All you need to know about
Online Learning Platforms
Read and decide which one to choose in 2022
Online learning has seen a radical transformation in the last few years, that has completely altered the shape of current education. You may be surprised to find that online education is less expensive and more accessible than conventional classes with less time commitment required to learn new skills.
As a result, more and more individuals are looking for online learning platforms.
But have you ever tried to find an online learning platform and have not been confused about which one to choose? If so, you’re in the right place.
There is a massive selection of online learning platforms. And that doesn’t really help to make a correct choice. Going through all of the different options and features associated with each of the e-Learning providers, it is not easy to make a final decision. And more important, which one should you trust?
The reality is that there isn’t exist a perfect online learning platform. All of them have pros and cons. As well, users may have different learning objectives, requirements, and expectations. However, there are some that stand out from the crowd and deserve your attention.
Are you interested? If so, keep reading for a comprehensive overview of the best online learning platforms to use this year.
Best Online Course Platforms in Detail
1. Udacity
Best Overall Online Learning Platform in Hi-Tech Courses
- Top Industry expert partners
- High-quality downloadable content
- Focused on practical job-ready skills
- High-level instructors authority
- Good selection of free courses
- The best Self-Driving Cars programs
- Recognized Certificate
- Easy to use
- Multiple extra features
- Pay as you go available
- Financial support
- Solid customer service
- Career services
- You need a budget to start Nanodegree
- No Certificates for Free courses
- No Live Instructor-Led sessions
- Only two days refund policy
- No mobile application
- Autonomous Systems, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Data Science courses
- Job ready skills with project-based learning programs
- High-quality self-paced online sessions
- Monthly payments
The monthly payments are £329 ($399). Udacity Nanodegrees may run anywhere from 3 to 6 months, thus the total cost is determined on the duration of the program.
- Upfront payments
Upfront payments vary depending on the topic and duration of the course. The price range is £558 to £1645 ($750 to $2400). The advantage of paying in advance is that you will always get a 15% discount.
Udacity Nanodegrees are not cheap programs, and the price may be a barrier for some students. However, given the value of the Nanodegree, it is well worth the price, even though when compared to completing a related course in a traditional class.
Read more on “How to save money on Udacity Nenodegree?”.
Udacity is a great choice for Hi-Tech enthusiasts who value a solid level of practical education and would like to learn job-ready skills from industry professionals.
This online learning platform will be useful if you’re planning professional development or looking for a new career opportunity.
As a pioneer in Self Driving Cars education, Udacity is the right choice for everyone looking to become a Self Driving Cars Engineer. This Nanodegree was created in cooperation with industry giants such as Mercedes-Bens, Wyamo, and Nvidia.
Read the full Udacity review for a more in-depth analysis.
Related links:
Self Driving Cars Nanodegree review
Most Udacity Nanodegrees are valuable. However, based on our research, customers feedback, and future prospects, the following are exceptionally worth taking:
- AWS Machine Learning Engineer
- Udacity AI Nanodegree
- Front End Web Developer
- Become a Blockchain Developer
- Become an Android Kotlin Developer
- Become a Data Scientist
- Deep Learning
- Become a Cloud Developer
- Flying Car and Autonomous Flight Engineer
- Become a Computer Vision Expert
- Become a Self-Driving Car Engineer
2. edX
Leader in Academic Level Programs
- Courses designed by top universities: MIT, Harvard, etc
- Massive selection of subjects
- Verified Certificates from top universities
- High-level instructors authority
- A lot of free to audit courses
- Multiple learning options
- College credits for selected courses
- Easy to use with extra features
- Financial support
- 14 days refund policy
- All levels, from beginners to advanced
- Unlimited access to course content
- Mobile Application
- Some courses are a bit old
- No Certificates for Free courses
- Some programs need a higher budget
- University level content can be found tough to learn
- Live chat is a bot and not human
- Rare discounts
- Wide range of various subjects led by academic professors
- Free to audit courses designed by top universities
- College credits for selected programs
The price reflects the type of edX course and the following ranges are offered:
Micromasters: $700 – 1,400
Microbachelors: $500 – 1,500
Professional Certificate: $100 – 2350
XSeries: $100 – 450
Executive Education: $500 – 3500
Bootcamps: you need to request Bootamp info directly from the course provider
Too expensive? Don’t worry, edX provides up to 90% Financial Support, available for eligible learners who cannot afford to pay full price.
