YouTube Isn’t the Only One—Here Are the Top 20 Free Sites to Learn Anything Online (with Certificates)

We all know YouTube is packed with free educational content—but what if you’re looking for more structured learning with certificates to show for it?

Whether you’re advancing your career, switching industries, or just hungry to learn, there are plenty of free online learning platforms offering professional-level courses—many of them with certificates you can proudly add to your resume or LinkedIn profile.

YouTube isn’t the only one—Here below are the top 20 free sites to learn anything online (with certificates) accessible to everyone. From Ivy League universities to big tech companies, these platforms give you a chance to learn anything online—without paying a dime.

1. Coursera

Website: coursera.org
Coursera offers a wide range of free courses with certificates. Some of the most popular include “IBM Data Science” and “The Science of Well-Being.” You can also apply for financial aid to access premium content and certificates for free.

2. edX

Website: edx.org
edX features free courses from top universities like Harvard and MIT. While access is free, certificates may require a small fee—but the knowledge is always free.

3. Khan Academy

Website: khanacademy.org
Originally designed for K-12 education, Khan Academy now includes subjects like computer science and economics. You’ll receive completion certificates for tracking your progress.

4. Udemy

Website: udemy.com
Udemy has a mix of free and paid courses. While not all free courses come with certificates, many in tech and business do. Search “free certificate courses” to find them quickly.

5. Harvard Online Courses

Website: online-learning.harvard.edu
Harvard’s “CS50” is one of the most respected intro computer science courses in the world—and it’s free. Many courses offer certificates upon completion.

6. LinkedIn Learning

Website: linkedin.com/learning
This platform offers a one-month free trial with access to thousands of professional courses and certificates. Ideal for upgrading your resume or improving your work skills.

7. Stanford Online

Website: online.stanford.edu
Stanford Online provides free courses in subjects like engineering and public health. Several courses offer certificates of completion.

8. Codecademy

Website: codecademy.com
Learn to code for free with interactive courses in Python, JavaScript, HTML, and more. While many advanced features require a subscription, free courses often include certificates.

9. Alison

Website: alison.com
Alison has thousands of free courses with certificates in areas like business, technology, and health. It’s great for job seekers or anyone looking to upskill quickly.

10. Udacit

Website: udacity.com
Best known for its tech-focused nanodegrees, Udacity also offers a number of free courses in partnership with companies like Google—some of which include free certificates.

11. FutureLearn

Website: futurelearn.com
This platform offers university-level courses in everything from healthcare to digital skills. Many of the free courses come with certificates, especially through partnerships with global institutions.

12. Academic Earth

Website: academicearth.org
Academic Earth offers a large selection of college-level courses for free. Subjects range from math to social sciences, and certificates are available for select courses.

13. HubSpot Academy

Website: academy.hubspot.com
A go-to for marketers, HubSpot Academy provides free digital marketing courses with certificates, covering SEO, email marketing, and content strategy.

14. Google Digital Garage

Website: learndigital.withgoogle.com
From digital marketing to career development, Google’s platform offers free, certified courses that look great on your resume or LinkedIn.

15. OpenLearn by The Open University

Website: open.edu/openlearn
OpenLearn provides free educational resources across a variety of subjects with certificates of completion. No hidden fees or subscriptions.

16. MIT OpenCourseWare

Website: ocw.mit.edu
MIT shares lecture notes, assignments, and exams from real courses—totally free. While the platform doesn’t always offer certificates, many learners use it to prep for industry certifications.

17. Microsoft Learn

Website: docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn
Ideal for IT professionals and beginners alike, Microsoft Learn offers free courses with certifications on Azure, Office, Power BI, and more.

18. Saylor Academy

Website: saylor.org
Saylor Academy provides free college-level courses with certificates, perfect for students and professionals looking to brush up on academic subjects.

19. NPTEL (National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning)

Website: nptel.ac.in
India’s top engineering institutions contribute to NPTEL. Offers free online courses with certificates in areas like engineering, science, and management.

20. SWAYAM (Government of India)

Website: swayam.gov.in
Backed by the Indian government, SWAYAM delivers certified online courses across a broad spectrum of fields through partnerships with top Indian universities.

Conclusion

Free education has never been more accessible—or more valuable. Whether you’re looking to build tech skills, deepen your academic knowledge, or just grow personally, these 20 platforms offer a path forward.

YouTube is great, but these sites take learning to the next level—with the added bonus of verifiable certificates that can help you stand out in job applications, freelance work, or career transitions.

Choose one today, and start learning—because your next opportunity could be just one course away.