Overview
Coursera is a learner-facing course platform launched in 2012 by Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller, which offers courses, professional certificates and degrees from more than 375 universities and companies.[19] It is not open to independent creators in the way Udemy or the hosted platforms are: content comes from institutional partners, which makes it a destination for learners seeking credentials rather than a tool for selling one’s own courses.
Coursera reported revenue of US$376.7 million for the quarter ended 30 September 2026, its first full quarter including Udemy.[17] Its 10-Q reports two segments, Enterprise and Consumer.[17] With the Udemy combination completed on 11 May 2026, the group operates both a credential-focused partner catalogue and an open instructor marketplace.[17][19] For learners comparing online course platforms, Coursera’s distinguishing features are accredited degrees and university-branded certificates; its limitations for that audience are that many credentials sit behind a subscription or per-programme fees, and that course availability depends on partner agreements.
Coursera features
- Courses from 375+ universities and companies
- Professional certificates
- Online degree programmes
- Enterprise and Consumer offerings
Coursera pricing
Learner pricing varies by course, subscription and degree programme; not open to independent instructors.
Coursera strengths and limitations
Strengths
- University-branded credentials and degrees
- Large partner catalogue
- Now combined with Udemy's marketplace
- Enterprise offering for employer-sponsored learning
Limitations
- Not usable by independent creators to sell their own courses
- Many credentials require paid subscriptions or programme fees
- Catalogue depends on partner agreements
- Platform integration with Udemy still pending
Appears in
Coursera alternatives and competitors
Alternatives to Coursera: companies ranked in the same lists.
Is this your company?
Update the description, logo, image and link through the submission form. Editors review every change.