10 Best Sites For Online Education Courses In 2025
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We’ve researched and personally tried dozens of the best online courses — these are our picks that are interesting, credible, and affordable too.
Many of us follow a pretty typical education trajectory: Elementary school, middle school, high school. Some of us go on to college or university, and others go even further, earning higher degrees and making careers in academia. No matter how far your formal education journey takes you, learning doesn’t have to stop there. We can continue learning — whether for career advancement or simply for fun.
Why consider online courses?
Online learning platforms offer lots of advantages for anyone looking to advance their career or learn something new. They are flexible and accessible in comparison to in person classes, as you’ll be able to access course materials anytime and anywhere you have access to a computer and an internet connection. Most online courses allow for self-paced learning, making it easier to commit and follow through with the workload as your personal schedule and priorities shift (here’s our tips on how to stay productive while learning remotely). You can even access online courses from institutions anywhere across the globe, allowing you to learn from top experts without having to leave your home.
You’ll find online courses are also more affordable than in-person lectures. By studying online, you’ll save tons of money that would typically be spent on commuting and accommodations. Online courses, by comparison, are also cheaper than traditional in-person classes, making it easier for you to advance your skills on your terms. Many courses also offer training on both broad and specialized areas that you typically might not find at a traditional educational institute. The best part is, once you successfully complete your online course, most platforms will present you with a certificate to show off your hard work and new skills!
That’s why we love these ten learning platforms that are leading the way in online education. These websites are free or low-cost and offer courses from a wide spectrum of topics like knife and cooking basics to graphic design and mobile development. For the tech lover, language learner, or aspiring artist, there’s something for everyone.
Our criteria:
Our editors have audited dozens of online courses and learning platforms and scoured thousands of customer reviews for this round-up of our favorite educational sites. Whether you’re looking to build professional skills, learn how to cook, or dive deep into new research, there are options on this list for you. We regularly update this guide with emerging favorites that meet our criteria below:
- EXPERT INSTRUCTORS | These online course websites offer a wide selection of courses taught by certified professionals who have authority in their industry. You can learn from world-renowned experts from the comfort of your own home!
- RANGE OF COURSES AND CERTIFICATIONS | Each of these learning websites provides courses and certifications for various relevant and in-demand skills, topics, and professions.
- AFFORDABILITY | We’ve prioritized low-cost and free online learning platforms on this list. Other platforms include hundreds of hours of content and other perks like in-person meetings, making them well worth the investment.
No matter where you are in the world or your educational background, let’s keep learning together with these online training and certification programs.
(Psst, and for a subject close to our hearts, check out this list of our favorite online writing classes!)
Best Overall | Best For Casual Learners | Best Free Option
1. Coursera
Best For | On-demand higher education degrees, university certificates & credits
Features | Certifications & degrees available, courses taught by experts from 250+ leading universities & companies, ability to earn recognized credentials, available app
Our Pick | AI For Everyone
Pricing | Guided projects (starting at $10/per course); Specialized program (starting at $49/month); degrees (starting at $9K)
Coursera believes that everyone should be able to learn anywhere, anytime, and from the world’s top education providers. Since then, it’s reached over 162 million learners and partnered with more than 350 universities to bring all kinds of content to users. Whether you’re looking for a general course, a specific specialization, or a university-recognized degree, Coursera will be your one-stop-shop. You’ll find specializations in topics like data science or econometrics as well as degrees that can be taught over one to four years.
Student Review | “I used to have an abstract idea of what AI is. Most times, all I can think of are robots when it comes to AI. The course is an eye opener for anyone who wants to understand AI in the simplest of ways.” – AE. (Read more reviews.)
2. Masterclass
Best For | On-demand classes from industry experts across fields
Features | Courses taught by globally-recognized icons & experts, 200+ classes available, available app, available on Roku & Amazon, subtitles available in select classes
Our Pick | Gordon Ramsay Teaches Cooking II: Restaurant Recipes at Home
Pricing | Starting at $120/year (Unlimited classes)
Masterclass brings revered and renowned heroes, icons, and experts to your screen for one-on-one classes in their areas of expertise. Whether you’re learning acting from Natalie Portman, scientific thinking from astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson, or self-expression from famed queen of drag RuPaul, each practice and process is broken down into an average of 20 on-demand, cinematically produced video lessons and a downloadable workbook with optional assignments. With over 200 instructors offering high quality education and insight, the fields you can explore are endless.
