Coursera vs LinkedIn Learning (2025): Which Is Better?

Choosing between Coursera and LinkedIn Learning comes down to one key question that is, do you want academic credibility or practical skills?

Coursera partners with 350+ top universities like Yale and Stanford, offering accredited certificates, degrees, and career-focused programs.

LinkedIn Learning, on the other hand, delivers 24,600+ industry-relevant courses with seamless integration into your LinkedIn profile, perfect for skill-building and career pivots.

This guide breaks down pricing, course types, instructors, credibility, and best use cases, so you’ll know exactly which platform is worth your money and time.

Coursera vs LinkedIn Learning: Quick Overview (2025)

This section will compare Coursera and LinkedIn Learning to help you decide which platform best suits your online learning needs.

Understanding LinkedIn Learning vs Coursera

Coursera and LinkedIn Learning are two of the most well-known online learning platforms. Both offer flexible learning options but cater to different audiences and learning needs.

Understanding Coursera

Coursera is a global learning platform that partners with 350+ top universities and companies. Universities like Yale, Stanford, University of Colorado Boulder, and companies like Google, IBM, Microsoft, and Meta.

It’s one of the most popular choices for learners worldwide, with 168+ million users.
Courses cover a wide range of subjects, including full-degree programs. It has been around since 2012, which is more than a decade.+

Interestingly, 77% of learners report career benefits like higher pay, new skills, or job opportunities.

Understanding LinkedIn Learning

Formerly known as Lynda.com, LinkedIn Learning focuses on skill-building with over 300,000 quiz questions and 10,000+ exercise files which is quite helpful for a learning journey.

It offers 450+ Nano Tips videos for quick, actionable learning. Professional best free LinkedIn certifications are available from Microsoft, Zendesk, LambdaTest, Lego, HP, and BluePrism, which also makes it a credible choice.

LinkedIn Learning is trusted by over 78% of Fortune 100 companies, making it a strong choice for skill advancement and career growth

Coursera vs LinkedIn Learning: Pros & Cons

Choosing between Coursera and LinkedIn Learning? Let’s break down their pros and cons to help you decide.

Coursera Pros

• A huge selection of courses across different subjects.
• Plenty of assignments, quizzes, and learning materials.
• Courses have transcripts in multiple languages.
• You can audit most courses for free before committing.
• Offers specializations, degree programs, and accredited certificates from top universities.

Coursera Cons

• The mobile app doesn’t support quizzes and assignments.
• Certificates can be expensive, but they hold strong value.

LinkedIn Learning Pros

• A wide range of courses across different industries.
• Completion certificates for every course you finish.
• Learn at your own pace without deadlines.
• Industry professionals teach courses with real-world experience.
• Seamless integration with LinkedIn for skill endorsements.

LinkedIn Learning Cons

• The course library is not as deep for academic subjects.
• Many courses are short and may lack in-depth learning.

Coursera vs LinkedIn Learning: Types of Courses Offered

In this section, we will explore the range of courses each platform provides, from academic-driven programs to industry-focused skill development. Let’s look at the differences:

Coursera Types of Courses Courses

• Individual Courses: Standalone courses on specific topics like Python, AI, or business analytics.
• Specializations: A series of related courses designed to build expertise in areas like data science or project management.
• Projects: Hands-on experiences where learners apply skills to real-world problems.
• Professional Certificate Programs: Industry-recognized programs for career growth, such as Google IT Support or Data Analytics.
• Degrees: Online bachelor’s and master’s degrees from universities like Yale and Stanford.
• MasterTrack Certificates: Shorter programs offering specialized skills in fields like digital marketing and machine learning.

LinkedIn Learning Types of Courses

• Software & Technical Skills: Courses on Excel, Python, SQL, Power BI, and cybersecurity basics.
• Business & Leadership Skills: Training in project management, communication, and time management.
• Marketing & Professional Development: Courses covering digital marketing, online branding, and leadership.
• Soft Skills & Workplace Culture: Lessons on diversity, inclusion, and effective teamwork.
• Creative & Design Skills: Multimedia production, web design, and UI/UX fundamentals.

Verdict: Coursera leans more towards academic and professional certification, while LinkedIn Learning focuses on quick, skill-based training for the workplace.

Coursera vs LinkedIn Learning: Suitable For

When choosing between Coursera and LinkedIn Learning, it’s essential to consider who each platform best serves. This is probably one of the most important deciding factors that you must consider when choosing from the two.

Coursera Suitable For

• Students and professionals aiming for academic advancement.
• Those seeking certificates from esteemed universities to enhance their profiles.
• Individuals interested in pursuing online bachelor’s or master’s degrees.
• Learners who prefer structured courses with assignments and peer reviews.
• Professionals seeking accredited certifications to boost their career credentials.

LinkedIn Learning Suitable For

• Recent graduates who are actively job hunting.
• Professionals looking to acquire specific skills for career growth.
• Learners who don’t require accredited certifications but value practical knowledge and skills.
• Individuals seeking flexible, short-term courses that fit into a busy schedule.
• Those interested in business, technology, and creative fields.

Verdict: Coursera is best for career growth and increasing your chances of landing a job, whereas LinkedIn Learning is best if you want to pivot inside your existing job with a new skill.

Coursera vs. LinkedIn Learning: Free Courses

When choosing between Coursera and LinkedIn Learning, it’s important to understand which platform suits your learning needs best. Here, we’ll compare which one offers free courses and who can benefit most from them.

Coursera

• Ideal for learners seeking free courses across diverse subjects, including those from renowned universities and institutions.
• Provides over 2,900 free courses as of 2023, covering topics like digital marketing, project management, Python programming, and social psychology.
• Offers free courses that can be upgraded to paid versions for additional features like graded assignments and certificates.

