LinkedIn Learning is a widely-used platform for professional development, offering a vast array of courses in business, technology, and creative fields. But many people find that it doesn’t meet their specific learning preferences or organizational needs. Fortunately, there are several alternatives that provide unique features, diverse course offerings, and flexible pricing models. In this guide, I’ll explore some of the top LinkedIn Learning alternatives to help you find the best fit for your educational and professional goals.
Why consider an alternative to LinkedIn Learning?
Here are some common reasons why you might be looking for other options:
- Cost concerns: LinkedIn Learning’s subscription model can be expensive, especially for individuals who only need specific courses.
- Limited course interactivity: Many courses are video-based without hands-on learning elements.
- Lack of accredited certifications: While LinkedIn Learning offers certificates, they may not carry as much weight as those from universities or recognized professional organizations.
- Not ideal for structured corporate training: Businesses may need more customization, tracking features, or integrations with their existing systems.
This guide will help you find the best LinkedIn Learning alternative whether you're an individual learner looking for more flexibility or you’re in charge of your organization’s learning and development and are in need of a scalable learning solution.
Best LinkedIn Learning alternatives for learners
For individuals looking to acquire new skills or advance their careers, the following platforms offer excellent options with various pricing models.
| 1. GoSkills | 2. Udemy |
| 3. Coursera | 4. MasterClass |
1. GoSkills
GoSkills provides a user-friendly, affordable, and engaging learning experience, making it a top choice for professionals who want to upskill efficiently.
Why choose GoSkills?
✅ Ease of use: A clean, intuitive interface that makes learning simple.
✅ Affordable pricing: Monthly or annual plan grants access to the entire course library.
✅ Bite-sized learning: Courses are structured into short, digestible lessons for efficient learning.
✅ Expert instructors: Industry professionals ensure top-tier course quality.
✅ Professional accreditation: Courses are accredited by the Continuing Professional Development Certification Service (CPD UK) and PeopleCert. GoSkills is also a Project Management Institute (PMI) Authorized Training Partner, and an International Association for Six Sigma Certification (IASSC) Accredited Training Organization.
Potential drawbacks
- Smaller course catalog compared to Udemy or Coursera since courses are carefully curated and instructors are subject to strict quality control.
I found the GoSkills project management courses to be beneficial, well-paced, and relatively inexpensive. After taking a course myself, I realized my team would benefit too, so we tried out the GoSkills LMS. It’s simple to use, and I can easily see how well someone is doing in a course and slot new employees into training as needed. You need not look anywhere else—everything you need is provided in full detail.
—TrustRadius Verified User review, Analyst in Corporate Sports Company
2. Udemy
Udemy offers thousands of self-paced courses on a vast range of topics.
Why choose Udemy?
✅ Pay-per-course model: Buy only the courses you need.
✅ Huge course selection: Over 200,000 courses covering diverse topics.
✅ Frequent discounts: Courses often go on sale for as low as $10–$20.
Potential drawbacks
❌ Inconsistent course quality: Since anyone can create courses, quality varies.
❌ No structured learning paths: Courses are standalone, lacking guided career progression.
❌ Limited support: Udemy does not offer hands-on instructor support for most courses.
3. Coursera
Coursera partners with top universities and companies to offer academic-level courses and certificates.
Why choose Coursera?
✅ University-backed courses: Learn from institutions like Yale and Stanford.
✅ Recognized certificates: Many courses offer industry-respected credentials.
✅ Free course options: You can audit many courses at no cost (without a certificate).
Potential drawbacks
❌ Expensive pricing for certificates: While auditing is free, obtaining certificates or full programs can be costly.
❌ Less flexibility: Some courses have fixed start dates and deadlines, unlike on-demand platforms.
❌ Limited hands-on practice: Most courses are lecture-based rather than interactive.
4. MasterClass
MasterClass is a unique learning platform featuring celebrity instructors and high-production-value courses in creativity, leadership, business, and lifestyle.
Why choose MasterClass?
✅ Learn from industry icons: Courses taught by experts like Neil Gaiman (writing), Serena Williams (tennis), and Chris Voss (negotiation).
✅ High production value: Professionally filmed, engaging video lessons.
✅ Great for creative skills: Ideal for learners interested in writing, filmmaking, music, and cooking.
Potential drawbacks
❌ No certifications: MasterClass is more about inspiration than career credentials.
❌ Limited interactive content: No quizzes, assignments, or practical projects.
❌ Subscription-only model: Annual membership is required; there is no monthly or pay-as-you-go option.
