1. Lynda/ LinkedIn Learning (Largest Range Of Courses)
- Price: 1-month free trial
- Courses available: 13,000+
- Certification: Free certificates included for all courses
Coming in at the top of my list is Lynda.com (now LinkedIn Learning) which is one of the most well established and trusted online course providers.
Lynda made it into the #1 position, because in my opinion, they cover all the bases. Firstly, Lynda has one of the largest catalogs of online video courses, which is well over 13,000 .
Secondly, their courses are taught by vetted industry professionals, so students know they are getting relevant and reliable information.
When it comes to consuming course content, it is extremely engaging with videos, quizzes, interactive lessons and more. Lynda also has Android and iOS apps for learning on the go.
As for the price, Lynda/ LinkedIn Learning offers a 1-month free trial with no commitments or upfront cost. Instant win!
2. Udemy (Great For Marketing/ Design)
- Price: Free
- Courses available: 823
- Certification: Free certificates included for 823 courses
Next up on my list is another well-established provider by the name of Udemy. While this provider predominantly provides courses for a fee, Udemy also has a great range of free video courses to choose from. 823 to be exact.
As an added bonus of selecting from one of their free online courses, users can also download and print a certificate of completion once done (it is sent via email).
Much like Lynda, Udemy also vets their tutors to ensure that the best learning material is available for students.
3. Alison (Great For IT, Science, Coding)
- Price: Free
- Courses available: 1,000
- Certification: Free certificates included for some courses
Do you know what free online course provider has over 13 million learners, 2 million graduates, and 1,000 courses? Ding, ding, ding! It’s Alison!
Unlike Lynda/ LinkedIn Learning and Udemy who create their own courses, Alison works more as a platform that organizes hundreds of free courses available all over the internet.
Some of their most popular course categories are IT, business, languages, health, humanities, science, marketing, lifestyle, math, design, web development, and many more!
The major downside to Alison however, is that not all of their courses are in video format. They also don’t have a smartphone app for mobile learning either. So depending on how you absorb learning material, this might be a deal-breaker.
As a silver lining, Alison does provide a digital certification of completion (for some courses only) which you can download and print whenever you please. They also provide a paid service for receiving a hard/ digital copy of the certification as well!
4. Google Digital Garage (Best For Digital Marketing)
- Price: Free
- Courses available: 100+
- Certification: Free certificates included for some courses
While we all use Google on a daily basis, most users don’t realize that Google also has a full-fledged course platform for online learning.
As for the price… There no none! Most of these Google Digital Garage courses are completely free with included modules, no time limits, unlimited access, and videos.
Once users have completed their chosen course, they will also receive an accredited Google certificate that can be downloaded and put on a CV or resume.
I have personally taken the “fundamentals of digital marketing course” which is 40 hours of value-packed content. Courses are also quite interactive which keeps users engaged and eager to learn more.
5. Microsoft Learn (Great For Microsoft Related Jobs)
- Price: Free
- Courses available: 30+
- Certification: Free certificates included in some courses
If you are seeking out a career in working with Microsoft products, then Microsoft Learn is right up your alley!
Just like Google Digital Garage, Microsoft also offers up their own online learning platform for those wanting to excel their skills and job prospects.
While the Google classes are broader, Microsoft Learn focuses only on Microsoft products, systems, and software. Most of the modules and classes revolve around Azure and Dynamics 365 with multiple variations depending on whether you are a beginner or advanced user.
Following the grain of this guide, all courses are free and also include an industry-recognized Microsoft certification/ accreditation. Once you acquire your accreditation, you may want to seek out digital nomad jobs where you can work while traveling.
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