I’ve been taking Coursera courses for a few years now, and one thing that has always confused me is Coursera’s pricing.
And I know I’m not alone—Coursera offers different types of programs (degrees, certificates, projects, and more), each with its own pricing structure, which can be overwhelming to understand.
In this article, I’ll break down everything you need to know about Coursera’s costs in 2025 – from individual courses to subscription plans, including program duration, refund policies, and more.
A Quick Breakdown of Coursera Costs (India & Worldwide)
| Coursera Plans | Global Cost | India Cost | Duration | Free Trial / Refund |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individual Course | $49 per month | INR 1,699 per month | 4–12 weeks (self-paced) | 14-day refund |
| Team (for businesses) | $259 per user/year | Same | Annual | 14-day refund |
| Guided Projects | $9.99 – $19.99 (some free) | INR 849 (some free) | 1–2 hours | None |
| Specializations | $49 per month | INR 1,699 per month | 3–6 months | 14-day refund |
| Professional Certificates | $49 per month | INR 1,699 per month | 3–12 months | 14-day refund |
| MasterTrack Certificates | From $2,000 (varies by program) | Same | 4–7 months (part of a degree) | None |
| Degrees | From $9,000 | Same | 2–4 years (part-time/online) | None |
| Coursera Plus Subscription | $59/month or $399/year | INR 2,099/month or INR 13,999/year (recently dropped) | Unlimited access (1 year) | 7-day free trial |
💡 Quick Announcement: Coursera is currently offering a massive discount on Coursera Plus. You get access to over 10,000 courses with:
- 30% off globally
- 43% off in India – bringing the annual cost down to just INR 7,999/year.
👉 To learn more about this offer, check out [this post].
We will go a little deeper into each type of Coursera program and see how they work. But first, let’s talk about free courses – Does Coursera offers free courses?
Free Courses on Coursera
Coursera also offers thousands of completely free courses across subjects like business, technology, personal development, data science, and more. These can be joined instantly—no payment details or credit card required.
Unlike Coursera’s paid programs such as Professional Certificates, Specializations, or Degrees, these are standalone free courses designed to make learning accessible to everyone.
What you’ll get:
- Access to video lectures, reading materials, and discussion forums
- A structured learning experience built by top universities and institutions
- The chance to explore new topics without financial commitment
What’s not included:
- Graded assignments and quizzes
- Shareable certificates (unless you upgrade to the paid version)
These free courses are a great way to test out Coursera’s platform, build foundational knowledge, or simply learn something new at your own pace. Many learners start here before moving on to Coursera Plus or professional programs to advance their careers.
Individual Courses on Coursera
Coursera offers thousands of individual courses across subjects like data science, business, IT, health, and personal development.
These courses are self-paced and generally take between 4 to 6 weeks to complete, depending on the time you dedicate.
The pricing structure is straightforward: most individual courses cost $49 per month (around INR 1,699 in India).
Since payment is on a subscription basis, the faster you finish the course, the more affordable it becomes.
Each course includes video lectures, quizzes, peer-reviewed assignments, and graded projects. Upon successful completion, you’ll also receive a certificate, which can be shared on LinkedIn or added to your resume.
Note: Individual courses are best for learners who want to quickly upskill in a particular topic without committing to a long program. For example, if you’re looking to learn the basics of Python programming or digital marketing, taking a standalone course is a flexible and cost-effective choice.
Coursera for Teams (Team Plan)
Coursera for Teams is the platform’s business-focused plan that lets organizations buy licensed seats for groups of employees, making it simpler and cheaper per person to train teams compared with buying multiple individual Coursera Plus subscriptions.
The Team plan is sold on a per-user, per-year basis and is designed for small to mid-sized teams as well as larger departments: you can start with a minimum purchase of 5 licensed members and scale up to 125 users under a single team account.
With this setup, companies get centralized billing, user management, and progress tracking, so HR or L&D managers can assign learning paths, monitor completion, and measure skill growth across the team. For teams that want ongoing, scalable training without the overhead of individual purchases, Coursera for Teams is a cost-effective and easy-to-administer option.
