College classes once served as the gatekeepers of learning—but no longer. We live in the internet age, where information on virtually anything is just a click away. Need the capital of Austria? Google it. Craving a chocolate cookie recipe? Pinterest has thousands. Want cute cat videos? YouTube awaits.
But what if your browsing and video consumption could do more than fill idle time? What if they could accelerate your personal growth and career prospects?
That’s precisely what online course platforms aim to achieve. Through extensive how-to and instructional videos, they equip you with real-world skills—competencies that enhance your marketability and potentially unlock that coveted job opportunity. However, since anyone can create an online course and claim expertise—how do you distinguish reliable instruction from questionable content? Which platforms merit your trust? And do they justify their cost?
We’re examining one prominent online learning platform, originally launched as Lynda.com but now operating as LinkedIn Learning, to determine whether it aligns with your educational goals. Let’s dive into this comprehensive LinkedIn Learning review.
What Is LinkedIn Learning?
Founded in 1995, Lynda was acquired by LinkedIn in 2015. The platform helps “anyone learn business, software, technology, and creative skills to achieve personal and professional goals.” Operating as a subscription-based video library, it features instruction from recognized industry experts. The service reaches over 10,000 organizations and offers tutorials in five languages: English, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish. Now integrated within LinkedIn’s broader mission to “create economic opportunity for every member of the global workforce.”
How LinkedIn Learning Works
Getting started requires creating an account. While a free trial month is available, you’ll need to provide payment information and establish a LinkedIn account. LinkedIn requires phone verification—a straightforward, quick process.
After account creation, enhance your profile by specifying desired skills, enabling LinkedIn Learning to recommend relevant courses immediately. Alternatively, browse directly through topics like data analysis, graphic design, and leadership development.
While exploring courses, filter by skill level (Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced) and duration. Each lesson displays the instructor, length, and viewer count in its description. Click the lesson title to start immediately, or explore the complete course structure, preview content, and access downloadable materials.
The learning experience adapts to your environment with apps for virtually every device—Apple, iOS, and television-compatible options. During playback, adjust speed or rewind 10 seconds to catch missed content. Features include continuous playback for entire courses, closed captioning, and offline downloads for individual lessons or complete courses.
Upon completing a course and associated assignments, earn a certificate that automatically appears on your LinkedIn profile.
Is LinkedIn Learning Cheap?
LinkedIn Learning isn’t cheap—but that doesn’t diminish its value proposition. Monthly subscriptions cost $29.99, or $19.99 monthly with annual commitment. Your first month is complimentary, making the initial year approximately $220. While pricier than some video-course platforms that charge per course, taking multiple courses elsewhere often exceeds LinkedIn Learning’s subscription cost—and this subscription unlocks their entire catalog.
Multiple avenues exist for free access. Many libraries and colleges provide complimentary access as a resource. To discover availability, search your library’s name alongside “Lynda.com” or check their digital resources page. Access typically requires only your library card number, granting full platform access across all devices. College access functions similarly—sign in using your institution’s name in LinkedIn Learning’s organization portal.
Is LinkedIn Learning Reliable?
A critical concern with online learning platforms is content reliability and currency. LinkedIn Learning addresses this through regular material updates and weekly new releases, ensuring access to current information—particularly crucial for rapidly evolving software like Adobe or Bootstrap that frequently introduce reformatted versions.
The platform’s LinkedIn integration enables instructor verification. Each video displays the author’s name—clickable to reveal their LinkedIn profile instantly. This transparency allows you to assess instructor credibility and expertise before committing to their instruction. Additionally, you can view profiles of fellow course participants, providing insights into each video’s effectiveness—invaluable when navigating their 300,000+ video library.
Regarding corporate reliability, major companies like Patagonia and NBC trust them for employee training. They maintain responsive customer service and comprehensive, searchable help documentation addressing most user inquiries.
What Can I Learn On LinkedIn Learning?
LinkedIn Learning concentrates on business-relevant skills. While some courses explore adjacent areas like photography or critical thinking, these remain closely aligned with their professional focus. The platform accommodates both targeted skill development and comprehensive topic mastery through easily searchable specific skills or broader course offerings.
LinkedIn Learning’s Learning Paths provide structured comprehensive education. These curated course sequences share common objectives, such as complete blog creation. Though comprising separate courses—WordPress design, WooCommerce implementation—they collectively guide you toward your goal of launching a polished, professional website.
Despite extensive content offerings, materials remain digestible. Some courses exceed five hours but are segmented into 5-10-minute lessons. Many courses include practical exercises enabling hands-on learning alongside instructors—particularly valuable for coding or Photoshop instruction.
Flexible learning drives LinkedIn Learning’s appeal. Rather than committing to single courses or programs, explore topics that capture your interest. They also provide resources like Monday productivity insights, offering practical tips for applications like Wunderlist to enhance your accomplishments.
The platform serves organizations effectively through group memberships for team training, with several universities incorporating their curriculum.
LinkedIn Learning vs Udemy
Udemy operates on a per-course payment model rather than monthly subscriptions. Individual courses typically cost $10-$15—cheaper initially, unless you pursue more than three courses. Udemy offers broader topic diversity, including subjects like baking. However, Udemy completion certificates aren’t posted externally and often lack resume transferability.
Regarding user experience, Udemy features course ratings and reviews, simplifying quality assessment—useful since anyone can upload content. However, it lacks structured learning paths and doesn’t offer offline course downloads like LinkedIn Learning.
LinkedIn Learning Vs Coursera
While LinkedIn Learning emphasizes flexibility, Coursera maintains academic rigor. Most courses feature actual professors from institutions like Yale or Harvard—consequently requiring adherence to completion timelines.
Coursera registration is free, with some courses available at no cost. However, certificates and assessments that verify learning require payment. Most valuable courses range from $40 to $80 monthly.
Conclusion: LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning carries a premium price tag but delivers exceptional value for diverse learning goals. The curriculum addresses practical modern skills, while certificates integrated with your LinkedIn profile ensure professional recognition of your achievements. For lifelong learners committed to continuous improvement, LinkedIn Learning presents an outstanding opportunity for growth.
