Without a doubt, Online Education Platforms have made education more accessible to all and better for teachers as well as students. Given the recent explosive growth in the business, we have taken the effort to compile a list of the top online education learning platforms. However, precisely what are they? It’s critical to distinguish between online education learning platforms and online course environments. Also read 10 Free Online Graphic Design Courses in 2024
Before we go over our ranking of the top 10, let’s talk about that.

What is online education platforms?

An online education platform is a digital environment where learners can take online courses, which are often offered in a marketplace. Some examples include Moodle, Canvas, Blackboard, edX, Coursera, Udacity, and Khan Academy. From a learner’s perspective, it is the place to find content and courses.

An online course platform, conversely, is technology instructors use to create, host, and sell their courses, which may not be offered on a learning platform’s marketplace. For example, a course built with an online course platform could be offered on the instructor’s own website.

For this article, we’ll focus on online education platforms with information relevant to learners.

Benefits of online education platforms

Online education platforms add substantial value to both learners and educational institutions. Here are several key advantages to using them over in-person educational experiences:

• Accessibility and flexibility
• Diverse course offerings
• Cost-effective
• Self-paced
• Interactive learning tools
• Continuous updates and relevance
• Skill development and career advancement

10 Best Online Education Platforms

1). Udemy

Students and teachers can take advantage of this online platform for learning and knowledge sharing. On this platform, you can also subscribe to the Udemy Business plan to train your workforce with over twenty thousand courses for working professionals. Other than that, it has over 62 million students in 180+ countries, making it a perfect platform for teachers to reach learners globally. Plus, students can find courses belonging to different categories to boost their knowledge.

Advantages:

• a large selection of courses in many different subjects.
• Reasonably priced with regular savings.
• lifetime access to classes you’ve paid for.
• courses made by professionals in the field.

Cons:

• The quality of a course can differ greatly.
• little communication with the teachers.
• neither degrees nor official accreditation.

2). iversity.org

A Berlin-based online learning network called iversity.org provides courses from institutions and organizations. With a course catalog that covers both professional and academic areas, iversity.org has a European concentration. In contrast to more expansive international platforms, the platform might have a limited course catalog even while it offers a variety of courses. Additionally, recognition might be more restricted in some areas.
Key Features:

European course providers

Academic and professional courses

Pros:

• Diverse course offerings
• European focus

Cons:

• Smaller course catalog compared to some global platforms
• Limited recognition in certain regions

3). SkillShare

One unique creative online learning resource is Skillshare, which offers classes in writing, design, photography, and other subjects. The platform emphasizes project-based learning and takes a community-driven approach. For individuals wishing to improve their creative abilities, Skillshare is an appealing choice due to its extensive selection of creative topics and reasonable membership costs. It might not be as appropriate for anyone looking for academic or technical subjects, though, and the quality of the courses can vary.

Key Features:

• Focus on creative skills
• Project-based learning
• Community-driven content

Pros:

• Broad range of creative topics
• Affordable subscription pricing

Cons:

• Quality of courses can vary
• Limited emphasis on academic or technical subjects

4). EDX

edX collaborates with over 260 international institutions to provide students with access to global knowledge. It is an award-winning online education platform recognized for its contribution to career development.

Using its enterprise solutions, businesses can also upskill their employees with extensive training solutions. In addition to that, this platform provides students with online quizzes and assessments to help them learn better.

Advantage:

Courses from renowned universities like Harvard and MIT.
Offers micro-masters and professional certificates.
High-quality, academically rigorous content.
Many courses are free to audit.

Cons:

Certificates and full access require payment.
Some programs can be quite costly.
Limited interaction with peers and instructors.

5). Coursera

With several free courses available, Coursera has become a top online learning website for students of every kind. Moreover, it gives you the option to save over 100 dollars on paid courses during your first year of learning. This advanced learning platform even allows you to get online master’s and bachelor’s degrees without physically going to college. Plus, the certification offered by this platform proves to be valuable in professional settings.

Pros:

Courses at leading colleges and institutions.
Provides degrees and professional certifications.
High-quality, well-organized content.
There is financial aid available for many courses.

Cons:

Certain courses can be costly.
Not all content is self-paced; some follows a defined schedule.
Limited access to course materials without a subscription.

6). Udacity

udacity is an online learning platform.
This online e-learning platform can be used by young professionals to enhance their skill set and establish their value in the workplace. You can use their open-ended projects to showcase your talents while learning on this site. Following the project’s completion, you will get tailored criticism from professionals in the field. This learning website also offers mentors that can help you learn from your blunders.

Advantages:

emphasizes technology and employable skills, particularly in programming, data science, and artificial intelligence.
provides a structured study path for nanodegrees.
Robust industry collaborations furnish pertinent and current material.
Mentoring and career support are provided.

Cons:

Expensive for nanodegrees.
limited selection of courses outside of the technology sector.
a significant time investment in certain projects.

7). Khan Academy

Khan Academy is a cutting-edge learning platform that aims to assist young pupils take their first steps toward success. This top online education platform includes courses for early students ranging from second to eighth grade.

Students preparing for college assessments can also benefit from taking the MCAT, LSAT, and other relevant courses.
This platform also enables teachers to discover gaps in students’ learning and motivate them to achieve professional success.

Pros:

Completely free and open to anyone. Ideal for foundational learning and school courses. Content is simple to understand and of great quality, with practice exercises included. Ad-free and non-profit.

Cons:

There are few advanced or professional-level courses available. The primary focus is on K-12 and early college education. There is no certification for courses completed.

8). Masterclass

Because MasterClass features brief video lessons, it differs significantly from other online learning environments. When you first visit our student-only online learning portal, you can receive access to courses that match your needs by completing a personalized survey.

To give students fresh opportunities for learning, the development staff tries its best to add new courses each month. Additionally, this platform offers the Skill Builder series, which students may watch to delight themselves while honing their skills.

Advantages:

courses given by renowned experts and celebrities.
Excellent production quality and captivating material.
emphasizes lifestyle and creative skills.
With an annual subscription, all classes are accessible.

Cons:

Not very demanding intellectually; more motivational than educating.
neither official qualifications nor certifications.

9. SkillShare

Students wanting to learn creative skills to add flavor to their lives can benefit from SkillShare. With this online education platform, you can connect with thousands of creative artists, including YouTubers, Illustrators, and Graphic Designers.

Plus, this platform is very different from conventional learning sites that only focus on professional learning topics. Also, there is a team plan available for businesses to train their employees for a creativity boost.

Pros:

Emphasizes creative skills and hands-on projects.
Affordable subscription with access to all classes.
Engages users through community projects and peer feedback.
Wide range of topics, especially in creative arts.

Cons:

No formal accreditation or certificates.
Quality varies significantly between courses.
Subscription model might not suit those only interested in a few classes.

10). FutureLearn

FutureLearn is an all-in-one online learning website for students and professionals with courses from every industry. It is affiliated with over 200 hundred world-class universities and teachers to deliver the best learning experience to students globally.

Plus, students can get access to online undergraduate and postgraduate degrees to get professional education from their homes. Additionally, you will be able to gain insights into any desired field through its short courses.

Advantages:

courses offered by prestigious colleges and institutions.
provides degrees, short courses, and microcredentials.
Content is accessible for free, with certificates available for purchase.
strong focus on social interaction and learning.

Cons:

Full access and a certificate are paid for.
In some professions, the choices of courses may be restricted.
Not every course provides in-depth information.