Introduction
The online learning market in 2026 has never been larger — or more confusing. Dozens of platforms compete for attention, each with different business models, content types, and target audiences.
This guide compares the 10 most important platforms across six dimensions: content quality, topic coverage, personalization, credentials, price, and speed.
The 10 Platforms
1. PAITS
AI course generation on demand. Type any topic, get a complete course in minutes.
- Topics: Unlimited · Price: Free (10/mo) · Pro $29/mo · Best for: Any topic, personalized level
2. Udemy
Massive marketplace of instructor-led courses. 200,000+ courses.
- Topics: Very broad · Price: $10–$200/course · Best for: Structured courses from credentialed instructors
3. Coursera
University-backed MOOCs. Specialisations from Stanford, Google, IBM.
- Topics: Broad · Price: Free audit · Plus $59/mo · Best for: Formal credentials
4. Skillshare
Creative skills focus. 35,000+ short courses on design, photography, video.
- Topics: Creative disciplines · Price: $168/year · Best for: Creative professionals
5. LinkedIn Learning
Professional development tied to LinkedIn. 22,000+ courses with profile skill badges.
- Topics: Business + tech + creative · Price: $39.99/month · Best for: Career-focused professionals
6. Khan Academy
Free K-12 STEM with interactive exercises.
- Topics: K-12 STEM + test prep · Price: Free · Best for: Students in STEM
7. edX
University courses with credit potential. MIT, Harvard, Berkeley.
- Topics: Broad · Price: Free audit · $150–$300/certificate · Best for: Credit-seeking learners
8. Pluralsight
Tech skills library with assessment. 7,000+ tech courses, Skill IQ.
- Topics: Tech only · Price: $29/month · Best for: Tech professionals
9. freeCodeCamp
Free coding curriculum with recognized certificates.
- Topics: Web dev + data science · Price: Free · Best for: Self-taught developers
10. Duolingo
Gamified language learning. 40+ languages.
- Topics: Languages only · Price: Free · Plus $6.99/month · Best for: Language learners
Master Comparison Table
| Platform | Coverage | Price | Credentials | Personalization |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PAITS | Unlimited | Free / $29mo | No | High (AI-adaptive) |
| Udemy | Very broad | Per course | Completion | None |
| Coursera | Broad | $59/mo | University | None |
| Skillshare | Creative | $168/yr | No | None |
| LinkedIn Learning | B+T+C | $40/mo | None | |
| Khan Academy | K-12 STEM | Free | No | Adaptive exercises |
| edX | Broad | Per course | University | None |
| Pluralsight | Tech | $29/mo | Skill IQ | Skill path |
| freeCodeCamp | Web + data | Free | Employer-rec | None |
| Duolingo | Languages | Free/$7 | DET | Adaptive |
How to Choose
- Learn a specific skill quickly → PAITS or Udemy
- University certificate → Coursera or edX
- Free coding → freeCodeCamp
- Creative skills → Skillshare
- Career visibility → LinkedIn Learning
- Free STEM → Khan Academy
- Language learning → Duolingo
- Enterprise tech → Pluralsight
Try PAITS free → paits.ai