Udemy vs Udacity: Which E-Learning is Best?

Buckle up. Because two of the best online learning providers for technical skills are competing today. Comparing Udemy vs Udacity!

In one corner, we have Udacity, a company whose Nanodegrees produce job-ready digital talent…

In the opposite corner is Udemy. Udemy offers courses on every topic. Moreover, its courses are both practical and reasonably priced.

This article compares the advantages and disadvantages of Udemy vs Udacity. Which one best meets your requirements? Let’s prepare for battle.

In a rush?

No problem. Udemy is the best option for those who prioritise affordability, course selection, and language support. Udacity is the superior option if you are seeking mentorship, career support, high-quality courses, and real-world projects.

1. Course Selection

Udemy is the Amazon of online courses because you can find a course on virtually any subject! With 200,000 available courses, Udemy would be the largest university in the world. Topics include coding, Excel, and yoga. However, with so many courses, how does Udemy guarantee quality?

Although Udacity only offers about 200 courses and 75 nanodegrees, they are all of the highest calibre and are regularly updated. However, what if you are searching for free courses? Udacity offers a variety of free courses. Its origins date back to 2011, offering only MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses). Since then, however, Nanodegrees have become its mainstay.

Winner: Udemy. 20,000+ courses are available on Udemy, so it’s easy to find a course on almost any topic.

2. Ease of Use (Interface)

The Udemy interface is user-friendly. Depending on the course chosen, there is a variety of reading materials and videos. Choose a course with coding exercises if you want to learn to code. This will assist with skill mastery and application. But the built-in IDE is absent, leaving you somewhat in the dark.

One of the strengths of Udacity is that it is simple to comprehend. Typically, each lesson includes text, mini-videos, and quizzes as checkpoints. The greatest advantage, however, is the mini-projects with personalised feedback. You follow a set of instructions provided by Udacity on your own. Within the live coding environment, you can install the necessary components for project completion.

Winner: Udacity. Whether you’re learning Python, R, or SQL, Udacity Classroom (your personal learning dashboard) has everything you need to begin coding, including a convenient integrated development environment (IDE).

3. Cost

Udacity’s Nanodegrees receive high marks, but the company has been criticised for its high cost. Typically, the cost of a Nanodegree ranges between $1,000 and more. There is also the option to pay monthly and attempt to complete your Nanodegrees in less time.

A single course on Udemy typically costs between $20 and $30. If you’re seeking assistance with IT certification, Udemy is an excellent resource for targeted practice beforehand. These are well worth the cost to help you pass the examination.

PRO TIP – There are ALWAYS 50% off deals available with 5 hours left to purchase on Udemy. Do not be duped into believing that this is a once-in-a-lifetime purchase opportunity.

Winner: Udemy. Udemy has more affordable prices that can accommodate nearly any budget. I’ve never seen a regular price on Udemy, so don’t be fooled into purchasing one of their “20 hours left at this price!” sales.

4. Scholarships

This is where Udacity truly outperforms its competitors. Currently, Udacity offers two scholarships from two AI and machine learning industry leaders: (1) AWS and (2) Bosch. Udacity scholarships can help you upgrade your skills and even earn a free Nanodegree if you lack the financial resources.

Although Udemy does not offer scholarships, it does provide a small number of free courses on a variety of topics. Udemy has something free for almost everyone, whether you want to learn a new language, brush up on your coding skills, or pick up a few new hobbies.

Winner: Udacity. Udacity has partnered with major corporations such as Amazon AWS and Bosch to provide top-tier scholarships through which students can earn free Nanodegrees and more.

5. Popularity

There are a staggering 52 million students, 68,000 instructors, and 712 million course enrollments on Udemy. These statistics demonstrate that Udemy is the best platform for online courses. You have the option of purchasing a course for a one-time fee or enrolling in a subscription plan that meets your needs. Udemy also provides a 30-day money-back guarantee, so there is nothing to lose by giving it a try.

