Coursera vs Alison: which is better? Comparison 2026
By our public methodology Coursera scores 74 out of 100 and Alison scores 59. Below: the factors and facts where they differ, each fact with its source.
Score breakdown
| Coursera | Alison | |
|---|---|---|
| Catalog | 95 | 59 |
| Certificates | 100 | 100 |
| Price | 26 | 25 |
| Refunds | 47 | 0 |
| User ratings | 88 | 80 |
| Transparency | 97 | 100 |
Pros and cons
Coursera
- Issues a certificate of completion
- Large course catalog
- Offers courses from partner universities or companies
- You can learn for free
- Expensive paid access
Alison
- Issues a certificate of completion
- Large course catalog
- You can learn for free
- The platform explains who creates courses and how they are selected
- Non-refundable or a short refund window
Facts side by side
| Fact | Coursera | Alison |
|---|---|---|
| Courses in the catalog (as stated by the platform) | 10,000 coursera.org | 6,000 alison.com |
| Courses from universities and companies | Yes coursera.org | Not verified |
| Certificate of completion | Yes coursera.org | Yes alison.com |
| University degrees or academic credit | Yes coursera.org | Not verified |
| Free courses, audit or trial | Yes coursera.org | Yes alison.com |
| Cheapest paid plan per month (monthly billing) | $59.00 coursera.org | Not verified |
| Refund window | 14 days coursera.org | 0 days alison.com |
| App Store rating | 4.8★ itunes.apple.com | 4.8★ itunes.apple.com |
| App Store ratings | 177,568 itunes.apple.com | 12,348 itunes.apple.com |
| Year founded | 2012 coursera.org | 2007 alison.com |
| Instructor selection or course review described | Yes coursera.org | Yes alison.com |
| Company country | United States coursera.org | Ireland alison.com |
| Company | Coursera Inc. coursera.org | Capernaum Limited alison.com |