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Udacity vs Simplilearn: An Overview
Ever since the eLearning industry started expanding, a number of different platforms have cropped up. Udacity and Simplilearn are undoubtedly two of the leading sites.
Udacity offers one of the widest selections of free and paid digital courses and collaborates with industry giants like Microsoft and Google. Although Udacity isn’t accredited, the completion certificates can be valuable. More and more companies take Udacity certification as a plus when reviewing job applications.
Simplilearn has grown as an eLearning platform and now partners with universities such as Harvard, Caltech, and Purdue. Most of the top courses offered on the site also fall within the IT and digital industries.
And since most Simplilearn courses are certified by the top universities, it boosts your chances of landing your dream job.
Both Udacity and Simplilearn have much to offer those who want to learn new digital skills or enhance their exisitng skillset, but for this review, we’ll be crowning just one winner.
Udacity vs Simplilearn: Who Is It For?
Udacity
Udacity courses are geared towards creating career opportunities in the digital and business sectors. Most of the courses focus on practical and applicable knowledge, making it ideal for students who prefer a more hands-on approach to learning.
The platform provides great support for learners who are looking for jobs, as well as those looking to enhance their careers. Besides fcompleting a recognized course, learners receive help with resume creationg and interview prep. Additionally, mentors at Udacity offer career advice and assist you in planning the skills you’ll need for a particular position.
Simplilearn
Simplilearn is a great choice for anyone who wants to improve their digital skills or start a new career in this space. If you’re interested in learning more about topics such as data science, IT, and machine learning, Simplilearn has a course for you.
One of the main benefits that Simplilearn courses offer is the university-accreditation you’ll receive upon completion. When it comes to career opportunities, this can be a significant move in the right direction.
Udacity vs Simplilearn: Types of Courses
Udacity
Udacity courses are a good balance between technology, business, and data management. Here are some of the most poopular fields of study available on the site:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Autonomous Systems
- Business
- Cloud Computing
- Cybersecurity
- Data Science
- Product Management
- Programming and Development
- Career
Categories such as Cloud Computing are self-explanatory. However, categories such as Business encompass a wider range of subjects, including management, marketing, analytics, and various business strategies and models. Some of these subjects overlap with other categories, such as Product Management and Data Science.
The Career category is particularly interesting if you’re looking for career advancement. Courses in this field are mostly free and brief, with the majority of them lasting one week. They cover preparations for specific job interviews, as well as essential skills like writing resumes and cover letters.
Udacity gives learners the option to enrol in a single course or an entire degree, depending on their requirements. Short courses take several months to complete, while degrees take a few years.
Simplilearn
Simplilearn has a comprehensive list of course categories with a strong emphasis on computing and digital technologies. These categories include:
- Data Science & Business Analytics
- AI & Machine Learning
- Project Management
- Cyber Security
- Cloud Computing
- DevOps
- Business and Leadership
- Quality Management
- Software Development
- Agile and Scrum
- IT Service and Architecture
- Digital Marketing
- Big Data
The website’s focus on digital technologies is apparent from the fact that DevOps and Agile and Scrum have their own dedicated categories, both being software development frameworks and methodologies.
Besides courses, Simplilearn has a Resources page with plenty of articles and whitepapers for each listed category. This page can be a useful learning tool for learners who want insights into a particular aspect of a broader subject.
After selecting a course, learner can choose between a general certification, post-graduate program, or master’s degree.
Udacity vs Simplilearn: Pricing & Refunding
Udacity
Udacity pricing depends on the length of the course. However, the website also offers a vast array of free courses that only require you to create an account.
If you’re wondering how much Udacity costs, there are four pricing categories:
- From $100 to $500
- From $500 to $1,000
- $1,000 and above
- Free
Paid Udacity courses are called Nanodegrees and start at $399 per month. However, the majority of courses are nested under the $1,000+ and Free categories.
According to Udacity’s refund policy, canceling your monthly subscription within two days of the purchase date makes you eligible for a refund. If you drop out of a course this way and enroll in that course again, you won’t be able to get another refund.
