10 Best Online Learning Platforms To Help Your Career
In the past few years, online learning has drastically evolved and changed the face of modern education. Did you know that online learning is way cheaper, more effective, and requires less time commitment than traditional education? That explains why more and more people choose to study online.
There is nothing like taking control of your academic life and learning at your own pace without feeling as if someone is holding a shotgun over your head. And there is no better and easier way to do that than by taking online classes.
If you have been cracking your head over the viability of MOOC courses and the online platforms to help you get the best out of them, then keep reading as you about to learn about 8 best online learning platforms.
1. Skillshare - Best for Everyday Learning
Price
Premium Membership (includes unlimited access to 27,000+ classes) - $32/month or $168/year
Free Membership (includes unlimited access to 2,000+ classes) - free
Library
34,000+ classes
Skillshare is best for people who want to learn new skills or improve the existing ones but don't have a lot of time for that. Designed to help you learn skills in a myriad of areas and incorporate them into your personal and professional lives. Even though Skillshare has more content on creative topics, there are still plenty of tech classes available.
Skillshare is a perfect balance between YouTube tutorials and full-length courses that you can purchase on platforms like Coursera or edX. It offers just the right amount of information so that you learn the subject without having to spend hours doing so.
Skillshare Certificates
Skillshare has recently added a certification feature to its classes! The certificate will include all the important details, including the name of the course and the teacher, the date of completion, and the personal details of the student. The certificates are not accredited, but it's still a valuable addition to your portfolio because they feature your project which reflects your skill and knowledge (you are required to submit it to get a Skillshare certificate).
While I think that Skillshare certification is a great idea, I do have some concerns (that applies to all unaccredited certificates I talk about in this article). First, the certification process is not standardized, which means that the quality of projects submitted may vary widely. Second, the lack of accreditation means that employers may not value the certificate as highly as other credentials. However, I do think that the certification is a step in the right direction for online learning platforms.
Accreditation
No
Free Trial
Yes (30-day free trial)
Try Skillshare For Free For 30 Days
Skillshare Overview
Skillshare is one of the most popular online learning platforms. It has a massive collection of over 30,000 classes that are divided into three categories: Thrive (Lifestyle, Productivity), Build (Business Analytics, Freelance & Enterneuprenship, Leadership & Management, Marketing), and Create (Animation, Film & Video, Graphic Design, Music, Creative Writing, Photography, Web Development, and more).
Skillshare believes in a project-based approach to learning that allows students to expand their creativity and apply new skills in life. All courses consist of two parts: a video presentation (which usually lasts around 20-60 minutes) and a class project.
Keep in mind, that even though there are tons of superb courses on Skillshare, none of them are accredited by any institution and Skillshare does not offer certificates of completion. It's a place to learn new skills and expand your knowledge, not get a degree.
Skillshare's Premium Membership grants you unlimited access to all classes in the library. You also can participate in Skillshare Live Sessions and Workshops taught by top teachers. All the classes in the library are available for download so you can continue learning on the go even when you don't have access to the Internet.
Overall, Skillshare offers great value for money. The monthly price is very low and the quality and variety of classes are excellent. Plus you can get a 30-day free trial to try the platform before deciding whether it's right for you.
2. Mindvalley - Best for Personal Development
Price
Mindvalley Membership (includes unlimited access to 50+ courses) - $499/year or $99/month
Mindvalley Individual Courses - $199-$499/quest (this option has recently been removed from the platform)
Library
70+ courses
Who is Mindvalley Best For?
Mindvalley offers courses in all areas of life. The courses are best for people who want to grow but feel that something is holding them back or are looking for a way to achieve better results in life and reach their full potential. It is a bonus if you are open-minded to mindfulness practices like meditation, hypnosis, and energy healing. Additionally, the courses are ideal for people with unresolved traumas, lack of motivation, and unclear vision.
Mindvalley Certificates
When you finish a Mindvalley program, you have the opportunity to take an assessment test. If you successfully pass the test with at least an 80% score (if you fail, you can retake the test within 2 weeks), you will receive a certificate. Not all programs come with a certificate (at the moment, around 70 Quests offer certificates). You can add certificates to your portfolio but they do not certify you as a practitioner or professional. It is more of a way to showcase your commitment to personal growth. For me, these certificates also serve as a reminder of my own progress.
Mindvalley Coach Certification
Mindvalley offers five Coach Certification programs that are very different from regular courses. The programs are much more interactive and include borderless virtual classrooms and tools. They are so thorough that once you have completed them, you can coach up to 100 clients with the help of matchmaking technology. Mindvalley has partnered with Evercoach to ensure that you not only become a successful coach but also a successful business owner. Mindvalley Coach Certification programs also offer one-on-one sessions with your counselor, intimate gatherings in your city, virtual meet-ups, and the annual exclusive Mindvalley Certified Coaches summit. The cost of each program is $2500 (not included in the Mindvalley Membership).
Accreditation:
No
Free Trial:
Yes (7-day free trial)
Mindvalley Overview
In my opinion, Mindvalley is one of the best personal growth and transformation platforms. Its goal is to help students succeed at work while also unlocking the full potential of their body, mind, and spirit. Mindvalley is best suitable for people who want to improve different areas of their life in a short period of time.
There are over 70 courses (or quests) in Mindvalley's library, taught by top experts in the fields of expertise: CEOs of large companies, best-selling authors, celebrity coaches, famous therapists and entrepreneurs, and international speakers. The quests are divided into different categories: Mind, Body, Soul, Career, Entrepreneurship, Relationships, Kids, Teens and Parenting, and Performance.
Each quest lasts 30 to 50 days, and it usually takes less than 20 minutes a day to complete a video-based lesson and a practice exercise.
Mindvalley Membership costs $499 per year and includes unlimited access to all quests plus many perks like official certifications for completed quests, monthly live coaching calls with Mindvalley's authors, and even a 22-minute assessment that will help you determine the areas in life you need to focus on. I think that the price is a steal, considering how much you are getting for your money.
Click To Read Full Mindvalley Review And Find Out Whether It Is Worth It
3. Coursera - Best Overall
Price
Coursera Plus Subscription (includes unlimited access to most courses, Specializations, and Professional Certificates) - $399/year
Individual Courses - from $29 to $99 each
Specializations - from $39 to $79 per month
Professional Certificates - from $49 each
Online Degree Courses - from $15 to $25,000 each
Audit Option - free
Library
4,300+ courses
Who Is Coursera Best For?
Coursera is best for people who want to upskill at work to get a promotion or change their careers entirely. Since Coursera offers Certificates, it is also a good option for people who have certain skills but lack a degree to back them up. The platform has lots of great business, data science, computer science, and IT courses. There are also plenty of courses for those interested in personal development, health, and language learning.
Coursera Certificates
Coursera offers four different types of certificates.
Specialization Certificate: once you have completed every course in the Specialization ( 4-7 courses, each 10 to 20 hours long) and finished the hands-on project(s), you will earn your Certificate. Specialization Certificate can be added to your portfolio but it is not accredited.
Professional Certificate: can help you enhance your resume and build your portfolio and even land a job. Professional Certificates show that you learned real-world applied skills with the latest knowledge from tech giants like Google, IBM, and Facebook.
The MasterTrack Certificate: high-quality university-issued certificate. The MasterTrack allows you to earn credits towards your degree by taking an online module of a Master's degree program.
University-Issued Certificate: unlike Professional and MasterTrack Certificates, these certificates are not co-branded with Coursera. Universities such as Duke and Arizona State University offer these types of certificates.
Accreditation
By enrolling in one of Coursera's MasterTrack programs, students are able to receive a university-issued certificate and earn credit toward their degree.
Free Trial:
Yes, 7-day free trial for Coursera Plus subscription
Overview
Coursera is an online learning platform that offers university-level courses and certification programs. The courses are taught by instructors from top companies and universities such as Stanford, Yale, and Princeton.
The price for individual courses varies from $29 to $99. However, there are thousands of courses that have the Audit option which allows you to take it for free. If you choose to audit the course, you won't receive graded assignments, a certificate, and bonus materials. Most courses consist of video lectures, assignments, reading materials, quizzes, projects, and group discussions.
There are courses available in many languages: English, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Portuguese, Arabic, French, German, Korean, Vietnamese, Japanese, and more. Some of the courses' topics are Arts and Humanities, Business, Computer Science, Data Science, Information Technology, Health, Math and Logic, Personal Development. Each course takes 4-6 weeks to complete.
If you want to master a specific skill, you can enroll in a Specialization - a series of online courses, each takes 4-6 months to complete. Once you complete the Specialization, you will earn a Certificate to add on your resume. You get a 7-day free trial to try a Specializatito at no cost when you start your first subscription.
And if you are looking to change your current career or start a new one, then you can enroll in one of the Professional Certificates programs. Like Specializations, Professional Certificates are a series of courses, but the difference is that the Certificate of Completion will be issued by the company that developed the course.
Finally, there are online degree courses granted by world-class, accredited universities. The main advantage of getting your degree online is that it costs much less than on-campus programs. Also, you can study at your own pace and complete your degree faster.
If you plan on taking several courses, it might be a good idea to subscribe to Coursera Plus, an annual plan that grants unlimited access to over 90% of courses, Professional Certificates, and Specializations. You can take as many courses as you like and you will earn a Course Certificate for every course you complete.
4. MasterClass - Best for Inspiration
Price
Unlimited Subscription (includes access to all classes) - $180/year
Library
80+ classes
Who is MasterClass Best For?
MasterClass is best for creatives of all levels who are interested in personal development and seeking inspiration from the best professionals in the field. It offers a more hands-on approach to learning which not only makes it fun but also allows students to apply their knowledge to real-life situations. The content is so engaging end entertaining that it can even replace the binge-watching of your favorite Netflix shows.
MasterClass Certificates
MasterClass doesn't offer any Certificates, but once you complete the course, you will receive an email confirming that and giving you tips on how to continue your studies on the platform.
Accreditation
No
Free Trial
No
Overview
MasterClass is an online learning platform that everyone is talking about. What makes it different is that the courses are taught by world-famous experts and celebrities. You can learn acting from Natalie Portman, filmmaking from Martin Scorsese, singing from Christina Aguilera, cooking from Gordon Ramsay, writing from Dan Brown, etc.
For $15 a month, you get unlimited access to all classes. Each course consists of an average of 20 lessons, each lasting approximately 10 minutes. Classes include high-quality video lessons, assignments, workbooks, and community activities. You can also join discussions to ask questions, get feedback, and connect with other students. There are no deadlines, so you can learn at your own pace. All the videos can be downloaded for offline viewing using a mobile app.
The classes are divided into nine categories: Film & TV, Culinary Arts, Writing, Music & Entertainment, Sports & Games, Business, Photography, & Fashion, Business, Politics & Society, Lifestyle, and Science & Technology. MasterClass doesn't offer certificates of completion.
5. Udemy - Best for Upskiling
Price
Individual Courses - from $9 to $200 each
Personal Plan - $30/month
Library
213,000+ courses
6,000+ courses (with Personal Plan)
Who Is Udemy Best For?
