Which online learning platforms are best for coaches, influencers, and online entrepreneurs? 

These days, learning new skills online has never been easier. If you’re looking to pick up a new employable skill, such as HTML coding, copywriting, or website design, there are thousands of courses you can take from the comfort of your home.

But with all the platforms on the market right now, how do you decide where to start?

Today, we will be comparing the online learning platforms Brilliant and Skillshare so you can decide which is best for you. 

Brilliant Vs. Skillshare – Online Learning Platform Comparison

Brilliant

What is Brilliant?

Brilliant is an online learning platform that specializes in teaching science and math skills, specifically computer science. Any skill range may apply, from beginners to experienced coders.

What can you learn on Brilliant?

Brilliant has dozens of courses you can choose from. Below are just some of the examples of topics to choose from.

• Computer Science Fundamentals
• Algorithm Fundamentals
• Programming with Python
• Cryptocurrency
• Artificial Neural Networks
• Computer Memory
• Quantum Computing
• Calculus Fundamentals
• Integral Calculus
• Casino Probability
• Random Variables & Distributions
• Statistics Fundamentals
• Astrophysics

How does Brilliant work?

When you sign up, Brilliant will ask you a few questions, such as your age and occupation, and what skills you’re most interested in.

You will also let the program know your math level and comfort so they can structure courses to your skill level.

Once you have submitted your data, you will be given a few different options of courses you can take.

With the free plan, you can try a free preview of each course, but to unlock any guided exercises and full courses, you will have to upgrade to a premium plan.

Depending on your answers, your learning plan could change from person to person. Here are a few examples of learning plans for a computer-science-based track.

You can browse and preview all of the courses, including viewing the first lesson. This will give you an idea of your skill level and where you should start.

Below is an example of what your course might look like.

You will unlock each lesson once you complete the first. In this course, there are 10 lessons in total.

All courses are interactive and descriptive, keeping the lessons engaging and interesting.

There are over 50,000 5-star reviews on the Google and IOS app store, with thousands of customers praising the company for helping them switch careers, build a website, or pass a class for school.

How much does Brilliant cost?

Brilliant’s premium plans allow you to unlock features such as sync progress across mobile and web apps, as well as guided courses in Foundational math, Advanced math Science, and computer science. You can also complete bonus math, science, and CS puzzles. There are over 60+ courses to choose from.

Brilliant’s premium plan costs $10.82 USD a month, which is billed annually. You will receive a free 30-day trial when you sign up in order to see if this is the right program for you.

Skillshare

What is Skillshare?

Skillshare is an online learning platform founded in 2010 in New York, New York. The company allows for anyone to learn new skills and hobbies through educational videos and online classrooms. The courses are not accredited and are only available to those who pay a subscription. 

The most popular course topics are arts, design, entrepreneurship, lifestyle, and technology.  There are even several notable course leaders, such as Marc Ecko, Susan Orlean, and Seth Godin.

How does Skillshare work?

Although Skillshare used to offer a free plan, that was removed in 2022. As of 2023, you will have to subscribe to a premium plan to access any courses. 

Skillshare has two plans you can choose from, individual or team. If you run a business and want to connect your team to these online courses, you can get a discount. Otherwise, you can subscribe to the individual package, which is $13.75 USD a month.

Once you sign up, you can begin to browse classes. As a member, you have full access to the entire Skillshare catalog.

Skillshare divides its courses into these categories:

• Advertising
• Business
• Design
• Entrepreneurship
• Fashion and style
• Film and video
• Food and drink
• Gaming
• Music
• Photography
• Social media
• Technology
• Writing and publishing

Each course comes with an instructor, with many teachers coming from all around the globe.

Your class will come equipped with short lessons that you can go through at your own pace. You will also receive a hands-on project you can work on. You can even share your project with the class to get feedback from your peers and other creatives.

There are over 30,000 courses available to you, and you can take as many as you want.

Taking The Course

Each class may be structured differently because each course is taught by an individual. Some classes take only 20 minutes to complete, while others may take weeks or months, depending on the difficulty of the course and your skill level.

You should always read about the class before you begin taking it.

This is where the instructor will give a short description of what you can expect to learn, as well as the type of project you will be working on.

You can also see reviews from students who took this class before. You will be able to see if a course is above, at, or below your skill level.

Once you pick a class, you will automatically be signed up. You can see all your classes on your dashboard, and there is no limit to the number of classes you can be signed up for at a current time. 

However, remember these are real teachers behind the screen, so be careful not to fall behind.

As you go through the class, you can join group discussion boards with peers from your class, as well as join workshops to communicate with other students about future projects and what you’re working on.

One major complaint about Skillshare courses is that they are not accredited, like courses at Masterclass. So, although you can be learning valuable skills, it’s important to keep that in mind. However, Brilliant is also not accredited, meaning you cannot share any certificates with employers or universities. 

Become A Teacher on Skillshare

Are you already an expert on a certain skill and want to make money off it? You can become an instructor on Skillshare just as easily as you can become a student.

Skillshare says their top teachers can earn over $100,000 a year. However, it’s reported that most teachers make between $0.05 to $0.10 per minute watched.

Skillshare offers a step-by-step guide on how to create an engaging online course, including ways to improve your video setup and promote your course through SEO and marketing tools. The more you promote your course to your following, the more money you will make.

Which online learning platform will you use?

For those who want a more traditional online classroom, with a real teacher behind the screen helping you with your work, you may lean more towards Skillshare, especially if you are looking for more diverse topics. Skillshare acts more like a classroom by having a community of students around to share your work and projects, whereas Brilliant is more for the individual. 

 However, Brilliant is certainly the leader in STEM-based courses. Both online platforms offer interactive courses and will certainly help you level up, regardless of the path you take.