15 Most Popular Skillshare Free Courses (Updated in 2024)

Last Updated on December, 2024

Even though there are many Skillshare free courses, finding the right course that is worth your time and requirements is challenging and time-consuming. 

Therefore, our quick guide helps you find the best course by suggesting the 28 BEST courses on Skillshare. We will also guide you on how free trial and subscription works and how to use the Skillshare app best. 

Here’s an overview:

  • Accounting Fundamentals: Understanding Financial Statements
  • Art Fundamentals In One Hour
  • Blogging Basics
  • Building A Career In Illustration: Explore Print-On-Demand I Learn With Society
  • Building An Etsy Shop That Sells: Strategies For E-Commerce Success
  • Demystifying Beauty: Inspiration For Design
  • Demystifying Graphic Design: How Posters Work
  • E-Commerce Essentials: How To Start A Successful Online Business
  • From Plant To Cup: Brew An Amazing Cup Of Coffee
  • Getting Started With Email Marketing I Learn With Mailchimp
  • Going Freelance: Building And Branding Your Own Success
  • How To Get A Job: A Step-By-Step Guide I Learn With Glassdoor
  • How To Make A Podcast: Plan, Record, And Launch With Success
  • Interior Design Basics: Simple Steps To Your Perfect Space
  • Intro To UX: Fundamentals Of Usability

Top 15 Skillshare Free Courses

1. Accounting Fundamentals: Understanding Financial Statements

a screenshot of the accounting fundamentals: understanding financial statements course by skillshare

Quick Summary 

Instructor: Matt Cooper (CEO of Skillshare)

Estimated completion time: 10 Lessons for 46 minutes

Rating (Expectation met?): Yes (52%)

The “Accounting Fundamentals: Understanding Financial Statements” is offered by Matt Cooper, the CEO of Skillshare. Over 15,000+ students have enrolled so far.

He had included the theories and the knowledge to run a successful online business (to handle finances). However, if you want to learn the essentials of financial spreadsheets, this is your go-to option! 

The following are the key learnings of this Skillshare course:

  • Learn the difference between Accrual and Cash Accounting.
  • Understand Income statements, Balance sheets, and Cash Flow Statements.
  • Include the calculations of topline revenue and basic equations.

2. Art Fundamentals in One Hour

a screenshot of the art fundamentals in one hour course by skillshare

Quick Summary 

Instructor: Hardy Fowler

Estimated completion time: 9 Lessons for 1 hour and 4 minutes

Rating (Expectation met?): Exceeded (55%)

Do you want to be a Digital artist? “Art Fundamentals In One Hour” could be the best program to polish your digital art skills.

There are over 16,000+ students enrolled in this class. Hardy is a professional concept artist and an illustrator with years of experience. Therefore, he will guide you on the technical terminology or concepts related to the field. 

The following are the key learnings of this Skillshare course:

  • Includes the best practices of successful artists. 
  • Covers primary areas such as sketching, value, and color. 
  • You can learn about the core principles related to designing.
  • Uses Adobe Photoshop and Wacom tablet tools to guide you throughout the class. 

3. Blogging Basics

a screenshot of the blogging basics course by skillshare

Quick Summary

Instructor: Theresa Christine

Estimated completion time: 7 Lessons for 23 minutes

Rating (Expectation met?): Yes (61%)

If you want to start your own online business related to blogs or want to learn about blogging, Theresa Christine is here to guide you! There are over 41,000+ learners enrolled in this class to learn how to create fantastic content. 

Theresa is a successful blogger who’s been doing a fabulous job since 2013. Therefore, she will lay the foundation for you to make the best blog in the right direction!

The following are the key learnings of this Skillshare course:

  • Learn about blogging platforms
  • It covers designing a Blog, handling blog pages, and social media. 
  • Includes the tips to create excellent blogging content. 

