In today’s fast-paced digital world, the demand for learning new skills online has skyrocketed. Among the vast array of online learning platforms, Skillshare and LinkedIn Learning stand out as two popular choices. While both platforms provide thousands of courses across various disciplines, they cater to different types of learners with distinct learning needs and goals.
Skillshare primarily focuses on creative and project-based learning, whereas LinkedIn Learning provides a more structured, professional learning experience that is integrated with LinkedIn’s career-focused tools. In this detailed comparison, we’ll break down the differences between Skillshare and LinkedIn Learning, exploring their features, pricing, target audiences, and more. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of which platform is better suited for your personal or professional growth.
Introduction
Skillshare and LinkedIn Learning have quickly become household names in the online education industry. Whether you want to learn creative skills, boost your productivity, or enhance your professional development, these platforms offer vast content libraries. However, they each take different approaches to teaching, with Skillshare emphasizing community-driven, project-based learning and LinkedIn Learning focusing more on formal, career-oriented education.
While both platforms have their own merits, the best platform for you depends on your learning preferences and goals. In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into each platform, examining their features, pricing models, and more, to help you decide which online learning platform best fits your needs.
Overview of Skillshare and LinkedIn Learning
Skillshare Overview
Skillshare is a community-based online learning platform known for its focus on creativity and self-expression. Founded in 2010, Skillshare offers a subscription-based service that provides users with unlimited access to thousands of courses.
Its course catalog spans subjects such as graphic design, photography, illustration, writing, and business skills.
Skillshare’s main appeal lies in its project-based approach to learning, where students complete hands-on assignments and share their work with the community. The platform fosters a sense of collaboration, making it ideal for learners who thrive in a community environment.
LinkedIn Learning Overview
LinkedIn Learning, previously known as Lynda.com, is LinkedIn’s professional learning platform. Acquired by LinkedIn in 2015, LinkedIn Learning offers a vast array of courses designed to help professionals build skills that enhance their careers. Courses cover topics such as business, technology, and creative disciplines, making it suitable for a wide range of learners.
What sets LinkedIn Learning apart is its seamless integration with LinkedIn profiles, where learners can showcase their newly acquired skills to potential employers. The platform is tailored for professionals who want to advance their careers, develop new skills, or gain certifications that are relevant in today’s job market.
Features of Skillshare and LinkedIn Learning
Skillshare Features
- Project-Based Learning: Skillshare places a strong emphasis on hands-on learning, encouraging students to complete projects and apply their new skills. Most courses culminate in a project, which students can upload to receive feedback from peers and instructors.
- Creative-Focused Courses: Skillshare’s course catalog is heavily geared toward creative subjects, such as design, photography, video editing, and writing. While there are business and technology courses, the platform primarily attracts creatives and hobbyists.
- Community-Driven Learning: A major strength of Skillshare is its community. Students are encouraged to interact with one another, share projects, and offer feedback. This collaborative environment fosters learning through sharing experiences and ideas.
- Short and Digestible Lessons: Skillshare courses are typically concise and broken down into bite-sized lessons, ranging from a few minutes to a couple of hours. This makes it easy to fit learning into busy schedules, even if you only have a short amount of time.
- Mobile App for Learning on the Go: Skillshare’s mobile app allows users to access courses and download content for offline viewing, making it convenient for learning on the go.
LinkedIn Learning Features
- Professional Skill Development: LinkedIn Learning is designed with career growth in mind. Its courses cover a wide range of topics that are essential for professional development, such as leadership, project management, data analysis, and more. Courses are typically taught by industry experts with real-world experience.
- LinkedIn Integration: One of LinkedIn Learning’s biggest advantages is its integration with LinkedIn profiles. After completing a course, you can add certificates directly to your LinkedIn profile, signaling your new skills to employers or recruiters.
- Career-Focused Learning Paths: LinkedIn Learning offers curated learning paths, which are sequences of courses designed to help learners master specific skills or prepare for a particular role, such as becoming a data analyst, project manager, or digital marketer.
- Certificates and Accreditation: Upon completing a course, LinkedIn Learning provides a certificate of completion that can be showcased on your LinkedIn profile. This is beneficial for learners looking to enhance their professional credentials.
- Tailored Course Recommendations: LinkedIn Learning uses data from your LinkedIn profile to recommend courses that align with your career goals, skills, and industry. This personalization makes it easier to find courses that are relevant to your professional development.
- Offline Learning: Like Skillshare, LinkedIn Learning offers the ability to download courses for offline viewing through its mobile app, which is convenient for learners on the go.