Udemy is best for people who want to learn a specific skill or a set of skills on both creative and professional topics. Since you pay for each course individually, it's not the best platform for those who want to learn different skills every day (for that, I recommend sites like Skillshare, which offer an unlimited subscription model) unless you sign up for a Personal Plan which offers unlimited access to over 6,000 courses.
Udemy Certificates
Udemy is not an accredited institution, but you get a Certificate of completion after you take a paid course. The Certificate will include the name, instructor, and length of the course, the date of completion, and your name. You can put it on your resume to share with potential employers.
Accreditation
No
Free Trial
7-day free trial with Personal Plan
Overview
Udemy is another popular online learning platform. It has a huge library of over 150,000 courses which makes it the best one when it comes to content. With Udemy, you can expand your knowledge and skills in any field imaginable from business and marketing, to hand weaving and clowning. The goal of Udemy is to disrupt and democratize the educational system.
Unlike Skillshare, MasterClass, and LinkedIn Learning, Udemy doesn't have unlimited subscription plans, you have to purchase each course individually, which is obviously a downer. However, the courses are quite cheap, starting at just $9. And if you don't like a course you have purchased, you can get a refund within 30 days.
Udemy's courses are divided into 13 different categories: Finance & Accounting, Development, Business, Marketing, IT & Software, Office Productivity, Music, Personal Development, Teaching & Academics, Design, Lifestyle, Photography, Health & Fitness. The courses are offered for all levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. One thing I absolutely love is that there are courses available not only in English but also in Russian, Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese, German, Spanish, etc.
Each Udemy course consists of a video tutorial - the average course is 5 hours long but some can be as short as 30 minutes - and can also include additional resources, such as quizzes, practice tests, coding exercises, and assignments. You can download any Udemy course and watch it offline at any time.
6. Brilliant.org - Best for School Students
Price
Brilliant Monthly Subscription (includes unlimited access to all courses) - $24,99/month
Brilliant Annual Subscription (includes unlimited access to all courses) - $149/year
Library
60+ courses
Who Is Brilliant Best For?
Brilliant is suited for learners of all ages, but it works best for school students (6th grade and up) who want to excel in STEM fields and who have experience with self-guided learning. It is also an excellent platform for college prep. There are some challenging courses that may be interesting to college students and adults who want to learn more about the subject, as well.
Brilliant Certificates
Brilliant doesn't offer Certificates for completed courses. Sometimes when you pass a test in one of the courses you may earn a certificate but it's more like a badge that can only be displayed on the platform and not on your college resume or job portfolio
Accreditation
No
Free Trial
Yes (7-day free trial)
Overview
Brilliant is an online learning platform that focuses on STEM subjects - Science, Math, and Computer Science. The courses are designed for both children (aged 10+) and adults. Their goal is to make learning fun, engaging, and interactive, and that is what makes Brilliant one of the best learning platforms, especially for young adults.
You can learn a variety of subjects on Brilliant, including Algebra, Logic, Advanced Mathematics, Calculus, Geometry, Classical physics, Quantum mechanics, Foundational computer science, and others.
Brilliant offers monthly and annual subscriptions that include full access to all courses on the platform and thousands of practice quizzes across all topics.
In my opinion, Brillian is a great platform but because it only covers STEM subjects, it is mostly suitable for those who are interested in math and computer science. A 7-day trial is available for anyone who wants to try Brilliant at no cost.
7. Edx.org - Best for Accredited Courses
Price
Verified Track Courses - from $50 to $300 each
Audit Track Courses - free
Library
3,500+ classes
Who Is edX Best For?
edX is best for people who want to take high-quality courses from the world's best universities without paying a lot of money for it. It is a good choice for students who have busy lifestyles and want to learn at their own pace.
edX Certificates
edX offers Certificates to students who pass the course in the paid track (you need to get a passing grade for that course). If you are enrolled in one of the edX programs (Professional Certificate, XSeries, MicroMasters, or MicroBachelors) then you will receive a program Certificate after you earn a Certificate for every course in the program. Since edX courses are provided by top universities, their Certificates may help get your resume or LinkedIn profile noticed.
Accreditation
With edX, you can also enroll in MicroMasters programs, which are basically a series of graduate-level courses from top universities. Some universities offer credit for the MicroMasters program certificate. The programs are not free, but rarely cost more than $1,500, and take between 7 months and 1 year to complete. And if you are thinking of getting into grad school, you can also check online Master's Degrees on edX.
Free Trial
No
Overview
edX is one of the best providers of college-level online courses. The company was founded by Harvard and MIT, and the quality of courses is top-notch. All the courses on edX, with the exception of professional education courses, can be taken for free.
To join the course without paying you need to enroll in the Audit Track. The Free (Audit) Track grants students access to all course materials, such as lectures, videos, ungraded assignments, and reading - for the duration of the course. However, you won't receive graded assignments and verified certificates of completion. If you want to have access to graded assignments and earn a certificate upon successful completion, then you would have to enroll in the Paid (Verified) Track. The certificate can be added to your resume or LinkedIn profile. If you enroll in the Audit Track but then decide that you want to earn the certificate, you will have a chance to switch to the Verified Track. Each course has an upgrade deadline so make sure you check that first.
edX offers over 3,500 courses on different subjects including Biology & Life Sciences, Architecture, Chemistry, Art & Culture, Electronics, Education & Teacher Training, Medicine, Food & Nutrition, Physics, Science, Music, Law, History, Language, and Environmental Studies. Most courses are available in English, but there are also some courses in Chinese, Russian, French, Italian, Spanish, etc. There are courses for introductory, intermediate, and advanced levels. The courses usually consist of both text and video content and assignments. There are also course discussions where you can ask questions and interact with fellow students. Some courses include group projects. You can download any edX course for offline viewing.
8. Udacity - Best for Career Advancement
Price
Nanodegree Programs - $399/month
Single Courses - free
Library
200+ courses
40+ Nanodegree programs
Who Is Udacity Best For?
Udacity is best for people who want to take their career to the next level whether as a freelancer or part of a company. The Nanodegree Programs are not cheap but worth it for those who want to learn some of the most in-demand skills like web development, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, data science, programming, etc. Udacity free courses are good for learners who want to upskill or try out the platform before committing to one of the paid programs.
Udacity Certificates
Udacity grants Certificates to all students who graduate from paid courses, executive programs, and Nanodegree programs. Udacity is not accredited but the Certificate can serve as proof of your skill on your resume. Students who complete free courses do not receive any Certificates.
Accreditation
No
Free Trial
No
Overview
Udacity is widely known for its Nanodegree programs. A Nanodegree is a skill and project-based learning program. Each Nanodegree consists of a series of courses on topics like Artificial Intelligence, Coding, Robotics, Mobile Programming, Business, and Data Science. Most programs can be completed in 3-6 months. Udacity offers one-on-one technical mentorship to all Nanodegree students.
Udacity is the definition of innovation when it comes to online learning and education. When you enroll in one of Udacity's Nanodegree programs, your chances of landing a job after you are complete the course skyrocket.
Udacity is not an accredited university, but the skills they teach are relevant, in-demand skills that employers are actively seeking. However, when compared to other online learning platforms, Udacity is steep in pricing. The average cost for a Nanodegree program is between $1200 and $2400. You can get a discount if you pay for several months upfront.
Udacity also offers Executive Programs for business leaders who need to learn about complex concepts like Artificial Intelligence and implement them in their companies within a short period of time (usually a few weeks). The cost of Executive Programs is around $1500 per month which includes project reviews from top industry professionals, technical mentor support, personal career coach, and a learning plan that allows you to learn at your own pace.
9. LinkedIn Learning - Best for Career Path
Price
Premium Subscription (includes unlimited access to all courses) - $39,99/month or $239,88/year
Library
18,000+ courses
Who Is LinkedIn Learning Best For?
LinkedIn Learning is best for people who are already professionals or at least have some knowledge of the subject. It might work for beginners as well, but I do recommend taking entry-level courses elsewhere first on platforms like Skillshare, Udemy, or Coursera. If you are in the field already and want to upskill to advance your career, then it's a good place to start. LinkedIn Learning has all kinds of courses, but it's best known for its web and software development, business, leadership, marketing, and design courses.
LinkedIn Learning Certificates
LinkedIn Learning students can receive Certificates of Completion. The courses are not accredited and are not recognized by universities. They can be added to portfolios and resumes to showcase your skills and education. The Certificates of Completion are granted once a student watches the whole course or Learning Path.
Accreditation
No
Free Trial
Yes (1-month free trial)
Overview
A few years ago, LinkedIn acquired one of the oldest e-learning sites called Lynda, and transferred all content to its own platform - LinkedIn Learning. The company now offers thousands of high-quality courses for all levels, from beginners to advanced, covering a wide array of subjects, including Web Development, Software Programming, Economics, and Business Management.
LinkedIn Learning has a single monthly subscription fee that gives you access to all the content on the platform. The courses consist of bite-sized modules that help absorb information better. LinkedIn Learning allows you to download any course for offline viewing, which I find to be very convenient.
LinkedIn Learning is a good platform that can help you jumpstart your career or achieve professional goals. If you are interested in joining the platform, you can do that by signing up for a 1-month free trial.
10. FutureLearn - Best for University Programs
Price
Unlimited Subscription (includes access to 600+ courses) - $39,99/ month or 279,99/year
Premium Courses - from $75 to $400 each
Audit Option - Free
Microcredentials - from $579 to $1549
Library
800+ courses
21 Microcredentials
Who Is FutureLearn Best For?
FutureLearn is best for people who want to take university courses and who are interested in earning credits for them. Unlike many online platforms, FutureLearn offers accredited courses and programs (not all of them are accredited, though). There are courses on both creative and STEM subjects, and even some medicine and law courses. The quality of courses is very high, and it's well suited for those who are looking for high-quality education.
FutureLearn Certificates
FutureLearn gives Certificates of Achievement to students who take an ExpertTrack, Premium, or Sponsored course, or have an Unlimited subscription. To get this Certificate, you need to complete at least 90% of the course steps, achieve a score of 70% or higher, and in case the course has a test, attempt every question on it. The Certificate includes the course information, your average score, and a transcript of what you have learned. It validates your skills so you may want to put it on your resume for potential employers to see.
Accreditation
Many of FutureLearn's Microcredentials programs are accredited, meaning that you can get a professional certificate or university credit to use towards a degree after you complete them. These programs are created by world's top universities and the accreditation is done by them. There are also several short courses that are also accredited (you can find this information on the course page).
Free Trial
No, unless you join ExpertTrack which comes with a 7-day free trial
Overview
Futurelearn is an online education platform that offers hundreds of courses from the world's leading universities. The majority of courses can be audited for free, but access to course tests and a Statement of Participation or Certificate of Achievement becomes available only if you upgrade to a paid course. There is an option of purchasing an unlimited subscription for $279,99 per year that includes access to over 600 short courses.
Most courses include video and audio content, reading materials, and short quizzes. All students can post their questions and discuss topics with teachers and each other. Some courses offer assignments, and if you have upgraded your course, you will be able to take tests, as well.
In addition to free courses, Futurelearn offers Premium courses for a fee. Premium courses are perfect for people who prefer to learn in a small group setting and who want to advance their careers. Premium courses are divided into several categories: IT and Digital Skills, Business and Management, Teaching, and Healthcare.
