47 reviews
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Skillshare
Used by 417 members
First month free
Save up to $46 on Skillshare
Save BIG on
Skillshare
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For roughly 8 months I have used Skillshare; my overall use of Skillshare has been really mixed. As a positive note, I thought all of the design classes were very functional. Last Spring, I did an illustration with Procreate class, and the class showed me how to create a complete digital portrait from start to finish. The instructors' real time demonstrations helped me finally understand the complex layering techniques, and I was able to immediately apply those techniques to a freelance project I had started.
However, as far as the quality goes, there is a huge difference between categories. When I tried to take their business strategy courses, I felt they were mostly surface level compared to what I would consider to be at least a paid platforms offering. A content marketing class I tried to do last month, basically used generic information that I could have easily found on a blog post. The instructor barely went past the basics of the theory.
Skillshare's subscription model is good when you are active in the learning process. For $15 per month (the cost for the subscription), it is fair when I am doing 2-3 classes at one time. However, when I have busy work periods, and I go weeks without logging in to Skillshare, I definitely feel like I am losing money. Unfortunately, Skillshare does not offer a way to put a hold on your membership, which is another frustration I have.
In general, Skillshare is great for developing creative skills such as photography, illustration, and video editing; however, it falls short when it comes to developing professionally. If you are selective of the classes you choose and plan to spend the time to learn, then Skillshare can be a good choice.
Vast Creative Library
Access to over 40,000 classes spanning design, photography, business, technology, and creative arts taught by industry professionals and practitioners
Affordable Learning
Unlimited access to all courses with a single subscription that costs significantly less than traditional online courses or workshops
Learn at Your Own Pace
Self-paced classes with short video lessons that fit into any schedule, allowing you to pause, rewatch, and learn whenever it's convenient
Hands-On Projects
Every class includes practical projects that let you apply new skills immediately and build a portfolio of work to showcase your abilities
Ad-Free Experience
Enjoy uninterrupted learning with no advertisements, plus the ability to download classes for offline viewing on mobile devices
Limited Free Access
Skillshare's free trial is restricted to a short period, and most valuable content requires a premium subscription, making it difficult for users to fully evaluate the platform before committing financially
Inconsistent Course Quality
Since anyone can become an instructor, course quality varies significantly, with some classes lacking professional production value, clear structure, or in-depth expertise
No Accredited Certifications
Skillshare does not offer recognized certificates or accreditations that hold weight in professional settings, limiting its value for career advancement or formal education requirements
Overwhelming Content Volume
With thousands of classes available, users often struggle to find high-quality courses relevant to their needs, and the search functionality can be imprecise
Auto-Renewal Subscription Model
The platform automatically renews subscriptions, and some users report difficulties canceling memberships or receiving unexpected charges, leading to frustration with billing practices
Learn anything, anytime, anywhere.
First month free
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Starting Price
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Mobile learning
Flexible learning
Expert instructors
Workshops and live sessions
Community feedback
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Free Plan
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Mobile learning
Flexible learning
Expert instructors
Workshops and live sessions
Community feedback
Learn anything, anytime, anywhere.
First month free
Save up to $46
Skillshare and Udemy are two leading platforms in the online learning space, offering a vast array of courses across various subjects. However, the key difference between them lies in their approach to course offerings, target audience, and pricing model, which significantly influence the user experience and the type of learning they facilitate.
Skillshare is tailored primarily for creative professionals and hobbyists looking to enhance their skills in areas such as design, photography, illustration, and more. The platform operates on a subscription model, allowing users to access its entire library of courses for a monthly or annual fee. This model encourages users to explore a wide range of topics without the pressure of purchasing individual courses. Skillshare emphasizes project-based learning, where students can engage in hands-on projects and share their work with the community for feedback. This focus on creativity and community interaction makes Skillshare particularly...
Skillshare
Used by 417 members
Learn anything, anytime, anywhere.
First month free
Save up to $46
creative professionals
Skillshare provides unlimited access to thousands of classes taught by industry experts, helping designers, illustrators, and artists expand their skill sets and stay competitive in the creative market
freelancers and solopreneurs
the platform offers practical courses on business skills, marketing, and productivity that enable independent workers to grow their ventures while learning at their own pace and budget
career switchers
Skillshare delivers affordable, project-based learning paths that allow professionals to acquire new in-demand skills and transition into different industries without the cost of traditional education
hobbyists and lifelong learners
the service caters to curious minds seeking personal enrichment through diverse classes ranging from photography to cooking, fostering continuous growth outside professional obligations
remote teams and small businesses
Skillshare for Teams provides collaborative learning experiences that help organizations upskill employees cost-effectively while building a culture of continuous development and innovation
Learn anything, anytime, anywhere.
First month free
Save up to $46
Skillshare rating
Twanda Waters
Project-Based Creative Learning
I use Skillshare mainly for design and video editing classes, and the project-based format keeps me from just watching passively. I like that most lessons are broken into short videos, so I can finish a section during a lunch break and come back later without losing the thread
July 6, 2026
Mrs. Santo Zieme
Concise Pacing with Easy Lesson Replays
One thing Skillshare gets right is pacing. A lot of the classes are concise without feeling rushed, and I like being able to bookmark lessons and revisit specific sections when I forget a technique. It is especially helpful for software tutorials where I only need one part refreshed
June 27, 2026
Mr. Michaela Stracke
Best for Creative and Small Business Skills
For me, Skillshare is strongest for creative and small business topics rather than deep technical training, and that is fine because that is exactly what I use it for. The platform makes it easy to jump between branding, content strategy, and productivity classes without feeling scattered
June 23, 2026
Cathy O'Connell
Surprisingly Useful for Freelance Work
I came in through Joinsecret with that initial month included, and I expected to cancel after browsing, but I kept finding classes that were directly useful for freelance work. The UI is simple, progress tracking is reliable, and I like that many instructors share templates, worksheets, or source files
June 15, 2026
Lula Strosin
Learn by Making with Interactive Briefs
Skillshare works well if you are self-directed and want to learn by making something right away. I took a typography class that included a clear project brief, reference links, and feedback from other students, which made it feel more interactive than just watching a video series
June 8, 2026
Amb. Kelly Mertz
Creative Tools That Cut Trial and Error
I mostly use Skillshare for creative tools like Procreate, Lightroom, and Canva, and it has saved me a lot of trial and error. The better instructors explain not just what button to click, but why they are making a certain choice, which makes the lessons easier to apply to real client work
May 30, 2026
Corey Little
Practical Classes with Reusable Resources
What I appreciate most about Skillshare is how practical the classes feel. I took a Notion workflow course and a branding class back to back, and both had downloadable resources I actually reused at work. The search could be a bit tighter, but once you find a good teacher, the recommendations get much better
May 23, 2026
Weston Rath
Low-Pressure Joinsecret Trial for Longer Courses
I grabbed the first month free via Joinsecret almost by accident, and it was handy for trying a couple of longer courses without feeling rushed, especially the ones with multi-step assignments
May 18, 2026
Mauro Stiedemann
Staying Organized with My Classes
Their search isn’t perfect, but following a few instructors and using “My Classes” as a queue helps keep things organized when you’re juggling multiple topics
May 9, 2026
Ashanti Runte
When Community Critique Actually Helps
The community feedback on projects is hit or miss, but when you post something specific you want critique on, you often get practical pointers instead of vague encouragement
May 3, 2026
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