4. Building a Career in Illustration: Explore Print-on-Demand I Learn With Society6

a screenshot of the building a career in illustration: explore print-on-demand i learn with society6 course by skillshare

Quick Summary

Instructor: Cat Coquillette

Estimated completion time: 7 Lessons for 24 minutes

Rating (Expectation met?): Yes (54%)

Do you want to start your career with print-on-demand? Go check out this course, “Building A Career in Illustration.” It has over 64,000 student enrollments. 

This class helps you sell your Art of print-on-demand platforms, make suggestions to make the best sales and analyze trends using online metrics and Google Analytics. 

Also, she will teach you to start your own business on Society6 (an online marketplace for artists’ designs).

The following are the key learnings of this Skillshare course:

  • Learn to design Art that sells.
  • It covers the guidance to sell with print-on-demand.
  • Teaches the prepping process to sell your work.
  • Finally, it helps you to upload to Society6 and market your work. 

5. Building an Etsy Shop That Sells: Strategies for E-Commerce Success

a screenshot of the building an etsy shop that sells: strategies for e-commerce success course by skillshare

Quick Summary

Instructor: Parker Gard

Estimated completion time: 6 Lessons for 41 minutes

Rating (Expectation met?): Yes (52%)

Through the class “Building An Etsy Shop That Sells,” Parker Gard teaches us to start selling online. Parker has been the content producer at Esty, and it’s a complete beginners’ course where 49,000+ have enrolled so far.

It would cover all the e-commerce essentials you must know about Etsy. Also, it would cover the best ways to create a winning product and the actionable strategies to help you see results. 

The following are the key learnings of this Skillshare course:

  • Introduction to the Marketplace.
  • Learn to refine your product, create a good brand, and appear in the marketplace. 
  • Guides you on your future goals with your Etsy business. 

6. Demystifying Beauty: Inspiration for Design

a screenshot of the demystifying beauty: inspiration for design course by skillshare

Quick Summary

Instructor: Ellen Lupton

Estimated completion time: 10 Lessons for 36 minutes

Rating (Expectation met?): Exceeded (48%)

The “Demystifying Beauty: Inspiration For Design” course includes guidelines on how to bring beauty to your work based on five themes and examples. However, she has over 14,000 student enrollments for this class. 

Whether you want to excel in your career as a Graphic designer, creative, or even enthusiast, this class sets the perfect foundation. 

The following are the key learnings of this Skillshare course:

  • Overview of Beauty.
  • Learn based on five theses: the Stories of making, Polychrome, Monochrome, Natural Patterns of Growth, and Chance encounters.
  • Includes a “Dot Challenge” to create beauty. 

7. Demystifying Graphic Design: How Posters Work

a screenshot of the demystifying graphic design: how posters work course by skillshare

Quick Summary

Instructor: Ellen Lupton

Estimated completion time: 12 Lessons for 1 hour 4 minutes

Rating (Expectation met?): Exceeded (53%)

The “Demystifying Graphic Design” class is the best for individuals who prefer to advance their careers as graphic designers or illustrators.

As discussed in the above course which is also conducted by Ellen, she would teach you to create the best posters by fine-tuning even minor details, and she has over 54,000 student enrollments. 

She has extensive experience and even authored and co-authored design practice-related books. However, she covers the essentials of making a Polish film poster for political propaganda. 

The following are the key learnings of this Skillshare course:

  • Create a poster with Ellen for the movie Alfred Hitchcock. 
  • It helps brush up on graphic design basics.
  • Learn the techniques: activating the diagonals, simplifying, overlapping, focusing the eye, and assaulting the surface.
  • Visit the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. 

8. E-Commerce Essentials: How to Start a Successful Online Business

a screenshot of the e-commerce essentials: how to start a successful online business course by skillshare

Quick Summary 

Instructor: Tracey Wallace

Estimated completion time: 9 Lessons for 1 hour 2 minutes

Rating (Expectation met?): Exceeded (50%)

Whether you want to start your online business or learn about e-commerce, Tracey Wallace will walk you through this journey. She has extensive experience as a director and editor-in-chief and has worked with retail experts and influencers. 

