Treehouse vs Coursera: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Treehouse and Coursera comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Coursera wins this matchup. SendPulse is our overall Online Course Platforms pick. SendPulse is our free Online Course Platforms pick. Pick Treehouse if you need its specific feature set.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Treehouse
Learn to code and build tech skills through guided courses and bootcamps.
Best for you if:
- • You want wide variety of courses covering popular programming languages and tech skills
- • You want structured Techdegree Bootcamps provide comprehensive learning and certification
Coursera
Learn in-demand skills and earn degrees from top institutions
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
- • You want university courses
- • You want certificates
| At a Glance | Treehouse | Coursera |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $25/monthCourses | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Online Course Platforms | Online Course Platforms |
Rating | - | 2.8/5 |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Choose Treehouse or Coursera?
Choose Treehouse if
Learn to code and build tech skills through guided courses and bootcamps.
- You want wide variety of courses covering popular programming languages and tech skills
- You want structured Techdegree Bootcamps provide comprehensive learning and certification
- Budget matters ($25/month vs Free)
Choose Coursera if
Learn in-demand skills and earn degrees from top institutions
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want university courses
- You want certificates
| Feature | Treehouse | Coursera |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | ★2.8/5 1,867 reviews |
| Categories | Online Course PlatformsLearning & Training | Online Course PlatformsEducation & Learning |
In-Depth Analysis
Treehouse
Learn to code and build tech skills through guided courses and bootcamps.
Treehouse checkout prints Courses $25/month, Courses Plus $49/month, Techdegree $199/month.
Watch out
Nonprofit team rate is $199/seat/year, not $299.
Strengths
- +Wide variety of courses covering popular programming languages and tech skills.
- +Structured Techdegree Bootcamps provide comprehensive learning and certification.
- +Offers free content and a free trial to explore the platform.
- +Includes courses on emerging topics like AI and no-code development.
- +Real-time student support available in bootcamps.
Weaknesses
- -Pricing structure for paid plans is not explicitly detailed on the provided pages beyond the monthly cost.
- -The duration of the free trial is limited to 7 days.
- -Some advanced topics might require prior foundational knowledge.
Key features
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
- +University courses
- +Certificates
- +Quality content
- +Wide selection
- +Good for upskilling
Weaknesses
- -Expensive for certificates
- -Subscription model
- -Self-paced challenges
- -Quality varies
- -No practical projects
Key features
Pricing: Treehouse vs Coursera
| Plan | Treehouse | Coursera |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $25 month Courses | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | $49 month Courses Plus | $59 month Coursera Plus |
| Tier 3 | $199 month Techdegree | Custom For Business |
| Tier 4 | $299 year Teams (company) | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Treehouse pricing and Coursera pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Coursera has a free tier. Treehouse is paid only.
Go with: Coursera
Want the highest-rated option?
Coursera is rated 2.8/5. Treehouse has no ratings yet.
Go with: Coursera
Value user reviews?
Treehouse: no ratings yet. Coursera: 1,867 reviews (2.8/5).
Go with: Coursera
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Treehouse is paid. Coursera is freemium. Coursera lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Both are online course platforms tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Coursera is rated 2.8/5; Treehouse has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Coursera
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Treehouse
- Choose if you want learn to code and build tech skills through guided courses and bootcamps
The Bottom Line
Coursera wins this matchup. SendPulse is our overall Online Course Platforms pick. SendPulse is our free Online Course Platforms pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Treehouse or Coursera better?
Coursera is rated in our evaluation. Treehouse is paid and Coursera is freemium.
What are Treehouse and Coursera used for?
Treehouse: Learn to code and build tech skills through guided courses and bootcamps.. Coursera: Learn in-demand skills and earn degrees from top institutions.
What does Treehouse cost vs Coursera?
Treehouse is a paid tool. Coursera is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.