Skillshare Review 2024: Is SkillShare Worth The Cost? (2024)

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Skillshare is an online learning platform that offers a plethora of quality classes taught by industry experts, covering design, business, the creative arts, and more!

But is Skillshare worth the investment? Can you learn high-paying skills?

In this Skillshare review, I’ll dive into the features and benefits of the Skillshare platform and tell you whether I think Skillshare is worth the cost.

Key Takeaways

• In my eyes, yes, SkillShare is worth the money. I’ve taken so many courses that work for our blogging business, YouTube channel, and more.
• With over 30,000 Skillshare classes, courses, and workshops, there’s something for everyone with topics such as art and design, business, programming, and more.
• Easy to use online education platform that allows you to watch lessons, create projects, and collaborate with other learners.
• Opportunities to earn money through teaching courses on the platform or referring new members.
• SkillShare classes also can be live classes with real-time instructor feedback for an interactive learning experience, unlike some other learning platforms.
• You can connect and collaborate with like-minded people through the platform’s growing online learning community of creatives and innovators.

Skillshare Review

What Is Skillshare?

If you’re not familiar with Skillshare, it offers a wide range of classes on topics like business, design, technology, finance, and more.

One of the great things about Skillshare is that you can take classes at your own leisure, so you can fit online learning into your schedule however it works best for you.

Whether you’re looking to pick up a new skill for your job or just want to learn something for fun, Skillshare has a class for you.

You can choose from thousands of quality classes taught by industry experts, and the platform offers everything from short tutorials to in-depth projects.

Plus, with a Skillshare subscription, you get unlimited access to all of the classes on the platform, so you can keep learning and growing without breaking the bank.

Who Uses Skillshare?

If you’re wondering who uses Skillshare, the answer is just about anyone!

One of the great things about Skillshare is that it’s so diverse. You’ll find people from all walks of life taking classes on the platform, from artists and entrepreneurs to educators and technologists.

The platform is popular with people of all ages and skill levels, and it all comes down to people looking to learn new things and improve their skills.

Whether you’re a student looking to explore a new career path, a professional looking to stay up-to-date in your field, or just someone who loves learning for its own sake, Skillshare has something for you.

Course Structures

Overall, the structure of a Skillshare course depends on the specific course and Skillshare instructor.

Most SkillShare classes are self-paced and flexible, allowing you to work through the material at your own pace and in a way that best fits your learning style.

Skillshare courses are typically structured into lessons or modules, each covering a specific topic or aspect of the course material.

A typical Skillshare class also includes quizzes or assignments to help you test your understanding of the material and apply what you have learned.

Some courses may also include additional resources, such as video lessons or supplementary materials, to help you learn the material more effectively.

Community discussions or other means of communication with the instructor or other Skillshare members can sometimes be included, which can be a great way to get feedback, ask questions, and engage with the material.

Membership Details

Skillshare Pricing

So, how much does Skillshare cost?

As of September 2021, the price for a SkillShare account is $165 per year, which is $13.75 per month (but not a monthly subscription, you pay yearly).

There’s no SkillShare premium membership option from what I could find, only an annual membership plan.

I actually had trouble finding the cost of their membership on their website, which can be frustrating for new users to check out.

At first glance, it seemed like you could pay for a SkillShare premium membership.

But upon closer look, I realized the pricing is a bit more confusing, and you may be able to get a monthly subscription.

The website says the membership price may differ per region, and that’s why some review articles have per year or per month with different pricing.

Free Trial

If you’re curious about the new pricing for Skillshare members, you can start here to get a one-month free trial.

To sign up, you’ll provide all the usual details and create an account.

However, it will ask for credit card information so that once your month is up, you can be charged the membership cost.

Refunds

Also, we want to point out that the checkout screen mentions certain exceptions where refunds may be available, but we’re not sure exactly what these exceptions are.

The terms and conditions state, “No refunds are offered for membership fees or any other fees collected by the Service.”

But we found this post on the Skillshare site that says you can request a refund within 14 days of the charge being processed.

Cancellation

One thing to keep in mind if you want a Skillshare account is that you can only cancel at the end of the yearly billing period.

You must cancel within 14 days of your annual charge to get that refund.

If you no longer want the membership, you’ll have to wait until the end of the year to cancel and stop being charged.

