Coursera is a U.S.-based massive open online course provider founded in 2012 by Stanford University computer science professors Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller. In this article, we discuss the top Coursera Competitors and Alternatives.
Coursera is a widely recognized online learning platform that offers many courses from top universities and institutions worldwide. Founded in 2012 by two Stanford University professors, Coursera aims to make quality education accessible to anyone with an internet connection. Coursera has established itself as a frontrunner in online education, with over 77 million learners and partnerships with more than 200 leading universities and educational institutions.
Coursera’s popularity stems from its diverse catalog featuring subjects like computer science, Business, and humanities, all crafted by experienced academics and industry experts. Offering free and paid options, it enables learners to explore at their own pace and budget. Coursera also provides options for professional certificates and complete degrees in select fields, catering to those after career advancement or personal growth. Its intuitive interface and interactive learning capabilities deliver engaging online learning for all backgrounds and interests.
- Product Type: Online Education
- Industry: E-learning
- Founded Date: April 2012
- Founders: Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller
- Headquarters: Mountain View, California, United States
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Jeff Maggioncalda
- Market capitalization: USD 43.92 billion (2023)
Table of Contents
The top Coursera competitors are
1. Aberdeen Standard Investments
- Product Type: Financial Services
- Industry: Asset Management
- Founded Date: 2017
- Founders: Martin Gilbert, Keith Skeoch
- Headquarters: Edinburgh, Scotland
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Stephen Bird
Aberdeen Standard Investments is a leading global investment management group providing investment solutions to individuals and institutions worldwide. With a focus on delivering sustainable value to clients, Aberdeen Standard Investments offers a wide range of investment products and services, including equities, fixed income, multi-asset, and alternatives.
2. edX
- Product Type: Online Learning Platform
- Industry: Education Technology
- Founded Date: 2012
- Founders: Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Headquarters: Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Anant Agarwal
edX is an online learning platform that offers high-quality courses from prestigious universities and institutions worldwide. It provides access to courses in various subjects, such as computer science, Business, and humanities. Founded by Harvard University and MIT, edX aims to make education accessible to everyone, offering free and paid courses with the option to earn certificates or even pursue a university degree.
3. Udacity
- Product Type: Online Learning Platform
- Industry: Education Technology
- Founded Date: 2011
- Founders: Sebastian Thrun, David Stavens, Mike Sokolsky
- Headquarters: Mountain View, California, USA
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Gabe Dalporto
Udacity is an online education platform that provides courses in cutting-edge technologies and in-demand skills. With a mission to train the future workforce, Udacity offers nano degree programs in artificial intelligence, data science, programming, and more. These programs are designed in collaboration with industry experts and provide hands-on projects to help learners gain practical skills.
4. LinkedIn Learning (including Lynda.com)
- Product Type: Online Learning Platform
- Industry: Education Technology
- Founded Date: 1995 (Lynda.com), 2015 (LinkedIn Learning)
- Founders: Lynda Weinman, Bruce Heavin (Lynda.com), Jeff Weiner (LinkedIn Learning)
- Headquarters: Carpinteria, California, USA (Lynda.com), Sunnyvale, California, USA (LinkedIn Learning)
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Ryan Roslansky
LinkedIn Learning, formerly Lynda.com, is an online platform offering various video courses covering multiple topics. With a focus on professional development, LinkedIn Learning provides courses on Business, technology, creative skills, and more. Learners can access courses on-demand and at their own pace, with the option to earn certificates and enhance their skills for career advancement.
5. Khan Academy
- Product Type: Online Learning Platform
- Industry: Education Technology
- Founded Date: 2008
- Founders: Salman Khan
- Headquarters: Mountain View, California, USA
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Salman Khan
Khan Academy is a non-profit educational organization that provides free online courses and resources for learners of all ages. It offers various subjects, including math, science, history, and arts. Khan Academy aims to provide a personalized learning experience through its adaptive practice exercises, training programs, instructional videos, interactive quizzes, and courses that focus on helping students learn at their own pace and fill gaps in their knowledge.
6. Pluralsight
- Product Type: Online Learning Platform
- Industry: Education Technology
- Founded Date: 2004
- Founders: Aaron Skonnard, Keith Brown, Fritz Onion
- Headquarters: Draper, Utah, USA
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Aaron Skonnard
Pluralsight is an online learning platform offering technology-related courses for professionals and individuals seeking new technical skills. With a strong focus on software development, I.T. operations, and creative professions, Pluralsight provides a vast library of courses covering programming languages, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and design tools.
