Certifications · Pricing

Certification costs compared
Coursera, Udemy, edX, LinkedIn Learning & more

Coursera's price is $59/month or $399/year for Coursera Plus (list price; promotions are common), and Google Career Certificates run about $49/month in the U.S. Udemy sells individual courses (frequently discounted) plus a Personal Plan subscription; edX charges per verified certificate; LinkedIn Learning costs about $239.88/year. Professional exams cost extra: AZ-900 $99, AWS Cloud Practitioner $100, PMP $675. Science of Apps certifications are free.

By , FounderUpdated 3 min read

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Quick answer: How much do online certifications cost?

  1. Coursera Plus — $59/month or $399/year (list).
  2. Udemy — per course, often discounted, or Personal Plan.
  3. edX — per verified certificate.
  4. LinkedIn Learning — ≈$239.88/year.
  5. Free — Science of Apps, Google Ads, HubSpot.

Key takeaways

  • Coursera Plus lists at $59/month or $399/year; promotions are frequent.
  • Udemy courses are frequently discounted; check the sale price, not the list price.
  • Course platforms and professional exams are separate costs.
  • Exam fees range from $99 (AZ-900) to $675 (PMP non-member).
  • Free verifiable certifications let you prove skills before spending anything.

Online learning platform prices

How much do online certifications cost? At a glance: Coursera Plus; Udemy; edX; LinkedIn Learning; Free.
At a glance: How much do online certifications cost?
Online learning platform prices
PlatformPriceNotes
Coursera Plus$59/month or $399/year (list)1Thousands of courses and certificates; promos common
Google Career Certificates (Coursera)≈$49/month (U.S.)Usually 3–6 months
UdemyPer course (frequent sales) or Personal Plan2Lifetime access to purchased courses
edXPer verified certificate3Professional certificates cost more
LinkedIn Learning≈$239.88/year4Certificates of completion
Science of AppsFree52,403 certifications and skill tests
Infographic: What online learning really costs. List prices in USD (annual subscriptions and single exams).
Online learning and certification costs compared.Image: Science of Apps · © Science of Apps · source

Professional certification exam costs

Professional certification exam costs
ExamFee (U.S.)
Microsoft AZ-900$99
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner$100
Microsoft AZ-104 / PL-300$165
Scrum.org PSM I$200
AWS Associate$150
AWS Professional$300
CompTIA A+ (per exam)$274
CompTIA Security+≈$439
PMP$425 member / $675 non-member
Bar chart: Professional certification exam costs — Microsoft AZ-900: $99; AWS Certified …: $100; Microsoft AZ-104 / PL-300: $165; Scrum.org PSM I: $200; AWS Associate: $150; AWS Professional: $300; CompTIA A+ (per exam): $274; PMP: $425 member / $675 non-member.
Professional certification exam costs

Is Coursera Plus worth the price?

It's good value if you'll complete two or more certificates within the subscription period. If you only need one course, a monthly subscription for the months you study is usually cheaper. Many courses can be previewed for free before you commit.

Why Udemy prices vary so much

Udemy courses have list prices but are discounted often, so the same course may cost very different amounts week to week. Check reviews and the last-updated date, not just the price.

Science of Apps · free certification tests

Prove it free: the tests that match this guide

The cheapest certification is free. Compare: every SOA test costs $0. (Disclosure: Science of Apps publishes these tests.)

How to get IT certifications for free (or almost)

  • Use free training on Microsoft Learn, AWS Skill Builder and Cisco Networking Academy.
  • Look for free exam vouchers at vendor events and challenges.
  • Ask your employer to fund exams; many have learning budgets.
  • Prove skills first with free SOA certifications.

Which certification is best value?

The best-value certification is the cheapest one that appears in job ads for your target role. Start with a free skills check, then invest in one recognized exam.

Frequently asked questions

How much is Coursera?

Coursera Plus lists at $59/month or $399/year, with frequent promotions; individual certificates can also be paid monthly.

How much does Udemy cost?

Udemy courses are sold individually, often at a discount, and Udemy also offers a Personal Plan subscription; prices vary by region.

How much is the AZ-900 certification?

The Microsoft AZ-900 exam costs $99 in the U.S.; prices vary by country.

How can I get certifications for free?

Use free vendor training, look for exam vouchers, ask your employer, and take free certifications from Science of Apps, Google Skillshop and HubSpot.

Is Coursera Plus worth the price?

It's good value if you'll complete two or more certificates within the subscription period. If you only need one course, a monthly subscription for the months you study is usually cheaper. Many courses can be previewed for free before you commit.

Which certification is best value?

The best-value certification is the cheapest one that appears in job ads for your target role. Start with a free skills check, then invest in one recognized exam.

Sources

  1. Coursera Plus pricing
  2. Udemy: pricing and Personal Plan
  3. edX: verified certificates
  4. LinkedIn Learning pricing
  5. Science of Apps: free online certifications
  6. PMI: PMP certification
  7. AWS Certification
  8. Microsoft Learn: credentials
  9. Checked November 11, 2026. Figures that change — fees, salaries, prices — are reviewed every six months; if something is out of date, tell us.
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