In this modern digital age, people have embraced the convenience of purchasing various items online, from clothing and groceries to furniture. This trend also extends to accessing high-quality education through online platforms.
My exploration of online learning platforms started in 2019. As the world struggled with the impact of the pandemic, I felt the need to reignite my passion for learning. I spent most of my time scouring through the various courses available on multiple online learning platforms.
My requirements were simple: I wanted top-quality online courses with various options; I wanted the courses to be affordable, and I wanted the courses to come with accredited certificates. It sounds like the perfect trifecta.
In my search, I came across two platforms: edX and Coursera. Both platforms have similar yet wildly unique features, and I wanted to know which option was better.
In this review, I will discuss the merits of both edX and Coursera and compare both platforms until one emerges victorious.
Quick Overview
edX
edX is a learning platform where students can find courses from various universities. It is a non-profit started by Harvard University and MIT. The aim was to make good quality university-level education accessible to people from all around the world. Apart from Harvard and MIT, edX has partnered with other Ivy League institutions like Berkeley, Caltech, and Brown. Partnered with over 400+ universities, edX offers over 4000 courses on various subjects like science, engineering, business, math, humanity, and more.
Coursera
Coursera is one of the largest online learning platforms in the world. Coursera has millions of users and has partnered with over 100 prestigious universities and organizations to provide college-level education to people online. You also get a customized course catalog based on your interests and aptitude. There are also a variety of subjects to choose from, ranging from data analysis to public health. You can take a single course, professional certificate, or degree course on Coursera. Its subscription plan lets you take individual and professional certificate courses with verified certificates. You can also take classes for free, but you won’t receive a certificate.
edX vs. Coursera in 2024
Here’s a comparison table for you to go through:
| edX | COURSERA | |
| No. of courses | 3000+ | 5000+ |
| No. of users | 30+ million | 90+ million |
| Unique features | Courses led by expert industry instructors from esteemed universities with accredited certificates | More than 1000 free courses and paid courses with accredited certificates with special degree programs |
| More courses in English but is recently branching out to other languagesPricing | Verified track plan starts from $50Xseries program starts from $120Professional program starts from $299MicroBachelor’s program starts from $499MicroMaster’s program starts from $600Master’s degree program starts from $10,000 | Individual courses start from $49Specializations start from $49 monthlyMasterTrack certificates start from $2000Degree courses start from $9000Coursera Plus monthly is $59Coursera Plus annually is $399 |
| Refunds | Within 14 days | 14-day refund policy on courses and subscriptions |
| Certificates | Yes (accredited) | Yes (accredited) |
| Pros | Huge course catalogVerified certificates Experienced instructors | Varied course contentAccredited certificatesFree courses |
| Cons | Limited subjects Hard to navigate | Complicated pricing No creative courses available |
| Languages | More courses in English but is recently branching out to other languages | A wide range of language options are available and video lessons come with transcripts |
| Overall G2 rating | 4.5/5 | 4.7/5 |
edX
edX is an online learning platform founded by a team of professors from Harvard and MIT (talk about academic giants) to revolutionize the world of virtual learning. Experts from prestigious universities like Berkeley, Columbia, and Harvard design the courses. These universities and institutions have partnered with edX to make education accessible. With such notable collaborations under edX’s belt, it is safe to assume that all its courses are high-quality and taught by industry experts at a superior level. edX has millions of dedicated learners and offers over 2000 courses on various subjects.
edX is for anyone who wants to learn an interesting new skill from an experienced industry expert. It is also important to note that edX is a nonprofit and open-source platform that lets developers discuss various assessment modules.
Coursera
Coursera was founded in 2012 by two Stanford University computer science lecturers, Daphne Koller and Andrew Ng. The thought behind Coursera was to make education more accessible for less privileged people. It soon became one of the best online learning platforms. Coursera lets the students choose the course and subject they want to study to let them move forward professionally. It has made university-level content accessible to people all over the world. Also, the pricing of these courses is affordable, making it possible for everyone to get a good education. Coursera has been strategically designed for students who want to study online without compromising on the quality of their education.
Coursera aims to provide a platform for people who are serious about learning and want quality education from esteemed educators. If you are looking for great courses at an affordable price and with accredited certification, then Coursera is the platform for you.
