Skillshare vs Udemy: price and which to choose
Quick verdict
Skillshare is one subscription for short creative classes, each with a project; Udemy is professional skills, sold as single courses you keep or as the Personal Plan. Neither refunds its subscription generously in the US: Skillshare only within 48 hours after a 7-day trial, Udemy not at all — but Udemy single courses can be refunded within 30 days.
Option A
$167.88/yrAnnual membership
Official price before tax: $167.88
Price checked
Skillshare price and plans
Option B
We compare plans with a similar purpose, whose features may differ; prices before sales tax; prices for other plans and periods are in the reviews.
Feature comparison
| Criterion | Skillshare | Udemy |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Creative skills | Professional skills |
| Single purchases | Not listed | Yes, lifetime access |
| Trial | Free trial | Promotions only |
| Subscription refund (US) | 48 h after a 7-day trial | Not offered |
| Practice | Class projects | Coding exercises, practice tests |
Both are “learn anything” platforms with instructor-made classes. Skillshare leans creative; Udemy leans technical and career-focused.
If you don’t want to read further
Illustration, design, photography and writing — Skillshare. Tech, business and certification prep, or one course to keep — Udemy.
What really sets them apart
In each row, the last sentence matters most — what the difference means for you.
Focus?
Skillshare
Creative skills — illustration, design, photography, writing.
Udemy
Professional topics, plus some personal development.
Pick by subject.
Buy single classes?
Skillshare
Subscription only (plus gift memberships in the US).
Udemy
Yes — single courses with lifetime access.
To own a course, Udemy.
Trial?
Skillshare
A free trial with payment details.
Udemy
Only in promotions.
Easier to try — Skillshare.
Refunds?
Skillshare
Within 48 hours after a 7-day trial, if unused; none on renewals.
Udemy
Personal Plan not refunded in the US; eligible single courses within 30 days.
Both subscriptions are effectively final — cancel before renewal.
How you practice?
Skillshare
A project in every class, shared in the Project Gallery.
Udemy
AI coding exercises and practice tests.
Creative projects vs technical drills.
Teams?
Skillshare
Skillshare for Teams through an organization.
Udemy
Team Plan for 2–50, Enterprise from 20.
Both have team options.
Where they don’t differ, even though it seems they should
This part is often more useful than the list of differences — it saves money for anyone who was about to pay for an imaginary advantage.
Mobile apps
Both have iOS and Android apps.
Team plans
Skillshare for Teams and Udemy Team Plan.
App billing through stores
App purchases are handled by Apple and Google on both.
Which one fits whom
| Your situation | What to choose | On what condition |
|---|---|---|
| You want creative hobbies | Skillshare | Projects in every class. |
| You want tech or business skills | Udemy Personal Plan | Certification prep. |
| You want one course forever | Udemy single course | 30-day refund. |
| You want to give a gift | Skillshare gift membership | US only. |
| You want to gift learning | Skillshare | Gift memberships of 3, 6 or 12 months, sold from the US. |
- Skillshare doesn’t refund renewals; annual members get a reminder about 30 days ahead.
- Udemy’s Personal Plan isn’t refunded in the US.
- Skillshare offline viewing is app-only.
- Udemy trials appear only in promotions.
- Skillshare’s trial needs payment details – note the end date.
Where the facts come from
Sources: the Skillshare Help Center, and udemy.com with the Udemy Help Center. Prices are in the price blocks on each service’s page.
Facts in the text checked: .
FAQ: Skillshare or Udemy
Other comparisons
The same products against other competitors, and other comparisons in the “Online courses” category.
Where their scores differ
Only criteria we’ve checked for both services and where the scores differ. Equal criteria and criteria without data aren’t shown here, because they add nothing to the decision.
If what matters most is — free way to try it: Skillshare
Skillshare: limited free version available (5,0/5) · Udemy: no free trial (1,0/5)
If what matters most is — sharing with family: Skillshare
Skillshare: business plans only, priced per seat (3,0/5) · Udemy: sharing isn’t allowed (1,0/5)
If what matters most is — app rating: Skillshare
Skillshare: 4,8 out of 5 (4,8/5) · Udemy: 4,7 out of 5 (4,7/5)
The scores and their weights are the same as in the reviews of both services. How we calculate
Comparison text updated: