Picking an online learning platform is tough when you're trying to level up your skills or make a career move. I’ve spent a good chunk of time exploring both Skillshare vs Lynda (now LinkedIn Learning), so hopefully I can help you sort out which one fits your goals—and your wallet.
The main difference? Lynda is all about professional development with expert-led courses and recognised certificates, while Skillshare leans into creative skills with community-driven classes and a lower price tag. That core distinction shapes everything—course quality, career impact, you name it. So really, it comes down to whether you want professional credibility or more creative freedom.
I’ll dig into pricing, course quality, certificate value, and what it’s actually like to use each site. Whether you’re craving creative inspiration or need a more structured, career-focused path, knowing these platforms’ strengths (and, honestly, their weak spots) can save you time and money.
⏳ Are you eager to know the result without reading through? Skillshare emerges as the victor in this Skillshare vs Lynda comparison.
Key Takeaways
- Lynda gives you expert-led courses and certificates that look good on your CV; Skillshare is cheaper and loaded with creative courses, though quality can be hit or miss
- Skillshare costs just £8.15 per month, while Lynda’s at £29.99, so Skillshare’s definitely easier on your budget
- It really depends if you want structured, certified professional development or just want to build creative skills with flexible, community-driven content
Quick Comparison Table
Here’s a table to help you spot the big differences between Skillshare vs Lynda.
| Feature | Skillshare (🎖️ My Pick!) | Lynda |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | £19 (approx $25) | £33 (approx $44) |
| Free Trial | 7 days | 1 month |
| Number of Courses | 25,000+ | 3,500 |
| User Base | 12 million users | 9.5 million users |
| Course Focus | Creative skills, design, business | Professional development, tech skills |
| Certificates | None | Paid certificates available |
| Mobile App | Yes | Yes |
| Offline Access | Yes | Yes |
| Founded | 2010 | 1995 |
So, Skillshare’s plans are lighter on your wallet, but Lynda gives you a longer free trial. Skillshare packs in more courses, though it’s mostly creative stuff.
Side-By-Side Overview
After digging into both, it’s obvious these platforms are built for very different learners.
Skillshare is perfect for creatives and entrepreneurs. Anyone can become an instructor, so course quality is a bit of a mixed bag.
Lynda is all about professional development. Courses are made by field experts, so you know what you’re getting.
Skillshare is way more affordable—about a third of Lynda’s price.
Course variety is another big difference. Skillshare has a ton of courses, but it’s mostly creative. Lynda’s got fewer, but they cover a wider range of professional topics.
Certificates can matter if you’re chasing career goals. Lynda’s certificates are recognised and show up on your LinkedIn. Skillshare doesn’t do certificates at all.
Both have mobile apps and offline access. You can try both for free, so that’s nice.
Ease Of Use
Both platforms are pretty straightforward, but Skillshare’s interface feels fresher. Lynda sends you to LinkedIn Learning, which can be a little disorienting at first.
Interface & Navigation
Skillshare’s homepage is clean and easy to navigate. You get trending classes, popular categories, and suggestions based on what you like.
I found the search tools handy, with filters for time, skill level, and topic. The video player is simple—no clutter, just content.
Lynda’s situation is a bit messier. When you go to Lynda.com, you’re redirected to LinkedIn Learning after picking a course. That can throw off new users.
LinkedIn Learning’s interface is more business-like, less playful than Skillshare. There are features like learning paths and skill quizzes, but honestly, it can feel a bit much.
Navigation at a glance:
- Skillshare: Bright, creative, easy to browse
- Lynda: Corporate, loaded with business tools
- Course discovery: Both let you filter and search pretty well
Onboarding For Learners
Signing up for Skillshare is quick. You pick your interests—maybe design, photography, writing—and the platform suggests courses right away.
The free trial starts instantly. No need to dig out your credit card or fill in endless forms.
Lynda needs you to connect your LinkedIn account, which is an extra step. Some folks like that professional link; others, not so much.
You’ll answer a quiz about your career and skills. It makes for better recommendations, but takes a bit longer than Skillshare’s breezy setup.
Both have mobile apps that work just like the website.