Comparison chart:
Learner alternatives to LinkedIn Learning
|
LinkedIn Learning |
GoSkills |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Content Library |
★★★★★ Massive, professionally curated library. |
★★★★☆ Moderately sized, high-quality, curated courses. |
★★★☆☆ Massive library; variable quality. |
★★★★★ Large library of business & tech courses. |
★★★★☆ High-quality creative & business courses. |
|
Accreditation |
★★★☆☆ Some courses recognized by professional boards. |
★★★★★ Accredited by CPD, PMI, and PeopleCert. |
★☆☆☆☆ Not accredited; completion certificates only. |
★★★☆☆ Not accredited, but partnered with universities. |
☆☆☆☆☆ No accreditation; skill-based learning. |
|
Affordability |
★★★☆☆ Subscription-based, no free courses. |
★★★★☆ Affordable, free trial available. |
★★★☆☆ Pay-per-course; affordable. |
★★☆☆☆ Higher price; membership option. |
★★★☆☆ Annual membership only. |
|
User Experience |
★★★★☆ Familiar, simple interface. |
★★★★★ Clean, modern, distraction-free. |
★★★★☆ Clean interface, quizzes available. |
★★★★★ Easy navigation, graded assessments. |
★★☆☆☆ Simple navigation, no quizzes. |
|
Personalized Recommendations |
★★★★★ Strong content-based recommendations. |
★★★★☆ Course recommender based on learner interests. |
★★★☆☆ General, content-based suggestions. |
★★★★☆ Personalized recommendations based on interests. |
☆☆☆☆☆ No personalized recommendations. |
|
Gamification |
★★☆☆☆ Limited engagement tools, few interactive quizzes. |
★★★★☆ Coins, badges, and progress tracking. |
★★☆☆☆ Limited gamification. |
★★★☆☆ Badges for different levels. |
☆☆☆☆☆ No gamification. |
|
Support |
★★★☆☆ Email, help center, and chat support. |
★★★★☆ Responsive email and phone support. |
★★★☆☆ Inconsistent support, mixed reviews. |
★☆☆☆☆ Poor support reviews. |
★☆☆☆☆ Poor support reviews. |
Best LinkedIn Learning alternatives for businesses
For organizations that need a content-ready learning management system (LMS), some platforms offer built-in courses, employee tracking, and corporate training solutions.
Learn more: What is an LMS?
Such capabilities make the following platforms viable contenders as alternatives to LinkedIn Learning for employee training.
| 1. GoSkills LMS - best for ease of use |
| 2. Absorb LMS - best for white-labeling |
| 3. iSpring Learn - best for PowerPoint integration |
| 4. Pluralsight - best for tech skills training |
| 5. Udemy Business - best for range of courses |
1. GoSkills LMS
GoSkills is an easy-to-use LMS designed for small to medium-sized businesses looking for an affordable and effective training solution.
Why choose GoSkills for business training?
✅ Ready-to-use course library: Business, technology, and soft skills courses included.
✅ Intuitive LMS: Assign courses, track progress, create learning paths, and measure employee performance.
✅ Custom course creation: Upload and manage your own training materials.
✅ Affordable pricing: Competitive plans suitable for businesses of all sizes.
Potential drawbacks
- Limited white-labeling options available.
LinkedIn Learning vs. GoSkills
Here’s how GoSkills stacks up against LinkedIn Learning based on real user reviews on G2, an independent review software platform.
GoSkills outperforms LinkedIn Learning overall in key areas according to LMS administrators. Ease of setup and quality of support are major factors to consider when choosing a long-term business partner.
Read more: What to look for when choosing an LMS
Experience the difference
Start transforming the way your organization learns — no credit card required. Get started in minutes!
Create your free account nowAbsorb LMS is a feature-rich corporate training platform with a customizable interface and analytics tools.
Why choose Absorb LMS?
✅ Scalable: Works for small businesses and enterprises.
✅ Custom branding: Personalize the LMS to match your company’s brand.
✅ AI-driven insights: Advanced analytics for tracking employee performance.
Potential drawbacks
❌ Higher cost: Absorb LMS is priced at a premium compared to competitors.
❌ Complex setup: Requires time and effort to implement and customize.
3. iSpring Learn
iSpring Learn is a simple, user-friendly LMS ideal for fast deployment.
Why choose iSpring Learn?
✅ Easy setup: Businesses can start using it within hours.
✅ Supports custom courses: Upload PowerPoint, PDF, and video content.
Potential drawbacks
❌ Smaller content library: Compared to Udemy Business or LinkedIn Learning.
❌ Limited integrations: May not work with all HR and enterprise systems.
4. Pluralsight
Pluralsight is best suited for tech-focused employee training, covering software development, cybersecurity, and IT skills.
