Thanks to the internet, you can learn how to do it yourself. If you’ve ever considered learning digital photography, watercolor painting, or reducing your carbon footprint through home gardening, the options below will point you in the right direction to get started today. The following are some of the main platforms to learn new skills.

First and foremost, none of these platforms are associated with any specific rankings. Each user has a unique learning experience, and each user has a unique learning experience. So don’t think of it as a first-to-worst scenario. It’s a resource to help you find the best fit for your current situation.

So you can use the list to eliminate platforms that will not work for you and focus on those that will. Because if your ultimate goal is to better yourself, something like this can be a useful tool in removing some of the roadblocks in your way.

MasterClass

Learn from the best minds on the planet. That’s a catchphrase that could inspire anyone to return to school. After all, what better way to learn a new skill than from someone who is an industry leader in that particular field?

Unlike many other online educators, MasterClass can actually back up its claims. With popular classes like storytelling with Neil Gaiman, music production with Timbaland, and cooking with Gordon Ramsay, the site has a lot of marketability.

MasterClass carved out a distinct niche for itself by doubling down on familiar faces and industry leaders. When you combine that with high production value, you get an online educational platform with more polish than the best university programs.

The classes are primarily comprised of pre-recorded interview-style lectures. Some include workbooks and assignments, but because the courses are self-paced, there is no set curriculum or sense of student community.

Skillshare

Skillshare, on the other hand, has an overwhelming number of courses and a brilliant marketing strategy. Everything on the site is based on classes taught by creators, which means you’ll learn from people who have been where you are and built a career from the ground up.

No A-list celebrities will be teaching you acting or guitar. However, you will be familiar with well-known content producers, which enables Skillshare to utilize influencer marketing in a way that no other platform can. You’ve probably heard ads for Skillshare if you’ve listened to any podcasts in the last two years.

Because the course catalog is constantly expanding, you’ll be able to choose a topic of interest and take a few courses that focus on different aspects of that topic. In the same location, you can learn the skill as well as how to start a business and market your products.

Skillshare understands that people who want to learn are always looking for new ways to improve themselves. After a free trial period – which can range from 1-3 months depending on the offer – you’ll have access to an almost limitless library of educational materials for $15 per month or $99 per year.

Lynda.com

Lynda, also known as LinkedIn Learning, it is a subscription service platform that charges between $20 and $25 per month, depending on the type of account you have. After you sign up, you’ll have unlimited access to courses from a variety of industry experts.

Many professionals recommend Lynda because the courses can be structured and organized in a way that feels more like career training than an online class.

Individual videos are usually less than 5 minutes long, and courses last about an hour. This is even more condensed than Skillshare or Udemy, and even more bite-sized than MasterClass. However, this means that the courses will not be as in-depth.

Nonetheless, because Lynda has partnered with LinkedIn, there is a clear standard that can be found in every course. Similarly, if you’re looking for a job, LinkedIn is a must-have. So, whatever you want to learn, there is at least some consistency.

Udemy

This is most likely the most opened platform on the list and because Udemy is always accepting applications for new instructors, there will always be new things to learn. If you want to share your knowledge, all you have to do is demonstrate your expertise (book, podcast, YouTube channel, etc.) and Udemy might just let you teach.

But let’s pretend you’re not looking for a job. You want to learn and grow as a person or as a professional. Udemy has hundreds of thousands of courses ranging from hyper-specific topics to broad categories.

Individually, you won’t be able to afford it unless you have a Master’s degree in mathematics. But don’t be put off by the $300 price tag; Udemy enjoys holding sales. So, if you wait a week or two, you’ll most likely see the course you want listed for $30 or less.

It may also be useful to know that Udemy courses are longer than those available on the other sites listed here. Some courses combine information, assignments, and quizzes from an entire college semester into a single class.

If you want to share the resource with a team, there is also a dedicated Udemy for the Business plan. However, this is only a bonus in certain circumstances.

Codecademy

Codecademy is a website dedicated to teaching programming, as the name suggests. It’s a platform that teaches you how to build, develop, and improve websites, web apps, digital marketplaces, and so on.

Codecademy is a free platform that offers lessons as well as daily practice. Signing up for a paid account, on the other hand, grants you access to personalized plans, project assignments, graded quizzes, and live advisor assistance. It is extremely popular, with over 45 million users, many of whose are active on community forums and Q&A boards; so you can get assistance — and make some useful connections — while learning or honing this specific skill set.

Overall, Codecademy is the best platform for learning to code. But if that’s not what you want to learn, this probably isn’t the best platform for you.

YouTube

This choice should not come as a surprise. While we frequently think of YouTube as a source for entertainment, news, and even socializing, it has also evolved into the world’s largest educational platform. Even if that isn’t the most well-known reason, with over 2 billion monthly users, it has a significant lead that no other site on this list can match.

The interesting thing about YouTube is that it has two sides. On the one hand, there is an extensive catalog of tutorials and courses that can be as broad or as specific as you want. And because it’s YouTube, you have free access to all of that content. As a result, it is the most convenient and cost-effective way to learn a new skill.

On the other hand, no one exists to curate all of that content. This is a widespread problem across all YouTube videos, not just educational tutorials. And, because there is no one to approve a specific video, you may waste time watching hours of content before finding one that actually helps you.

As a result, YouTube is a hit-or-miss resource. It may be the ideal way to test the waters in a new field or industry, but if you truly want to learn a new skill, you may choose this platforms here that is more specifically geared toward educational use.

Khan Academy

On the surface or from a casual website visit, Khan Academy appears to be aimed at children…and that’s not far off. However, do not remove it from consideration just yet. It offers courses in the primary subjects that you’d expect from an online student hub. The website provides lesson plans to teach anyone the information required to take a GED, SAT, or other standardized test.

But Khan Academy isn’t just for K-12 students. You can also enroll in college-level courses such as Imagineering with Pixar and computer programming. Alternatively, you can investigate profession-specific topics such as criminal justice, business analytics, city planning, and veterinary skills.

Oh, and it’s a free, non-profit organization as well. So, whether you’re brushing up on school subjects or researching what it takes to start a new career, Khan Academy can be a great place to start.

It may not have the same depth as other educational platforms, similar to YouTube. However, the FREE price and entry-level courses make it a worthwhile starting point.

edX

Most likely, you’ve never heard of edX. The website isn’t as well-known — or as heavily promoted — as the others on this list, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t deserve some consideration.

edX is a free learning platform that offers courses from universities, professors, and organizations. We’re talking Harvard, MIT, Columbia, Microsoft, and so on. There is some name recognition here, but it is due to brand power rather than individual people.

With edX, you get well-known names in education that offer high-level learning and a clear path into a new profession. The site even provides paths that lead to professional certificates or degrees, which can be almost as valuable as course knowledge.

However, edX courses – particularly certification courses – can cost several hundred dollars. That is still a few thousand dollars less than a traditional college course and tens of thousands less than a college degree. However, learning a new skill still costs a lot of money.

You can add other sites in the comment section below! 😉

Thanks for reading!