Onboarding For Creators
Skillshare makes it easy to become an instructor. Just submit a class idea, record a sample lesson, and wait for the green light. Usually, you’ll hear back in a week or two.
They give you templates and tips, plus built-in tools for recording. You don’t need fancy gear to make a decent course.
Lynda is a lot pickier about instructors. They want industry pros and folks with teaching chops. The approval process is longer, and you’ll need to prove your expertise.
LinkedIn Learning does offer more help if you get in—like pro video production and marketing support. But getting accepted is a whole different level.
Instructor requirements:
- Skillshare: Open to anyone, quick turnaround
- Lynda: For established pros, longer process
Course Content & Quality
Lynda offers standardised content taught by experts, while Skillshare’s all about user-generated classes in creative fields. The platforms take very different approaches to quality control and the subjects they cover.
Course Volume & Subjects
Skillshare has a huge catalogue—over 29,000 courses, mostly zeroed in on creative skills and entrepreneurship. Their topics range from design and illustration to photography, writing, and business.
But honestly, the creative focus really limits you to artistic subjects. If you're after technical skills, you might feel a bit boxed in. Anyone can upload a course, so quality can jump all over the place.
Lynda (now LinkedIn Learning) offers 10,000+ courses that cover a much broader set of professional topics:
- Web development and programming
- Business and marketing
- IT and cloud computing
- Design and creative arts
- Photography and video editing
This wider variety of quality courses with standardised content makes Lynda a more natural fit for career development across industries.
Instructor Vetting & Credentials
Lynda doesn't mess around when it comes to instructor standards. There's a pretty rigorous application process, and courses are taught by verified pros.
They team up with universities and government organisations to keep things credible. Most instructors have academic backgrounds or solid industry chops.
Skillshare, on the other hand, lets anyone become an instructor—no formal vetting. The result? Anyone can create courses regardless of professional background, so quality is all over the map.
Still, I've come across some fantastic Skillshare instructors who bring real entrepreneurial experience. It's just wise to dig into an instructor's credentials before diving in.
Learning Modes (Self-Paced Vs Cohort)
Both platforms are all about self-paced learning—no cohort-based schedules here. You pick your start and finish, which is nice if you've got a weird schedule.
Skillshare courses are pretty flexible, ranging from short 10-minute videos to multi-hour deep dives. Everything is video-based, so it's easy to work through at your own pace.
Lynda takes a more structured approach with standard course lengths. They add in assessments, notes, and projects for a more rounded skill-building experience.
There’s no live instruction or group-based learning on either platform. All the content is pre-recorded, so you can jump in whenever.
Certification & Career Value
LinkedIn Learning hands out formal completion certificates that employers actually recognise. Skillshare, meanwhile, is all about project-based learning—no traditional certificates here. Depending on your career path, this difference can really matter.
Accreditation & Recognition
LinkedIn Learning gives you course completion certificates that you can slap right onto your LinkedIn profile or CV. These show your name, course, and when you finished.
They're not accredited by universities or anything, but LinkedIn’s brand does carry some weight in professional circles.
Certificate Features:
- Shareable on LinkedIn
- Downloadable as a PDF
- Lists instructor and course details
- Includes completion date
Skillshare? It's a different vibe. Instead of certificates, they provide project-based assignments that you can add to your creative portfolio.
For creative fields, showing off what you can actually do matters more than a piece of paper. But if you’re aiming for a traditional corporate job, the lack of certificates could be a drawback.
Employer Acceptance & Job Outcomes
LinkedIn Learning certificates are easy for employers to check, especially since they're built into your LinkedIn profile. That’s a big plus if you’re looking to impress recruiters.
Most courses line up with what companies want—business, tech, leadership, you name it. Lots of companies even buy LinkedIn Learning subscriptions for their teams, so employers are familiar with the platform.
Skillshare’s project-based approach is more appealing for creative industries or freelancers. You can show off real work, not just a certificate.
Career Impact Comparison:
- LinkedIn Learning: Best for corporate roles and career growth
- Skillshare: Great for creative jobs and building a portfolio
And honestly, the networking you can do through LinkedIn Learning is an extra advantage that goes beyond just the courses.
