Based on 73 reviews and ratings
Based on 156 reviews and ratings
Highlights
Coursera and LinkedIn Learning are eLearning content providers used to train employees. LinkedIn Learning offers a wide variety of courses that can be taken at any pace, while Coursera is more similar to a traditional classroom.
Features
LinkedIn Learning and Coursera both offer basic eLearning features, but they also have some standout features that set them apart.
Linkedin Learning provides content, including creative courses, technology courses, and management courses. Additionally, LinkedIn Learning has robust accessibility features and social features using LinkedIn.
Coursera offers courses created and curated by universities. As a result, Coursera can provide many degrees and certifications. Coursera also allows users to only purchase the classes they want.
Limitations
LinkedIn Learning and Coursera both have a diverse suite of features, but they also have some limitations that are worth noting.
LinkedIn Learning can take some time before updating courses for recent technologies. Additionally, LinkedIn doesn’t offer the same amount of degrees and certifications provided by Coursera.
Coursera can quickly become very expensive if you need access to many courses. They do not have a package that includes all or most of their classes, like LinkedIn Learning does. Coursera also has less flexibility for faster learners.
Pricing
LinkedIn Learning and Coursera are both priced depending on the organization, but offer free demos so organizations can try them before purchasing.
Provided by the TrustRadius Research Team
Published on April 23, 2020
Attribute Ratings
- Coursera is rated higher in 3 areas: Likelihood to Recommend, Usability, Support Rating
- Coursera and LinkedIn Learning (Lynda.com) are tied in 1 area: Likelihood to Renew
Likelihood to Recommend

Coursera
LinkedIn Learning (Lynda.com)
Likelihood to Renew

Coursera
LinkedIn Learning (Lynda.com)
Usability

Coursera
LinkedIn Learning (Lynda.com)
Support Rating

Coursera
LinkedIn Learning (Lynda.com)
Implementation Rating

Coursera
LinkedIn Learning (Lynda.com)
Likelihood to Recommend
Coursera

LinkedIn Learning (Lynda.com)
Pros
Coursera
- Interaction: the student learns by doing. For programming courses, this means programming!
- Assessments: the courses I'd taken ask students to grade each others work with a rubric. This is hugely effective and permits tests and quizzes to be other than multiple choice.
- Creativity and enthusiasm of the instructors. Some of the approaches demonstrated real out-of-the-box thinking by the instructors. For example, the Rice Python course was a self-contained website requiring no installation of IDE on one's computer, and the final project was a working version of Asteroids.
- Low cost of entry: most of the course I enrolled in were free, with an optional fee for certifications. This really gives people the freedom to explore learning. It's almost like a Public Library of Learning.
- Coursera forces a weekly discipline on the user with lectures and assignments and this really motivates one to put in the effort.
LinkedIn Learning (Lynda.com)
- Industry expert authors/instructors - you're learning from people with pedigree.
- Breadth and depth of catalog - not only is there a wide range of topics and disciplines, but there are frequently several levels of depth within each (eg. Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced).
- Time needed to complete each course AND each section of a course are included - you know what you're getting into from the first click.
Cons
Coursera
- Some of the courses (very few) have some old information (more than 2 years), and in some areas like technology the information has to be very new and updated.
- Some professors or people doing videos are not good in front of the camera, they should train their people a little bit more for those things.
LinkedIn Learning (Lynda.com)
- LinkedIn Learning provides learning paths, but it's left much to be desired. Not enough direction about the why, or learning outcomes.
- Some courses provide exercises/quizzes. Others do not. There's definitely a missing piece to test comprehension.
- The library is so large, it's difficult to really build your own learning. I find it better for just-in-time learning.
Pricing Details
Coursera
General
Free Trial
—Free/Freemium Version
—Premium Consulting/Integration Services
—Entry-level set up fee?
Starting Price
Coursera Editions & Modules
Edition
Enterprise | Contact Sales |
---|---|
Team | 400.002 |
- none
- Per User Per Year
Additional Pricing Details
—LinkedIn Learning (Lynda.com)
General
Free Trial
—Free/Freemium Version
—Premium Consulting/Integration Services
—Entry-level set up fee?
Starting Price
—LinkedIn Learning (Lynda.com) Editions & Modules
Additional Pricing Details
—Likelihood to Renew
Coursera
LinkedIn Learning (Lynda.com)
Usability
Coursera
LinkedIn Learning (Lynda.com)
Support Rating
Coursera
LinkedIn Learning (Lynda.com)
Implementation Rating
Coursera
LinkedIn Learning (Lynda.com)
Alternatives Considered
Coursera
LinkedIn Learning (Lynda.com)

Return on Investment
Coursera
- The greatest benefit of Coursera is access to quality courses on various subjects that you can either browse or dive in deeply. Customizable, flexible and accessible.
- Helps our department to recommend trainees courses on this website and gain important knowledge. Also, the courses are provided by big-name universities which helps students in their careers
- Developing and exploring professional skills.
LinkedIn Learning (Lynda.com)
- I can't think of a negative impact that Lynda.com has when it relates to the extensive library of training software that is available to subscribers. I'm lucky that my job provides a free subscription for instructors. I use Lynda.com to hone in on my technical skills.