- Cost: $259 per user per year.
- Duration: Annual subscription (billed per user per year).
Guided Projects
Guided Projects are one of Coursera’s most practical offerings. They are short, interactive experiences where you learn a skill step by step and practice it at the same time. A split-screen interface lets you follow instructions on one side while applying them in a live work environment on the other.
- Cost: $9.99–$19.99 (INR 849), some are free
- Duration: 1–2 hours
These projects are designed for learners who want to pick up a skill fast. Whether it’s creating a dashboard in Excel, analyzing data with SQL, or designing a presentation in Canva, Guided Projects help you learn by doing and are highly affordable.
Specialization Programs
Specializations are a structured way to gain in-depth knowledge on a particular subject. Each program includes a series of courses – usually between three and seven – that cover the topic step by step.
Specializations often end with a capstone project, giving you the chance to apply your learning in a real-world scenario.
- Cost: $49/month (INR 1,699/month)
- Duration: 3–6 months on average
These programs are best for learners who want to master a field rather than just dabble in it. For instance, if you want to become proficient in data science or digital marketing, a specialization offers comprehensive training that takes you from beginner to advanced level.
Professional Certificates
Professional Certificates are designed to prepare you for job roles in high-demand industries. Created in collaboration with companies like Google, IBM, Meta, and Microsoft, these programs provide career-focused learning and practical projects that can be added to your portfolio.
- Cost: $49/month (INR 1,699/month)
- Duration: 4–7 months depending on pace
These certificates are perfect for those looking to switch careers or start fresh in fields such as IT support, UX design, data analytics, or cloud computing. Many of them are beginner-friendly, requiring no prior knowledge or experience, and they are recognized by employers worldwide.
MasterTrack Certificates
MasterTrack Certificates allow you to take a portion of a Master’s degree program online, broken down into modules. They are offered by top universities and provide the same academic rigor as the on-campus version. You’ll also get live sessions, graded assignments, and projects.
- Cost: Starting from $2,000 (varies by program)
- Duration: 4–7 months
These programs are best for professionals who want university-level learning but don’t want to commit to a full degree. The added advantage is that credits earned in a MasterTrack can often be applied toward a full Master’s program later.
Online Degrees
For learners who want to pursue higher education from the comfort of their home, Coursera offers full Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs in partnership with prestigious universities such as the University of London, University of Illinois, and HEC Paris.
- Cost: Starting from $9,000 for the full program
- Duration: 2–4 years depending on degree and schedule
These degrees are equivalent to their on-campus counterparts, taught by the same faculty, and offer flexible study schedules. They are ideal for professionals or students who want a recognized university degree without relocating or paying high tuition fees abroad.
Coursera Plus Subscription Plans
If you plan to take multiple courses on Coursera in a year, the Coursera Plus subscription is often the most cost-effective option. It gives you unlimited access to more than 10,000 courses, specializations, professional certificates, and guided projects.
- Global Pricing: $59 per month or $399 per year.
- India Pricing: INR 2,099 per month or INR 13,999 per year.
- Current Discount (India only): INR 7,999 per year. (valid until September 22, 2025)
- Free Trial: 7-day free trial available to test before committing.
Coursera Plus is perfect for frequent learners. If you plan to take three or more courses in a year, the subscription quickly pays for itself. It’s also a great choice for career changers or professionals who want to continuously upskill without worrying about individual course fees.
How to Purchase Coursera Programs?
Buying a course, certificate, or subscription on Coursera is simple. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Create a Coursera Account
- Go to Coursera.org.
- Sign up with your email, Google account, or Facebook.
- Choose Your Program
- Browse for the course, specialization, certificate, or degree you want to enroll in.
- Check the course page for details like cost, duration, and free trial/refund policy.
- Select the Pricing Option
- For individual courses or certificates: Click “Enroll” and choose the pay-per-course option.
- For subscriptions like Coursera Plus: Select “Subscribe” (monthly or annual plan).
- For Guided Projects: Many are low-cost or even free—just hit “Start Project.”
