10 best online learning platforms
Technology has transformed the way people learn by providing access to various courses and learning materials anytime, anywhere. They’ve become the go-to option for learners who want to acquire new skills and knowledge from the comfort of their homes and at their own pace.
It’s also gained popularity among Learning and Development professionals aiming to prepare a workforce for future success.
With numerous options available to facilitate online learning, it can be a daunting task to choose the one best suited.
This article aims to take you through the process of choosing the best learning opportunity that meets your needs whether personal or professional.
What is the difference between an Online Learning Platform (OLP), Online Course Platform (OCP), Learning Management System (LMS) and Learning Experience Platform (LXP)
Online Learning Platform (OLP) An online learning platform is a comprehensive tool that offers a wide range of courses, resources, and tools for learners. These platforms often have a structured approach to learning, with courses and materials organised in a specific sequence of curriculum. They offer features such as gamification, quizzes, and interactive discussions, and are designed to provide a complete learning experience for students. Examples of online learning platforms include Upskillist, Coursera, Udemy, and Skillshare. | Learning Experience Platform (LXP) Learning Experience Platforms are designed to provide a personalised and immersive learning experience for learners. It offers a more flexible and informal approach to learning, allowing learners to explore and discover resources on their own. LXPs often use artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to recommend content to learners based on their interests, skill level, and learning history and include features such as social learning, gamification, and learner analytics. Examples of LXP platforms include Upskillist, Degreed, EdCast, and Pathgather. |
Learning Management System (LMS) A Learning Management System (LMS) is a platform designed to manage and deliver educational content to learners. It is typically used in education, corporate or organisational settings, where employees need to complete specific training courses or modules. An LMS offers features such as user management, course tracking, and reporting. Examples of LMS platforms include Upskillist, Blackboard, Moodle, and Canvas. | Online Course Platform (OCP) Online course platforms focus solely on providing courses and resources for learners. It essentially provides a digital space for instructors to create and deliver educational content, such as videos, quizzes, and assignments, to students. Online course platforms offer a variety of course creation and management tools, such as course templates, multimedia embedding, and course tracking. Examples of online course platforms include Udemy, and Skillshare |
What is the best online platform for learning?
Despite the hundreds of articles and badges issued for the best online learning platform (including this one), there is no single, simple answer.
Often the term ‘best’ is determined by market share, Google search trends, Social media mentions or User reviews. Apart from user reviews, these factors do not provide an evaluation of the quality or reliability of the learning platform.
For this reason, it’s important to first, before considering any review or possible platforms, define what you deem as ‘best’. What are the features and essential functions you need to succeed in your learning journey. This may vary widely from one person to another. For some it may be international recognition, for others, it may be gamification elements to keep learning fun.
The most popular considerations, include
Course offerings: | The platform should offer a wide range of courses across various domains, including but not limited to business, technology, arts, and sciences. |
Course quality: | The quality of courses is an essential factor to consider when evaluating an online learning platform. Courses should be well-structured, engaging, and up-to-date. |
Instructors: | Course content should be created by experienced and knowledgeable instructors who are experts in their respective fields. |
Accreditation: | Accreditation or recognition is valuable in respect of employment, and as a means to ensure quality learning takes place. |
User reviews and ratings: | User reviews and ratings can provide valuable insights into the quality and effectiveness of an online learning platform. Reviews can help learners to understand the strengths and weaknesses of a platform before enrolling in a course. |
Technical support: | Technical support is an essential aspect of an online learning platform. The platform should offer technical support to help learners navigate any technical issues they may encounter while accessing the courses. |
Cost: | Affordability is a critical factor for most learners. A cost-effective option, fee trials or courses, scholarships or financial aids, can make an offering more appealing. |
Flexibility: | The greatest appeal of online learning over the traditional appeal is flexibility. Where courses and materials can be accessed when and where needed, learners have the freedom to choose their own pace, time and location for learning. This greatly adds to the quality of the learning experience as well as the potential to retain and absorb information. |
The Upskillist offering
Upskillist aims to provide accessible, affordable, and flexible education to individuals around the world and to empower learners with the skills and knowledge needed to achieve their personal and professional goals.
Website: | |
Platform type: | LMS, LXP, OLP |
Overall user rating: |
Course Range, Duration, and Categories:
Upskillist offers online courses in various categories such as Photography, Marketing, Design, Business & Analytics, Finance, Health Wellness, Technology, Arts & Hobbies, Beauty, Music and Languages
The platform hosts 80+ courses, ranging from shorter 8-lesson (90 min – 180 min) courses to longer 32-lesson (16 – 32 hours) courses.
Course Quality, Structure, Relevance, and Interaction:
Courses are designed by industry experts and frequent updates ensure topics covered are relevant and match current job market demands.
All courses are structured to provide learners with a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter and modules follow a strategic and logical path to ensure the gradual mastery of skills from beginner to proficiency.
