After more than a decade, Skillshare has become one of the most popular learning platforms online. But, when you want to find the right place to learn new skills and gain knowledge, you need to read our Skillshare review. We break down the pros and cons, look closer at the courses offered, and even answer some of the most frequently asked questions.
Skillshare Review: The Pros & Cons
While most of what you will find from Skillshare is positive, it’s not perfect. Let’s look at the pros and cons associated with this learning platform.
Pros
- Plenty of variety when it comes to content topics
- New content added regularly
- Communities of like-minded learners found on the platform
- Very user-friendly
- A mobile app is available
- Affordable price
Cons
- There’s no guarantee that the instructors will participate in the community
- Not all teachers are great
- The ads are rather annoying if you don’t choose a paid option
Skillshare offers many great benefits, including the low cost. If you’re looking for a place to learn, this might be the right option for you.
About Skillshare
Skillshare offers a digital platform for those looking to learn. You can learn from real-world entrepreneurs, professionals, experts, and creators. There are many different subjects you can enjoy learning about, including:
- Writing
- Business
- Photo & Film
- Animation
- Design
- Illustration
- Lifestyle
- And more!
Whether you want to learn how to take better pictures or write better blog posts, Skillshare offers courses to help you. Thousands of courses are available for you to choose from. Some of the most popular course options include:
- Instagram-Worthy Photography: Shoot, Edit & Share with Brandon Woelfel
- Style Your Space: Creative Tips and Techniques for Interior Design with Emily Henderson
- Writing The Truth: How to Start Writing Your Memoir with Mary Karr
- Animation for Illustration: Adding Movement with Procreate & Photoshop with Libby VanderPloeg
- Plants at Home: Uplift Your Spirit & Your Space with Christopher Griffin
So many other great courses are available through Skillshare, as well.
A Review of the Costs for Skillshare
You can use Skillshare for free. There is also a premium level to consider.
With the free version, you gain access to some of the courses, but not the entire library of 35,000+. In addition, you won’t need anything other than an email address and an internet connection to sign up.
Gaining full, ad-free access to all the courses requires a premium membership. You will also be able to learn offline, which can be helpful when traveling. Start with a free seven-day trial of the premium version. If you decide to continue, the cost is $99 for a full year or $15 per month.
Team plans are also available for companies looking to give their workers access. A team plan starts at $139 per user, up to 20 users per year. If you need a package with more than 20 users, you must contact Skillshare for pricing.
Compared to other learning platforms, Skillshare is rather inexpensive. Some, like Coursera, will charge per course, while others with a membership plan may cost $180 per year. There are cheaper options, but they don’t have many courses or offer the same quality Skillshare provides.
Skillshare Courses Reviewed
Finding the right course is pretty easy. After you find the course you want, it’s very easy to work through the videos. They are broken up into shorter videos called chapters. You can replay parts of the course you need to learn more about, as well.
The dashboard is simple to use and offers saved lists, other courses from your favorite teachers, and more. It’s a great place to get inspired and keep a list of the next courses you want to enjoy.
Along with the regular courses, you can also complete a workshop. Workshops allow you to complete a set of classes during a specific timeframe. These workshops will help you learn new skills in a more structured learning environment.
While they are a bit harder to find, you can also do live sessions on Skillshare. These include a live teacher and a set time.
Some of the Top Benefits for Skillshare Users
New Content Added Often
If you love to learn, you’ll never feel like there isn’t a course for you. Skillshare adds new content every week. So you can sharpen your skills or learn a new hobby.
Very User-Friendly
Skillshare offers a user-friendly experience. You will need only about five minutes to set up an account and start browsing for your first course. The search feature is easy to use, and the categories offer popular courses to choose from.
If you prefer to use the mobile app, it’s very easy to use, too. You can learn on your schedule and keep track of courses you want to take later, too.
The Communities
With multiple groups found on Skillshare, you can connect with others interested in the same things you live. This can help you learn better and feel like you’re a part of something larger.
Difference Between Skillshare and Skillshare Premium
When you sign up for Skillshare, you can free or get the premium package. They even offer a free trial for the premium package.
Premium will give you unlimited access to all courses offered, along with no annoying ads. This is a big deal as many free customers find the ads annoying.
You will also gain support and feedback during live projects and offline access. In addition, the premium will allow you to download the classes to learn where and when you prefer.
You will also get discounts occasionally on other services and resources with the premium package. Overall, the biggest difference between free and premium is the access you gain. The free version gives you a chance to check things out, but most students will likely want to upgrade to gain access to everything.
Frequently Asked Questions About Skillshare
What are classes on Skillshare like?
When you take a course on Skillshare, you will work at your own pace. Every course is a bit different. Some will give you a few 10-minute videos, while others offer 20 two-minute videos. It depends on the course.
Some classes will have assignments for you to complete. Other courses will offer no assignments and just the how-to steps you need. It depends on the course.
With some courses, you can get feedback from the teachers and answer your questions. Others won’t provide this, and the teacher hasn’t logged in for some time.
The classes are split into Skillshare Originals and those created by individuals. If individuals create a class, they are making some money from it. Skillshare produced skillshare Originals.
You will find some courses on Skillshare from semi-celebrities or partners, such as Eataly or Mailchimp. With Skillshare Originals, you will likely get several eight-to-ten-minute videos. Most of the top individually-created courses use a similar structure, as well.
Who should use Skillshare?
Skillshare is for those looking to learn a new skill or hobby. However, you can also find plenty of value from Skillshare if you want to become better at something you already know how to do. It’s great for beginners, intermediate, and advanced students.
Most of the learners using Skillshare are freelancers or those wanting to become freelancers.
If you’re looking to get certified, Skillshare is not the place for you. They don’t offer longer, detailed courses or anything with an official certification.
Is there a refund policy from Skillshare?
Yes, if you purchase an annual membership, you can cancel within seven days for a full refund. Unfortunately, they do not offer a refund on the monthly membership. However, you can cancel your membership at any time.
Is Skillshare easy to use?
Yes, many customer reviews of Skillshare have stated the platform is very easy to use. The sign-up process is simple, and you can even use Facebook or Google accounts to sign up quickly. Everything about using Skillshare is simple, and nothing is intimidating.
Can I become a teacher on Skillshare?
Yes, you can become a teacher and earn money on Skillshare. You will get paid through royalty payments based on how many minutes your videos have been watched. Teachers also get paid through premium member referrals at $10 per student.
Is Skillshare better than the alternatives?
Many alternatives, such as Udemy, Coursera, Masterclass, and others. Skillshare can be better than others, depending on what you’re using it for.
If you need to earn a certification for a job, Skillshare isn’t the right choice. However, if you’re trying to learn something new, it might be the right option for you. In addition, the cost is affordable since it’s a membership-based platform.
Other options charge per class, which is helpful if you only need to take one or two classes. However, it can also get very expensive if you take many classes.
It’s best to consider what you need training for and which platform is best for that type of training. Skillshare is better than the competition in many ways, but it’s not the only option, and it’s not the best for all learners.
If you’re ready to start learning with Skillshare, you can take the premium membership for a test drive. Start with a free trial and decide after you see what’s included.
With over 2 million courses sold across industries, Jordan Fabel knows what makes an online course truly excellent. His background spans course creation, instructional design, and educational technology. At Approved Course, he's committed to providing honest, in-depth course analysis so you can invest your time and money wisely in your learning journey.
