“Unlock your creativity with these top Skillshare alternatives!” From CreativeLive to Domestika, Udemy, and MasterClass. You have many good options.
Skillshare is a leading online platform that offers various classes and courses in practical and creative skills like marketing, writing, photography, design, and dancing.
But the thing is that its technical and advanced courses are not as good. Neither does Skillshare come for free or a monthly plan. It only has an annual plan, fees for which is paid upfront.
If these things are a dealbreaker for you, you could look at these Skillshare alternatives and choose one depending on your individual goals and preferences.
CreativeLive, Domestika, MasterClass, Udemy, and Craftsy are the names that are most prominent when it comes to finding a replacement for Skillshare.
CreativeLive has workshops and courses in entrepreneurship, music, crafting, design, and photography, presented by the top experts in their respective fields.
Domestika focuses on creative arts and has courses in lettering, graphic design, animation, and illustration.
Udemy is one of the most popular platforms like Skillshare, that offers classes on topics from personal development to programming, presented by experienced and qualified independent instructors.
Masterclass can be a good choice for individuals aspiring for lectures from world-famous experts. They have classes in filmmaking, acting, writing, cooking, and filmmaking, among other topics, presented by renowned personalities like Margaret Atwood, Gordon Ramsay, Martin Scorsese, etc.
Lastly, if you seek Skillshare similar sites that follow a traditional academic approach for advanced certified learning, Coursera partners with top and recognized organizations and universities to present degree programs and courses in different fields like engineering, humanities, computer science, and social science.
Overall, you can find many alternatives, but the choice depends on your preferred learning style, budget, and learning goals.
Why Is There A Need For Skillshare Alternatives?
Skillshare is a popular online learning platform with various courses in entrepreneurial and creative fields. Even though it has a vast selection of courses, many people seek alternatives. It is because of the following reasons:
- Even though Skillshare review is good and it has a diverse selection of courses, they may not have enough options in some niche areas.
- Some users may find the instruction quality unsatisfactory.
- Many users like a different learning experience, such as more interactive learning formats or live sessions.
Skillshare Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
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Alternatives To Skillshare Compared Neck To Neck
| Meant For | Course Topic Range | Pricing | Certification | |
| Skillshare | Creative and practical skills | Design, photography, writing, marketing, entrepreneurship, and more | Annual Skillshare membership fee is $168 | Yes (From early 2023 it has started awarding class certificate) |
| CreativeLive | Creative professionals | Photography, design, music, crafting, entrepreneurship, and more | Individual course prices and annual Creator Pass membership ($39/month) | Certificate of completion for some courses |
| MasterClass | Classes by world-famous experts | Cooking, writing, acting, filmmaking, and more | Annual membership fee ($180/year) | No |
| Udemy | Wide range of topics | Programming, personal development, marketing, business, and more | Udemy costs $9.99 – $120 for individual courses/personal plan starts at $16.58 | Certificate of completion for paid courses |
| Domestika | Creative arts | Illustration, animation, graphic design, lettering, and more | Individual course prices and monthly or annual subscriptions ($9.90/month or $89/year) | Certificate of completion for all courses |
| Mindvalley | Personal growth and self-improvement | Meditation, health, relationships, spirituality, and more | Monthly or annual membership fee (starting from $14.99/month) | Certificate of completion for some courses |
| Coursera | University-level education | Computer science, engineering, humanities, social sciences, and more | Individual course prices and Coursera subscriptions for degree programs | Verified certificate for some courses |
| edX | University-level education | Computer science, engineering, humanities, social sciences, and more | Individual course prices and subscriptions for degree programs | Verified certificate for some courses |
| Pluralsight | Technology and software development | IT, software development, cybersecurity, and more | Monthly or annual membership fee (starting from $29/month) | Skills assessments and certification exams for some courses |
| LinkedIn Learning | Business and technology skills | Leadership, marketing, data analysis, and more | Monthly or annual membership fee (starting from $29.99/month) | Certificate of completion for all courses |
| Craftsy | Creative skills and hobbies | Knitting, quilting, painting, baking, and more | Individual course prices and annual Bluprint subscription ($14.99/month) | Certificate of completion for all courses |
1. CreativeLive
CreativeLive is a leading online platform with workshops and classes for creative professionals. Founded in 2010, CreativeLive was started in Seattle, Washington.
CreativeLive teams with expert instructors from various fields who help build their workshops and courses. Their classes primarily focus on practical and creative skills.
These instructors teach live online sessions. They initially broadcast the sessions at zero cost on the CreativeLive website. After this, they are available for purchase on the platform for ongoing access.
What Makes CreativeLive A Worthy Option?