Now that we have more detailed information on these platforms and what they offer, let’s start comparing how they perform against each other.
edX vs. Coursera: Course quantity and quality
The most important thing about any online learning platform is its variety of quality courses. Let’s face it: nobody wants to compromise their education; they want the best.
edX offers more than 3000 courses in various academics-related fields like math, science, social science, engineering, and more. These courses are then divided into 30+ categories. Due to the sheer number of courses available on edX, it has a great filter feature that you can use to select the category you are interested in to make it easier for you to find courses. Regarding the quality of the courses, edX doesn’t play around. It has courses taught by instructors who are affiliated with their partnered institutions. So you can be assured that the quality of these courses will not be even a little bit compromised.
Coursera was founded in 2012 by two Standford professors with a dream to make education accessible for everyone around the world. It is one of the most distinguished online learning platforms, with courses on engineering, business, health, science, and more. Coursera has over 50 million users and 5,000+ courses to choose from. It has partnered with top universities worldwide to provide accredited certificates for the courses, making the courses much more academically and professionally valuable. The instructors of its partnered universities design the courses on Coursera, so the quality is unparalleled, and it is as close to learning on campus as you can get. With each course, you get your instructor’s name and a small introduction. Coursera also has a feature where you can rate the professors, and the rating is shown alongside their names and other important information. This transparency helps students make an informed decision.
Summary
Coursera not only has a variety of courses to offer but also has better quality courses and provides in-depth explanations on the subject matter. So, when it comes to course quality and quantity, Coursera is the better choice.
edX vs. Coursera User Interface and Layout
An online learning platform must have a simple user interface and a clean (yet interactive) design. Some courses can last months, and you won’t be inclined to finish them if you have trouble navigating the platform. Also, not all users are good with technology, and a complex layout may seem intimidating. Let’s see how edX and Coursera compare in this aspect.
edX has a simple sign-up process for new users. You need your email address, platform name, password, and country of residence. You can also sign up directly using your Gmail or Facebook account. edX has an easy-to-navigate layout, and its search and filter feature is good. If you want to take a course with one of its many partnered institutions, you can just find them and then check out all the courses they offer. The design is straightforward and is user-friendly.
Coursera has a similar sign-up process, but you only need your name, email address, and password. You can also use your Facebook or Apple account for a quick sign-in (no Gmail). The user interface is simple and outdated and easy to navigate. The design is a little bland, but the course filter and suggestion system based on your interest is an intuitive feature. Like edX, Coursera has also partnered with esteemed organizations and universities, and you can check what each of them offers by clicking on their respective icons.
Summary
edX has a better and more interactive user interface and an intuitive design layout, making it easier and more fun than Coursera.
edX vs Coursera: Payment options and refunds
If you have been looking around for courses on multiple learning platforms, they sometimes offer the same courses, but prices differ. If you want to get the best quality at the most affordable price, then pricing is essential. So, knowing which platform (edX or Coursera) is more reasonably priced is vital.
| edX | Coursera | |
| Free courses | All courses can be audited for free (with honorary certificates) | More than 500 free courses and most of the courses can be audited for free |
| Individual course prices | Start from $50 up to $300 (including verified tracks and paths) | Start from $10 up to $100 per course |
| Specialization courses (professional and master’s degree courses) | Xseries program starts from $120Professional program starts from $299MicroBachelor’s program starts from $499MicroMaster’s program starts from $600Master’s degree program starts from $10,000 | Specializations start from $49 monthlyMasterTrack certificates start from $2000Degree courses start from $9000 |
| Subscription | No subscription option | Coursera Plus monthly is $59Coursera Plus annually is $399(consists of more than 3000 courses) |
| Refund and Cancellation | Yes but request it within 14 days of buying or 14 days after course starts(can be canceled anytime) | 14-day refund on individual courses and annual subscription(Monthly subscription can be canceled anytime) |
edX has various programs and courses, and the price varies depending on your requirements. Individual courses start from $50, while verified tracks start from $80. These courses come with practice exercises, quizzes, and accredited certificates. The MicroBachelor and MicroMaster programs start from $500, and the course credit can be transferred to your on-campus degree. The degree program is expensive and starts from $10,000, but it provides a Master’s degree and is much cheaper than getting an in-person Master’s degree.
Coursera provides over 500 free courses and over 3000 individual courses on multiple subjects. The cost of these courses depends on the topic and the duration of the course. It starts from $10 and can go up to $100. It also has specialization and professional certificate courses, starting from $49 per month. Coursera also allows you to get your bachelor’s or master’s degree online through its program. It is on the pricier side (starts from $3000 and can go up to $40,000), which may seem too expensive. Still, it comes with accredited certificates and is recognized by almost all prestigious organizations and companies. Coursera has a subscription plan called Coursera Plus that is $59 per month and $399 per year. It gives you over 3000 courses, practice exercises, and quizzes. It comes with accredited certificates for each course you finish (the degree program is not part of the subscription plan).
