Soft skills—like communication, leadership, and problem-solving—are the foundation of career success. Whether you’re looking to become a stronger leader, enhance workplace collaboration, or boost productivity, choosing the right learning platform matters.
Skillshare and LinkedIn Learning are two of the most popular online learning platforms, but they serve very different audiences. While Skillshare thrives on creative, project-based learning, LinkedIn Learning offers structured, professional courses designed for career growth. If you’re looking to develop soft skills, which platform is the better choice?
Let’s compare them based on key factors like course offerings, pricing, certification value, and user experience to help you decide.
Course Offerings: Who Teaches Soft Skills Better?
Skillshare
- Offers 35,000+ courses, mostly focused on creative, business, and personal growth skills.
- Emphasizes interactive, project-based learning with community engagement.
- Includes soft skills like public speaking, productivity, and time management, but lacks deep leadership and business communication courses.
Explore the complete guide to the best Skillshare courses in 2024 for expert tips.
LinkedIn Learning
- Features 16,000+ courses covering professional skills, leadership, and career growth.
- Includes dedicated learning paths for communication, emotional intelligence, leadership, and productivity.
- Offers content taught by industry professionals, business leaders, and LinkedIn experts.
Verdict: If you want deep, structured soft skills development with professional credibility, LinkedIn Learning is the stronger choice. Skillshare is better suited for casual learners looking for a creative, hands-on approach.
Pricing: Which Platform Offers Better Value?
Skillshare Pricing:
- Monthly: $29 USD
- Annual: $99 USD ($8.25/month)
- Free 30-day trial available
LinkedIn Learning Pricing:
- Monthly: $39.99 USD
- Annual: $239.88 ($19.99/month)
- Free 30-day trial available
Tip: Some local libraries offer free access to LinkedIn Learning—check if yours does before subscribing.
Verdict: Skillshare is cheaper overall, but LinkedIn Learning provides more structured career growth courses and certificates, making it a better value for professional development. Want to explore more business training options?
Visit our blog: Best Online Training Courses for Corporate Learning.
User Experience & Learning Features
Skillshare:
- Community-driven approach with peer engagement and interactive projects.
- Mobile app with offline access for learning anywhere.
- Lacks personalized learning recommendations.
LinkedIn Learning:
- Clean, intuitive interface with career-focused learning paths.
- Personalized recommendations based on LinkedIn profile and career goals.
- Available on mobile (iOS, Android) with offline learning options.
Verdict: LinkedIn Learning provides a more structured, user-friendly experience with career-driven recommendations, making it better for professional growth.
Certification & Career Recognition
Skillshare:
- Provides certificates of completion, but they aren’t accredited.
- Less recognized by employers.
LinkedIn Learning:
- Offers certificates of completion that can be directly added to your LinkedIn profile.
- Seen as a valuable credential by recruiters and hiring managers.
Verdict: If certification matters for career progression and job applications, LinkedIn Learning is the clear winner.
Corporate & Team Training Options
Skillshare for Teams:
- $159 per user, per year.
- Best suited for creative teams and small businesses.
LinkedIn Learning for Teams & Enterprises:
- Custom pricing for teams (2-20 users) and enterprises (21+ users).
- Includes analytics, learning paths, and business training integration.
Verdict: LinkedIn Learning is better for corporate training and structured workforce upskilling.
What Reddit Users Say: Real Insights
Reddit discussions provide honest feedback from users who have tried both platforms:
On Course Depth:
- “LinkedIn Learning is much more comprehensive and professional. Skillshare is decent, but it’s more for creative skills and beginner-level content.” – u/ThrowRA_photog1267
On Certification & Recognition:
- “LinkedIn Learning gives you a certificate that you can add to your LinkedIn profile. It’s a nice touch, especially if you’re job hunting.” – u/Career_Coach_1
On User Experience:
- “I’ve used both. LinkedIn Learning is better. More professional presenters, better produced content, and a cleaner interface.” – u/Thewolf1970
On Choosing the Right Platform:
- “Try the free trials for both. See which one fits your learning style better. For me, LinkedIn Learning was the clear winner for professional development.” – u/TechCareerGuru
Verdict: If soft skills development for career growth is your goal, LinkedIn Learning is the platform most Reddit users recommend.
Final Verdict: Which Platform is Better for Soft Skills?
| Feature | Skillshare | LinkedIn Learning |
| Course Depth | Best for creatives, hands-on learning | More structured, professional courses |
| Pricing | More affordable | Higher cost but better career value |
| Certification | Not widely recognized | Well-regarded and LinkedIn-integrated |
| Learning Style | Community-based, interactive | Career-focused, structured learning paths |
| Corporate Plans | Good for small teams | Best for large-scale corporate training |
Choose Skillshare if: You prefer a casual, creative learning approach with hands-on projects. Choose LinkedIn Learning if: You want structured soft skills training with career recognition and employer credibility.
FAQs
Which platform is better for leadership and communication skills?
LinkedIn Learning. It has structured, professional courses designed for workplace leadership.
Does Skillshare offer certificates?
Yes, but they aren’t widely recognized by employers.
Can I get LinkedIn Learning for free?
Some local libraries provide free access—check with yours.
Which is better for corporate training?
LinkedIn Learning. It offers structured business training with analytics and integration for companies.
Can I try both platforms before paying?
Yes. Both offer 30-day free trials.
Final Thoughts
Your choice between Skillshare and LinkedIn Learning depends on your learning style and career goals. If you need career-driven soft skills training, LinkedIn Learning is the best investment. But if you prefer a creative, hands-on approach, Skillshare may be more enjoyable. Your next step? Try the free trials and see which platform works best for your soft skills journey.