Why choose Pluralsight?
✅ In-depth tech courses: Specialized training in programming, cloud, and security.
✅ Skill assessments: Identify employee strengths and knowledge gaps.
✅ Hands-on labs: Employees can apply their learning in real-world scenarios.
Potential drawbacks
❌ Expensive for non-tech teams: If your company isn’t tech-focused, the content may not be relevant.
❌ No soft skills training: Unlike GoSkills or Udemy Business, Pluralsight focuses only on technical skills.
5. Udemy Business
Udemy Business provides a large course library for corporate training across industries.
Why choose Udemy Business?
✅ 22,000+ courses: Covers leadership, business, and technical skills.
✅ Learning analytics: Track course completion and employee progress.
✅ Affordable for teams: Subscription-based pricing per user.
Potential drawbacks
❌ Variable course quality: Just like Udemy’s individual platform, course quality varies.
❌ Limited course structure: No curated learning paths or deep customization for businesses.
Comparison chart:
Alternatives to LinkedIn Learning for employee training
|
LinkedIn Learning |
GoSkills LMS |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ease of Use |
★★★★★ – Ready to use. | ★★★★★ – Easy setup, intuitive dashboard. | ★★★☆☆ - Learning curve for customization. | ★★★★★ – Simple, intuitive admin interface. | ★★★★☆ - User-friendly admin tools. | ★★★★★ – Instant platform access. |
|
Content Library |
★★★★★ – Massive, professionally curated library. | ★★★★☆ – Curated library with high-quality content tailored to professional skills. | ★★★★★ - Large content library with business, compliance, and technical training courses. | ★★☆☆☆ - Can be imported from iSpring Academy (additional cost) or 3rd party platform. | ★★★☆☆ - Comprehensive coverage of tech and IT topics. | ★★★☆☆ – Massive library of diverse topics; variable quality. |
|
Affordability |
★★★☆☆ – Premium cost for enterprise plans. | ★★★★★ - Affordable and scalable for small businesses. | ★★★☆☆ – Pricier, aimed at mid-to-large businesses. | ★★★★☆ - Standard, per-user pricing. Free trial available. | ★★★☆☆ – Less cost-effective for non-technical content. | ★★★☆☆ - No free trial available, might be costly for smaller teams. |
|
Course Authoring |
★★★☆☆ - No general authoring tools; only LinkedIn-approved instructors. | ★★★★☆ - Easy-to-use authoring tools with multimedia support. | ★★★★★ – Robust, highly customizable tools. | ★★★★☆ - Flexible course authoring tools. | ☆☆☆☆☆ - No built-in course authoring. | ★☆☆☆☆ - Basic course authoring tools, limited customization. |
|
Customer Support |
★★★☆☆ - Support via email, help center, and chat. | ★★★★★ – Responsive support, available via phone, email, and tutorials. | ★★★☆☆ - Email and help center support, priority for enterprise plans. | ★★★★★ – 24/7 support via live chat, email, phone, and knowledge base. | ★★★★★ - Comprehensive support via help center, community, and phone. | ★★★★☆ - Email and help center support, dedicated manager for Enterprise plans. |
|
Reporting Features |
★★☆☆☆ - Basic tracking and completion analytics. | ★★★★☆ - Built-in reports, progress tracking, customizable insights. | ★★★★☆ – Detailed visual reports, some configuration needed. | ★★★★☆ – Meets standard reporting needs. | ★★★★★ - Advanced analytics and easy-to-use reports. | ★★★★☆ - Standard analytics for lower tiers, advanced reports for Enterprise users. |
Summary
Whether you're an individual learner seeking affordable, high-quality courses or an organization in need of an LMS to train employees, there are excellent alternatives to LinkedIn Learning.
Best LinkedIn Learning alternatives for learners:
- GoSkills – Affordable, high-quality courses with a user-friendly experience.
- Udemy – Extensive course catalog but with variable quality.
- Coursera – University-backed courses but at a higher price.
- MasterClass – Expert instruction without accreditation or certification
Best LinkedIn Learning alternatives for businesses:
- GoSkills LMS – Affordable and easy-to-use with built-in courses and authoring tools.
- Absorb LMS – Feature-rich but costly and complex to set up.
- iSpring Learn – Quick to implement but with a smaller content library.
- Pluralsight – Great for tech training but not for other business skills.
- Udemy Business – Large content library but inconsistent course quality.
Looking for a cost-effective, user-friendly alternative? Try GoSkills for personal learning or employee training!
Experience the difference
Start transforming the way your organization learns — no credit card required. Get started in minutes!
Create your free account now
