edX has been around for a little over a decade, helping millions of learners reach their educational and career goals by offering accredited courses and learning programs.
All of that is well and good, but if edX isn’t exactly what you’re looking for, it’s probably worth considering an alternative online learning platform. Like most things, online learning isn’t a one-size-fits-all. With that in mind, I’ve put together a handful of edX alternatives for you to consider, hopefully my curated list will help you find a platform that suits you best. Let’s get into it.
I’ve thoroughly researched various online learning platforms to ensure this article on edX alternatives is both informative and helpful. With my Master’s in Teaching and Education and years of experience using e-learning platforms, I’ve crafted this comprehensive review.
Catherine CookeUpskillwise Advisor
edX Alternatives Summary Table
Platform
Pros & Cons
- Partnered Organizations
- Accredited Certificates
- Free Learning
- Prior Knowledge
- Time Commitment
- Celebrity Instructors
- Highly Produced Content
- Money-Back Guarantee
- No Free Classes
- No Certificates
- Interactive Content
- Career Focused
- Free Content
- Lack of Variety
- Niche Centric
- Free Courses
- Career Focused
- No Udacity App
- Nicene centric
- Affordable
- Beginner Friendly
- No Verified Certificates
- Quality Varies
edX Alternatives In Detail
Below is a short list of edX competitors. After thoroughly exploring all, I’ve shared the important details that will hopefully help you decide ‘yay or nay’ to an edX alternative.
1. Coursera
Coursera focuses on a learner who is looking to develop their professional skills. Its offering of over 7,000+ courses, certificates and degrees from highly regarded universities and institutions, gives you plenty to choose from. Yes, that also means that whatever course or program you complete, it is accredited by an external educational institution or organization. Anyone considering a career change, Coursera gives the educational foundation to do so from the comfort of your preferred location here.
Coursera has a wide range of pricing options. You can audit thousands of courses, allowing you to learn for free, this does come with limited features. You can also pay per course to receive the certificate, pay for an entire degree, or subscribe to a monthly or yearly subscription with Coursera Plus. Coursera Plus paid per month is $59 and per year is a cheaper overall option at $399. Although its academic backbone means courses have a university look and feel, it doesn’t mean you have to wait until the trimester starts to begin a course. You can start most courses whenever you want, rather than having to wait months for them to be available. This is great, as you can start learning at any time.
Why Choose Coursera over edX?
From the list, Coursera is the most similar to edX, but with a few noteworthy differences. Both platforms offer a learning environment with stellar academic rigor, but Coursera is a bit more budget friendly. edX courses have specific start dates, and once the course is finished it is archived for weeks or even months. On Coursera, you can mostly start a course whenever you want. And one final significant difference between Coursera and edX that may inspire you to choose Coursera over edX is that its courses are available with interactive subtitles in English, Spanish, French, German, Chinese (both simplified and traditional), Korean, Japanese, Russian, and the list goes on. This is perfect if your preferred language of learning isn’t English. Overall, Coursera has won the academic hearts of millions of students across the globe. With all this considered, it maybe the wise choice for you as well.
2. MasterClass
While MasterClass is considered an online learning platform, the courses can be so entertaining and vibrant, learning becomes effortless. If you’re wondering how, it’s with cinematic style production and famous faces sharing their craft on screen. And with course categories ranging from Business & Entrepreneurship, Film & TV, Art & Design, Music and more. Its classes are regularly updated, and new niches are added, so there is always something entirely new to learn and explore.
You might jump to the conclusion that, with big names like Simone Biles, James Cameron, Alicia Keys and Cornel West teaching their talent on screen, it would cost an arm and a leg, but that’s not the case. In fact, you can get unlimited access to all 200+ classes for as little as $120 annually (working out at $10/month). Its classes are so engaging and entertaining and a real joy to watch, it’s worth noting they don’t offer any official certificates of completion. Saying that not everyone needs a proof of their learning.
Why Choose MasterClass over edX?
Some people love learning and love doing so in a way that isn’t demanding or academically rigid. MasterClass brings learning to a different level, a level where you can sit back after a long day and watch Niel deGrasse Tyson teach Scientific Thinking and Communication or watch Martha Stewart teach Think like a Boss, Live like a Legend. MasterClass price point is less than edX. While it’s true that pricing varies due to the academic possibilities provided by edX, being able to learn from key masters of their trade is unique and highly valued. If you’re like me, and not in need of paper to prove your learning, than MasterClass is a great option.
3. DataCamp
The world is constantly developing more and more technology and what once was only known to Data Scientists, now is permeating into our everyday lives. AI is now part of the average household and so, it’s no wonder that the tech industry continues to grow with no sign of slowing. Fortunately, for anyone looking to upskill and get hands-on experience from the get go, DataCamp is where you’ll find 400+ courses focused on IT, Data and AI. This platform is designed to bootstrap absolute beginners into the world of code.
