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If you’ve ever scrolled through a list of online courses and wondered which platform everyone else is using, you’re not alone. In 2025, the question isn’t just about which platform has the most courses-it’s about which one actually has the most people learning on it. The answer isn’t a surprise to those who’ve watched the shift from traditional classrooms to digital spaces over the last decade. But it’s not what most people guess.
Coursera leads in global enrollment
Coursera is the most used learning platform in the world right now, with over 135 million registered learners as of late 2025. That’s more than the population of Japan. It’s not just popular because it has big-name universities like Stanford and Yale on its platform. It’s because it’s built for real people doing real things: working parents fitting in study time between school runs, nurses upgrading certifications, and retirees learning Python for fun. The platform doesn’t just offer degrees-it offers certificates you can actually put on LinkedIn, and many are recognized by employers in over 190 countries.
What sets Coursera apart isn’t the number of courses-it’s how it integrates with workplaces. Companies like Amazon, IBM, and Deloitte partner with Coursera to train their employees. In fact, over 1,200 organizations now use Coursera for Business to upskill teams. That means if you’re learning on Coursera, you’re not just studying alone-you’re part of a global workforce development system.
Udemy has more courses, but fewer active learners
Udemy often shows up in search results as the top platform because it has over 215,000 courses. That’s more than any other platform. But having more courses doesn’t mean more people are using it. Udemy’s learner count hovers around 65 million, less than half of Coursera’s. Why? Because Udemy is a marketplace. Anyone can upload a course. Some are excellent. Others are poorly made, outdated, or just clickbait.
People sign up for Udemy because it’s cheap-courses often drop to $10 during sales. But the lack of structure makes it harder to build a learning path. You might buy ten courses on web development and still not know where to start. Coursera, by contrast, offers guided Specializations and Professional Certificates that take weeks or months to complete, with deadlines, peer reviews, and graded assignments. That structure keeps people engaged.
Khan Academy is the quiet giant
If you’re thinking of free learning, Khan Academy is the most trusted name. It’s nonprofit, ad-free, and used by over 120 million students worldwide. But here’s the catch: most of those users are under 18. It’s the go-to platform for middle and high school students in the U.S., India, Brazil, and South Africa. Teachers assign Khan Academy videos for homework. Parents use it to help with math homework. It’s not a platform for professionals looking to switch careers-it’s for foundational learning.
Khan Academy doesn’t offer certificates. It doesn’t partner with companies. It doesn’t charge anything. And that’s exactly why it’s so widely used. It fills a gap no other platform can: free, reliable, curriculum-aligned education for kids. In 2025, it still powers the first step in millions of learning journeys.
edX and Google Classroom serve different crowds
edX started as a Harvard-MIT project and still carries that academic weight. It offers university-level courses and even full online degrees from institutions like MIT and Berkeley. But its user base is smaller-around 45 million. That’s because edX targets learners who want formal credentials, not just skills. If you’re aiming for a master’s degree online, edX is a strong option. But if you’re trying to learn Excel for your job, it’s overkill.
Google Classroom is a different beast entirely. It’s not a learning platform in the traditional sense-it’s a classroom management tool. Over 150 million educators and students use it daily, mostly in K-12 schools. But it doesn’t host courses. It’s a hub where teachers post assignments, share videos from YouTube, and grade work. You won’t find a Python course on Google Classroom unless your teacher uploaded one. It’s the infrastructure behind learning, not the content itself.
Why Coursera wins in real usage
So why does Coursera have more active learners than Udemy, Khan Academy, and edX combined? Three reasons: accessibility, credibility, and continuity.
First, it’s accessible. Coursera offers free audits of most courses. You can learn everything without paying. If you want a certificate, you pay once-no subscriptions. That’s a big deal in countries where monthly fees are a barrier.
Second, it’s credible. When you finish a Coursera certificate, employers know what you’ve done. The platform partners with accredited institutions and industry leaders. A Google IT Certificate on your resume means something. A Udemy course? Maybe. But Coursera’s name carries weight.
Third, it’s continuous. Coursera doesn’t just give you a video and say goodbye. It gives you a path. You start with a course, then move to a Specialization, then a Professional Certificate, then a Master’s degree. That progression keeps people coming back. Udemy gives you a tool. Coursera gives you a journey.
Who uses each platform?
Here’s who you’re likely to find on each platform in 2025:
- Coursera: Working adults, career changers, corporate employees, degree seekers, global learners in developing countries
- Udemy: Hobbyists, people looking for quick skill boosts, budget-conscious learners, those who prefer self-paced, no-pressure learning
- Khan Academy: K-12 students, parents helping with homework, teachers using it for flipped classrooms
- edX: University students, professionals pursuing accredited degrees, researchers
- Google Classroom: Teachers, middle and high school students, school districts using digital tools
If you’re trying to figure out where to start, ask yourself: Are you learning for fun? For a job? For a degree? For your child? The platform you pick should match your goal-not just the one with the most ads.
What’s changing in 2025?
Platforms are shifting. Coursera is adding more AI-powered learning paths. Udemy is rolling out skill assessments to prove you’ve learned something. Khan Academy is expanding into adult literacy and financial education. edX is partnering with governments to offer free national certification programs.
But the biggest change? People are no longer choosing platforms based on branding. They’re choosing based on outcomes. Which one gets me a job? Which one helps my kid pass math? Which one lets me learn without going into debt?
Coursera still leads because it answers those questions best. But the real winner isn’t any single platform-it’s the learner who picks the right tool for the right reason.
Is Coursera really the most used learning platform?
Yes, as of late 2025, Coursera has over 135 million registered learners worldwide, making it the largest by active user count. While Udemy has more courses and Khan Academy is widely used by students, Coursera leads in total enrollment across all age groups and regions, especially among working adults and corporate learners.
Why not Udemy if it has more courses?
Udemy has over 215,000 courses, but quality varies widely since anyone can upload. It’s great for quick, low-cost skill updates, but lacks structure. Coursera offers guided learning paths, verified certificates, and employer recognition-making it more effective for career-focused learners.
Is Khan Academy only for kids?
Most of Khan Academy’s 120 million users are under 18, and its content is designed for K-12 curriculum. While adults can use it for basic math, reading, or science refreshers, it doesn’t offer professional certifications or advanced career training. It’s best for foundational learning, not career transitions.
Can I get a degree on Coursera?
Yes. Coursera offers full online bachelor’s and master’s degrees from accredited universities like the University of Illinois and the University of London. These are real degrees-you graduate with the same diploma as on-campus students. They’re more affordable than traditional programs and designed for working adults.
Which platform is best for free learning?
Khan Academy is completely free with no ads or paywalls. Coursera lets you audit most courses for free-you can watch all videos and read materials without paying. You only pay if you want a certificate. Both are excellent for free learning, but Khan Academy is better for school-level topics, while Coursera offers more professional and technical content.
Should I use Google Classroom for personal learning?
No. Google Classroom is a tool for teachers to manage assignments and communicate with students in schools. It doesn’t host courses or provide learning content on its own. You’ll only find materials if your teacher uploads them. It’s not designed for independent learners.
What should you do next?
If you’re just starting out, try auditing a free Coursera course on something you’re curious about-like data analysis or digital marketing. See how the structure feels. If you’re helping a child, set up a Khan Academy account and track progress together. If you’re looking for a quick skill, browse Udemy’s top-rated courses under $15.
Don’t chase the biggest platform. Chase the one that fits your life. The most used platform isn’t always the best one for you. But if you want the most proven path to a new job or promotion, Coursera is still the place where millions have already taken the first step.