Monetisation For Creators
Skillshare pays creators based on watch time, using a royalty model. Lynda, on the other hand, is a closed shop—only LinkedIn Learning employees and contracted pros make content.
Revenue Share & Fees
Skillshare runs on a royalty-based system where creators earn money for every minute their courses are watched by premium subscribers. Payouts hover around £0.05-£0.10 per watched minute.
Creators get paid monthly through PayPal once they hit the £7.50 threshold. There’s no upfront fee to publish.
But heads up, Skillshare takes a hefty slice of the subscription pie. Creators usually pocket about 10-15% of revenue from their content.
Lynda (LinkedIn Learning) does not offer creator monetisation. Only LinkedIn’s team and contracted professionals can make courses.
So, if you’re an independent creator, you can’t upload or earn through Lynda.
Marketing & Sales Tools
Skillshare gives creators some basic promotion tools:
- Course analytics for watch time and engagement
- Student feedback and reviews
- Social sharing options
- Email marketing integration for building lists
They’ll also feature your course in browse sections or include it in promo emails, which helps with exposure.
Lynda doesn’t provide marketing tools for outside creators. All promotion is handled internally by LinkedIn’s team.
Community & Support
Support and community feel pretty different on each platform. Skillshare leans into peer interaction, while Lynda is more about professional resources. The quality of customer support varies significantly too.
Peer Forums & Groups
Skillshare is much more community-driven. Each course has active discussion boards, so you can chat with other students, share your projects, and get feedback.
The creative courses especially have a lively community. People post work-in-progress shots and finished projects for peers to review.
Lynda is more formal, plugging into LinkedIn’s professional network. You can share course completions with your contacts, but the community features are pretty minimal compared to Skillshare.
Mentor / Tutor Access
On Skillshare, instructors sometimes join discussions, but you’re not guaranteed direct access to a mentor. Most of the interaction is in the comments on projects.
There’s no formal mentorship program, and how much support you get depends on the instructor’s engagement.
Lynda’s courses are more structured and sometimes include Q&A or extra materials, but there’s still no real one-on-one mentoring. Both platforms rely mostly on pre-recorded content.
Knowledge Base & Tutorials
Skillshare’s help section covers the basics: navigation, account stuff, troubleshooting, and how to use the app.
Their tutorials are simple and focus on things like downloading the app or managing your subscription.
Lynda’s support docs are much more detailed, especially for business users and admins. Their technical support resources are a step up, with better customer support ratings.
Both have FAQ sections, but Lynda’s is just more thorough, especially if you run into complex issues.
Pricing & Plans
Skillshare is way more affordable than Lynda, with annual subscriptions starting at £8.25 a month. Lynda’s monthly fee is £29.99. Both have free trials, but their subscription models and refund policies are pretty different.
Free Tier Limits
Skillshare gives you a 30-day free trial with full access to everything—unlimited courses, offline downloads, the works.
After your trial, you lose access to premium content and downloads. The free tier is super limited, so you’ll probably want to subscribe if you stick around.
Lynda also has a 30-day free trial that lets you check out their whole catalogue and even earn certificates.
Once your trial ends, though, you can’t access any content unless you pay. There’s no ongoing free tier.
Subscription Vs Pay-Per-Course
Skillshare is subscription-only. Monthly plans are £15, but annual plans drop to £8.25 per month. The annual plan saves you about £80 versus paying monthly.
No pay-per-course options—if your subscription lapses, you lose access.
Lynda charges £29.99 a month for premium, or £19.99 for basic. Both give you unlimited access to all courses.
Again, no way to buy single courses. The subscription covers everything.
Refund & Money-Back Policies
Skillshare has scholarships and small business discounts if you qualify. That makes it more accessible for folks on a tight budget.
You can cancel any time, and you’ll keep access until your billing period ends.
Lynda’s refund policy follows LinkedIn Learning’s terms. You can cancel before renewal to avoid more charges.
Both handle refunds through customer service, but processing times can vary based on your payment method and where you live.
Performance & Reliability
Both Skillshare vs Lynda are technically solid, but each has its quirks. Skillshare is better for offline use, while Lynda is more reliable for uptime and stability.
