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Best For |
Anyone looking for a wide range of courses, from beginners to experts. Best for self-paced learning. |
Professionals and job seekers looking for career-focused training and skill development. |
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Price |
Prices vary per course, with discounts and lifetime access. |
Monthly subscription with unlimited access. Free trial available. |
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Features |
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Pros |
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Vast Career Training |
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Cons |
No live classes |
Limited course topics compared to Udemy |
Looking to learn new skills online? Udemy and LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda) are both great choices, but they operate in different ways.
Udemy allows you to purchase individual courses, while LinkedIn Learning offers a subscription for unlimited access to all its courses.
Which one is right for you? In this comparison of Udemy vs. LinkedIn Learning, I’ll go over their features, pricing, and the main differences to help you choose the best platform for your learning needs. Let’s get in!
🚀Bottom Line Upfront:
If you prefer more control over what you pay for, Udemy is the better option. With Udemy, you can buy individual courses that match your specific learning needs, making it ideal for those who want to learn at their own pace without committing to a subscription.
Udemy Vs LinkedIn Learning 2025: Which One Is The Best?
Udemy Overview
Udemy is an online learning platform that offers a variety of courses in subjects like programming, photography, and more. Since its launch in May 2010, it has grown to serve over 79 million learners worldwide, with a library of over 250,000 courses.
What sets Udemy apart is that you can purchase individual courses, giving you the flexibility to learn at your own pace and on your own schedule.
This is especially useful for people with busy lives, allowing them to learn when it’s convenient. Plus, there are over 500 free courses available to help you get started.
Udemy also offers a Personal Plan, a monthly subscription that provides access to more than 6,000 top-rated courses. This option is ideal for those who want to explore different topics.
The platform is also used by over 17,000 companies to train their employees and develop skills.
LinkedIn Learning Overview
LinkedIn Learning is an online platform offering courses in business, technology, and creative fields. It provides a subscription service, allowing users to access a wide range of courses for a monthly or yearly fee.
Launched as Lynda.com in 1995 and rebranded as LinkedIn Learning in 2017, it connects millions of learners around the world with high-quality content taught by industry experts. LinkedIn Learning offers courses designed to help users improve their skills and advance their careers.
With a subscription, you can learn at your own pace, whenever it’s convenient. The platform also integrates with your LinkedIn profile, showing your completed courses and certificates, which can be shared with potential employers. LinkedIn Learning is ideal for those who want continuous access to a variety of professional development courses.
Course Comparison: Udemy Vs LinkedIn Learning
Both Udemy and LinkedIn Learning offer a vast selection of online courses, but they differ in teaching approach, course accessibility, and language options.
Udemy
- Over 210,000 courses covering business, technology, personal development, creative skills, and more.
- Courses are taught in 48 different languages, making it one of the most accessible learning platforms worldwide.
- Lessons range from 2 to 30 minutes, providing flexible learning in bite-sized video content.
- Taught by independent instructors, leading to diverse teaching styles and course quality.
- Lifetime access to purchased courses, allowing self-paced learning without a subscription.
- No formal accreditation, but completion certificates are available.
- Courses often go on sale, making it an affordable choice for learners.
LinkedIn Learning
- Over 24,300 expert-led courses, primarily focused on business, technology, and creative skills.
- Courses are mainly taught in English, but learners can also access content in German, Spanish, and French.
- Standardized course quality, as instructors are carefully selected professionals.
- The subscription-based model gives unlimited access to all courses instead of purchasing them individually.
- Completion certificates are included, which can be added directly to your LinkedIn profile for professional credibility.
- Integration with LinkedIn, offering personalized course recommendations based on career interests.
- Ideal for career-focused learning, corporate training, and skill development.
