When deciding to learn online, the most crucial choice that you have to make is which platform is the right option for you.
E-learning is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world, and you have many online platforms to choose from, depending on your requirements. In this review, we will compare two excellent platforms, Udemy and Pluralsight, so you can decide which platform is perfect for you.
Udemy VS Pluralsight in 2024
Udemy
Udemy is one of the top online learning platforms, with the widest range of courses available on various subjects. It has over 200,000 courses available in more than 10 different categories. You can choose a course you like, pay for it, and get lifetime access. The courses start at $20 and go up to $200, depending on the length and complexity of the subject matter. You can also take their beginner-friendly free courses on a budget. They also provide a subscription and business plans, depending on your needs.
Pluralsight
Pluralsight is an online learning platform with courses that help you learn and improve your technical skills. The platform was founded in 2004 and has over 5000 courses in digital skills like data analysis, cloud computing, software development, IT operations, and more. Pluralsight provides an end-to-end learning experience; you can choose the courses you want to take. There is also a subscription option. You can select an individual standard plan at $29 per month or a premium plan (which comes with additional features) at $45 per month.
Here’s a comparison table for you to go through:
| UDEMY | PLURALSIGHT | |
| No. of courses | 200,000+ | 7000+ |
| Categories | 10+ subjects | More for IT and digital skills |
| Unique features | Courses led by expert industry instructors on a variety of topics with quizzes and practical exercises | Courses for software developers, programmers, and IT technicians to gain new skills or upskill their existing knowledge |
| Pricing | Individual courses from $20-$200Monthly subscription $30 | Standard plan costs $299 yearly or $29 monthlyPremium plan costs $499 yearly or $45 monthly |
| Refunds | 30 days or before you complete the course | No |
| Certificates | Yes (not accredited) | Yes (not accredited) |
| Pros | Variety of courseAffordableExpert instructors | Digital upskillFree trialGood support |
| Cons | No verified certificates Questionable quality (of some courses) | No verified certificates Limited course content |
| Languages | Over 70+ languages | Only English (can get subtitles in other languages) |
| Overall G2 rating | 4.5/5 | 4.6/5 |
Udemy
Udemy was established in 2009 by Eren Bali and has since become one of the leading online learning platforms in the world. Its massive content library (over 200,000 courses) makes learning accessible and affordable for everyone. Udemy has over 40 million users worldwide and is used by popular companies like Apple, Glassdoor, and Volkswagen for their employees to learn new skills.
You can buy an individual course starting at $10 with lifetime access or a personal plan for $26.99 per month that gives you access to over 5000 courses available on Udemy. If you don’t wish to buy any courses, you can take any free courses (more than 500) available.
Pluralsight
Pluralsight, founded in 2004 by Aaron Skonnard, is an online learning platform providing courses that help you learn and improve your technical skills. The platform has over 5000 courses in digital skills like data analysis, cloud computing, software development, IT operations, and more.
Industry experts design the courses with years of experience, and they are well-structured and informative. These courses are for software developers, programmers, and IT technicians to gain new skills or upskill their existing knowledge.
Companies like Adobe use Pluralsight to upskill their employees’ critical and technical skills.
It has two pricing options: a standard plan that costs $299 yearly or $29 monthly or a premium plan that costs $499 annual or $45 monthly.
Udemy VS Pluralsight: Criteria for Comparison
There are several criteria that you can use to compare two products, but I will compare Udemy and Pluralsight based on five main criteria, which are:
- Course variety and quality: The most essential aspect of any online learning platform is the quality of the courses it has to offer. Just because you are learning online does not mean you have to compromise on the quality of your education. Regarding the variety of courses, it is more for people who want to take multiple courses and prefer them to be available on the same platform.
- User interface and layout: A learning platform must be easily navigable and user-friendly. The design and layout of the site should also be engaging and interactive while being informative at the same time.
- Customer and language support: Only some people speak or understand English, and a learning platform should provide language options to include a variety of learners worldwide. Language should never become a barrier when it comes to education. Customer support is another essential thing to consider when choosing a learning platform.
- Certification value: Most courses available on most online learning platforms come with a certificate of completion. But more often than not, these certificates need to be recognized by potential employers, rendering them completely useless. So, if you are taking a course specifically to further your professional journey, you must check whether the course provides accredited certificates.
- Pricing: The affordability of the course or subscription plans is an essential part of any online learning platform. Everyone has a set budget, and determining which courses provide more bang for your buck is critical.
Now, let’s understand what each of them, regarding these criteria, has more to offer, and then you can decide which platform is better for you.
Udemy VS Pluralsight: Courses Variety and Quality
Udemy has a massive course catalog (over 200,000) on various subjects. From computer science to culinary science, Udemy has it all. It has courses in 10 categories and several subcategories. A few of the main subjects include finance and accounting, IT and software, office productivity, personal development, design, and marketing. You can buy individual courses or a personal plan and start learning. Udemy also offers various discounts on their popular courses, and often, you can get amazing-quality courses at a reasonable price. Udemy lets instructors worldwide create courses in their area of expertise and then thoroughly vet these courses to see if they follow the company guidelines and match the quality standards. Though some courses could be better quality, most are interactive and provide in-depth information.