7. Skillshare
- Product Type: Online Learning Platform
- Industry: Education Technology
- Founded Date: 2010
- Founders: Michael Karnjanaprakorn, Malcolm Ong
- Headquarters: New York City, New York, USA
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Matt Cooper
Skillshare is an online learning community offering creative and practical courses that professionals teach. It has premium courses covering various subjects, including art, design, photography, writing, and entrepreneurship. Skillshare encourages a hands-on approach to learning, as students can participate in projects and interact with a supportive community of learners.
8. DataCamp
- Product Type: Online Learning Platform
- Industry: Education Technology
- Founded Date: 2013
- Founders: Jonathan Cornelissen, Dieter De Mesmaeker, Martijn Theuwissen
- Headquarters: New York City, New York, USA
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Martijn Theuwissen
DataCamp is an online learning platform specializing in data science and analytics courses. It offers interactive lessons, coding exercises, and real-world projects to help learners gain practical skills in programming languages such as Python and R. With a focus on data analysis and machine learning, DataCamp provides a comprehensive learning experience for individuals seeking to enter the data science field.
9. Codecademy
- Product Type: Online Learning Platform
- Industry: Education Technology
- Founded Date: 2011
- Founders: Zach Sims, Ryan Bubinski
- Headquarters: New York City, New York, USA
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Zach Sims
Codecademy is an online learning platform that teaches coding and programming skills. It has educational videos and offers interactive exercises and projects to help beginners learn programming languages like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Python. Codecademy’s hands-on approach and gamified learning experience make it an ideal platform for individuals starting their journey in coding.
10. FutureLearn
- Product Type: Online Learning Platform
- Industry: Education Technology
- Founded Date: 2012
- Founders: The Open University
- Headquarters: London, England, UK
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Simon Nelson
FutureLearn is an online platform offering diverse courses from leading universities and institutions worldwide. With a focus on social learning, the online course website FutureLearn provides interactive content, discussions, and quizzes to enhance the learning experience. Courses cover a variety of subjects, including Business, health, science, and humanities.
11. Udemy
- Product Type: Online Learning Platform
- Industry: Education Technology
- Founded Date: 2010
- Founders: Eren Bali, Oktay Caglar, Gagan Biyani
- Headquarters: San Francisco, California, USA
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Gregg Coccari
Udemy is a popular online learning marketplace that offers a wide range of courses taught by expert instructors. It covers a broad spectrum of subjects, including Business, technology, personal development, and creative arts. Udemy allows learners to choose courses based on their interests and learning goals, allowing them to acquire new skills at their own pace.
12. Skillsoft
- Product Type: Online Learning Platform
- Industry: Education Technology
- Founded Date: 1998
- Founders: Chuck Moran, Bill Donoghue
- Headquarters: Nashua, New Hampshire, USA
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Ron Hovsepian
Skillsoft is a global online learning platform that offers a comprehensive library of courses and resources for professional development. It provides learning solutions for businesses and organizations, offering courses in leadership development, I.T. skills, compliance training, and more. Skillsoft aims to help individuals and companies stay competitive in a rapidly evolving workforce.
13. MasterClass
- Product Type: Online Learning Platform
- Industry: Education Technology
- Founded Date: 2015
- Founders: David Rogier, Aaron Rasmussen
- Headquarters: San Francisco, California, USA
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: David Rogier
MasterClass is an online learning platform that offers video courses taught by world-renowned experts in various fields. With a focus on providing high-quality and engaging content, MasterClass brings together industry leaders, such as Gordon Ramsay, Natalie Portman, and Hans Zimmer, to share their knowledge and skills. Learners can access various classes, including cooking, writing, filmmaking, music, and more, allowing them to learn from the best in their respective fields.
14. Coursera Plus
- Product Type: Online Learning Platform
- Industry: Education Technology
- Founded Date: 2012
- Founders: Andrew Ng, Daphne Koller
- Headquarters: Mountain View, California, USA
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Jeff Maggioncalda
Coursera Plus is a subscription-based offering by Coursera that provides unlimited access to thousands of courses and Specializations on the platform. With a single subscription fee, learners can access courses from leading universities and institutions worldwide, allowing them to learn at their own pace and expand their knowledge in various domains. Coursera Plus offers a flexible and cost-effective option for individuals looking to enhance their skills and advance their careers through continuous learning.
