How Much Does LinkedIn Learning Cost?

Last Updated on November 14, 2024
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

With over 17,000 courses taught by industry experts, LinkedIn Learning has become a go-to platform for professional development and skills training. But how much does it actually cost to access this massive online learning library? This comprehensive guide will uncover LinkedIn Learning’s pricing structures, fee breakdowns, value comparisons, savings strategies, and expert insights to understand exactly what you’re investing in.

For any potential LinkedIn Learning subscriber, one of the most pressing questions is cost. With options like pay-per-course access, monthly memberships, annual subscriptions, and enterprise pricing, the pricing models can seem complex at first glance.

This article aims to provide immense detail on real-world costs, variables that affect pricing, comparisons to alternatives, ways to maximize value, future projections, and more. You’ll gain immense clarity on the dollars and cents behind LinkedIn Learning to make an informed decision on if and how to invest in elevating your skills. Let’s dive in to demystifying LinkedIn Learning’s pricing!

How Much Does LinkedIn Learning Cost?

At a high-level, LinkedIn Learning offers three core pricing options for individuals and businesses:

• Individual courses – Typically priced from $20 to $50 per course purchase.
• Monthly subscription – $39.99 per month for unlimited course access.
• Annual subscription – $299.88 per year, equivalent to $24.99 per month (represents 38% savings vs monthly pricing).
• Enterprise pricing – Customized for teams (2-20 users) or organizations (21+ users) based on needs.

In addition to these upfront costs, some certification fees or taxes may apply depending on location. We’ll break things down further momentarily. First, let’s explore some real-world pricing scenarios.

Appendix

Table of Subscription Plan Comparison

Plan	Monthly Price	Annual Price	% Savings vs. Monthly
Individual	$39.99	$299.88	38%
Teams (2-20 Users)	$379.99 per user	–	–
Organizations (21+ Users)	Custom	Custom	Custom

According to Learnopoly, LinkedIn Learning provides two main subscription plans: a monthly subscription at $39.99 per month and an annual subscription at $24.99 per month, which works out to $299.88 per year. This annual plan saves users approximately 38% compared to the monthly plan. Additionally, individual courses can be purchased for a one-time payment ranging between $35 and $40, granting unlimited access to the course as long as the user maintains their LinkedIn profile.

Scorebeyond also details the pricing, stating that LinkedIn Learning costs $39.99 per month for a monthly subscription or $239.88 annually, which translates to $19.99 per month. This annual plan saves users around 33% compared to the monthly subscription. Individual courses can also be bought through a one-off payment, ranging from $20 to $50. Both subscription plans include a one-month free trial and full access to over 17,000 courses.

Upskillwise reports similar pricing, with a monthly subscription at $39.99 and an annual subscription at $239.88, which is $19.99 per month. Individual courses can be purchased for a one-time fee between $20 and $50. The platform also offers team and organization plans, with the team plan (for 2-20 licenses) priced at $379.99 per user per year.

Worthitreviewers.com confirms these prices, noting that the monthly subscription is $39.99 and the annual subscription is $239.88, or $19.99 per month. They also mention that individual courses can be bought for $25 to $49, providing lifetime access. Both subscription plans come with a one-month free trial and include access to LinkedIn Premium.

Realistic Cost Examples

To understand how LinkedIn Learning’s pricing translates in practice, here are some example monthly and annual costs:

Self-Driven Learner

• 3 Courses Individually: $130
• Annual Subscription: $299.88

For most individual learners, an unlimited annual subscription provides far better value than selectively purchasing courses.

Small Business (5 Employees)

• Team Subscription: $1,899.95 Annually
• Per User Access: $379.99

With a Team subscription, small businesses can cost-effectively train employees with unlimited access to LinkedIn Learning’s 22,000+ business, technology, and creative skill courses.

Mid-Size Company (75 Employees)

Custom Organizational Subscription

• Projected Cost: $28,500
• Per User: $380

Mid-size organizations get tailored learning programs with volume discounts. Per-user access can cost under $400.

Large Enterprise (10,000 Employees)

Custom Organizational Subscription

• Projected Cost: $4,000,000+
• Per User Range: $200 – $300

Large corporations get deeply customized learning ecosystems with employee analytics and substantial volume discounts.

Fees, Taxes, and Surcharges

LinkedIn Learning’s pricing is comprised of:

• Monthly/Annual Subscription Fees – Regular recurring cost for course access.
• Individual Course Prices – One-time fees ranging from $20 to $50 per course depending on length, complexity, materials, etc.
• Taxes – Certain states tax digital services. Be sure to check local regulations.
• Certification Charges – Some advanced courses may charge for issuing official certificates.
• Enterprise Customization/Integration – Additional one-time and recurring fees for configuring and supporting extensive corporate learning programs.

Understanding the specific components that make up the total cost provides greater insight into the value derived from the investment and transparency into where the dollars go.

Now let’s examine the key variables that influence LinkedIn Learning’s pricing.

You might also like our articles on the cost of other LinkedIn services like LinkedIn Premium, Sales Navigator, or Recruiter.

