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Udemy vs Udacity Review 2024

Udacity

9.0

Our Score

Deep tech-focused course lineup.

Clear, buildable nano-degree tracks.

Valuable mentor support.

Bigger upfront investment.

Narrow, tech oriented course catalog.

Welcome to my Udemy vs Udacity review 2024.

I spent 24+ hours researching about and actually completing the most popular open online courses for making money online.

In this Udemy vs Udacity review, we’ll take a look at all the features and benefits of this e-learning package and see how it compares to other options.

I’ll also answer some of the most commonly asked questions about Udemy vs Udacity.

So, without further ado, let’s get started!

Udemy vs Udacity Review 2024

Things To Consider Before Buying An Online Course

Online courses do offer a more convenient and often more accessible way to gain the critical knowledge you need to change careers or begin a new hobby. However, there are a few things you must consider before going this route.

  • How do you want to learn? — Some platforms are synchronous, meaning you must show up at a particular time. Others are asynchronous, meaning there’s a broader framework to the learning, but “when” it happens is up to you.
  • Do you have the right software? — Some courses are simple videos and pdf files, while others require the specialized software of the field (think Tableau for data visualization, for example). You need access to this software to complete the course.
  • Do you need lifetime access? — Some courses are available for a short time. Others provide lifetime access to course materials, videos, and all updates that come with future iterations of the course. 
  • What format is best? — Online courses used to be collections of PDFs. Now, many online courses offer robust, interactive, multimedia presentations. Ensure you have the right software and that the format suits your learning style.

All these questions ensure that you have the right course for your learning style and that you won’t be frustrated by the delivery. With online access, lessons come in all shapes and sizes. Many will update with new information and revamped formats in the future. Ensure you have the access and methodology you need.

How does Udacity work and what are its pros & cons?

Udacity began as an experiment in online education. Would users take and find value in more in-depth courses and course tracks? The answer is yes.

Udacity offers online courses arranged in tracks. It was one of the first platforms to provide something called a “nano-degree” or a course series for mastery of a specific niche topic. Where sites like Udemy offer a range of single courses and course tracks, Udacity focuses more on the nano-degree concept.

Udacity offers a few different pricing models, but nearly all the courses have term limits. You’ll have a set amount of time to finish the course, or you’ll lose access. If you complete the course, you’ll maintain access for future reference.

Udacity Pros:

  • Good variety of STEM subjects
  • Nano-degree focused
  • Credentialed with good record keeping
  • Good community and mentor support

Udacity Cons:

  • No support for free courses
  • Time limits on courses or you lose access
  • Record keeping and certifications vary from course to course

Features & Benefits

Let’s take a look at what you can expect from a course or course series from Udacity. 

Nanodegree Tracks

Udacity’s entire MO is the concept of a targeted training option for students who don’t want a full-time degree but need more than a course or two to succeed with goals or job applications. 

Udacity offers courses separately, of course, but the biggest draw is the degree track. Sometimes called a micro-degree, nano-degrees are a series of several courses that build on each other to create mastery of a single, targeted subject.

Udacity’s nano-degrees center primarily around technology tracks such as artificial intelligence, but you can also find business subjects and a new career section designed to help you with the job search itself. These skill sections offer record-keeping and official certification you can use to send to an employer.

For example, the artificial intelligence track offers courses in AI programming with python, computer vision, and deep reinforcement learning. These courses build technical expertise in working with AI systems, all in a cohesive track model.

Mentorship

When you sign up for paid courses, Udacity provides instructor feedback and mentorship at varying levels depending on the course track. Their track record is good for timeliness and attention, allowing students to ask questions and receive clarification despite the online model.

The courses also have thriving communities of like-minded students waiting to share community knowledge and expertise. In quite a few of the courses, you’ll have projects to complete in groups, expanding your network and your knowledge. 

This type of mentorship is a sharp turn from other free massive online course structures in which you complete recorded materials but don’t have the chance to answer questions or receive feedback. Plus, the slightly smaller community of Udacity vs Udemy could provide more targeted instructional feedback for students.

Credentials

The courses do offer record-keeping and official certification. Once you complete the course with satisfactory progress, you’ll be able to send the certificates to potential or current employers or use them for your portfolio/resume.

These credentials are recognized by a variety of sources and offer more than just pass/fail. Your employer will be able to see course standards and requirements and see how your performance measured up.

Many of the courses also require real-world experience, using projects and problem solving, portfolios, and other educational tools to record your learning evolution. The arc could be useful as you navigate your career path or seek to grow at your current employment position.

Portfolio and Record-Keeping

One unique capability available on the Udacity platform is the ability to build a portfolio. Your courses and projects are trackable and easy to send to potential employers. You won’t worry about whether your employer works on a particular program or computer type. Everything is available with a simple link.

This also makes it easier to provide proof of satisfactory completion and showcase your talents or new skills to current and future employers. It’s more than just an online certificate; it’s a track record of your learning evolution all in one, easy to access place.

While other platforms can sometimes make it harder to showcase a track of mastery, Udacity’s focus on nano-degrees takes a different approach. You’ll have exactly what you need to bolster your resume or provide documentation for continual learning and professional development.