Over 64,000+ learners have enrolled in her class, and she teaches through a step-by-step process to start your business. This class would help you drive and increase sales across your business platforms. 

The following are the key learnings of this Skillshare course:

  • Introduction to the State E-commerce.
  • Learn to find your product niche, evaluate market viability, and conduct competitor analysis. 
  • Understand how to set up your store and the strategies for a profitable business. 

9. From Plant to Cup: Brew an Amazing Cup of Coffee

a screenshot of the from plant to cup: brew an amazing cup of coffee course by skillshare

Quick Summary

Instructor: Michael Phillips

Estimated completion time: 11 Lessons for 58 minutes

Rating (Expectation met?): Exceeded (48%)

If you want to learn how to make the best cup of coffee, check out the “From Plant To Cup: Brew An Amazing Cup Of Coffee” course. Micheal Phillips is one of the industry experts in making the best coffees. 

There are more than 34,000+ students enrolled in this class. He will teach you from making coffee in a simple cup to testing out with many equipment. 

The following are the key learnings of this course:

  • Introduction to Coffee Theory. 
  • Learn about the Brewing tools, grinding beans, selecting ingredients, and making your recipe. 
  • Include brewing your coffee, tasting it, and enjoying it!

10. Getting Started With Email Marketing I Learn With Mailchimp

a screenshot of the getting started with email marketing i learn with mailchimp course by skillshare

Quick Summary:

Instructor: Allyson Van Houten

Estimated completion time: 14 Lessons for 1 hour 10 minutes

Rating (Expectation met?): Yes (54%)

One of the primary concepts in email marketing is Campaign creation, and Allyson Van Houten goes over how to guide you in this field. 

There are over 57,000+ students enrolled in his online classes so far. Therefore, his guidance will help you develop the best email marketing strategy. 

The following are the key learnings of this Skillshare course:

  • Overview of Email Marketing.
  • You can understand the goal, content, type of emails you can send, and frequency. 
  • Learn to create email campaigns by building the subscriber list, segmenting subscribers, writing, designing, testing, sending, and analyzing the success of the email campaigns. 
  • Understand the common pitfalls in email marketing. 

11. Going Freelance: Building and Branding Your Own Success

a screenshot of the going freelance: building and branding your own success course by skillshare

Quick Summary

Instructor: Justin Gignac

Estimated completion time: 9 Lessons for 51 minutes

Rating (Expectation met?): Yes (55%)

If you want to escalate your freelance career, the class “Going Freelance: Building and Branding your own Success” that Justin Gignac offers helps! He is the co-founder of the Working Not Working platform. 

It is one of the best skillshare classes about freelancing, with 81,000+ learners enrolled so far. His video classes would cover the essential examples, tips, and ways to seek work and keep them steady. 

The following are the key learnings of this Skillshare course:

  • Learn the power of doing side projects, marketing yourself, and creating an authentic network. 
  • Understand about making a great portfolio and how it helps.
  • Teaches the Fundamentals of Business. 

12. How to Get a Job: A Step-By-Step Guide I Learn With Glassdoor

a screenshot of the how to get a job: a step-by-step guide i learn with glassdoor course by skillshare

Quick Summary

Instructor: Scott Dobroski

Estimated completion time: 10 Lessons for 1 hour 4 minutes

Rating (Expectation met?): Exceeded 58%

Whether you are struggling to land your dream job or prefer to know the secrets of a successful job search, this class will help you! Scott Dobroski is an experienced corporate employee skilled in a variety of fields.

However, it is one of the best Skillshare classes, with 17,000+ learners enrolled. He also gives a 30-page workbook guide to kick off your job search. 

