How we rank: Online Courses
The Score (0–100) is a weighted sum of the factors below. Each factor is the weighted average of its metrics; each metric is calculated from one published fact. Missing facts score zero, and a service is ranked only when enough of its Score is backed by facts.
A service is ranked only when at least 70% of its Score is backed by verified facts.
Catalog 25%
How many courses the catalog has according to the platform itself (logarithmic, full marks from 20,000) and whether there are courses created by partner universities or companies.
| Metric | Rule |
|---|---|
| Courses in the catalog (as stated by the platform) | Logarithmic, full score at 20,000 |
| Courses from universities and companies | Yes = 100, No = 0 |
Certificates 20%
Whether the platform issues a certificate of completion. Degrees and university credit are shown on the profile but not counted in the Score: most platforms do not offer degrees and are not expected to.
| Metric | Rule |
|---|---|
| Certificate of completion | Yes = 100, No = 0 |
Price 25%
Whether you can learn for free (free courses, free course audit or a trial) and the cheapest paid plan per month with monthly billing, in US dollars, as shown by the platform itself: $0 scores 100, $60 or more scores 0. We do not convert prices from other currencies.
| Metric | Rule |
|---|---|
| Free courses, audit or trial | Yes = 100, No = 0 |
| Cheapest paid plan per month (monthly billing) | Linear from 0 (100) to 60 (0) — lower is better |
Refunds 10%
How many days after purchase you can get your money back under the published refund policy (the longest window for the main purchase, a subscription or a course): 0 days scores 0, 30 days or more scores 100. If the terms say payments are non-refundable, the value is 0.
| Metric | Rule |
|---|---|
| Refund window | Linear from 0 (0) to 30 (100) |
User ratings 10%
Average App Store (US) rating of the app from Apple's official API: 3 stars or lower scores 0, 5 stars scores 100; a rating with few reviews weighs less (logarithmic, full weight from 1 million ratings).
| Metric | Rule |
|---|---|
| App Store rating | 3★ = 0, 5★ = 100, damped below 1,000,000 ratings |
Transparency 10%
Company age (15+ years earns full marks) and whether the website explains who creates the courses and how the platform selects instructors or reviews courses.
| Metric | Rule |
|---|---|
| Year founded | Full score at 15+ years |
| Instructor selection or course review described | Yes = 100, No = 0 |