It’s worth considering this commitment before signing up, especially if you’re not sure you’ll use the membership for the entire year.

Rate Increases

Another thing to be aware of is that Skillshare’s membership rates can go up during the year before your subscription is set to renew.

This means that even if you sign up at a specific price, the Skillshare cost could increase when it automatically renews.

On the plus side, Skillshare’s annual membership offers unlimited access to courses and classes, whereas some individual online courses can cost $500+ and come with limited access.

Skillshare Instructors

As a Skillshare user, you can take advantage of the wide variety of classes offered by talented and diverse Skillshare teachers- including experienced and celebrity instructors!

But did you know that anyone can become an instructor on Skillshare?

That’s right! The Skillshare teaching platform is open to anyone with a skill or talent they want to share with the world.

If you’re interested in becoming one of the Skillshare teachers, you need a passion for teaching and the ability to create engaging video lessons. You also need to be 16 years of age or older.

Skillshare offers the tools and resources you need for creating classes, whether you’re an expert in your field or have a hobby you want to share.

Learning Paths

Skillshare’s Learning Paths are a great way to dive into a subject you’re passionate about. Think of them as a roadmap for your learning journey.

Whether you’re looking to learn a new skill for your career or just for fun, these curated collections of courses and projects and Skillshare originals offer a structured and flexible way to make real progress.

Each path suggests classes and courses tailored to help you achieve a specific objective, such as mastering new software or developing a creative skill.

Another great feature of Learning Paths is that they’re flexible and self-paced. You can take as much time as you need to complete each course and move at your own pace through the path.

This is perfect for busy professionals or anyone with a hectic schedule who can’t commit to a traditional, structured learning program.

SkillShare Teams

SkillShare offers Teams as a business membership, where your employer can pay for multiple users to access SkillShare courses.

The membership costs lowers to $159 per year with Teams, and it’s a great way to get coworkers all on the same page with skillsets.

They promote it as a way for teams to get individual recommendations for curated classes to learn in-demand skills for their field.

Student Community

Skillshare users could join groups and connect with other students, but it looks like this feature has been discontinued.

However, SkillShare creates a similar community feel with the Student Projects section.

In Student Projects, learners can share their work and receive feedback and critiques from other learners and instructors.

Student Projects is a great way to get feedback from other students and see how your work compares to that of your peers.

While Student Projects is a valuable feature, it does tend to focus more on creative and artistic projects. This may be less relevant for learners interested in more technical or business-oriented skills.

However, the Student Projects section is still valuable for those seeking feedback on their work and connecting with other learners.

Extra Perks

As a Skillshare member, you have access to a host of perks and benefits that can help you make the most of your learning journey.

From exclusive discounts to free trials of popular software, there are plenty of ways to save money and enhance your learning experience.

As a Skillshare member, you’ll also have access to exclusive discounts on popular software and resources.

For example, you can save 20% on annual subscriptions to design tools like Adobe Creative Cloud.

How To Use Skillshare

Whether you’re using the website or the Skillshare mobile app, there are key steps to follow to get the most out of your learning journey.

First, you’ll need to create a Skillshare account. Creating your account is quick and easy, and you can use your email address or sign up with Google or Apple Skillshare app.

Once you have an account, you can browse the platform’s library of courses and start learning.

One of the great things about Skillshare is that you can access the platform on any device, including your phone or tablet.

Just download the Skillshare app from the App Store or Google Play, and you’ll have access to all the courses and resources wherever you go.

Popular Industries For Courses

One of the great things about Skillshare is its diverse course catalog, which covers a wide range of subjects and industries, from UX design to Business analytics.

But which industries are the most popular on Skillshare? Let’s take a closer look:

Freelance Writing

Freelance writing is a great way to make a living doing what you love – writing.

Whether you’re interested in creative writing, journalism, or content marketing, there are plenty of opportunities for writers in today’s digital world.

But how do you get started? That’s where Skillshare comes in. The platform offers a range ofcourses on freelance writing taught by experienced writers and industry professionals.

These writing classes cover various topics, including finding clients, pitching ideas, and creative writing for different audiences.

You’ll learn the skills and strategies you need to succeed as a freelance writer.