If you want to earn academic credit and upskill your work, Futurelearn also offers 21 Microcredentials. They are fully accredited and require 100-150 hours of study over 10-12 weeks. Here are a few of currently available Microcredentials: Change Management, Cyber Security Operations (Cisco CCNA), Data Science: Data-Driven Decision Making, Digital Photography: Creating a Professional Portfolio, Impact of Trauma on Mental Health, Online Teaching: Creating Courses for Adult Learners, Sports Coaching, Teacher Training: Embedding Mental Health in the Curriculum, Veterinary Practitioners and the Food Supply Chain.
To conclude our IMHO review of the best online learning platforms, other notable platforms you should check out include Alison.com, YouTube (Harvard uploads their CS courses there), and Shaw Academy. It is important to find the platform that will suit your needs so that you will be able to get the most out of it.
Original Source: https://sites.google.com/site/videoblocksreview/online-learning-platforms
10 Best Online Learning Platforms To Help Your Career
In the past few years, online learning has drastically evolved and changed the face of modern education. Did you know that online learning is way cheaper, more effective, and requires less time commitment than traditional education? That explains why more and more people choose to study online.
There is nothing like taking control of your academic life and learning at your own pace without feeling as if someone is holding a shotgun over your head. And there is no better and easier way to do that than by taking online classes.
If you have been cracking your head over the viability of MOOC courses and the online platforms to help you get the best out of them, then keep reading as you about to learn about 8 best online learning platforms.
1. Skillshare - Best for Everyday Learning
Price
Premium Membership (includes unlimited access to 27,000+ classes) - $32/month or $168/year
Free Membership (includes unlimited access to 2,000+ classes) - free
Library
34,000+ classes
Skillshare is best for people who want to learn new skills or improve the existing ones but don't have a lot of time for that. Designed to help you learn skills in a myriad of areas and incorporate them into your personal and professional lives. Even though Skillshare has more content on creative topics, there are still plenty of tech classes available.
Skillshare is a perfect balance between YouTube tutorials and full-length courses that you can purchase on platforms like Coursera or edX. It offers just the right amount of information so that you learn the subject without having to spend hours doing so.
Skillshare Certificates
Skillshare has recently added a certification feature to its classes! The certificate will include all the important details, including the name of the course and the teacher, the date of completion, and the personal details of the student. The certificates are not accredited, but it's still a valuable addition to your portfolio because they feature your project which reflects your skill and knowledge (you are required to submit it to get a Skillshare certificate).
While I think that Skillshare certification is a great idea, I do have some concerns (that applies to all unaccredited certificates I talk about in this article). First, the certification process is not standardized, which means that the quality of projects submitted may vary widely. Second, the lack of accreditation means that employers may not value the certificate as highly as other credentials. However, I do think that the certification is a step in the right direction for online learning platforms.
Accreditation
No
Free Trial
Yes (30-day free trial)
Try Skillshare For Free For 30 Days
Skillshare Overview
Skillshare is one of the most popular online learning platforms. It has a massive collection of over 30,000 classes that are divided into three categories: Thrive (Lifestyle, Productivity), Build (Business Analytics, Freelance & Enterneuprenship, Leadership & Management, Marketing), and Create (Animation, Film & Video, Graphic Design, Music, Creative Writing, Photography, Web Development, and more).
Skillshare believes in a project-based approach to learning that allows students to expand their creativity and apply new skills in life. All courses consist of two parts: a video presentation (which usually lasts around 20-60 minutes) and a class project.
Keep in mind, that even though there are tons of superb courses on Skillshare, none of them are accredited by any institution and Skillshare does not offer certificates of completion. It's a place to learn new skills and expand your knowledge, not get a degree.
Skillshare's Premium Membership grants you unlimited access to all classes in the library. You also can participate in Skillshare Live Sessions and Workshops taught by top teachers. All the classes in the library are available for download so you can continue learning on the go even when you don't have access to the Internet.
Overall, Skillshare offers great value for money. The monthly price is very low and the quality and variety of classes are excellent. Plus you can get a 30-day free trial to try the platform before deciding whether it's right for you.
2. Mindvalley - Best for Personal Development
Price
Mindvalley Membership (includes unlimited access to 50+ courses) - $499/year or $99/month
Mindvalley Individual Courses - $199-$499/quest (this option has recently been removed from the platform)
Library
70+ courses
Who is Mindvalley Best For?
Mindvalley offers courses in all areas of life. The courses are best for people who want to grow but feel that something is holding them back or are looking for a way to achieve better results in life and reach their full potential. It is a bonus if you are open-minded to mindfulness practices like meditation, hypnosis, and energy healing. Additionally, the courses are ideal for people with unresolved traumas, lack of motivation, and unclear vision.
Mindvalley Certificates
When you finish a Mindvalley program, you have the opportunity to take an assessment test. If you successfully pass the test with at least an 80% score (if you fail, you can retake the test within 2 weeks), you will receive a certificate. Not all programs come with a certificate (at the moment, around 70 Quests offer certificates). You can add certificates to your portfolio but they do not certify you as a practitioner or professional. It is more of a way to showcase your commitment to personal growth. For me, these certificates also serve as a reminder of my own progress.
Mindvalley Coach Certification
Mindvalley offers five Coach Certification programs that are very different from regular courses. The programs are much more interactive and include borderless virtual classrooms and tools. They are so thorough that once you have completed them, you can coach up to 100 clients with the help of matchmaking technology. Mindvalley has partnered with Evercoach to ensure that you not only become a successful coach but also a successful business owner. Mindvalley Coach Certification programs also offer one-on-one sessions with your counselor, intimate gatherings in your city, virtual meet-ups, and the annual exclusive Mindvalley Certified Coaches summit. The cost of each program is $2500 (not included in the Mindvalley Membership).
Accreditation:
No
Free Trial:
Yes (7-day free trial)
Mindvalley Overview
In my opinion, Mindvalley is one of the best personal growth and transformation platforms. Its goal is to help students succeed at work while also unlocking the full potential of their body, mind, and spirit. Mindvalley is best suitable for people who want to improve different areas of their life in a short period of time.
There are over 70 courses (or quests) in Mindvalley's library, taught by top experts in the fields of expertise: CEOs of large companies, best-selling authors, celebrity coaches, famous therapists and entrepreneurs, and international speakers. The quests are divided into different categories: Mind, Body, Soul, Career, Entrepreneurship, Relationships, Kids, Teens and Parenting, and Performance.
Each quest lasts 30 to 50 days, and it usually takes less than 20 minutes a day to complete a video-based lesson and a practice exercise.
Mindvalley Membership costs $499 per year and includes unlimited access to all quests plus many perks like official certifications for completed quests, monthly live coaching calls with Mindvalley's authors, and even a 22-minute assessment that will help you determine the areas in life you need to focus on. I think that the price is a steal, considering how much you are getting for your money.
Click To Read Full Mindvalley Review And Find Out Whether It Is Worth It
3. Coursera - Best Overall
Price
Coursera Plus Subscription (includes unlimited access to most courses, Specializations, and Professional Certificates) - $399/year
Individual Courses - from $29 to $99 each
Specializations - from $39 to $79 per month
Professional Certificates - from $49 each
Online Degree Courses - from $15 to $25,000 each
Audit Option - free
Library
4,300+ courses
Who Is Coursera Best For?
Coursera is best for people who want to upskill at work to get a promotion or change their careers entirely. Since Coursera offers Certificates, it is also a good option for people who have certain skills but lack a degree to back them up. The platform has lots of great business, data science, computer science, and IT courses. There are also plenty of courses for those interested in personal development, health, and language learning.
Coursera Certificates
Coursera offers four different types of certificates.
Specialization Certificate: once you have completed every course in the Specialization ( 4-7 courses, each 10 to 20 hours long) and finished the hands-on project(s), you will earn your Certificate. Specialization Certificate can be added to your portfolio but it is not accredited.
Professional Certificate: can help you enhance your resume and build your portfolio and even land a job. Professional Certificates show that you learned real-world applied skills with the latest knowledge from tech giants like Google, IBM, and Facebook.
The MasterTrack Certificate: high-quality university-issued certificate. The MasterTrack allows you to earn credits towards your degree by taking an online module of a Master's degree program.
University-Issued Certificate: unlike Professional and MasterTrack Certificates, these certificates are not co-branded with Coursera. Universities such as Duke and Arizona State University offer these types of certificates.
Accreditation
By enrolling in one of Coursera's MasterTrack programs, students are able to receive a university-issued certificate and earn credit toward their degree.
Free Trial:
Yes, 7-day free trial for Coursera Plus subscription
Overview
Coursera is an online learning platform that offers university-level courses and certification programs. The courses are taught by instructors from top companies and universities such as Stanford, Yale, and Princeton.
The price for individual courses varies from $29 to $99. However, there are thousands of courses that have the Audit option which allows you to take it for free. If you choose to audit the course, you won't receive graded assignments, a certificate, and bonus materials. Most courses consist of video lectures, assignments, reading materials, quizzes, projects, and group discussions.
There are courses available in many languages: English, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Portuguese, Arabic, French, German, Korean, Vietnamese, Japanese, and more. Some of the courses' topics are Arts and Humanities, Business, Computer Science, Data Science, Information Technology, Health, Math and Logic, Personal Development. Each course takes 4-6 weeks to complete.
If you want to master a specific skill, you can enroll in a Specialization - a series of online courses, each takes 4-6 months to complete. Once you complete the Specialization, you will earn a Certificate to add on your resume. You get a 7-day free trial to try a Specializatito at no cost when you start your first subscription.
And if you are looking to change your current career or start a new one, then you can enroll in one of the Professional Certificates programs. Like Specializations, Professional Certificates are a series of courses, but the difference is that the Certificate of Completion will be issued by the company that developed the course.
Finally, there are online degree courses granted by world-class, accredited universities. The main advantage of getting your degree online is that it costs much less than on-campus programs. Also, you can study at your own pace and complete your degree faster.
If you plan on taking several courses, it might be a good idea to subscribe to Coursera Plus, an annual plan that grants unlimited access to over 90% of courses, Professional Certificates, and Specializations. You can take as many courses as you like and you will earn a Course Certificate for every course you complete.
4. MasterClass - Best for Inspiration
Price
Unlimited Subscription (includes access to all classes) - $180/year
Library
80+ classes
Who is MasterClass Best For?
MasterClass is best for creatives of all levels who are interested in personal development and seeking inspiration from the best professionals in the field. It offers a more hands-on approach to learning which not only makes it fun but also allows students to apply their knowledge to real-life situations. The content is so engaging end entertaining that it can even replace the binge-watching of your favorite Netflix shows.
MasterClass Certificates
MasterClass doesn't offer any Certificates, but once you complete the course, you will receive an email confirming that and giving you tips on how to continue your studies on the platform.
Accreditation
No
Free Trial
No
Overview
MasterClass is an online learning platform that everyone is talking about. What makes it different is that the courses are taught by world-famous experts and celebrities. You can learn acting from Natalie Portman, filmmaking from Martin Scorsese, singing from Christina Aguilera, cooking from Gordon Ramsay, writing from Dan Brown, etc.
