Choosing Your Learning Path: Read Our Detailed Comparison of Skillshare vs Udemy
Are you on a mission to climb the career ladder, add a fresh skill to your resume, or dive into a new hobby? There are many online learning platforms that can help you on your quest. Today we are taking a look at two big ones: Skillshare and Udemy!
But which one truly aligns with your professional ambitions and personal growth aspirations? Check out our comparison of Skillshare vs Udemy. We look at everything, from the variety of courses to how people use them. This will help you choose the best option for your career and for your life.
What Are Skillshare and Udemy?
Skillshare and Udemy are two prominent names in the world of e-learning platforms, each with its own unique approach and offerings. Let’s look at what each platform is about, what their main purpose is, and who they cater to.
What is Skillshare?
Launched in 2010, Skillshare is an online learning community designed for those who are eager to learn through educational videos. The courses focus primarily on interactive, project-based learning and cover a wide range of creative fields, such as design, photography, video, and freelancing.
It’s a platform where practitioners, rather than academics, teach real-world skills and is often used by professionals and hobbyists who want to learn in a more community-based way.
What is Udemy?
Udemy was also founded in 2010 and is known for its massive open online course (MOOC) offerings, covering everything from tech and business to personal growth and interests. With its pay-per-course model, Udemy provides an expansive platform for experts from various fields to create and sell their courses.
This online learning platform is great for people who want to learn new skills or improve their existing ones.
Skillshare vs Udemy: Let’s Take a Look at the Facts
Weighing the Skillshare vs Udemy benefits, it’s clear that each platform has its own unique strengths. Both learning platforms share a common goal of democratizing learning through the internet, but their approaches cater to different learning needs and preferences.
Skillshare focuses on learning in a creative and collaborative way, while Udemy offers a more traditional course selection that can be used for a variety of learning goals.
| Feature | Skillshare | Udemy |
|---|---|---|
| Learners | Over 12 million | Over 64 million |
| Number of Courses | 34,000+ online courses | 210,000+ online courses |
| Course Categories | 13 course categories: Animation, Creative Writing, Film & Video, Fine Art, Graphic Design, Illustration, Music, Photography, UI/UX Design, Freelance & Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Lifestyle and Productivity | 13 course categories: Development, Business, Finance & Accounting, IT & Software, Office Productivity, Personal Development, Design, Marketing, Lifestyle, Photography & Video, Health & Fitness, Music, Teaching & Academics |
| Languages Available |
Skillshare is available in 5 languages:
English, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish |
Udemy is available in 75 languages, for example: Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Thai, Turkish |
| Learning Approach | Project-based, interactive learning | Traditional course structure with lectures and quizzes |
| Instructor Profile | Practitioners and professionals in creative fields | Wide range of instructors, including industry experts and academics |
| Target Audience | Creative professionals, hobbyists, freelancers | Professionals seeking skill enhancement, hobbyists, students |
| Mobile App Availability | Desktop, iOS & Android | Desktop, iOS & Android |
| iTunes rating | 4.8 • 22.2K Ratings | 4.7 • 75.9K Ratings |
| Pricing Model | Subscription-based with free and premium options | Pay-per-course with both free and paid options |
| Certificate of Completion | No formal certification | Provides certificates of completion for many courses (not the free courses though) |
| Free courses | N/A | 600+ free courses |
| Free Trial Period | 1-month free trial | Free trial periods for individual courses |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 7-day money-back guarantee | 30-day money-back guarantee |
| Corporate and Educational Plans | Offers plans for teams and organizations | Udemy for Business offers a tailored learning platform for companies |
Exploring the Key Features: Skillshare vs Udemy
Let’s look at the unique e-learning platform features that set Skillshare and Udemy apart:
Skillshare’s Top 5 Features
- Personalized Course Recommendations: Skillshare’s clever quiz helps you discover courses that align with your interests and goals. It’s an intuitive tool that offers tailored course suggestions based on your responses.
- Hands-On Project-Based Learning: Skillshare stands out with its project-based courses, encouraging practical application of skills. It’s ideal for learners who prefer engaging directly with their new skills.
- Offline Access for Premium Members: For those who opt for the Premium membership, Skillshare provides the convenience of downloading courses for offline learning, enhancing accessibility.
- Interactive Workshops: Skillshare offers structured workshops, guiding learners through a series of courses and fostering community interaction – a great way to improve the learning experience.
- Skillshare Originals: Skillshare offers exclusive content from industry leaders that is unique and can only be found on Skillshare.
Udemy’s Top 5 Features
- Lifetime Course Access: Once you purchase a course on Udemy, it’s yours indefinitely. This offers great long-term value and the flexibility to revisit materials whenever needed.
- Course Creation Tools: For experts, Udemy provides user-friendly tools to create and market their courses, opening opportunities for teaching and earning.
- Broad Course Selection: Udemy offers an extensive range of courses across various subjects, from technology to hobbies, catering to all kinds of interests.
- Regular Course Updates: Udemy’s instructors frequently update their content, ensuring that learners have access to the latest and most relevant information.
- Direct Instructor Interaction: With features like Q&A sections and direct messaging, Udemy enhances learner engagement and understanding by enabling direct contact with instructors.
How Much Do Skillshare and Udemy Cost?
