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edX vs Skillshare

A detailed comparison to help you choose the right tool for your needs.

edX logo

edX

Education & LMS

Try edX
VS
Skillshare logo

Skillshare

Education & LMS

Try Skillshare

A
About edX

edX is an online learning platform founded by Harvard and MIT that offers courses, professional certificates, bootcamps, and degree programs from top universities and organizations worldwide. It serves individual learners looking to upskill, career changers pursuing new credentials, and organizations seeking to train their workforce. The platform stands out for its academic rigor, with content from institutions like Harvard, MIT, Berkeley, and many others. Now owned by 2U, edX uses an open-source platform (Open edX) and offers both free audit tracks and paid verified certificates, making quality education accessible to a broad audience.

B
About Skillshare

Skillshare is an online learning community focused primarily on creative skills, offering thousands of short-form video classes in areas like design, illustration, photography, writing, and business. Unlike traditional course platforms, Skillshare emphasizes project-based learning where students create and share work with the community for feedback. The platform operates on a subscription model, giving members unlimited access to its entire class library. It's particularly popular among freelancers, hobbyists, and creative professionals, though its offerings in technical and academic subjects are more limited compared to competitors like Udemy or Coursera.

Pricing Comparison

Tool
edX
Skillshare
Price
Free — From $49/course
Free — From $32/mo
Category
Education & LMS
Education & LMS
Rating
4.1 (39)
4.3 (23)
Free Plan
No
Yes
Integrations
7+ apps
6+ apps
Founded
2012
2010

Feature Comparison

Feature
edX
Skillshare
Access to university-level courses
MicroMasters and Professional Certificates
Interactive learning with quizzes
Mobile app for on-the-go learning
Peer-reviewed assignments and projects
Discussion forums for student interaction
Progress tracking and certificates
Wide range of creative classes
Video lessons from industry experts
Community projects and feedback
Offline viewing for mobile devices
Personalized class recommendations
Skill assessments and progress tracking

Choose edX

edX is an online learning platform offering courses from top universities.

Try edX Free

Read full review

Choose Skillshare

Learn new skills through video classes taught by industry experts.

Try Skillshare Free

Read full review

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Score Comparison

Ease of Use
7.0
8.0
Features
8.0
7.0
Pricing
7.0
6.0
Support
6.0
5.0
Integrations
8.0
7.0
Overall
7.2
6.6
edXSkillshare

Our Verdict

edXWinner

Seeking university-level courses at an affordable price, ideal for self-motivated learners.

More affordable
More features
Better support
Skillshare

You’re a creative team looking for diverse video classes taught by industry experts at a reasonable price.

Easier to get started

edX vs Skillshare: The Bottom Line

Both edX and Skillshare are strong education & lms tools, but they serve different needs. Skillshare has a higher user rating (4.3 vs 4.1). On pricing, Skillshare is more affordable starting at $0/mo.

Still unsure? Check the full reviews for edX and Skillshare, explore edX alternatives, or use our AI search to describe exactly what you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is edX or Skillshare better?

It depends on your needs. edX (4.1★) is from $49/mo, while Skillshare (4.3★) is free to start. Skillshare has a higher user rating.

Can I switch from edX to Skillshare?

Yes. Most SaaS tools offer data export features. Check if Skillshare has a migration guide or import tool specifically for edX users. Many offer onboarding assistance for switchers.

Which is cheaper, edX or Skillshare?

Skillshare starts at $0/mo, which is cheaper than edX at $49/mo. Skillshare also offers a free plan.

What are the main differences between edX and Skillshare?

edX focuses on access to university-level courses and micromasters and professional certificates, while Skillshare emphasizes wide range of creative classes and video lessons from industry experts. Both are in the Education & LMS category but serve slightly different use cases.