LinkedIn Learning, previously known as Lynda, is an e-learning platform that offers a vast library of over 16,000 courses taught by industry experts. With topics spanning across business, creative, and technology skills, it has emerged as one of the go-to sources for online learning and professional development.
One of the most frequently asked questions about LinkedIn Learning is – are the courses free to access? Let’s take a detailed look at what the platform offers in terms of free and paid plans.
LinkedIn Learning Free Trial
LinkedIn Learning offers a one-month free trial for new users to explore the platform. During this trial period, you get unrestricted access to the full course library and can enroll in as many courses as you want.
The free trial requires signing up with your LinkedIn account credentials. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, you can simply create one, which is free.
Once signed up, you can access LinkedIn Learning via desktop or mobile apps. You can stream courses online or download for offline viewing. You also get access to exercise files associated with the courses.
The one-month duration gives you adequate time to evaluate the quality of courses and whether the platform works for your learning needs. You can sample courses across domains to get a feel of LinkedIn Learning before subscribing.
However, it is important to note that the free trial is available only for new users. If you have subscribed to LinkedIn Learning before, you cannot get the trial again on the same account.
LinkedIn Learning with LinkedIn Premium
LinkedIn Learning comes bundled with LinkedIn Premium career subscription plans. So if you purchase a Premium career subscription on LinkedIn, you automatically get access to all LinkedIn Learning courses.
LinkedIn Premium offers these bundled plans:
- Premium Career – $29.99/month
- Premium Career Plus – $34.99/month
With LinkedIn Premium, you get additional benefits like InMail messages, profile highlights, expanded network, etc. along with unrestricted access to LinkedIn Learning.
The Premium plans are ideal if you want to maximize the benefits of both LinkedIn and LinkedIn Learning to advance your career. The bundled pricing also makes it more affordable than subscribing separately.
Accessing LinkedIn Learning through Company or University
Many companies and universities provide employees and students with free access to LinkedIn Learning as part of their professional development or educational initiatives. So you can get free access if:
- Your company has tied up with LinkedIn Learning to offer it as an employee benefit
- You are enrolled in a university that has included LinkedIn Learning in their curriculum
This allows employees and students to access the LinkedIn Learning library at no additional cost to them. The access is usually provided through single sign-on once you login to the institution or university’s portal. Do check with your company or university if they have such an arrangement to take advantage of free learning.
Free LinkedIn Learning Courses
While a majority of LinkedIn Learning courses require a paid subscription, there are a handful of free courses as well. These are available for free to both members and non-members.
Some examples of popular free courses on LinkedIn Learning are:
- Learning Excel 2019
- Communicating with Confidence
- Time Management Fundamentals
- Programming Foundations: Fundamentals
- Leadership Principles
The free courses serve as a sampling of the quality and breadth of content offered on LinkedIn Learning. They cover introductory-level training across software, business, and creative skills.
While the number of free courses is limited, they are a good way to experience LinkedIn Learning first-hand at zero cost.
Subscription Options for Individual Learners
For individual learners who want full access to LinkedIn Learning, these are the paid subscription options available:
| Plan | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $29.99/month | Access full course library |
| Annual | $240/year | Access full course library |
| Premium Career | $29.99/month | Access full course library + Premium LinkedIn benefits |
| Premium Career Plus | $34.99/month | Access full course library + Premium LinkedIn benefits |
The Monthly and Annual plans provide access solely to LinkedIn Learning courses. The Premium Career plans additionally bundle Premium LinkedIn benefits.
Based on number of users, the Annual plan works out cheaper compared to Monthly subscription. Premium Career makes sense if you want to maximize value from both LinkedIn Learning and LinkedIn Premium.
All plans allow you to access courses across desktop and mobile apps. You can also download courses for offline learning.
Key Takeaways
- LinkedIn Learning offers a 1-month free trial for new users
- You can get free access through LinkedIn Premium or your company/university
- A few courses are available for free without subscription
- Paid plans start at $29.99/month for full access to LinkedIn Learning
Conclusion
While LinkedIn Learning is not free, there are a few ways to access the courses at no cost – either through the free trial, bundled institutional access, or limited free courses. For unlimited access, individual learners will need to purchase a self-service subscription plan that starts at $29.99/month after the trial.
The combination of a massive course library, expert instructors, and self-paced learning makes LinkedIn Learning a leading e-learning platform for professional development. The paid plans offer a wealth of value for working professionals and lifelong learners seeking to excel in their careers.
