Udemy dominates the search results when looking for classes, but other online learning platforms are worth visiting.
Udemy has thousands of technical courses and a small offering of artistic and self-improvement courses.
Skillshare focuses on artistic courses such as photography, fine art, and creative writing. It has a small selection of business and entrepreneurship courses.
In this in-depth Skillshare vs Udemy comparison, we compare prices, quality, and divined outcomes so that you can decide which course platform is better for your career goals.
Dive in to learn which platform is right for you.
TL;DR:
- Udemy is less a school and more a service that matches instructors with students.
- Udemy charges for individual courses and subscription access.
- Udemy’s instructors are individuals who create courses.
- Skillshare is a creative learning platform with some business courses.
- Skillshare charges for subscription access.
- Skillshare’s instructors are individuals who create courses.
Feature
Skillshare
Udemy
Audit (free) access
Online learning
Individual course purchase
Subscription access to thousands of courses
Categories
Art, Photography, Graphic Design, Music, Writing, Animation, Marketing, Cooking, Productivity, Filmmaking, Content Creation, Crafts, Social Media, Entrepreneurship, Technology, Languages
Business, Technology, Personal Development, Health
Feature
Skillshare
Udemy
Thousands of courses
25,000+
210,000+
Quality
Curated courses, experienced instructors, overwhelmingly positive reviews
Open marketplace, best courses rise to the top of the reviews
Course creators
Experienced professionals, industry experts
Anyone with knowledge of a subject
Learning experience
- videos
- projects
- instructor discussions
- student discussions
- videos
- quizzes
- exercises
- projects
- assignments
We will compare Udemy and Skillshare in these areas:
Skillshare vs Udemy Comparison
Skillshare and Udemy are online learning platforms using primarily video to present lessons.
Skillshare provides access to thousands of art, technology, and business courses.
It offers a subscription-based model, allowing users to access all the courses for a monthly or annual fee.
Skillshare focuses on creative and artistic subjects, with courses ranging from photography and graphic design to writing and music.
Udemy provides access to thousands of technology and business courses and some self-development programs.
Udemy offers both individual courses and subscription plans.
Udemy focuses on computer technology such as Python programming, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing.
Online Course Quality
Skillshare curates its courses, ensuring only qualified and experienced instructors can teach.
Courses are taught over video. They include projects and community engagement to enhance the learning experience.
Pretty much any course on Skillshare has positive student reviews, thanks to the curation process. Good courses rise to the top.
Skillshare’s emphasis on creativity and hands-on learning makes it an ideal platform for individuals looking to develop artistic skills.
Udemy has a more diverse course quality due to its open marketplace model.
While there are many excellent courses on Udemy, the platform allows anyone to create and publish a course, which leads to a broader range of quality.
Learners should check Udemy reviews before signing up for a class.
Its comprehensive course offerings make Udemy suitable for individuals seeking knowledge in technology and business disciplines.
Course Subjects
Skillshare and Udemy have different approaches to course updates.
Active practitioners typically create and update skillshare courses, ensuring the content stays relevant.
Udemy courses are generally not updated automatically, but instructors can update their courses as needed.
Video Presentation of Courses
Both Udemy and Skillshare primarily offer video-based courses.
Most courses on these platforms include video lessons instructors teach and supplementary materials such as quizzes, exercises, and assignments.
However, it is essential to note that course formats can vary, and some courses on Udemy and Skillshare might also include written resources, downloadable files, or interactive elements.
Skillshare vs Udemy Certificates of Completion
Udemy offers certificates of completion for most of its courses.
Once you finish a course on Udemy, you can download a certificate that verifies your completion.
On the other hand, Skillshare does not offer certificates of completion for individual courses.
Course Creators
Both Skillshare and Udemy have a large pool of course creators.
However, Skillshare tends to showcase experienced professionals and industry experts as instructors.
On the other hand, Udemy allows anyone with knowledge in a subject to become an instructor, which can result in a wider variety of teaching styles and perspectives.
Mobile Access
Skillshare and Udemy have mobile apps that allow you to download courses for offline viewing. This feature is handy if you want to learn on the go without relying on an internet connection.
Free Course Options
Udemy offers hundreds of free courses without a fee or a subscription.
Skillshare offers a free 7-day trial for access to all of their courses.
Skillshare and Udemy Pricing
Skillshare operates on a subscription-based model.
You pay $165 per year for unlimited access.
You can cancel in the first 14 days, but not after that.
Udemy offers auditing, individual courses, personal subscriptions, and business subscriptions.
Udemy for Business is a subscription-based access model.
The Enterprise plan allows groups to create proprietary courses on the Udemy platform.
The individual courses are $9 to $200, give or take.
The subscriptions range in price. Check my article Exploring Udemy Pricing: What Do Udemy Courses Cost?
Refunds
Skillshare offers a 14-day money-back guarantee if you’re unsatisfied with your membership.
Udemy also has a 30-day refund policy for courses purchased directly from its platform.
Subscription refund laws vary by country.
Instructor Experience
Teaching on Skillshare can be a rewarding experience for instructors, as the platform offers various benefits.
Skillshare provides a supportive community for instructors, allowing them to connect with other professionals and receive feedback.
Additionally, instructors on Skillshare can generate passive income through the subscription-based model.
Instructors on Skillshare can receive a royalty payment based on the number of minutes watched by premium members.
Udemy provides instructors with a user-friendly interface and robust tools to create and manage courses.
The platform also offers marketing support to help instructors reach a wider audience.
Furthermore, instructors on Udemy have the flexibility to set their pricing for their courses.
Udemy and Skillshare Alternatives: LinkedIn Learning and Coursera
Regarding course offerings and pricing, Udemy and Skillshare differ from Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
Coursera and LinkedIn Learning often partner with universities and industry professionals to offer more academically oriented and professionally focused courses.
Udemy and Skillshare, on the other hand, have a wider variety of courses created by individuals and cover a broader range of subjects.
Udemy and Skillshare offer affordable pricing options, including one-time purchases and lifetime course access.
Links
If you’re looking for more information on online learning platforms, here are some additional resources:
Final Verdict: Skillshare vs Udemy
Skillshare emphasizes artistic classes and charges a yearly fee for access to all content.
Udemy emphasizes technology and business courses for career development. You can take individual courses or subscribe for full access.
Because these models are so different, neither is better than the other.
Skillshare is excellent for artistic learning, and Udemy is best for programming and business.
