30 Top Online Course Providers

How to choose an online course or learning platform

This category covers course marketplaces, platforms that partner with universities, school practice tools, digital textbook publishers and sites where teachers sell resources. Some are bought by schools; others are paid for by individual learners.

• Who issues the certificate. A certificate of completion is not the same as a degree or accredited qualification. Check who awards it and whether your employer or school recognizes it.
• Trials and billing. Note when a free trial ends and whether access renews monthly or yearly.
• Access period. Find out how long you keep access to a course or digital textbook after paying.
• Course content. Read the syllabus, check the instructor's background and try sample lessons.
• Refund rules. Many platforms limit refunds once you start or after a set number of days.

Common problems and how to avoid them

Auto-renewals, refunds refused after a few days and login or access problems close to deadlines appear often in reviews. Set a reminder before a trial ends. Students using a platform assigned by a school should report technical issues to the teacher as well as the company. On CandorRated, company pages show who appears to run the website, how long its domain has existed, the contact details found and reviews from learners and parents.

Frequently asked questions

Are online course certificates accredited?

Some are, many are not. Check the issuing institution.

Can I get a refund on a course?

It depends on the platform's policy and how much of the course you used.

Can I filter platforms by country?

Yes. Use the country filter on this list.