For $15 a month, you get unlimited access to all classes. Each course consists of an average of 20 lessons, each lasting approximately 10 minutes. Classes include high-quality video lessons, assignments, workbooks, and community activities. You can also join discussions to ask questions, get feedback, and connect with other students. There are no deadlines, so you can learn at your own pace. All the videos can be downloaded for offline viewing using a mobile app.
The classes are divided into nine categories: Film & TV, Culinary Arts, Writing, Music & Entertainment, Sports & Games, Business, Photography, & Fashion, Business, Politics & Society, Lifestyle, and Science & Technology. MasterClass doesn't offer certificates of completion.
5. Udemy - Best for Upskiling
Price
Individual Courses - from $9 to $200 each
Personal Plan - $30/month
Library
213,000+ courses
6,000+ courses (with Personal Plan)
Who Is Udemy Best For?
Udemy is best for people who want to learn a specific skill or a set of skills on both creative and professional topics. Since you pay for each course individually, it's not the best platform for those who want to learn different skills every day (for that, I recommend sites like Skillshare, which offer an unlimited subscription model) unless you sign up for a Personal Plan which offers unlimited access to over 6,000 courses.
Udemy Certificates
Udemy is not an accredited institution, but you get a Certificate of completion after you take a paid course. The Certificate will include the name, instructor, and length of the course, the date of completion, and your name. You can put it on your resume to share with potential employers.
Accreditation
No
Free Trial
7-day free trial with Personal Plan
Overview
Udemy is another popular online learning platform. It has a huge library of over 150,000 courses which makes it the best one when it comes to content. With Udemy, you can expand your knowledge and skills in any field imaginable from business and marketing, to hand weaving and clowning. The goal of Udemy is to disrupt and democratize the educational system.
Unlike Skillshare, MasterClass, and LinkedIn Learning, Udemy doesn't have unlimited subscription plans, you have to purchase each course individually, which is obviously a downer. However, the courses are quite cheap, starting at just $9. And if you don't like a course you have purchased, you can get a refund within 30 days.
Udemy's courses are divided into 13 different categories: Finance & Accounting, Development, Business, Marketing, IT & Software, Office Productivity, Music, Personal Development, Teaching & Academics, Design, Lifestyle, Photography, Health & Fitness. The courses are offered for all levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. One thing I absolutely love is that there are courses available not only in English but also in Russian, Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese, German, Spanish, etc.
Each Udemy course consists of a video tutorial - the average course is 5 hours long but some can be as short as 30 minutes - and can also include additional resources, such as quizzes, practice tests, coding exercises, and assignments. You can download any Udemy course and watch it offline at any time.
6. Brilliant.org - Best for School Students
Price
Brilliant Monthly Subscription (includes unlimited access to all courses) - $24,99/month
Brilliant Annual Subscription (includes unlimited access to all courses) - $149/year
Library
60+ courses
Who Is Brilliant Best For?
Brilliant is suited for learners of all ages, but it works best for school students (6th grade and up) who want to excel in STEM fields and who have experience with self-guided learning. It is also an excellent platform for college prep. There are some challenging courses that may be interesting to college students and adults who want to learn more about the subject, as well.
Brilliant Certificates
Brilliant doesn't offer Certificates for completed courses. Sometimes when you pass a test in one of the courses you may earn a certificate but it's more like a badge that can only be displayed on the platform and not on your college resume or job portfolio
Accreditation
No
Free Trial
Yes (7-day free trial)
Overview
Brilliant is an online learning platform that focuses on STEM subjects - Science, Math, and Computer Science. The courses are designed for both children (aged 10+) and adults. Their goal is to make learning fun, engaging, and interactive, and that is what makes Brilliant one of the best learning platforms, especially for young adults.
You can learn a variety of subjects on Brilliant, including Algebra, Logic, Advanced Mathematics, Calculus, Geometry, Classical physics, Quantum mechanics, Foundational computer science, and others.
Brilliant offers monthly and annual subscriptions that include full access to all courses on the platform and thousands of practice quizzes across all topics.
In my opinion, Brillian is a great platform but because it only covers STEM subjects, it is mostly suitable for those who are interested in math and computer science. A 7-day trial is available for anyone who wants to try Brilliant at no cost.
7. Edx.org - Best for Accredited Courses
Price
Verified Track Courses - from $50 to $300 each
Audit Track Courses - free
Library
3,500+ classes
Who Is edX Best For?
edX is best for people who want to take high-quality courses from the world's best universities without paying a lot of money for it. It is a good choice for students who have busy lifestyles and want to learn at their own pace.
edX Certificates
edX offers Certificates to students who pass the course in the paid track (you need to get a passing grade for that course). If you are enrolled in one of the edX programs (Professional Certificate, XSeries, MicroMasters, or MicroBachelors) then you will receive a program Certificate after you earn a Certificate for every course in the program. Since edX courses are provided by top universities, their Certificates may help get your resume or LinkedIn profile noticed.
Accreditation
With edX, you can also enroll in MicroMasters programs, which are basically a series of graduate-level courses from top universities. Some universities offer credit for the MicroMasters program certificate. The programs are not free, but rarely cost more than $1,500, and take between 7 months and 1 year to complete. And if you are thinking of getting into grad school, you can also check online Master's Degrees on edX.
Free Trial
No
Overview
edX is one of the best providers of college-level online courses. The company was founded by Harvard and MIT, and the quality of courses is top-notch. All the courses on edX, with the exception of professional education courses, can be taken for free.
To join the course without paying you need to enroll in the Audit Track. The Free (Audit) Track grants students access to all course materials, such as lectures, videos, ungraded assignments, and reading - for the duration of the course. However, you won't receive graded assignments and verified certificates of completion. If you want to have access to graded assignments and earn a certificate upon successful completion, then you would have to enroll in the Paid (Verified) Track. The certificate can be added to your resume or LinkedIn profile. If you enroll in the Audit Track but then decide that you want to earn the certificate, you will have a chance to switch to the Verified Track. Each course has an upgrade deadline so make sure you check that first.
edX offers over 3,500 courses on different subjects including Biology & Life Sciences, Architecture, Chemistry, Art & Culture, Electronics, Education & Teacher Training, Medicine, Food & Nutrition, Physics, Science, Music, Law, History, Language, and Environmental Studies. Most courses are available in English, but there are also some courses in Chinese, Russian, French, Italian, Spanish, etc. There are courses for introductory, intermediate, and advanced levels. The courses usually consist of both text and video content and assignments. There are also course discussions where you can ask questions and interact with fellow students. Some courses include group projects. You can download any edX course for offline viewing.
8. Udacity - Best for Career Advancement
Price
Nanodegree Programs - $399/month
Single Courses - free
Library
200+ courses
40+ Nanodegree programs
Who Is Udacity Best For?
Udacity is best for people who want to take their career to the next level whether as a freelancer or part of a company. The Nanodegree Programs are not cheap but worth it for those who want to learn some of the most in-demand skills like web development, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, data science, programming, etc. Udacity free courses are good for learners who want to upskill or try out the platform before committing to one of the paid programs.
Udacity Certificates
Udacity grants Certificates to all students who graduate from paid courses, executive programs, and Nanodegree programs. Udacity is not accredited but the Certificate can serve as proof of your skill on your resume. Students who complete free courses do not receive any Certificates.
Accreditation
No
Free Trial
No
Overview
Udacity is widely known for its Nanodegree programs. A Nanodegree is a skill and project-based learning program. Each Nanodegree consists of a series of courses on topics like Artificial Intelligence, Coding, Robotics, Mobile Programming, Business, and Data Science. Most programs can be completed in 3-6 months. Udacity offers one-on-one technical mentorship to all Nanodegree students.
Udacity is the definition of innovation when it comes to online learning and education. When you enroll in one of Udacity's Nanodegree programs, your chances of landing a job after you are complete the course skyrocket.
Udacity is not an accredited university, but the skills they teach are relevant, in-demand skills that employers are actively seeking. However, when compared to other online learning platforms, Udacity is steep in pricing. The average cost for a Nanodegree program is between $1200 and $2400. You can get a discount if you pay for several months upfront.
Udacity also offers Executive Programs for business leaders who need to learn about complex concepts like Artificial Intelligence and implement them in their companies within a short period of time (usually a few weeks). The cost of Executive Programs is around $1500 per month which includes project reviews from top industry professionals, technical mentor support, personal career coach, and a learning plan that allows you to learn at your own pace.
9. LinkedIn Learning - Best for Career Path
Price
Premium Subscription (includes unlimited access to all courses) - $39,99/month or $239,88/year
Library
18,000+ courses
Who Is LinkedIn Learning Best For?
LinkedIn Learning is best for people who are already professionals or at least have some knowledge of the subject. It might work for beginners as well, but I do recommend taking entry-level courses elsewhere first on platforms like Skillshare, Udemy, or Coursera. If you are in the field already and want to upskill to advance your career, then it's a good place to start. LinkedIn Learning has all kinds of courses, but it's best known for its web and software development, business, leadership, marketing, and design courses.
LinkedIn Learning Certificates
LinkedIn Learning students can receive Certificates of Completion. The courses are not accredited and are not recognized by universities. They can be added to portfolios and resumes to showcase your skills and education. The Certificates of Completion are granted once a student watches the whole course or Learning Path.
Accreditation
No
Free Trial
Yes (1-month free trial)
Overview
A few years ago, LinkedIn acquired one of the oldest e-learning sites called Lynda, and transferred all content to its own platform - LinkedIn Learning. The company now offers thousands of high-quality courses for all levels, from beginners to advanced, covering a wide array of subjects, including Web Development, Software Programming, Economics, and Business Management.
LinkedIn Learning has a single monthly subscription fee that gives you access to all the content on the platform. The courses consist of bite-sized modules that help absorb information better. LinkedIn Learning allows you to download any course for offline viewing, which I find to be very convenient.
LinkedIn Learning is a good platform that can help you jumpstart your career or achieve professional goals. If you are interested in joining the platform, you can do that by signing up for a 1-month free trial.
10. FutureLearn - Best for University Programs
Price
Unlimited Subscription (includes access to 600+ courses) - $39,99/ month or 279,99/year
Premium Courses - from $75 to $400 each
Audit Option - Free
Microcredentials - from $579 to $1549
Library
800+ courses
21 Microcredentials
Who Is FutureLearn Best For?
FutureLearn is best for people who want to take university courses and who are interested in earning credits for them. Unlike many online platforms, FutureLearn offers accredited courses and programs (not all of them are accredited, though). There are courses on both creative and STEM subjects, and even some medicine and law courses. The quality of courses is very high, and it's well suited for those who are looking for high-quality education.
FutureLearn Certificates
FutureLearn gives Certificates of Achievement to students who take an ExpertTrack, Premium, or Sponsored course, or have an Unlimited subscription. To get this Certificate, you need to complete at least 90% of the course steps, achieve a score of 70% or higher, and in case the course has a test, attempt every question on it. The Certificate includes the course information, your average score, and a transcript of what you have learned. It validates your skills so you may want to put it on your resume for potential employers to see.
