by Mika » 15 Jun 2026, 07:18 There are many online learning platforms, and it might be very confusing for people who want to learn online. So, how do you actually choose a learning platform to learn a new skill or upskill yourself?
First and foremost, you will have to decide on what you want to learn. Once you shortlist your desired course, you can than start searching for learning platforms. Generally speaking there are three types of learning platforms, one, is completely free, another is a paid site, and the third kind of learning site is freemium, meaning you learn basic things for free but to learn advance skills, you will have to pay.
Free Learning Sites Vs. Premium Learning Sites Vs. Freemium: What is Best For You?
Udemy
If you are looking to pick up digital skills, you have probably heard of Udemy. It is one of the largest learning platforms on the web. Even though sometimes you can access free courses on Udemy, it is basically a paid course site. You will have to buy individual courses. However, keep in mind Udemy is basically a user-generated platform, which means anyone can create and sell a course. So the quality of courses varies a lot.
Skillshare
If you are willing to pay, another great platform to start learning is Skillshare. Unlike Udemy where you have to buy individual courses, Skillshare is basically a subscription model learning site. You can pay monthly subscriptions and choose any number of courses. It does not matter when you pick one course or 100 courses, you can learn with the same subscription fees.
Alison
If you are seeking something similar but a completely free learning site, check out Alison. It offers a wide variety of certified courses in business, tech, and soft skills. You can learn with zero fees but if you want a certificate of course completion, you need to pay fees though. You will also have to pay of you want ad free experience.
Coursera
If you want something more academic, or the courses created by professionals or the professors of various universities, Coursera is for you. Coursera partners with universities and offers certificate courses, and even degrees in some cases. Coursera is perfect for career-focused learners.
HubSpot
If you want to learn skill by utilizing freemium platforms, you can try something like HubSpot. They offer free courses and you can level by paying for advance courses.
Conclusion: How to Choose Learning Platforms That Fits Your Needs
The choice depends on your need and money you have. You can either go for free, premium, or freemium courses. Free courses do not always mean poor courses. There are a lot of tech companies that offer free courses that are as good as paid courses. For example, you can try Google and Microsoft courses.