Read more on “How to save money on edX Programs?”.
edX is for anyone who’d like to take advantage of learning on an academic level and earn a verified certificate provided by the university. It is a great method to demonstrate to employers that you are committed to your professional growth.
The earned college credits can be used to pursue a full Master’s or Bachelor’s Degree
Read the full edX review for a more in-depth analysis.
The vast majority of edX courses are worthwhile. However, some of them are exceptional bestsellers:
Micromasters
- Statistics and Data Science
- Project Management
- Data Science
- Analytics: Essential Tools and Methods
- Business Management
- Supply Chain Management
- Cybersecurity
- Software Development
- Principles of Manufacturing
- Instructional Design and Technology
Microbachelors
- Programming & Data Structures
- Computer Science Fundamentals
- Marketing Essentials
- Data Management with Python and SQL
- Cybersecurity Fundamentals
- Introduction to Databases
- Introduction to Information Technology
- Financial Accounting and Analysis
- Full Stack Cloud Application Development
- Professional Writing
Professional Certificates
- NEW! C++ Programming Essentials
- Data Analytics and Visualization with Excel and R
- Fundamentals of Google AI for Web Based Machine Learning
- Certified Supply Chain Analyst (CSCA)
- Strategic Management
- Digital Marketing
- FinTech
- The Science of Happiness at Work
- Computer Science for Web Programming
- Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming with Java
3. The Linux Foundation
Best for Linux Open Source Technologies
- Wide selection of Open Source Technologies
- Self-paced and Live Instructor-led sessions
- High authority competent Instructors
- 12 Months of Access to learning content
- Practical Labs & Assignments
- Solid preparation for the certification exam
- Performance-based practical exam
- 12 Month Exam Eligibility
- Free Exam Retake
- High value of Certificate within the industry
- Access to Dedicated Mentor
- User-friendly interface
- All levels, from beginners to advanced
- Online Live sessions are a bit expensive
- Free Courses are not in-depth
- No Certificates for free courses
- No mobile application
- Rare discounts
- Linux Open Source Technologies and resolving the most complex technical issues
- Robust preparation for Linux certification exams supported with practical labs and assignments
- Linux certifications that demonstrate the proficiency to perform complex tasks in real-world scenarios
- Self-paced online training courses
The cost of online training sessions without examinations is $299. If you want to earn a certificate, you must then pay $375 for the exam.
You can save $100 and choose a self-paced training course and certification bundle that costs $575.
- Claud Engineer Bootcamp
The Bootcamp bundle cost is $1200 and includes a series of online training courses that can be completed at your own pace. You’d have to pay $2200 for all of these classes individually, but attending Bootcamp courses saves you $1000.
- Live Instructor-Led online sessions
These sessions, which cost $3250 each, are not cheap. Nevertheless, over the course of four to five days, you will acquire a lot of in-depth practical skills ended with a certificate.
Read more on “How to save money on The Linux Foundation Programs?”.
The Linux Foundation training and certifications are for anybody interested in gaining the ultimate level of skills in Linux Open Source Technologies.
If you’re planning to get a better job, progress your career, and become an authority within a growing area of the IT industry, this online learning platform is the right choice.
Read the full Linux Foundation review for a more in-depth analysis.
Related links:
If you want to become a Cloud & Containers professional, you may select from many popular Kubernetes certification bundles. These are combined training courses and certification exams that will give you high-level practical knowledge:
- Kubernetes Fundamentals (LFS258) + CKA Exam Bundle
- Kubernetes for Developers (LFD259) + CKAD Exam Bundle
Taking an exam without additional support might be a challenging task. Learn how to prepare for the CKA exam and increase your chances of passing.