Student Review | “I’ve watched 36 MasterClasses by tuning in while I’m in the bathroom, eating, and doing chores around the house. MasterClass teaches us how to live – with passion, grit, humility, and with a process that makes our life journeys something to savor instead” – Clarissa (Read more reviews.)
3. Udemy
Best For | Affordable classes for professional skills
Features | Certifications available, courses taught by real-world experts, 250K+ courses available, 75M+ learners globally, available app
Our Pick | Ultimate Photoshop Training: From Beginner to Pro 2025 + AI
Pricing | $35/month for personal plan; à la carte ($20 – $200+)
Udemy’s focus is to make quality education more accessible — and they’ve made some serious progress. To date, it’s achieved over 1 billion enrollments around the world with courses ranging from Instagram marketing to aromatherapy. Starting at just $20, you can access more than 250,000 online courses that work with your pace and your lifestyle — plus, it’s yours forever. There’s a reason why businesses like Adidas and Mercedes-Benz utilize Udemy for their teams. Available in many languages and accessible around the world, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by taking up Udemy’s trial offer — time to get to learning!
Student Review | “I’ve learned a lot from this course. Chris is a great instructor and he goes into extreme detail so everyone can understand. I recommend this course to everyone who wants to start using photoshop and more advanced users too.” – Nikola S. (Read more reviews.)
4. edX
Best For | Self-paced college courses from top institutions
Features | Certifications & degrees available, courses taught by experts & professors, partnered with universities, 4,600+ programs available, 86M+ learners, available app
Our Pick | Web3x: Introduction to Blockchain and Web3
Pricing | Free – $25,000+ (Online Master’s Degrees)
What happens when two of the most prestigious higher education institutions come together for open learning? edX. Harvard and MIT collaborated to create the only MOOC (massive online open courses) provider and nonprofit around. Today, it works with more than 260 partners, including MIT, Columbia University, and Georgia Tech, to name a few. The online learning options run the gamut: You can choose one course or an online Master’s Degrees, with a range of professional certificates and “micro” Master’s programs.
Student Review | “This course helped me think about the person I want to be. The mental space that it afforded me allowed me to broaden my horizons and think about opportunities I hadn’t considered before.” – Maggie B. (Read more reviews.)
5. Skillshare
Best For | Accessible classes for personal and business development
Features | Certifications available, courses taught by knowledgeable teachers, available app
Our Pick | Introduction to SEO: Tactics and Strategy for Entrepreneurs
Pricing | $32/month or $168 annually
Skillshare offers more than 25,000 classes to anyone, anywhere, based on design, business, tech, and more. It prides itself on providing more than just access to education; Skillshare considers itself an online learning community of more than 600K active members. At Skillshare, you can learn skills, network with others, and discover new opportunities, all in one place. Try out different classes during their one-month free trial (check out “Going Freelance” or “Intro to SEO”), and if you upgrade to Premium you can unlock even more. Those funds enable them to pay teachers, and you’ll have access to classes offline and without ads.
Student Review | “I have an understanding that, even if the work is not perfect, it’s a work in progress. And the reason why I’m on Skillshare is to develop a skill. I feel that it’s a safe space.” – DeVeor R. (Read more reviews.)
6. LinkedIn Learning
Best For | Professional development
Features | Certifications available, courses taught by industry professionals, personalized course recommendations, available app
Our Pick | Excel Essential Training (Microsoft 365)
Pricing | Starts at $20/month for annual plan (Unlimited classes)
You’ve likely already heard of LinkedIn, and may even currently use it for networking and job-searching. But the employment-oriented service also offers online education. With LinkedIn Learning, you gain access to over 20,000 expert-led classes across business, technology, and creative. (Dozens are added every week and there’s no limit to how many you can watch.) The platform also provides personalized course recommendations based on your skills. With classes available in 13 languages, you can download exercise files so you can practice while you learn and will earn a certificate for each class you complete.
