Online courses are becoming more popular among people of all ages. These classes are very convenient because they are available to anyone, and a large number of them are free. Online course providers usually have enormous libraries of content, and they offer a variety of topics.
Some of the best online course providers partnered with large companies or world-renowned universities to deliver the best possible classes to their users. If you love learning new skills, and you are always finding ways to improve yourself, signing up for an online class might be an excellent idea.
How to Choose an Online Course Providers in 2020
With so many online course providers and the number of topics they offer, choosing an online course can be a difficult task. After all, it is not enough to simply sign up. Your goal should be to stick to the classes and complete the course. The first thing you must do is to analyze why you want to sign up for a certain course. Is it because you want to expand your knowledge for fun, or do you want to make a living out of your new skill?
Next, you should move to the topics that are interesting to you. Once you find the courses that fit your needs, read through the available information to ensure they meet your expectations. You don’t want to sign up and realize that the class is simply not for you. Pay attention to the level of the courses you have on your list.
Finally, narrow down your list by comparing the courses to each other. Which one will be most beneficial for you right now? Can you manage your own schedule? Enroll for the course you know you will complete. You can always bookmark the others from your list and get back to them later.
Top 17 Best Online Course Providers
No.1. Udemy
When it comes to online courses providers, one of the best-known is Udemy. This is a platform that encourages teachers from around the world to share their videos and upload them to their library. This approach is very smart because Udemy has a large number of courses available on its website. Therefore, you can probably find an interesting class which will keep you occupied for weeks to come.
Once you sign up and find the course you want to attend, you will be directed to the landing page that contains basic information about the class and a quick introduction. The content of the course will vary, and sometimes you will get videos or audio files to go through. You are free to contact the teachers, but don’t expect a quick response because they have their own office hours.
The very size of Udemy means you will find numerous topics from which to choose. Some are free while others require a fee. The filters on the dashboard can be a lifesaver because they will sort the courses and present you with a shorter list of the results. You can find a course by entering the desired language, topic, level, or features. You can also manage your own schedule, which is very important, especially if you are employed.
Udemy offers great opportunities for teachers because they can create and sell their classes. If you are passionate about your field of study and want to share it with a large audience, consider signing up for Udemy.
No.2. Khan Academy
Khan Academy offers free online courses about various topics. The academy is dedicated to providing everyone with excellent education regardless of their location. It is perfect for children and adults who want to brush up on their knowledge. The instructors are very professional and go in depth to ensure you learn everything correctly. The videos are easy to understand and follow, which is important for younger learners.
What makes Khan Academy stand out from other online course providers is its math courses, which are divided by subject and grade. Therefore, Khan Academy can serve as a useful companion if you are studying math in school or college. The website also covers other topics, such as computers, arts, economics, etc. Khan Academy listens to its users and will encourage you to rate each video because the website wants to know what works best for you.
The dashboard is clean and you will find your way around the website in no time. Children can also sign up with their own tutor, who will go through the work they are doing and help them out. Khan Academy is available on iOS and Android devices through an app. Therefore, you can take your courses with you and study whenever you want.
No.3. Coursera
If you always wanted to attend a prestigious university such as Stanford or the University of Virginia but never had a chance, Coursera will bring their courses straight to your living room. The classes are taught by the professors who work at those universities and you will be introduced to the curriculum, which is easy to follow. If you want to sign up for a course, you will have to register and become a member of Coursera.
Once you do that, you will be asked to list your interests so that you can obtain course recommendations. You can also browse the list of courses available from any university that is a part of Coursera. You can choose from many topics, such as fashion, art, technology, chemistry, etc. The wide selection of courses is the reason why Coursera is one of the best online course providers at the moment.
Coursera’s classes are ideal for both beginners and intermediate learners. You will have access to the course plan that will tell you everything you need to know about the work you should cover in the next couple of weeks. You can sign up for several courses at the same time, and get notifications reminding you about class assignments.
No.4. Lynda.com
When it comes to learning, Lynda is one of the best online course providers. It offers more than 5,000 courses, so you will find exactly what you are looking for. Additionally, the content on Lynda is very well done, and the quality of the videos is outstanding. The website is very dedicated to bringing you the best online courses and supporting international learners. Don’t worry if you don’t speak English well because the courses are available in five languages. Nothing will stand between you and your ability to develop new, useful skills.