Accreditation
Many of FutureLearn's Microcredentials programs are accredited, meaning that you can get a professional certificate or university credit to use towards a degree after you complete them. These programs are created by world's top universities and the accreditation is done by them. There are also several short courses that are also accredited (you can find this information on the course page).
Free Trial
No, unless you join ExpertTrack which comes with a 7-day free trial
Overview
Futurelearn is an online education platform that offers hundreds of courses from the world's leading universities. The majority of courses can be audited for free, but access to course tests and a Statement of Participation or Certificate of Achievement becomes available only if you upgrade to a paid course. There is an option of purchasing an unlimited subscription for $279,99 per year that includes access to over 600 short courses.
Most courses include video and audio content, reading materials, and short quizzes. All students can post their questions and discuss topics with teachers and each other. Some courses offer assignments, and if you have upgraded your course, you will be able to take tests, as well.
In addition to free courses, Futurelearn offers Premium courses for a fee. Premium courses are perfect for people who prefer to learn in a small group setting and who want to advance their careers. Premium courses are divided into several categories: IT and Digital Skills, Business and Management, Teaching, and Healthcare.
If you want to earn academic credit and upskill your work, Futurelearn also offers 21 Microcredentials. They are fully accredited and require 100-150 hours of study over 10-12 weeks. Here are a few of currently available Microcredentials: Change Management, Cyber Security Operations (Cisco CCNA), Data Science: Data-Driven Decision Making, Digital Photography: Creating a Professional Portfolio, Impact of Trauma on Mental Health, Online Teaching: Creating Courses for Adult Learners, Sports Coaching, Teacher Training: Embedding Mental Health in the Curriculum, Veterinary Practitioners and the Food Supply Chain.
To conclude our IMHO review of the best online learning platforms, other notable platforms you should check out include Alison.com, YouTube (Harvard uploads their CS courses there), and Shaw Academy. It is important to find the platform that will suit your needs so that you will be able to get the most out of it.
Original Source: https://sites.google.com/site/videoblocksreview/online-learning-platforms
Epidemic Sound Or Artlist: WHich One Is For You?
As a wise man once said, "Music is the universal language of mankind." In today's content-driven world, that language can make or break your video project. But how do you choose the perfect soundtrack for your masterpiece without getting tangled in the web of copyrights? Enter Epidemic Sound and Artlist, two leading royalty-free music platforms. I've tried both of them, and I'm here to give you a comprehensive comparison between these two industry titans in 2023. So, which one is the right fit for you? 
Epidemic Sound vs. Artlist: Price and Subscription Options
As we all know, the price of a subscription can make or break your decision. Epidemic Sound offers a personal plan (the cheapest one) for $15 per month or $108 per year ($9 per month) and a commercial plan for $49 per month or $228 per year ($19 per month).
Artlist offers a starter Personal monthly subscription for $14.99 or a yearly subscription for $120 ($9.99 per month). For commercial accounts, Artlist only offers yearly plans: Music plan - $199 per year ($16.60 per month) and Music and Sound Effects plan - $299 per year ($25 per month).
Winner for Personal Plan: Epidemic Sound
Epidemic Sound wins for personal plans because it covers more platforms.
Winner for Commercial Plan: Artlist
Artlist wins for commercial plans because it covers broadcasting and TV and has no restriction on the number of accounts per platform (Epidemic Sound limits accounts per platform to 3 on commercial plans).
If you prefer a monthly commitment, Epidemic Sound might be more up your alley, otherwise, you might want to look into Artlist.
Read Epidemic Sound Review | Is it Worth it For Creators?
Epidemic Sound vs. Artlist: Library Comparison
What about the library? How does Artlist compare with Epidemic Sound?
Epidemic Sound boasts an extensive library of over 35,000 tracks and 90,000 sound effects. Artlist has a smaller library of 18,000 tracks songs and 11,000 sound effects (and it's rapidly growing).
In terms of quality, both platforms offer an excellent selection of tracks from various genres, making it difficult to declare a clear winner.
Both sites add new music regularly. If you're anything like me, you'll find that having a vast library to choose from is essential for finding that perfect track.
However, if quantity is a priority, Epidemic Sound takes the cake.
Epidemic Sound vs. Artlist: Licensing and Usage
The licensing models of Epidemic Sound and Artlist vary slightly. Both offer royalty-free tracks for content creators. Epidemic Sound's licenses cover a range of uses, from YouTube videos to podcasts and even commercial projects. Artlist licenses are similarly flexible, allowing unlimited usage across various media. As long as you maintain an active subscription, you can use their tracks without worrying about copyright issues.
With Epidemic Sound, you get also buy a single-track license, meaning you can use the track in any way that makes sense for you. The price varies from $99 to $499 depending on the use case.
Clear NO for both platforms:
-
No standalone use
-
No illegal, immoral, or political content
-
No broadcast type content or TV (only Artlist commercial plans cover that)
-
No NFTs
Personal License
Epidemic Sound:
+ Use on any social media
+ Monetization and sponsorship in personal social channels
+ Allows paid and promoted videos
Artlist:
+ YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitch, TikTok, Podcasts
+ Monetization and sponsorship in personal social media channels
- No paid or promoted videos
Commercial License
Epidemic Sound:
+ Paid ads
-Unlimited social media platforms
+ Client work (only 3 accounts)
+ Commercial work
+ Podcasts
+ Websites and all online platforms
Artlist:
+ Unlimited social media platforms
+ Paid ads
+ Client work
+ Commercial work
+ Podcasts
+ Websites and all online platforms
+ Broadcast and TV
+ Paid and promoted videos
Artlist is a winner in this category if you want to broadcast or produce films and movies.
Epidemic Sound is a winner in the personal license if you want to produce content for platforms that are not included in Artlist's license.
Epidemic Sound vs. Artlist: Which One Offers Royalty-Free Music?
Both Epidemic Sound and Artlist offer royalty-free tracks. This means that, as long as you have an active subscription, you can use their music without any legal problems or additional fees (no royalties). You won't have to worry about copyright issues as long as you follow their licensing terms.
Epidemic Sound vs. Artlist: User Experience
As a creator, you want a platform that is easy to navigate and offers user-friendly search filters. In my opinion, both Epidemic Sound and Artlist excel in this area. Their interfaces are intuitive, with advanced filtering options to help you find the perfect song. However, some users find Artlist's interface to be slightly more modern and visually appealing. In my experience, Artlist's platform is more polished and easier to navigate. Epidemic Sound's interface is also user-friendly and offers a similarly robust search functionality.
Both platforms provide search filters that help you narrow down your choices by genre, mood, and themes. Artlist has an extra filter for the instrument.
What Happens After You Cancel an Epidemic Sound or Artlist Subscription?
If you cancel your Epidemic Sound and Artlist subscription, you can no longer use their tracks in new projects. However, any projects published during your subscription period are covered forever.
Any videos uploaded during your active subscription will still be covered, but new uploads after cancellation will not be protected by their license.
Artlist Review 2023: Is There A better Deal? Is It Worth It?
What Is Epidemic Sound To Me? Who Is It Best For?
Epidemic Sound is a royalty-free music platform designed for content creators, offering a vast library of tracks and sound effects. It's popular among YouTubers, podcasters, and other creators who need high-quality music to enhance their projects. Epidemic Sound is an attractive choice for those looking to add high-quality music to their projects.
Epidemic Sound, boasting over 550 employees and offices in New York, Los Angeles, Amsterdam, and Seoul, has established itself as a leading player in the music licensing industry. The company's primary focus is on nurturing its community of content creators and music producers, helping them grow, and ensuring that they receive fair compensation for their work.
Epidemic Sound has proven to be an invaluable resource in my content creation journey. With its vast library, dedication to supporting creators, and commitment to fair compensation, it has earned its place as one of the best royalty-free music platforms available.
What It Artlist To Me? Who Is It Best For?
Artlist is another royalty-free music platform catering to content creators. It offers a broad range of music tracks and sound effects, making it an excellent choice for those looking to add a professional touch to their videos, podcasts, and other media projects.
Artlist's team searches the globe for the best musicians, curating their music to create a thriving community of artists. Their belief that high-quality music licensing doesn't have to be expensive or complicated resonates with creators seeking simplicity and affordability. Artlist operates under the notion that when artists succeed, we all succeed, making it their mission to provide opportunities for both musicians and filmmakers. Artlist has been a game-changer in for business, proving that an exceptional music licensing experience is well within reach.
Is Epidemic Sound Unlimited?
Yes, with an active Epidemic Sound subscription, users can access and download an unlimited number of tracks and sound effects from their library.
Please keep in mind (and this applies to Artlist and Epidemic Sound) that it is against TOS to scrape content or use bots to download tracks and sound effects from both websites. Companies have a right to suspend user's account if they see suspicious activity on them.
Is Artlist Unlimited?
Yes, with an active Artlist subscription, users can access and download an unlimited "reasonable" number of tracks and sound effects from their library. In reality, "reasonable" means that users are limited to downloading 40 music tracks per day and 100 sound effects to justify fair use. For most creators, that is more than enough downloads per day.
Epidemic Sound vs. Artlist: Pros and Cons
Epidemic Sound Pros:
-
Extensive library of over 35,000 tracks and 90,000 sound effects
-
Covers more platforms on its personal plan
-
Offers single-track licenses
-
Unlimited access and downloads with an active subscription
-
Really unlimited downloads
-
30-day free trial
Epidemic Sound Cons:
-
Limits accounts per platform to three on commercial plans
-
Some users find the platform's interface less polished than Artlist's
-
Users have reported issues with customer support and copyright claims
Artlist Pros:
-
A more visually appealing and user-friendly interface
-
Covers broadcasting and TV with its commercial plan
-
Unlimited access to a "reasonable" number of daily downloads
-
No restrictions on the number of accounts per platform on commercial plans
-
High-quality tracks
-
Two months free on annual membership
Artlist Cons:
-
A smaller library of 18,000 tracks and 11,000 sound effects
-
Offers fewer platforms on its personal plan
-
Subscription-only model, no single-track licenses
-
Users have reported challenges with customer support and billing issues
-
"Reasonable use" allows downloading 40 tracks and 100 sound effects per day
-
No free trial, questionable refund
Epidemic Sound vs. Artlist: Free Trial And Refunds
Epidemic Sound: A Generous Trial Period
Epidemic Sound offers a 30-day trial, granting unlimited access to their extensive library of music and sound effects. During this period, you're free to publish your work without worrying about additional licensing fees. If you find Epidemic Sound to be the perfect fit, the trial will automatically renew with the agreed-upon monthly price. However, be aware that if you forget to cancel, any charges incurred are non-refundable. Thankfully, canceling your subscription is a hassle-free process
Artlist: Limited Trial, Strict Refund Policy
Unlike Epidemic Sound, Artlist does not offer a traditional free trial. Instead, you can create an account, browse their library, and download watermarked tracks. To access their full range of services, you'll need to subscribe. Artlist does provide a refund policy, but it comes with stringent conditions. You can request a refund within 14 days of purchase, but only if no assets have been downloaded or used in a project. In other words, if you download even a single track, you forfeit your eligibility for a refund.
Verdict: Which One Is Better: Epidemic Sound or Artlist?
