LinkedIn Learning, previously known as Lynda.com, is an e-learning platform that offers thousands of online video courses taught by industry experts across a wide variety of topics like business, software, technology, and creative skills. With a LinkedIn Learning subscription, users can access the full course library online or via mobile apps to learn new skills and advance their careers.
But is LinkedIn Learning included with a regular LinkedIn account? Or do you have to pay extra to access the courses? Let’s take a closer look at how LinkedIn Learning pricing works and what options are available for LinkedIn members.
LinkedIn Learning Pricing and Plans
LinkedIn Learning offers three main subscription plans for individual users:
| Plan | Price (per month) | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Premium | $29.99 | Unlimited access to full course library and new courses as added, download courses for offline viewing, practice tests and exercises, mobile app access, customized recommendations, certificates of completion, admin dashboard for progress tracking |
| Plus | $19.99 | Same unlimited access to full course library, new courses, exercise files, and mobile app as Premium, but no offline viewing, customized recommendations, admin dashboard, or certificates |
| Free | $0 | Access to selected sample lessons from certain courses only. Full course access requires upgrade to paid plan. |
In addition to these individual plans, LinkedIn Learning also offers team and enterprise pricing for groups and companies, with customized admin tools for managing, tracking, and distributing content. Volume discounts are available on these plans.
So is any version of LinkedIn Learning free for regular LinkedIn members? Let’s take a closer look.
Is LinkedIn Learning Free with a Regular LinkedIn Account?
The short answer is no – a regular LinkedIn account alone does not provide access to LinkedIn Learning courses. While LinkedIn does offer limited sample lessons for free, viewing full courses on LinkedIn Learning requires a paid Premium or Plus subscription.
Here’s a breakdown of what you can access for free with just a LinkedIn account:
– Browse course library and view short sample clips – You can search LinkedIn Learning courses and preview some sample sections of certain courses for free. However, the samples are typically just a few minutes long and do not provide access to the full course.
– See course overviews – You can view the course descriptions, instructor details, and outlines of course content. But you cannot launch the full video lessons without upgrading to a paid account.
– Take free 1-month trial – LinkedIn does offer new users a 1-month free trial of LinkedIn Learning Premium. After the trial ends, you will be charged the regular $29.99 monthly fee unless you cancel ahead of time.
– Get 10-15 free courses with some company accounts – Some companies and organizations pay for LinkedIn Learning access for their employees. If your company account includes it, you may have full access to a subset of courses. But this is not part of a standard personal LinkedIn account.
– Access learning paths curated by LinkedIn – LinkedIn selects a handful of courses and sample lessons to compile into free learning paths on topics like working remotely and being productive at home. But these paths are limited.
So in summary, while there are some limited free options for LinkedIn members, a paid Premium or Plus subscription is required to get unlimited access to LinkedIn Learning’s full course catalog and tools. A regular free LinkedIn account alone does not provide the full e-learning experience.
Should You Upgrade to LinkedIn Learning Premium?
Whether upgrading to a paid LinkedIn Learning account is worth the investment depends on your learning goals:
**Pros:**
– Unlimited access to 15,000+ expert-led courses covering business, creative, and technology topics. New courses added every week.
– In-depth, structured courses to build high-demand skills. Learn at your own pace.
– Valuable opportunities for career development and advancement
– Certificates of completion to showcase new skills to employers
– Convenient learning on mobile apps with option to download for offline viewing
– Personalized course recommendations based on skills, experience, and interests
**Cons:**
– Monthly subscription is an extra expense of $19.99 – $29.99 per month
– May not be worth investment if you just want to learn casually or only need a few specific skills
– Paying monthly can get expensive over time versus other one-time payment online course platforms
Overall, a Premium or Plus subscription makes the most sense for committed learners who will take advantage of LinkedIn Learning’s extensive course library and tools to achieve specific career or development goals.
Casual learners may be better off looking for cheaper or free resources like YouTube, public libraries, and other e-learning platforms. But frequent lifelong learners will likely find great value in LinkedIn Learning Premium.
Other Ways to Get LinkedIn Learning for Free or Cheap
If you want access to LinkedIn Learning but don’t want to pay the monthly subscription cost, here are a few options to consider:
– Use free public library access – Many local libraries provide their members with access to LinkedIn Learning for free as part of their digital services. Public library cards are typically free to obtain.
– See if your employer/school offers it – As mentioned, some companies and academic institutions purchase group LinkedIn Learning plans for employees and students. Check with your HR department or school to see if you already have access.
– Take free courses on other platforms – MOOCs like edX, Coursera, and Udacity have thousands of free online courses. You can also find free courses on YouTube, Khan Academy, Udemy, and more.
– Split costs with others – Consider sharing a Premium account with friends or colleagues. The annual subscription option brings the monthly cost down.
– Wait for a promotion – LinkedIn sometimes offers discounted deals on Premium subscriptions around the holidays or other peak times.
– Use a trial offer – Grab the 1-month free trial when you first sign up or look for targeted trial offers sent to inactive users. Just remember to cancel before getting charged.
While LinkedIn Learning isn’t free with a standard LinkedIn membership, there are ways to access courses for free or at a reduced cost if you search around. Assess your needs and resources to determine if paying for Premium makes sense or if another learning platform might meet your needs.
Conclusion
In summary:
– LinkedIn Learning offers paid Premium and Plus plans starting at $19.99 per month for individuals, with team and enterprise options also available.
– A standard free LinkedIn account does NOT provide full unlimited access to LinkedIn Learning courses. Only selected samples are available.
– To fully unlock LinkedIn Learning’s 15,000+ courses, you must upgrade to a paid Premium account or access through an employer/school group plan.
– For casual learners or those on a budget, free or lower-cost alternatives like public libraries, free trials, promotions, and other e-learning platforms may be viable options.
– But frequent professional learners will get the most value from a Premium subscription with unlimited access, mobile viewing, certificates, recommendations, and other benefits.
So while LinkedIn Learning is not accessible for free simply by having a LinkedIn account, there are creative ways to access courses at low or no cost depending on your situation and commitment to learning new skills online.