Upskillist also offers interactive features such as quizzes, assignments, and forums to engage learners and provide feedback on their progress.
Instructors:
Course content is curated by industry experts with extensive experience in their respective fields. Further expertise is employed in the design and formulation of courses to ensure a seamless learning journey.
Accreditation, Recognition, and Certification:
Upskillist courses are critically assessed by global academic partners Austin Peay State University and The CPD Certification Service (UK).
Certification is presented upon completion of a course, which can also be shared via social media platforms
Technical Support Channels:
The well-informed customer support team is available to assist learner queries. In addition, the Upskillist website offers a comprehensive FAQ section that provides solutions to commonly asked questions.
Flexibility of Learning in Terms of Schedules, On-Demand Content, and Supporting Content:
The platform offers on-demand content that learners can access at their convenience. Additionally, the courses come with supporting content such as videos, case studies, and quizzes that learners can use to reinforce their learning.
Additional Features:
- Additional features offered by the platform include a personalised learning dashboard, progress tracking, and gamification to motivate and engage learners.
- Learners are also aided in finding their dream job with access to the Careers page.
- With a, first-of-its-kind, built-in employee soft-skills gap analysis the platform is able to provide personalised journeys for each individual to help strengthen and improve their soft skills.
Cost per User:
Upskillist offers a Free 28-day trial with subscription options of $69 per month. To enjoy a generous discount, learners can opt for an annual subscription of $219. Course materials and eCerts are available for purchase.
Where learners are not satisfied with the learning experience a 14-day refund policy is available
Overall, Upskillist provides an excellent platform for individuals who believe in lifelong learning, who hope to improve their quality of life through personal development as well as excel in their career through professional development including soft skills betterment.
10 best online learning platforms
Though we believe in our Upskilling offering, there are numerous options available for consideration and here we’ve compared a few of the top online learning platforms for individual development.
As a disclaimer, it’s essential to take into consideration that online learning platforms are at the forefront of innovation and frequently update and review their offering. The information provided here may therefore be outdated, and for this reason, we’ve included links to the various sites, for your own research and review.
Company | Upskillist | Corporate Finance Institute | Pluralsight Skills | Infosec Skills |
Specialisation | Personal and professional development | Finance | Technology | Cybersecurity |
Course range | 80+ courses in various categories such as Photography, Marketing, Design, Business & Analytics, Finance, Health Wellness, Technology, Arts & Hobbies, Beauty, Music and Languages. | 150+ courses in a wide range of subjects, including topics such as financial modelling, valuation, accounting, Excel, investment banking, and more. | 7000 courses covering software development, IT operations, information and cyber security, data professionals, architecture and construction, business professional as well as manufacturing and design. | The platform offers 190+ pre-built learning paths, including cybersecurity courses covering different areas, such as ethical hacking, cybersecurity awareness, cloud security, secure coding, network security, and compliance. |
Cost | $69 per month $219 per annum | $41,42 – $71,58 per month $497 – $847 billed annually | $29 – $49 per month | $299 per annum |
User review | ||||
Accreditation | International recognition from two accredited authorities Austin Peay State University The CPD Certification Services (UK) | Verifiable CPE credits for American CPAs and CPD credits for CPAs in Canada, UK, and Australia. | – | Courses are accredited by various organisations, including the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS). |
Links: |
Company | LinkedIn Learning | Udacity | Product Marketing Alliance | Hubspot Academy |
Specialisation | Professional development | Technology and business-related fields | Product marketing | Digital marketing, sales and customer service |
Course range | LinkedIn Learning offers over 18,000 courses in multiple categories, such as business, technology, creative skills, and personal development. | Udacity offers courses in various categories, including AI, data science, programming, cloud computing, autonomous systems, digital marketing, business, and more. | Product Marketing Alliance offers 130+ pieces of exclusive content on product marketing, including courses on product strategy, product launch, product messaging, pricing, and more. | HubSpot Academy offers a wide range of courses that cover topics such as inbound marketing, sales, customer service, social media, content marketing, and email marketing. |
Cost | $39.99 per month $323.88 per month paid annually | $100 – $2400 per course | $49 per month $499 per annum | Selected courses are free with premium consulting available |
User review | ||||
Accreditation | – | – | – | Selected courses are certified by Hubspot Academy |
Links: |
Company | Udemy | CBT Nuggets |
Specialisation | Personal and professional development | IT |
Course range | Udemy offers over 230 000 online video courses that range in duration from a few hours to several months and are divided into categories such as Business, Design, Development, Marketing, IT & Software, Personal Development, Photography, Music, and many more. | CBT Nuggets offers a wide range of courses, including IT certification exam prep, soft skills training, and technology-specific training. The courses cover topics such as network security, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and project management |
Cost | $9.99 – $199.99 per course | $59 per month $599 per annum |
User review | ||
Accreditation | – | – |
Links: |