One of the reasons it can be a go-to pick when looking for websites similar to Skillshare is its Creator Pass Membership. It offers users unlimited access to all the current and future classes on the platform, community forums, exclusive content, and discounts on other products and services.
The platform also has other individual class purchases for students who like to pay per class.
In addition, the company is famous for:
- Its high production value.
- Interactive learning experience
- Variety of classes in different formats
What CreativeLive Lacks?
But it may not be the best choice for those who need technical or academic training. The platform predominantly focuses on practical and creative skills. Hence, it won’t have as many computer science, engineering, or healthcare courses.
Further, their pricing can be relatively higher than other platforms like Skillshare.
2. MasterClass
MasteClass is a popular learning platform with classes from world-famous experts in different fields. The platform has founded in 2015 and is based in San Francisco, California.
The company partners with celebrity instructors like Serena Williams, Martin Scorsese, and Neil deGrasse Tyson, who offer workshops and classes. These are pre-recorded sessions available for live streaming on the platform.
Each session has video lectures, additional resources, and a workbook.
What Makes MasterClass A Worthy Option?
It can be one of the excellent alternatives to Skillshare because of the following reasons:
- The expertise of world-renowned experts and instructors
- Annual membership model that offers unlimited access to future and current classes
- Individual buying option for those who want to pay per class.
- Top production and cinematic value in the videos
- Courses available in cooking, writing, acting, filmmaking, and more from celebrities and industry leaders
What MasterClass Lacks?
It may not be the top choice for people seeking classes or more technical subjects. You also will not earn any credentials or certificates. Lastly, its annual subscription is relatively expensive compared to other sites like Skillshare.
3. Udemy
Udemy is one of the most popular learning platforms with positive reviews. It has several classes and courses. Founded in 2010, Udemy is based in San Francisco, California. Udemy allows everyone to create and sell courses on the platform.
Consequently, the platform provides sessions in various domains like business, IT, design, music, and more. The lessons are available in different formats and come with many added resources and practical exercises.
What Makes Udemy A Worthy Option?
It can be one of the best Skillshare alternatives for the following reasons:
- You can find many free courses, and even the paid classes are affordable, costing between $10 to $100 and rarely more. However, Udemy frequently runs sales and promotions, allowing users to purchase courses at much lower prices.
- Udemy’s flexibility is also appreciable. They let the users take the classes at their pace and schedule.
- They have lifetime access to all courses.
- They have courses in various fields in easy to understand video format.
What Udemy Lacks?
- Since anyone can teach on Udemy, the course quality may not be the best.
- Their certificates are not accredited.
- Even though its flexibility can be advantageous for many, it may be a bummer for those seeking interactive or structured learning.
4. Domestika
Domestika is an online forum with courses for hobby artists and creative professionals. The platform was founded in 2010 and is based in Madrid, Spain. Domestika functions by partnering with expert instructors to offer pre-recorded sessions.
You can find sessions in graphic design, photography, animation, illustration, and more domains. Every lecture comprises video lessons, project files, reading materials, and assignments.
What Makes Domestika A Worthy Option?
- The quality of courses and instructors is appreciable, as their instructors are highly respected experts in their fields.
- Their courses have high production value.
- They have courses in multiple languages, making them accessible to users globally.
- Their community aspect, which lets you connect with other users, share your work, and receive feedback, is also likable, as it creates a supportive learning environment.
What Domestika Lacks?
- It may not be suitable for those seeking technical or business-oriented courses.
- It does not offer the same level of personalized feedback or interaction as other sites like Skillshare.
- Compared to others, the lectures on Domestika are priced higher, ranging between $20 and $90.
5. Mindvalley
It is an online platform with courses on personal growth, spirituality, wellness, and entrepreneurship. Mindvalley was founded in 2003 and is based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. They partner with expert instructors to offer pre-recorded sessions, available for streaming on the platform. The platform has meditation, fitness, relationships, spirituality, and other courses. Every class has a bunch of assignments, video lectures, and additional resources like guided meditations and reading materials.
What Makes Mindvalley A Worthy Option?
- One of their most likable features is their experienced instructors, including best-selling authors, TED speakers, and renowned thought leaders in personal development.
- They design courses to help users build their inner selves and achieve success and fulfillment.
- They have more comprehensive courses than several apps similar to Skillshare.
- Their courses are engaging and have high production value. You will find innovative teaching methods that go beyond traditional learning techniques.
- Some standout elements in their classes include gamification, visualization, and meditation.
- They have a supportive community where users can connect with like-minded individuals and receive support and encouragement.
- They have flexible learning options.
What Mindvalley Lacks?
- Their courses are expensive, costing between $100 and $500.