More than 75,000 graduates have participated in the Nanodegree programme, which has been embraced by more than 200 corporate partners. This makes it a popular option for digital skills recruitment and technical training. By completing a hands-on curriculum and real-world projects, Udacity primarily caters to working professionals who wish to expand their skill sets, advance their careers, and explore new fields.

Winner: Tie. Udemy has more students due to the affordability of its courses. However, over 75,000 students have graduated with a nanodegree from Udacity.

6. Career Support

The career services offered by Udacity include personalised career coaching, mentorship, and access to exclusive job opportunities. The career coaches have experience assisting Udacity students in finding the ideal job. They assist students in creating effective resumes and LinkedIn profiles in order to prepare them for employment.

While Udacity receives full credit for caring about students after completing a Nanodegree, Udemy can be just as helpful in acquiring the necessary skills. This allows students to prepare for specific IT certification exams or acquire a specialised skill, which can lead to a more lucrative career. As expected, Udemy also offers courses on resume writing and LinkedIn profile creation.

The winner is Udacity. Udacity dominates this category by a wide margin. Here are some of its career services’ features: In addition to exclusive job postings, alumni network connections, LinkedIn and GitHub reviews, and more, the site also offers a variety of additional benefits.

7. Course Quality

The quality of courses on Udemy is inconsistent. How can Udemy maintain quality and consistency with more than 68,000 instructors? It cannot do so. As with all things in life, you get what you pay for. Before purchasing an Udemy course, ensure that it meets your requirements by reading the reviews.

The courses on Udacity are developed by professionals who are actively engaged in the advancement of technologies. Consequently, the content of these courses is engaging and can provide a competitive advantage. Udacity is the superior option if you’re looking for online courses that will challenge you and help you advance your career. However, it is extremely expensive.

Winner: Udacity. Udacity receives full credit for its superior Nanodegree. Experts in the field develop the course material to ensure that you learn what is necessary to succeed in that particular skill set and land a job.

8. Instruction and Learning Experience:

Udemy: Udemy courses are primarily self-paced, allowing learners to learn at their own pace and on their own schedule. Courses often include video lectures, practical exercises, and quizzes to assess learning progress. Udemy courses also provide lifetime access to course materials, allowing learners to revisit the content even after completing the course.

Udacity: Udacity courses, on the other hand, typically follow a structured curriculum with fixed start and end dates. They are more project-based, with hands-on projects and real-world applications, which provide learners with practical skills and portfolio-worthy projects. Udacity courses may also include interactive elements, such as coding exercises and quizzes, to reinforce learning. However, access to course materials may be limited to the duration of the course or program, and learners may lose access after completion.

9. Features and Extras

The greatest advantages of Udemy are its affordability, variety of courses, and variety of course languages. No matter what type of knowledge you seek (soft or technical skills), Udemy has a specialised course for you. Overall, Udemy’s target demographic includes students, professionals, parents, and hobbyists ranging from novices to experts.

Udacity is distinguished from its competitors by its mentor-led approach. With its career services support, Udacity has a clear focus on the success of its students. Each course is structured in a way that makes it easy to learn, as it is aimed at those who desire a comprehensive skill set. Your mentor provides personalised feedback when you submit a project. When you need assistance getting out of a rut, you receive feedback as if you were in college.

Winner: Tie. They both offer different features and extras, so it depends on what you want from an e-learning platform.

9. Value

Which has greater weight? In the end, the decision regarding which programme is more beneficial will depend on your needs and objectives. If you desire a comprehensive and structured learning experience, a Nanodegree may be more advantageous. If you have a limited budget and are more interested in learning a variety of skills, Udemy courses may be more suitable.

Employers actually requiring Nanodegrees? Absolutely not. However, Udacity can assist you in mastering a specific skill set via mentorship. This is the service you are paying for. While Udemy does none of these things, its courses can be tailored to various objectives and almost any budget.

Winner: Udacity edges out Udemy in this category. IDC has identified Udacity as one of the leading providers of digital talent with quantifiable business outcomes.

10. Community

You have the opportunity to expand your professional network by interacting with current students and alumni on Udacity. You can also benefit from using LinkedIn to connect with people in your industry. With its two-pronged approach, Udacity “kills two birds with one stone.”

