The 10 Worst Sites For Online Courses & The 10 Best To Try Out

Looking To Expand Your Horizons?

Oftentimes, scrolling through online courses can feel like walking through a mall of pop-up shops. Flashy and weirdly persuasive. But which ones deliver? This list gives you the full scoop, straight up. We’ll dig into which sites can help you grow and which ones are just straight-up flops. Let's start with the flops before moving on to the ones that are actually worth your while.

1. Alison

You may stumble across Alison thinking it offers value, but soon, you’ll disagree. Why? First, its interface is a bit cluttered due to ad placements, though some users find it functional. Second, Alison’s CPD-accredited certificates may lack recognition in some professional fields, depending on employer standards.

2. Shaw Academy

What begins as a promising trial unravels into a subscription nightmare. Hidden charges, inflexible policies, and cancelation chaos can leave you feeling duped. The platform’s reviews echo frustration louder than praise, and this is all you need to not enroll.

3. Universal Class

You might remember Universal Class from early e-learning days, but its age now resembles a dusty chalkboard. Universal Class’s interface and visuals feel dated compared to modern platforms. Because of these factors, some learners attest to hindered engagement.

4. Study.com

Study.com’s focus on test preparation and structured content may prioritize memorization over fostering critical thinking or creativity for some learners. Another issue is that the teaching relies heavily on scripted videos and multiple-choice quizzes. Because of this, some users find it repetitive.

5. Simpliv

While Simpliv brags about a global reach, its vetting process barely raises the bar. The platform often functions as a dumping ground for poorly structured content. When you enroll here, expect inconsistent quality and instructors with questionable expertise.

6. CreativeLive

CreativeLive often feels like browsing a high-end catalog that never delivers. Some lessons lack the depth of older courses, focusing more on engagement than comprehensive instruction. They also often highlight well-known instructors, which can overshadow instructional depth in some courses.

7. Academy Of Mine

Here’s a platform that screams “corporate compliance” rather than learner growth. It caters more to organizations than individual upskillers. The user experience is unintuitive, while course customization feels like moving through red tape with a blindfold.

8. Treehouse

Treehouse struggles with stale content and minimal updates, though student support varies by user experience. You wouldn’t build tomorrow’s career on yesterday’s code, right? You’re better off looking elsewhere for platforms keeping pace with industry evolution.

9. Skillwise

You might spot an affordable bundle and jump in, but Skillwise often delivers surface-level fluff. Courses skim over topics without diving deep. There’s no mentorship, limited feedback, and no real traction if you’re aiming for expertise.

10. Course Hero

Known more for homework uploads than genuine teaching, Course Hero flirts with the academic gray zone. Its main issue is that it is a questionable pick for integrity-driven learners. Relying on it feels more like skimming cheat sheets than nurturing competence.

Alright, so now that you’ve survived the wild ride through the worst of the worst, let’s turn a new page. A page where we feature platforms that are seriously worth your time, money, and attention. These next picks help you grow and upgrade your skills.

1. Coursera

Coursera partners with Stanford, Google, and Yale to deliver a tier of education that opens professional doors. You’ll find specializations, certifications, diplomas, and even degrees—all self-paced yet rigorous. With peer reviews and expert instruction, every click carries academic weight.

2. edX

Built by Harvard and MIT, edX offers high-brow content in an accessible format. Whether you want to audit for free or earn credentials, the platform gives you room to explore deeply and think broadly. Here, you are guaranteed academic integrity throughout.

3. Udacity

Laser-focused on job readiness, Udacity crafts nano-degree programs in AI, cloud computing, and product management. Additionally, real-world projects with expert feedback create a job-lab experience. Tech giants like Google helped design the curriculum, adding serious industry clout.

4. LinkedIn Learning

For those looking to add sparkle to their LinkedIn profiles, this platform integrates seamlessly. You can earn certificates and learn directly from industry insiders. Its algorithm tailors courses to your goals. Think of it as a place where personal branding meets practical skills.

5. Skillshare

A creative’s playground, Skillshare turns your curiosity into cool projects. With classes on design, photography, freelancing, and more, you can build a side hustle from scratch. No stiff academia here; just hands-on exploration in a welcoming community.

6. FutureLearn

FutureLearn combines global university credibility with digestible course structures. If you thrive on discussion-based learning, this platform shines. It also excels at international topics, making it a go-to for learners aiming to expand their worldview while sharpening their minds.

7. Pluralsight

IT professionals, take note: Pluralsight tailors its tracks for computing engineers and security experts. Skill assessments steer your learning, and the content digs into frameworks and tools with precision. It’s surgical education for the tech-driven learner.

8. Khan Academy

From calculus to history, Khan Academy delivers no-frills brilliance. The free, nonprofit model democratizes learning like few others. Animated lessons, quizzes, and progress tracking build a solid academic base. This platform is beneficial for teens and adult learners rebooting their studies.

9. MasterClass

Ever dreamed of learning storytelling from Neil Gaiman or cooking with Gordon Ramsay? MasterClass satisfies the soul more than the resume. Think of it as a museum of minds where you explore craft, passion, experience, and performance, all curated by cultural icons.

10. OpenLearn (OU)

OpenLearn by The Open University offers free courses with academic muscle. Though the interface feels utilitarian, the depth of topics—health to humanities—makes it a hidden gem for learners seeking knowledge without commercial fluff or subscription fatigue.