This policy is more generous to EU residents, though. Citizens of the EU can ask for a refund after 14 days, provided they haven’t graduated from a program or course in that time.
Simplilearn
The majority of Simplilearn courses cost between $600 and $3,000. However, free courses are available too.
Free courses can be found under the SkillUp section. Furthermore, the Simplilearn mobile app also has courses you can take free of charge. These courses are shorter than their paid counterparts and focus on developing particular skills rather than covering a broader field of study.
The website’s refund policy states that learners are eligible for a refund for seven days after the date of purchase. Depending on the type of course, certain actions can void the refund guarantee.
For self-paced and instructor-led programs, you’ll lose eligibility for a refund if you’ve already downloaded the learning eBook or accessed over 25% of the course content. Additionally, for instructor-led courses, you won’t receive a refund if you’ve participated in online classrooms for over one day, either through live streams or via recordings.
When it comes to post-graduate programs, no additional terms apply for refunds except the seven-day rule. However, these programs come with a non-refundable booking fee.
Udacity vs Simplilearn: Enrollment & Usability
Udacity
Enrolling in Udacity courses is relatively straightforward. Once you find the course you’re interested in, you can click on the Enroll Now button, which will take you to the payment selection. You can log in using existing credentials, or use your Google, Facebook, or email account to sign up before finalizing the purchase.
When you’ve enrolled in a course, you can access the Udacity Classroom and select the lesson you want to work through. The interactive program syllabus is also available from that menu, representing an alternative option for navigating the course.
Udacity App for Android and iOS was discontinued several years ago due to certain functionality issues.
Simplilearn
If you decide to enroll in one of Simplilearn’s free courses, all you need to do is click on the Start Learning button. After that, you can log in or sign up to gain access. You can use your Google, Facebook, LinkedIn, Apple, or email credentials to create an account.
On the other hand, paid courses don’t require a Simplilearn account. Instead, you’ll fill out a form with your name, email, and phone number on the check-out page. You’ll then enter payment details and can use either your credit card or PayPal account.
You can take the classes directly on the website or through the Simplilearn mobile app. The material is accessible at all times and involves pre-recorded as well as live virtual lectures, making it very straightforward to use.
Udacity vs. Simplilearn: Course Structures
Udacity
Nanodegrees on Udacity consist of a varying number of lectures delivered in video format. In addition to video lectures, learners will receive downloadable learning materials and links to resources for further reading.
When it comes to the practical application of relevant skills, Udacity courses also feature assignments that test your ability to apply what you’ve learned so far. Certain courses will even require you to produce samples of your work that you can showcase to a potential employer.
Most of the popular courses last between four and five months, depending on your weekly engagement.
Simplilearn
Simplilearn has three main modes of learning: self-paced, blended, and corporate.
The self-paced model provides all of the necessary written and video material, projects, and exams. Furthermore, you’ll have around-the-clock support while you’re enrolled.
Blended learning expands on the self-paced option with the addition of real-time classes. With this model, you’ll get access to these live sessions for three months and additional 180 days of unlimited self-paced content.
Finally, the corporate training is geared toward employees and represents a customizable package.
Your choice of model will reflect in the course price, with self-paced courses starting from $600 and blended from $800. The price for corporate training will depend on the final course design.
The Verdict
The main differences between Udacity and Simplilearn lies in the variety of courses offered as well as the accreditations.
If you’re looking for applicable skills that will help you improve your career, both platforms can offer what you need. However, Udacity has a stronger focus on career-building and might represent the better choice in that regard.
If you would prefer to get a certification from a recognized learning institution, Simplilearn is a better fit. Although many businesses recognize Udacity’s certification, the one you can get from Simplilearn is somewhat superior.
Finally, if budget is a concern, it may be hard to work with the high price range of Simplilearn’s courses. Udacity certainly has some more affordable options, although the most valuable courses on the platform are not exactly cheap.
Now that you’ve read about the crucial features of Udacity and Simplilearn, you’ll be better equipped to make an informed choice.