SEO Marketing

SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is improving the ranking of a website or web page on search engines like Google.

It’s a crucial element of any online marketing strategy, as it helps ensure your content is visible to your target audience.

Skillshare offers a range ofcourses on SEO marketingtaught by industry experts and practitioners.

These courses cover a range of topics, including keyword research, on-page optimization, and link building.

You’ll learn the skills and strategies you need to improve your website’s ranking on search engines and drive more traffic to your site.

Graphic Design

Graphic design is about creating visual content that communicates a message or idea.

Whether you’re interested in print design, web design, or branding, there are plenty of opportunities for graphic designers in today’s digital world.

Skillshare offers a range of courses on graphic design taught by experienced designers and industry professionals. These courses cover topics including typography, color theory, and layout.

You’ll learn the creative skills and techniques you need to succeed as a graphic designer.

In addition to traditional video classes, there are Skillshare workshops and projects, so you can get hands-on experience and apply what you’ve learned.

Photography

Skillshare offers a wide range of photography classes taught by experienced photography professionals.

These classes cover portrait photography, landscape photography, street photography, and more- there are many ways to earn money with your photos!

Whether you are a beginner looking to learn the basics of photography or an experienced photographer looking to improve your skills, there is a class on Skillshare for you.

In these classes, students can expect to learn about camera operation, lighting techniques, composition, and more.

Illustration

Are you an artist looking to improve your illustration skills? Look no further than Skillshare!

This online platform offers a wide range of illustration classes taught by teachers experienced in illustration.

Whether you are a beginner just starting or an experienced artist looking to learn new techniques, there is a class on Skillshare for you.

In these classes, students can expect to learn about illustration techniques and styles and how to use different software programs like Adobe Illustrator.

Many classes also include hands-on exercises and assignments to help students practice what they have learned.

Skillshare Competitors

Skillshare isn’t the only online learning platform available.

Other online learning platforms offer quality classes, unique features, free trials, and more that make them worth considering.

From traditional classroom-style courses to self-paced learning tools and subscription-based programs, there’s something out on these online learning platforms for everyone!

So check out my list of other online learning platforms to find the best online courses for you!

LinkedIn Learning

Recently, we decided to look at LinkedIn Learning to see how their prices compared to Skillshare pricing.

LinkedIn Learning offers two pricing plans – you can either pay a monthly fee of $39.99 or pay annually for $19.99 a month.

The annual plan is a slightly better value, as you’re paying less per month than the monthly subscription.

LinkedIn Learning also offers a 30-day free trial before you’re charged. This is a great way to try out the service and see if it’s a good fit for you before committing to a paid membership.

Udemy

Udemyis a popular eLearning platform that competes with Skillshare as an online learning marketplace. It offers many courses taught by knowledgeable professionals on various topics.

With its vast library and low prices, many students opt for Udemy over Skillshare.

Udemy courses typically cost less than Skillshare, although there are premium courses available that may be more expensive.

Udemy courses typically run anywhere from $14.99 up, and you pay individually, or you can pay a monthly fee of $26.99 for unlimited access.

The sheer number of courses offered on Udemy makes it great for those looking to learn something new or improve an existing skill.

Most courses feature video classes, homework assignments, and quizzes to engage the student throughout the learning process further.

Overall, both platforms offer valuable educational resources for anyone looking to acquire different skills or develop existing ones.

It depends on your goals and which approach you prefer – the focus on creativity or affordability – when choosing between them!

Coursera

Courserais a major competitor of Skillshare regarding online learning resources.

It offers a wide range of free and paid classes taught by renowned professors from top universities around the world.

Unlike Skillshare, Coursera focuses on academic learning and certifications rather than creativity or community engagement.

Coursera charges $9.99 for Guided Projects and $39.99 for Specializations and Professional Certificates.

Depending on your goals and budget, you can choose between the academic learning available on Coursera or the creative focus offered by Skillshare.

MasterClass

MasterClassoffers expert classes taught by renowned professionals and celebrities from various industries, such as acting, music, business, and technology.

Unlike Skillshare, which focuses on creativity and community engagement, MasterClass courses emphasize high-quality educational content from inspiring instructors.

MasterClass courses typically cost more than Skillshare courses but offer discounts for those signing up with more than one device.