LinkedIn Learning

• Primarily offers subscription-based courses, although it also offers a selection of free courses, but users can opt for the free trial.
• Suitable for professionals seeking courses integrated with LinkedIn profiles for career development.

Verdict: If you are looking for free courses, then Coursera by default is a better choice since LinkedIn Learning does not offer any free courses.

Coursera vs LinkedIn Learning: Instructors

In this section, we will see the key differences in instructor expertise, from Coursera’s esteemed professors and researchers to LinkedIn Learning’s diverse industry professionals.

Coursera Instructors

• Coursera Instructors are university professors from Yale University, the Ivy League, Stanford, etc 
• Most of them are Nobel prize winners, best-selling authors, researchers, C-suite executives, etc.
• Coursera focuses more on university partnerships than on directly applying to become an instructor.

LinkedIn Learning Instructors

• Anybody can apply to become an instructor on LinkedIn Learning
• LinkedIn Learning has some well-recognized, like Brand Strategists, Professors, and University Researchers
• CEOs, international speakers, and other experts also teach some of the courses.

Verdict: Coursera has a better concentration of quality instructors than LinkedIn Learning.

Coursera vs LinkedIn Learning: Certification Credibility

When evaluating the credibility of certifications from Coursera and LinkedIn Learning, consider the following:

Coursera Certification Credibility

• University Partnerships: Collaborates with over 350+ universities, including Yale and the University of Illinois, offering courses and degrees that hold significant academic weight.
• Professional Recognition: Offers industry-recognized certificates, such as those from Google and IBM, which employers value.
• Degree Programs: Provides fully online bachelor’s and master’s degrees in collaboration with accredited institutions, enhancing the credibility of its certifications.

LinkedIn Learning Certification Credibility

• Wide Range of Topics: Offers a broad selection of courses across various industries, coached by CEOs, international speakers, and standout personalities on LinkedIn, supporting diverse professional growth.
• Professional Development Focus: Emphasizes skills relevant to current job markets, with courses often developed by industry experts who have walked the walk.
• Integration with LinkedIn: Seamlessly adds completed courses to your LinkedIn profile, showcasing your commitment to continuous learning to potential employers. Backing by LinkedIn itself adds to its credibility.

Verdict: Coursera’s certifications are closely tied to accredited universities and recognized industry leaders, often carrying significant academic and professional weight, even more than LinkedIn’s.

Coursera vs LinkedIn Learning: Pricing

When comparing the pricing of Coursera and LinkedIn Learning, both platforms offer a variety of options to suit different learning needs.

Coursera Pricing

• Individual Certificates: Coursera’s individual courses range from $29 to $99, with Guided Projects starting at $9.99.
• Degrees: For accredited degrees, Coursera offers Bachelor’s programs starting from $15,000 and Master’s degrees from $25,000.
• Refund Policy: Coursera provides a 14-day money-back guarantee for annual subscriptions; refund policies for individual courses may vary.
• Discounts: Coursera occasionally offers discounts and financial aid options for eligible learners.

LinkedIn Learning Pricing

• Monthly Subscription: Provides access to most courses for $39.99 per month.
• Annual Subscription: Priced at $19.99 per month, billed annually at $239.88.
• Team Plans: LinkedIn Learning offers tailored plans for teams and businesses; pricing is available upon request.
• Refund Policy: Refund policies are not explicitly stated; it’s recommended to review the terms during purchase.
• Discounts: LinkedIn Learning occasionally provides discounts, especially for its annual subscriptions.

Verdict: Coursera offers transparent pricing, even though it can be a little costly depending on the type of course you choose. However, it also offers better quality for the money you spend.

LinkedIn Learning vs Coursera Comparison: Learner Support

Effective learner support enhances your educational journey, providing assistance and resources to help you succeed.

Coursera Learner Support

• Resources: Access to course materials, peer-reviewed assignments, and community forums.
• Customer Support: Assistance is available through email and a comprehensive Help Center.
• Other Aids Provided: Financial aid options and partnerships with top universities for accredited certifications.

LinkedIn Learning Learner Support:

• Resources: Extensive library of courses with video content, quizzes, and downloadable materials.
• Customer Support: Live chat and email support, along with a detailed Help Center.
• Other Aids Provided: Integration with LinkedIn profiles for personalized course recommendations and skill tracking.

Verdict: Both platforms offer robust support; Coursera excels in academic resources and accredited certifications, while LinkedIn Learning focuses on professional development with personalized support features.

Is LinkedIn Learning Or Coursera Better: User Reviews

Take a look at what the real users who took courses on Coursera and LinkedIn Learning have to say about their experience:

Coursera User Reviews

A Reddit user r/Acceptable-Reindeer3 said that a Coursera certification made his wife land a job role. Read the entire review below:

Another Reddit user, however, says that the peer-graded assignments can be frustrating sometimes. Read his entire review below:

LinkedIn Learning User Reviews

A G2 user, Andreas, applauds LinkedIn Learning for the wide variety of courses. However, he feels that some courses can feel a bit repetitive or too basic for advanced learners:

Conclusion: Coursera Is Best For Its Depth, & LinkedIn Learning Is Best For Short-term Yet Quality Courses

If you want university-accredited certificates or full online degrees, Coursera is the stronger option, even if it’s pricier ($29–$99 per course or $49/month) and limited to a 7-day free trial.

If you’re after affordable, skill-based learning with flexible short courses, LinkedIn Learning wins with $19.99/month plans and a 30-day free trial, though its certificates lack formal academic weight.

The bottom line is that the right choice depends on your goal. Choose Coursera for structured, career-changing education, and LinkedIn Learning for flexible, job-ready skills.

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