Coursera vs Laracasts: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Coursera and Laracasts side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Coursera leads on a free plan; Laracasts leads on lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Coursera
Learn in-demand skills and earn degrees from top institutions
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
Laracasts
Learn modern PHP and Laravel development through expert-led video tutorials and practical examples.
Best for you if:
- • You want to learn modern PHP and Laravel development through expert-led video tutorials and practical examples
| At a Glance | Coursera | Laracasts |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $59/mo, billed monthly Coursera Plus plan | From $25/mo, billed monthly Forever Solo plan |
Category | Education & Learning Online Course Platforms | Learning & Training Online Course Platforms |
Rating | 2.8/5 Trustpilot 1.4 · G2 4.5 1,867 reviews | 4.2/5 G2 4.6 · Trustpilot 2.8 12 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Watch out for | n/a | No free trial: the full $25/mo applies from day one |
Choose Coursera or Laracasts?
Choose Coursera if
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want to learn in-demand skills and earn degrees from top institutions
Choose Laracasts if
- You want to learn modern PHP and Laravel development through expert-led video tutorials and practical examples
- Budget matters ($25/mo, billed monthly vs $59/mo, billed monthly)
In-Depth Analysis
Coursera
Learn in-demand skills and earn degrees from top institutions
Coursera's pricing is generally fair, offering a valuable 'Free' tier for auditing courses.
Strengths
- Pro: University courses
- Pro: Certificates
- Pro: Quality content
- Pro: Wide selection
- Pro: Good for upskilling
Weaknesses
- Con: Expensive for certificates
- Con: Subscription model
- Con: Self-paced challenges
- Con: Quality varies
- Con: No practical projects
Key features
Laracasts
Learn modern PHP and Laravel development through expert-led video tutorials and practical examples.
At $25/mo for a single all-access tier, Laracasts sits in the middle of the developer-education market: pricier than a one-off Udemy course but far cheaper than a full Pluralsight subscription, and the 50% yearly discount brings it to roughly half that monthly rate.
Watch out
No free trial: the full $25/mo applies from day one
Strengths
- Pro: High-quality, expert-led instruction
- Pro: Focus on practical, real-world application
- Pro: Comprehensive coverage of Laravel ecosystem
- Pro: Engaging and easy-to-follow video format
- Pro: Active community for support and learning
Weaknesses
- Con: Primarily focused on PHP and Laravel, less diverse for other stacks
- Con: Subscription-based model, no free tier
- Con: Some content might become outdated over time (though regularly updated)
Key features
Plans and prices: Coursera vs Laracasts
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Coursera |
| coursera.org |
| Laracasts |
| laracasts.com read Nov 2, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Coursera pricing and Laracasts pricing.
Key Takeaways
Coursera
- Has a free plan
Laracasts
- Lower entry price: $25/mo, billed monthly vs $59/mo, billed monthly
What the data shows
On the data below, Coursera leads on a free plan; Laracasts leads on lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (2.8/5 from 1,867 reviews for Coursera, 4.2/5 from 12 reviews for Laracasts; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides).
- Laracasts has the lower entry price: $25/mo, billed monthly (Forever Solo) against $59/mo, billed monthly (Coursera Plus) for Coursera.
- Only Coursera has a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Coursera and Laracasts compare in 2026?
On the data below, Coursera leads on a free plan; Laracasts leads on lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (2.8/5 from 1,867 reviews for Coursera, 4.2/5 from 12 reviews for Laracasts; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides). Laracasts has the lower entry price: $25/mo, billed monthly (Forever Solo) against $59/mo, billed monthly (Coursera Plus) for Coursera. Only Coursera has a free plan.
What are Coursera and Laracasts used for?
Coursera: Learn in-demand skills and earn degrees from top institutions. Laracasts: Learn modern PHP and Laravel development through expert-led video tutorials and practical examples.
What does Coursera cost vs Laracasts?
Coursera's cheapest paid plan is Coursera Plus at $59/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Laracasts's cheapest paid plan is Forever Solo at $25/mo, billed monthly. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Nov 2, 2026.
What's the main difference between Coursera and Laracasts?
Coursera's main strength: university courses. Laracasts's main strength: high-quality, expert-led instruction.
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