Wondering what the best courses on Pluralsight are? Well, this article is here for you.
Pluralsight is one of the most popular e-learning sites on the internet. But the scope and depth of its content mean it can sometimes be difficult to find the right course for you.
That’s why I’ve compiled this list of the best Pluralsight courses, considering various factors such as content, length, instructor qualifications, popularity, student feedback and much more!
Without further ado, let’s get into it!
Best Pluralsight course overall
Our top five Pluralsight pics are:
- Python: The Big Picture (1,200+ reviews – and also our choice as Best Pluralsight Python Course)
- JavaScript: Getting Started (1,900+ reviews)
- Understanding Machine Learning (2170+ reviews)
- Penetration Testing and Ethical Hacking with Kali Linux (270+ reviews)
- Data Science With R (460+ reviews)
We’ve chosen them for several reasons including the qualifications of the course instructor, numbers of students enrolled, the quality and scope of the content and positive feedback from people who’ve taken the course.
As you can see, Pluralsight is very software orientated, with many of these courses being direct lessons on specific programming languages like Python.
However, Pluralsight has many other courses and lessons to teach. This is only just the beginning.
Best Pluralsight course by category
- Business Professional: Business Analysis: Managing Requirements (50+ reviews)
- Data & Machine Learning: Data Science With R (460+ reviews)
- IT Ops: Getting Started With Linux
- Security: Penetration Testing And Ethical Hacking With Kali Linux (275+ reviews)
- Software Development: Python 3.3: Beyond The Basics (770+ reviews)
- Cloud: Introduction To Google Cloud (290+ reviews)
Best Pluralsight course reviews
Now let’s take a closer look at our top Pluralsight courses in more depth:
Category: Beginner, Instructor: Jason Olsen, Length: 1 hour 5 minutes, Number of reviews: 1200+
Python is used in industries and sectors across the world, so millions are trying to get to grips with learning the language. This course is one of the best places to do just that. That’s why we have it as our best Pluralsight Python course.
It’s led by an experienced software engineer and takes you through all you need to know in an impressively rapid time.
You will learn:
- What distinguishes Python
- Linux scripting and administration
- Web development and creating apps
- Application scripting and inputting functions
- Data Science with Python
- The basics of Python
- Learning and documentation
- Executing Python code
2. JavaScript: Getting Started
Category: Beginner, Instructor: Mark Zamoyta, Length: 3 hours and 58 minutes, Number of reviews: 1970+
Like our number one spot, this is a short course designed to provide you with foundational knowledge about a programming language.
However, here you’ll be learning about JavaScript, another extremely popular programming language. Your instructor on this course is a software engineer with 25 years’ experience, who’s worked for the likes of Goldman Sachs and has since gone on to start his own company.
What more could you want from a teacher?!
You will learn:
- An introduction to JavaScript
- Variables and constants
- Types and operators
- Program flow
- Functions
- Objects and the DOM
- Arrays
- Scope and hoisting
3. Understanding Machine Learning
Category: Beginner, Instructor: David Chapell, Length: 45 minutes, Number of reviews: 2160+
If you’re interested in the concept of machine learning, but don’t quite know what it is and how it works, this course is for you.
Your instructor is a speaker, writer and teacher on all things to do with machine learning. So you can be sure of covering all the fundamentals you need.
Given Pluralsight’s general focus on technology and development, this is one of their most promoted and popular courses. So it’s not one to miss if you want a real sense of what Pluralsight is all about.
You will learn:
- Machine Learning in a nutshell
- The Machine Learning process
- Ethics of Machine Learning
- Data Pre-Processing
- Categorizing problems
- Styles of Machine Learning algorithms
- Training, testing and using a model
- Implementing Machine Learning
4. Penetration Testing and Ethical Hacking with Kali Linux
Category: Advanced, Instructor: Gus Khawaja, Length: 6 hours and 2 minutes, Number of reviews: 270+
It’s now common knowledge that hacking isn’t how it appears in the movies. The practice, done correctly, is massively important, a little frightening and extremely fascinating.
Ethical hacking is used to legally break into systems in order to ensure that their in-built security is functioning effectively. Kali Linux is part of the Linux software that is designed for penetration testing and digital forensics. So it’s the ideal software to be using for this type of tutorial.
This is the first advanced course on our list. So you should have a reasonable background in IT to truly benefit from these lessons.
You will learn:
- How to install and configure Kali Linux
- Pre-penetration testing checks
- Information gathering
- External pen testing
- Website and internal network penetration testing
- Network sniffing
- Exploitation
- Social engineering
- Wifi penetration testing
- Brute force attack testing
- Advanced penetration testing
5. Data Science with R
Category: Beginner, Instructor: Matthew Renze, Length: 2 hours 30 minutes, Number of reviews: 450+
Data science is all about taking data and transforming it into knowledge. Data science practices are used to extrapolate meaning inferences from large data sets.
