Skillshare Review 2023: Is the Platform Any Good?

In the bustling world of e-learning, a standout platform is making waves: Skillshare. It’s high time we put this platform under the microscope in our quest for the ultimate learning experience.

At its core, Skillshare is an online learning community designed to inspire discovery, innovation, and creativity. It prides itself on offering thousands of inspiring classes for creative and curious people on design, photography, business, and more topics.

But does Skillshare live up to its reputation? Is it worth your investment? And most importantly, can it truly transform your learning journey?

Join us as we delve into this comprehensive Skillshare review. Whether you’re a lifelong learner or a creative enthusiast, stay tuned. This Skillshare review may just reshape your perspective on online learning.

Let’s dive in.

What is Skillshare?

Skillshare is an online learning platform founded in 2010 by Malcolm Ong and Michael Karnjanaprakorn. The platform has over 12 million members and more than 35,000 courses.

According to the platform’s website, Skillshare offers a vast library of creative online courses in multiple categories: business, design, tech, and lifestyle.

Skillshare prides itself on offering high-quality courses taught by industry professionals or leading experts in their field. Since its launch, Skillshare has grown into a favorite resource for learners of all backgrounds and experience levels.

It’s not just the vast selection of courses that learners love; the user-friendly interface and the helpful customer service team make Skillshare a top choice for online learning. So why wait? Dive into the world of learning with Skillshare today.

Who Should Use Skillshare?

Skillshare is a digital learning platform that allows anyone to enhance their knowledge and acquire new skills.

Typical users of Skillshare might include:

• Entrepreneurs
• Industry professionals
• Lifelong learners
• Creative enthusiasts

Whether you’re a fresh graduate aiming to kickstart your career or an industry expert working to stay competitive, Skillshare is an outstanding resource for a top-notch education.

But it’s crucial to note that Skillshare’s scope isn’t confined to learners alone. Indeed, educators can design and share their own courses on the platform, thus reaching a broader audience.

Furthermore, educational institutions can utilize Skillshare to equip their students with high-quality learning materials across various disciplines.

Who Teaches at Skillshare?

Skillshare works closely with experienced educators, industry professionals, and leading experts to provide its learners with quality courses.

The courses are designed to help learners gain practical and applicable skills. Thus, the instructors focus on actionable content that can immediately be used in their line of work or studies.

But it’s not just experienced professionals teaching at Skillshare. While the platform does prioritize these teachers, it also encourages budding educators to share their practical knowledge.

While this may suggest that the quality of the courses could suffer, this is not the case. All instructors may range from entrepreneur-level professionals to hobbyists and even experienced students.

No matter the background of the instructor, Skillshare leverages its sophisticated review system to ensure that all courses meet the platform’s quality standards.

And if that’s not enough, the platform offers several resources to support instructors in developing their courses and ensuring their students have a quality learning experience.

How Much Does Skillshare Cost?

You can try Skillshare for one month absolutely free when you sign up for a Skillshare Premium membership. A premium subscription grants you unlimited access to all the courses, projects, and workbooks available on Skillshare.

After your free trial, there’s just one simple option for membership: an annual subscription for $168. That averages to about $14 every month.

But note that the annual membership cost must be charged upfront. While it may appear costly, a yearly subscription is still more economical than taking traditional college or university courses.

And realize that you can always cancel your subscription and take advantage of the two-week money-back guarantee.

There is also a plan tailored for individuals and businesses who want to give their teams access to Skillshare. The team plan offers access to Skillshare’s library of courses to up to 10 people for a flat fee of $159 per user, per year.

All in all, Skillshare’s pricing structure is quite straightforward, with no hidden fees or contracts. You will get the most out of your membership with no added worry.

Exploring Skillshare’s Course Catalog

Skillshare offers a wide array of courses in various categories. Below are the primary disciplines available on the platform:

• Entrepreneurship
• Creative writing
• Photography
• Web development
• Graphic design
• Productivity
• Marketing
• Product management
• Leadership
• Videography
• Social media

These courses are divided into bite-sized lessons and taught by leading professionals in their respective industries. With various projects, workbooks, and resources to support your learning, you will surely gain an edge in course topics.

Moreover, many of the courses on Skillshare are self-paced, allowing you to learn at your convenience. So if you want to learn something new, Skillshare has everything you need.

How Does Skillshare Work?

The Skillshare platform is quite user-friendly and intuitive. You can start by signing up for a free trial, after which you’ll see the main dashboard serving as a catalog of available courses.

Select the course you want, and you’ll be taken to the class page to view the lesson structure and materials. The courses are divided into short video lessons that cover different topics within the course’s subject.

Skillshare also provides practical projects and challenges to help reinforce your understanding of the material. You can access any assignments or worksheets relevant to the course.

Woven into the platform itself are helpful discussion boards for students to communicate their ideas. You can join any learning groups supported by Skillshare, where you may discuss with other learners on projects.

Is Skillshare Worth It?

Skillshare is a value-for-money option for those seeking creative learning online. Compared to other digital learning platforms, Skillshare offers a cost-effective solution.

Online learning platforms, especially those focusing on creative fields, are experiencing a surge in popularity. Skillshare stands out with its plethora of courses backed by industry experts and creative professionals.

