Coursera review
University and industry courses, certificates and degrees
- Coursera
- Free + paid plans
- iPhone & iPad, Android, Web
Does it deserve #7?
The verdict
Coursera puts courses from universities and companies like Google and IBM in one app, with certificates and even full degrees on top. For career skills, the depth is hard to match, and downloads make offline study easy. The catch is cost: most courses now let you preview only the first module for free, and quality varies between courses. Get it if you want recognized credentials.
- University and company courses
- Professional certificates
- Online degree programs
- Offline video downloads
Score breakdown
Overall = features 30% · design 20% · speed 20% · value 15% · privacy 15%. Why these weights?
What we like
- Courses from respected universities and employers
- Certificates you can add to a resume or LinkedIn
- Financial aid can cover full access for many courses
What could be better
- Free access is mostly limited to previews
- Course quality and engagement vary widely
Career changers and professionals who want courses with recognized certificates
you want free, casual learning or bite-size lessons on your commute
Questions about Coursera
Is Coursera free?
Only partly: most courses let you preview the first module for free, and a smaller set offer full free access without a certificate. Graded work and certificates need a course purchase or a Coursera Plus subscription, though financial aid is available.
Are Coursera certificates worth it?
They help most when they come from a well-known university or employer program. Treat them as proof of skills and effort, not a substitute for a degree or experience.
What are the best alternatives to Coursera?
The closest alternatives are Khan Academy, Brilliant and Duolingo. See all of them ranked on our Coursera alternatives page.
Where does Coursera rank?
Coursera ranks #7 of 8 in our Learning ranking, with an overall score of 8.0 out of 10.