Choosing the online training provider can make or break your training program. Many teams face issues like a lack of sufficient, high-quality content and minimal customer support behind the tech. These gaps slow down rollout and frustrate learners. That’s why we’ve put together this list of nine trusted providers to help you find a platform with the content, tools, and support that is right for you and your team.
| Platform | Rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| OpenSesame | 4.6/5 | Workforce upskilling with deep, diverse content and AI expertise |
| Coursera | 4.5/5 | University partnerships and accredited degrees |
| Udemy | 4.1/5 | Massive marketplace of self-published courses |
| LinkedIn Learning | 4.3/5 | Organizations with Microsoft enterprise agreements |
| edX | 4.5/5 | Academic learning and micro-credentials |
| Skillshare | 3.3/5 | Creative and hobby-based learning |
| Skillsoft | 4.1/5 | Enterprise learning via built-in LMS Percipio |
| Pluralsight | 4.4/5 | Technical and IT training for professionals |
Comparison of top online learning platforms in 2025
What is an online training provider?
An online training provider is a platform that offers professional learning content online. Instead of building every course from scratch, L&D teams can use these providers to access vetted courses created by industry experts, often covering compliance, leadership, soft skills, and technical training. Some platforms also offer tools to assign, track, and report on training, and many integrate directly with your LMS to streamline delivery.
How do I choose an online course platform?
Core features
The most effective platforms go beyond basic video content by offering a variety of learning formats: interactive modules, short-form videos, PDFs, quizzes, and real-world scenarios. These options support different learning styles and help reinforce content in multiple ways. Features like mobile access let learners complete training anywhere, and self-paced options support flexibility and higher completion rates. Offering content in multiple languages also helps reach a global, diverse workforce. The ability to assign or reassign courses helps managers adapt to changing team needs. If you need to track progress or meet compliance goals, robust reporting tools and certification options make it easy to monitor and measure success.
Customer support
Even the most intuitive platforms can come with a learning curve, so strong customer support makes all the difference. Look for platforms that offer onboarding assistance, real-time technical support, and a dedicated success team or help center. Regular access to a customer success manager is essential to help L&D leads navigate the platform, act with confidence, and drive impact without needing to be an expert in every tool or feature.
Platforms that provide access to curators or content advisors can also support program design and help teams scale their training strategy more effectively. This ensures you’ll have support not just during setup, but throughout your entire learning journey, especially when managing a large or distributed workforce.
AI capabilities
AI-powered features can simplify course discovery, personalize learning paths, and automate administrative tasks. Some platforms use AI to recommend courses based on roles or skill gaps, while others help you curate content libraries faster. AI shouldn’t replace human insight; instead, it should amplify human capabilities, deepen the impact we have on business initiatives, and help us upskill quickly and more effectively with AI.
Top 8 Online Training Providers
OpenSesame: Best for workforce upskilling with deep, diverse content and AI expertise
Rating: 4.6/5
Key features:
- AI-powered recommendations
- 50k+ curated courses
- Seamless LMS, LXP, and HCM integrations
OpenSesame is a top choice for enterprise L&D teams thanks to its unmatched content depth and seamless LMS integrations. With more than 50,000 high-quality courses from top publishers, AI-powered recommendations, and expert human curation, OpenSesame’s corporate training marketplace enables companies to align training with business goals. It’s particularly valued in compliance, global workforce upskilling, and soft skills, making it a reliable choice for organizations that need scalable, flexible learning solutions.
Coursera: Best for individuals
Rating: 4.5/5
Key features:
- University partnerships
- Accredited certificates
- Career tracks
Coursera stands out for its academic use cases and education career tracks, thanks to partnerships with institutions like Stanford, Yale, and Google. It’s often cited in research for its rigorous course design, flexible scheduling, and degree options. Specifically for individuals, not companies, looking to earn certificates or complete online degrees while working, Coursera provides a respected, affordable pathway to upskilling.
Udemy / Udemy Business: Best for user-made content
Rating: 4.1/5
Key features:
- Massive library
- Self-paced access
- Instructor marketplace
Udemy consistently appears in industry lists for its scale, accessibility, and affordability. Its open-course marketplace means any user can upload content, which offers vast flexibility, while Udemy Business curates top-performing content for teams. Companies use it for on‑demand technical and professional training and scalable upskilling across multiple teams.
LinkedIn Learning: Best for organizations with Microsoft enterprise
Rating: 4.3/5
Key features:
- Professional and soft skills
- Microsoft enterprise compatibility
- LinkedIn integration
LinkedIn Learning is widely recognized for its integration with the LinkedIn ecosystem, allowing learners to showcase completed courses on their profiles. Its library focuses on professional and soft skills, with learning paths tied to roles and certifications. It’s a go-to platform for employees aiming for skill growth and should be used in conjunction with a compliance and safety platform.
edX: Best for flexible academic learning
Rating: 4.5/5
Key features:
- Academic credentials
- Flexible learning
- University-backed
Often listed alongside Coursera, edX is a strong contender in the university-backed category, offering micro-credentials, short programs, and degree pathways. It’s frequently recommended for learners seeking structured, academically vetted content without committing to traditional schooling. Its affordability and flexible model make it attractive for both individuals and teams.
Skillshare: Best for creatives and entrepreneurs
Rating: 3.3/5
Key features:
- Creative content
- Project-based learning
- Community access
Skillshare is frequently cited in reviews focused on design, entrepreneurship, and creative thinking. Its project-based learning model appeals to individuals in the visual and digital arts. While not built for enterprise training, it’s often recommended for freelancers or startups interested in sharpening their creative skills through self-directed learning.
Skillsoft: Best for built-in LMS Percipio
Rating: 4.1/5
Key features:
- Compliance training
- Leadership content
- Multi-format delivery
Skillsoft is consistently recognized for serving enterprise clients with robust compliance and leadership training. Its Percipio platform combines curated content with analytics and AI features. It’s well-suited for industries where learners are self-driven and prefer a low-touch training experience with minimal support.
Pluralsight: Best for individual technical training
Rating: 4.4/5
Key features:
- Technical content
- Skill assessments
- Sandbox environments
Pluralsight earns top marks in developer and IT circles for its deep technical content and skill assessments. It’s frequently used for cloud, cybersecurity, and DevOps training. Organizations use Pluralsight to maintain engineering readiness and close technical skill gaps quickly with structured learning paths.
Which online training provider platform will you choose? Why OpenSesame is the ideal choice
The right platform depends on your needs, whether that’s formal certifications, technical upskilling, or building a scalable learning program. But if you’re looking for a partner that offers breadth and depth, plus enterprise-grade support and AI-powered tools, OpenSesame stands out. Whether you’re managing compliance, closing skill gaps, or preparing your workforce for the AI era, OpenSesame gives you the tools — and the team — to do it faster, smarter, and with confidence.
About the author
Jason Martin was born outside of Boston in Newton, MA, and now lives in Denver, CO with his partner and pitbull puppy, where he works in the education marketing space. He is an avid musician and AI advocate to best optimize workflows and enhance processes.