Skillshare Review 2024: Is It Worth It?

Hey everyone, welcome to my in-depth Skillshare review for 2024!

With online learning platforms gaining serious traction, I’m here to give you an assessment of what Skillshare brings to the table.

In this comprehensive and honest Skillshare review, we’ll cover all the essential info — from the platform’s purpose and content types to key features, benefits, pricing, and structure.

By the end, you’ll have a crystal-clear picture of whether Skillshare aligns with your learning needs and goals.

No more guesswork or buyer’s remorse!

I’m excited to dive into the nuts and bolts with you.

So, let’s get cracking and uncover what makes Skillshare tick in 2024.

Skillshare Features & Benefits

• Unlimited access to 30000+ great courses to learn more with less commitment.
• Interactive content specifically designed for online learning.
• Ability to level up your career potential by acquiring valuable practical skills sought after in the job market.
• Accessible on any device — PC, laptop, smartphone, or tablet — plus, you can keep track of where you left off no matter which device is used.
• Community-based learning allows you to get support from and interact with other students enrolled.

What is Skillshare?

So, what exactly is this Skillshare thing all about?

In a nutshell, Skillshare is an online learning community where you can access a bunch of video classes on all sorts of topics.

Skillshare has been around since 2010, founded by a couple of guys named Michael Karnjanaprakorn and Malcolm Ong.

Their whole deal is teaching through projects — so you’re actually applying what you’re learning as you go along, rather than just passively watching videos.

What I find pretty cool is the sheer range of subjects they cover.

At the moment of writing this article, all courses on the platform fall into 3 distinct categories: Create, Build, and Thrive. 

Create:

• Animation
• Creative Writing
• Film & Video
• Fine Art
• Graphic Design
• Illustration
• Music
• Photography
• UI & UX Design

Build: 

• Freelance & Entrepreneurship
• Marketing

Thrive:

• Lifestyle
• Productivity

I mean, you can dive into anything from UX design and creative writing to business analytics, Photoshop, web development… the list goes on.

It’s a pretty diverse mix.

Price-wise, Skillshare seems to be one of the more affordable e-learning options out there, from what I can tell.

But that doesn’t mean they skimp on quality.

From my experience, the classes are pretty top-notch if you’re looking to improve your existing skills or pick up some new ones.

Oh, and one thing I appreciate is that Skillshare makes it easy to connect with other students who are taking the same classes as you.

So, if you ever need a little help or want to collaborate, you’ve got a built-in support system right there.

But hey, that’s just my take on it.

If you’re curious to learn more, I’d say poke around their site a bit and see if anything catches your eye.

Never hurts to explore your options, right?

Who Can Benefit from Skillshare?

With over 30,000 courses covering just about every topic imaginable, I’ve found that Skillshare really does have something for everyone.

But I’d say some groups can particularly benefit from tapping into the depth and variety this platform offers:

If you’re a creative professional like a graphic designer, photographer, illustrator, writer, animator, or anything else in the artistic realm, then Skillshare is an absolute must.

The wealth of creative courses taught by industry pros is insane.

I’m talking top-notch training on tools, techniques, business/marketing for your services — anything you need to level up your creative skills and career.

For all my fellow entrepreneurs, freelancers, and side-hustlers out there, get ready to drink from the fire hose!

Skillshare’s professional and business sections are a goldmine.

You can take courses on launching businesses, marketing strategies, productivity, work-life balance, you name it.

Thinking about growing your ventures from scratch or taking them to new heights?

With Skillshare, you can do that too.

Now, if you’re just a perpetually curious person who loves learning for the sake of learning, then let me tell you — Skillshare is a playground for your insatiable mind.

The massive topic variety lets you hop around between completely different subjects any time the itch strikes.

One week photography, the next week gardening?

You do you!

Skillshare platform for students and job seekers

Skillshare can be a pretty handy tool when it comes to getting ahead in your field of study.

By enrolling in online courses that relate to your major, you can pick up some practical skills and knowledge that might just give your job prospects a boost after graduation.