Features Comparison: Udemy Vs LinkedIn Learning
Best Features Of Udemy
- Huge Course Library: Over 210,000 courses on various topics
- One-Time Purchase Model: Buy once, keep forever
- Frequent Discounts: Courses often drop to $10-$20 during sales
- Diverse Instructors: Learn from real-world experts across industries
- Courses in 48 Languages: Wide accessibility for international learners
- Mobile and Desktop Access: Learn anywhere, anytime
- Downloadable Content: Save lectures for offline learning
- 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee: Risk-free course purchases
Best Features Of LinkedIn Learning
- Subscription Model: Unlimited access to 24,300+ courses for a fixed price
- Structured Learning Paths: Courses grouped for in-depth knowledge on a topic
- Professional Certifications: Completion certificates boost your LinkedIn profile
- Taught by Verified Experts: Instructors are carefully selected professionals
- Offline Learning Available: Download courses via the desktop app
- No Ads: Unlike Udemy, LinkedIn Learning has zero interruptions
- Integration with LinkedIn: Personalized course recommendations based on your career
- Free Trial Available: Try before committing to a subscription
Membership and Access: Udemy Vs LinkedIn Learning
Udemy
When you buy a course on Udemy, you do not have a timeframe to complete the course. Once you pay for a course, you are provided lifetime access to this course and its material.
This is quite convenient as people can learn and complete the course conveniently and at their own pace. They need not hurry and rush with the course to complete it.
Once the pressure of timelines is eliminated, the user will learn much better and have a great learning experience. Udemy’s goal is to provide a service that ensures unlimited learning is offered in a very accessible manner.
The platform also has an application for Android and iPhone users. Remember that in Udemy, the one-time purchase is the mode of payment – you can buy a course and get lifetime access to that course.
LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning is a platform that works on subscriptions. They give you a trial of 30 days, and you can try out the platform. If you are interested, you can opt for the monthly subscription.
Once you have this subscription, you can access about 24,300+ courses in 7 languages – Japanese, German, English, French, and more. A subscriber can access unlimited courses.
Every week, new classes are added, which offer customers a lot of variety and unlimited skill learning.
Course Quality Comparison: Udemy vs. LinkedIn Learning
When it comes to course quality, both Udemy and LinkedIn Learning have strengths, but they differ in how their courses are created and presented.
Udemy
Udemy has a large variety of courses, with over 250,000 options. These courses are created by independent instructors, which means anyone with expertise in a subject can design a course.
This results in a broad range of topics, but the quality can vary. Some courses are excellent with clear, detailed content, while others might lack depth or have outdated information.
Since instructors can update courses anytime, many of them remain current, but it’s important to check reviews to ensure you’re picking a high-quality course.
Linkedin Learning
LinkedIn Learning offers courses that are created by experienced professionals and educators. This platform has a more structured approach, focusing on business, technology, and creative skills.
The courses are generally of higher quality and consistency because LinkedIn Learning selects instructors based on their qualifications and real-world experience.
The content is also more focused on helping learners develop skills that are directly useful in their careers. Courses are regularly updated to reflect industry trends and best practices, ensuring that learners get the most relevant information.
Instructors Comparison: Udemy Vs LinkedIn Learning
Udemy
On this platform, if a person has valuable content for a course, they can enroll as an instructor or trainer quickly.
The professionals on this platform will check the content and approve the course post, which will be made available to the learners if it is of good quality.
Udemy is a platform that gives instructors from all over the world open access. Also, there is a particular plan for the course requirement, the revenue share, and the format of videos, which is relatively easy to understand.
The courses can be uploaded by the instructors on their own whenever it is needed.
LinkedIn Learning
In this online learning platform, becoming an instructor is quite a complicated task as the platform is very particular regarding skills and qualities.
A form can be filled out online, and you can send a video lecture to the experts of LinkedIn Learning.
People are not provided information regarding the process of becoming an instructor on this platform. Once your application is processed and approved, you will be given the platform’s rules.
