Like with many online learning platforms, Skillshare reviews are hard to decipher. Some reviewers and YouTubers explain that it is the best educational content out there while others claim it is just a paid version of YouTube, so what is the truth?
In this Career Karma article, we will do an honest analysis as part of our Skillshare review so you can make an informed decision about your education. We will look at the learning experience, the prices of a premium account, what Skillshare offers their premium members, and much more.
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Is Skillshare Legit?
If you are wondering whether to whip out the credit card for a Skillshare premium membership, let’s first have a look at all the facts. Skillshare is an American online resource that provides video content (lessons) on a wide range of topics. The most popular subjects are creative topics like music production, design, illustration, photography, writing, and fine art.
Similar to YouTube, teachers or anyone can upload their video content to Skillshare. However, unlike YouTube, Skillshare teachers have strict guidelines to adhere to when uploading their lessons. This means higher quality for Skillshare’s content, although it won’t be as educationally valuable as an accredited course.
How Skillshare Works
Students can scroll through the classes and find a particular subject they are interested in learning. Once clicked on, you can find information about your course and instructors, which is a great start to researching if the tutor is, in fact, a professional in their craft.
Similar to MasterClass, students watch video content about the topic, with no quizzes and no certification options. However, unlike MasterClass, anyone is capable of making tutorials on a subject.
How Much Does Skillshare Cost?
The first month of Skillshare classes or the basic Skillshare membership is free, and the premium membership is $1 for the first two months. After that, premium is $19 per month or students can opt for the yearly fee of $99 upfront. If students consider doing one or two courses, then the first three months of Skillshare pricing is an outstanding value.
However, if students opt for the annual membership fee or a year’s worth of monthly subscriptions, the price is less reasonable. Like many online learning platforms, you will need to enter your credit card details during the free trial period.
As dull as it may sound, it is always best to read the terms of the agreement before clicking, as some reviews suggest that the platform has had issues with these “free trials.”
Skillshare Courses Review
Skillshare Platform
The platform is fairly intuitive with little indicators on each lesson page stating what level they are, such as beginner, intermediate, or advanced. Course structures may vary, with some being extremely beneficial and others lacking, depending on the course provider. The best way to get a sense of the classes is through the free introductory videos.
Skillshare Teachers
For those interested in creating classes on Skillshare, here are some crucial details. Its terms of services for teachers are very rigorous. If it so much as suspects you of fraudulent behavior, it will cut your content and paycheck with it. So be sure to read your agreements and keep checking them as they continually evolve.
Teachers earn based on two metrics. Firstly, from royalties, and secondly, from premium referrals. This means teachers are paid a mixture of royalties from the minutes watched by premium students each month and an extra $10 from students following their referral links.
Online Education
There are arguments for and against online learning platforms. Online classes are cheaper, more flexible, and more accessible. However, you need a lot of self-motivation and must be aware that not all classes will be of the same high quality when compared with traditional classroom education.
Skillshare Promotion
Skillshare has personally sponsored numerous reviews on YouTube or online. There is no doubt that most companies turn to digital marketing these days, which is how they make their profits.
However, be aware that if you are searching for legit reviews of Skillshare online, the majority have been paid, so keep a critical eye open when doing your research. If you notice a Skillshare link anywhere on the page or beneath a video, it’s likely sponsored content.
Cancelling Skillshare
For Skillshare members who wish to cancel their subscription or yearly payments, it’s relatively easy to do so. Users need to go to their settings and payment page and follow the steps provided to cancel Skillshare.
Skillshare Review: Final Verdict on its Online Courses
Whether using Skillshare or downloading the Skillshare app is worth it depends entirely on you. The star ratings vary from 3 to 4.6 out of 5 stars, making it an average education site.
If you want to learn a topic but do not necessarily need certification, it could be useful. You would be paying for a neat arrangement of lessons all in one place on the subject.
Skillshare classes are particularly useful to those wanting to learn hands-on or software-related creative topics, such as photoshop skills, camera skills, graphic design, etc. Although these are not free classes like you might find on YouTube, it can be an excellent site to learn some new skills.
Lastly, we would advise you to act with caution with any website that asks for credit card information upon sign-up. The best thing to do would be to look at some introduction videos first to see if any classes are covering what you want to learn.
If there are, then sign up for the free trial or a yearly payment if there is enough content you want to learn on the site to make the year worth it.
This concludes our Skillshare review, but if you want to discover more about free online education and online community colleges, then we have got the articles for you.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert and enthusiast, I have a wide range of knowledge on various topics, including online learning platforms like Skillshare. While I have personal experiences or opinions, I can provide you with information based on the search results I have access to. Let's dive into the concepts mentioned in this article.
Skillshare Overview
Skillshare is an American online resource that provides video content (lessons) on a wide range of topics, with a focus on creative subjects such as music production, design, illustration, photography, writing, and fine art. Similar to YouTube, anyone can upload their video content to Skillshare, but Skillshare teachers have strict guidelines to adhere to when uploading their lessons, which ensures a higher quality of content compared to YouTube.
Learning Experience
On Skillshare, students can scroll through the classes and find a particular subject they are interested in learning. Each course has information about the course and instructors, allowing students to research if the tutor is a professional in their craft. Students watch video content about the topic, but there are no quizzes or certification options like on platforms such as MasterClass. It's important to note that Skillshare classes may not be as educationally valuable as accredited courses, but they can still provide valuable knowledge and skills.
Pricing
Skillshare offers a free basic membership for the first month, allowing users to access a limited number of classes. After the free trial, there is a premium membership available for $1 for the first two months. The regular price for a premium membership is $19 per month, or students can opt for the yearly fee of $99 upfront. The pricing structure makes Skillshare an affordable option, especially for those who plan to take one or two courses. However, it's important to read the terms of the agreement before signing up, as some reviews suggest that the platform has had issues with "free trials".
Course Quality and Teachers
The quality of Skillshare courses can vary depending on the course provider. The platform provides indicators on each lesson page to indicate the level of the course, such as beginner, intermediate, or advanced. Course structures may vary, with some courses being extremely beneficial and others lacking, depending on the course provider. To get a sense of the classes, it's recommended to watch the free introductory videos. Skillshare has strict terms of service for teachers, and fraudulent behavior can result in content and payment being cut. Teachers earn royalties based on the minutes watched by premium students each month and can earn extra from premium referrals.
Online Learning Platforms
There are arguments for and against online learning platforms like Skillshare. Online classes are generally cheaper, more flexible, and more accessible than traditional classroom education. However, it's important to note that not all classes will have the same high quality as accredited courses. Online learning requires self-motivation, and students should be aware that the quality of courses may vary. Skillshare can be particularly useful for those wanting to learn hands-on or software-related creative topics, such as Photoshop skills, camera skills, and graphic design.
Sponsored Reviews and Cancellation
Skillshare has sponsored numerous reviews on YouTube and other online platforms as part of their digital marketing strategy. It's important to be aware that many reviews of Skillshare online have been paid, so it's advisable to keep a critical eye open when doing research. Cancelling a Skillshare subscription or yearly payment is relatively easy, and users can do so by going to their settings and payment page.
Final Verdict
Whether Skillshare is worth it depends on individual preferences and needs. The platform has an average rating of 3 to 4.6 out of 5 stars, indicating that it can be a useful education site for those who want to learn a topic without necessarily needing certification. Skillshare classes are particularly useful for those wanting to learn hands-on or software-related creative topics. It's recommended to watch introduction videos first to see if the classes cover what you want to learn before signing up for the free trial or a yearly payment.
I hope this information helps you make an informed decision about Skillshare. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!