If you have experience with Kubernetes but are not yet certified, you may get a recognized credential by taking one of the following exams:
- Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
- Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD)
- Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS)
It’s also worth mentioning the Linux Foundation’s live online certifications. While these sessions are rather expensive, they will give you comprehensive training combined with a good amount of practical labs and exercises.
The most popular are:
- Kubernetes Administration (LFS458)
- Kubernetes for App Developers (LFD459)
- Kubernetes Security Fundamentals (LFS460)
- Linux for System Engineers (LFS311)
Apart from Linux-related training and certifications, the Linux Foundation also offers FinOps programs that cover best practices for organized, collaborative, real-time cloud financial operations. You may consider the following sessions:
4. GreyCampus
Accredited Courses in Project Management and Six Sigma
- Flexible learning – Live Bootcamps or Self Paced sessions
- Weekdays and Weekend Live online sessions
- Easy to follow chunks of course material
- A detailed explanation of the subject
- Practical exercises
- Qualified Instructors
- Simulated exams
- Exam demo
- External Body Accredited Certifications
- 1-year access to study material
- Mobile application
- All levels, from beginners to advanced
- High-Quality content
- Simulated Exams cover only a small portion of the exam
- Videos cannot be downloaded for offline learning
- Instructors profiles are not available before enrolment
- Customer support is not as efficient as it could be
- Accredited courses in Project Management and Lean Six Sigma
- Solid preparation for accredited certification exams (PMP, CAPM, PMI, Prince 2, Six Sigma, CompTia)
- Flexibility of Live online sessions available in Weekdays and Weekend batches
GreyCampus prices vary based on the session type, certification, and subject.
- Live Bootcamps
These online instructor-led training sessions are available for the majority of certified courses and range in price from £616 to £1232.
- On-Demand Self-paced Courses
This is a more appealing choice for students with limited financial resources who cannot attend Instructor-led Live Bootcamps or prefer more learning flexibility. Accredited courses range in price from £154 to £454.
The majority of non-accredited self-learning sessions are just £12!
- Group Training
The cost is determined by the customization of the training needs. The individual price must be obtained directly from Grecampus.
Read more on “How to save money on GreyCampus courses?”.
GreyCampus is for anyone wanted to earn accredited certification in Project Management, Lean Six Sigma, or Cybersecurity
This learning platform is useful for users who value flexibility and would like to choose between Self-paced or Live Instructor-led sessions.
It also provides weekdays and weekend batches of Live Instructor-led sessions.
Read the full GreyCampus review for a more in-depth analysis.
Based on our research and students reviews, the following GreyCampus courses stand out and are well worth taking:
Project Management
- PMP® Certification Training
- CAPM® Certification Training
- PMI-ACP® Certification Training
- PRINCE2® Foundation and Practitioner Combo Training & Certification
Six Sigma
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Training & Certification
- Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Training & Certification
- Lean Six Sigma Green & Black Belt Combo Training & Certification
Cybersecurity
5. Edureka
High-Quality Role-Based Live Online Sessions
- Wide selection of Hi-Tech IT courses
- Role-based Master Classes & Postgraduate Studies
- Live Instructor-Led online sessions
- Weekdays and Weekend sessions
- Qualified Instructors
- Industry-recognized certification
- Accredited Project Management Courses
- Lifetime access to learning materials
- Dedicated Learning Manager
- Great deals in Master Programs
- Mobile application
- User-friendly interface
- All levels, from beginners to advanced
- Customer support sometimes difficult to reach
- Self-paced sessions not available
- Instructors profiles are not available before enrolment
- Not all courses can be refunded
- Scholarship program not launched regularly
- Cloud Computing, DevOps, Data Science, BI Visualization, Big Data, Programming, and Blockchain
- High Quality Live Instructor Led Online Sessions supported with Real Life Case Studies
- Flexibility of Live online sessions available in Weekdays and Weekend batches
The cost of Edureka varies based on the course, workload, and certification type.
