The Best Ways to Take Online Courses for Free in 2026
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We only list free plans from providers that also rank in our full, tested Online courses comparison. Each card shows what the free plan actually includes.
Courses and certificates from Harvard, Stanford, Google, IBM and 300+ other institutions. Most courses can be audited for free; Coursera Plus unlocks 7,000+.
- Recognised certificates
- Free audit option
- Professional certificates from Google, IBM
Pros
- Low Trustpilot score (1.3) – billing complaints
- Subscription renews automatically
Cons
What users say
Courses from MIT, Harvard, Berkeley and 200+ institutions that you can audit for free. Pay only if you want a verified certificate.
- Free access to top universities
- Academic depth
- MicroMasters programmes
Pros
- Certificates can be expensive
- Less practical than Udemy for quick skills
Cons
What users say
250,000+ courses you buy one by one, often for $10–20 during sales. Great for one specific skill; certificates are completion certificates only.
- Huge choice
- Cheap during sales
- Lifetime access to bought courses
Pros
- Quality varies by instructor
- Refunds refused if you watched a lot
Cons
What users say
Be careful with unknown free apps: if you are not paying, your data may be the product. Stick to reputable providers.
When should you upgrade?
Free plans are fine to start. Upgrade when you hit a limit that costs you time or money – or when you need support, more users or extra security features. Our full ranking shows the best paid options.