Employers tend to dig that kind of proactive learning and real-world savvy.

But it’s not only about making yourself more attractive to hiring managers.

Skillshare can also help you keep pace with (or even outpace) your peers during the whole job hunt process.

The platform has courses covering the most up-to-date, in-demand skills that plenty of companies are on the lookout for.

Having those current competencies in your toolkit can help you stand out from the crowd.

Oh, and let’s not overlook the benefits of hands-on experience.

A lot of Skillshare classes include projects and opportunities to collaborate with instructors who really know their stuff in your field.

When you apply what you’re learning to actual, real-life scenarios, it can speed up your growth and potential in a big way.

If you’re aiming to graduate feeling prepared and self-assured to dive into your career, it might be worth taking a peek at what Skillshare has to offer.

Investing in your education and professional development is usually a solid move, and this platform could be one way to support yourself on that path.

Boosting your existing career with Skillshare

Let’s be honest — Skillshare won’t give you any fancy accredited diplomas.

If that’s your top priority, look elsewhere.

But for self-employed hustlers and creative team players who just need practical, hands-on skills?

Skillshare is the real deal.

Instead of chasing paper credentials, this platform zeros in on giving you highly applicable knowledge through engaging, project-based courses taught by legit pros in their fields.

It’s all about building skills you can put to work immediately.

Now, if official certification is non-negotiable for your career, check out something like Coursera instead.

But if you’re like me and countless others who just want to constantly level up your professional game through learning by doing?

Skillshare has your back, minus the red tape.

It’s skills on skills on skills!

Who Won’t Find Skillshare Suitable

Skillshare is a pretty solid platform if you’re looking to quickly pick up some new skills or knowledge.

They’ve got a huge variety of classes taught by thousands of different instructors, so you’re bound to find something that piques your interest.

But here’s the thing — Skillshare might not be the best fit for everyone or every situation.

Like, if you’re hoping to learn from big-name experts in your field, you might be a bit disappointed.

Don’t expect to see the likes of Gordon Ramsay or Bob Iger dropping knowledge on there.

That’s not to say Skillshare doesn’t have any notable teachers, but they’re not the platform’s main draw.

Another thing to consider is the length of the classes.

If you’re in the market for more in-depth, longer-form learning, Skillshare might not be your cup of tea.

Most of their classes clock in at around 30 minutes each.

So, if you’re after something more comprehensive and featuring big names, you might want to check out platforms like MasterClass.

And as I already mentioned, Skillshare doesn’t offer any sort of accreditation or official certificates for completing their courses.

But that doesn’t mean they can’t help you build a strong foundation of skills to crush it at your job.

At the end of the day, whether Skillshare is right for you really depends on what you’re looking for and what works best for your learning style.

Some folks thrive on quick, bite-sized lessons, while others prefer to dive deep and take their time.

Neither approach is inherently better — it’s all about what floats your boat.

What Can You Learn on Skillshare (Skillshare Classes)?

When it comes to the types of classes you can find on Skillshare, the variety is pretty impressive.

They’ve got courses covering all sorts of topics, from business and entrepreneurship to creative design, technology, and coding.

But it’s not just about professional skills.

Skillshare also offers classes on lifestyle topics like cooking or health and wellness.

So in case you’re looking to level up your career or pick up a new hobby, there’s likely something that’ll catch your eye.

Some of the most popular courses I’ve come across on Skillshare include things like learning how to draw digitally using Procreate or hardcoding your own WordPress website for a blog or small business.

Photography basics are another hot topic, with classes covering composition and lighting techniques.

And if you’re into social media, you can find plenty of courses offering marketing tips and tricks.

For the more tech-savvy folks, Skillshare has tutorials on video editing software, programming languages like HTML/CSS and JavaScript, and graphic design using tools like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator.

There are even courses on financial literacy, covering essential topics like budgeting and investing strategies.

One thing I’ve noticed is that Skillshare classes fall into two main categories: Skillshare Originals, which are produced exclusively by the platform, and courses created by third-party instructors.