If that all sounds confusing, don’t worry. This is a beginner course, so you will receive all the key knowledge you need to accurately use R in order to draw meaningful insights from statistics and data.
You will learn:
- An understandindg of data science and R
- How to create descriptive statistics, data visualizations and statistical models
- To handle big data
- Prediction with machine learning
- Everything from deploying to production
6. Business Analysis: Managing Requirements
Category: Intermediate, Instructor: Milena Pajic, Length: 1 hour 56 minutes, Number of reviews: 50+
This is the most unique course we’ve looked at so far. It’s our first intermediate course on the list, the first course to focus specifically on business and one of the newest courses here.
Led by a project manager with years of experience in the IT industry, this is the ideal place for business professionals to learn managerial practices from a site that specializes in technological teaching and the changing nature of work.
You will learn about:
- Outlining the requirements of Life Cycle management
- Tracing and maintaining requirements
- Prioritizing requirements
- Assessing requirements changes
- Approving requirements
7. Getting Started with Linux
Category: Beginner, Instructor: Dave Clinton, Length: 1 hour 45 minutes, Number of reviews: 360+
Linux is an open-source software that is extremely popular with developers and professionals in the IT world.
This course is led by a Linux administrator who has written multiple books on the topics he teaches here. It’s designed to give you a quick yet comprehensive understanding of how Linux functions and how you might use it to your advantage.
You will learn:
- About Linux and the Open Source community
- How to install Linux
- Configuring the Linux environment
- Configuring the Linux desktop experience
- Working with the Linux server
8. Python 3: Beyond The Basics
Category: Intermediate, Instructor: Austin Bingham and Robert Smallshire, Length: 7 hours and 21 minutes, Number of reviews: 770+
This course is for intermediates who already have an understanding of how Python works and a bit of background and insight into the language. It’s also the longest course on our list, clocking in at over seven hours.
It’s led by the founders of Sixty North, a Nordic-based software consultancy company. Both teachers have been embedded in software for all of their careers and are well-equipped to provide seasoned programmers with new insights into the language.
You will learn about:
- Organizing layer programs
- Beyond basic functions
- Closers and decorators
- Properties and class methods
- Strings and representations
- Numeric and scalar types
- Iteration
- Subtype and inheritance polymorphism
- Implementing collections
- Expectations and errors
- Defining context managers
9. Introduction to Google Cloud
Category: Beginner, Instructor: Lynne Langit, Length: 52 minutes, Number of reviews: 290+
We all know about Google, and most of us have some idea about the concept of the Cloud.
This course seeks to join the dots by showcasing just how useful Google Cloud can be for developers. You’ll be equipped with all the need-to-know definitions and technologies. The aim is for you to take away a lot of new information to help grow your organization.
No prior knowledge of Google Cloud is required here. Yet the course is very comprehensive and directly imparts a tonne of significant knowledge.
You will learn:
- What the Google Cloud is
- To understand Google Cloud accounts
- How to work with consoles
- About APIs and billings
- Building a GAE project with Java
- How to take the Cloud further
10. PCI DSS: The Big Picture
Category: Beginner, Instructor: John Elliot, Length: 1 hour and 22 minutes, Number of reviews: 110+
The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard is what PCI DSS stands for if you weren’t sure.
You don’t need to know that to complete this course, but you should have an interest in the intersection between finance and technology. And, considering how the two are increasingly relying on each other, we probably all do.
This course offers a very general, but insightful look at the PCI DSS, and will teach you what it is, why it exists and how it functions.
You’ll leave this course with a greater understanding of the Payment Cards Industry than when you started, which is why it just sneaks into the top ten.
You will learn:
- What PCI DSS is
- Systems and requirements of the PCI DSS
- Scoping and segmentation
- Compensating controls and key terms
- Reports on compliance and self-assessment questionnaires
- ASV scans and compliances exceptions
- Myths
11. Prepare for the ARE Vol. 2: Project Management
Category: Beginner, Instructor: Kevin Griendling, Length: 7 hours and 28 minutes, Number of reviews: 50+
This course is all about discussing and demonstrating what you’ll see on architecture license examinations.
We’ve chosen this course partially because we wanted a chance to recommend the six volumes of ARE courses, but also because this course in particular stands out due to its focus on project management.
You will learn:
- An introduction to the exam
- Resource management
- Project work planning
- Contracts
- Project execution
- Quality control
12. Cisco Wireless Basic Operation and Configuration
Category: Intermediate, Instructor: Ross Bagurdes, Length: 1 hour 34 minutes, Number of reviews: 20+
In this course, you’ll develop core understandings and competencies around wireless basic operation and configuration.
We’re highlighting this course because of its density. It packs in a lot of information in bite-size understandable chunks so that you can put your newfound knowledge to use as quickly as possible.