What’s more is that DataCamp pricing is accessible to even those on a very limited budget. You can start out with a free basic membership and get access to the first chapter of each course, as well as non-premium classes and tutorials developed by its experts. If you prefer to have the full course access and the ability to earn a certificate, the premium subscription works out at just under $170 annually. Its certificates are not accredited but do hold some weight in the industry as many of the companies offering them are the same that want to hire you, and usually remotely.
Why Choose DataCamp over edX?
Both of these platforms are excellent in their own right. DataCamp shines in the data-tech-AI field. All its courses foster hands-on learning by doing approach. This equates to real experience from the get go. edX doesn’t meet that benchmark in this specific, ever-growing industry. DataCamp also boasts very affordable career tracks and bootcamps that can launch you into a tech job of your dreams and or help you reach that promotion you’ve been eyeing. edX can help learners achieve great academic leaps and offer accredited courses—albeit with more time and money dedication and far fewer hands on. If you want to enter, grow or just learn about data, code, AI, etc, your best bet is DataCamp.
4. Udacity
Back in 2011, two Stanford professors wanted to offer their Introduction to Artificial Intelligence course online and for free. Learners flocked from all around the globe to take the course, and with such a great demand, Udacity was created. Udacity offers nearly a hundred well-designed courses and Nanodegrees in all things Data Science, Programming & Developing, AI, Business, Autonomous Systems, Product Management, and Cloud Computing. Its courses include practical learning to promote job ready skills.
Students can learn at their own pace and pay a monthly subscription. Need to dive head first into a new remote tech job, but not looking to spend thousands of dollars? Access to all courses, Nanodegrees and career training with Udacity only costs $249/month. Some of the Nanodegrees can be completed in as little as 2 months. Its certificates and Nanodegrees are not recognized by any educational body, but the private online education provider is known around the world, and so having it on your resume may help you in a career move.
Why Choose Udacity over edX?
Much like DataCamp, Udacity is an excellent choice to jump into and or further yourself in a tech-programming-data-AI career. edX has some good options for pursuing a career in the same industry as Udacity, but far less specialized and a somewhat higher price tag. Udacity courses possess a high level of training and experience while learning, even for beginners. While edX can give you accredited certificates and degrees, it costs more and that isn’t always what is needed to secure a career boost. Perhaps Udacity would be a better choice.
5. Udemy
And last but not least, Udemy is the final contender on this list of edX Alternatives. Udemy provides courses to millions worldwide and with a very wide array of topics. It promotes the ability to learn hard and soft professional skills along with some personal development, all taught by industry specialists. The learning is all self-paced and, unlike edX, it is nondegree learning. Udemy courses can vary in quality, as they can be taught by anyone with the knowledge and experience.
Udemy pricing varies per course, ranging from $9.99 to $199.99. There is also the option to pay $20/month or $190/year for a Personal Plan and get access to about 10,000 courses, or pay $360/year/user for a Business Plan (minimum of 5 users) which includes access to over 210,000 courses. And if you have doubts and want to try Udemy before digging into your wallet, it has approximately 500 courses available for free.
Why Choose Udemy over edX?
edX is a great option for a more academic learning style. But their courses aren’t always available when you need them and the cost can sometimes exceed the average budget. Udemy rocks in course diversity, available on demand, and you can complete courses as slow or fast as you want. The outcomes, while not accompanied by any accredited certificate or degree, can lead to professional and personal development and improvement. If this sounds like your criteria, Udemy may be a better fit.
Last Thoughts: edX Alternatives
edX gives you the possibility to attend university remotely. The nature of its courses are academic, and therefore you’ll encounter pricing and style in line with universities. That could be what you want or need to step into a new career or improve your standing in your current profession.
But there are a fair number of alternatives that might be more practical and suitable for your timeline, interests, budget and or field of study. I hope after reading this short list, you’ll be able to find your best option for online learning, and possibly upskilling.
Key Takeaways:
- Learning objectives
- Industry
- Pricing
- Course variety
- Timing
FAQs
Yes, it does, and many are accredited by some of the most prestigious universities in the world.
Absolutely, yes. I’ve done it. edX and most of the alternatives in this article can certainly give you the possibility to change careers, but it depends on which career you want to pursue. Many of the alternatives, like DataCamp and Udacity, are great for fast track tech career development and growth.
Yes, there is the option to audit courses for free. Although, when auditing a course, either in person or online, you don’t earn any credit nor certificate upon completion. Auditing its courses is an excellent option to determine if the quality meets your expectations, or simply to learn without needing to show an official certificate.