When browsing through the class options, Skillshare makes it pretty easy to find what you’re looking for.

They organize courses according to popular topics, and they even have tabs for “Featured,” “Popular,” and “Trending” classes.

These are usually the courses with the highest ratings or the most student engagement, based on what Skillshare’s platform tracks.

So, in case you’re looking to deepen your knowledge in a particular area, Skillshare likely has a class (or several) that can help you out.

It’s just a matter of exploring what’s available and finding the courses that align with your goals and interests.

How are Skillshare classes structured?

So, I’ve been poking around the platform, and I’ve gotta say, I’m pretty impressed with how they’ve set things up.

First off, the video lessons are really well organized.

When you’re on the web browser version, you’ll see all the lessons laid out right next to the video playback screen.

It makes it super easy to navigate and get a bird’s eye view of what the course covers.

But the real magic happens beneath the video playback.

There are five sections there that are designed to enhance your learning experience:

1. About
2. Reviews
3. Discussion
4. Projects and Resources
5. Transcripts

The About section is great for getting a quick summary of the course, what you can expect to learn, and who it’s best suited for.

It’s a lifesaver when you’re trying to figure out if a course is right for you.

The Reviews section is where you can see feedback from people who have already taken the course.

They share insights on what they liked, what they didn’t, and whether the course met their expectations. It’s like having a bunch of friends who’ve already vetted the course for you!

The Discussion section is all about community. It’s a space where students can interact, ask questions, and get feedback.

Sometimes, even the instructors chime in!

It really fosters a sense of group learning, which I love.

Every course also includes a hands-on project, and the Projects and Resources section is where you’ll find all the details and any extra materials the instructor provides.

The cool part?

You can share your project with the class and get feedback from your peers and the instructor.

Talk about applied learning!

If you’re more of a reader than a watcher, you’ll appreciate the Transcripts section.

It’s got written versions of all the video lessons, so you can follow along or refer back to specific parts easily.

Oh, and get this — Skillshare even has a scheduling feature that lets you plan out your study times.

You can send calendar invites to your favorite app and keep yourself on track.

Nifty, right?

Who Are Skillshare Teachers?

One of the best things about Skillshare is the incredibly diverse range of instructors you’ll find on the platform.

We’re talking thousands of teachers, each bringing their own unique perspective, experience, and teaching style to the table.

On one end of the spectrum, you’ve got heavy hitters — the big names, the industry leaders, the folks who have made a serious impact in their field.

Skillshare has managed to attract a few seriously impressive talents, like Gary Vaynerchuk, Seth Godin, Guy Kawasaki, Jessica Hiche, and Young Guru.

But what’s really cool is that Skillshare isn’t just a platform for the already-established experts, or at least it’s not what creators want it to primarily be.

They also welcome up-and-coming creators, passionate hobbyists, and even those who may not have traditional teaching experience.

The main criteria?

Being really, really good at what you do and having a genuine desire to share that knowledge with others.

This open-door policy means that anyone with skills to share and a drive to teach can become a Skillshare instructor.

You don’t need a fancy degree or a certain number of years in the industry.

What matters is your expertise, your enthusiasm, and your ability to connect with learners.

Now, you might be wondering — doesn’t that lead to some variation in course quality?

It’s a fair question.

But Skillshare has a few ways of ensuring that students can easily find the best of the best.

For one, they have a dedicated curation team that handpicks top-notch courses to feature on the platform.

These “Staff Picks” are like a spotlight on the cream of the crop, helping guide learners towards the most engaging and informative content.

Skillshare also puts a lot of effort into supporting its instructors.

They offer resources, guides, and even a course on how to create an effective Skillshare class.

It’s in their best interest to set their instructors up for success, and they definitely put in the work to make that happen.

So yes, Skillshare’s instructor pool is wide and varied.

But that diversity is what makes the platform so darn exciting.

What Does Skillshare Offer?

