Deciding between Coursera vs Coursera Plus depends on how you plan to use the platform. As someone who has extensively used both platforms, I’ll break down their unique features, pricing structures, and ideal use cases.
I will compare individual Coursera courses (purchases starting at $49) in this guide with Coursera Plus’s subscription model (priced at $399/year). I will also examine their certificate offerings, explore free trial options, and discuss money-back guarantees.
So, without any further ado, let us get right into and understand which platform provides better value for your educational goals and budget.
Coursera vs Coursera Plus: Key Takeaway
Coursera offers a pay-per-course model with lifetime access to individual courses, while Coursera Plus provides unlimited access to over 7,000 courses via subscription.
Your choice will depend on learning goals, budget, and expected course load. Here are its key takeaways that will help you understand which is a good pick for you:
- Coursera offers individual course purchases with lifetime access starting at $49.
- Coursera Plus provides unlimited access to 7,000+ courses for $399/year or $59/month.
- Coursera Plus includes unlimited certificates and a 7-day free trial.
- Coursera Plus offers a 14-day money-back guarantee.
- Financial aid is available for Coursera individual courses but not for Coursera Plus subscriptions.
Difference Between Coursera And Coursera Plus Explained
The fundamental distinction between these two lies in their access models and pricing structures. Here’s a detailed comparison of their features:
| Feature | Coursera (Individual) | Coursera Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Access Model | Pay per course | Subscription-based |
| Course Access | Limited to purchased courses | 7,000+ courses |
| Pricing | $49 to $3,999 per course | $399/year or $59/month |
| Free Trial | ❌ | 7-day free trial |
| Money-Back Guarantee | ❌ | 14-day refund guarantee |
| Certificates | One per course purchase | Unlimited certificates |
| Access To Course | Lifetime access | Access while subscribed |
| Specializations | Separate purchase needed | Included |
| Professional Certificates | Separate purchase needed | Included |
| Guided Projects | Separate purchase needed | Included |
| Degree Programs | Separate purchase needed | Not included |
| Financial Aid | ✅ | ❌ |
| Best For | Single course learners | Unlimited courses & certificates |
| Payment Options | One-time payment | Monthly or annual subscription |
What Is Coursera?
Coursera is an online learning platform offering individual courses, specializations, and degrees. Each purchase grants lifetime access to materials and one completion certificate, ideal for focused learning.
Who Is Coursera For?
Individual learners who want to take just one or two specific courses can opt for Coursera. Here are a few other parameters:
- Learners who prefer lifetime access to their course materials.
- Professionals targeting one specific skill or certification.
- Learners who want to pay once and own the course forever.
- Those who need financial aid options for their education.
- People who prefer a pay-as-you-go learning approach.
- Learners who want to thoroughly complete one course before moving to another.
Coursera Certificates
Each Coursera course includes one certificate upon successful completion.
Employers recognize these certificates, which can be shared on professional networking platforms. The Coursera certificates matter as they remain valid indefinitely and demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning.
Coursera certificates are recognized by employers and accredited through the American Council on Education’s College Credit Recommendation Service (ACE CREDIT). These digital credentials verify course completion and skill mastery from prestigious universities and organizations.
What Is Coursera Plus?
Coursera Plus is a subscription-based service with unlimited access to over 7,000 courses, specializations, and professional certificates. It’s designed for active learners who want to explore multiple subjects or complete several courses within a year.
Read my honest and full Coursera review if you are confused about how it is to have a subscription to an online learning platform.
Who Is Coursera Plus For?
Coursera Plus is perfect for ambitious learners who plan to take multiple courses throughout the year. It’s especially valuable for:
- Career changers looking to build a broad skill set quickly.
- Professionals seeking multiple certificates for career advancement.
- Learners who enjoy exploring various subjects.
- Those who want to try different courses before committing to specific ones.
- Learners who can complete multiple courses within a year
- Those who value unlimited certificate earning potential.
Does Coursera Plus Include Certificates?
Coursera Plus includes unlimited certificates for all completed courses during the active subscription period. These certificates are identical to those earned through individual course purchases and remain valid even after your subscription ends.
Coursera vs Coursera Plus Pricing
Understanding the Coursera pricing structure is crucial for making an informed decision between these two options. Both services offer different value propositions depending on your learning goals and timeline.
How Much Does Coursera Cost?
Let us check Coursera’s individual course pricing first:
| Course Type | Coursera Cost | Certificate | Course Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Courses | Free | ❌ | Varies |
| Individual Courses | $29 – $99 | ✅ | Varies |
| Guided Projects | $9.99 – $19.99 | ✅ | 1-2 Hours |
| Specializations | $39 – $79/month | ✅ | 1-3 months |
| Professional Certificates | $39 – $79/month | ✅ | 1-6 months |
| MasterTrack Certificates | $2000+ | ✅ | 4-7 months |
| Bachelor’s/Master’s Degrees | $2000+ | Certificate from University | 2-4 years |
As you can see in the table above, Coursera individual courses are also free. However, there is no free trial for individual courses. The only drawback to the Coursera free course is that you do not get certificates.
How Much Is Coursera Plus?
A Coursera Plus subscription will cost you the following:
| Coursera Plus Plan Type | Cost | Duration | Annual Total | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Subscription | $59 | Monthly | $708 | $0 |
| Annual Subscription | $399 | Yearly | $399 | $309 |
Coursera Plus monthly is available at $59 ($708/year) or annually at $399. Choosing the annual plan saves $309 compared to monthly payments.
