Coursera vs edX: which is better? Comparison 2026
By our public methodology Coursera scores 74 out of 100 and edX scores 71. Below: the factors and facts where they differ, each fact with its source.
Score breakdown
| Coursera | edX | |
|---|---|---|
| Catalog | 95 | 91 |
| Certificates | 100 | 100 |
| Price | 26 | 25 |
| Refunds | 47 | 47 |
| User ratings | 88 | 78 |
| Transparency | 97 | 97 |
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
edX
- Issues a certificate of completion
- Large course catalog
- Offers courses from partner universities or companies
- You can learn for free
Facts side by side
| Fact | Coursera | edX |
|---|---|---|
| Courses in the catalog (as stated by the platform) | 10,000 coursera.org | 5,300 edx.org |
| Courses from universities and companies | Yes coursera.org | Yes edx.org |
| Certificate of completion | Yes coursera.org | Yes edx.org |
| University degrees or academic credit | Yes coursera.org | Yes edx.org |
| Free courses, audit or trial | Yes coursera.org | Yes edx.org |
| Cheapest paid plan per month (monthly billing) | $59.00 coursera.org | Not verified |
| Refund window | 14 days coursera.org | 14 days edx.org |
| App Store rating | 4.8★ itunes.apple.com | 4.8★ itunes.apple.com |
| App Store ratings | 177,568 itunes.apple.com | 10,784 itunes.apple.com |
| Year founded | 2012 coursera.org | 2012 edx.org |
| Instructor selection or course review described | Yes coursera.org | Yes edx.org |
| Company country | United States coursera.org | United States edx.org |
| Company | Coursera Inc. coursera.org | 2U, LLC edx.org |