Skillshare has a set of built-in features, providing lots of different ways this large platform can help students on their learning journeys.

Here, I’ve shortlisted the most prominent ones:

Skillshare Learning Paths

Skillshare Paths are essentially these awesome step-by-step guides that help you build a specific skill set or achieve a goal.

Basically, they are curated classes for different knowledge levels, so whether you’re a beginner or have some expertise, there’s a path tailored just for you.

And it’s not just videos — there are hands-on exercises, assignments, and quizzes to keep you engaged and reinforce your learning.

The topics cover everything from graphic design and photography to web development and entrepreneurship.

It’s like a one-stop-shop for all the tools you need to succeed in your field.

But the best part?

These Learning Paths are designed for self-paced learning, so you can progress at your own speed, on your own schedule.

No pressure, just a personalized roadmap to help you crush your goals.

So, if you’re looking for a comprehensive way to build in-demand skills, I would definitely recommend you explore Skillshare Learning Paths.

Skillshare Community

Skillshare used to let learners join groups, connect with one another, and exchange questions or ideas through a feature called Skillshare Community.

Unfortunately, as of today, this feature seems to be no longer available.

Instead of that option, the platform now has a Student Projects section where you can upload projects for review and feedback from other Skillshare members (or Skillshare instructors).

Skillshare Student Projects

Skillshare Student Projects help put your newfound skills into practice by creating something based on a given prompt.

I find it to be an awesome way to not only practice what you’ve learned but also showcase your work and get valuable feedback from both your peers and instructors.

It’s also a great opportunity to start building up a portfolio that you can later show off to potential clients or employers.

And with millions of project submissions already in the library, you’ll never run out of inspiration.

No matter what you’re into – drawing, painting, coding, or anything else – you’ll find tons of ideas and tutorials to get your creative juices flowing.

Skillshare Groups

Skillshare Groups is a way for you to connect with other students who are into the same things as you.

I mean, Skillshare has a massive community, right? 

So, these groups help you narrow down the pool and find people who have similar skill sets and interests.

And the range of topics these groups cover is pretty impressive.

You’ve got your broad categories like “Photography” or “Software Development,” but then you also have more niche groups like “Python Programming” or “Outdoor Wedding Photography.”

So, no matter how specific your interests are, chances are there’s a group for you.

I think it’s a great way to find your tribe within the larger Skillshare community.

You can swap ideas, get feedback, and maybe even collaborate on projects.

Plus, it’s just nice to know you’re not alone in your learning journey, isn’t it?

Skillshare Workshops

Skillshare Workshops are intensive programs that last for 4 weeks, and they’re a great way to learn a bunch of new skills in a short amount of time.

Each class is usually between 30 to 60 minutes long, and Skillshare sets the schedule beforehand.

I like that because it ensures that each course follows a logical order, which I think really maximizes your learning potential.

Another cool thing about these workshops is that they have dedicated community managers.

These folks are there to make sure you’re staying on track with your studies, which I find super helpful for staying motivated and engaged throughout the whole process.

I think these workshops are perfect if you want to learn multiple related topics at once.

Like, if you’re into coding or design, understanding a bunch of related skills can be really beneficial.

And these workshops offer a lot of value compared to just taking a single class.

Skillshare Teams

Skillshare for Teams is a great choice for businesses that want their teams to benefit from professional development resources.

This version of the online learning platform provides convenient access to courses and classes covering many topics, all designed with team training in mind.

With Skillshare’s on-demand content, organizations can ensure employees grow their skills easily to excel at what they do.

Skillshare Localized Languages

Skillshare originally catered to English speakers but has now expanded its community to include many more global users.

To accommodate this growth, it offers content in four additional languages: German, Spanish, French, and Portuguese.

It is currently localizing its catalog of classes for each language.

For classes that are presented in English, subtitles will be provided when you visit the Class Details section of the Class Creator.

Skillshare for Teachers

Now, how about teaching your own online class?

With over 8,000+ teachers already part of the Skillshare community, you can get all the help and advice you need to become an online teacher.