You will learn about:
- Wireless principles and the electromagnetic spectrum
- Encryption principles and protocols
- WPA deployment options
- Controller-based wireless
- Configuring Cisco WLANS with WLC
13. Linux: Security System (LPIC-2)
Category: Intermediate, Instructor: Andrew Mallet, Length: 3 hours and 6 minutes, Number of reviews: 17+
Our penultimate course is all about establishing strong security on one of the most popular open-source software used by developers and IT professionals. And that’s what has landed it a spot on our list.
This course gives you the key knowledge you need to block threats and protect your software, through a series of advanced yet understandable lessons.
Your instructor characterizes himself as an ‘all-round Linux professional”, so you’re in safe hands.
You will learn about:
- Linux Security fundamentals
- The Lab Environment
- Configuring routing between networks
- Configuring firewalls
- Securing OpenSSH and FTP services
- Monitoring Systems
- VPN
14. Advanced Troubleshooting Techniques for Windows Server
Category: Advanced, Instructor: Bruce Mackenzie-Low, Length: 4 hours 42 minutes, Number of reviews: 12+
Our final course on this list is aimed at programmers with a little more experience.
Troubleshooting is common to all users of technology. Which is more and more people across the world. However, as the type of software you’re using and the operations you’re conducting become more complex, it’s harder to find ways of overcoming problems.
This course provides you with a comprehensive guide to troubleshooting your Windows server with a range of advanced tips and tricks, making it essential viewing in the tech community and comfortably rounding off our list in the process.
You will learn to:
- Analyse software crashes
- Remediate hardware and hang time-out crashes
- Troubleshoot system lockups
- Identify depleted system resources
- Tackle performance outages
- Use advanced troubleshooting techniques and best practices
How to find the best courses on Pluralsight
There are some very straightforward ways that you can find great courses on Pluralsight.
The most obvious one is Browse.
This is on the top left hand of the homepage. Clicking on this will show you the main categories of Pluralsight, including:
- Business Professional
- Cloud
- Data & Machine Learning
- IT Ops
- Security
- Software Development
You can also choose the Paths option, which will show you expert-curated learning pathways that include courses that lead to the development of particular skills and are related to specific roles.
Pluralsight can also recommend several courses.
These recommendations can be based on:
- Search History
- What you’ve watched
- Newest Courses
- Highest Rated Courses
You can also look for your own courses by checking the Search bar at the top.
How much does Pluralsight cost?
There are two main options for purchasing a Pluralsight subscription.
The first is Standard. This gives you access to the Core Library as well as all skills assessments. Alongside a 10-day free trial, this will cost you $29.00 a month with the monthly option, or $299.00 a year with the yearly option which works out at $24.92 a month.
Alternatively, you could go for the Premium subscription.
In return, you’ll receive a 10-day free trial, an expanded library of content containing 7,000+ courses as well as certification practice exams and interaction courses. This costs $45.00 a month or $499.00 for the year (which is $41.5 per month).
Find the latest and best Pluralsight discount codes here.
There are also several options for businesses.
The Starter option gives you access to the core library for $399 per user per year.
Alternatively, you could go for the Professional option for $579 per user per year, aimed at groups of 2-10. On top of the core library, this will give you access to basic reporting and user analytics.
There is also a TEAM trial option.
Finally, for larger teams, there is the option to go for the Enterprise payment option. This is $779 per user per year, granting access to advanced analytics.
How to get the best value from Pluralsight?
- Take as many courses as possible
- Choose your courses from different topics
- Research instructors, institutions and the course itself
- Take your time with examinations, tests and challenges
- Spread your learning across as much time as you want so it accommodates your schedule
- Use additional tools like labs, paths, and Skill and Role IQ
Our methodology
I’ve spent a lot of time researching Pluralsight to make select these courses. This included looking at courses from every category and courses provided by different instructors which focused on different topic areas.
I also took into account the credentials of instructors, student experiences and reviews of the course as well as looking at reviews that Learnopoly has already done on the site.
This means that this article has all the information you will need about Pluralsight’s best courses.
Conclusion
So, there you have it. Our list of the best courses on Pluralsight.
As you can tell, each course here offers something unique and is guided by a well-regarded and experienced instructor.
So the best Pluralsight course really depends on whatever it is you’re most interested in learning. But our top choice is Python: The Big Picture because it teaches the foundational concepts of one of the most popular programming languages in an understandable, yet comprehensive manner.
For more advanced learners, Advanced Troubleshooting Techniques with Windows Server is worth checking out if you want to add to your knowledge.
In any case, this article has set out the very best Pluralsight has to offer, as well as showing that the site itself is a great place to immerse yourself in courses on software development, IT and similar topics.
Related articles: Pluralsight review, how much is Pluralsight, Pluralsight vs edX, Pluralsight vs Udemy
Best Pluralsight Courses – FAQ
Our top pic is Python: The Big Picture
Charlie is a student reading politics at King’s College London. He is also a passionate musician with over 14 years of experience. In his free time, he also enjoys cinema, long-distance running and learning new things.
