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E-learning Platforms Last update: Jan 10, 2025

Coursera Vs DataCamp: Which Platform Will Boost Your Career?

Coursera vs DataCamp
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4.5

Best for

  • Data and AI Skills
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Written by

Catherine Cooke

Catherine Cooke

Upskillwise Advisor

I'm Catherine, originally from London, now living in Spain. My professional journey led me from being a certified teacher to a yoga instructor and then a freelancer designer. These changes were made possible by online learning platforms like Skillshare and Coursera. It wasn't always easy, but so worth it and inspired me to start Upskillwise.

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When it comes to online learning, two big names often come up: DataCamp and Coursera. Whether you’re aiming to boost your career or pick up new skills, each platform offers something unique. From mastering data skills to exploring a variety of subjects with accredited certificates, this comparison will help you decide which one fits your goals best. Let’s dive in!

Coursera Vs DataCamp Summary

Coursera is one of the largest online learning platforms, offering everything from free courses to affordable degree programs from top universities like Yale and industry leaders like Google. Most Coursera courses are paid individually, making it ideal if you’re seeking accredited certificates or specialized training. In contrast, DataCamp focuses on data science, analytics, and programming with hands-on, interactive learning. It operates on a subscription model, giving you unlimited access to its short, self-paced courses. While Coursera offers academic prestige and diverse subjects, DataCamp is perfect for quickly mastering practical data skills.

Coursera Vs DataCamp Vs Side by Side

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$9.99 USD

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Round 1: User Popularity

Let’s dive into how popular DataCamp and Coursera are among past users. To get a clear picture, I looked at Google search trends over the past two years. The results tell an interesting story.

DataCamp Vs Coursera Popularity
DataCamp Vs Coursera Popularity

Coursera emerges as the clear winner, with more than 3 times the amount of interest than DataCamp. This high level of interest shows clearly that more users are interested in Coursera.

Alongside search trends from other users, I’ve also considered my personal experience of using both these platforms for many years now.

Coursera has received some positive feedback from past users, one 5-star reviewer said, “I recently completed a specialization on Coursera, and I couldn’t be happier with the experience!”.

DataCamp has equally positive reviews, with one 4-star reviewer saying, “I’ve had a positive experience with DataCamp.The bite-sized lessons make it easy to fit learning into my busy schedule”.

While DataCamp has received some really positive feedback, Coursera’s higher search volume gives it an edge in this first round.

Winner: Coursera

We kick things off with Coursera taking the lead 0–1

Round 2: Pricing & Refunds

For most, it can be reassuring reading how amazing something is, but the price tag could make or break your decision to move forward. Both DataCamp and Coursera have impressive offerings and, as a user of both, I can verify that these two platforms are quite budget-friendly. That being said, let’s check out what is included and for how much.

DataCamp Coursera
No. of Courses 510+ 7,000+
Monthly Subscription $44 USD $59 USD
Annual Subscription

$336 USD

$399 USD

Free Trial & Courses Free Basic Plan 2,000+
Refund & Cancellation Policy N/A 14-day refund policy
More information Visit DataCamp.com Visit Coursera.org

DataCamp offers a generous perk: you can access the first chapter of any course for free with its basic plan, giving you a taste before committing. After that, you can opt for a monthly subscription at $39 or pay $300 annually for their Premium Plan, which unlocks unlimited access to the full course catalog, practice challenges, projects, and career tracks. For companies or teams, there’s an Enterprise Plan, with pricing tailored to your needs.

Coursera’s pricing is more varied. The most budget-friendly option is to audit courses for free—perfect if you just want to learn without earning a certificate. However, if you’re looking for credentials, paid certificates range from $39 to $99, depending on the course. For more in-depth learning, you can pursue Specializations or Professional Certificates, which cost between $39 and $79 per month, depending on your study pace. Coursera Plus, at $399 per year, gives you unlimited access to over 7,000 courses—ideal if you’re planning to rack up multiple certificates. They also offer online Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, priced from $9,000 to $50,000, and MasterTrack programs, which range from $2,000 to $5,000. Financial aid is available for most courses, making Coursera accessible to a wider audience.

Although Coursera’s pricing can be a bit complex, I appreciate the range of options, especially the ability to audit courses for free and apply for financial aid. For this reason, Coursera gets the edge in this round.

Winner: Coursera

Another win for Coursera, so that makes it now 0-2.

Round 3: Categories & Courses

As mentioned above, DataCamp and its categories are centered around data, programming and analytics. Its 510+ course catalog is divided into the following categories: Data Science, Machine Learning & AI, Programming, Data Engineering, Applied Finance, Visualization, and Career Tracks. Having a platform like DataCamp to deepen your understanding and skills in say AI, for example, has become increasingly more necessary as we progress in a tech dependent world. Plus, DataCamp offers certifications that are specifically tailored to help you gear up for roles like Data Analyst, Data Scientist or Data Engineer. I think these certifications are perfect if you’ve already got your sights set on one of these career paths and are ready to dive deep into the skills needed to get there.

