Coursera vs. LinkedIn Learning Pros and Cons: How to Choose in 2025
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Whether you are a college student, an employee, a manager, or a boss; whether you are searching for a job, improving your abilities, or buying for your employees; you may be interested in learning courses to improve your skills and get certificates. And, Coursera and LinkedIn Learning are competitive ones. If you are considering taking any one of them, here are some criteria that you can take.
This post will introduce whether they are worth the cost or not, from benefits, pros & cons, specific courses, and certificates. So you can compare Coursera and LinkedIn learning to choose the best one.
What is Coursera
Coursera is a popular online learning platform founded in 2012 by Stanford University professors Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller. It partners with leading universities, companies, and institutions worldwide to offer thousands of online courses, certificates, and degree programs. Students can learn various subjects including business, technology, data science, healthcare, arts, and humanities. Courses typically include video lectures, assignments, quizzes, and peer-reviewed projects. While many courses are free, learners can pay to receive verified certificates upon completion.
Coursera’s flexible, self-paced learning model allows students to access quality education from anywhere in the world, making it a valuable resource for professional development and lifelong learning.
What is LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com) is an online educational platform owned by LinkedIn that offers video courses taught by industry experts in software, creative, and business skills. The platform provides over 16,000 courses in multiple languages, adding new weekly content. It’s particularly valuable for professional development and career advancement, as it integrates seamlessly with LinkedIn profiles. Users can earn certificates upon course completion, which can be displayed on their LinkedIn profiles.
The platform offers personalized course recommendations based on your job title, skills, and interests. Many companies and organizations provide LinkedIn Learning access to their employees as part of professional development programs. Courses can be accessed through monthly or annual subscriptions.
Quick Check Coursera vs. LinkedIn Learning Pros and Cons
First, take a quick look at the comparisons between Corsera and LinkedIn Learning. What are the benefits and disadvantages of them:
| Name | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Coursera | 1. Provided by leading universities and companies 2. High-quality, structured course content 3. Accredited degrees and professional certificates from companies like Google, IBM 4. Access content anywhere, anytime 5. Wide range of subjects 6. Different difficulty levels | 1. Some courses can be expensive 2. Courses can be lengthy 3. The peer review system can be slow 4. Mobile app limitations |
| LinkedIn Learning | 1. Business-oriented content and Industry-relevant skills 2. Add certificates and skills to your LinkedIn profile 3. Get recommendations based on the skills 4. Open to get exercise files, assessments, and transcripts for the video 5. Offline viewing available | 1. No individual course purchase option 2. No accredited degrees 3. Certificates less recognized academically 4. Less rigorous than traditional education 5. Limited advanced-level content |
Coursera is particularly valuable for those seeking a balance between academic rigor and professional development, with a strong emphasis on credentialing and comprehensive learning. It is ideal for those seeking university-level education online, and also suitable for career changers wanting recognized qualifications.
LinkedIn Learning has the best value when included with LinkedIn Premium. Since it strongly focuses on software and business skills, it is more suitable for professional skills than academic pursuits, and better for supplementary learning than primary education.
Next, we will move to the specific comparisons from courses, certificates, and costs.
Coursera vs. LinkedIn Learning Courses
How Do Coursera’s Courses Work?
You can choose courses on Coursera by subjects, languages, durations, levels, educators, etc. Except for courses, other learning products are available, including Guided Projects, Specializations, Professional Certificates, etc. “The average rating across courses on the Coursera platform is 4.7 out of 5 stars, with 73 percent of learners who complete courses reporting positive career-related outcomes”, according to Coursera.
How Do LinkedIn Learning’s Courses Work?
LinkedIn Learning is equipped with 16,000+ online courses taught by industry experts. You can choose skills-related content with over 60 courses a week updated. The trending courses on LinkedIn are divided into four categories, including business, technology, creative, and certification programs.
