Compare · Choose · Learn
CourseShortlist.
Find the learning platform that sticks.
Independent comparisons of the best online learning platforms. Honest about what free gets you, which certificates matter, and where your money goes furthest.
Independently compared
Honest comparisons based on teaching quality, catalog, and price. No sponsored rankings, ever.
Certificates checked
We tell you which certificates employers actually recognize and which are just a PDF.
Free routes included
Plenty of great learning is free. We point it out, even when it earns us nothing.
Kept up to date
Catalogs and prices change. We check ours regularly and date our reviews.
Where do you want to start?
Pick a category and jump straight to the best options.
Coursera
Coursera Inc.
Coursera partners with universities and companies like Stanford, Yale, and Google.
How to choose a learning platform
Run through these steps and you will know which platform fits you within five minutes.
Our verdicts
Editorial reviews, dated and sourced.
Khan Academy (nonprofit)
“Completely free, no catch, no upsell: a nonprofit that teaches math, science, and economics better than most paid platforms. The gold standard for foundational knowledge.”Editorial team, via CourseShortlist
Guides & sources
Our practical guides plus the sources we trust ourselves.
The big learning platforms, compared honestly
Coursera, Udemy, and edX side by side: certificates, pricing, and where each one shines.
Read the guideLearning to code or work with data: where to start
The platforms that teach by doing, with exercises in the browser instead of just video.
Read the guideThe most enjoyable platforms for creative skills
Drawing, photography, writing, and design: project-based learning you will actually finish.
Read the guideClass Central: search every online course
The independent search engine and review aggregator for over 200,000 online courses.
Read morefreeCodeCamp: learn web development for free
The nonprofit where millions learn to code completely free, with recognized projects and certifications.
Read moreKeep learning
New learning platforms, price changes, and honest verdicts. Only when there is something worth knowing.
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