- Courses with Edureka Certificates
The cost of courses with Edureka Certificates is $300-$400. Other accredited certification courses such as PMP (Project Management) cost $500 and $600. In this case, the certificate is issued by an independent organization.
- Role-Based Course Combos
These are learning pathways, which consist of a series of combined certification courses, range in price from $500 to $1500. For those who want to receive a full education in a certain career function, this is the most cost-effective option.
When compared to purchasing the same number of certification courses individually, you may save up to 50%. On top of the live online sessions, each package always includes a bonus set of self-paced lessons.
- Top University Courses
The cost of University courses varies depending on the subject. Professional certifications at the academic level cost $1600-$2700, while postgraduate programs cost $2900-$3600. You may also choose to pay on a monthly basis.
Read more on “How to save money on Edureka courses?”.
Edureka is a good choice for anybody wanted to gain the practical knowledge and skills needed to work with real-world challenges.
This online learning platform will be useful for users who prefer Live Instructor-led sessions and would like to have a choice between weekdays and weekend classes.
Read the full Edureka review for a more in-depth analysis.
The majority of Edureka’s online courses are worth taking. However, the following top sellers are exceptional:
Certification Courses:
- Tableau Certification Training Course
- Big Data Hadoop Certification Training Course
- Python using PySpark Certification Training Course
- Apache Spark and Scala Certification Training
- Data Science with Python Certification Training
- Splunk Certification Training
- DevOps Certification Training Course
- Java Certification Training Course
- Blockchain Certification Training Course
- Google Cloud Platform (GCP) Certification Training
Career Related Master Programs:
- DevOps Engineer Masters Program
- MS Azure Cloud Engineer Masters Program
- Python Developer Masters Program
- Cloud Architect Masters Program
- Data Scientist Course Master Program
- Big Data Architect Masters Program
- Cyber Security Masters Program
- Full Stack Developer Master Program
Top University Courses:
Best Online Learning Platforms in a Nutshell
We all have individual learning goals and preferences. While looking for the training course, we want to choose a training company that will provide the best learning experience at a reasonable price.
The below table will help you to figure out which online learning platform best fits your needs.
Feature | What is your preference? | e-Learning Platform |
Subjects | A large pool of course subjects | |
Subjects | Hi-Tech / IT | |
Subjects | Project Management / Six Sigma | |
Subjects | Autonomous Systems | |
Subjects | Linux open source technologies | |
Subjects | Fin-Tech | |
Session Type | Mainly Self-paced | |
Session Type | Mainly online Live Instructor-led | |
Session Type | A mix of Self-Paced and Online Live | |
Availability | Online Live weekdays and weekend | |
Content | Job-ready skills / Role-based classes | |
Content | Academic level programs | |
Access | Downloadable content | |
Access | Lifetime | |
Access | 1 Year | |
Collaborators | Industry expert partners | |
Collaborators | Universities | |
Institutions | The Linux Foundation | |
Institutions | PMI Prince 2 | |
Institutions | IASSC - Six Sigma | |
Institutions | CompTia | |
Certificates | Certificates of Completion / Industry Professional Certificates | |
Certificates | Accredited Certificates | |
Certificates | University Verified Certificates / College Credits | |
Payments | Monthly installments / Pay as you go | |
Payments | Upfront payments | |
Cost reduction | Best Discounts | |
Cost reduction | Financial support | |
Free courses | A pool of free courses | |
Free courses | You Tube free resources |
Tips to Choose the Best Online Learning Platform
Choosing an effective learning platform might be a difficult task since there are so many alternatives out there. What features are worth considering?
Here are some more in-depth tips for you to help in making the right decision.
Subjects Selection
Various Online Learning Platforms have a different range of online courses in their offer.
Some of them provide a large pool of course subjects like edX. You can find there a wide variety of topics in multiple disciplines that attract a large number of users. However, it doesn’t mean they are the best in any discipline you will choose from their portfolio.
There will be a number of extremely popular courses within the specific subject that is worth enrolling with as well a pool of classes less popular. While selecting a large online learning platform, make sure you choose these subjects and programs that are verified and recommended.