- They do not have many tech or business-oriented courses like other Skillshare similar sites.
6. Coursera
It is a leading online platform that partners with top organizations and universities to offer degree programs, certificates, and courses. The company has been around since 2012 and is based in Mountain View, California.
Coursera covers business, computer science, social sciences, and more domains. The instructors from reputed industries and organizations teach their courses, and each class comprises assignments, quizzes, lectures, and readings.
Many sessions also have interactive elements like peer-reviewed assignments and discussion forums. Read detailed Coursera reviews here.
What Makes Coursera A Worthy Option?
- Its partnership with top organizations and universities allows them to offer top-quality programs and courses recognized and respected by employers and academic institutions.
- They have several certificate programs and degree programs.
- You can find a wealth of computer science, data science, and other technical fields courses, as well as lessons in business and management. Hence, it can be one of the top Skillshare alternatives for students interested in tech and business courses.
What Coursera Lacks?
- It may not be ideal for those seeking hobby-oriented or creative classes.
- The courses are usually structured and set around a schedule. Thus, they are not as flexible as the courses on websites similar to Skillshare.
7. Pluralsight
Pluralsight is a famous online platform that offers video-based courses and skill assessments in various technical fields like software development, IT operations, cybersecurity, and more.
Founded in 2004, Pluralsight is based in Farmington, Utah. The company offers video-based lectures presented by leading experts. Their courses comprise video lectures, assessments, and quizzes.
They also have skill assessments that assess proficiency in the learned topic and gauge areas for improvement.
What Makes Pluralsight A Worthy Option?
- They have several courses in technical fields, making it one of the good Skillshare alternatives for users hoping to improve their technical skills.
- Their adaptive learning technology makes it easier to evaluate user proficiency in a topic and identify areas for improvement.
- They employ machine learning algorithms to recommend assessments and courses most relevant to the user’s career goals and skills.
What Pluralsight Lacks?
- It may not be best for those seeking hobby-oriented or creative courses.
- Their subscription can be relatively more expensive than apps similar to Skillshare.
8. edX
edX is a popular online learning platform with programs and courses from top organizations and universities. Found in 2012, edX is a non-profit organization based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The company partners with organizations and universities and offers courses in computer science, business, engineering, and more domains. Instructors from leading institutions take these courses.
What makes edX a worthy option?
- They have programs from top organizations and universities, allowing the platform to provide top-quality educational content, respected and recognized by academic institutions and employers.
- You can earn certificates that can help with employment and career advancement.
- edX can be a good pick for those hoping to build technical or academic skills.
What edX Lacks?
- edX may not be suitable Skillshare similar sites for those seeking hobby-oriented or creative courses.
- Their courses are not flexible.
- The certification is expensive.
9. LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning is an online platform with a personalized learning experience and video-based courses to enable users to develop their skills and progress in their careers. The forum was initially launched as Lynda.com in 1995 but was acquired by LinkedIn in 2015.
They function by offering video-based lessons crafted by industry experts. Their courses are hands-on with many practical exercises. Users can set their learning goals and track progress towards achieving them.
What Makes LinkedIn Learning A Worthy Option?
- Users can add completed certificates and courses to their LinkedIn profiles to present their expertise and skills to potential employers.
- They focus mainly on career advancement and professional development.
- You can find classes in business, technology, creativity, and more.
What LinkedIn Learning Lacks?
- It may not be the best Skillshare alternative for those seeking creative topics.
- They cover the classes at the surface level. Hence, the sessions may lack depth.
Related: LinkedIn Learning Alternatives
10. Craftsy
Craftsy is an online platform with video-based lessons and patterns in crafts like knitting, sewing, quilting, baking, and more. Founded in 2010, Craftsy is based in Denver, Colorado. They offer video-based lessons taught by experienced instructors.
The courses consist of video lectures and include recipes, patterns, and course materials. The platform also has a marketplace to buy supplies and kits associated with the classes.
What Makes Craftsy A Worthy Option?
- It focuses on craft-based patterns and courses, making it one of the best alternatives to Skillshare for those who wish to develop skills in these areas.
- They emphasize collaboration and community and provide various resources and tools to help users connect and share their work for feedback.
What Craftsy Lacks?
- They do not have academic or tech-oriented classes.
- Quality of instruction is not standard.
- It has limited offline access.
Paid and Free Skillshare Alternatives Summarized
| CreativeLive Pros | Udemy Pros |
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| MasterClass Pros | Coursera Pros |
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| Domestika Pros | Mindvalley Pros |
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| edX Pros | Pluralsight Pros |
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| LinkedIn Learning Pros | Craftsy Pros |
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