You’re looking for online classes. Udemy looks pretty good. But what do other people think about this online learning platform?
If you are looking for a Udemy review to help you decide, you are in the right place.
In this article, I’ve gathered Udemy customer feedback for you to analyze the good, the bad, and the ugly all in one place.
TL;DR:
- Udemy offers over 210,000 courses.
- Many of these courses can significantly boost your knowledge for career or home use.
- Udemy has some customer service problems.
- Most of these problems are easily avoided by following simple steps before purchasing your course or subscription.
A Udemy Review for the Doubters
Udemy is one of the largest online learning platforms, with:
- 75,000+ instructors
- 67 million+ learners
- 210,000+ courses
If Udemy is so great, why are there negative reviews online?
I’m not saying Udemy is perfect, but the truth is that many negative reviews are based on user error!
In this Udemy review, you will learn exactly which steps to take to ensure a fulfilling and worthwhile Udemy experience.
Why is Udemy a Popular Learning Platform?
Udemy is popular because its courses are easily accessible and very affordable.
You can use Udemy to learn about business, technology, and personal development.
Some of Udemy’s instructors are world-class industry experts who share their inside knowledge directly with you.
Courses are flexible and self-paced so that you can study at your convenience.
The format is ideal for busy learners and career enhancement.
Once a course is purchased on Udemy, you have lifetime access to the course content.
Udemy Instructor and Customer Service Issues
While Udemy offers many benefits, it’s important to note that course quality can vary, and Udemy’s customer service does not have a stellar reputation.
Complaints students make about Udemy include:
- Course material is out of date
- Customer service denied a refund request.
While frustrating, these complaints are easily avoided with a few simple steps. Keep reading to learn how to get the most value from Udemy without frustrations and annoyances.
Is Udemy Worth It? How to Guarantee It Is
Millions of people get plenty of benefits out of Udemy, so what do you do about the “dark side” of the business?
Read course reviews, understand purchase terms, and use a credit card (not a debit card) to buy your courses.
Is Udemy Legit? Read Course Reviews!
Read every course description and its reviews.
- Is the course up to date?
- Does the instructor show enthusiasm for the topic?
- What do students say are the pros and cons of the course you want to take?
Before purchasing courses, you can take charge of your Udemy experience with these simple checks.
- Read the course reviews
- Check the course “last updated” date
- Read the instructor’s biography
- Use a credit card to purchase anything online. Credit cards give you dispute rights you do not get with debit cards!
Understand Udemy Refunds
Udemy offers a 30-day refund policy for your protection.
But Udemy must also protect its instructors from fraud. You could get unlimited free courses by canceling on Day 29 of every course you buy. That’s unfair to Udemy or its instructors, so Udemy limits its refund policy.
This is not to scam you out of a refund for a bad course; it’s to protect instructors from fraudulent purchases.
Individual courses are subject to refund policies.
That’s why Udemy does not allow you to download the entire course but request a refund.
You also cannot ask for multiple refunds, as this shows a pattern of bad faith.
Subscription fees are not refundable because subscriptions are contracts (legal agreements) between you and Udemy.
If you buy a monthly subscription, you pay a little more than a yearly fee, but you can cancel every month.
If you buy a yearly subscription, you are entering a contract to pay for a year of unlimited access. Udemy has to limit refunds on subscriptions to prevent fraud.
You should check out individual courses before committing to a subscription contract as a consumer.
Pros and Cons of Taking Courses at Udemy
Some of the best instructors in the world choose to teach on Udemy, and you can access their classes incredibly cheaply compared to attending major learning institutions.
The key here is reading the course description and reviews before signing up.
Don’t take courses that were last updated 3 years ago!
| Pros of Udemy | Cons of Udemy |
| Affordable | Course quality variability |
| Flexible learning | Limited interactivity |
| Expert instructors |
Good Course Quality
You will find that most Udemy courses are:
- Comprehensive
- Engaging
- Valuable
- Informative
Bad Course Quality
But that’s not always true. Some courses are:
- Out of date
- Off the mark
That’s why you must read the reviews, course descriptions, and instructor biographies before buying a course!
Good Udemy Platform Experiences
Doing business with Udemy is easy and affordable. If all goes well, doing business with Udemy can be rewarding.
