When comparing Coursera vs Lynda, the Slant community recommends Coursera for most people. In the question“What are the best websites to learn to code?” Coursera is ranked 9th while Lynda is ranked 13th. The most important reason people chose Coursera is:
There is an option to earn a verified certificate as proof you completed the course (for use on LinkedIn, resumes etc.). The cost varies between courses, but is generally around $49-$60.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Some courses offer a verified certificate for a fee
There is an option to earn a verified certificate as proof you completed the course (for use on LinkedIn, resumes etc.). The cost varies between courses, but is generally around $49-$60.
Pro High quality courses from well known universities
Many courses offered at Coursera are from well known universities (such as Stanford and Princeton) and instructed by their professors. Often the material taught in the Coursera courses is material from the actual university course.
Pro Wide selection of courses
Coursera offers over 1000 courses on a variety of different topics. Courses are offered on learning to code and specific languages, but there is also a large selection of courses that would be beneficial to someone wanting to learn more about computer science as well (algorithms, data science, computer security) and plenty others.
Pro You can audit courses for free
Pro Courses offered in a variety of languages (with transcriptions available)
Coursera offers courses from all around the world, resulting in courses taught in English, French, Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Turkish and a long list of others. Transcriptions for a large number of languages are offered for each course.
Pro Quality and quantity
Pro Video tutorials with commentaries
Pro Extensive
There are a lot of different languages to choose from thanks to their large offering of courses (almost 4000 total that cover various subjects).
Pro Build as you learn
Many courses offered on Lynda take a hands-on approach, encouraging you to apply what you learn by building projects.
Pro It's possible to get transcripts of videos
Pro Videos can be watched at 2x speed
If you feel yourself getting bored with the lecture, it's possible to speed it up to get through it quicker.
Cons
Con Courses are not always available
Courses are run on set dates, though some courses provide access to the material whether or not the course is running (however, there will be far less student activity in the forums when the course is not running).
Some courses only make their material available when the course is running, so you may have to wait a long period (sometimes months) for your course to be offered.
Con You cannot take the full courses for free
While you used to be able to take courses for free and earn a statement of accomplishment, this is no longer the case. You can only audit the courses if you are not paying. Coursera makes it seem like you should also do the quizzes, but the submit button says "Upgrade to submit".
Con Lacks a community
With no user forum, there is very little opportunity to engage with other students and discuss the learning material.
Con iOS and Android apps are somewhat poor
Compared to the experience available on the web, the mobile apps are severely lagging behind.
Con More ways to help retain the information would be helpful
More quizzes, tests and assignments to help practice and retain the presented information would be helpful.