Just join Skillshare’s Teachers group to ask questions and gain knowledge from like-minded people or reach out via email at [email protected] for further assistance.

You may also want to check out Skillshare’s blog, which features success stories from their teachers – these could be just what you need for inspiration when it comes to building an audience for your classes and generating passive income!

How Much is Skillshare (Skillshare cost)?

1. Free membership — Limited access to Skillshare courses. You can get one month free when you sign up for the monthly plan (you can cancel before any charges are made).
2. Skillshare Premium Membership — When your trial period expires, the price will be $32 per month, and if you decide to go with the Skillshare annual subscription package, you will be charged $168 each year. It’s about $13.99 per month and is more than two times cheaper than the regular monthly subscription.
3. Skillshare for Teams Package — If you oversee a team of professionals, Skillshare for Teams is a top choice for helping your team get ahead in today’s world. It offers tools and resources that allow your team members to build both hard skills, like coding or business acumen, and soft skills, such as creativity and communication. The price of this membership is $159 for each member of your team, billed on an annual basis.

Skillshare Premium Membership

Skillshare Premium is a membership tailored specifically for perpetual learners.

It costs $167.88 every year, which works out to only $13.99 per month!

When you sign up for your membership, you will be asked to submit your credit/debit card or PayPal information, but don’t worry — no costs will be charged until the free trial period finishes, and you can cancel at any time during this period if Skillshare isn’t for you.

So what comes with a premium membership? A whole lot of goodies, including:

• Access to more than 30k video classes
• Offline access to courses
• Direct entry into the Skillshare community
• Recommendations tailored for you each time you log in
• Skillshare Learning Paths
• and more…

Skillshare for Teams

The pricing of Skillshare for Teams depends on the number of users in your team.

A basic plan with unlimited access to all courses and offline viewing starts at $159 per user per year (for teams with no less than 5 members).

For larger teams, discounts are available.

Skillshare Refund Policy

Skillshare offers refunds on its annual memberships.

If the annual membership isn’t right for you, don’t worry!

You have up to 14 days after the charge was processed to contact the support team and get a full refund.

However, they only allow one refund per customer.

Once you cancel your Skillshare account, it will remain active until its expiry date — if, later on down the line, you decide that courses are back on your agenda, then reactivating is easy peasy!

And, of course, when it ends, all access videos and materials become unavailable, so keep that in mind before signing off!

Exclusive discounts and offers in partnership

Once you enroll in a Skillshare subscription, you will start to benefit from the exclusive offerings available only to its users.

These include savings on Adobe Premiere Pro, Squarespace, Todoist, Freshbooks, and Canva, among other creative services and products.

How to Start Using Skillshare

Accessing Skillshare is quick and easy!

Go to https://www.skillshare.com or download the Skillshare mobile app from App Store or Google Play.

You’ll need an account, but signing up for a 1-month free trial takes only minutes, and you can always sign in with existing credentials if you have them already.

The app’s interface makes it simple to search for courses that meet your interests, plus turning on push notifications allows you to keep track of new classes so that new opportunities will never pass by!

How to Cancel Skillshare Membership

Above, we’ve discussed how to access Skillshare.

But you also might be interested in how to cancel your membership.

If that’s the case, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to cancel your Skillshare subscription:

1. Head to “Payments” from the profile icon in the top right corner of your screen.
2. Then, select “Account Settings” and click “Cancel Membership.”
3. Follow any additional prompts for canceling, and it’s done!

It’s seriously that easy.

There is no haggling with stingy customer service reps, no number you have to call, and no surprise charges on your credit card.

Skillshare Alternatives

Are you curious about what makes Skillshare stand out among other learning platforms?

If so, here are some alternatives offering high-quality online learning experiences.

Skillshare vs. Udemy

These are two of the biggest names in the online learning game, and they both have a ton of courses to choose from.

But even though they might seem similar on the surface, there are some pretty significant differences in how they approach teaching and the overall quality of their courses.