Platform Uptime
Lynda is seriously reliable, with about 99.5% uptime even at peak times. I’ve had fewer interruptions with Lynda, even during busy business hours.
Skillshare, though generally stable, sometimes has brief outages—especially when a big new course drops. These usually last 10-15 minutes but can throw off your learning flow.
Lynda's advantages:
- More consistent server performance
- Handles heavy traffic better
- Recovers quickly from issues
Skillshare's limitations:
- Occasional video buffering
- Slower course gallery loading
- More frequent maintenance windows
Mobile / Offline Access
Skillshare’s mobile app is great for offline viewing. You can download up to 10 courses at once, which is perfect for travel or commuting.
The offline feature works smoothly on both iOS and Android, and your progress syncs across devices.
Lynda’s app is solid for streaming, but offline access is only for premium users.
Skillshare mobile features:
- Full offline downloads
- Progress sync across devices
- Mobile-friendly video player
Lynda mobile limitations:
- Limited offline access
- Premium required for downloads
- Basic mobile interface
Who Wins In Key Categories?
LinkedIn Learning is the clear winner for professional development and certification. Skillshare, though, is the go-to for creative learning and affordability. It really depends on what you’re after—each platform shines in its own way.
Ease Of Use
LinkedIn Learning has a slick, businesslike interface that’ll feel right at home if you use LinkedIn already. Courses are broken down into learning paths and tidy modules, which makes things pretty easy to follow.
Navigation is a breeze, honestly, and video tutorials come with commentaries that help you out as you go. The search tool is solid for hunting down specific skills.
You can tweak video speed and choose from five different languages, which is handy.
Skillshare, on the other hand, feels more relaxed and creative—definitely built for artistic types. It’s simple to get around, with a really smooth user experience.
Course discovery is a bit more visual and feels less rigid. The mobile app runs well on pretty much any device.
But, courses are only in English, so that’s a bit of a drawback if you’re not a native speaker.
Both platforms have mobile apps, but LinkedIn Learning feels a bit more buttoned-up and systematic, thanks to its corporate roots.
Content Quality
LinkedIn Learning keeps its bar high by vetting instructors carefully. You get professional experts with real-world experience leading the courses, so you don’t have to worry much about quality.
Most of the content leans toward business, tech, and professional growth. It’s usually up-to-date with what’s happening in the job market.
Skillshare is a bit wild west—anyone can jump in and teach a class. That means loads of variety, but also means you’ll run into some classes that are better than others.
There are some big names and industry experts on Skillshare too, but you might have to dig around to find the gems. Quality really swings from one instructor or topic to another.
LinkedIn Learning is the safe bet for consistency. If you want more creative or quirky stuff (and don’t mind a few misses), Skillshare has the edge there.
Certification Value
LinkedIn Learning hands out completion certificates that can boost your resume. These certificates plug right into your LinkedIn profile, so recruiters can see them.
They do carry some weight, mostly because LinkedIn is known in the business world. Plenty of employers recognize these credentials.
Skillshare doesn’t do certificates. Instead, you’ll work on hands-on projects and build a portfolio.
It’s very much about showing what you can do, not collecting certificates. That makes sense for creative fields, where your work often speaks louder than a piece of paper.
Pricing
Skillshare is cheaper, no question. It’s competitively priced, and there are always discounts or promos floating around.
You get a 7-day free trial and there are even some free classes you can try before subscribing.
LinkedIn Learning is pricier at £29.99 per month or £299.88 a year. You do get a 30-day free trial, but after that, it’s subscription-only.
The higher price makes sense though, given the professional content and career focus. If your company is footing the bill, the cost might not matter much.
Skillshare wins hands-down for affordability. LinkedIn Learning justifies its price with more professional content and that all-important certification.
Community Support
LinkedIn Learning taps into the whole LinkedIn network, so you can connect with people in similar courses or in your industry.
There aren’t really forums or classic discussion boards, though. The main “community” aspect is the networking you get through LinkedIn itself.
Skillshare is all about community and creative projects. Students share their work, give feedback, and collaborate on assignments.