The following are the key learnings of this Skillshare course:

  • Teaches the ways to look for opportunities.
  • Assists in making the best resume cover letter. 
  • Guides on the phone screening, interviewing, and negotiating the offer. 

13. How to Make a Podcast: Plan, Record, and Launch With Success

a screenshot of the how to make a podcast: plan, record, and launch with success course by skillshare

Quick Summary 

Instructor: John Lagomarsino

Estimated completion time: 12 Lessons for 1 hour 4 minutes

Rating (Expectation met?): Exceeded (54%)

If you want to start your podcast “How to make a podcast: Plan, Record and Launch,” the class of John Lagomasino fits you well! He will teach you the basics of writing, recording, and launching to do everything in the podcast. 

However, more than 22,000+ students have enrolled so far. Also, it will help you pick your personal style, find creative topics, and discover your podcast journey!

The following are the key learnings of this Skillshare course:

  • Introduction to Podcasts and Getting Started. 
  • Learn to plan your pilot episode, pick your gear, and prepare to mix your pilot and podcast. 
  • Comprehend the recording tips and explore your style and tone. 
  • Teaches to design your podcast for launch and set it up. 

14. Interior Design Basics: Simple Steps to Your Perfect Space

a screenshot of the interior design basics: simple steps to your perfect space course by skillshare

Quick Summary 

Instructor: Lauren Cox

Estimated completion time: 11 Lessons for 1 hour 27 minutes

Rating (Expectation met?): Yes (47%)

The “Interior Design Basics: Simple Steps to Your Perfect Home” is geared towards individuals who prefer to transform their homes according to their style and budget. 

Undoubtedly, it is one of the best classes on Skillshare, with over 80,000+ student enrollments. However, she mentioned covering different topics, including tips, printable reference guides, and a great shot at your interior design. 

The following are the key learnings of this Skillshare course:

  • Introduction to Interior Design.
  • Covers the basics of principles of interior design, namely color, balance, scale, proportion, rhythm, and repetition. 
  • It helps you to find your design style based on your skills. 
  • Guides you on two styling projects, namely Modern Farmhouse and Preppy Coastal.

15. Intro to UX: Fundamentals of Usability

a screenshot of the intro to ux: fundamentals of usability course by skillshare

Quick Summary

Instructor: Marieke McCloskey

Estimated completion time: 10 Lessons for 1 hour 21 minutes

Rating (Expectation met?): Yes (53%)

Marieke McCloskey offers the “Intro to UX” course, which mainly covers the Usability principle in creating the best visual design. There are more than 28,000+ learners enrolled in this Skillshare class.

It is one of the creative classes that helps beginners find insightful depth in usability. However, it covers the essential framework, tools, and tactics to excel in your UX career. 

The following are the key learnings of this Skillshare course:

  • Overview of Usability and its importance.
  • Learn the types of Usability testing and best practices related to it. 
  • Know about designing digital products, ensuring usability, and reporting on findings. 
  • Understand the concepts based on a Usability study and heuristic evaluation. 

How to Register With Skillshare?

a screenshot of the skillshare sign up button
a screenshot of the skillshare login options
a screenshot of the skillshare free month option

You can follow the following guidance to register with Skillshare:

  • Go to the official website of www.skillshare.com.
  • Next, click on the “Get Started for Free” button. It would lead you to the “Sign-Up” page. 
  • You can enter your email, create a password, and click “Sign up.” Alternatively, you can click on options such as “Continue with Facebook,” “Continue with Google,” or “Continue with Apple” and log in with the respective profiles.
  • After you sign up successfully, you will be led to a page to enter your payment details, such as your card details, to continue with a Premium paid membership with a free trial. Alternatively, if you don’t want to enter the subscription, you can continue to browse the free classes in Skillshare. 

Other Skillshare Courses 

We hope you checked on the comprehensive review of the top 15 Skillshare courses above.

Does Skillshare Have a Free Trial?