Not being niche specific like DataCamp, Coursera’s categories allow students to access a far broader range of courses and programs. Learners can peruse an impressive 7,000+ course catalog, of which are provided by over 300 different universities and industry leaders. Its categories are: Data Science, Computer Science, Business, Health & Medicine, Social Sciences, Arts & Humanities, Physical Science & Engineering, Math & Logic, Personal Development, and IT.

Again, Coursera and DataCamp vary quite a bit on how content is taught, the type and level of interactivity, and the level of study. For example, DataCamp boasts hands-on learning via coding from the get go. A typical DataCamp course is divided into chapters—each chapter contains video content (5-20 min) that guides students through the steps to complete a hands-on exercise. After viewing the video, students complete a practical exercise such as coding and or a quiz and feedback is almost immediate upon completion. Another offering unique to DataCamp is Projects. Projects give students the opportunity to work on simulated real data problems happening around the world.

Coursera isn’t quite as hands-on, but the learning experience is still highly valuable. Its courses contain video lectures (5-20 min) with slides and practical examples, and are taught by university professors and or industry experts. Lectures are accompanied by quizzes and assessments to check understanding. Depending on the subject, most courses also proctor graded assignments and some even include peer-reviewed assignments.

People find themselves studying on DataCamp because they want to upskill in or at least understand data, tech, AI, etc. So you can probably guess what type of courses are its top 5 most popular. Without further ado:

  1. Introduction to Python: Learners flock to this course because, let’s face it, Python is the most common programming language and this course provides a very useful foundation for further education.
  2. Introduction to R: R is a household name among data analysts and therefore its popularity in this field is sensible.
  3. Data Science for Everyone: This course provides a solid overview of all things data and is geared towards professionals not in this field who want to learn about Data Science but not for work.
  4. SQL Fundamentals: Anyone interested in the field of Data Analytics and Database Management can take this course, as it provides foundational tools for a career in these respective industries.
  5. Machine Learning for Everyone: Of course, with AI encroaching on every aspect of our daily lives, at least one of the most popular courses is one that teaches the basics of using and developing AI systems.

Coursera, surprisingly, has some similar courses in its top 5 list. The world is definitely more and more affluent in technology, and so its use, management and development are increasingly more popular. Here are Coursera’s top 5:

  1. Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate: This course covers the basics of data analytics, tools like R, SQL and Tableau, and even prepares you for a career in the field.
  2. IBM Data Science Professional Certificate: Another course which provides a comprehensive guide of tools such as Python, SQL, machine learning, etc. Like the first course on this list, being offered by IBM—or in the former by Google—gives the certificate a higher value among future employers.
  3. Machine Learning by Stanford University: Taught by Andrew Ng, one of the most highly regarded researchers in the field, this course gives learners an in-depth understanding of algorithms and how they behave and what they mean. The subject matter, professor and university make this course favored by millions worldwide.
  4. The Science of Wellbeing (Yale University): As we all become more aware of the importance of self-care, courses like this one which center around happiness and wellness are universally important. This one provides strategies and techniques scientifically proven to improve mental health and life satisfaction.
  5. Programming for Everybody (Getting Started with Python) by the University of Michigan: Troves of people are finding it helpful to at least acquire some programming basics and since Python is the most common programming language, this course has gained worldwide popularity.

As you can see, even Coursera can provide some impressive offerings in the data and programming fields. And this is why, again, Coursera takes the win. Its categories include DataCamp’s and then loads more.

Winner: Coursera

This gives Coursera a greater lead, 0-3.

Round 4: Certificates

In today’s competitive job market, having a certificate can make you more employable by proving your skills to potential employers. From personal experience, I know this firsthand—earning a graphic design and illustration certificate gave me the confidence (and proof) I needed to showcase my abilities to a previous employer. Whether you’re looking for a career boost or just want to learn for fun, let’s see which platform offers the best certification options.

When you complete a course on DataCamp, you’ll earn a certificate, but keep in mind that it’s not accredited—so it doesn’t have the same formal recognition as an official qualification. However, if you’re after something industry-recognized, DataCamp’s certifications, developed in partnership with top industry leaders, are a great option. These certifications show you’ve mastered the skills needed for a specific job role.

DataCamp Certification
DataCamp Certification

Coursera, on the other hand, offers certificates and degrees that are partnered with top universities and industry leaders. This means they come with a higher level of credibility and recognition. Coursera uses verification systems to confirm student identities and proctors exams, ensuring that the certificate or degree you earn is legitimate and respected. With partnerships from institutions like Yale, Google, and more, Coursera’s certificates are widely recognized and valued by employers across many industries.

