Udemy vs LinkedIn Learning: Choosing the right platform for you

We get it — choosing the right learning platform for your business can be tough. There are so many options out there that it can be difficult to determine the best fit for you.

Don’t worry; we can help with that. To make your decision easier, we’re comparing some of the most popular platforms available. In this blog, we’re looking at Udemy vs LinkedIn Learning. Keep reading to find out the details.

Udemy

Udemy says it’s ‘changing learning for the better’. The online learning platform offers courses in everything from design and development to marketing and business growth. It even covers music and photography too. With such a broad range of courses, it’s not surprising that it’s a popular choice.

Want the specifics? Let’s dive into the details.

The stats

• 52 million+ learners.
• 75 languages.
• 68,000+ instructors.
• 196,000+ courses.
• 11,600+ enterprise customers.
• 712 million+ course enrollments.

Source: Udemy

The pros

• Scalable - Udemy is fully available online in 75 languages, meaning your employees can access learning from anywhere, any time.
• Individual and business access - The learning is accessible for individual students and enterprises, starting at reasonable prices.
• Wide variety of content - As well as offering a large amount of digital upskilling content, Udemy also covers subjects such as photography, personal development and music.
• Real-life instructors - Content is presented by passionate instructors who draw from real-world experiences.
• Learning is certified - Certificates can be shared with managers and colleagues — and added to CVs to showcase expertise.
• Easy to use - Udemy is easy to access and use, with a user-friendly interface that’s simple to navigate.

The cons

• Content isn’t consistent - While there are many benefits to independent teachers hosting learning on Udemy, it does have its drawbacks. Teachers create and have control over their own content, meaning content throughout the platform may lack consistency and might not have an unbiased viewpoint.
• Too broad? - Having endless options isn’t always a plus. If you’re looking for more specific learning or just want to digitally upskill your employees, there might be a better provider for you.
• Not accredited - Most of Udemy’s courses don’t have the backing of an accredited body. While they’ll still have valuable learnings, Udemy might not be the right platform if accreditation is important to you. Lack of accreditation can also impact quality standards as most accrediting bodies have certain lesson criteria that must be met. 

LinkedIn Learning

The stats

• Over 16,000 courses and learning paths.
• Dozens of new courses added each week.
• Available in seven languages.
• LinkedIn Learning members watch 29x more hours of learning content.
• 78% of Fortune 100 companies use the platform.

Main source: LinkedIn Learning

The pros

• Impressive amount of content - LinkedIn Learning has over 16,000 courses, ranging in topics covering business, technology and creative subjects.
• Learn any time, anywhere - Just like the social media counterpart of the platform, LinkedIn Learning is available globally. As it’s entirely online and available in multiple languages, employees can access the learning at a time that suits them, no matter where they are.
• Instructors with valuable experience - Learning is hosted by instructors with real-life experience, ensuring relevance and topical examples to complement the training.
• Show off your skills - LinkedIn Learning certificates can be displayed on LinkedIn profiles, showcasing skills to a wider network.
• Community - There’s a community function where learners can collaborate with colleagues and instructors, facilitating learner engagement.

The cons

• Learning level isn't as advanced - Some of the topics are at a basic level, so they may not be useful to all employees.
• Is a lot too much? - While a learning library of this size is impressive, is it actually an overwhelming amount? And can the quality be guaranteed throughout all of the courses?
• Potentially out of date content - To follow the previous point, is it possible to keep this volume of content up to date and current?
• Not accredited - Similarly to Udemy, a university or partner doesn’t accredit LinkedIn Learning courses.

Choosing the right platform for you

So there you have it — a rundown of Udemy vs LinkedIn Learning. We hope we’ve given you some food for thought.

While both platforms have many positives and negatives, choosing the right provider for you comes down to several unique factors. When considering your options, you should think about your learning goals and preferences, the quality of the training, your budget and the skills you are trying to obtain.

It’s worth conducting an audit to determine what’s important to you and which providers best match these needs.

Need an extra helping hand?

We’re here to support you with our insightful guide. Choosing the right digital training courses provider is the resource you need to help you decide which platform is right for you. We cover everything from the types of platforms available and more information about who Circus Street are. Want to take a look? Download by clicking the link below.