Udemy provides a vast marketplace of online courses tailored to a range of interests and skill levels. From technical expertise to creative pursuits, it empowers users to learn at their own pace with flexible access to content.

  • Best For: Aspiring learners and instructors seeking a wide variety of affordable, flexible courses.
  • When to Choose: Ideal for users exploring diverse topics or creators targeting a global audience.
  • Pricing: Courses range from $10–$200; subscriptions start at $20/month for learners. Creators earn 37%–97% of course sales.

Basics to Understand

Udemy connects learners with experts through a library of video-based courses. Courses are available for a one-time fee, granting lifetime access.

Users can study at their convenience, with downloadable materials and certificates upon completion. It's ideal for upskilling, career development, or exploring new hobbies.

Notable Features

  • Wide Course Variety: Over 210,000 courses covering tech, business, design, and more.
  • Lifetime Access: Purchase courses once and access them anytime.
  • Certifications: Earn completion certificates to showcase new skills.
  • User Reviews: Course ratings and feedback help identify top content.
  • Mobile App: Learn offline and on-the-go with the Udemy app.
  • Expert Instructors: Courses created by industry professionals.

Pricing & Cost

For creators, Udemy is free to join, allowing instructors to create courses without any upfront costs.

Revenue sharing depends on the sales channel, with instructors earning 37% of sales through Udemy's organic reach or 97% when using their own coupon codes for direct sales.

For users, Udemy offers a pay-per-course model, with individual courses ranging from $10 to $200 and providing lifetime access.

Subscription plans include the Personal Plan, starting at $20/month with access to 12,000+ courses; the Team Plan, at $30/month per user for 2–20 users, featuring analytics and adoption reports; and the Enterprise Plan, which includes 27,000+ courses, advanced analytics, and more, with pricing available upon request.

Additionally, the Leadership Academy offers custom group learning for 25+ users, with tailored pricing.

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My Honest Thoughts

As a course creator on Udemy, my experience has been largely positive.

The platform is straightforward and supportive for newcomers in the e-learning space, providing detailed guides on course creation and promotion.

I appreciated the tools Udemy offers, like built-in video editing and course analytics, which helped me tailor my content based on student feedback.

The revenue-sharing model is fair, especially when leveraging personal coupon codes, though sales via Udemy's organic channels result in a lower percentage.

While some creators may find Udemy's rules restrictive, I found that adhering to their quality standards improved the course's presentation and impact.

One challenge I faced was standing out in a crowded marketplace. It required consistent updates and promotional efforts to gain visibility among thousands of courses.

Additionally, while the platform offers great global reach, the competition and occasional price-slashing during promotions can undervalue high-quality content.

Overall, Udemy is a fantastic platform for reaching a wide audience, though success requires effort in both content quality and self-marketing. It’s ideal for instructors willing to invest time in creating structured, engaging courses while managing their promotional strategies.

Alternatives

Podia

A versatile platform allowing creators to sell courses, memberships, and digital downloads without transaction fees. Choose this when your focus is on creative skills with an engaged learner community.

Alternative
Skillshare

Aspiring learners and instructors seeking a wide variety of affordable, flexible courses. Ideal for users exploring diverse topics or creators targeting a global audience.

Alternative