When it comes to certificates that enhance your employability, Coursera takes the lead with its accredited, verified credentials that carry significant weight in the job market.

Winner: Coursera

The score now stands at 0-4.

Round 5: Instructors

When it comes to learning something new or diving deeper into a field, one thing is certain: great instructors and how its content is delivered makes all the difference. Both DataCamp and Coursera bring their students top-tier instructors, but the criteria for what makes a “great teacher” differ between the two platforms.

DataCamp focuses on practical, interactive learning, so its instructors need to be not only skilled in their field but also effective at teaching hands-on techniques. You won’t find just any programmer teaching Python here. DataCamp ensures its instructors are industry experts with real-world experience, like Hugo Bowne-Anderson—a respected data scientist and podcast host in the data science community. While many of DataCamp’s instructors are professionals rather than academics, they bring the kind of practical expertise that helps learners quickly build job-ready skills. The focus is more on real-world application than on holding advanced degrees.

Coursera, on the other hand, partners with prestigious universities and organizations, so its instructors tend to be academically or professionally distinguished—or both. Courses are often taught by university professors, researchers, and industry leaders who combine deep theoretical knowledge with practical experience. For example, Andrew Ng, co-founder of Coursera and a professor at Stanford, leads AI courses. His blend of academic research and pioneering work at Google Brain makes him one of the leading voices in the AI field. On Coursera, you’ll be learning from some of the most respected names in their industries, with a balanced mix of theory and practice.

Coursera’s instructors are academic leaders from prestigious universities and top organizations, ensuring that the quality of teaching is exceptionally high. Their blend of scholarly expertise and industry experience sets them apart, giving Coursera the edge in this round.

Winner: Coursera

Coursera is racing ahead with the score at 0-5

Round 6: Customer Support

Even though many companies have 24/7 chatbots on their websites, what people still want and often need is good and responsive human customer support—the ability to talk to a person from the company and receive assistance resolving a problem. Unfortunately, some companies are moving away from the latter model and including a very thorough FAQ page in hopes that customers can resolve their own problems. When checking the reviews and thinking about my own experiences with both companies, DataCamp and Coursera customer service are slightly different.

DataCamp Help Center
DataCamp Help Center

DataCamp offers its users a help center and support articles—basically a FAQ page, email support, live chat for users with paid plans, community forums, and social media. Many users speak positively about the help received for troubleshooting technical difficulties, but some have complained about billing issues and having problems canceling plans. It also doesn’t offer a phone number to contact customer support. There is no direct way to speak with Customer Support. The email and live chat routes have worked perfectly for me, so I personally can’t complain. Follow-up responses tend to be received within 1–3 days.

Coursera Learner Help Center
Coursera Learner Help Center

Coursera also offers its users a help center and support articles, email support, live chat for learners with paid subscriptions, community forums and social media. But, unlike DataCamp, Coursera also has in-course support. This means during a lecture or while taking a course, students can report a problem or request assistance for further understanding within the course. With all that said, it too does not offer a way to contact customer support by phone. Reading some feedback, it seems Coursera doesn’t have the most timely response or follow up on students’ inquiries or complaints.

Winner: DataCamp

DataCamp comes through with a score of 1-5

Round 7: User Interface

When it comes to online learning, a user-friendly interface can make all the difference, especially for those of us who love continuing our education long after earning a degree. Both DataCamp and Coursera have put a lot of thought into their interface designs, making them intuitive and easy to navigate, ensuring that learners of all ages and experience levels can dive right in without feeling overwhelmed.

Registration on both platforms is free, and you can even sign up using a third-party account like your Google or Facebook account. Once you’ve registered, both feature a questionnaire of sorts to help point new users into the right direction—find the right program or course, for example. While the registration process for both DataCamp and Coursera is very streamlined, don’t forget to check for the email verification to verify your account.

DataCamp Registration
DataCamp Registration

The Filter System is a key aspect to helping learners find precisely what they’re looking for. With a course catalog of hundreds and thousands of courses—DataCamp and Coursera respectively—an efficient filter and search system means courses are selected without doubts or fuss. DataCamp’s filters allow users to quickly sort through Skill Tracks, Course Level, Technology, Topic, and Course Type. While Coursera’s filters are slightly different—Skill Level, Language, Duration, Price, Subject, Partner Institutions—they still allow for an impressive degree of filtering.

Navigating the platform is a breeze on DataCamp and Coursera. Once on the user dashboard, both give a clear overview of progress you have made and what you’re currently working on. On course pages, you’ll easily locate your progress within the course and the course content, be it videos, quizzes or hands-on projects. DataCamp additionally has its Interactive Coding Console, where students practice coding directly within the browser.

