Coursera vs Coursera Plus – Which Is Right for You?

Deciding between Coursera and Coursera Plus can be confusing, but understanding the difference is key. 

Coursera lets you pay for courses individually, while Coursera Plus offers unlimited access to many courses for a monthly or yearly fee. We'll break down the pros and cons of each option to help you decide which is the best choice for your learning goals and budget. 

What is Coursera?

Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller are two Stanford professors who founded Coursera in 2012. Since then, the platform has become a household name in online education. Its mission is to provide universal access to world-class learning. 

Coursera offers a ton of courses on traditional and interesting subjects, like humanities, arts business, and more. This company also has partnerships with some of the most prestigious organizations and universities in the world.

The platform offers several learning formats:

• Individual Courses: Classes focused on a specific topic, like “Python for Everybody” or “Introduction to Psychology.” You can work through them at your own speed, and they usually take a few weeks to complete.
• Specializations: A group of related courses that go deeper into a subject. They often end with a project where you can apply what you've learned. For example, you might take the “Google IT Support Professional Certificate” or the “IBM Data Science Professional Certificate” specialization.
• Professional Certificates: Industry-recognized credentials designed to equip you with job-ready skills. These can range from Google's UX Design Certificate to Meta's Front-End Developer Certificate.
• Degrees: Fully online, including bachelor's and master's degrees from accredited universities. You can earn a degree in fields such as computer science, business administration, or public health.

What is Coursera Plus?

Introducing, Coursera Plus. It's a subscription service that gives you unlimited access to a wide array of courses, specializations, and professional certificates on the platform. The target audience is learners who plan to take multiple courses throughout the year, offering a potentially cost-effective way to expand your knowledge and skills.

With Coursera Plus, you get access to:

• Over 7,000 courses, specializations, and professional certificates. This covers a significant portion of Coursera's catalog, giving you a wide range of options to choose from.
• Unlimited certificates upon completion. Earn official certificates for every course or program you finish, showcasing your accomplishments to potential employers or on your resume.
• Access to new courses and specializations as they're added. Stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies as Coursera continually expands its offerings.

Coursera Plus does not include access to all content on the platform. Degrees and some select courses are still excluded from the subscription.

Comparing Access and Content

The main differences between Coursera and Coursera Plus come down to how much access you have and what content you can get.

Course Availability

• Standard Coursera Account: You can sign up for individual courses for free, but to access things like graded assignments, quizzes, and certificates, you'll usually need to pay.
• Coursera Plus: This gives you unlimited access to most courses within the subscription, including certificates, so you don’t have to worry about paying extra for each course.

Specializations and Professional Certificates

• Standard Plan: You have to pay separately for each specialization or professional certificate you want to complete. This can get expensive if you’re taking several programs.
• Coursera Plus: Most specializations and professional certificates are included in the subscription at no extra cost, which can save you a lot of money if you plan to complete multiple programs.

Degree Programs

• Both Plans: Degree programs are not included in Coursera Plus. If you want to pursue a degree, you’ll need to enroll and pay for it separately. These programs are more in-depth and require a bigger time and financial commitment. 

In short, Coursera Plus offers more flexibility and potential savings if you’re planning to take a lot of courses or specializations, while the standard Coursera account might be better if you’re focused on just a few specific courses or a degree program.

Feature	Coursera (Standard Access)	Coursera Plus
Access to individual courses	Free enrollment, pay for certificate	Unlimited access, certificates included
Specializations and Professional Certificates	Pay per program	Most included in subscription
Degree programs	Separate enrollment and payment	Not included
New content	Available to all users	Included in subscription

Pricing and Value

Pricing is a key factor when deciding between Coursera and Coursera Plus.

Coursera (Standard):

• Individual courses can range from free to around $100, depending on the subject and provider.
• Specializations and Professional Certificates typically cost between $39-$79 per month. The total cost will depend on the length of the program and whether you choose to pay monthly or upfront. For instance, a 3-month specialization at $49/month would cost you $147.

Coursera Plus:

• Annual subscription: $399 per year (approximately $33.25 per month)
• Monthly subscription: $59 per month

Is Coursera Plus Worth It?

Whether Coursera or Coursera Plus is better for you depends on what you want to learn and how you like to study. If you plan to take several courses or specializations throughout the year, Coursera Plus could save you a lot of money. 

