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Coursera vs Udemy
Short answer: Coursera for recognised certificates and structured programs; Udemy for cheap, practical single courses with lifetime access.
See every plan side by side in the price tracker or try the platform quiz.
| Coursera | Udemy | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Coursera Plus $59/month or $399/year; single courses and programs $49–$79/month | Individual course purchases, or Personal Plan subscription (monthly or annual access) |
| Free trial | Monthly Plus starts with a 7-day free trial | May be offered to first-time Personal Plan subscribers |
| Refunds | Annual Plus has a 14-day money-back guarantee | Eligible individual courses: 30-day refund policy. Subscriptions bought on Udemy.com: no refunds unless required by law |
| Certificates | Yes, certificates for completed courses | Certificate of completion (not accredited) |
Refunds
Udemy individual courses have a 30-day refund policy, but Udemy.com subscriptions do not. Coursera annual Plus has a 14-day money-back guarantee.
Sources
- Coursera Plus page
- Coursera Help: Coursera Plus (trial and refund terms)
- Udemy plans and pricing
- Udemy refund policy
- Udemy Help: Personal Plan
- Udemy Personal Plan
Facts checked October 15, 2026. Prices are US list prices, change often and vary by region; confirm on the provider's site before buying.