15. Coursera for Business
- Product Type: Online Learning Platform
- Industry: Education Technology
- Founded Date: 2012
- Founders: Andrew Ng, Daphne Koller
- Headquarters: Mountain View, California, USA
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Jeff Maggioncalda
Coursera for Business is a platform designed to meet businesses’ and organizations’ learning and development needs. It offers curated content and enterprise-grade features to help companies upskill and reskill their workforce. Coursera for Business provides access to a wide range of courses and Specializations in data science, leadership, and technology, enabling companies to empower their employees with the necessary skills for success in the digital age.
16. Canvas Network
- Product Type: Online Learning Platform
- Industry: Education Technology
- Founded Date: 2012
- Founders: Instructure
- Headquarters: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Steve Daly
Canvas Network is an open online learning platform that allows educators to create and share courses with learners worldwide. It aims to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing within the education community. Canvas Network offers various courses on various subjects, including arts, sciences, Business, and technology. With its emphasis on community interaction, Canvas Network provides an engaging and dynamic learning environment for students and instructors.
17. Simplilearn
- Product Type: Online Learning Platform
- Industry: Education Technology
- Founded Date: 2009
- Founders: Krishna Kumar
- Headquarters: San Francisco, California, USA
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Krishna Kumar
Simplilearn is an online education platform that provides training and certification programs in digital marketing, data science, cloud computing, and other in-demand skills. With a mission to empower professionals with industry-relevant knowledge, Simplilearn offers a flexible learning experience through self-paced learning, live online classes, and hands-on projects. Learners can gain practical skills and industry-recognized certifications to enhance their career prospects.
18. AWS Training
- Product Type: Online Learning Platform
- Industry: Education Technology
- Founded Date: 2006
- Founders: Amazon Web Services
- Headquarters: Seattle, Washington, USA
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Andy Jassy
AWS Training is an Amazon Web Services (AWS) initiative to provide comprehensive training and certification programs for individuals and organizations using their cloud computing platform. With a wide range of courses and learning paths, the AWS Training program covers cloud architecture, machine learning, security, and more. It helps individuals develop the skills needed to effectively utilize AWS services and advance their careers in cloud computing.
19. Google Cloud Platform Training
- Product Type: Cloud computing services
- Industry: Information technology
- Founded Date: April 7, 2008
- Founders: Urs Hölzle, Jennifer M. Fitzpatrick
- Headquarters: Sunnyvale, California, United States
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Thomas Kurian
Google Cloud Platform Training offers online courses and resources to help individuals and businesses learn how to use Google Cloud services effectively. With a focus on cloud computing, data analysis, machine learning, and application development, Google Cloud Platform Training provides learners with the knowledge and skills to leverage Google’s robust cloud infrastructure for various purposes.
20. Microsoft Learn
- Product Type: E-learning platform
- Industry: Information technology
- Founded Date: 2018
- Headquarters: Redmond, Washington, United States
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Satya Nadella
Microsoft Learn is an online platform that provides free, interactive learning resources for individuals interested in Microsoft technologies and products. With hands-on labs, tutorials, and learning paths, Microsoft Learn covers various topics, including Azure cloud services, Office 365, programming languages, and more. Learners can develop skills and earn certifications to validate their expertise in Microsoft technologies.
21. Salesforce Trailhead
- Product Type: E-learning platform
- Industry: Cloud computing
- Founded Date: 2014
- Founders: Marc Benioff, Parker Harris
- Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Marc Benioff
Salesforce Trailhead is an online learning platform that offers interactive, gamified courses for individuals interested in learning about Salesforce products and technologies. With a focus on hands-on learning and practical exercises, Salesforce Trailhead provides a fun and engaging learning experience. Learners can earn badges and credentials to demonstrate proficiency in Salesforce services and enhance career opportunities.
22. HubSpot Academy
- Product Type: E-learning platform
- Industry: Marketing Software
- Founded Date: 2012
- Founders: Brian Halligan, Dharmesh Shah
- Headquarters: Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Brian Halligan
HubSpot Academy is an online learning platform that offers courses and certifications in inbound marketing, sales, customer service, and other relevant business topics. With a focus on providing practical knowledge and skills, HubSpot Academy delivers online courses that help individuals and professionals learn how to use HubSpot’s marketing and sales software suite effectively. Learners can gain insights into inbound methodologies, improve their marketing strategies, and enhance customer engagement.
23. Udacity Nanodegrees
- Product Type: E-learning platform
- Industry: Education technology
- Founded Date: 2011
- Founders: Sebastian Thrun, David Stavens, Mike Sokolsky
- Headquarters: Mountain View, California, United States
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Gabe Dalporto
Udacity Nanodegrees are specialized online learning programs focused on developing skills in high-demand tech fields, such as artificial intelligence, data science, programming, and more. With a hands-on and project-based approach, Udacity Nanodegrees enables learners to gain practical experience and work on real-world industry projects. Designed in collaboration with industry leaders, these programs prepare individuals for career advancement in tech-related industries.