The topics Lynda covers generally deal with technology, business, programming, and design. However, the website offers other interesting courses dealing with photography and creative writing as well, so all kinds of users can perfect their skills on Lynda. You can create a custom schedule and learn at your own pace. Additionally, you will be able to access the courses on any device you have.
If you become a learner, you will get access to more content, such as transcripts and playlists, which can help you elevate your knowledge even further. If you are an expert who wants to share your skills with the rest of the world, Lynda is always welcoming new tutors.
![[17] Online Course Providers That Will Change Your Life](http://bestlaptopguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/17-Online-Course-Providers-That-Will-Change-Your-Life.jpg "[17] Online Course Providers That Will Change Your Life")
No.5. Code Academy
Code Academy is a go-to place for beginners who want to learn the basics of coding. Its courses are incredibly detailed and will teach you the information you need to get started. That said, we have to point out that its content might not be useful to advanced learners because Code Academy focuses primarily on novices. The courses are free, but a subscribe option will let you create a custom schedule, interact with the tutors, and complete quizzes that test your knowledge.
The dashboard is easy to use, and you will get a list of recommended courses as soon as you sign up. You can also search the topics and bookmark the courses you want to save for later. Your profile will feature all your achievements and the number of points you have earned, as well as showcase your progress through different courses.
No.6. Tutsplus
Tutsplus is made for creative people who are eager to learn different skills. With more than 24,000 videos in its database, Tutsplus is slowly becoming one of the most popular online course providers. Its courses are tailored to everyone, regardless of one’s level of knowledge. You will find classes about video game development, programming, photography, crafts, etc. Tutsplus will encourage you to work hard and use your imagination.
The courses employ various media to teach you skills. You will find videos, books, screenshots, and much more. Each step is easy to comprehend, and you will get instructions from the tutors along the way. In addition, you can view several courses for free on the website. Free videos are smaller, but they include a lot of information that will help you in your quest for knowledge. Of course, subscribing will unlock more content, and you will have access to more videos and tutorials.
No.7. Udacity
Udacity might not have a large library of online courses, but those that are available are very useful and helpful to anyone interested in programming, coding, or IT. The courses are developed through collaboration with some of the most famous universities and companies out there, and you can either access them free or pay a fee that will get you more personalized content and help from the tutors. You can create your own learning schedule that will fit your lifestyle, or sign up for a timed course.
The library is well-designed and you can browse the categories to find a course you want to watch. You can also apply filters, such as your skill level, that will narrow down the results. Udacity has a large community of users, and you will be able to communicate with them through the message boards. Finally, you will get credentials once you finish a course.
No.8. Pluralsight.com
Pluralsight is among the best online course providers because it can help both individuals and teams unlock their potential with a large library of video classes. The topics will vary depending on your interests, but if you work in IT, you will likely find something to keep you engaged. Pluralsight is dedicated to delivering high-quality content, so its library is updated regularly. Don’t worry if you are a beginner because each topic is covered thoroughly, and you can select a course which lays out the basics.
The website’s goal is to teach you a new skill in the shortest amount of time. Pluralsight achieves this by recruiting engaging and interesting teachers. Pluralsight also has a mobile app that allows you to download the courses straight to your device of choice, so you can watch them anywhere. This allows you to use your time well and learn something new while traveling or commuting.
No.9. Linkedin Learning
Linkedin is one of the most popular websites for professionals around the globe, so it comes as no surprise that it decided to expand its services and include online courses that will help you gain more skills. If you have a Linkedin profile, Linkedin Learning will scan it, assess your skills, and recommend the courses you should take to improve or expand your knowledge. It offers plenty of interesting courses divided into three categories: creative, business, and technology.
The courses are high in quality and easy to follow, and you will be taught by leading experts. You will also have mobile access to the courses for which you sign up, so you can learn at any time and any place. Creating your own schedule is easy, and you can access the videos even if you don’t have an internet connection.
No.10. Treehouse
Team Treehouse is one of the best online course providers that will teach you programming and design. Its video library is constantly updated with new content, and you will have access to the latest classes that cover new developments in the IT world. Team Treehouse encourages practicing while learning, so you will be able to use the code alongside the videos and get immediate results.