The following subjects are worth considering from edX:
If you know what would you like to learn and you want to gain job-ready practical skills it is a good idea to choose a specialized online learning platform. Such subject matter experts provide less variety in course categories but are highly focused on specific topics. Good examples of high authority providers and their expertized subjects are:
- Udacity – expert in Autonomous Systems, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Data Science
- The Linux Foundation – expert in Linux Open Source Technologies, Fin-Tech
- GreyCampus – expert in Project Management and Six Sigma
- Edureka – expert in Cloud Computing, DevOps, Data Science, BI Visualization, Big Data, Programming, and Blockchain
Session Type
Here it is your availability that comes into play. You can choose between:
- Self-paced online sessions where you can learn anytime you are free
- Online Live Instructor-Led sessions that are scheduled at specific dates and times
Some of the online learning platforms are limited to one or the other type of sessions, some of them are more flexible and you can find a mixture of self-paced and online Live Instructor-Led courses.
- Udacity is leader in providing a self-paced sessions
- Edureka is highly focused on Live Instructor-Led courses
- Edx offers a mixture of self-paced and online Live Instructor-Led courses
- The most of The Linux Foundation certifications are self-paced. There is also a bunch of online Live Instructor-Led training courses you can join
- GreyCampus provides option to choose between self-paced and online Live Instructor-Led classes for most of their sessions.
Apart from weekdays online sessions, Edureka and GreyCampus also provide weekend batches where you can join Live Instructor-Led courses.
Course Content
We all require the best quality of course content to learn the desired skills. It might be delivered in a variety of forms:
Academic content – One of the most popular online learning platforms is edX where the courses are usually made by university professors. So, you can be certain of high instructors authority and content quality. But on the other hand, it may characterize to be very technical with lots of theory which can be found tough to learn. Of course, not all programs are like this but while selecting a course, make sure it involves a good number of practical exercises.
Job-ready skills content – is dedicated to everyone who wants to progress in their professional career. These are the exact skills that are applicable in the working environment and therefore are desired by professionals in a specific field such as Computer Science, or Engineering. A good example of online learning platforms that concentrate on job-ready skills is Udacity or The Linux Foundation.
Udacity is committed to delivering job-ready skills by providing the following features:
- Prtnership with Industry Leaders – courses are designed in collaboration with such companies as Google, Facebook, Waymo, Microsoft, IBM, AWS, AT&T, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Invidia and more.
- Hands-on projects based on real-world practical exercises
- Project reviews – you will receive personalized feedback from industry experts. Best practises and practical advice. Resources to improve
- Technical mentor support – mentors are knowledgeable experts who support your learning and are committed to answering your questions, encouraging you, and keeping you on track
- Career services – support for professional advancement and landing a high-paying position
The following features are embedded in The Linux Foundation certifications to deliver practical job-ready skills:
- They collaborate with industry leaders and the Linux kernel community to identify important critical competencies as well as required skills, knowledge, and abilities for each certification
- Training and certification programmes are developed and delivered by experts with extensive technical backgrounds and hands-on experience
- Performance-based training courses and examination
- Hands-on Labs & Assignments focused on practical skills
Collaborators
Reliability in course quality increases as a result of working with recognized industry partners who are well known for their professional expertise. A great and indisputable example of such an online learning platform that cooperates with leading industry experts is Udacity.
Most of their nanodegrees are made in contribution with such industry giants as Google, Microsoft, Facebook, Marcedes Benz, BMW, Waymo, Nvidia, AWS, IBM, Intel, and more. Imagine how much valuable experience and practical approach these companies bring while creating a Nanodegree content with Udacity.
Institutions
The institutions set the industry standards and give authority for the training organization to provide the accredited courses. In order to be authorized, a learning provider and its training sessions need to meet a certain set of criteria defined by the institution.
Accredited courses ensure that the knowledge and skills learned throughout the course are of a high standard.
GreyCampus is a growing training provider that is accredited by leading institutions like PMI, Prince 2, IASSC, or CompTia.