In terms of pricing, Epidemic Sound's personal plan is a winner, as it covers more platforms. Artlist wins for commercial plans, accommodating broadcasting and TV with no restrictions on the number of accounts per platform. If you're leaning towards a monthly commitment, Epidemic Sound might strike the right chord.
When comparing libraries, Epidemic Sound boasts a staggering 35,000 tracks and 90,000 sound effects, while Artlist offers a smaller collection of 18,000 songs and 11,000 sound effects. Quality-wise, both platforms are neck and neck, but if quantity matters, Epidemic Sound takes the prize.
Licensing and usage are fairly similar between the two platforms, but Epidemic Sound's single-track license may be more appealing if you need just one track. User experience-wise, both platforms are user-friendly, but Artlist's interface has a slight edge in modernity and visual appeal.
While both platforms offer royalty-free tracks, their ratings are mixed when it comes to customer experiences. Artlist has a 4.2 rating, with complaints about untrustworthy practices and licensing issues. Epidemic Sound, on the other hand, has a 4.1 rating, with users citing difficulties with the cancellation process and copyright claims. I haven't experienced any issues with either platform. I like both services but if I had to choose one, I would pick Epidemic Sound because of the larger library, better variety, licencing model, and a 30-day free trial.
Original Source: https://sites.google.com/site/videoblocksreview/royalty-free-music/epidemic-sound-vs-artlist
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Mindvalley For Business Review: Can It Transform Your Team?
Today I want to talk about a topic that I haven't discussed in any of my articles in the past but I have been asked about frequently. Mindvalley for business: is it a good idea or not?
I haven't used Mindvalley for my own business because our team is relatively small, and most of us take Mindvalley Quests anyway and don't need all the tools that Mindvalley for Business provides. I first joined Mindvalley about 2 years ago and it completely changed both my personal and professional life. It helped me to reach my business goals and set new ones. I like the flexibility that the platform offers and that I can learn at my own pace whenever I have time for that. And while Mindvalley for Business may have additional features that would suit larger teams better, it's not necessary for us right now. But Mindvalley definitely helped not only me but our whole team build a strong company vision and taught us how to cooperate with each other more effectively for better results.
What Is Mindvalley Business?
Mindvalley for Business is an innovative platform that enables teams to access a wide range of live events and growth opportunities throughout the year. The platform provides a series of workshops, conferences, webinars, and more, all designed to help teams reach their goals faster.
So who could benefit from Mindvalley Business and why should you think about getting it for your team? As we all know, the workplace can be an incredibly disheartening place for many employees. According to recent studies, 85% of employees are not engaged in the workplace and 81% are considering leaving their jobs. This is a troubling statistic that speaks to a larger problem - employees feeling unappreciated and unsupported. While there are many contributing factors to this lack of engagement, it seems that appreciation remains at the core of this issue. 69% of employees say they would commit more to their work if they were appreciated more, suggesting that a little recognition could go a long way in improving morale and productivity. Employers need to take these statistics seriously if they want to keep their workforce motivated and invested in their success, but of course, not everyone has time to do that. Mindvalley offers a solution for this problem: they can help transform your team mindset and collaboration with their unique "360 Approach To Growth".
Mindvalley Review: My Experience After 360 Days Is It Worth It?
To give you an idea of what results you can accept from Mindvalley Business, here is an overview from the company's website:
- Enhanced Productivity and Human Excellence
- Improved Focus and Increased Intelligence
- Immunity to Overwhelm and Stress
- Improved Employee Engagement and Retention
- Reduce Absenteeism and Eliminate Burnout
- Inspire Boundless Innovation and Creativity
- Create Stronger Leadership and Ownership
- Higher Profits Through Optimized Performance
By improving focus and increasing intelligence, employees can become more efficient and effective in their work. Immunity to overwhelm and stress is an important factor when it comes to ensuring that employees remain committed to their tasks. It is also a great way to improve employee engagement and retention as employees feel less pressure from their workloads. Increased intelligence helps employees to think more critically about their work, leading to better results.
By inspiring boundless innovation and creativity, employers can help cultivate a culture of enthusiasm and motivation. This will help drive stronger leadership and ownership within the organization, leading to higher profits through optimized performance. Additionally, providing team members with the resources they need to succeed- including access to training, educational opportunities, and mentorship - will empower them to take ownership of their work and contribute more effectively. Improving communication between leaders and employees will also create an atmosphere of trust and respect that encourages collaboration and helps ensure that everyone is working towards the same goal. With these strategies in place, organizations can achieve lower absenteeism rates, higher productivity levels, increased job satisfaction, and ultimately higher profits.
In my opinion, Mindvalley for Business is a cutting-edge corporate training platform designed to help organizations unlock their team’s potential. It offers an array of engaging, interactive, and customized experiences for businesses of all sizes. The minimum number of participants for the program is usually twenty individuals and the fee per person is $299. You can take a free consultation first to make sure that Mindvalley for Business is a good match for your company and ask about custom plans. The membership process is easy and straightforward - you first need to sign up to access the exclusive content library tailored specifically for business users and then customize your learning experience with personal selections from different learning paths. You can choose the type of training that suits your organization’s needs and align it with your existing professional development initiatives. Finally, you can measure success by tracking progress through analytics and reporting tools, ensuring that you achieve your desired outcomes. With Mindvalley for Business, you can ignite innovation in the workplace and create an environment of continuous growth and improvement.
How Is Mindvalley for Business Different From Regular Mindvalley Membership:
- Concierge Onboarding Experience For Mindvalley Business is designed to make it easier for business owners to get started with Mindvalley. The experience provides personalized support and guidance, tailored to each business’s individual needs. It includes a personal call with a dedicated onboarding specialist who will walk you through the process of setting up your account and explain all of the features of the Mindvalley platform.
- Orientation Call With Vishen Lakhiani who is a founder of Mindvalley, the leading personal growth platform for entrepreneurs, companies, and individuals. Vishen has been a pioneer in the industry for many years now, providing innovative solutions that enable people to unlock their greatest potential. He has created a thriving business from the ground up and is highly respected as an expert on personal growth and development.
- Team-Based Transformation Journeys at Mindvalley Business are designed to help teams gain clarity and focus on the goals they want to achieve. Through a combination of workshops, activities, and team discussions, teams will be guided in identifying and addressing any obstacles that may be hindering their success. Mindvalley Certified Coaches and Trainers are there every step of the way to provide personalized support and advice that can help your team reach its potential. With their expertise in team dynamics, emotional intelligence, and conflict resolution, your team will have the tools necessary to create lasting solutions. Together you will explore new strategies for developing collaboration within the group, build trust across teams, and foster meaningful relationships with stakeholders.
Best Mindvalley Courses And Quests To Take
Mindvalley Business Certificates And Reports
With each program the team members complete, they will receive an official Mindvalley Certificate. This certificate serves as a physical recognition of the achievements made by your employees and provides tangible evidence of their progress. Reports from Mindvalley Business can also provide in-depth analytics into how well the team is performing, allowing you to identify areas for improvement and take action accordingly. Additionally, members receive personalized feedback from experts on how to further their development journey, making it easier to stay focused on goals and sustain motivation. These reports are a great tool for tracking performance and helping to get the most out of each member's experience.
Is Mindvalley Business Worth It?
Yes, Mindvalley Business is worth it. It's a great way for companies to build a strong foundation for success in businesses and improve productivity by giving participants new skills and insights into how to create not just an innovative work environment but also happier more positive team members and bring excitement to a workplace.
Mindvalley Business works with some of the biggest brands and companies in the world. These include Exxon Mobil, Duracell, Vodaphone, Aerospace, and Electrolux. These companies choose to work with Mindvalley Business because of their proven track record for delivering results that exceed expectations.
CEO Of Cosmetic Brand Marini Eliminate recently made an incredible decision to try Mindvalley for business instead of bankruptcy. This move has paid off as the company has quadrupled its revenue and the team is now a much happier and more motivated one to work with. Everyone in the company feels the joy to be part of this success story and they are grateful that the company chose to go with Mindvalley instead of bankruptcy and is excited to see what other positive changes the future holds.
Overall, teams that have taken Mindvalley for Business found it to be a great experience. They reported feeling stronger, happier, and very pleased with the personal customer support provided by Mindvalley. Statistics show that more than 70% of those who attended courses enjoyed them. The team members were able to gain valuable knowledge from the courses and apply it to their own business practices and personal life which has had positive results. This type of learning environment provides an opportunity for teams to come together and collaborate on new ideas and strategies. Mindvalley for Business offers a unique way of helping teams become better organized and more productive in the workplace.
Original Source: https://sites.google.com/site/videoblocksreview/online-learning/mindvalley-for-business-review
Audible Review 2020: Is Membership Worth it? Free Trial Imho Reviews
In this Audible review, you will learn how the service works and how it is compared to other similar platforms like Scribd. Find out if it is worth it, learn about the pricing policy, and get tips on how to save money on Audible. This review will help you determine if Audible is a good match for you. Audible is a paid service that offers its customers audiobooks and other types of spoken-word entertainment.
Short Audible Review: Pros and Cons
Audible Pros:
1. Audible has a very large book collection. There are almost 5 million audiobooks on Audible, which makes the platform 5 times larger than another popular audiobook subscription service, Scribd. Audible versus Scribd
2. The price is $14,95 a month; it enables you to slowly build an audiobook library. In addition, the single book access per month bolsters your productivity in a way as it helps you focus on the book you will be reading instead of wasting time shuffling between books trying to find for the best one.
3. Easy return and exchange policy.
4. A free 30-day trial that gives you access to two audiobooks and two Audible Originals. The audiobooks are yours to keep even if you decide to cancel your account.
5. Possibility to create Amazon Household Library and share your Audible content with family members.
6. 24/7 customer support.
7. Complimentary digital newspaper subscriptions.
8. You get to download two Audible Originals each month.
Audible Cons:
The greatest downside of Audible is that the basic subscription plan only gives you access to one audiobook a month. While that's enough for most people, some may not be satisfied with it. However, you can always upgrade your plan and get more books, or simply purchase extra credits whenever you need it.
Is Audible Worth it?
Yes, it certainly is. Audible has become somewhat like a synonym of audiobooks, and there is a reason for that. The selection of audiobooks they offer is very impressive, and there are many titles that you won't find on other similar platforms. The price may seem a bit high for just one audiobook a month, but you do get a lot of bonuses, like two Audible Originals and access to podcasts, etc. And, of course, let's not forget that Audible actually lets you exchange any book you've purchased if you are not satisfied with it. Plus, you can sign up for a 30-day free trial, get two audiobooks at absolutely no cost and see whether you like the service or not before purchasing a membership and that alone is worth it.
Audible Review: All Features Explained
Audiobooks are the latest trend in the digital publishing industry. The most popular audiobook platforms now have millions of subscribers who consume billions of hours of audio content. The shift from written word to audio has been inspired by a lot of things, the most important being that audiobooks are easier to listen to as compared to reading a book.
A book requires you to give up multitasking and crank your eyes paying attention to each word, page after page; no wonder why many people complain of having eyestrain from reading too much. On the other hand, with audiobooks, your options are unlimited. You can be productive whilst on your morning jog, or on the commute to work, or before bed.