Pricing: Skillshare vs. LinkedIn Learning
Skillshare Pricing
Skillshare operates on a subscription-based model, with two main pricing options:
- Monthly Subscription: $32 per month for unlimited access to all courses.
- Annual Subscription: $168 per year, which breaks down to approximately $14 per month.
Skillshare also offers a free trial for new users, typically lasting 7 to 30 days, allowing users to explore the platform and take a few courses before committing to a subscription.
LinkedIn Learning Pricing
LinkedIn Learning offers two main subscription options:
- Monthly Subscription: $39.99 per month, with unlimited access to all courses.
- Annual Subscription: $239.88 per year, which equates to about $19.99 per month.
LinkedIn Learning also offers a free trial, usually for one month, during which you can access all courses and explore the platform.
While LinkedIn Learning’s pricing is slightly higher than Skillshare, it offers value through its integration with LinkedIn profiles, professional development tools, and certificates.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Skillshare FAQ
Q1. What is Skillshare?
A: Skillshare is an online learning platform that offers a wide range of courses, primarily focused on creativity, business, and self-improvement. It operates on a subscription-based model, giving users unlimited access to all courses.
Q2. Does Skillshare offer certificates?
A: No, Skillshare does not provide certificates for course completion. The platform is more focused on project-based learning rather than professional certification.
Q3. Can I try Skillshare for free?
A: Yes, Skillshare offers a free trial (usually lasting between 7 and 30 days), allowing you to explore the platform and take courses before deciding on a subscription.
Q4. Is Skillshare good for professional development?
A: While Skillshare offers courses in business and technology, it is more suited for creative skills and hobbies. If you’re seeking career-focused courses or certifications, LinkedIn Learning may be a better fit.
LinkedIn Learning FAQ
Q1. What is LinkedIn Learning?
A: LinkedIn Learning is a professional development platform that offers courses across various subjects, with a strong focus on business, technology, and creative skills. It’s designed to help learners enhance their careers and gain new skills.
Q2. Can I add LinkedIn Learning certificates to my LinkedIn profile?
A: Yes, LinkedIn Learning allows you to add certificates of completion directly to your LinkedIn profile, making it easy to showcase your new skills to potential employers or recruiters.
Q3. Is LinkedIn Learning free?
A: No, LinkedIn Learning operates on a subscription model. However, it offers a free one-month trial, during which you can access all courses and features.
Q4. Who teaches the courses on LinkedIn Learning?
A: Courses on LinkedIn Learning are taught by industry professionals and subject matter experts with real-world experience. This ensures high-quality, actionable content that is relevant to today’s job market.
Conclusion
Skillshare is ideal for learners who are looking for a creative, project-based approach to education. Its primary focus is on creative disciplines such as graphic design, photography, illustration, writing, and animation, but it also covers business and technology skills. If you’re someone who thrives on hands-on projects, peer interaction, and community feedback, Skillshare offers a unique learning environment that encourages creativity and self-expression.
Skillshare’s subscription-based model offers excellent value for those who want unlimited access to a wide variety of courses. For people who enjoy exploring multiple topics, this is a cost-effective solution. However, one of Skillshare’s key drawbacks is the lack of certificates or formal credentials, which may be a downside for those looking to use their new skills to advance in a professional setting.
The platform’s short, bite-sized lessons are perfect for those who want to fit learning into their daily routines or those who prefer a more casual learning experience. If your goal is to learn new creative skills in an informal, collaborative environment, Skillshare is an excellent choice.
LinkedIn Learning, in contrast, is designed for professional development and career advancement. It offers an extensive library of courses on topics like business management, technology, software skills, leadership, and professional communication. What sets LinkedIn Learning apart is its seamless integration with LinkedIn profiles, enabling learners to add certificates of completion to their profiles, which can be valuable for showcasing skills to employers or recruiters.
LinkedIn Learning is an excellent platform for individuals looking to upskill for career progression or gain formal certifications that are recognized by employers. It provides curated learning paths, which offer a structured approach to mastering specific skills or preparing for job roles. If you are looking to enhance your professional credentials or switch career tracks, LinkedIn Learning is an effective tool to achieve those goals.
The platform’s data-driven course recommendations based on your LinkedIn profile ensure that you’re presented with courses relevant to your career goals. The pay-per-course pricing model offers flexibility, and while the subscription is slightly higher than Skillshare, the professional value provided—especially through certifications and networking opportunities—justifies the cost for many learners.