Whether you’re budget-conscious or looking for the best value, getting a handle on their pricing models will help you decide where to invest in your learning journey. Let’s take a look how Skillshare and Udemy line up in terms of pricing, so you can make a smart choice for your wallet and your educational goals:
| Skillshare | Udemy | |
|---|---|---|
| Pay per course | Only subscription model |
Pay-per-course model:
Between $19.99 and $199.99 |
| Cost for Subscription | $168 / year or $32 monthly | Personal Plan starts at $16.58 USD |
| Free Courses | No free courses available | Both free and paid courses available |
| Price Control for Instructors | N/A | Instructors have control over the pricing of their courses |
| Business-Plans | Starting at $159 / year | Starting at $360 / year |
How to Get a Certificate: Skillshare vs. Udemy
When choosing an online course, the certification offered can be a crucial factor. Here’s what you need to know about Skillshare and Udemy when it’s about accreditation:
Skillshare Classes
In our Skillshare review, we see that Skillshare focuses on the practical application of skills rather than formal accreditation. While you won’t receive a certificate upon course completion, Skillshare encourages showcasing your work.
By sharing a link to a project created during a class, you demonstrate your actual skills and achievements, which can be more impactful than a certificate on your resume.
Udemy Courses
Udemy, in contrast, does offer a certificate of completion for its paid courses. It’s important to note, however, that these certificates are not accredited by any governing institution.
Although this is true, completing Udemy courses will provide you with real, relevant knowledge, which is arguably more valuable than traditional diplomas in many fields.
How Blinkist Can Help You Learn
Everyone absorbs knowledge differently. Some of us are visual learners, while others prefer to listen and learn. But no matter your style, mastering effective learning techniques is essential for retaining and making the most of the knowledge you gain.
That’s why we have developed a Blinkist Guide titled ‘Master Strategic Learning Skills in 5 Days.’ This audio-guided workshop is packed with practical tools to help you apply various learning techniques effectively – all within a short span of five days. Take a look:
Who Are These Platforms Best For?
Skillshare shines for those who flourish in a community-focused learning environment, blending hands-on experience with theoretical understanding. It’s especially beneficial for:
- Freelancers are eager to boost their skills.
- Hobbyists, artists, and creative business owners looking to expand their artistic skills and business know-how.
- Quick learners seeking to rapidly acquire new abilities.
- Graphic designers, illustrators, and visual artists can take advantage of Skillshare’s unique features.
Udemy, on the other hand, is perfect for learners with diverse interests, from professional development to creative endeavors. It suits:
- People who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects, particularly in tech and computing.
- Those who prefer buying courses one at a time, rather than subscribing to a whole library.
- Professionals needing a learning platform that adapts to their busy schedules.
- Business leaders and managers who want to provide their teams with extensive learning resources.
And if you’re thinking about teaching on Skillshare or Udemy, it’s important to know what you might earn. Both platforms give educators like you a chance to make money from your skills and knowledge, but they pay in different ways.
Let’s see how teaching on Skillshare compares to Udemy in terms of making some extra cash:
How Much do E-learning Platforms Pay Teachers?
| Skillshare | Udemy | |
|---|---|---|
| Earning System | Royalty-based | Sales-based |
| Revenue Source | 30-50% of Premium Membership revenue goes to teachers |
Varies:
97% (Instructor referrals) 50% (Organic) 25% (in average) |
| Earnings Determination | Based on minutes watched of your videos | Based on number of courses sold |
| Typical Earnings | Top teachers earn $3,000+ per month, new teachers around $200 in their first month | Varies widely; potential for high earnings but with greater competition |
The Pros and Cons: Skillshare vs. Udemy
Ready to see how Skillshare and Udemy stack up against each other? Let’s dive into the good stuff and the not-so-good stuff about each platform. Our handy pros and cons table gives you the lowdown on what’s great and what might be a bit of a letdown on both Skillshare and Udemy.
This comparison is all about helping you figure out which platform ticks all the right boxes for your learning style and needs:
| Skillshare | Udemy | |
|---|---|---|
| Pros |
– Great mix of practical and theory in classes
– Active community engagement – Curated learning paths – Courses categorized by skill level – Skillshare Perks with discounts on tools like Adobe, Canva, etc. – Free trial to explore the catalogue |
– Comprehensive range of courses
– Reasonably priced with constant sales and promotions – Over 500 free courses – Passionate instructors, including high-profile contributors – Courses cover a wide range, from work-related skills to creative and fun topics |
| Cons |
– No certification offered
– Variable quality of courses |
– Inconsistent course quality
– Course certificates aren’t accredited by any university or institution |
Conclusion and Our Final Recommendation
Wrapping up our Skillshare vs Udemy showdown, it’s all about what ticks your boxes in an online learning platform. If a vibrant creative community and a buffet of courses for a flat fee sound good, Skillshare’s got you covered. Click here to get one free month of Skillshare.
Alternatively, if you’re hunting for specific skills, like tech or business, and cherish lifetime access to your courses, then Udemy is your go-to.
But remember, the world of online learning is huge. Curious about more options? Keep exploring and check out our next article at Blinkist Magazine comparing edX and Coursera – just click here for more insights!
Ultimately, your choice in our Skillshare vs Udemy face-off hinges on your personal learning style, goals, and how you like to manage your learning budget. Both platforms have lots of great stuff to offer, so pick the one that aligns best with your learning journey. And speaking of journeys, don’t forget to check out Blinkist, where we collect the key ideas from top books and topics, all in just 15 minutes – perfect for learning on the go!
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