Free Learning Platforms

Stanford offers LinkedIn Learning and Coursera as free, professional development tools for you to learn new skills, improve your job performance and advance your career. Learn more about eligibility and the similarities and differences of each learning platform below.

Learning Goal	Coursera	LinkedIn Learning
Accessing Courses
Self-paced courses available 24/7	✓	✓
Learn on the go using a mobile app	✓	✓
Listen to audio-only podcast-style courses		✓
Content
Learn new skills or develop knowledge on a specific topic	✓	✓
3,000+ courses: academic subjects, business, technology, and professional development	✓
16,000+ courses: business, creative, and technology		✓
Finding Courses
Search by keyword or browse course catalog	✓	✓
Take proficiency test to determine appropriate level	LevelSets	Skill Evaluation
Get course recommendations by career goal or role interests	SkillSets	Role Guides and Goal
Get course recommendations based on LinkedIn profile title, industry and skills		If connected to LinkedIn profile
Creators/Instructors
Courses created and taught by industry experts and university faculty	✓	✓
Length
Complete most courses between 4 to 20 hours	✓
Complete most courses in 30 minutes to 3 hours		✓
Nano Tips courses take less than 10 minutes to complete		✓
Specific Learning Needs
Dive deeper by completing multiple related courses	Specializations	Learning Paths
Practice technology skills using side-by-side tutorial and practice space	Guided Projects	Code Challenges
Certificates and Recognition
Earn certificate of completion issued by Coursera and course creator after course	✓
Earn an industry-recognized professional certificate after completing coursework and assessment	Cost varies	Free
Quickly add completed course to LinkedIn profile	✓	✓