Coursera is an online learning platform offering courses, specializations, professional certificates and degrees from more than 300 universities and companies. Many courses can be audited for free, while certificates and graded work require payment or a subscription.
Coursera Plus is a subscription that unlocks unlimited access to over 90% of courses, projects, specializations and professional certificates. Coursera also uses AI to support learners, for example with an AI learning assistant that answers questions about course material.
Key features
- 10,000+ courses from universities and companies like Google, IBM and Meta.
- Professional certificates for job-ready skills.
- Coursera Plus with unlimited access to most of the catalog.
- AI learning assistance to explain concepts and quiz you on course material.
- Guided projects for hands-on practice.
- Degrees from partner universities (separately priced).
Coursera pricing
| Option | Price | Includes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audit | Free | Many course videos and readings | No certificate or graded work |
| Single course or certificate | Varies | One course or program | Paid per course or monthly |
| Coursera Plus Monthly | $59/month | 90%+ of courses, specializations and certificates | Cancel anytime; 7-day free trial |
| Coursera Plus Annual | $399/year | Same as monthly | 14-day money-back guarantee |
| Coursera for Business and Teams | Custom | Team learning and admin | For organizations |
Online degrees and some programs are not included in Coursera Plus and are priced separately.
Our experience using Coursera
Coursera’s best courses are excellent, and well-known programs like the Google Career Certificates are practical and well structured. The AI assistant is useful for clarifying a lecture point without waiting for forum replies.
Value depends on commitment: annual Plus is a bargain if you finish several programs, but casual learners may prefer free audits or cheaper tools like Duolingo for languages.
Who should use Coursera?
Coursera is ideal for professionals switching careers, graduates building job skills, and teams that need structured training with certificates.
Coursera vs alternatives
Khanmigo focuses on school-age learners. Quizlet is for revision and flashcards. Duolingo is for languages. To practice what you learn about AI, try tools like ChatGPT and Claude.
See all AI for Education tools.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Is Coursera free?
Many courses can be audited for free, but certificates and graded assignments usually require payment.
How much is Coursera Plus?
Coursera Plus costs $59 per month or $399 per year.
Does Coursera Plus include everything?
It includes over 90% of courses, projects, specializations and professional certificates, but not degrees.
Does Coursera have a free trial?
Yes. Coursera Plus offers a 7-day free trial, and the annual plan has a 14-day money-back guarantee.
Are Coursera certificates worth it?
Professional certificates from companies like Google and IBM are well recognized for entry-level roles, especially alongside a portfolio.