You’ll find project galleries and peer reviews, which makes it feel more interactive—especially if you’re into creative stuff.
LinkedIn Learning is better for networking with pros, while Skillshare is stronger for collaboration and peer feedback in creative circles.
Alternatives
Skillshare vs Lynda aren’t the only games in town. There are plenty of other platforms with their own strengths.
Compare leading online learning platforms and course marketplaces by pricing, best use case, core learning features, and review status. Use this table to shortlist platforms for career-focused courses, coding, data science, business skills, creative learning, university-backed certificates, and self-paced online education.
| Platform | Price / Basic Plan + CTA | Best For | Key Features | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 Coursera | Free to audit selected courses / Coursera Plus usually $59/mo or $399/year, with frequent promotions | Check Pricing | Best overall for career-focused online learning | University and company courses, professional certificates, guided projects, degrees, AI and business learning, recognised credentials | Coursera Review |
| 🥈 Udemy | Free and paid individual courses / Personal Plan pricing varies by region | Check Pricing | Best broad course marketplace | Huge course library, frequent discounts, lifetime access to purchased courses, business, tech, creative and personal development topics | Udemy Review |
| 🥉 edX | Free audit options / Verified certificates commonly from about $50 to $300+; programs cost more | Check Pricing | Best academic online learning platform | University-backed courses, verified certificates, professional certificates, MicroBachelors, MicroMasters, executive education and degree pathways | Review Coming Soon |
| 4. LinkedIn Learning | Paid subscription; pricing varies by region and LinkedIn account type | Check Pricing | Best for professional skills | Business, tech, leadership, productivity, creative and career skills, LinkedIn profile certificates, strong workplace relevance | LinkedIn Learning Review |
| 5. Skillshare | Paid annual membership shown from $13.99/mo billed annually | Check Pricing | Best for creative skills | Design, photography, illustration, freelancing, productivity, marketing, creator-led lessons, project-based classes | Skillshare Review |
| 6. Pluralsight | Free trial / Individual plans shown from about $29/mo or $299/year | Check Pricing | Best for developers and IT professionals | Tech courses, learning paths, skill assessments, certification prep, hands-on labs, AI assistant, cloud and security tracks | Pluralsight Review |
| 7. DataCamp | Free Basic plan / Premium shown from $13/mo billed annually; Teams from $28/user/mo billed annually | Check Pricing | Best for data and AI skills | Python, R, SQL, data science, analytics, AI, machine learning, interactive coding exercises, career tracks, certifications | DataCamp Review |
| 8. Codecademy | Free Basic plan / Plus and Pro paid plans; pricing varies by region | Check Pricing | Best for interactive coding beginners | Coding lessons, projects, career paths, quizzes, AI support, job-readiness tools, bootcamps on selected plans | Codecademy Review |
| 9. Udacity | Paid subscription; monthly plan commonly shown from $249/mo, with multi-month discounts | Check Pricing | Best for structured tech career programs | Nanodegrees, AI, data, programming, cloud, cybersecurity, hands-on projects, expert feedback, career support | Udacity Review |
| 10. FutureLearn | Free limited access options / Unlimited pricing varies by region, with monthly and annual plans | Check Pricing | Best UK and Europe university courses | University-led short courses, certificates, healthcare, business, education, professional learning and microcredentials | Review Coming Soon |
| 11. O’Reilly Learning | Free trial / Individual plan shown at $49/mo, $129/3 months or $499/year | Check Pricing | Best professional tech library | Books, video courses, live events, certification prep, AI-powered search, technology and business learning resources | Review Coming Soon |
| 12. MasterClass | Paid annual membership; pricing varies by plan and promotion | Check Pricing | Best for lifestyle and expert-led learning | Celebrity instructors, creative arts, business, writing, cooking, leadership, wellness, high-production video lessons | Review Coming Soon |
| 13. Brilliant | Free limited access / Premium pricing varies by plan and region | Check Pricing | Best interactive STEM learning | Math, science, computer science, logic, bite-sized interactive lessons, problem-solving focus, strong visual explanations | Review Coming Soon |
