Do you want to learn new skills? Try learning online!
Digital learning gives learners flexible options. Enroll in online learning platforms like Skillshare to master new skills like copywriting, graphic design, web development, and other niches you might not have tried before.
You’re probably wondering, “Is Skillshare worth it?”
Find out if Skillshare is valuable to personal and professional development. We reviewed its pricing, pros, and cons for online learners like you.
What Is Skillshare?
Skillshare is an online learning platform where you can access 35,000+ online video classes.
It’s not like the traditional classroom. You won’t earn an online degree or enlist in college courses, but you can enroll in any informative lessons available!
Online learners can watch online courses like Photoshop tutorials, creative writing classes, UX design, business analytics, and more. Each topic is covered in outlined video lessons, allowing you to see what they will cover in subsequent classes.
The duration of the courses varies; some last barely an hour, while others last between two and four hours. Moreover, the courses do not have timed tasks so you can watch them at your leisure.
Remember that you don’t always have to watch the lessons on your desktop. Stream and download the courses using the Skillshare app on Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
BLACK FRIDAY OFFER: Skillshare is offering 50% on annual subscriptions with the code AFF50.
Skillshare Features
You can make online learning more efficient for you. Here are some useful features for online learning in Skillshare:
- Notes – You can add notes on any video course to share more information about the class or jot down an important point. Other people can access notes, but you can edit the privacy to “Only Me. “
- Subtitle & Language Change – Skillshare website is available in English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish. You can turn on the subtitles when watching the lessons.
- Video Quality Adjustment – If Skillshare’s video starts playing at a lower quality, you can adjust it using the quality levels available on the video player.
- Access to Additional Sources – The course’s Project and Resources section lets you download additional resources from your instructors. You can save the guides, extra readings, activity sheets, and more.
- Scheduling – Set a reminder for your learning time. Skillshare will send you an invite on your calendar app like Google. This way, you won’t forget your classes.
Skillshare Courses You Can Take
Online education is an excellent way to expand your understanding of business, technology, productivity, freelancing, and other niches.
Skillshare allows you to select a course from three main categories: Create, Build, or Thrive. These categories contain 35,000+ online courses. Once you’ve signed up for Skillshare, you can try out any course.
1. Create
- Animation
- Creative Writing
- Film & Video
- Fine Art
- Graphic Design
- Illustration
- Music
- Photography
- UI/UX Design
- Web Development
2. Build
- Business Analytics
- Freelance & Entrepreneurship
- Leadership & Management
- Marketing
3. Thrive
- Lifestyle
- Productivity
You can try any of these online courses if you’re casually learning for personal development, for fun, or for advancing your career.
The Skillshare Team Plan subscription can help your staff improve their soft skills and emotional quotient (EQ) if you own a business. They can study business and marketing fundamentals. Skillshare also provides classes that might assist people in maintaining work-life balance by addressing their mental health.
Pros of Using Skillshare
Now that you know more about Skillshare, let’s explore the advantages of joining the online course platform.
1. Easy-to-Use Interface
The Skillshare dashboard is straightforward, so even newbies in online learning can navigate it easily. After registration, you can quickly enroll and watch any course you want.
To start, click “Browse” next to the Skillshare logo. Select from the categories available, then click the video of the course you want to learn.
2. Affordable Membership Options
As mentioned earlier, Skillshare gives its users a wide range of subscription options. You can start with the free trial and then subscribe monthly or annually. If you need financial assistance, apply for a scholarship to access the online courses.
3. Extensive Course Catalog
You won’t run out of things to watch on Skillshare. Right now, there are 30,000+ courses uploaded on Skillshare.
Upskill, try new things or find a new hobby. Whether you want to learn how to draw realistically or take lessons about data science, there’s a course available on the course platform.
4. Curated Classes
The Learning Path is a specialization course curated by Skillshare for you. It gives you a structured learning experience. All you have to do is enroll in the class and follow the guidelines for the specialized course.
Here’s an example of a curated online lesson from Learning Path:
The Make Mindful Art for Inner Calm program combines meditation and art courses. It includes a series of five online classes. Complete each lesson in the sequence recommended before you proceed with the next lesson.
Through the Learning Path, you can have a focused studying session. You don’t have to search the entire Skillshare platform to organize related courses you want to study.
5. Accessible Video Courses
Skillshare allows you to learn anywhere as long as you have a smartphone, a tablet, or a computer. You can try to watch the online courses at home, in a cab, or at a coffee shop. Simply download the app, watch the video online, or download the video lesson you’re currently studying.
Moreover, virtual learning on Skillshare means assignments are optional. You also don’t have a deadline if there’s an assignment. You can do it anytime you want at your own pace.
6. Learn With the Community
Skillshare promotes social learning through a community of like-minded students. Don’t be shy to interact with other students and ask each other questions about the course materials.
Talking to the community is another learning opportunity because you can share your ideas and projects with them for feedback.
Cons of Using Skillshare
Skillshare has downsides, too. Consider these disadvantages before subscribing to Skillshare.
