By 
Quick answer: Which app is best for online courses with certificates?
- Branded certificates — Coursera or edX apps.
- Quick skills — LinkedIn Learning.
- Coding practice — Sololearn, freeCodeCamp (web).
- Free certifications — Science of Apps (mobile web).
- Microsoft certs — Microsoft Learn.
Key takeaways
- Most major learning platforms have iOS and Android apps with offline downloads.
- Apps are great for learning; exams are usually taken on a computer.
- Science of Apps certifications are short tests that work well on mobile.
- For Microsoft certifications, Microsoft Learn is free; exams are paid (Applied Skills are free).
- "Getting app certified" can also mean certifying an app you built (Apple, Google Play review), which is a different thing.
The best certification and learning apps
| App | Best for | Certificate |
|---|---|---|
| Coursera | Branded programs | Course & professional certificates (paid) |
| edX | University courses | Verified certificates (paid) |
| LinkedIn Learning | Business skills | Completion, shown on profile |
| Udemy | Practical courses | Completion (paid courses) |
| Sololearn | Coding practice | Course certificates |
| Duolingo | Languages | Duolingo English Test (paid, separate) |
| Science of Apps (mobile web) | Free certifications in 29 fields | Free, credential ID + QR1 |
| Microsoft Learn | Microsoft skills | Free training; Applied Skills free2 |
Apps for free online courses with certificates
Free options with certificates on mobile: Science of Apps (2,403 free tests), Microsoft Learn Applied Skills, and freeCodeCamp's mobile-friendly site. Many other apps let you learn free but charge for the certificate.
How to get a free Microsoft certification
Microsoft's role-based exams are paid, but Microsoft Applied Skills credentials are free lab-based assessments, and Microsoft occasionally runs events with free or discounted exam vouchers.
Prove it free: the tests that match this guide
SOA tests work on your phone in 10–30 minutes. These are good first picks on mobile. (Disclosure: Science of Apps publishes these tests.)
- AI Literacy CertificationA 10-minute test you can finish on a commute.Start free test →
- English Level TestCEFR-aligned English level test with a certificate.Start free test →
- Certified Typist: Typing Test with CertificateTyping speed and accuracy, verified.Start free test →
- Google Ads Certification Practice TestShort practice test for a popular free certification.Start free test →
"How to get app certified": two meanings
If you mean certifying yourself through an app, use the platforms above. If you mean getting your app certified, that's store review (Apple App Store, Google Play) or compliance (e.g. accessibility audits). Science of Apps runs UX audits for apps; see our services.
Learning on mobile: what works
- Short daily sessions (see microlearning).
- Download lessons for commutes.
- Take the final exam on a computer when it's proctored.
Frequently asked questions
Which app is best for online courses?
Coursera and edX for branded certificates, LinkedIn Learning for quick skills, Udemy for practical courses, and Science of Apps for free certifications.
How do I get a free Microsoft certification?
Microsoft Applied Skills credentials are free; role-based exams are paid, though Microsoft sometimes offers free or discounted vouchers at events.
How do I get app certified?
To certify yourself, use a learning app and pass its assessment. To certify an app you built, follow Apple App Store or Google Play review and any compliance requirements.
Which apps offer free online courses with certificates?
Free options with certificates on mobile: Science of Apps (2,403 free tests), Microsoft Learn Applied Skills, and freeCodeCamp's mobile-friendly site. Many other apps let you learn free but charge for the certificate.
What does it mean to get an app certified?
If you mean certifying yourself through an app, use the platforms above. If you mean getting your app certified, that's store review (Apple App Store, Google Play) or compliance (e.g. accessibility audits). Science of Apps runs UX audits for apps; see our services.
Sources
- Science of Apps: free online certifications
- Microsoft Learn: Applied Skills
- Coursera Plus pricing
- LinkedIn Learning
- Sololearn
- Checked November 11, 2026. Figures that change — fees, salaries, prices — are reviewed every six months; if something is out of date, tell us.
Where to go from here
- Online courses with lifetime access — what 'lifetime access' really means on course platforms such as Udemy
- Best certifications by country — the most valuable certifications in the USA, UK, India, UAE, Canada and Australia
- Affordable certifications that pay well — affordable online certifications under $100 that employers respect, with real costs
- CertificationsThe best online course platforms with certificates25 online course platforms compared on certificate value, price and employer recognition. See which ones are worth your time and money in 2027.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The best certification websites of 2027: ten platforms compared on cost, credibility and what you actually getThe 10 best certification websites of 2027 compared: Coursera, Microsoft Learn, AWS, Google Skillshop, HubSpot, Trailhead, PMI and more, with costs and links.
- CertificationsLinkedIn Learning vs UdemyLinkedIn Learning vs Udemy compared on price, quality and certificates, plus 8 alternatives with stronger credentials for career growth in 2027.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The best certification providers and platforms of 2027: who to learn from, and who to get certified byThe best certification providers of 2027: Google, Microsoft, AWS, CompTIA, PMI, ISC2, Salesforce, Harvard CS50, freeCodeCamp and Kaggle, compared.
- CertificationsCertification costs comparedHow much do Coursera, Udemy, edX, LinkedIn Learning and other platforms really cost? Full pricing comparison for 2027.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027Free AI certifications in 2027: seven that cost nothing and still teach you something real7 free AI certifications for 2027: Elements of AI, Harvard CS50 AI, Kaggle, Anthropic, OpenAI Academy, Microsoft Learn and AI For Everyone, with what's free.
Get the ideas, not the noise.
Sign up with Google and we’ll send you short UX psychology tips by email — why people tap, stall and leave, and what to do about it. Unsubscribe anytime. Prefer something to keep? Get the free Laws of UX guide as a PDF.
Prove the skill before you pay for the exam.
1,200+ free, test-based certifications graded on our server. Pass and get a founder-signed certificate with a credential ID employers can verify.