If you enrol in a course on Udemy, the Q&A dashboard is an excellent way to receive feedback. Observing previous Q&A discussions, which can provide answers to unanswered questions, is the best way to maximise the utility of this resource. Transparency in Q&A discussions is always appreciated by students, and it can help them begin the course on a positive note.

Winner: Udemy. A noticeable difference is Udemy’s vibrant community, which hosts tens of thousands of discussions.

At a Glance: Pros and Cons of Udemy vs Udacity

Pros of Udemy:

1. Wide range of courses: Udemy offers a vast selection of courses on various topics, including business, technology, arts, lifestyle, and more. There are thousands of courses to choose from, allowing learners to find a course that meets their specific interests and needs.
2. Affordable: Udemy courses are generally priced affordably, and they often go on sale, making it accessible to a wide range of learners on a budget.
3. Lifetime access: Once you purchase a Udemy course, you get lifetime access to the course materials, allowing you to learn at your own pace and revisit the content as needed.
4. Diverse instructors: Udemy courses are taught by instructors from around the world, providing diverse perspectives and expertise on various topics.
5. Self-paced learning: Udemy courses are typically self-paced, giving learners the flexibility to learn at their own convenience and progress at their own speed.

Cons of Udemy:

1. Variable course quality: Since Udemy allows anyone to create and sell courses, the quality of courses can vary significantly. Some courses may be of low quality or outdated, and it may be challenging to determine the credibility of instructors.
2. Lack of structured learning paths: Udemy courses are standalone, and there is no set curriculum or learning path. Learners need to independently plan and navigate their learning journey, which may not suit everyone.
3. Limited support: Udemy courses may not always have dedicated support or mentorship, and learners may have to rely on community forums or Q&A sections for help.
4. No official certifications: Udemy courses do not provide official certifications, which may be a limitation for learners who require certifications for career advancement or other purposes.
5. No job placement assistance: Udemy does not offer job placement assistance or career services, which may be a drawback for learners seeking career-focused training.

Pros of Udacity:

1. Industry-aligned courses: Udacity offers courses that are designed in collaboration with industry partners, ensuring that the content is relevant and up-to-date with the latest industry trends and needs.
2. Rigorous curriculum: Udacity courses often have a structured curriculum with hands-on projects, quizzes, and assessments to help learners build practical skills and knowledge.
3. Experienced instructors: Udacity courses are taught by experienced instructors with expertise in their respective fields, providing learners with quality instruction and guidance.
4. Nanodegree programs: Udacity offers Nanodegree programs, which are comprehensive, project-based programs that provide learners with in-depth learning and real-world experience in specific domains such as data science, artificial intelligence, programming, and more.
5. Career services: Udacity offers career services such as job placement assistance, resume reviews, and networking opportunities to help learners with their career goals.

Cons of Udacity:

1. Higher cost: Udacity courses and Nanodegree programs can be relatively more expensive compared to Udemy courses.
2. Limited course selection: Udacity’s course selection may be more limited compared to Udemy, as they focus on specific domains and industries.
3. Time commitment: Udacity courses and Nanodegree programs may require a significant time commitment, and learners need to be prepared to dedicate time and effort to complete the program.
4. Fixed start and end dates: Udacity’s Nanodegree programs often have fixed start and end dates, which may not be suitable for learners who prefer self-paced learning.
5. No lifetime access: Unlike Udemy, Udacity courses and Nanodegree programs may have limited access periods, and learners may lose access to course materials after the program ends. 

Which e-learning platform is right for you?

Evidently, Udemy and Udacity are distinct platforms that offer distinct course types and philosophies.

Udemy is the best option if you are seeking a variety of courses. Whereas Udacity only provides a limited number of computer science and business courses.

Udemy is considerably less expensive than Coursera. A Nanodegree from Udacity is more expensive, but it includes mentorship, career services, and real-world projects.

Whether you wish to pursue a new career path or obtain a new certification, both Udacity and Udemy offer something of value.

Now, we welcome your feedback. Which e-learning platform do you find to be the most effective? Please leave a comment with your response.