Udemy Review 2026
Official site: udemy.com
Pros
- Huge library of over 210,000 courses
- Lifetime access after one-off purchase
- Frequent sales bring prices down to AUD 15-30
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Open publishing model means quality varies widely
- Certificates carry less employer weight than university-backed alternatives
- Limited interaction with instructors
| Founded | 2010 |
|---|---|
| Certificate types | Completion certificates |
| Free tier | No (some free courses available) |
| Starting price | From AUD 25 per course (sale prices) |
| Mobile app | iOS and Android |
| Offline access | Yes (mobile app) |
Overview
Udemy is the world's largest open-marketplace learning platform with over 210,000 courses across virtually every subject. Its model differs fundamentally from Coursera: any qualified instructor can publish on Udemy, which creates an enormous breadth of content but also significant quality variation. For Australian learners seeking a specific skill at a low price point, it remains an excellent option.
Frequent sales (common during Australian public holidays and year-end periods) bring most courses to AUD 15-30 - a fraction of the listed price. Lifetime access after purchase makes it a good investment for reference material and skills you plan to revisit.
Course Quality
Quality depends heavily on the individual instructor. We sampled 15 courses across web development, photography, and business during our review period. Top-rated courses with thousands of reviews were consistently strong. Courses with fewer reviews were more hit-or-miss. We recommend filtering by "Highest Rated" and checking the last update date before enrolling.
Certificates
Udemy's completion certificates are straightforward to earn but not accredited by any academic or professional body. They are suitable for demonstrating personal initiative on a CV but should not be positioned as formal qualifications. For roles requiring formal credentials, consider Coursera or edX.
Pricing
Most courses list at AUD 100-200 but are almost always on sale for AUD 15-30. The 30-day money-back guarantee makes experimentation low-risk. Udemy Business (team plans from AUD 39 per user/month) grants access to a selected library of around 12,000 courses.
This review is based on our editors' own testing using personally funded course purchases. We were not provided with free access or payment by Udemy. Affiliate commissions may be earned if you sign up via our links.
Alternatives to Udemy
Coursera
Better for career-level certificates with university backing and structured learning paths.
See ReviewSkillshare
Better for creative skills with a subscription model and project-based classes.
See ReviewLinkedIn Learning
Certificates automatically appear on your LinkedIn profile, ideal for professional networking.
See ReviewThis site provides editorial comparisons only. We may earn affiliate commissions on outgoing links.