Benefits include that the Udemy platform is:
- Affordable
- Self-service friendly
- Easy to use on mobile, tablet and computer
See my article about getting Udemy courses on sale to ensure you get affordable courses.
If you have technical issues with your Udemy course, contact customer service immediately. Refunds are limited to 30 days from the date of purchase. Don’t wait until day 31 to ask for help.
Bad Udemy Platform Experiences
When things don’t go as planned, Udemy can be frustrating. You might have:
- Difficulty reaching customer service
- Difficulty getting customer service to follow through on promises
So many online reviews for Udemy are misunderstandings students have about their rights and responsibilities.
As I said, you can’t expect a corporation to bend its refund policy because you were too busy to ask for help.
Document issues you have, including dates and screenshots.
You might have to wait to get help. That’s a fun fact I don’t have a workaround to offer you.
But if you follow your agreed-upon rules, Udemy will help you with your issue.
Udemy Course Pricing
One of the major advantages of choosing Udemy for online learning is its affordable pricing.
You can sign up for individual courses or purchase unlimited access subscriptions at affordable rates.
- For individuals, the price is $0 to $199 per course.
- Udemy Business for teams is $350/user per year for groups of five to users.
- Udemy Business for groups of 21 or more students is negotiable.
| Udemy Price Tiers | |
| Individual Course Audit | $0 |
| Individual Courses | $11.99 – $199.99 |
| Individual Personal | $16.58/month |
| Individual Pro | $29/month |
| Business Team | $350/user/year |
| Business Enterprise | Custom |
With technical learning centers charging $2500 to $3500 for 8-week courses, Udemy is a cost-effective bargain.
Everything you need to know about Udemy pricing is in my article: Udemy Pricing Breakdown: Is It Worth It?
Even at the higher end of the price range, Udemy courses remain a cost-effective choice compared to other learning platforms.
Learners can access high-quality educational content at even lower prices with frequent sales and discounts.
If you know the secret, Udemy courses are always on sale. Learn more in my article How to Get Udemy Sale Prices Right Now (It’s Way Easier Than You Think).
Udemy Alternatives
While Udemy is a popular online learning platform, several alternatives offer different features and course offerings.
Two notable alternatives to consider are Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
Let’s compare these platforms to help you decide based on your needs and preferences.
Comparing Udemy, Coursera, and LinkedIn Learning
Regarding course offerings, Udemy stands out with its vast catalog of over 210,000 courses across a wide range of subjects.
However, Coursera focuses more on university-led courses and offers a broader selection of accredited programs.
LinkedIn Learning, on the other hand, emphasizes professional development and offers courses taught by industry experts.
Regarding pricing, Udemy courses are generally affordable, ranging from $12 to $199.
The platform also frequently offers sales and discounts, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious learners.
Coursera and LinkedIn Learning, however, typically follow a subscription-based model or charge for individual courses, which can be more expensive in the long run.
Another crucial factor to consider is the learning experience.
Udemy offers self-paced learning, allowing you to start and complete a course at your own pace.
Coursera and LinkedIn Learning often have structured courses with specific start and end dates.
They also offer the opportunity to earn certificates or degrees, which can be valuable for career advancement.
| Udemy | Coursera | LinkedIn Learning | |
| Course Catalog | 210,000+ courses | University-led courses, accredited programs | Professional development courses |
| Pricing | Affordable, frequent sales | Subscription-based or individual course fees | Subscription-based or individual course fees |
| Learning Experience | Self-paced learning | Structured courses with start and end dates | Structured courses with start and end dates |
Ultimately, the choice between Udemy, Coursera, and LinkedIn Learning depends on your learning goals, budget, and preferred learning style.
Consider the course offerings, pricing models, and learning experiences each platform offers to determine which one aligns best with your needs.
Remember, all three platforms provide opportunities for gaining valuable knowledge and skills, so explore their catalogs and read reviews to find the platform that suits you best.
Enrolling and Accessing Course Materials
When you find a course you’re interested in, click on the course title to view more details.
From there, you can enroll by clicking the “Enroll Now” button.
Some courses may be available for individual purchase or as a bundle.
Once enrolled, you’ll immediately access the course materials, including video lectures, quizzes, assignments, and additional resources the instructor provides.