24. IBM Training
- Product Type: E-learning platform
- Industry: Information technology
- Founded Date: 1911
- Founders: Charles Ranlett Flint
- Headquarters: Armonk, New York, United States
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Arvind Krishna
IBM Training provides a range of online courses and certification programs to help individuals develop skills in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, blockchain, cloud computing, and more. With a focus on IBM technologies and services, IBM Training offers self-paced and instructor-led courses to equip learners with the knowledge and expertise required to succeed in the digital era.
25. Oracle Learning Library
- Product Type: E-learning platform
- Industry: Information technology
- Founded Date: 1977
- Founders: Larry Ellison, Bob Miner, Ed Oates
- Headquarters: Redwood City, California, United States
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Safra Catz
Oracle Learning Library is an online platform that offers free resources, tutorials, and training materials for individuals interested in Oracle technologies and products. With a wide range of topics, including databases, cloud services, Java programming, and more, Oracle Learning Library provides learners with the necessary resources to develop their skills and proficiency in Oracle technologies.
26. CreativeLive
- Product Type: E-learning platform
- Industry: Education technology
- Founded Date: 2010
- Founders: Chase Jarvis, Craig Swanson
- Headquarters: Seattle, Washington, United States
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Chase Jarvis
CreativeLive is an online learning platform for creative professionals that offers classes and workshops in various creative fields, such as photography, art, design, music, and entrepreneurship. With live-streamed classes, on-demand video content, and the opportunity to interact with instructors and fellow students, CreativeLive provides a dynamic and immersive learning experience. Learners can deepen their creative skills, gain inspiration, and explore new artistic endeavors.
27. Alison
- Product Type: E-learning platform
- Industry: Education technology
- Founded Date: 2007
- Founders: Mike Feerick
- Headquarters: Galway, Ireland
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Mike Feerick
Alison is an online learning platform that offers free courses and certifications in various subjects, including Business, I.T., health, and lifestyle. With a focus on making education accessible to all, Alison provides interactive multimedia learning experiences, allowing learners to acquire new knowledge and skills. Learners can access courses at their own pace and earn certificates upon completion of professional courses, enhancing their credentials for career advancement.
28. Saylor Academy
- Product Type: E-learning platform
- Industry: Education technology
- Founded Date: 2008
- Founders: Michael Saylor
- Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Sean Connor
Saylor Academy is an online learning provider that offers free courses and open educational resources. With a commitment to accessible education, Saylor Academy covers a broad range of subjects, including Business, computer science, humanities, and more. Learners can get course materials, access self-paced courses, participate in quizzes and assessments, and earn certificates of completion to enhance their learning journey.
29. 360Learning
- Product Type: E-learning platform
- Industry: Education technology
- Founded Date: 2013
- Founders: Nicolas Hernandez, Guillaume Alary-Raisonnier, Sebastien Mignot
- Headquarters: Paris, France
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Nicolas Hernandez
360Learning is a collaborative learning platform that enables companies to create and deliver customized employee training programs. With its focus on peer-to-peer learning and social interaction, 360Learning facilitates knowledge-sharing and engagement within organizations. Companies can create and share interactive courses, track progress, and foster a culture of continuous learning and professional development.
30. General Assembly
- Product Type: E-learning platform
- Industry: Education technology
- Founded Date: 2011
- Founders: Jake Schwartz, Matt Brimer, Brad Hargreaves
- Headquarters: New York City, New York, United States
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Lisa Lewin
General Assembly is an educational institution that offers online and in-person courses and programs in various fields, including coding, design, data science, and Business. With a focus on practical skills and career transformation, General Assembly provides courses and workshops by industry professionals. Learners can gain hands-on experience, access career services, and join a global network of professionals, making the General Assembly a valuable resource for career advancement.
31. Treehouse
- Product Type: E-learning platform
- Industry: Education technology
- Founded Date: 2011
- Founders: Ryan Carson
- Headquarters: Portland, Oregon, United States
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Ryan Carson
Treehouse is an online learning platform that teaches coding and web development skills. It offers a wide range of beginner-friendly courses in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, and more. With a hands-on approach and project-based learning environment, Treehouse helps learners develop practical tech skills, build portfolios, and prepare for careers in the tech industry.
These were all the competitors of Coursera. If you know any other competitors, please write in the comments below.
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