Skillshare has become a popular platform for online learning, offering courses on topics from design and business to lifestyle and creative arts. While Skillshare remains popular for online learning, there are numerous alternatives with unique features and courses across various subjects. Whether you’re interested in coding, creative arts, professional development, or university-level courses, here’s a list of the 12 best Skillshare alternatives in 2025 with detailed insights into each platform’s benefits and drawbacks.
Best Skillshare Alternatives
What is SkillShare
Skillshare is an online learning platform that offers thousands of video courses on a variety of topics like design, photography, business, and more. With Skillshare, users can access expert-led lessons to build new skills or enhance existing ones. If you’re looking to start a creative hobby or advance in your career, there are many websites like skillshare for free It’s a popular choice for those seeking hands-on, creative-focused learning experiences without the need for formal certifications.
Top Skillshare Alternatives for Online Learning in 2025
Explore these top online learning platforms offering unique features for different types of learners.
1. Udemy – Best for Affordable Courses
Udemy is one of the largest online learning platforms, with courses on nearly every topic imaginable. Known for its frequent discounts, Udemy provides affordable learning for users on a budget.
Key Features:
- Over 200,000 courses in various subjects
- Lifetime access to purchased courses
- Regular discounts on courses
- Compatible with both desktop and mobile devices
Best For:
- Users who want affordable, one-time payment courses with a wide range of topics
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable with frequent discounts | Quality can vary across courses |
| Lifetime access to courses | Certificates not accredited |
| Wide variety of topics available | No interactive or live classes |
Pricing:
- Worldwide: Courses range from $10 to $200 with frequent discounts
2. Coursera – Best for University-Level Courses
Coursera partners with top universities and institutions to deliver high-quality, accredited courses. It offers free and paid options, along with professional certificates and even degree programs.
Key Features:
- Courses from institutions like Yale and Stanford
- Accredited certificates and degrees
- Free courses with optional paid certificates
- Desktop and mobile access
Best For:
- Learners interested in accredited university-level courses and certificates
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Access to top universities | Some courses require subscriptions |
| Offers degrees and professional certificates | Pricier than other platforms |
| Flexible learning options | Not all courses offer certificates |
Pricing:
- Worldwide: Free courses available; certificates start from $39/month
3. LinkedIn Learning – Best for Professional Development
LinkedIn Learning focuses on business, technology, and creative skills, making it an excellent choice for career-driven individuals. Completed courses can be added to your LinkedIn profile, enhancing professional visibility.
Key Features:
- Over 16,000 courses with a focus on career development
- Integration with LinkedIn profiles
- Personalized course recommendations
- One-month free trial
Best For:
- Professionals looking to build career-related skills and enhance their LinkedIn profiles
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Courses focused on job skills | Limited creative and hobby courses |
| Integration with LinkedIn | Subscription required for access |
| Personalized recommendations | Pricier than other platforms |
Pricing:
- Worldwide: $39.99/month or $19.99/month with an annual plan
4. MasterClass – Best for Celebrity-Led Courses
MasterClass offers an exclusive library of courses taught by celebrities and industry leaders, such as Gordon Ramsay, Shonda Rhimes, and Serena Williams. The courses focus on creative arts, cooking, business, and more.
Key Features:
- Celebrity-led courses on creative and professional topics
- High-quality video production
- Access to all classes with one subscription
- Mobile and desktop access
Best For:
- Learners seeking inspiration and guidance from top industry experts and celebrities
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Taught by renowned celebrities | Lacks in-depth, technical courses |
| Excellent video quality | No free courses or certificates |
| Broad range of topics | Subscription required |
Pricing:
- Worldwide: $10/month billed annually for unlimited access
5. edX – Best for Accredited University Courses
edX partners with top universities and colleges, including Harvard and MIT, offering free courses and paid certificates. It’s ideal for learners interested in higher education and professional certificates.
Key Features:
- Courses from prestigious institutions like Harvard and MIT
- Professional certificates and degrees available
- Self-paced, flexible learning options
- Free access to many courses
Best For:
- Learners looking for accredited courses and certificates from top universities
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| High-quality courses from top universities | Paid certificates can be costly |
| Free courses available | Limited interactive features |
| Options for full degree programs | Limited app functionality |
Pricing:
- Worldwide: Free course access; certificates start from $50
6. Pluralsight – Best for Technology and IT Skills
Pluralsight is a tech-focused platform offering in-depth courses on IT, programming, and data science. It’s widely used by professionals looking to build and enhance their technical skills.
Key Features:
- Courses focused on technology and IT skills
- Skill assessments and personalized learning paths
- Certificates of completion for professional use
- Mobile and offline access
Best For:
- IT professionals and developers seeking to upgrade their technical skills
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Comprehensive tech-focused content | Limited non-tech courses |
| Personalized learning paths | Subscription is relatively expensive |
| Regularly updated content | Not beginner-friendly for all topics |
Pricing:
- Worldwide: $29/month for personal plans, with premium options available
7. Khan Academy – Best for Free Educational Content
Khan Academy is a nonprofit platform offering free courses on topics like math, science, and programming. It’s ideal for learners of all ages, from primary school to college.