| 14. Dataquest | Free account / Premium plans; check current pricing | Check Pricing | Best project-based data science learning | Python, SQL, Excel, Power BI, Tableau, data analysis, machine learning, AI courses, guided projects, career paths | Dataquest Review |
| 15. Khan Academy | Free | Visit Site | Best free academic learning | Math, science, economics, computing, reading, test prep, school-level learning, nonprofit education model | Review Coming Soon |
| 16. freeCodeCamp | Free | Visit Site | Best free coding certificates | Web development, JavaScript, Python, databases, APIs, projects, free verified certifications, nonprofit learning community | Review Coming Soon |
| 17. Alison | Free to study / Paid certificates and diplomas optional | Check Pricing | Best free workplace skills courses | Business, IT, healthcare, language, management, CPD-style courses, free course access, optional certificates | Review Coming Soon |
| 18. Domestika | Individual courses / Plus subscription pricing varies by region and promotion | Check Pricing | Best creative course marketplace | Design, illustration, crafts, photography, marketing, creative software, project-led courses, multilingual creative content | Review Coming Soon |
| 19. Treehouse | Free trial / Courses and Techdegree pricing vary by plan | Check Pricing | Best beginner web development learning path | Web development, JavaScript, Python, HTML, CSS, AI, coding tracks, projects, quizzes, Techdegree programs | Review Coming Soon |
| 20. Maven | Per-course pricing varies by instructor; cohort courses are usually premium-priced | Check Pricing | Best cohort-based expert courses | Live cohort courses, workshops, expert instructors, community learning, AI, product, engineering, leadership and business topics | Review Coming Soon |
| 21. CreativeLive | Subscription or individual class purchases; check current pricing | Check Pricing | Best for creative entrepreneurs | Photography, video, design, business, arts, crafts, live classes, on-demand creative library, creator-focused training | Review Coming Soon |
- Udemy has a massive library—over 200,000 courses, covering everything under the sun. You buy each course individually, so once you own it, it’s yours for good. Prices can be as low as £10 or as high as £200, depending on the course.
- Coursera teams up with universities and big companies to deliver accredited courses. You can audit a lot of classes for free, but if you want a certificate, it’s usually £30–£80. Great for academic or career-focused learning.
- Pluralsight is all about tech skills. If you’re into programming, IT security, or data science, it’s probably stronger than both Skillshare vs Lynda. Monthly plans start at £29.
- MasterClass is a bit different—courses taught by celebrities like Gordon Ramsay or Martin Scorsese. The annual subscription is £180, but you’re paying for the names and unique perspectives.
- Khan Academy is totally free. It’s fantastic for basics—math, science, programming—especially if you’re just starting out.
- edX offers university-level courses from places like Harvard and MIT. Most stuff is free, but verified certificates cost £40–£100.
Every platform has a different vibe and focus. Think about what you need most before picking one.
Final Verdict
After spending a lot of time with both platforms and reviewing their features cons pros, it’s pretty clear they each have their sweet spot.
Skillshare is great for:
- Creative pros or hobbyists
- Anyone looking for affordable courses
- Folks who want a sense of community
- People who prefer project-based learning
Lynda (LinkedIn Learning) is better for:
- Business and tech skills
- Professional certifications
- Structured, comprehensive courses
- Career advancement
Course Quality
Lynda’s courses are more structured and polished. You get a consistent format and clear learning goals.
Skillshare is more free-form, which is fun, but sometimes the quality is hit-or-miss since anyone can teach.
My Recommendation
Go for Skillshare if you’re after creative skills, want to keep costs down, or love the idea of learning with a community.
Pick Lynda if you’re focused on professional growth, need serious technical training, or want certifications that look good on your resume.
Neither one is perfect, but both do a good job for their specific audiences. Your choice really comes down to what you want to learn and how much you want to spend. As for me, I pick Skillshare!
Frequently Asked Questions
Both online learning platforms have their own pricing, course selection, and certificate options. Skillshare leans creative, while LinkedIn Learning is more about professional development.
Which platform offers a wider range of courses, Skillshare or LinkedIn Learning (formerly known as Lynda)?