- Add to Cart / Proceed to Checkout
- Some programs let you add multiple courses to the cart.
- Others (like subscriptions) take you directly to checkout.
- Complete the Payment
- Coursera accepts major credit/debit cards, PayPal, and sometimes regional payment options (like UPI in India).
- If available, apply any promo code or discount before finalizing payment.
- Start Learning
- Once payment is complete, you’ll get instant access.
- For subscriptions, you can explore multiple courses immediately under your plan.
💡 Pro Tip: If you’re unsure, look for courses with a free trial (like Coursera Plus) or a 14-day refund policy (available on most individual courses and specializations). This lets you test the content risk-free.
How to Save on Coursera Programs?
Coursera does not usually offer discounts on individual programs such as:
- Professional Certificates
- Specializations
- MasterTrack Certificates
- Degree Programs
The only way to get a discount is through Coursera Plus—their subscription plan that unlocks access to over 10,000+ courses, including most professional certificates and specializations.
- Discounts apply only to Coursera Plus (monthly and annual plans).
- Offers are frequent, especially on the annual plan.
- Current Offer (Valid until September 22, 2025):
- 🌍 Global: 30% off on the annual plan.
- 🇮🇳 India: 43% off – annual plan available for just INR 7,999/year (down from INR 13,999).
For future updates on these discounts, subscribe to our free newsletter.
💡 If you plan to take more than a couple of courses in a year, Coursera Plus is the most cost-effective way to save money while getting unlimited access to thousands of courses.
Final Thoughts: Is Coursera Worth Your Money?
Whether Coursera is worth the cost really depends on your goals. If you’re simply exploring a subject or brushing up on basic skills, you can take advantage of free courses and learn without spending a penny.
But if you’re serious about advancing your career, earning credentials, or gaining in-demand job-ready skills, then the paid programs are definitely worth it.
Professional Certificates and Specializations provide targeted training that can help you transition into new careers. MasterTrack Certificates and Online Degrees, though more expensive, give you university-level credentials that are recognized by employers worldwide.
And if you want maximum flexibility at a lower price point, Coursera Plus is the best deal—giving you unlimited access to thousands of courses for a single subscription.
In short, Coursera offers value at every level:
- Free learners can still gain knowledge.
- Career-focused learners can invest in certificates or degrees.
- Lifelong learners can save with Coursera Plus and explore multiple subjects.
So, yes—Coursera is worth paying for, especially when you consider the quality of the instructors, the global recognition of certificates, and the frequent discounts on Coursera Plus. It’s one of the few platforms where you can access world-class education at a fraction of traditional costs.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How to Cancel Your Coursera Plus Subscription?
If you no longer wish to continue with Coursera Plus, canceling your subscription is simple and can be done directly through your account settings.
1. Log in to your Coursera account.
2. Go to your “My Purchases” or “Subscriptions” page.
3. Locate your Coursera Plus plan.
4. Click on “Manage Subscription” and then select “Cancel”.
5. Confirm your cancellation.
Once canceled, you’ll still have access to Coursera Plus until the end of your current billing cycle. After that, you won’t be charged again unless you resubscribe.
💡 Important Note: If you purchased Coursera Plus through a mobile app (Google Play or Apple App Store), you’ll need to cancel directly from your respective app store subscriptions.
Does Coursera Offer Free Courses?
Yes, Coursera offers thousands of free courses in areas like business, data science, and personal development. You can access video lectures, readings, and quizzes at no cost. However, free courses don’t include certificates or graded assignments. If you want credentials or hands-on projects, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan or Coursera Plus.
How to Get a Discount on Coursera?
Coursera usually doesn’t discount individual programs like degrees, Specializations, or Professional Certificates. The only major discount comes with the Coursera Plus subscription, which unlocks access to over 10,000 courses, Specializations, and Professional Certificates.
Discounts on Coursera Plus are offered frequently on monthly and annual plans. Currently, there’s a 30% off annual plan globally and a 43% off annual plan in India (₹7,999/year) — valid until 22 September 2025.
