Learning a new skill can be a daunting undertaking. Where can you start developing a complex new skill like computer programming or touch up on your understanding of history? Luckily, we live in the 21st century and it's possible to learn anything with the help of the internet. Forget YouTube. A global education marketplace like Udemy or Khan Academy can provide the structure and feedback that make the difference between learning the material and just watching videos.

But which is better suited for your goals? Here, we will review both Udemy and Khan Academy and decide for whom each is best suited.

Khan Academy vs. Udemy

Udemy - The Basics

Udemy is one of the most well-known online marketplaces for education. They offer 100,000 courses on a variety of topics. Here are the main categories of courses available at Udemy:

• Development
• Business
• Finance & Accounting
• IT & Software
• Office Productivity
• Personal Development
• Design
• Marketing
• Lifestyle
• Photography
• Health & Fitness
• Music
• Teaching & Academics

If there's something you want to learn, you'll likely be able to find a course for it at Udemy. Courses are taken at your own pace and each course is overseen by an instructor who is available to help you at any point. Purchasing a course gives you lifetime access to it, so you're free to touch up on your knowledge at any point in perpetuity. 

Udemy courses are relatively affordable at full price but regularly go on sale, making them extremely affordable. Smaller courses can be found for as cheap as $19.99 while more robust courses may cost up to $199.99 at full price. However, we recommend finding a Udemy coupon before purchasing a Udemy course online. At the time of this writing, it is currently possible to purchase nearly any Udemy course online for only $9.99!

Khan Academy - The Basics

Khan Academy is actually a nonprofit that targets its services towards current students and teachers. Online courses at Khan Academy are geared towards K-12 education, with a focus on math and science. In addition to the classic subjects, Khan Academy offers courses for test prep, like the SAT and GMAT, and college admissions, personal finance and more. Here are the major categories available for Khan Academy online education:

• Math
• Science & engineering
• Computing
• Arts & humanities
• Economics & finance
• Test prep
• College, careers & more
• ELA Beta

Khan Academy is fantastic as a supplemental learning tool for K-12 students. If there's a topic that a student is having a hard time with, they can use Khan Academy to develop a deeper understanding. Conversely, if a student is ahead of the class in a particular subject, they can further explore that topic through Khan Academy. From pre-algebra to physics and US history, Khan Academy can make a noticeable difference in the classroom performance of any K-12 student. Parents can create an account for their children to use.

In addition to being a resource for K-12 students, Khan Academy is also a tool for teachers. Teachers can assign exercises and track progress through Khan Academy, allowing for a very personalized curriculum. 

The best part about Khan Academy is that since it is a nonprofit, it is 100% free!

Udemy and Khan Academy - Major Differences 

While Khan Academy and Udemy both make it possible for individuals to learn online, the two services are quite different. Here are the major differences between Udemy and Khan Academy.

1. Target Audience and Course Selection: The target audiences between Udemy and Khan Academy are clear when you view the courses offered from each. Udemy is most ideal for individuals currently in the workforce, looking to acquire new skills or refine old ones, and Khan Academy is a supplemental tool for those in K-12. However, with each platform there can potentially be crossover with the demographics of users.

2. Price: Khan Academy is a nonprofit and a free platform, whereas all Udemy courses are associated with a price. Udemy courses can be accessed for discounted prices with Udemy coupons.

3. Business Plans: Udemy offers a plan specifically for businesses, giving employees access to thousands of training programs. This is unavailable at Khan Academy.

4. Course Instructor: Since Khan Academy is meant to be a supplemental tool for students currently in K-12, there are no instructors online for the courses. Each course on Udemy includes access to a course instructor.

5. Non-Traditional Topics: Both Khan Academy and Udemy offer courses in topics that are a bit untraditional, topics outside of subjects like math and science. However, Khan Academy's are meant to help students prepare for college and independent life, like SAT prep or personal finance, and Udemy's pertain to skills and personal or professional development, like video editing or emotional intelligence. 

Final Recommendation - Toss Up

Udemy and Khan Academy are kind of like apples and oranges. Their purposes are completely different and therefore we recommend the platform that best suits your goals. If you're a student looking to do better in school or take your learning a little further, we would recommend Khan Academy and then Udemy. However, for adults looking to develop a new skill or relearn something they forgot, Udemy is the ideal choice. First, define your goals and then choosing between Udemy vs. Khan Academy should be simple!