Factors That Impact Costs

Several factors affect the pricing models and fee structures for both individual subscribers and enterprise customers:

• Course Production Expenses – More complex courses with extensive video, materials, instructors etc. cost more to develop, impacting pricing.
• Instructor/Expert Fees – Courses taught by in-demand experts and executives require premium instructor fees that enable higher pricing.
• Course Duration – Typically, longer courses that provide more education content warrant higher prices than shorter courses or snippets.
• Topic Demand – During hot trends, high enrollment in niche topics allows temporarily higher pricing due to peak demand.
• Custom Enterprise Solutions – Large corporate learning programs require additional services and specialization for unique needs, influencing costs.
• Increasing Economies of Scale – As LinkedIn Learning grows, operational efficiency improves, enabling potential subscription fee reductions.
• Marketing, Sales, and Promotions – Customer acquisition and incentive campaigns increase costs but help attract new users.
• Corporate Team Size – Volume discounts allow per-user enterprise pricing to decrease as more employees are covered under corporate plans.

LinkedIn Learning vs. Alternatives

To evaluate its value, here is how LinkedIn Learning stacks up cost-wise against competitors:

• Udemy – Massive catalogue with courses starting under $15 but widely variable course quality.
• Coursera – Similar subscription model with a broad course library from universities and companies.
• edX – Many free courses but highly specialized content focused on degrees rather than professional development.
• Skillshare – Extremely affordable subscription but content geared toward hobbies rather than career skills.
• Udacity – Nanodegree programs provide extensive job-ready training but at premium pricing, usually over $800 per program.

Each platform has trade-offs regarding pricing factors like course breadth, production value, learning outcomes, brand reputation, and overall value.

Insider Tips from Experts

To help manage expenses, industry experts offer the following advice on maximizing value:

• “Compare costs to your organization’s typical training and certification budgets to identify potential savings from bulk subscriptions.” – Rebecca Thompson, Corporate Learning Strategist
• “Leverage free previews and trials to evaluate which topics provide the highest value before committing to paid courses or subscriptions.” – Mark Simmons, Online Education Analyst
• “Explore splitting subscription costs by responsibly sharing family licenses when terms permit account sharing across households.” – Laura Smith, Professional Skills Coach
• “Bundle subscriptions across complementary platforms like LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, and edX to optimize skills development for a fixed combined price.” – Peter Schulman, Online Learning Analyst

Their guidance provides several techniques to control and optimize spending. Implement expert advice to maximize your return on investment.

Value for Money

According to online reviews, most LinkedIn Learning users consider the platform’s pricing relatively fair and reasonable given the sheer volume of professional on-demand learning content included under the subscription model. Some feel the monthly access enables affordable continuous learning versus expensive in-person conferences and seminars. However, high one-time course purchase prices give some prospective learners pause when evaluating the platform.

Overall, subscribers praise the comprehensive access to quality learning resources across a vast range of topics – provided they take full advantage of the catalogue within their membership period.

Industry analysts anticipate relatively incremental but steady price increases for LinkedIn Learning subscriptions over the next 3-5 years, likely in the range of 2-5% annually. These gradual rises account for inflation in terms of higher content production, platform management, and technology costs.

However, intensifying competition from lower-cost alternatives may limit dramatic price escalations, along with economic factors that reduce discretionary learning budgets during downturns. Discounts, bundle offers, and special promotions will likely continue as a strategy to attract new users. But retention may suffer if subscription prices outpace the perceived value.

LinkedIn Learning’s Market Dynamics

As one of the leaders in online learning focused specifically on job-related skills training, LinkedIn Learning’s pricing significantly impacts broader consumer behaviors and the competitive landscape.

If prices rose too quickly without matching value delivery, some users may shift to lower-cost substitutes like Udemy, edX, or Skillshare. Competitors also continuously adjust their own strategic positioning and cost structures in direct response to LinkedIn Learning’s pricing models and shifts.

For its part, LinkedIn Learning tries to balance monetization, margins, and subscriber growth by continuing to deliver premium quality, variety, and a seamless learning experience that justifies reasonable pricing to learners.

Final Words

With multiple subscription options, single course purchases, various bundled offers, enterprise pricing, and occasional promotions, truly understanding LinkedIn Learning’s costs and value requires in-depth analysis.

This comprehensive examination aims to reveal the key pricing variables, cost component breakdowns, comparisons to alternatives, and expert strategies to maximize value.

While paid subscriptions represent a significant investment, the money unlocks unlimited access to a rich library of engaging courses taught by recognized industry experts across thousands of skills – an invaluable asset for one’s long-term career growth and opportunities.

Use the insights within this guide to make the ideal LinkedIn Learning choice for your budget, professional needs, and learning aspirations.

Answers to Common Questions

What is the total annual cost of a LinkedIn Learning individual subscription?

The current annual individual subscription costs $299.88 per year when paid upfront. Applicable taxes may slightly increase the total depending on your state. Any optional add-ons like certification fees would also incrementally increase the annual cost.

What are some ways to spend less on LinkedIn Learning access?

Strategies to reduce LinkedIn Learning costs include opting for annual vs. monthly subscriptions, waiting for seasonal promotions, responsibly splitting costs by sharing family licenses, extensively using free trials and previews before paying, and exploring lower-priced alternative platforms.

How does LinkedIn Learning’s pricing compare with competitors like Udemy and Coursera?

LinkedIn Learning’s subscription model offers unlimited access for a fixed price. Udemy allows pay-per-course purchases, often at lower prices but with inconsistent quality. Coursera also provides a subscription model but focuses on accredited university courses. LinkedIn Learning specialized in career skills.