This is too tough of a call. So rather than split hairs, I’d say both DataCamp and Coursera deserve to win this round.

Winner: DataCamp & Coursera

That’s a tied round, putting the score at 2-6

Round 8: Community

Sometimes, when talking with friends and family about my journey studying online, the typical question is: how do you avoid feeling isolated or alone while studying online? Fortunately for me and all the other learners on DataCamp and Coursera, these two platforms possess vibrant online communities—albeit different styles.

DataCamp, being all about interactive learning, boasts discussion boards that are buzzing with coding collaborations, questions, ideas and feedback. You can also join competitions and challenges, again related to coding, which facilitate a highly engaging learning environment. In the forums and even via platforms like Slack, instructors and experts are within reach, which gives DataCamp students the ability to develop a network with peers and professionals.

The Coursera community is spread across many subjects and fields and can be course-specific or even within a particular field of study or program. It has active discussion forums as well as peer review groups. Contact with instructors and experts isn’t as easy to come by compared to DataCamp, but you can still find instructors participating in the discussion forums. Coursera has over 124 million users worldwide, so this also translates into each student having the opportunity to interact with peers and gain a professional network on a global scale.

Coursera Community
Coursera Community

Because of its unique hands-on design, DataCamp’s community is very much the winner in this round.

Winner: DataCamp

The score now stands at 3-6

Round 9: Teams & Businesses

With companies and organizations putting greater importance into employee growth and talent development—it’s far less expensive to invest in current employees than to hire new ones—online learning platforms help teams and businesses reach their training objectives. DataCamp and Coursera offer platforms for teams and companies, and both versions are quite popular but differ chiefly in their offerings and features.

DataCamp for Teams gives smaller groups within an organization the opportunity to add and or polish technical skills in all things data, AI, and programming. In this version, team leaders can follow along with their team members to mark and measure progress and meet skill levels. This version is fairly affordable, costing roughly $300/user/year.

DataCamp for Business
DataCamp for Business

DataCamp for Business is meant for a larger number of users, like that of an entire organization. Companies may want all of their employees, no matter the department, to become more tech-savvy, or AI competent. This version comes with even more advanced features such as organization-level monitoring of involvement, progress and ROI. Companies also have the possibility to create customized learning paths for the whole company or for specific departments.

Coursera for Teams is available for small to medium-sized groups which wish to improve skills in business, technology, data science and leadership. The admin dashboard includes features such as monitoring user progress and completion. Upon completion, employees can share their certificates directly on websites like LinkedIn. The price is $399/user/year.

Coursera for Business serves much larger companies—that is, organizations with a high number of users and across multiple departments. This version includes customizable programs for training and development for many types of industries. Companies have the ability to follow along as employees make progress. It also provides tools to analyze the impact courses and training have had on employees and entire departments.

Again, the most notable difference between DataCamp Teams & Business plans and those of Coursera Teams & Business is the audience and style of learning. DataCamp’s focus is all things data science, programming, AI, etc. Coursera has a greater variety of courses and far more programs to meet the upskill needs across multiple departments and different professional fields. It is true that DataCamp’s strong point is in its practical learning, however, Coursera for Business amps up its game with Coursera Labs featuring hands-on projects and employee access to tools and real-world challenges.

Coursera takes this win by a slim margin because both platforms are truly great for businesses and teams, but Coursera has greater potential to suit more than just data-tech-AI skill development needs.

Winner: Coursera

That means a final score of 3-7

Final Winner: Coursera

Bonus Round: Alternatives

MasterClass

Learn From VIP Instructors

4.7

Udacity

Best For Career Services

4.6

edX

Best for Verified Certificates

4.2

Final thoughts: DataCamp Vs Coursera

Both DataCamp and Coursera have a lot to offer, but depending on your needs, one may be a better fit than the other. If you’re focused on building skills in data science, programming, or AI through hands-on practice, DataCamp excels with its interactive learning approach and expert-led content. However, if you’re looking for a broader range of subjects or want certificates and degrees from top universities, Coursera stands out with its strong academic partnerships and more recognized credentials.

Ultimately, it comes down to what you’re hoping to achieve. DataCamp is a great choice for those wanting to dive deep into tech-related fields and gain practical, job-ready skills. Coursera, on the other hand, might be more appealing if you’re looking for more academic learning with a diverse range of topics.

In the end, you really can’t go wrong with either platform. The key is to decide which one aligns best with your personal learning goals, budget, and the type of credential or experience you’re seeking.

FAQs

Coursera offers courses across a wide range of subjects, including accredited degrees, while DataCamp focuses specifically on data science and analytics. DataCamp’s certificates are industry-recognized but not accredited, whereas Coursera provides options for accredited certifications and full degrees.