Certificates
Apart from acquired skills, the certificate is one of the key elements to consider when selecting an online learning platform. Obviously, if you have gained new skills for professional growth, you want your credentials to be certified and acknowledged among employers.
You may have earned the following certificates:
Certificate of Completion – is issued by the training company to the student who has successfully completed assigned, projects, tests, or exams. It demonstrates that the learner has gained a required level of skills and is prepared to perform specific tasks.
Any training company can issue a certificate of completion. Therefore, if you decide to obtain one, you should consider only online learning platforms that are established and well-known among industry professionals.
Certificates if issued by industry-proven providers with a strong reputation such as Udacity or Edureka demonstrate a high level of expertise and practical knowledge. Additionally, might help you boost your professional career and employability.
The Linux Foundation also issues a Certificate of Completion known as an Industry Professional Certificate which is well known among Open Source Technology experts.
Accredited Certificates – are issued by an institution that defines the standards of specific industry expertise. The student needs to pass the required exam to earn a certificate.
Greycampus is an online learning platform that prepares for accredited certifications in Project Management, Lean Six Sigma, and Cybersecurity.
Accredited certificates are characterized to be highly recognized by most employers and international organizations.
University Verified Certificates – are issued by universities and demonstrate that the student has obtained a specified level of knowledge and qualifications.
It is mostly dedicated to students who value in-depth theoretical knowledge supported with practical exercises.
Some of the University Accredited Certificates come with College Credits that later can be used to pursue a full degree.
edX is one of the most popular online learning platforms that provide courses ended with University Accredited Certificates.
Worth remembering!
Although recognized Certificates indicate in-depth knowledge and qualifications to potential employers, it is not certain that you will get a job just by displaying them. It is more likely that you’ll be selected for an interview so the company will verify your qualifications. Therefore the primary goal should be the acquisition of skills and not the certificate as a piece of paper.
Payments
If you don’t have enough budget to pay upfront, you can choose monthly installments in form of the pay as you go option. This is a convenient method offered by Udacity.
Cost Reduction
You can reduce the cost of training using Discount Codes or with Financial Support offered by some of the online learning platforms.
Our research shows that Udacity and Edureka have the best discounts currently. Bear in mind, discounts are usually limited so you need to be quick as the offer may change in time.
While looking for financial support, you can apply with Udacity for up to 75% price reduction or edX for up to 90% price reduction.
Free Courses
Some of the online learning platforms offer free courses. Because these are free resources, they are usually limited in content or other features.
The largest pools of free courses are offered by edX and Udacity online course platforms. A good number of free courses are also provided by The Linux Foundation, but these are mainly at the beginner level.
With free classes, you will not get unlimited access to training content, graded assignments, tests, exams, and courses that are not ended with certificates.
If you’d like to enjoy all features associated with online learning and earn a certificate from one of the mentioned providers, you need to use:
- A verified track with edX
- Udacity Nanodegree
- The Linux Foundation Certification Trainings
Online Learning Platforms – Key Takeaways
Overall, we hope that this guide has given you a better understanding of the best online learning platforms currently available.
The following are the main takeaways for you to consider before you make your final decision. Your selection obviously depends on your preferences and expectations:
- Subjects – consider a large pool of courses or specialized online learning platform
- Session Type – Self-paced or Online Live Instructor-Led sessions
- Course Content and Collaborators – in depth Academic content created by Universities or focused on Job-ready practical skills designed by industry leaders
- Certificates – issued by industry proven online learning platforms, external insitutions or universities
- Access to course materials – choose between lifetime access, downloadable contemt, or limited access to the specified timeframe
- Payments – based on your affordability, you may choose monthly instalments or upfront payments. You may find a lot of cheap online courses from doubtful sources but such classes are not taken too seriously by potential employers
- Cost Reduction – choose only these online leraning platform that are established and well known within the industry. Most of them have in their offers a great deals and financial support so you will get high level of lerning experience at the best possible price.
- Free Courses – are mainly dedicated for beginners in specific subject or students who don’t need a certificate either extra features associated with the paid versions
Happy Learning!