Pricing Plans Comparison: Udemy Vs LinkedIn Learning
| Feature | Udemy | LinkedIn Learning | Better Option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Pay-per-course | Subscription-based | Depends on preference |
| Cost per Course | Varies, typically $10-$200 (often discounted) | Not applicable (subscription model) | Udemy for one-time purchase |
| Monthly Subscription | Not available | $39.99 per month | LinkedIn Learning for unlimited courses |
| Annual Subscription | Not available | $19.99 per month (billed annually at $239.88) | LinkedIn Learning for long-term access |
| Free Trial | One Day Trail | One-month free trial | LinkedIn Learning |
| Refund Policy | 30-day money-back guarantee | No refunds for subscriptions | Udemy |
| Access to Courses | Lifetime access to purchased courses | Only accessible while subscribed | Udemy for lifetime access |
| Certificate Included | Yes, but not accredited | Yes, it can be added to LinkedIn profile | LinkedIn Learning for Career Benefits |
Networking and Business Development Opportunities: Udemy Vs LinkedIn Learning
Udemy
Another service Udemy offers is Udemy for Business, which enables businesses/organizations to pay for employees to undertake specific courses that improve their overall success.
Companies can choose from a range of approximately 200,000 courses, covering topics such as technology, design, business management, and development.
This platform also allows employers to personalize a course plan, ensuring that employees consistently learn the required skills.
The bosses of the companies or businesses can also see the performance of their employees in these courses. Access to learning patterns is essential to ensure the content is well understood.
LinkedIn Learning
A premium feature offered by this online platform is the ability to connect with people you may not be directly connected to on LinkedIn.
This allows workers to connect with others who may have insight into specific jobs or receive professional advice.
The buyer can also check who has viewed their profile on this platform within the last ninety days, thereby gaining valuable information on potential competitors related to the jobs they are interested in or have applied for.
Ease Of Use: Udemy Vs LinkedIn Learning
Udemy
Finding a course or navigating the Udemy platform is straightforward. The landing page features a promotional banner, a list of available courses, and user reviews at the bottom.
With its simple layout, users can easily explore different courses and subcategories through a drop-down menu.
Users can search for courses using the search bar. Once a course is selected, the page is straightforward, showing a preview, requirements, and user reviews.
The checkout process is simple. Overall, Udemy provides a standard experience without surprises, but be cautious with their rating system, as instructors rank their own courses.
LinkedIn Learning
On LinkedIn Learning’s homepage, you’ll see various courses available for preview and a blue button offering a free monthly trial. Scrolling down reveals sections like top courses, partner lists, and reviews.
While this information is common to many platforms, LinkedIn Learning presents it clearly and attractively.
The homepage has a professional black-and-white theme that is visually appealing and not generic. Users can choose subjects, browse categories, and explore learning paths.
Selecting a course reveals concise information such as overviews, lecture lists, descriptions, and instructor notes. However, it feels somewhat empty compared to other MOOC providers.
Popular Courses: Udemy Vs LinkedIn Learning
Udemy Diverse and Budget-Friendly Course Selection
Udemy provides over 210,000 courses across various categories. Some of the most popular courses include:
- Programming and Web Development Python, JavaScript, Machine Learning
- Business and Entrepreneurship Marketing, Project Management, Business Strategy
- Personal Development Productivity, Mindfulness, Public Speaking
- Design and Creative Skills Graphic Design, Video Editing, Photography
- Health and Fitness Yoga, Nutrition, Meditation
With courses available in 48 languages, Udemy is one of the most accessible learning platforms worldwide.
LinkedIn Learning Career-Focused and Professional Courses
LinkedIn Learning specializes in career-driven content, making it a great choice for professionals. Some of its top courses include:
- Business and Leadership Management, Communication, Public Speaking
- Technology and Software Data Science, IT Security, Cloud Computing
- Marketing and Sales SEO, Digital Marketing, Branding
- Creative Skills UIUX Design, Animation, Illustration
- Professional Certifications PMP, Excel, Agile Project Management
While most courses are in English, LinkedIn Learning also offers content in Spanish, German, and French.