Summary
Both platforms have a variety of different services to offer at different prices. Coursera offers more services, and its subscription plan is affordable and good value for money if you are looking to take multiple courses.
edX vs Coursera: Customer and language support
English is the most spoken and universal language globally, and most learning platforms offer courses in only English. However, having various language options makes it better for international students who don’t speak or understand English. If you are one of them, then this comparison is the most important one for you.
edX courses are primarily conducted in the English language. They offer subtitles for some video lessons, but the quality could be better. Recently, they have started branching out to other languages like French, Spanish, German, and more, but only a few courses have the language option. edX has a valuable and intuitive support center where you can find detailed information on everything the platform offers, from courses to refunds. Their FAQ section is also elaborate and satisfactorily answers most of your questions.
Coursera courses come with a variety of language options to choose from. The languages provided include English, Chinese, French, Spanish, Korean, and many more. The video lessons also have a transcript that can be translated, is well organized, and is easy to find. Coursera also has a great support center with articles on almost all the topics you can think of, a detailed FAQ section, and the option of “live chat” as long as you are actively logged into your account.
Summary
Coursera offers multiple language options that cater to the needs of international students who need to be fluent in English. With its live chat option, it also has a better customer support system.
edX vs Coursera: Certification value
The value of the course certificate is an essential factor when it comes to academic or professional growth. If you invest your time and money in learning new skills and topics, you want that effort rewarded. Before choosing a learning platform, checking whether they offer accredited certificates is essential. In the case of edX and Coursera, both provide accredited certificates, but let’s see which one holds more value.
edX provides you with an accredited certificate when you complete a course. This certificate is issued by the partner institution that created the course and can be verified. Certificates offered by edX are widely recognized academically as well as professionally.
Coursera courses are accredited, and you can learn from highly respectable universities and institutions (Harvard University, Duke University, and IBM, to name a few). Certificates from these prestigious organizations help you advance in your career while improving your skills.
Summary
Regarding the value of course certificates, both edX and Coursera are equal as they provide accredited certificates from top institutions, making their certificates far superior to other learning platforms.
edX vs Coursera: Better for business development
Several organizations and companies use learning platforms to train and upskill their employees and make this process a part of their work goals. This service is often customized according to the organization’s requirements, and a good learning platform is necessary to provide these services. But which platform does it better, edX or Coursera? Let’s find out.
edX provides a tailored service for companies and organizations depending on their needs, number of employees, and level of skills. It does not have a “one shoe fits all” approach and customizes services based on specific requirements. To know more about what edX offers for businesses, you can contact their sales team and request a demo and a custom quote.
Coursera has two packages geared towards companies who want to train and upskill their employees: Team Plan and Enterprise Plan. The Team plan is recommended for companies with 5-125 employees, costing $399 per user per year. It comes with access to more than 5000 courses available on Coursera that the user can go through anytime and anywhere. The Enterprise plan is a custom plan; you need to contact the Coursera sales team to know more about it.
Summary
Though both platforms offer services to cater to businesses, edX is more well-thought-out and understands the demands of the current workforce a little better. Customizing course selection based on your team and needs is a better choice for any company.
Conclusion
edX and Coursera are widely known and amongst the most popular learning platforms in the world. Both platforms have a massive course catalog on various topics. They also offer more than 500 free courses (to audit in the case of edX). They also provide multiple payment options and a free 14-day trial to understand what you will learn and decide if it is worth buying.
edX has a simple and user-friendly design that is easy to navigate. The courses are of excellent quality and come with accredited certificates. If you want to learn a new skill or subject or upgrade your existing skills and knowledge, then edX is the perfect platform.
Conversely, Coursera has more variety when it comes to course categories, with over 5000 courses to choose from. It also has more courses in the humanities and arts (in case that is your area of interest). It comes with a subscription option as well at an affordable price. So if you want to complete a few courses (without paying individually for each one), it would be a great deal for you.
Returning to the main question, “Which is the better platform, edX or Coursera?”
The answer to this depends on your needs, but both platforms are unique learning platforms with great course catalogs, and it is worth giving them both a (free trial) try before choosing the right platform for you.
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