Skillshare has over 29,000 creative courses, mostly in design, illustration, photography, and writing. It’s heavy on hands-on projects and artistic skills.
LinkedIn Learning comes in with about 25,000 courses, covering business, tech, and some creative stuff too. The focus is more on professional development—software, leadership, technical certifications.
Both cater to all levels, but Skillshare is more about creativity, while LinkedIn Learning is broader for professional skills.
How do the subscription costs compare between Skillshare vs LinkedIn Learning?
So between Linkedin Learning Skillshare, Skillshare is less expensive. You’ll find monthly and annual plans that won’t break the bank.
LinkedIn Learning is $29.99 a month or $299.88 a year, so it’s quite a bit pricier than Skillshare.
Skillshare sometimes offers longer free trials and flexible payments. LinkedIn Learning’s higher price is tied to its business focus and professional content.
Can I receive accredited certificates from courses completed on Skillshare vs Lynda?
Neither platform gives you accredited certificates that count toward official qualifications. You get completion certificates, but these aren’t recognized by schools or professional bodies.
LinkedIn Learning certificates can show up on your LinkedIn profile, which might help with networking. Still, they’re not formally accredited.
Skillshare usually doesn’t give certificates. The focus is more on learning by doing and building a portfolio.
What is the difference between Skillshare vs Lynda?
Skillshare is big on project-based learning. You’ll actually make things as you follow along.
LinkedIn Learning sticks to a classic video lecture style. Courses are laid out in order with downloadable exercises.
Skillshare lets anyone teach, so you get lots of styles and topics. LinkedIn Learning is more controlled, with pro instructors and structured paths.
Which service provides better support for professional development and career advancement?
LinkedIn Learning is geared toward workplace skills and professional growth. It links right up with your LinkedIn profile for networking.
You get learning paths that are mapped to specific careers and industries. It’s built for systematic skill-building.
Skillshare is more for creative career development—think portfolio-building and skill enhancement for freelancers or artists. If you’re after a traditional corporate ladder, LinkedIn Learning is the stronger pick.
What is better than Skillshare?
MasterClass is often considered better than Skillshare for users seeking expert-led, cinematic-quality lessons from world-renowned professionals. While Skillshare focuses on peer-based learning and creativity, MasterClass offers structured, inspirational courses in a wide range of fields, making it ideal for those looking to learn from the very best in the industry.
What is Lynda called now?
Lynda is now LinkedIn Learning.
That's All For Now
That about sums up the main differences between Skillshare vs Lynda. Hopefully, you’ve got a better sense of which one might work for you.
Key things to keep in mind:
- Skillshare is all about creative skills, with over 29,000 courses
- Lynda (LinkedIn Learning) is aimed at professional development
- Pricing is pretty different between the two
Think about your own goals before deciding. If you’re into creative projects—design, photography, that sort of thing—Skillshare could be your best bet.
If you’re looking for business skills or want to move up in your career, Lynda probably makes more sense.
Final thoughts:
Both platforms have changed a lot over the years. If you check out comparisons between Skillshare and Lynda, you’ll see each one brings something unique to the table.
Try out free trials if you can. It’s the easiest way to get a feel for the courses and platform.
Ultimately, it’s about what fits your style, budget, and career plans. There’s no “best” platform—just the one that matches what you’re looking for.
Take your time, look at things like course variety, instructor quality, and features. Make the choice that feels right for you.
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Hi, I’m Stuart Kerr Spindlow; the publisher behind StuartKerrs.com.
I review and evaluate digital marketing software used by businesses, marketers, and website owners; including hosting platforms, website builders, email marketing tools, SEO software, analytics, and automation systems.
I hold a degree in Computer Science from The Open University and began my career working in financial technology, developing and supporting production software systems, banking intranets, and web platforms. Over the past 20+ years, I’ve tested, implemented, and analysed a wide range of digital tools across real-world business environments.
Today, this site focuses on independent, experience-led software reviews. Tools are assessed based on usability, performance, pricing transparency, long-term value, and suitability for real businesses; not vendor claims or sponsorships.
I don’t run an agency and I don’t sell services through this site. The goal is simple: publish honest, practical software reviews that help people choose the right tools with confidence.
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