Take Skillshare, for example.

One of the things I really appreciate about them is their focus on variety.

They’ve got over 30,000 classes, and they make sure to maintain high standards across the board.

So, no matter what you’re interested in learning, you can trust that you’re getting top-notch instruction from experienced teachers.

Udemy, on the other hand, is known for having a massive catalog.

I mean, we’re talking over 155,000 courses.

That’s a lot of options!

But here’s the thing — not all of those courses are necessarily taught by certified experts.

Some of them might be led by lesser-known folks, resulting in varying quality of courses.

Another big difference is how you pay for courses.

With Udemy, you buy each course individually (though I need to mention that Udemy has a subscription model; it’s just way less popular).

But Skillshare operates on a subscription model, where you pay a monthly or yearly fee and get access to everything.

So, which one should you choose?

Honestly, it really depends on what you’re looking for.

If you want a well-rounded education with a focus on quality, Skillshare might be the way to go.

But if you’re after specific technical skills and don’t mind doing a bit of digging to find the best courses, Udemy could be a good fit.

At the end of the day, both platforms have a lot to offer.

It’s just a matter of figuring out which one aligns best with your learning goals and preferences.

Skillshare vs. Masterclass

Skillshare and MasterClass.

Both of these platforms have a ton to offer, but there are some key differences that are worth noting.

First off, let’s talk about course selection.

MasterClass is known for their curated collection of around 150 high-quality courses.

These classes are taught by some seriously big names — we’re talking renowned experts and even A-list celebrities.

They’re constantly adding new courses, but it’s a pretty selective process.

Skillshare, on the other hand, has a much wider range of courses.

They dive into some really niche and specialized topics that you might not find elsewhere.

So, if you’re looking for something super specific, like niche photography tricks, Skillshare might be the way to go.

Now, let’s talk money.

Both platforms have pretty competitive pricing.

MasterClass charges $180 per year for their standard plan, while Skillshare comes in at $168 per year.

So not a huge difference there.

But here’s where things get interesting.

When you really look at the quality of the courses, it’s hard to deny that MasterClass is operating on another level.

Their courses have this cinematic, almost Hollywood-level production value.

It’s seriously impressive and adds a lot to the learning experience.

Plus, every single MasterClass course is taught by a legit world-renowned expert in their field.

Skillshare has some big names, too, don’t get me wrong, but not quite to the same extent.

However, if you’re really into the idea of learning from your peers and collaborating with other students, Skillshare might be the better fit.

Skillshare has a much more community-driven approach, which can be really valuable for certain types of learners.

Again, up to you to decide.

Skillshare vs LinkedIn Learning

Now, let’s compare Skillshare and LinkedIn Learning.

Both platforms have a lot to offer, but there are some key differences to consider.

LinkedIn Learning, formerly known as Lynda.com, is a subsidiary of the professional networking giant LinkedIn.

As you might expect, its courses tend to have a more corporate, business-oriented focus.

Think about topics like leadership, project management, and technical skills that are in high demand in the job market.

Skillshare, on the other hand, has a broader range of courses that cater to a wider variety of interests, which are more on the creative side of the spectrum.

Sure, they’ve got plenty of business and tech courses too, but they also have a strong emphasis on creative pursuits like design, photography, and writing.

Another difference is in the teaching style.

LinkedIn Learning courses are typically more structured and formal, with a lot of emphasis on practical, job-related skills.

Skillshare courses, in contrast, often have a more casual, engaging vibe. They’re taught by practicing professionals who are passionate about their craft, and they encourage a lot of interaction and project-based learning.

Of course, we can’t talk about online learning platforms without mentioning price.

LinkedIn Learning operates on a subscription model, with prices starting at $19.99 per month for an annual subscription ($39.99 if you pick a monthly subscription).

Skillshare also uses a subscription model, with prices starting at $168 per year.

So while LinkedIn Learning might be more expensive on a monthly basis, Skillshare could be more cost-effective if you’re planning to take a lot of courses over the course of a year.