Key Features:
- 100% free content across a range of subjects
- Suitable for students, teachers, and professionals
- Interactive exercises and quizzes
- Available on desktop and mobile apps
Best For:
- Learners seeking free, high-quality educational resources for various subjects
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Completely free | Limited professional-level courses |
| Great for primary and secondary education | Limited certifications |
| High-quality, interactive resources | Lacks advanced industry certifications |
Pricing:
- Worldwide: Free
8. Teachable – Best for Course Creators
Teachable is a platform that enables users to create and sell their own courses, making it perfect for educators and influencers looking to monetize their expertise.
Key Features:
- Tools for creating and marketing courses
- No coding required for course creation
- Integrated payment processing
- Customizable design options
Best For:
- Educators and content creators who want to build and sell online courses
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Ideal for course creators | Not suitable for traditional learning |
| Integrated payment processing | Transaction fees on lower plans |
| Customizable course design | Requires effort to build courses from scratch |
Pricing:
- Worldwide: Free to join; premium plans start at $39/month
9. Treehouse – Best for Coding and Development
Treehouse specializes in courses on coding, web development, and software engineering, providing a hands-on learning approach with projects and exercises.
Key Features:
- Focused on coding, web development, and tech skills
- Hands-on projects and interactive exercises
- Self-paced courses with beginner-friendly content
- Mobile and desktop access
Best For:
- Beginners and professionals wanting to improve coding and software development skills
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Practical projects and exercises | Limited subjects outside of tech |
| Great for beginners | Higher price for limited topics |
| Self-paced with guided paths | Limited advanced courses |
Pricing:
- Worldwide: $25/month with a free trial available
10. FutureLearn – Best for Short, University-Backed Courses
FutureLearn offers short courses, certificates, and degrees developed by universities and cultural institutions, making it suitable for those seeking certified knowledge without long commitments.
Key Features:
- Courses from reputable universities and institutions
- Options for certificates and degree programs
- Free access with paid certificates
- Flexible, self-paced learning
Best For:
- Learners interested in short, university-backed courses with certification
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| University-quality content | Paid certificates required for free courses |
| Suitable for short-term learning | Limited topics outside of humanities and sciences |
| Flexible with self-paced options | Certificate costs can add up |
Pricing:
- Worldwide: Free access with certificates starting from $59
11. GeeksforGeeks – Best for Coding and Programming
GeeksforGeeks is a popular platform for developers, offering tutorials, quizzes, and coding problems in various programming languages. It’s widely used by beginners and professionals alike to sharpen coding skills.
Key Features:
- Coding tutorials and challenges across multiple languages
- Competitive programming and interview preparation
- Free access with premium options
- Ideal for beginner and advanced developers
Best For:
- Developers seeking practical coding knowledge and interview prep
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Free tutorials and coding challenges | Limited interactivity and video content |
| Covers a wide range of coding languages | Premium content can be costly |
| Great for competitive programming | Primarily text-based resources |
Pricing:
- Worldwide: Free access; premium plans starting from $10/month
12. Skill Success – Best for All-Round Skill Development
Skill Success provides a wide array of courses on topics like business, personal development, and technology. It’s perfect for those looking to broaden their skill set across various disciplines.
Key Features:
- Wide range of topics including personal development and business
- One-time payment for course bundles
- Self-paced and flexible learning
- Available on both desktop and mobile
Best For:
- Learners seeking affordable courses in various topics
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Wide range of subjects | No accredited certificates |
| Affordable one-time payments | Limited advanced or professional courses |
| Self-paced with flexible access | Quality varies among instructors |
Pricing:
- Worldwide: Courses typically range from $10 to $300
Conclusion
Whether you’re interested in professional development, tech skills, or creative arts, there’s a Skillshare alternative for every type of learner. Udemy and Coursera cater to broad topics, while GeeksforGeeks and Treehouse are ideal for developers. For those interested in accredited learning, edX and FutureLearn offer courses from reputable universities.
12 Best Skillshare Alternatives – FAQs
Which platform is best for professional courses?
LinkedIn Learning and Coursera offer professional courses that can enhance your resume and LinkedIn profile.
Are there free Skillshare alternatives?
Yes, Khan Academy and GeeksforGeeks offer free resources, especially for coding and academic subjects.
Which Skillshare alternative is best for coding?
Treehouse, Pluralsight, and GeeksforGeeks are top choices for coding and development courses.
Can I get certificates from these platforms?
Yes, Coursera, edX, and LinkedIn Learning offer certificates, some of which are accredited.
What’s the best platform for creative learning?
MasterClass and Udemy offer creative courses, with MasterClass featuring courses taught by industry experts.