For those who frequently engage with the platform, Skillshare Premium provides even greater value. This subscription service offers unlimited access to all courses at a competitive price.

Simply register for a one-month free trial and explore the catalog of courses to determine if the platform suits you. If Skillshare matches your learning needs, you can move forward with the annual premium subscription.

Pros of Skillshare

• Unlimited Access: With a Skillshare subscription, you can access all available courses and materials. You don’t have to worry about missing out on something.
• Cost-Effective: Skillshare’s annual subscription is much more affordable than traditional college or university courses. And you don’t have to worry about additional fees or contracts.
• Wide Range of Subjects: You can access courses in various categories, from creative writing and photography to Web development and product management. There’s something for everyone.
• Bite-Sized Lessons: Every lesson is divided into easy-to-follow video tutorials and resources. This ensures that even complete beginners can understand the material without any difficulty.
• Practical Projects and Resources: Skillshare offers practical projects, workbooks, and resources to help reinforce your learning. You can also join discussion boards and chat rooms to connect with other learners.
• Self-Paced Learning: The courses on Skillshare are self-paced, allowing you to learn at your convenience. This could be an excellent option for those who don’t have much free time on their hands.

Cons of Skillshare

• Limited Course Selection: Skillshare’s course selection is limited compared to its competitors. That can be a problem for those looking for specific skills or courses. It also means that some learners may need to look elsewhere for a class they’re interested in.
• No Certification: Skillshare does not offer any certifications or college credit for the courses. You’ll only gain knowledge and skills, not a professional certification, which could pose an issue for those who need credentials to advance in their careers or qualify for job opportunities.
• Lacks Advanced Courses: The courses may not be suitable for advanced learners, as the platform doesn’t offer any more complex classes. This could be disappointing to some students who are looking for higher-level courses.
• No Financial Assistance: Skillshare does not offer any financial assistance or scholarship programs for learners. That could be a downside to those who can’t afford the subscription fees or individual courses.
• Limited Support: Learners may not receive adequate support due to the self-paced nature of courses. The platform’s discussion boards and chat rooms may be helpful but aren’t always active.

What Are Alternatives to Skillshare?

If you’re looking for alternatives to Skillshare, plenty of options are available. Below are some platforms that offer similar self-paced online learning courses:

Skillshare vs Coursera

Skillshare is more affordable than Coursera, and its courses are geared toward creative learning and fields. You can expect a wide range of courses for creative professionals or hobby enthusiasts, such as photography, graphic design, or even knitting.

Coursera, on the other hand, has more rigorous courses and offers professional certificates and college credit. It’s a great option for those seeking specialized knowledge or degree-level skills in particular fields.

Coursera is more suitable than Skillshare for those looking to advance their careers and find better job opportunities. After all, the service is a more comprehensive platform that includes classes from leading universities and organizations.

People with more serious career goals should consider signing up for a Coursera subscription. It’s more expensive than Skillshare, but worth it if you want to receive a professional certification.

Skillshare vs MasterClass

MasterClass is another popular choice for self-paced online learning. It offers high-level classes from world-renowned instructors, such as Gordon Ramsay, Neil deGrasse Tyson, and others.

The platform is around the same price level as Skillshare, providing access to high-quality courses from experts in their respective fields. MasterClass also has video lectures, reading materials, and resources to help learners get the most out of each lesson.

It’s a fantastic choice for those looking to upskill and advance their career prospects. Plus, there are creative courses available in areas like music production, food, and filmmaking.

Overall, Skillshare is a great platform for those seeking to gain creative skills or knowledge cost-effectively. You’ll have bite-sized lessons and practical projects to help enhance your learning experience. But those seeking classes taught by well-known celebrities may want to give MasterClass a try.

Skillshare vs Udacity

Skillshare and Udacity are both fabulous online learning platforms, but they serve different purposes and offer unique types of courses.

If you’re a creative soul hoping to pick up new skills or brush up on existing ones, Skillshare is your friend. The bite-sized, often less than hour-long courses are project-based, giving you a chance to put your newfound skills to the test.

Udacity, on the flip side, is all about tech and job-ready skills. They offer what’s known as “Nanodegrees” in cutting-edge fields like data science, artificial intelligence, programming, autonomous systems, and digital marketing.

These Nanodegrees, crafted with input from leading tech companies, aim to give you a comprehensive grasp of a specific field and often come complete with hands-on projects and mentorship opportunities.

Udacity’s courses are more intense and can span several months. So if you’re eyeing in-depth knowledge in tech-related fields and want to earn a credential that’ll impress prospective employers, Udacity is your ticket.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, Skillshare is a robust online learning platform providing many features designed to enhance the learning experience.

Its comprehensive courses, interactive learning environment, and expert instructors all contribute to its effectiveness for students. But like any platform, it’s not without its flaws.

Some may find the pace too fast, and others wish for more one-on-one interaction with instructors. Yet, the benefits are undeniable. It offers flexibility, allowing learners to study at their own pace and schedule.

And perhaps most importantly, it bridges the gap between traditional classroom learning and the modern learner’s needs in a digital world.

Whether you’re a student, professional, or lifelong learner, Skillshare is a valuable tool to learn and grow. It may not be perfect, but it’s certainly worth considering in your quest for knowledge.