In terms of pricing, MasterClass charges an annual fee that gives users access to all the courses offered by the platform.

FAQs

Why should I pick Skillshare for online courses?

So I’ve said a lot about SkillShare and shared some information on other learning platforms. Why pick SkillShare over them?

Overall, Skillshare is an excellent choice for online classes and courses, with a wide selection of subjects, affordable pricing, high-quality instructors, and an interactive learning experience.

SkillShare users have many benefits with the platform:

• Wide selection of courses: With over 35,000 courses in various subjects, you’re sure to find something that interests you on Skillshare.
• High-quality instructors: Most classes on Skillshare are taught by experts in their field, plus some celebrity instructors, so you can be confident that you’re getting top-notch instruction.
• Interactive learning experience: Skillshare classes are designed to be interactive and engaging, with exercises, quizzes, and projects to help you practice and apply your learning.

Is SkillShare worth the cost?

Yes, I think SkillShare is worth the membership costs.

SkillShare costs $165 per year- it may seem like a lot, but it’s really less than $14 per month when you break it down.

And you get access to over 35,000 SkillShare courses with experienced instructors and detailed lessons.

You can watch them at your leisure and learn dozens of new skills that could help you in your current career, a new career, or even start a business.

What sorts of online courses are offered?

Whether you’re looking to gain skills, advance your career, or just pick up a hobby, you’ll find something that interests you on Skillshare.

Some of the types of courses you’ll find on the platform include:

• Creative courses:These courses cover subjects like art, design, photography, and video. You can learn how to take better photos, create digital artwork, or even start your own business as a creative professional.
• Business courses:If you’re looking to start or grow a business, Skillshare has a variety of courses to help you get there. You can learn about marketing, finance, entrepreneurship, and more.
• Technology courses:If you want to improve your technical skills, Skillshare has you covered with courses on programming, data science, web development, and more.
• Lifestyle courses:Skillshare also offers courses on various lifestyle topics to help you learn new skills, such as cooking, wellness, and personal development.

Can I get credits or certificates for Skillshare courses?

Skillshare is an interactive online learning platform, but don’t expect any certifications or credits after taking every class.

Skillshare isn’t recognized as an official educational institution and most lessons can’t provide you with a certificate or credits for college after completing your course.

When I searched in SkillShare, 2 lessons came up for certificates for SEO and social media marketing.

If you want certifications, you can check out other learning platforms like Coursera, Udacity, and more.

However, even with certificates, you can add information about your new skills to your job resume or CV and include that you learned/subscribed to SkillShare.

It can demonstrate you’ve taken time and spent money to learn skills, and some employers will appreciate that information.

Are there free courses on SkillShare I can take?

Unfortunately,as of September 15, 2021, Skillshare no longer offers free courses.

Before you get too disappointed, though, let me explain the reasoning behind this change from free courses and classes.

According to Skillshare, they decided to build a more predictable royalty pool for their teachers and provide a more streamlined experience for their students.

While it’s a bummer that there aren’t any more free classes, it’s important to note that Skillshare still offers a seven-day trial for students.

It gives you a chance to test out the platform and see if it’s the right fit for you before committing to a paid membership.

How can I access Skillshare?

It’s super easy to access the Skillshare online learning platform. All you have to do is head to the Skillshare website and sign up for an account.

You’ll have the option to start with the SkillShare free trial, which gives you full access to all of Skillshare’s classes and features for a week.

Remember that you’ll need to provide your credit card information during the sign-up process.

Don’t worry; if you don’t want to continue with a paid membership after the trial period ends, you can easily cancel your SkillShare subscription through your account settings.

Once you’ve signed up and created your account, you can start to explore and enroll in as many classes as you’d like to get the most out of online learning.

And the best part? You can access Skillshare on your desktop or through their convenient mobile app, available on the App Store and Google Play Store.

Final Thoughts

We hope our Skillshare Review helped you better understand the platform and what it offers.

Skillshare is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to learn new skills, expand their knowledge, or start a business from scratch.

With the seven-day free trial, you can test the platform and see if Skillshare works before committing to a paid membership.

There is no doubt that this platform can provide you with the knowledge needed to take your career or hobby to the next level with its practical skills-building approach!

So don’t wait any longer and start your online learning journey today with a Skillshare membership!