One platform that has inspired the trend by enabling people to listen to great content is Audible. Audible, an audiobook platform that is considered to be one of the best in the world, is owned by Amazon. The platform has a lot of book titles to either help you learn on the go or keep you entertained. Their library covers many categories, from self-improvement and finance to fiction and autobiographies. With affordable pricing at only 14,95 a month, Audible will give you the chance to choose any three books of your liking from their catalog every month.
How Audible Works: Getting Started With Audible 30-Day Free Trial
To get started with Audible, you need to sign up to their 30-day free trial. A free trial gives you access to two audiobooks and two Audible Originals of your choice that you can listen to anytime even if you choose to not go with the monthly subscription plan afterward. Signing up for a free trial will require you to provide the valid credit card information to be bonded with your account. But don't worry, you won't be charged anything during a 30-day free trial.
After the first month of use, if you choose to not cancel the account, the platform will automatically upgrade your account to a paid one and you will be getting one audiobook and two Audible Originals each month. However, if you don't like the service, you can cancel your account anytime during the trial and avoid any charges.
Audible Credits: How to use? Expire?
Audible has a credit system. Each month you will be granted one credit. Each credit can be redeemed for one audiobook of your choice as long as it's part of Audible’s library. One Audible credit will cost you $14,95 a month, which is the price of the Audible Gold Monthly subscription plan. You can get more than one credit by choosing a different subscription plan. Unused Audible credits expire after one year.
Audible review
Audible Plans and membership benefits
For frequent audiobook listeners and for people who prefer annual subscription billing, Audible offers different plans bundled together to give their members the most content at a very affordable price.
The monthly plans are as follows: (Official Audible Pricing)
Gold Monthly: costs $14,95 a month, gives you one credit.
Platinum Monthly: costs $22,95 gives you two credits.
Gold Annual: costs $149,50 per year, gives you 12 credits.
Platinum Annual: costs $229,50 per year, gives you 24 credits.
Audible Escape Subscription $12.95/month for standalone customers $6.95/month for Audible Members or Kindle Unlimited Members
When you redeem a book using your monthly or annual credits it will be accessible to you in your account even if you choose to cancel Audible subscription. This means that you will be the owner of any audiobook in your account and can listen to it anytime, anywhere.
How To Return Or Exchange Your Audiobook
One of the things I absolutely love about Audible is the fact that they let you return and exchange any audiobook you purchased if you are unsatisfied with it. And this very nice feature that makes Audible worth even more to me. You have one year (365 days) from the date you purchased the book to return it. The process is very easy:
Go to Audible Purchase History and click the "Return" button underneath the book that you are planning to return.
In the drop-down menu choose the reason why you want to return it, click the "Return this title" button, and then click "Return". That's it!
If you purchased an audiobook using your Audible credits then you will receive the refund in credits right away. And if you used other payment methods, then it may take up to 7-10 days to get your money back. Keep in mind, that only active Audible members can exchange audiobooks. By the way, you can return audiobooks even during your free trial.
If you get the "Online Return Unavailable" message, contact Audible support team to get your refund.
This policy shouldn't be abused. So only return books that were purchased by mistake or that you really didn't like. Otherwise, your account may even be suspended.
Audible App Overview
The Audible app is very easy to use, simple and reliable. Let's take a look at some of the features that will help you enjoy audiobooks even more.
Things I like about Audible app:
Car mode and button-free mode make listening to audiobooks more comfortable. Hands-free listening also helps avoid distractions while driving.
Every app feature, including the narration speed and sleep timer, can be modified to your liking.
Easy access to chapters and bookmarks.
The Clips (Bookmarks) feature allows you to save any place in the audiobook and add notes. The clips you save are like bookmarks - you can revisit your favorite moments anytime and refresh the most memorable parts in your head. You can save the clips of the last 30 seconds heard, and also extend to as long as 2 whole minutes.
There is an option to add a widget.
What I don't like about the app:
In my opinion, the search function could be improved. Everything works the way it should, and I can find the book I'm looking for. However, I cannot search for a specific phrase in a specific category. For instance, I want to look for podcasts and so I go to the search bar and type in the topic I'm interested in - let's say, "Life on Mars". However, the results I'm given contain titles from all categories and not just podcats, and it takes me a while to find what I'm looking for. Of course, you won't' have this issue if you know exactly what you are looking for. Plus, you will get recommendations in the app based on your likings.
Tips On Saving Money On Audible
There are several ways to save money on Audible. Today I want to share my three favorite ones in this Audible review.
1. Save 50% for 3 months
This trick only works on Audible official website, and not on their mobile app. Go to your Account Details and click the "Cancel Membership" button. Select the "It’s too expensive"’ reason for canceling your account. Then click on "Continue Canceling". After that, you will receive a special offer from Audible. This offer will give you 50% off the Gold Monthly plan for three months, meaning that you will be paying just $7,49 per month instead of $14,95.
2. Silver Membership Plan
Audible doesn't advertise this plan on their website but it does exist and it can save you money. If you decide to switch to Silver plan, then you'll be getting one credit every other month and pay $14,98 for two months. You will still be getting two Audible Originals every month and receive other benefits that Gold plan members get, like a 30% discount on all purchases and member-only sales.
If you want to switch to Silver plan then go to your Account Details and click the "Cancel Membership" button. Select the "I don’t use it enough" reason for canceling your account. Then click on "Continue Canceling". After that, you will be given two options: to switch to Silver plan or to place your membership on hold. Click the "Switch Membership" button and accept the offer.
3. Get 30% Off Audiobooks
Audible offers all members a 30% discount on audiobooks, and often it may be cheaper to purchase a book using your money instead of credits.
Audible Student Membership
Any student attending a college or university in the United States can get 30% off and join Audible for just $9,95 a month plus receive $10 in Amazon.com credits. Student membership includes three titles every month: one audiobook and two Audible Originals, plus audio-guided workouts.
If you want to purchase the student membership directly you won't get the free trial. So if you want to try Audible out before purchasing any plan, then sign up for a free trial first.
What Is Audible "Send This Book"?
"Send this book" is another great feature of Audible that is worth it. It enables you to send the book that you liked to family and friends for free. The receiver will be able to download the first audiobook that you send without paying a dime even if they don't have a membership. However, if they've already redeemed a book before, then they will get a message about your favorite title and will have an option of purchasing it.
Why You Should Create An Audible Wishlist
Sometimes Audible comes up with excellent offers on certain books. And if any of the books that you added to your wishlist go on sale, you will be notified by e-mail. It's a good idea to create an Audible wishlist and add every book you are interested in purchasing there.
Is Audible Free with Amazon Prime?
No. But if you have an annual Amazon Prime membership then you'll get access to a premium collection of content from Audible. You will be able to listen to full-length audiobooks that are exclusive to Prime members and Audible-produced podcasts, plus the biggest news stories from The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times.
Exclusive Audio-Guided Fitness Programs
These audio-guided fitness programs were created exclusively by Aaptiv for Audible. To the best of my knowledge, none of the other audiobook subscription services offer anything like this to their users. There are several guides available for different levels, ranging from beginner to intermediate. All fitness plans include the guidance of a certified Aaptiv trainer.
The guides are divided into two sections: Wellness and Fitness. Let's take a look at each one of them and see what they have to offer and is it worth even trying it.
Wellness:
Consists of 7 different guides: 21 Days of Guided Meditation, Everyday Meditation (20 days), and Sleep Better (7 days). All are suitable for all levels.
Fitness:
Consists of six different guides for two different levels.
For Beginners: Walk to Run One Mile (20 workouts), Introduction to Indoor Cycling (12 workouts), 5K Training (20 workouts), Quick Workouts for Busy People.
For Intermediate: Road Warrior Workouts (15 workouts), Beat Gym Boredom (16 workouts).
Fo now these audio-guided programs are available to all Audible users at no cost.
health and wellness on Audible
The Great Courses: (Updating Soon)
In conclusion to my Audible review: The only way to find out whether Audible is going to work for you is to give it a try. So if you think you could benefit from this service, sign up for a free 30-day trial and decide for yourself whether Audible is truly the best audiobook service on the market and is it worth it.
Best Audible Alternative For Audiobooks
I believe that Audible is a great platform that has many advantages that other companies don't have. However, there are several other excellent audiobook subscription services out there. I've tried many of them and still can't decide which one is the best. For example, if you enjoy listening to podcasts, then Audiobooks.com might be the right fit for you (visit my review of Audiobooks.com a good alternative to Audible here at top audiobook sites). If you want to get unlimited access to audiobooks plus be able to read as many digital books a month as you want at a very low price, then you might like Scribd. I talked about my Scribd review . And if you are looking for a completely free option than read Librivox Review
Originally syndicated from source: https://sites.google.com/site/videoblocksreview/best-audiobook-service/audible-review
Best 5 Audiobook Services for 2020 - Free & Paid Apps IMHO Reviews
Audiobooks are one of the easiest ways to cultivate a consistent reading habit. Don't get me wrong, I love reading a physical book, but between work and family, I often struggle to find time for that. And that is why I often choose audiobooks. You can literally listen to audiobooks anywhere, be it on your commute, on a vacation, or even in the shower. Audiobooks give you the opportunity to fully and productively manage every second of your day.
Listening to audiobooks is simple, all you need is a subscription to an audiobook platform that will give you access to the best audiobooks out there. There are a lot of audiobook services available today and each one has its own pros and cons, which makes choosing the best one a time-consuming and difficult task. I hope that this review of the best audiobook services in 2020 will help you make this choice easier.
1. Audible
2. Scribd
3. Audiobooks.com
4. Playster.com
5. Librivox
1. Audible
Audible is, undoubtedly, the largest and most popular audiobook service as of 2020. Its library contains over 200,000 different book titles in every thinkable category. The service is a subsidiary of Amazon which explains its sheer size. When it comes to audiobooks, Audible offers you a lot of options and features. You can either buy, stream, or rent audiobooks. Plus, you have the option to download your preferred audiobooks so that you can listen to them offline.
Things I love about Audible:
- Audible comes with a free 30-day trial to help you get started. The free trial comes with two audiobooks and two Audible Originals.
- You get two Audible Originals every month as a bonus.
- Every member gets 30% off all audiobooks.
- All Audible books are yours to keep even if you decide to cancel your membership.
- Audible has a live sync feature that tracks progress. That means that the next time you resume listening to your book, you would just have to press "Play" and resume listening from where you left off.
- You can return and exchange any audiobook if you didn't like.
Things I don't like about Audible:
- The basic subscription plan costs $14,95 a month and includes only one audiobook, which is not enough for some people.
Read: Audible Review Is It Worth it? Promo Code Or Free trial HERE
2. Scribd
Scribd is another excellent audiobook platform. It may not be as popular as Audible but it certainly gives Audible a run for its money. When Scribd was first launched, its initial focus was on e-books. However, today Scribd users get unlimited access not only to thousands of e-books, but also to audiobooks, magazines, and sheet music. You can use Scribd on your browser or download an app and use it on your mobile device. Scribd gives its users an option to download audiobooks for offline listening and streaming when on the go.
Things I love about Scribd:
- Scribd offers a free 30-day trial (Read the full Scribd review and my experience with it here) which gives you premium access to all audiobooks, e-books, magazines, and sheet music from their library.