1. Inconsistent Course Quality
You’ll find high-quality and mediocre courses on Skillshare because anyone can teach online courses on the platform.
It’s a good thing for teachers or any individual who wants to earn from creating online courses. For students, it’s a deal breaker.
To filter out the high-quality programs, you can read the student evaluations about the course and look at the featured classes.
You can also try Skillshare Original. Skillshare’s in-house content team created this series, so it’s professionally shot and directed.
2. No Official Certifications
You won’t receive any certificate, diploma, or acknowledgment after finishing a course on Skillshare. As a result, Skillshare is not the best option if you’re looking to add a certificate to build your resume.
Let’s say you’re studying graphic design on Skillshare. The platform will not provide a certificate of completion to include on a resume or LinkedIn account.
If you want to showcase your skill to potential employers, you can create a portfolio of your designs.
3. Lack of Teacher Insights
The majority of courses uploaded only have one teacher. It will be hard for you to get 1:1 feedback from the teachers since they have hundreds or thousands of enrollees.
Some of the teachers may give you feedback. Most of the time, you’ll find them in the Community section if they’re active on Skillshare. You can also gain insights from your fellow enrollees to improve your work.
How Much Is Skillshare?
Is Skillshare Free?
Skillshare offers a 7-day free trial for new users. Head over directly to Skillshare for a 7-day trial period.
If you’re looking for extended access, we have a special offer for our readers where you can get a free 1-month Skillshare trial.
What Are the Types of Skillshare Subscriptions?
In Skillshare, you don’t have to pay per online course. You can access all the online videos through monthly and yearly subscriptions, team plans, or scholarships.
Monthly or Yearly Plan
When the trial period expires, Skillshare will charge your card or account based on your subscription choice. Prices may differ based on where you reside.
Here are the fees for the U.S. Skillshare subscription plans.
- Monthly Subscription: $32 ($384 per annum if you stay as a member for 12 months)
- Annual Subscription: $168 ($14 per month)
Whether you’re opting for a yearly or monthly subscription for this online learning platform, your account will access the premium features. You can watch any of the 35,000+ online video courses on Skillshare anytime.
BLACK FRIDAY OFFER: Skillshare is offering 50% on annual subscriptions with the code AFF50.
Team Plan
Teams who want to take online classes for self-improvement or professional development can avail of the Team business plan.
The Team Plan is billed annually and costs $159 per person. This plan has features like admin capabilities, personalized recommendations for team members, and detailed reporting or analytics.
Does Skillshare Offer Financial Aid?
If you can’t afford Skillshare and still want to enroll in their online classes, cut the cost by applying for a scholarship.
50% Off for a Year (College & University Students)
You can learn a new skill outside the classroom with Skillshare. If you’re a college or a university student, you can benefit from Skillshare’s 50% off using their valid “.edu” email address.
To be eligible, you must be 16 years old and above. It should also be your first time registering as a Skillshare member.
Skillshare will ask you to provide the name of your school and why you’re applying for the discount. They will email confirmations about the student discounts during the first week of the month if you’re accepted.
1-Year Free Membership
Each month, Skillshare picks ten winners to get a free one-year subscription to Skillshare.
For this scholarship, Skillshare will ask you to write a minimum of 150-word essay about why you deserve unlimited access to Skillshare for one year. They send confirmation emails to the winners every first week of the month.
Skillshare Team Plan vs. Single Subscription
Skillshare for teams ($159) allows you to pay for all the accounts in a single payment. The team plan is convenient because you can easily add a new seat if you want to increase your team.
Remember, the administrator account will occupy one seat. If you have 20 seats, you can invite 19 other employees or teammates to join your Skillshare Team account.
You cannot lower the number of seats after purchase. However, you can reassign the unused seats to a new member.
You’ll have to pay per account on Skillshare single subscriptions ($168). You can get this plan if you wish to experiment with online learning courses to develop your skills and broaden your knowledge in many fields.
Skillshare Pricing Verdict
We think becoming a subscriber of Skillshare based on its pricing is worth it. A new subscriber like you can try it for free or choose from different subscription plans.
For example, you can buy it for a monthly price or subscribe to a yearly subscription. Financial aid and scholarships are also available if you don’t have enough money. You may also purchase team subscription plans if you prefer to include extra people from your company in your subscription.
If it does not match your needs, cancel your subscription within 14 days after purchase.
Overall, Is Skillshare Worth It?
It depends on your preference. Skillshare is not for you if you want formal credentials or high-quality courses shot in a professional studio. You can try other learning programs from Coursera, Domestika, Open EdX, MasterClass, and other online learning platforms.
So who will benefit from Skillshare? We think it’s the hobbyists, casual learners, or anyone who wants to upskill without strict online quizzes and assignment submissions.
Skillshare is worth it for those who want to take classes from different fields for an affordable price. The online courses offered a great introduction to niches like UX/UI design, entrepreneurship, animation, web development, marketing, film, and more.
Featured Image Credit: Skillshare.
