Best Apps for Online Courses of 2021

I browsed through each app to get a sense of what kind of courses were available and how the interface worked. Then, I selected a course or two to take or at least start — some were too long to complete, but I did enough to get the flavor of the course. I was looking for the depth of content, how easy and intuitive the course material was to access, the quality of video if there were video lessons, and how any text-based material was presented. For classes with assignments or a community component, I looked at how easy it was to upload these and what the interfaces were like.

For folks turning their creative pursuits into a business, there are courses on freelancing, business analytics, marketing, and leadership. And for those of us seeking a mindset adjustment, there are classes on productivity and lifestyle. While many of the creative classes are focused on technical skills, others are oriented towards using creative practices to enhance positive mental states and live a more fulfilled life. So even if your creative skills aren’t professional-level, you’ll find plenty here to bring peace and joy to your life.

With the exception of actually doing the assignments, all of Skillshare can be comfortably accessed via the app. The video lessons are short and high-quality and generally consist of the teacher speaking into the camera, so there’s no particular benefit to watching on a screen larger than a smartphone. But the platform can be accessed over the web if you prefer to use it that way. The video is best viewed in landscape mode, and the video flips automatically when you rotate your phone. When you come to the end of a lesson, the next one autoplays, but you can of course pause at any time.

The learning program for the popular job-oriented social network, LinkedIn Learning, offers over 1600 classes across a wide range of career-oriented topics (broadly divided into business, creative, and technology). The service is not cheap, at $29.99/month and $299/year. But if professional development is a goal for you this year, or if you need to call upon a diverse array of skills in your professional life, LinkedInLearning may be well worth it.

While LinkedIn has become an all-purpose professional networking platform, it’s still of particular interest to job-seekers. And LinkedIn Learning may be especially useful to that group as well. In addition to providing a way to learn new skills, the platform offers courses, especially for job seekers. Classes include practical skills like optimizing your LinkedIn profile and personal branding, as well as courses on maintaining a positive attitude and managing stress while job hunting. 

The courses vary quite a bit in length, from 15 minutes to several hours. LinkedIn Learning doesn’t offer certificates or any feedback, so it’s more useful for gaining skills and knowledge than receiving a credential. But for many purposes, that’s all you need.

Founded in 2008, Khan Academy is a non-profit dedicated to offering high-quality free education to learners of all ages. 617 million children worldwide lack skills in math and reading, and Khan Academy is trying to fill in that gap for anyone with an internet connection. 

The app features many course offerings in math (from kindergarten through early college), science, history, grammar, computers, and other academic disciplines. For students heading to higher education, Khan Academy has test prep for the SAT, LSAT, and more. Given that test prep courses are typically pretty pricey, Khan Academy's free option helps even the playing field for all students.

The courses are self-paced, so you can progress through them as slowly or quickly as you want, depending on how much time you have or how difficult you find the material. This is helpful for kids, who don't have to feel bored by material they grasp quickly or frustrated by more challenging content. 

Khan had some of the best videos of any of the apps I tested. While the content was mostly not intended for me (although let's be honest, I could benefit from some math classes), I found the videos engaging and well-produced. They are designed to keep the attention of tweens and teens, but they don't feel patronizing. Information was delivered clearly and with good visual aids.

Khan Academy also provides a platform for teachers and out-of-class educators (summer camps, after-school programs, etc.) to create online learning experiences for their students. They can post videos and text lessons, receive and grade homework, and more. 

The pandemic has seen a sudden focus on online learning. While many kids and parents are hoping to return to the classroom soon, Khan Academy programs can help kids keep their education on track in the meantime. And for kids without access to school, those who want some extra enrichment, or adults who want to fill in some knowledge gaps, Khan Academy will still be there after schools reopen.

EdX provides exceptional value because most of the courses can be accessed for free, meaning the knowledge and skills are available to all. If you want to gain new knowledge or skills and don’t need certification, EdX presents an extraordinary opportunity to learn from professors at top universities for free. However, if you need to verify your learning to an employer, that option is there as well. While the price is fairly steep, being able to look at the courses for free allows you to make an informed calculation about whether or not to invest.

Udemy is an a la carte marketplace for online classes, mostly in the area of coding and business. There are a wide range of classes here, but they are generally quite expensive for the amount of content you get. However, it looks like Udemy has frequent sales -- I tested a course for $20 that is typically $148.

At typical prices, however, I'd recommend caution with this site since anyone can sell their courses on it. That means that the consumer has to do more work to ensure that the class is worthwhile than on a platform that produces its own material or does more gatekeeping.

Coursera is similar to EdX, and that platform offers more options, and the app is a bit easier to use. However, it very much depends on the specific class you want to take, and there are some great courses and certificates on Coursera, so it's definitely worth a look. 

Prices vary -- some free courses are available, some are subscription-based. Coursera offers access to all their certificate programs and specializations for $399/year. That sounds steep, but if you have the time and money to invest in professional development this year, there's a lot on offer here.

They also have some non-professional courses. I enrolled in a (free) Buddhism and Modern Psychology course that was incredibly informative. 

The thing to keep in mind about MasterClass is that it includes a series of basketball lessons from Steph Curry. We all know that Steph Curry cannot teach you to play basketball like he does over the internet. The content is physical, and it takes an enormous amount of hard work and talent to do what he does. But that doesn't mean the course is worthless: his tips might raise the game of a weekend player or inspire a high school athlete. And it's often interesting to learn how high-performing people think about what they do. 

I say this because most or all of the courses on MasterClass should be thought about in the same way, but it's easier to remember that you're not Steph Curry than that you're not Judd Apatow. The classes on MasterClass can help you improve your skills, but the high-profile teachers on the platform can't teach you their secret to success. Years of work, talent, luck, and often specialized equipment are needed.

That said, the app works well. The videos look good, and you can also switch to an audio version and consume the content like a podcast. I'm just put off by the pricing -- $180/year with no free trial and no monthly option -- and the fact that they seem to be selling a version of mastery that is unrealistic. Still, much of the content is top-notch, and it's fun to hear from the talented people who teach on the platform.