- Scribd monthly cost is just $8,99. And yes, for that price you get unlimited access to all audiobooks, e-books, magazines, and sheet music.
- Possible to download books and listen to them offline.
- A "sleep timer" feature that lets you a set time when the audiobook should stop playing.
- Scribd allows its users to use the service on multiple devices.
Things I don't like about Scribd:
- You don't get to keep any audiobooks or e-books if you cancel your subscription.
Read our colections of Best 6 Audiobooks of All Time To listen on the Commute.
3. Audiobooks.com
Another one of my favorite audiobook subscription services is Audiobooks.com. It was launched back in 2011. The platform is similar to Audible in many ways, but I believe that it has its own advantages and unique features. The service can be used through a web browser or mobile app on a number of devices. Audiobooks.com has a very extensive library, almost as big as Audible.
Things I love about Audiobooks.com:
- Just like Audible and Scribd, Audiobooks.com comes with a free 30-day trial. If you decide to sign up for a trial, you will get one free audiobook plus one audiobook from their VIP section as a bonus.
- You get one audiobook from the Audiobooks.com curated VIP section every month at no extra cost.
- Audiobooks.com gives its members access to a podcast section that features over 70,000 podcasts.
- You get to keep all the audiobooks you purchased even if you cancel your subscription.
- Every audiobook comes with a 3-minute preview that you can listen to before you purchase it.
Things I don't like about Audiobooks.com:
- Their basic subscription plan is $14.95 a month and it gives you access to just one book (plus one book from the VIP section, as mentioned above).
My Audiobooks.com review and my opinion: Is Audiobooks.com worth it?
4. Playster.com
Playster is a great platform for streaming audiobooks and other media like games, movies, and TV shows. It is often referred to as the "Netflix for Everything". If you are looking for a platform that will give you unlimited access to all the media at a very low price, then Playster might be perfect for you. Their unlimited plans are truly unlimited. Playster has an amazing collection of over 100,000 audiobooks and once you pay the $14,95/month subscription fee, you can stream or download any audiobook of your choice.
Things I love about Playster:
-The Playster free 30-day trial gives you unlimited access to Playster library and allows you to enjoy all e-books, music, movies, TV shows, and games, plus listen to extended audiobook excerpts (each one usually lasts several hours).
- You can use save all of your favorite music, e-books, audiobooks, TV shows, and movies to your mobile device, and stream them anytime even when you are offline.
- For just $34,95 a month you can purchase the Playster Unlimited Standard plan that includes unlimited access to audiobooks, e-books, music, TV shows, movies, games, etc.
- Playster is always ad-free.
- Possible to customize playback speed.
Things I don't like about Playster:
- To get unlimited access to all of the newest titles on the day of the release, you need to have a subscription to a Premium plan which costs $29.95 per month.
- If you decide to cancel your membership, you won't be able to keep any of the titles you downloaded.
5. Librivox
Last, but not least, I want to talk about LibriVox, a great audiobook streaming and download platform that comes with hundreds of audiobooks across many categories including fiction, non-fiction, educational, and motivational. LibriVox is the only service on this list that will let you listen to an amazing collection of books without forking out a single cent. All audiobooks on LibriVox are in the public domain. These books are read by volunteers which makes them completely free. You can listen to LibriVox audiobooks on your computer, iPod, or mobile devices. If you fancy classics, then LibriVox should be one of your primary destinations. LibriVox also gives you the opportunity to volunteer through reading public domain books so other people can listen. A great way to give back.
Things I love about LibriVox:
- LibriVox audiobooks are free for anyone to listen to.
- Each audiobook has a summary and comes with a sample reading.
- Features many classic books.
Things I don't like about LibriVox:
- Compared to other audiobook services, LibriVox has a much smaller collection of audiobooks in its library.
- Audiobooks are not professionally recorded, and the quality is often quite low.
Read Full LibriVox review HERE
To conclude this IMHO Review of the 5 best audiobook services, I want to say that there are many other good platforms including AudiobooksNow, Kobo, Librophile, Simplyaudiobooks. It can be quite challenging to choose among the best audiobook services since each one has its own unique features. The good news is that pretty much every platform comes with a free 30-day trial and you don't have to spend any money before you find the one that suits your needs the best.
Originally syndicated from source:
https://sites.google.com/site/videoblocksreview/best-audiobook-service
Listening to audiobooks is simple, all you need is a subscription to an audiobook platform that will give you access to the best audiobooks out there. There are a lot of audiobook services available today and each one has its own pros and cons, which makes choosing the best one a time-consuming and difficult task. I hope that this review of the best audiobook services in 2020 will help you make this choice easier.
1. Audible
2. Scribd
3. Audiobooks.com
4. Playster.com
5. Librivox
1. Audible
Audible is, undoubtedly, the largest and most popular audiobook service as of 2020. Its library contains over 200,000 different book titles in every thinkable category. The service is a subsidiary of Amazon which explains its sheer size. When it comes to audiobooks, Audible offers you a lot of options and features. You can either buy, stream, or rent audiobooks. Plus, you have the option to download your preferred audiobooks so that you can listen to them offline.
Things I love about Audible:
- Audible comes with a free 30-day trial to help you get started. The free trial comes with two audiobooks and two Audible Originals.
- You get two Audible Originals every month as a bonus.
- Every member gets 30% off all audiobooks.
- All Audible books are yours to keep even if you decide to cancel your membership.
- Audible has a live sync feature that tracks progress. That means that the next time you resume listening to your book, you would just have to press "Play" and resume listening from where you left off.
- You can return and exchange any audiobook if you didn't like.
Things I don't like about Audible:
- The basic subscription plan costs $14,95 a month and includes only one audiobook, which is not enough for some people.
Read: Audible Review Is It Worth it? Promo Code Or Free trial HERE
2. Scribd
Scribd is another excellent audiobook platform. It may not be as popular as Audible but it certainly gives Audible a run for its money. When Scribd was first launched, its initial focus was on e-books. However, today Scribd users get unlimited access not only to thousands of e-books, but also to audiobooks, magazines, and sheet music. You can use Scribd on your browser or download an app and use it on your mobile device. Scribd gives its users an option to download audiobooks for offline listening and streaming when on the go.
Things I love about Scribd:
- Scribd offers a free 30-day trial (Read the full Scribd review and my experience with it here) which gives you premium access to all audiobooks, e-books, magazines, and sheet music from their library.
- Scribd monthly cost is just $8,99. And yes, for that price you get unlimited access to all audiobooks, e-books, magazines, and sheet music.
- Possible to download books and listen to them offline.
- A "sleep timer" feature that lets you a set time when the audiobook should stop playing.
- Scribd allows its users to use the service on multiple devices.
Things I don't like about Scribd:
- You don't get to keep any audiobooks or e-books if you cancel your subscription.
Read our colections of Best 6 Audiobooks of All Time To listen on the Commute.
3. Audiobooks.com
Another one of my favorite audiobook subscription services is Audiobooks.com. It was launched back in 2011. The platform is similar to Audible in many ways, but I believe that it has its own advantages and unique features. The service can be used through a web browser or mobile app on a number of devices. Audiobooks.com has a very extensive library, almost as big as Audible.
Things I love about Audiobooks.com:
- Just like Audible and Scribd, Audiobooks.com comes with a free 30-day trial. If you decide to sign up for a trial, you will get one free audiobook plus one audiobook from their VIP section as a bonus.
- You get one audiobook from the Audiobooks.com curated VIP section every month at no extra cost.
- Audiobooks.com gives its members access to a podcast section that features over 70,000 podcasts.
- You get to keep all the audiobooks you purchased even if you cancel your subscription.
- Every audiobook comes with a 3-minute preview that you can listen to before you purchase it.
Things I don't like about Audiobooks.com:
- Their basic subscription plan is $14.95 a month and it gives you access to just one book (plus one book from the VIP section, as mentioned above).
My Audiobooks.com review and my opinion: Is Audiobooks.com worth it?
4. Playster.com
Playster is a great platform for streaming audiobooks and other media like games, movies, and TV shows. It is often referred to as the "Netflix for Everything". If you are looking for a platform that will give you unlimited access to all the media at a very low price, then Playster might be perfect for you. Their unlimited plans are truly unlimited. Playster has an amazing collection of over 100,000 audiobooks and once you pay the $14,95/month subscription fee, you can stream or download any audiobook of your choice.
Things I love about Playster:
-The Playster free 30-day trial gives you unlimited access to Playster library and allows you to enjoy all e-books, music, movies, TV shows, and games, plus listen to extended audiobook excerpts (each one usually lasts several hours).
- You can use save all of your favorite music, e-books, audiobooks, TV shows, and movies to your mobile device, and stream them anytime even when you are offline.
- For just $34,95 a month you can purchase the Playster Unlimited Standard plan that includes unlimited access to audiobooks, e-books, music, TV shows, movies, games, etc.
- Playster is always ad-free.
- Possible to customize playback speed.
Things I don't like about Playster:
- To get unlimited access to all of the newest titles on the day of the release, you need to have a subscription to a Premium plan which costs $29.95 per month.
- If you decide to cancel your membership, you won't be able to keep any of the titles you downloaded.
5. Librivox
Last, but not least, I want to talk about LibriVox, a great audiobook streaming and download platform that comes with hundreds of audiobooks across many categories including fiction, non-fiction, educational, and motivational. LibriVox is the only service on this list that will let you listen to an amazing collection of books without forking out a single cent. All audiobooks on LibriVox are in the public domain. These books are read by volunteers which makes them completely free. You can listen to LibriVox audiobooks on your computer, iPod, or mobile devices. If you fancy classics, then LibriVox should be one of your primary destinations. LibriVox also gives you the opportunity to volunteer through reading public domain books so other people can listen. A great way to give back.
Things I love about LibriVox:
- LibriVox audiobooks are free for anyone to listen to.
- Each audiobook has a summary and comes with a sample reading.
- Features many classic books.
Things I don't like about LibriVox:
- Compared to other audiobook services, LibriVox has a much smaller collection of audiobooks in its library.
- Audiobooks are not professionally recorded, and the quality is often quite low.
Read Full LibriVox review HERE
To conclude this IMHO Review of the 5 best audiobook services, I want to say that there are many other good platforms including AudiobooksNow, Kobo, Librophile, Simplyaudiobooks. It can be quite challenging to choose among the best audiobook services since each one has its own unique features. The good news is that pretty much every platform comes with a free 30-day trial and you don't have to spend any money before you find the one that suits your needs the best.
Originally syndicated from source:
https://sites.google.com/site/videoblocksreview/best-audiobook-service
IMHO Reviews Best Way To Use It Coupon & Promo Codes
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All of our reviews are written by people who have actually used a certain service for quite some time and didn't just try it for 10 seconds and gave up. We always list the pros and cons and share our own experience. We try our best to describe all the features of the app or platform, talk about the best ways to use it and who it might be useful for, and when possible, include free trials and promo codes so that you can try it out at no cost and get the best deal.
If you would like us to review any online service you are interested in or you have a review of your own to share, feel free to contact us.
Syndicated from original source:
https://sites.google.com/site/videoblocksreview/imho-reviews
