Top 5 Online IT Learning Platforms in 2023

If you want to learn something new but don’t have the time or funds to enroll in a university program, you should consider taking a course on an online learning platform.

The only issue is that there are so many options to choose from, and instead of going through each one individually, you’d prefer to find a list that tells you the best ones.

Look no further, as our list of the best online learning platforms is here. Well, without presenting them in any particular order, here’s our list of the top online platforms.

Coursera

First and foremost, we have Coursera, one of the most popular platforms in the world.

It’s an excellent option for academic courses, with over 3,000 programs on various subjects. Thanks to their partnerships with over 200 universities and companies, including big names like Yale and Google, the programs are genuinely accessible, though the amount you spend depends on the courses you choose. Firstly, we have free courses that act as introductions.

The only downside is that these courses don’t include completion certificates.

Moving on to paid courses, we have guided projects starting at $9.99 and lasting just an hour or two to complete. Most are tutorials on using a specific application or software. Moving to the next level, we have professional certificates and specialization courses. These can last up to six months and teach valuable skills specific to a work environment.

Both types of programs start from $39 per month. If you’re looking for university-level education, Coursera has Master’s programs starting at $2,000 per course and can be completed in less than a year, offering you a university-issued certificate and credits that can count toward a degree.

And if you want to obtain a bachelor’s or master’s degree, you can do so on Coursera through their online bachelor’s programs starting at $9,000, a fraction of the cost of traditional universities.

So, why do we recommend Coursera?

Well, primarily because they have a recognized bachelor’s and master’s program from prestigious institutions. Overall, Coursera is an excellent option for any non-traditional student looking to accelerate their progress and pay far less for it.

Skillshare

Next, we have Skillshare.

We have the perfect platform for creative students. What’s great about Skillshare is that it offers a subscription-based plan. Skillshare Premium costs $32 per month, or $168 if you choose the annual plan.

While subscribed to Skillshare Premium, you’ll have access to all the courses on their site. It’s an excellent option for academic courses with over 3,000 programs on various subjects.

But if you’re not sure it suits you, you can first use their 7-day free trial period and see what their courses have to offer.

The biggest drawback is that they don’t offer an official certificate upon completion, even for premium courses.

Also, they don’t have partnerships with universities, and their programs aren’t university-level. Therefore, you can’t use their credits as transferable credits to an accredited institution.

But we have to mention that Skillshare is a multilingual site, unlike most online platforms. They cover English, Spanish, French, German, and Portuguese, translating their site into each of these languages and providing subtitles for all their courses.

Why do we recommend Skillshare?

Their subscription-based plan is a great option for curious students wanting to discover new skills they probably wouldn’t acquire elsewhere.

Additionally, their pricing plans aren’t too high, especially considering all the knowledge you gain access to.

Udemy

With over 185,000 courses, they have the largest repository of high-quality courses. Moreover, each subject has a wide range of programs to choose from. The price mostly depends on the instructor teaching the course, not the subject.

Udemy’s prices range from $11 to over $200, but on average, most courses cost between $80 and $100. Before buying course access, you can preview all the content included before starting.

However, if you make a purchase and are dissatisfied, there’s a 30-day refund possibility. And like Coursera, after completing a paid course, you receive an official certificate attesting to your knowledge.

Why do we recommend Udemy?

It has a vast amount of specialized courses. If you want to learn or improve a specific skill, on Udemy, you pay once and then have lifetime access to video tutorials you can revisit as needed.

EdX

Next on our list is the platform for students interested in STEM fields.

That’s science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This platform is called EdX. It’s an educational platform for students wanting to access high-quality courses, and it was created by Harvard University and MIT members, also being partnered with over 160 universities.

EdX offers over 3,500 courses. What sets EdX apart is their certification process. Most of their courses are free. If you choose the free audit path, you’ll have temporary access to all course materials except graded assignments.

You won’t be able to complete assignments and won’t receive a completion certificate, which universities or future employers may require as proof of your knowledge. To obtain these certificates, you’ll need to pay a certification fee, which, depending on the course, costs between $50 and $300.

But note that higher-level courses may have higher prices. However, not all EdX programs offer the free audit option.

Why do we recommend EdX?

Because they have the recognition of many top universities, and you can access much of their valuable content for free. However, you’ll need to pay for the approved certificate, but with it, you’ll gain a valuable diploma that can be used as transfer credit for your college.

LinkedIn Learning

To conclude our list, we couldn’t leave out LinkedIn Learning.

If you’re interested in professional development, LinkedIn Learning is an excellent choice. Their course offerings are vast, covering a wide range of fields like business, technology, creativity, and many more. Plus, most of their instructors are recognized professionals in their fields.

The LinkedIn Learning subscription costs $29.99 per month, but if you opt for the annual plan, you can save some money. With the subscription, you have unlimited access to all their courses, and at the end of a course, you receive a completion certificate.

Why do we recommend LinkedIn Learning?

Because they rely on the knowledge and experience of professionals across various fields, their courses are practical and relevant to the real world. Plus, being part of the LinkedIn network, you can add these courses and certificates to your LinkedIn profile to complete your skill portfolio and attract employers.

This was our list of the best online learning platforms. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, so you should choose the one that best fits your needs and preferences. We hope this list helps you start your online learning journey and achieve your educational goals.