Coursera vs Udemy: 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 Udemy side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Udemy leads on higher user rating and 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 university courses
Udemy
Affordable online courses on virtually any topic
Best for you if:
- • You want huge course library
| At a Glance | Coursera | Udemy |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $59/mo, billed monthly Coursera Plus plan | Free plan, paid from $30/user/mo, billed monthly Team plan |
Category | Education & Learning Online Course Platforms | Education & Learning Online Course Platforms |
Rating | 2.8/5 Trustpilot 1.4 · G2 4.5 1,867 reviews | 3.3/5 Trustpilot 1.7 · G2 4.5 · SourceForge 4.3 2,610 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | n/a | Instructor revenue share can drop to 37% without promotion. |
Choose Coursera or Udemy?
Choose Coursera if
- You want university courses
- You want certificates
Choose Udemy if
- You want huge course library
- You want affordable sales
- Budget matters ($30/user/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
Udemy
Affordable online courses on virtually any topic
Udemy's pricing for instructors is generous, offering a free tier with a 37% revenue share, which is competitive for a marketplace.
Watch out
Instructor revenue share can drop to 37% without promotion.
Strengths
- Pro: Huge course library
- Pro: Affordable sales
- Pro: Lifetime access
- Pro: Mobile app
- Pro: Many topics
Weaknesses
- Con: Quality varies greatly
- Con: No curation
- Con: Constant sales tactics
- Con: No subscription model
- Con: Certificate value low
Key features
Plans and prices: Coursera vs Udemy
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Coursera |
| coursera.org read Sep 29, 2026 |
| Udemy |
| udemy.com |
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 Udemy pricing.
Key Takeaways
Coursera
- Choose if you want learn in-demand skills and earn degrees from top institutions
Udemy
- Higher user rating: 3.3/5 vs 2.8/5
- Lower entry price: $30/user/mo, billed monthly vs $59/mo, billed monthly
What the data shows
On the data below, Udemy leads on higher user rating and lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Udemy has the higher user rating (2.8/5 from 1,867 reviews for Coursera, 3.3/5 from 2,610 reviews for Udemy).
- Udemy has the lower entry price: $30/user/mo, billed monthly (Team) against $59/mo, billed monthly (Coursera Plus) for Coursera.
- Both have 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 Udemy compare in 2026?
On the data below, Udemy leads on higher user rating and lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Udemy has the higher user rating (2.8/5 from 1,867 reviews for Coursera, 3.3/5 from 2,610 reviews for Udemy). Udemy has the lower entry price: $30/user/mo, billed monthly (Team) against $59/mo, billed monthly (Coursera Plus) for Coursera. Both have a free plan.
What are Coursera and Udemy used for?
Coursera: Learn in-demand skills and earn degrees from top institutions. Udemy: Affordable online courses on virtually any topic.
What does Coursera cost vs Udemy?
Coursera's cheapest paid plan is Coursera Plus at $59/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Udemy's cheapest paid plan is Team at $30/user/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Sep 29, 2026.
What's the main difference between Coursera and Udemy?
Coursera's main strength: university courses. Udemy's main strength: huge course library.