Pluralsight has over 7,000 courses in data analysis, cloud computing, software development, IT operations, and more. These tech-related courses include categories like data and machine learning, IT operations, manufacturing and design, architecture, and more. On Pluralsight, you can buy an individual course or choose learning paths that combine multiple courses related to the same subject to give a well-rounded learning experience. The courses are designed by professors and instructors from esteemed institutions, ensuring the quality of the content. The courses are fun and informative, making it easier to understand complex topics.
Summary
When it comes to course variety and quality, Udemy is unrivaled. With its massive content library, there is something for everyone, and the courses are of superior quality.
Udemy VS Pluralsight: User Interface and Layout
Udemy has a straightforward signup process that requires your name, email address, and password. Once you are signed in, you arrive at the landing page, and Udemy has a simple landing page with a clean design. You also get many intuitive features, and the platform is easily navigable. The courses are well-organized and easy to find. Once you start taking a course, you will see the lesson plan and practice exercises on the right while the course video, audio, or text is in the middle of the screen.
Pluralsight has an automatic registration process with a few additional steps compared to Udemy. The landing page of Pluralsight is striking and colorful. The design is unique and has an artistic flair to it. Though it is fun to look at, it complicates the navigation process. It isn’t easy to understand the course categories and find your desired course. However, the course page is similar to Udemy, with the lesson plan and progress track on the right and the course lesson in the middle.
Summary
Udemy is more user-friendly and is better organized when it comes to categorizing the courses.
Udemy VS Pluralsight: Customer and Language Support
Udemy offers courses in more than 70 languages, like English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, French, and more. This range of inclusivity makes Udemy an ideal learning platform for people worldwide. Udemy also offers good customer support in case you need any help or have any doubts regarding their policies and courses.
Pluralsight has courses only in English, but you can get subtitles in a few languages. This makes learning difficult for people who are not native English speakers. Due to this, it loses its worldwide appeal as only some have fluency in the English language. Pluralsight offers exceptional 24/7 customer support, making it easier for users if they face any issues.
Summary
Even though Pluralsight offers excellent customer support, Udemy is still far superior in providing language support, making it a better learning platform.
Udemy VS Pluralsight: Certification value
Udemy offers a certificate of completion after you finish a course. Since Udemy has a lot of courses taught by many instructors, the value of the certificate depends on the type of course and who conducted it. If it is a popular course taught by a recognized instructor, your certificate of completion would be much more appealing to a potential employer. Nevertheless, every course on Udemy comes with an accredited certificate. If you need to provide an accredited certificate to prove your expertise, you should look for another learning platform.
Pluralsight also offers certificates of completion, and like Udemy, these certificates are not accredited either. However, Pluralsight has partnered with various prestigious institutions and Fortune 500 companies, making their certificate a better option for professional development.
Summary
Pluralsight has a better reputation regarding the value of course certification. If you are looking for professional growth, then Pluralsight is the better choice.
Udemy VS Pluralsight: Pricing
Udemy has a pay-per-course approach when it comes to pricing. The courses start at as little as $20 and can go up to $300, depending on the duration, subject matter, and instructor. It also has a monthly personal plan for $30 per month, giving you access to over 5000 courses on Udemy. If you are on a budget, you can take one of the 500+ free courses to familiarize yourself with a new skill. And if you are still deciding about a course, you also get a 30-day money-back guarantee. Many good courses are often on discount, which is another plus.
Pluralsight offers two subscription plans when it comes to pricing. The standard plan is $29 a month, or $299 a year (working out to $24.92 a month), paid in a single payment. This plan gives you access to the core library (1500+ courses) and practice exercises. You also get a free 10-day trial if you still decide whether to buy this plan. On the other hand, the premium plan is $45 a month, or $499 for the year (working out to $41.5 a month), paid in a single payment. It gives you access to the premium library (7000+ courses), practice exercises, assessments, certificate quizzes, and community access.
Summary
Udemy offers more courses that you can pay for individually or get a personal plan at a reasonable price that comes with more than 5000 courses. That makes Udemy a much more affordable option when it comes to pricing.
Conclusion
Both Udemy and Pluralsight are great online learning platforms with various courses taught by experienced instructors. But the answer to the better option depends solely on your needs.
I recommend Udemy as a better option overall. It has more variety, a more user-friendly interface and design, and is much more affordable. If you want to learn new skills at a reasonable price, then Udemy is the platform for you.
But you want to advance your career in digital and technical fields. Pluralsight has a slight edge in that case, as its certificates are more valuable in a professional environment. So, Pluralsight has its advantages as a learning platform.
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