Student Review | “I enjoy this a lot and have tried out a couple of applications already and it was awesome. Thank you” – Patricia V. (Read more reviews.)
7. Alison
Best For | Free online classes for endless learning
Features | Certifications & diplomas available, courses taught by the world’s leading experts, 10M+ graduates across the globe, available app
Our Pick | Diploma in Caregiving
Pricing | Free, paid certifications/diplomas available
No matter what your interest is, Alison likely has a course for you, including ones that offer certifications and diplomas. Completely free to use, payment only comes in with certified or diploma courses. Otherwise, you can learn to your heart’s content on topics like project management, web design, or amateur French and German. Not sure where to start? Check out the Career Guide for many career paths and associated class options. From architecture to manufacturing to human services, you can find knowledgeable instructors and high-quality content for every imaginable subject.
Student Review | “The course was well-structured and very educational. I’m glad I took this course” – Mary M. (Read more reviews.)
8. Udacity
Best For | Online classes for in-demand tech and programming skills
Features | Certifications & nanodegrees available, courses taught by industry experts, 205K nanodegree certifications earned, available app
Our Pick | Front End Web Developer
Pricing | Starts at $249/year (Unlimited classes)
Students first — that’s the policy of Udacity, an online learning platform started by two Stanford instructors who knew that offering up quality education would revolutionize the future of learning. What began as an “Introduction to Artificial Intelligence” course soon became hundreds of classes that focus on in-demand skills like virtual reality, full-stack development, and even self-driving cars. Ideal if you’re looking for a job in the world of tech or programming, Udacity’s classes are free. You only have to pay if you want to pursue a “nanodegree” which takes you down a specific career path.
Student Review | “I started with the basics, completed a Nanodegree program, and gained so much experience. I’m now in a new Android job!” – Mahmoud (Read more reviews.)
9. Khan Academy
Best For | Nonprofit based learning courses for students pre-k to college
Features | Classes taught by teachers and experts, available in 36 languages, available app
Our Pick | World History
Pricing | Free
Khan Academy is a non-for-profit learning resource with a mission to empower students’ education through their accessible online platform. Started by one man who simply wanted to tutor math to his cousin, the company has now grown into a huge team that’s committed to offering world class educational skills. Here, you’ll find foundational school courses ranging from 6th grade math and AP college physics to SAT test prep and financial literacy classes. Best of all, these courses are self-paced, offer both instructional videos and exercises, and are 100% free! Take your growth into your own hands and at your own pace.
Student Review | “I just found your web site. I am 72 years old and I am now taking up learning where I left off. Thank you so much for all your hard work.” – Barbara (Read more reviews.)
10. Babbel
Best For | Online courses for learning a new language
Features | Learning platform via app, live online classes & podcasts, 60K lessons across 14 languages, 650+ certified language teachers & linguistics experts
Our Pick | Learn Indonesian
Pricing | $18 (one month app access) — $299 (lifetime access)
Babbel is all about helping you learn a new language and seeing where it takes you! Starting back in 2007 with roots in music, the founders realized there was no online solution for language learning and decided to create one, driven by a mission to foster connection and growth through language. With award-winning courses, innovative technology, and recognition as the “Most Innovative Language Learning Company” by Fast Company, Babbel is revolutionizing how we learn and connect. Whether you’re using the Babbel app, joining live online classes with certified teachers, listening to podcasts, or exploring Babbel for Business, their goal is to guide you toward real-life conversations. Offering lessons in 14 languages, including Spanish, French, German, Italian, and Indonesian, Babbel has become the most-sold language learning platform with over 16 million subscriptions.
Student Review | “An actually motivational language-learning app. It assigns me seven activities each week with a satisfying activity tracker that fills up as I check off lessons.” – WSJ (Read more reviews.)