Detailed Comparison of Coursera vs. LinkedIn Learning Courses
Total course numbers:
| Platform | Total Courses | Languages | Partners |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coursera | 7,000+ | 30+ | 275+ universities, 100+ companies |
| LinkedIn Learning | 18,000+ | 7 | Industry professionals & experts |
Course structure:
| Feature | Coursera | LinkedIn Learning |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Length | 4-6 weeks | 1-5 hours |
| Learning Style | Academic, structured | Practical, bite-sized |
| Assessment | Quizzes, assignments, peer review | Quick knowledge checks |
| Certification | University-backed certificates | LinkedIn certificates |
| Depth | In-depth, comprehensive | Concise, focused |
Subject areas:
| Category | Coursera | LinkedIn Learning |
|---|---|---|
| Business | 1,500+ courses MBA programs Professional certificates | 5,000+ courses Business skills Leadership |
| Technology | 2,300+ courses Computer Science Data Science | 6,000+ courses Software training IT skills |
| Creative | Limited offerings | 3,000+ courses Design Photography |
| Academic | Strong presence University courses Degree programs | Limited academic focus |
Unique features:
| Coursera | LinkedIn Learning |
|---|---|
| Degree programs – Academic partnerships – Graded assignments – Financial aid | LinkedIn integration – Weekly updates – Industry alignment – Skills tracking |
Notes:
- Numbers are approximate
- Content regularly updated
- Different target audiences
- Complementary strengths
Coursera vs. LinkedIn Learning Certificates
No matter what courses you choose, you may wonder, “Are Coursera or LinkedIn Learning certificates respected?”
Coursera offers several types of certificates that validate learning achievements. The platform’s most recognized credentials include Course Certificates for individual course completion, Specialization Certificates for completing a series of related courses, and Professional Certificates from industry leaders like Google, IBM, and Meta. These certificates are shareable on LinkedIn and other platforms, featuring university or company branding. Additionally, Coursera provides MasterTrack™ Certificates, which count toward master’s degrees, and full degree credentials through partner universities. All certificates are verifiable through unique URLs and carry weight in professional settings. While course auditing is free, certificates require payment and completion of all required assessments.
LinkedIn Learning certificates automatically integrate with your LinkedIn profile, providing immediate professional visibility. Each certificate validates specific skills and knowledge acquired through the platform’s courses. Unlike traditional academic credentials, these certificates focus on practical, industry-relevant skills, valuable for professional development and career advancement. While they may not carry the same academic weight as university credentials, they’re well-recognized by employers, especially for demonstrating continuous learning and up-to-date skills in rapidly evolving fields. All certificates are included with LinkedIn Learning subscriptions.
Coursera vs. LinkedIn Learning Costs
Coursera Costs:
| Option | Cost | Duration | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual Courses | $29-$99 | Per course | Course certificate |
| Guided Projects | $9.99+ | Per project | Hands-on learning |
| Specializations | $39-$89 | Per month | Course series + certificate |
| Coursera Plus | $399 or $59 | Annual/Monthly | Unlimited access |
| Bachelor’s Degree | $15,000-$30,000 | Full program | Accredited degree |
| Master’s Degree | $20,000-$45,000 | Full program | Accredited degree |
LinkedIn Learning Cost:
| Option | Cost | Duration | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Plan | $29.99 | Monthly | Full access |
| Annual Plan | $239.88 ($19.99/mo) | Annual | Full access |
| Premium Career | $29.99 | Monthly | Learning + Premium features |
| Premium Business | $59.99 | Monthly | Learning + Premium features |
| Free Trial | $0 | 1 month | Full access |
Notes:
- Prices may vary by region
- Special discounts are often available
- Coursera offers financial aid
- LinkedIn Learning included with Premium subscriptions
FAQs about Coursera vs. LinkedIn Learning
Is LinkedIn Learning as good as Coursera?
LinkedIn Learning and Coursera serve different purposes. Coursera offers university-level education with academic credentials, while LinkedIn Learning focuses on practical, industry-specific skills with shorter courses. Coursera is better for academic qualifications and deep learning, while LinkedIn Learning excels at quick professional skill development and workplace-relevant training.
Do Coursera certificates look good on LinkedIn?
Yes, Coursera certificates are highly regarded on LinkedIn. They carry weight because they’re backed by prestigious universities and major companies like Google and IBM. These certificates demonstrate commitment to learning, specific skill acquisition, and professional development, making profiles more attractive to employers and recruiters.
Are LinkedIn Learning certificates respected?
LinkedIn Learning certificates are moderately respected, particularly for demonstrating continuous professional development and practical skills. While they may not carry the same weight as university credentials, they’re valued by employers for showing initiative and up-to-date knowledge. Their integration with LinkedIn profiles adds professional visibility and credibility.
Conclusion
Coursera and LinkedIn Learning have different content and structure. Both of them are valuable for different needs. For example, Coursera is more academic; LinkedIn Learning is more practical; Coursera partners with universities; LinkedIn Learning with industry experts; etc. That is to say, the final decision is made by yourself. Check all the information above to compare Coursera and LinkedIn Learning. Hope that you can get your skills improved, acquire the degrees you need, and search for a better job, etc.
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