Content Quality

Udacity’s courses are quality controlled and offer deep insights into content areas, particularly in technology. There’s a pretty vast course catalog, but you’ll be able to see the credentials of the course creator and instructors to guide you.

The content for free courses is the same high quality as the paid courses, aside from mentorship. You won’t have access to the course instructor with free classes, but the content is a similar depth and consistency no matter what you pay for it.

In the beginning, Udacity didn’t offer as big of a catalog as other course platforms, including Udemy. Still, they’ve found their niche with technology nano-degrees and expanded at lightning speed. 

The courses offer different delivery methods, allowing students with various learning preferences to get the most out of their experiences taking the course. These aren’t your garden variety PDFs; you’ll get dynamic course material to make the most of your learning trajectory.

how much does it Cost?

Udacity’s nano-degrees are a more significant investment than something like Udemy, where the course platform prioritizes standalone or one-off courses. Where Udemy has a variety of courses hovering around the $10 mark, Udacity’s tracks can be investments of up to several hundred dollars.

The difference lies in support. When you invest in Udacity, you’re investing in more help, mentorships, and greater access to instructors. It’s an essential part of your course experience, especially in Udacity’s main field of technology. Mentorships can provide that hands-on experience required of technical fields that need both knowledge and working expertise.

Subject Matter

Udacity’s most significant restriction is the subject matter. With less than 50 nano-degree track options available, it’s a smaller platform than some more famous options like Coursera. However, that niche experience provides a reliable foundation of knowledge for those looking specifically for tech.

At the moment, it provides some of the most cutting edge subject matter employers are looking for — think AI, data science, cloud computing, and autonomous systems. If you’re making the career switch to technology, this is definitely the platform for engagement and mentorship in this field.

Time Commitment

Udacity isn’t a one-off course, so you’ll need to block off more time to complete them. The tracks typically take one to three months to complete, assuming you have around ten hours per week to devote to completing your course assignments.

If you’re looking for something you can take as a smaller commitment, Udemy might be a better solution. For thoroughness, however, Udacity’s course structure operates more like a traditional higher education class.

udacity Reviews

The proof Udacity is a quality platform for professionals looking to further their careers is all over the internet. Here’s what happy Udacity customers have to say about the experiences and value they’ve gotten from taking Udacity’s nano-degree tracks.

These reviews come from all over and note Udacity’s track record for ease of use and guidance within the platform. The hands-on approach seems to work well with most learners.

udemy vs udacity
udemy vs udacity
udemy vs udacity

Alternatives

Let’s take a look at a few of Udacity’s biggest competitors to see the differences. You may find one of these fits your unique learning needs a little more closely.

Udemy

Udemy’s primary focus is on a wide range of single courses designed to teach you whatever you’ve wanted to learn. The format, cost, and delivery of these courses can vary wildly, but there’s really nothing you’d like to know that isn’t available with Udemy.

The upfront investment is much smaller, but you don’t get the same hands-on approach that you would with many of Udacity’s nano-degrees. Plus, Udemy’s courses are designed to target a wide variety of subjects; putting them together in a logical track is more your job than the platform’s.

Udemy offers:

  • Wide range of subjects
  • Lower entry investments including many more free courses
  • Once you purchase, you have the course no matter what

Udacity offers: 

  • Nano-degrees
  • Mentorship options
  • Accountability of class deadlines

Treehouse

Treehouse is a unique tech-focused platform designed to bring more general coding and development skills to your door. It provides a subscription-based model, $19.99 per month after a seven-day free trial. 

Treehouse is a self-paced option with no portfolio choices like Udacity, but you can receive feedback for a certain number of course projects per month. It’s geared towards beginners in the tech field and allows you to work at your own pace on as many courses as you like.

Treehouse offers:

  • Monthly subscription model
  • General coding and introduction courses
  • Self-pacing

Udacity offers:

  • Deep development skills (think AI or data engineering)
  • One on one tech mentorship
  • Nano-degree tracks

Codecademy

If you’ve ever wanted to learn multiple coding languages and play around with their capability, Codecademy is a dream come true. This option is mostly free, allowing you to run through tutorials, whether you’re a beginner or picking up your next coding language.

The pro option provides a more tailored experience with feedback and course tracks, but none of that is necessary if you’re just learning. You could spend years on Codecademy and never need more than the free account.

Codecademy offers:

  • Tutorials 12 common programming languages
  • Robust free account
  • Optional pro account for customization

Udacity offers:

  • Tracks for deep, cutting edge programming
  • Official certifications
  • More robust mentorship options

What Next?

Udacity offers a wonderfully tailored program for people seeking something more than just one-off courses but not ready or willing to pursue full-time graduate work. You can learn a variety of cutting edge tech tracks, including things many high demand subjects.

The clear and precise degree tracks make this a go-to platform for anyone looking for official certification portfolios to send to potential employers or to advance careers within a current workplace. Although the cost is higher than some online platforms, it’s well within reach compared to graduate degree tracks.

Use Udacity to advance your career in cutting edge topics or to build skills in business. The platform will help see you through.

Read More About Udacity Online Courses

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AUTHOR

After being forced to shut down my brick and mortar business, I built my online business Be Your Maverick from scratch. Wasted way too much time researching ways to make money online. My mission is to help ambitious individuals cut through the scams and make better informed decisions getting started with an online business.