills. The platform is perfect for organizations that want to upskill their employees flexibly and efficiently.

With the ability to create customizable learning paths and track employee progress, it helps businesses tailor training to their specific needs, making it a versatile choice for team development.

Key Features:

  • Extensive course library with thousands of courses in various industries.
  • Customizable learning paths to fit specific team needs.
  • Team progress tracking to monitor employee development.
  • Mobile accessibility to access courses on any device.
  • Enterprise-level solutions are ideal for large teams and organizations.

Pros:

  • A huge variety of courses to cater to different industries and skills.
  • Flexible, self-paced learning suitable for busy professionals.
  • Easy-to-use interface for both managers and employees.
  • Good for organizations looking to train teams across diverse areas.

Cons:

  • Some courses may not offer enough depth for more advanced learners.
  • Quality can vary between courses due to different instructors.

3. Skillshare

Skillshare Overview

Skillshare is an online learning platform designed to help people learn and improve their creative skills. It focuses on offering project-based courses in subjects like graphic design, writing, photography, illustration, and more.

What sets Skillshare apart is its emphasis on hands-on, practical learning, where students are encouraged to apply what they’ve learned through real-world projects.

This makes it ideal for individuals who enjoy learning by doing and for those looking to grow in the creative fields. While Skillshare’s offerings are more specialized compared to broader learning platforms, it creates a strong community of creators where members can interact, share their work, and provide feedback.

With an affordable subscription model, Skillshare is accessible to anyone eager to explore their creative passions.

Key Features:

  • Project-based learning that encourages practical application of lessons.
  • Creative-focused courses in design, writing, photography, and more.
  • Community-driven content for collaborative learning.
  • Classroom discussions and feedback to engage with instructors and peers.
  • Affordable subscription model that gives access to all classes with one membership.

Pros:

  • Perfect for creative professionals and hobbyists looking to build practical skills.
  • Highly interactive classes with hands-on projects.
  • A strong sense of community with opportunities for feedback and collaboration.
  • Affordable compared to many other online learning platforms.

Cons:

  • Primarily limited to creative and artistic topics.
  • Less formal certifications or career-focused content compared to other platforms.

4. Coursera

Coursera-Overview

Coursera is an online platform that partners with top universities and companies to offer a wide variety of courses, certificates, and even full degrees.

It’s an excellent choice for learners who are looking for more formal academic qualifications or professional certifications. Coursera’s collaborations with prestigious institutions like Stanford, Yale, and Google give it credibility and make it a go-to platform for those who want recognized credentials to advance their careers.

Whether you’re looking to deepen your knowledge in a specific field or earn a degree, Coursera provides a well-structured, high-quality learning experience.

Key Features:

  • University-backed courses from renowned institutions like Stanford, Yale, and Google.
  • Certification and degrees that are widely recognized by employers.
  • Free courses are available to learn at your own pace without paying for certificates.
  • Specializations and career paths focused on skills directly tied to job markets.
  • Interactive learning through peer assessments, forums, and community support.

Pros:

  • Wide variety of high-quality, academic-level courses.
  • Formal certifications and even full degrees are available.
  • Access to some courses is free, making learning more accessible.
  • Learn from world-class institutions with credible and industry-recognized content.

Cons:

  • Some courses can be expensive, especially if you opt for certificates or degrees.
  • The academic focus may not suit those looking for more practical, hands-on, or industry-specific training.

5. Pluralsight

Pluralsight Overview

Pluralsight is a learning platform specifically designed for those looking to advance their technical skills. It’s especially valuable for professionals in fields like software development, data science, IT, and cybersecurity.

Pluralsight provides structured learning paths that guide learners from beginner to expert, helping them master key technical skills.

The platform also offers hands-on practice through labs, making it ideal for those who learn by doing. With courses led by industry experts, Pluralsight is perfect for individuals aiming to stay ahead in the fast-evolving tech landscape.

Key Features:

  • Tech-focused courses in programming, data science, cybersecurity, and more.
  • Skill assessments to test your current knowledge and identify gaps.
  • Learning paths that offer structured, in-depth programs.
  • Interactive content like labs and hands-on practice.
  • Expert-led courses from industry professionals with deep knowledge.

Pros:

  • Best suited for tech professionals and learners.
  • Offers well-structured learning paths to develop expertise in specific areas.
  • Courses led by top industry experts ensure high-quality content.
  • Provides opportunities for hands-on practice to reinforce learning.

Cons:

  • Not ideal for non-tech professionals or general learning.
  • Some courses may be too advanced for beginners or those just starting out in tech.

6. Teachable

Teachable Review

Teachable is a platform that empowers educators, entrepreneurs, and content creators to build and sell their own online courses.

It provides all the necessary tools to design and market a branded learning experience. Whether you’re looking to share your knowledge or build a business around online education, Teachable makes it easy to create professional courses, integrate payment systems, and track your learners’ progress.

While it’s perfect for those who want to turn expertise into a business, success on Teachable also depends on your ability to drive traffic and market your courses effectively.

Key Features:

  • Course creation tools that allow you to easily build and customize your courses.
  • Course sales tools to integrate payment gateways and offer discounts.
  • Branded experience to personalize the design of your learning portal.
  • Multimedia support for adding videos, quizzes, and assignments to your courses.
  • Analytics tools to track learner progress and course performance.

Pros:

  • Ideal for entrepreneurs and educators looking to monetize their knowledge.
  • Highly customizable to fit your brand’s look and feel.
  • Simple interface that makes course creation easy.
  • Includes powerful marketing tools to help you sell your courses effectively.