Yes, Skillshare offers a seven-day free trial, which you can claim only once. 

Why use Skillshare’s free trial? If you want to browse and find the best courses that fit your requirements, the Skillshare free trial is your go-to option. However, the free trial ends in 7 days (so plan what you would do during the trial systematically). 

Skillshare has an extensive collection of video classes in various subjects offered by industry experts. 

How Do You Use Skillshare’s Free Trial?

To use the trial offered by Skillshare, you must register and create an account (covered above). Next, once you sign in through your account, you can pick a subscription, enter your payment details, and start your trial period (you get free access). 

However, if you don’t want Skillshare to charge you, cancel the membership at the end of the trial. 

How Do Skillshare Paid Subscriptions Work?

skillshare pricing plans

Under the paid premium plan membership, you can get permanent access to 35,000+ classes in Skillshare. You can also watch these classes offline through the Skillshare platform. 

The following are the in-depth details of the Skillshare premium membership:

  • Skillshare Monthly: The monthly subscription in Skillshare has a cost of $29 per month (you can cancel it anytime) 
  • Skillshare Yearly: The yearly subscription to Skillshare costs $99, which is around $8.25 per month.

Pros and Cons of Skillshare Courses

The following represent the Pros and Cons of using Skillshare.

Pros

Skillshare provides 7 days trial.
Has over 27,000+ courses, including various subjects. 
Includes project-based learning style.
Have courses from beginners to advanced level users. 
Reasonable cost.
Under the Skillshare premium membership, you can view and download classes to view offline.
Offer video classes.
Specific courses include live sessions.
Has a Skillshare app for Android and iOS users.
If you refer a friend, you can one month for free.

Cons

No certificates or accreditation is provided.
There are no “MasterClass Caliber” instructions.
The quality and the course content may vary from one another.

Alternatives for Free Courses

udemy learning platform logo
udacity logo
coursera learning platform logo
edx learning platform

The following are the best alternatives offering free courses:

  • Udemy: Udemy is one of the amazing online learning platforms to advance with new skills. They offer 200+ free courses with lifetime access. However, you must pay for a certificate if you require it. 
  • Udacity: Udacity provides both paid and free courses. It works with many organizations, individuals, and governments. However, there are about 200+ free courses that you can access, from photography, animation, hand lettering, and graphic design to digital illustration. 
  • Coursera: Coursera collaborates with high-ranking universities and businesses to get the best courses on board. You can access many of their free classes through the “Audit” option (you will not get a certificate here). 
  • Edx: Edx has an excellent online learning community and offers free courses under the “Audit” option. They also partner with famous universities to cover topics in many fields and courses to align with the industry requirements. 

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, Skillshare offers various courses in many subjects, from digital illustration to photography. 

All these courses fit into either of the levels, namely Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, or All, and have their own projects. 

Therefore, you not only learn the concepts but also learn to apply them through practical scenarios. Therefore, Skillshare classes are worth it, and use their trial and subscriptions by analyzing the plans well (covered above). 

We hope this guide helped you learn new skills and advance your career through the BEST collection of Skillshare courses. 

FAQs

No, totally free courses are not available on Skillshare. However, you can take advantage of their one-month free trial.

Skillshare is not free, but utilizing the free trial or affordable premium membership is worthwhile.

Yes, teaching on Skillshare is free. You can publish your class at no cost. For more details, please visit Skillshare’s website.

It depends on your specific needs and preferences. Both platforms offer a variety of courses with different content, difficulty levels, durations, and costs. However, according to BitDegree, Udemy may provide more value for your money compared to Skillshare.

Was this article helpful?

Photo of author
Author
Carlos Eduardo
Hey there, I’m Carlos Eduardo, the Founder and Author of Scorebeyond. Delving deep into 20+ years of education transformation through innovative e-learning, I’ve poured my expertise into this platform. My enduring legacy continues to drive the path towards a future empowered by knowledge!

Leave a Comment