For example, if you want to complete three specializations that each cost $49 per month and take four months to finish, you'd end up paying $588. But with Coursera Plus, you'd pay $399 for the whole year and get access to those specializations plus thousands of other courses.

Even if you're not planning to take a lot of courses, Coursera Plus can still be worth it. If you complete just two specializations in a year, you’d probably break even with the subscription. Then you’d have the freedom to explore more courses without paying extra.

Coursera often offers discounts, especially around holidays or back-to-school times, which can make Coursera Plus even cheaper.

With Coursera Plus, you also get extra perks, like unlimited access to new courses and specializations as they come out, so you’re always up-to-date. Some users say they get faster help as Coursera Plus subscribers.

However, if you only want to take a few specific courses or you're focused on a degree program, regular Coursera access might be better. You can choose the exact courses you need and pay for them individually without worrying about a subscription.

Benefits of Each Option

Let's look at the benefits of both Coursera Plus and Standard Coursera Access so you can decide which is right for you.

Coursera Plus Benefits

• Cost-effectiveness: If you enjoy taking lots of courses, Coursera Plus can save you a lot of money over time since you pay once for access to many courses.
• Flexibility: With unlimited access, you can explore different subjects without worrying about extra costs. You can start and stop courses whenever you want, so you can learn at your own pace.
• Motivation: Knowing you have access to a lot of courses can keep you motivated to continue learning and achieving your goals. You might find yourself trying out new topics just because you can!

Standard Coursera Access Benefits

• Pay-per-course flexibility:This is great if you only need to take a few specific courses. You can pick exactly what you want to learn and only pay for those courses, without committing to a subscription.
• Access to all content: Unlike Coursera Plus, Standard Access lets you enroll in any course or program, including full degree programs. This is important if you’re thinking about earning a degree online.
• No ongoing commitment: You don’t have to worry about a subscription. You only pay for the courses you take, which is helpful if you’re not sure about your long-term learning plans or if you have a tight budget.

Who Should Choose Coursera Plus?

Coursera Plus is a great fit for:

• Frequent Learners: If you plan to take multiple courses or specializations each year. The unlimited access and cost savings make it an attractive option for those who are committed to continuous learning
• Skill Builders: Those looking to acquire a broad range of skills across different domains. Coursera Plus allows you to explore various subjects and discover new interests without financial constraints
• Career Changers: Individuals exploring new career paths and needing to upskill quickly. The subscription provides access to a wealth of professional certificates and specializations that can accelerate your career transition
• Lifelong Learners: Those who enjoy continuous learning and want access to a vast library of knowledge. Coursera Plus opens the door to thousands of courses, allowing you to indulge your curiosity and pursue your passions

Standard Coursera access may be better if you:

• Have a limited budget: And only need a few specific courses. Paying for individual courses can be more cost-effective if you have a clear learning path in mind
• Are pursuing a degree: Degrees are not included in Coursera Plus. If your primary goal is to earn a degree, you'll need to enroll and pay for it separately
• Prefer a pay-as-you-go model: You don't want to commit to a subscription. If you're unsure about your long-term learning plans or prefer more control over your spending, the standard access may be a better fit

User Experience and Support

Coursera and Coursera Plus are both really easy to use. You can search for courses, pick what interests you, and keep track of how you're doing. The way you learn on both is similar—you watch videos, do quizzes, complete assignments, and work on projects that others might review.

If you need help, Coursera offers email support and a big help center where you can find answers to common questions or solve any technical problems. For people who subscribe to Coursera Plus, they might get faster help in some situations, which means they'll get the answers they need quicker.

Final Thoughts on the Debate

It really comes down to you. What are you trying to learn, how much cash are you willing to throw at it, and how do you actually like to learn?

If you're the type who's always itching to learn something new, jumping from coding to cooking to whatever catches your eye next, Coursera Plus might be your jam. If you do the math, it could save you some cash if you're going to be taking a bunch of courses.

If you feel like you're focused on one thing, you have a tight budget, or you just want to try it out first, sticking with regular old Coursera might make more sense. You pay for what you need.

Don't stress too much about it. Whichever way you go, you're still learning, and that's what counts Either way, you're in for a treat!