Cons:

  • Can be expensive for smaller creators or those just starting.
  • Limited built-in learner base, meaning strong marketing efforts are needed to attract students.

7. Kajabi

Kajabi Overview

Kajabi is an all-in-one platform designed for entrepreneurs who want to create, market, and sell digital products like online courses.

It combines the essential tools for course creation with business features such as email marketing, website design, and payment systems, making it a comprehensive solution for anyone looking to streamline their online business.

Kajabi is perfect for those who want to build a branded, professional online presence and manage every aspect of their business in one place.

Key Features:

  • All-in-one solution combining course creation, marketing, and sales tools.
  • Email marketing automation to create and manage email campaigns.
  • Customizable website themes for easy website design.
  • Integrated payment system for simple payment management.
  • Course creation tools to add videos, quizzes, and assignments.

Pros:

  • Ideal for entrepreneurs looking for a comprehensive platform.
  • Easy to use with customization options for branding.
  • Combines course creation, marketing, and sales features in one place.
  • Strong community support and educational resources.

Cons:

  • Higher pricing compared to other platforms.
  • Can be overwhelming for users who only need course creation tools.

8. LearnWorlds

LearnWorlds- Overview

LearnWorlds is an online course platform designed for creating highly engaging and interactive learning experiences. It’s ideal for businesses and educators who want to keep learners engaged through features like interactive videos, quizzes, and assignments.

LearnWorlds stands out for its focus on making courses immersive, providing a rich set of tools to track learner progress and offer professional certifications.

Key Features:

  • Interactive videos with quizzes and clickable elements.
  • Branded experience to fully customize your course website.
  • Detailed analytics to track learner progress with in-depth reports.
  • Content protection to secure videos and course materials.
  • Certification options to offer professional certificates to learners.

Pros:

  • Highly interactive features to keep learners engaged.
  • Great for creating a branded, professional course experience.
  • Robust analytics tools to track and measure learner success.
  • Provides certificates for completed courses.

Cons:

  • Some features are only available on higher-tier plans.
  • Might be complex for beginners to navigate due to advanced options.

9. Thinkific

Thinkific Overview

Thinkific is a user-friendly platform for creating and selling online courses. It offers plenty of customization options, allowing you to build your course exactly how you want it.

In addition to course creation, Thinkific supports webinar hosting, student progress tracking, and provides tools for engagement, making it a great choice for both businesses and individuals looking to create professional online learning experiences.

Key Features:

  • Course creation tools with a simple, intuitive interface.
  • Webinar hosting to seamlessly host webinars for learners.
  • Custom branding options to personalize your course portal.
  • Student progress tracking to monitor and analyze learner performance.
  • Integrated payment gateways for easy payment management.

Pros:

  • Highly customizable and easy to use.
  • Great for businesses and individuals selling courses.
  • Useful tools like webinar hosting and progress tracking.
  • Affordable pricing with scalable options for different needs.

Cons:

  • Limited features on the free plan.
  • Some advanced marketing features are only available on premium plans.

10. Simplilearn

Simplilearn Overview

Simplilearn is a leading online learning platform that offers a wide range of industry-recognized certifications and courses designed for professionals and organizations looking to enhance their skills and advance their careers.

Simplilearn partners with top universities and industry leaders to deliver cutting-edge content in fields such as data science, project management, digital marketing, cloud computing, and more.

The platform blends instructor-led training, self-paced learning, and hands-on projects, ensuring a holistic approach to skill development.

Key Features:

  • Certification programs in high-demand fields.
  • Live instructor-led classes for real-time learning.
  • Self-paced learning options for flexibility.
  • Hands-on projects and case studies for practical experience.
  • Access to exclusive resources, such as webinars and expert-led sessions.
  • Job assistance and career support services for learners.

Pros:

  • Offers globally recognized certifications.
  • High-quality, industry-relevant content with regular updates.
  • Access to a community of professionals for networking and support.
  • Provides real-world projects and case studies to reinforce learning.
  • Comprehensive career support, including job assistance and resume-building.

Cons:

  • Some courses may require prior knowledge of the subject matter.
  • Can be costly for smaller organizations or individual learners.
  • Limited focus on non-technical courses compared to other platforms.

Quicklinks:

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, there are many great alternatives to CXL that cater to different learning needs. Whether you’re looking for professional certifications, creative skill development, or technical expertise, platforms like LinkedIn Learning, Udemy for Business, Skillshare, and Coursera offer a wide range of courses.

For entrepreneurs or educators, platforms like Teachable, Kajabi, and Thinkific provide tools to create and sell courses. If you’re focused on sales training, Brainshark is a strong option.

Ultimately, the best platform depends on your specific goals, whether you’re looking to upskill, create content, or enhance team performance.

Jitendra Vaswani
This author is verified on BloggersIdeas.com

Jitendra Vaswani is a globally recognized expert in SEO and AI-driven digital marketing. He has spoken at leading international events and is the founder of Digiexe, a results-driven digital marketing agency, Venuelabs, a platform that helps brands amplify their voice with expert PR and marketing solutions, and AffiliateBooster, a WordPress plugin tailored for affiliate marketers. With over a decade of hands-on experience, Jitendra has empowered countless businesses to thrive online. His bestselling book, Inside A Hustler’s Brain: In Pursuit of Financial Freedom, has sold more than 20,000 copies worldwide, reflecting his influence and dedication to helping digital marketers achieve success. Follow Jitendra on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Affiliate disclosure: In full transparency – some of the links on our website are affiliate links, if you use them to make a purchase we will earn a commission at no additional cost for you (none whatsoever!).

Leave a Comment