Khan Academy is ideal for free, accessible learning and foundational knowledge, while Coursera is better suited for those seeking accredited certifications, degrees, and career-focused specializations, albeit at a cost.
| Attribute | Khan Academy | Coursera |
|---|---|---|
| Course Variety and Depth | Covers math, science, economics, history, arts, humanities, and computer programming. Offers content from basic arithmetic to college-level material. The platform provides over 3,400 video lessons. | Offers a wide range of courses, Specializations, Professional Certificates, MasterTrack Certificates, and online degrees in various subjects. |
| Pricing and Subscription Models | Provides free educational resources. All core educational resources like video lessons, personalized learning dashboards, and practical exercises are available at no cost. | Individual courses: Free (without certificate), Guided Projects: from $9.99, Specializations/Professional Certificates: from $49/month, MasterTrack Certificates: from $2,000, Online Degrees: $9,000 - $50,000+, Coursera Plus: $59/month or $399/year |
| Accreditation and Certification | Not an accredited school, and its courses do not count towards a diploma or degree. It cannot issue certificates or degrees. The only certificates available are for teacher training and motivational templates. | Partners with accredited universities and organizations. Degrees are accredited because they are awarded directly by authorized institutions. |
| User Interface and Experience | Designed to be intuitive for learners of all ages. It has a personalized dashboard where students can see their chosen subjects, recommended learning paths, and earned badges. Some users have found the website cluttered, with unclear navigation. | Accessible website and mobile applications, striving to conform to WCAG 2.2 Level AA. |
| Instructor Quality and Expertise | Resources are curated by subject matter experts. | Courses are created and taught by experts from university faculties. |
| Learning Paths and Specializations | Offers personalized learning pathways tailored to each student's needs. The platform adapts to each student's pace, recommending content based on their strengths and areas for growth. | Offers Career Learning Paths and Specializations to help achieve specific career goals. |
| Community Support and Interaction | Aims to foster collaboration, engagement, and support among learners. It has online forums and help centers for customer support. | Discussion forums available for course-related issues. |
| Mobile Accessibility | Supported on mobile web and has mobile apps for both iOS and Android devices. The mobile app is available for download in the Apple App Store for iOS (supports iOS 15 and above) and in the Google Play Store for Android (supports Android 9.0 and above). | Mobile app includes offline access and enhanced text-to-speech; compatible with iOS (16.0+) and Android (8.0+). |
| Assessment and Feedback Mechanisms | Uses interactive exercises that provide instant feedback. It employs quizzes, unit tests, and course challenges to evaluate learning. | Uses quizzes, projects, and peer reviews to evaluate learning. |
| Data Analytics and Progress Tracking | Provides detailed analytics and progress reports. Educators can identify concepts needing reinforcement and students who may benefit from additional challenges. Students can track their progress, earning badges and unlocking new levels as they master skills. | Provides detailed dashboards and reports to track skill progress. |
| Integration with Other Tools | Collaborates with educational institutions and professionals to co-create content. | Integrates with over 30 popular LMS and LXP providers; offers APIs for secure data exchange. |
| Content Freshness and Updates | Continuously working to improve and expand its content. They regularly add new concepts, which may affect mastery percentages. | Regularly updates its platform and content. |