Coursera vs Coursera Plus: Which Is Right for You?

Coursera is an online learning platform, and Coursera Plus is a Subscription plan offered by this online learning platform. So, what is the difference between Coursera and Coursera Plus exactly? 

In this article, I will help you decode precisely that by breaking down the difference between Coursera and Coursera Plus by divulging what they offer, their pros and cons, and how much they cost. 

As a Coursera user for the last 2 years, I will also give tips on making the most of this platform to strengthen your CV and save money on Coursera.

Let’s dive into the details!

What Is The Difference Between Coursera And Coursera Plus?

The main difference between Coursera and Coursea Plus is the monthly and annual subscription plans. Coursera Plus offers these two subscription plans at a flat rate, whereas Coursera offers a single course.

Here is a table for your quick review pointing out a few crucial differences between the two.

Parameters	Coursera	Coursera Plus
Number of courses	1 course	7000+
Certificates	1 per course	Unlimited
Subscription	❌	✅
7 day Free Trial	❌	✅
Sharable Certificates	✅	✅
Cost-effective	❌	✅

What Does Coursera Offer? – Pros & Cons

Coursera is a beautiful online learning platform for learners seeking to learn new skills related to a specific job or business or who want to develop their soft skills. Coursera offers courses from the best schools worldwide, like Princeton, Harvard, and Penn, and top organizations like Google, IBM, and Meta.

Coursera offers various learning programs. The price of each course varies based on the course instructors, course duration, and course contents. Check the table below for different course programs and their approximate cost.

Learning Programs	Price Range
Guided Projects	+ $9.99
Individual Courses	+$49
Specializations	$39.99
Professional Certificates	$39.99
MasterTrack Certificates	$2,000 to $5,000
Bachelor’s/Master’s Degrees	>$2,000

Pros of Coursera – 

• Lifetime access to course contents
• Flexible learning hours
• Pay for your desired course only
• Less distraction

Cons Of Coursera –

• Paying for each certificate and course separately can be expensive
• Confusing Prices 
• No money-back guarantee
• No free trial

What Does Coursera Plus Offer? – Pros & Cons

Coursera Plus offers access to over 90% of Coursera’s learning materials and the option of earning unlimited certificates.

The monthly and annual plans come with a 7-day free trial and will cost you  $59 and $399, respectively. Signing up for the Annual subscription will also get you a 14-day money-back guarantee. You can check more about Coursera Plus pricing here.

Pros of Coursera Plus – 

• Learn from multiple courses at once
• Save money if you plan to take multiple courses
• Learn at your pace
• Unlimited Certificates

Cons Of Coursera Plus –

• Lack of motivation –  Finishing multiple courses requires one to be self-driven
• No lifetime access to contents

Coursera Or Coursera Plus- Which Is The Best For Me?

The answer to Coursera or Coursera Plus is simple. It depends on what you are looking for on this platform. 

Coursera is right for you if- 

• If you want to do a single course

• You are looking for IBM certification –  since IBM certificate courses are not included in the Coursera Plus Subscription, you will have to pay for them separately.

• If you are looking for a degree program or a MasterTrack certification, you need not buy the Plus subscription, as these learning programs are not included.

Coursera Plus is right for you if – 

• Looking to finish multiple courses

• Unlimited certificates 

• Overall development (Job skills, knowledge, and soft skills )

• Enhance your CV

Note: Save on a Coursera Plus subscription with our exclusive Coursera Plus discount offer.

Is Coursera Plus Worth it?- Testimonials

Coursera Plus is worth it for two main reasons. 

Firstly, Coursera Plus is worth it if you want to do multiple courses and earn multiple certificates instead of paying for each separately.

Second, Coursera Certificates are worth it as they bring education from the best of the best to your personal screens. Many have reaped the benefits of Coursera Plus to grow in their personal and work life.

Don’t believe me? Check these testimonials yourself –

“I have a full-time job and 3 kids. I needed the flexibility offered by Coursera Plus in order to achieve my goals. I learned business statistics and analysis to apply to my job, but my Coursera Plus subscription motivated me to keep learning. I have a new career goal to pivot into data analysis and data science. I’m learning Python now!”

• Abigail P

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“Coursera Plus keeps me motivated to learn. With each course, I’m getting more value out of my subscription. I can focus on life sciences- my main specialty- but also pursue other interests like society and religion. I can access almost anything with Coursera Plus.”

• Shi Jie

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“I really appreciate the flexibility I get with Coursera Plus. I can try any course and switch to another one for no additional cost. This motivates me to learn even more-at one point I was taking three courses at the same time.”

• Inés K

More Coursera Comparison:

• Coursera Specialization vs Professional Certificate
• Coursera vs Udacity

Conclusion- Coursera Plus Helps You Learn More

I hope this article has helped you understand-  “What is the difference between Coursera and Coursera Plus?”

Which is better? It all depends on what your needs are from Coursera. If you want to do one course, opt for Coursera courses. However, if you want to finish multiple courses, go for the Coursera Plus subscription.

After considering all the pros and cons, if you opt to go with the Coursera Plus subscription, remember to use my tips from this article on saving on a Coursera Plus Subscription. 

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