The website’s content is created by coding professionals who will be with you every step of the way. You will get a finished product after each course you complete. If you want to create your first website using HTML and CSS, you will have one when you reach the end of that course. This can be a great addition to your portfolio. You will also get badges which will be displayed on your profile and can be seen by anyone – fellow users or people interested in recruiting new programmers for their companies.
No.11. Skillshare
Skillshare is a true community that brings people from all over the world into a single place. All of these people have the same goal – learning new skills. The website offers more than 17,000 online courses that cover various topics such as design, photography, business, and much more. Additionally, you can sign up to become a teacher, which will certainly expand your brand and help you get more exposure.
The membership is affordable and you will get access to the courses when you sign up. Each course typically features a class project that you can share with the other students, who will leave you feedback. The website allows you to create a personal portfolio containing all your work. Skillshare also has its own mobile app which can be installed on both iOS and Android devices so you can learn on the move.
No.12. Codeschool
Being a developer means you must constantly expand your knowledge. Whether you have just selected a programming language you want to learn or you have been in this line of work for a long time, Codeschool is an online course provider that has classes designed for you. It offers courses that cover iOS, Android, Ruby, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, etc. Once you become a subscriber, you will get access to the training videos, so you can start learning right away.
One thing that makes Codeschool different from other online course providers is the fact that you can practice what you learn right away. This means you will get to code as you watch a video with the instructions. It’s a great way to improve your knowledge because you will be using the code right there in your browser. There are also screencasts that can be seen as additional content; these cover specific topics related to the courses you select.
No.13. Creativelive
Creativelive offers more than 1,500 online courses that range from photography and video editing to arts and crafts. It is designed to help you turn your hobby into a profitable business. What makes it stand out from other online course providers is the fact that you can watch live videos for free. They are always streaming on their channels. In addition, you can create an account free of charge.
Once you decide to purchase a course, you can schedule it to fit your lifestyle. Plus, you will get bonus content which is not shown in the live streams. Another great thing about Creativelive is that you can become involved in discussions during the live streams. This means you will be a part of the audience, and you can ask questions. Interacting with lecturers is a great way to learn, and Creativelive encourages it.
No.14. CBT Nuggets
Technology is constantly developing and moving forward. CBT Nuggets understands this. Its aim is to give members high-quality classes taught by the best teachers out there. CBT Nuggets has been dedicated to online courses since 1999, and it is still among the best online course providers out there.
Its courses are fit for learners of all levels. Simply select the topic you wish to explore. Once you complete a course, you can rate it. Then you can continue working on your knowledge until you become an expert in the IT area of your interest.
No.15. Kelbyone
If you love digital photography, Kelbyone has everything you need for learning both basic and advanced techniques. Of course, you will find courses about photography and using the gear you have, but you will also have an opportunity to master Photoshop, Lightroom, and Adobe Creative Cloud.
Once you become a member, you will have access to the dashboard, which will allow you to select the courses you want to watch. Your progress will be recorded, so you can hit the pause button whenever you want. Members also get various discounts and subscriptions to photography-related magazines.
No.16. Skillsoft
With more than 7,000 courses, Skillsoft is one of the best online course providers. It recognizes the areas of expertise that will be most valuable in the future, such as IT and leadership skills. The website’s goal is to help you learn these skills through a combination of easy-to-follow video instructions and eBooks.
Skillsoft’s courses are perfect for learners of all levels. What makes the website even more interesting is its mobile app, which can be installed on any device. Therefore, you will be able to learn on the move and stay connected to your virtual classroom.
No.17. Atomic Learning
Atomic Learning features groundbreaking technology used in more than 12,000 schools and institutions around the world. Its educational courses will turn you into a more successful student who is capable of going way beyond the average.
The technology training offers more than 60,000 videos that will teach you everything you need to know about using the latest software or programs. The courses are ideal for students of all ages who want to become familiar with the modern technologies that will prepare them for the future. Having technology skills is mandatory nowadays, and Atomic Learning can help you on your journey.
Conclusion
There are many benefits to signing up with an online course provider. It is an excellent way to learn new skills without actually going to classes. Plus, most of the courses are free and are taught by experts. In addition, you can take charge of creating your own schedule and follow the videos on any device you have available.
You will be able to get a quality education in your free time, and also select the topics you love. It is a win-win situation because you will learn new things that might transform your life.