Additionally, Coursera Plus comes with the traditional Coursera free trial and Coursera money-back guarantee. I have discussed these two in depth in this article below.
Coursera’s pricing varies by region, with local currency adjustments while maintaining roughly equivalent USD values worldwide. Here’s a breakdown of Coursera Plus pricing across major regions:
| Country | Price (Local currency) |
|---|---|
| UK | £47/month or £322 annually |
| India | ₹4929/month or ₹33,272 annually |
| European Countries | €54/month or €368 annually |
| Australia | $89/month or $603 annually |
| Canada | $79/month or $504 annually |
| Japan | ¥8,683/month or ¥58,721 annually |
| Germany | €54/month or €368 annually |
This international pricing structure ensures that Coursera Plus remains accessible globally while accounting for local market conditions and currency values. The slight variations in USD equivalent prices reflect currency conversion rates and regional market adjustments.
Coursera Free Trial
Coursera Plus offers a 7-day free trial, allowing you to explore the platform’s full capabilities before committing to a subscription. During this trial period, you can access all available courses and start earning certificates, though you’ll need to maintain an active subscription to receive them.
Coursera Refund
Coursera Plus provides a 14-day money-back guarantee, provided you haven’t earned any course certificates during this period. Refunds typically process within 7-10 business days. Individual course purchases generally don’t include a refund option.
Coursera Plus Discount
Coursera Plus discount is frequently available during holidays.
The platform often provides promotional rates that can reduce the annual subscription cost. Special offers are particularly common during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, with discounts reaching up to 40% off the regular price.
1. Coursera Annual Subscription Savings
Subscribe to Coursera Plus annually instead of monthly to save $309. The annual plan costs $399 compared to $708 in monthly payments over a year.
2. Coursera 40% Off Promotion
The current Coursera promotional offer reduces the Coursera Plus annual subscription from $399 to $239, providing a significant 40% discount on unlimited course access and certificates.
3. Coursera Financial Aid Program
Coursera offers financial assistance covering up to 90% of course costs. Submit a 150-word application explaining your financial need and educational goals. Please note that there is no Coursera Student discount; this aid is made for all needy learners.
4. Coursera Black Friday/Cyber Monday
Annual seasonal Coursera discounts offer substantial savings, typically occurring in November-December with potential extensions into early January. Usually, Coursera black friday offer will give you Coursera $1 offer where you can use the platform at just $1 for a month.
Coursera Free Courses
Coursera offers over 1,400 free courses across various subjects. While you can access course materials at no cost, earning certificates for these courses typically requires payment or upgrading to Coursera Plus.
Here are my most recommended Coursera free courses:
| Sr. no. | Course Name | University | Rating | Subject Area | Course Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Science of Well-Being | Yale University | 4.9 | Psychology | Here |
| 2 | Learning How to Learn | Deep Teaching Solutions | 4.8 | Personal Development | Here |
| 3 | Financial Markets | Yale University | 4.8 | Finance | Here |
| 4 | Computer Science: Programming with a Purpose | Princeton University | 4.7 | Computer Science | Here |
| 5 | First Step Korean | Yonsei University | 4.9 | Language Learning | Here |
| 6 | Mountains 101 | University of Alberta | 4.9 | Environmental Science | Here |
| 7 | Dino 101: Dinosaur Paleobiology | University of Alberta | 4.9 | Biology | Here |
| 8 | Successful Negotiation | University of Michigan | 4.8 | Business | Here |
| 9 | English for Career Development | University of Pennsylvania | 4.8 | Language Learning | Here |
| 10 | Algorithms, Part I | Princeton University | 4.9 | Computer Science | Here |
How Can I Get Coursera Plus For Free?
While Coursera Plus isn’t available entirely for free, you can maximize value through several approaches like:
- Utilizing the 7-day free trial.
- Applying for financial aid.
- Participating in the referral program.
- Take advantage of free courses to gain knowledge.
Is Coursera Subscription Worth It?
The value of a Coursera Plus subscription depends on your learning goals and habits.
If you plan to take multiple courses within a year, the Coursera subscription model offers substantial savings compared to purchasing courses individually.
The unlimited certificates and broad course access make it worthwhile for active learners.
If you are wondering how coursera compares to other online learning platforms, check my comparison between Udacity vs Coursera here.
Final Verdict: Coursera Offers Single Courses; Coursera Plus Provides Unlimited Certificates
Choosing between Coursera and Coursera Plus ultimately depends on your learning goals and commitment. Individual Coursera courses are ideal if you target specific skills or prefer lifetime access to materials.
Opt for Coursera Plus if you plan to take multiple courses within a year – at $399 annually, it becomes cost-effective after just 4-5 courses.
Remember, Coursera Plus includes a 7-day free trial and a 14-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to test the platform risk-free.
So what are you waiting for? Try Coursera Plus’s free trial today to explore over 7,000 courses and decide if the unlimited access model works for you.
FAQs
You can access over 7,000 courses simultaneously with no limit on the number of courses during your subscription period.
Certificates earned through Coursera Plus remain valid permanently, even after your subscription ends.
Access to course materials requires an active subscription. Only earned certificates remain accessible after subscription expiration.
While Coursera Plus itself doesn’t offer direct financial aid, Coursera provides financial assistance for individual courses to eligible students.
You can upgrade to Coursera Plus at any time, though previous individual course purchases won’t be refunded.