Student Reviews & Testimonials
Udemy Students Reviews
LinkedIn Learning Students Reviews
Pros and Cons: Udemy vs LinkedIn Learning
Udemy Pros:
- Once you buy any course, the platform gives you a lifetime access pass to that course
- There is just a one-time payment option
- It offers customizable business options
- It has a mobile app for Android and iOS
- There are discounts offered on courses regularly
- You can also get some high-value courses
- The courses can be taken by students in more than 80 languages
- The platform also offers free courses
- The courses offered include those of intermediate as well as advanced levels
- The platform has an amicable community
Udemy Cons:
- They do not offer free trials
- College credits are not offered. You get credit options toward technical certification
LinkedIn Learning Pros:
- The videos on this platform can be watched at a 2x speed.
- The course quality is quite good.
- The video tutorials come with commentaries.
- Most courses offer a practical approach and encourage the learner to apply what is learned by building projects.
- You can also get video transcripts
- You can connect with other members for professional advice
- You can view who has checked your profile
- The courses are created by people with experience, and the videos are approved only after an evaluation.
- The courses can be taken in 5 different languages.
- The courses come with a certificate of completion, which can be shared with employers as well
- It enables a company to pay for its employees to learn courses on some skills that are essential
- The company can also track the progress of their employees on the courses
LinkedIn Learning Cons:
- The platform does not have any community for the users
- The mobile applications on Android and iOS are not that great
- There are very few quizzes, assignments, and tests
- The courses are concise
FAQs
Is Udemy any good?
Udemy is a great way to learn new things. You can learn hobbies, or you can do it for your work or for other purposes. If you want to know if Udemy is worth it, then yes!
Is Udemy certificate valid?
The udemy certificates are not as powerful as other courses to help you get a job, or worth mentioning in your resume. They are not accredited.
Why is Udemy bad?
Udemy is not a good choice for people who want to sell courses. You do not own the platform or the brand. You do not own all of the course sales.
Can Udemy courses get you a job?
Benzinga have teamed up with Udemy so people can reach their professional goals. This includes the things you always wanted to do. Can Udemy courses get you a job? Yes!
Why is Udemy so good?
First, the variety of courses is great. You can find many courses on dog training, applying makeup, and video editing. I think that Udemy is a good choice for taking courses for fun because they have so many choices!
Why is Udemy cheap?
Udemy has tens of thousands of students. Students from all over the world like it because it is cheap and you get a certificate when you finish.
Do udemy courses expire?
The courses on Udemy don't ever go away. They stay there as long as you have an account with Udemy. Once you enroll in a course it doesn't matter if it is free, paid or discounted, you can keep using it until you decide to stop the account.
Is Udemy safe to use?
Udemy payments are safe. It's no different than paying for other things on applications or websites. Be sure to keep your account secure.
How do I put Udemy on my resume?
If your Udemy course is not job-related, it can be listed in the personal advancement section of your CV. It will show that you are a good fit for any role and can do many jobs.
Does Udemy have a monthly fee?
On Udemy, free courses have fewer features than paid courses. But if you want to learn more and get the full experience, we also offer paid courses.
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Conclusion: Udemy Vs LinkedIn Learning 2025
Both Udemy and LinkedIn Learning (Lynda) have their strengths, but the right choice depends on your learning style and goals.
Udemy stands out with its massive course library, affordable pricing (starting at $19.99), and support for multiple languages. It also offers more free courses and often provides discounts, making it a budget-friendly option.
On the other hand, LinkedIn Learning is great for professionals looking to boost their careers. With expert-led courses and certificates that integrate with LinkedIn profiles, it’s a solid choice for business, tech, and creative skills.
Overall, Udemy tends to get higher ratings for variety and value, but if you prefer structured learning with career-focused content, LinkedIn Learning might be a better fit.
Choose the platform that best matches your learning needs!