You can also download the Udemy mobile app and access your courses conveniently from your smartphone or tablet.
| Steps to Access Udemy | Benefits |
| 1. Sign up for a Udemy account | Gain full access to the course catalog |
| 2. Browse courses based on interest and topic | Discover a diverse range of subjects |
| 3. Click on a course to view details | Evaluate the course’s relevance and quality |
| 4. Enroll in a course | Start learning immediately |
| 5. Access course materials | Watch video lectures, complete quizzes and assignments |
| 6. Use the Udemy mobile app | Study on your smartphone or tablet |
Canceling Udemy
Subscriptions are based on monthly or yearly fees.
You can cancel a monthly subscription to take effect at the end of the current month. You can cancel a yearly subscription to take effect at the end of the current year.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to cancel your Udemy subscription:
Step 1: Access Your Account Settings
To cancel your Udemy subscription, first log in to your Udemy account.
Once you’re logged in, navigate to your account settings.
You can find this option by clicking on your profile picture or icon in the top right corner of the Udemy website.
Step 2: Select “Billing Information”
Within your account settings, locate the “Billing Information” tab.
Click on it to access the billing information associated with your Udemy subscription.
Step 3: Cancel Your Subscription
In the “Billing Information” section, you’ll find an option to cancel your subscription.
Simply follow the on-screen instructions to complete the cancellation process.
Once canceled, you will no longer be billed for your Udemy subscription.
| Step | Description |
| Step 1 | Access Your Account Settings |
| Step 2 | Select “Billing Information” |
| Step 3 | Cancel Your Subscription |
Udemy also offers a 30-day refund policy if you’re unsatisfied with a course.
You can request a refund if the course did not meet your expectations within this timeframe.
Udemy Course Structure
Each course typically begins with a comprehensive overview that outlines the goals and objectives, giving learners a clear understanding of what they will gain from the course.
The course content is then divided into sections, which are further broken down into lectures.
This segmentation allows learners to navigate through the course material in a structured manner, tackling one topic at a time.
Instructors may incorporate multimedia elements within each lecture such as videos, slides, and downloadable resources to enhance the learning experience.
Instructors often include quizzes or assignments at strategic points throughout the course to assess understanding and retention.
These assessments help learners gauge their progress and reinforce key concepts.
Additionally, Udemy courses often feature discussion boards where learners can interact with peers, ask questions, and share insights.
FAQ
What is Udemy?
Udemy is a versatile e-learning platform with over 210,000 courses covering various topics.
What are the pros and cons of Udemy?
The pros of Udemy include affordability, self-paced learning, and world-class instructors.
However, there can be variability in course quality, and there are limits on course and subscription refunds.
How much do Udemy courses cost?
Udemy courses range in price from $12 to $199.
The platform also offers frequent sales and discounts, making it an affordable option for online learning.
What are the best courses on Udemy?
There are several highly rated and popular courses on Udemy, spanning various subjects such as business, technology, personal development, and more.
Learners can explore the course catalog and read reviews to find courses that align with their interests and goals.
Are there alternatives to Udemy?
Yes, Coursera and LinkedIn Learning are two well-known Udemy alternatives that offer unique advantages.
Comparing these platforms can help learners make an informed decision based on their specific needs and preferences.
How do I access Udemy?
To access Udemy, simply create an account on the platform and browse the course catalog to find courses of interest.
Udemy also offers a mobile app to access courses on smartphones and tablets conveniently.
How do I cancel my Udemy subscription?
To cancel your Udemy subscription, you can do so through your account settings.
Udemy offers a 30-day refund policy, allowing users to request a refund if they are unsatisfied with a course.
Are Udemy courses worth it?
The value of Udemy courses depends on the individual learner’s goals and learning style.
Udemy offers diverse courses taught by experts in their fields, but course quality can vary.
Reading reviews and considering personal learning preferences can help determine if Udemy courses are worth it for a particular learner.
How are Udemy courses structured?
Udemy courses typically have a structured format that includes a course overview, sections, lectures, quizzes or assignments, discussion boards, progress tracking, additional resources, course completion, and lifetime access.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the verdict on Udemy is that it is a valuable resource for online learning, with its strengths far outweighing any potential drawbacks.
