Introduction
Looking for some high-quality education and a range of courses to choose from? If so, you might want to consider taking some online courses with Pluralsight.
What is Pluralsight – and what does this e-learning platform have to offer? In our thorough Pluralsight review, we will tell you everything you need to know about the learning experience, pricing model, and more.
What is Pluralsight?
Founded in 2004 by entrepreneurs Keith Brown, Bill Wiliams, Fritz Onion, and Aaron Skonnard, Pluralsight is an e-learning platform that offers a unique learning path for enterprising minds. It was originally designed to offer a variety-of-courses face-to-face for various companies.
However, three years later, the founders took a hard turn and decided to instead offer self-paced learning opportunities through recorded video lessons delivered online. Although it took a few years for the company to gain traction (this online learning platform didn’t really take off until 2011), it is now one of the most well-known e-learning platforms out there.
Based out of Utah, Pluralsight went public on NASDAQ in 2018 and is ranked as one of the best places to work for with more than 1,400 employers and 1,500 class instructors (or what they call “authors”). The company is known for training a large percentage of employees at Fortune 500 companies and Pluralsight’s quality courses are available in more than 180 countries.
On Pluralsight, you’ll find online classes in topics like software development, data professional, architecture, manufacturing and design, and machine learning. They are housed primarily in the technology niche, although you’ll occasionally find online courses here that don’t quite fit that mold either.
Pluralsight Pricing Model
Pluralsight Personal Plan Review
Pluralsight’s pricing model is similar to what you might find on other websites. There is a brief, ten-day free trial program that you can pursue. This will let you get a taste of what the company has to offer and whether the variety of courses that are offered are right for you.
After this ten-day window, you’ll have to make a choice. You can sign up for a personal subscription, which is billed on a monthly basis and costs $29 per month. You might prefer to instead pay annually, which will give you a 15% discount and cost $299. With this annual subscription, you will have access to Pluralsight’s entire library of courses, learning paths, self-paced quizzes, apps, exercise files, and more.
Pluralsight Premium Review
You can also choose the Pluralsight premium subscription. Read just about any Pluralsight premium review and you’ll see the benefit right away. Not only will you be able to access all of the features listed above, but you can also tap into other resources for an annual payment of $449. You’ll be able to access certification practice exams, projects, and even interactive courses.
Pluralsight Premium Review for Businesses
If you’re a business owner, you have yet another option when it comes to the pricing model for Pluralsight. You can sign up for the Professional membership, which costs $579 per user per year. You’ll have access to basic analytics for keeping tabs on your course progress.
The second option is more customizable. You’ll pay significantly more – $779 per user per year – but it is more flexible and includes more advanced analytics.
Features
Sign up for a Pluralsight subscription, and you’ll find all kinds of helpful features on this platform. Many of these are similar to those that you might find on comparable e-learning hosts, but some are unique to Pluralsight.
For example, almost every course (there are nearly 5,000 on Pluralsight to date!) comes with downloadable exercise files that will allow you to practice on your own after you’ve logged off the course. There is a Pluralsight mobile app that will allow you to take classes on the go – and you don’t have to have an Internet connection when you take them, either, since they can be downloaded for offline viewing.
New courses are added on a daily basis, and it’s easy to register for a subscription. If you’re using Pluralsight as a company or organization, all of your team members can share the same sign-on information and enjoy unlimited viewing.
Courses come with other features you might like, too, including course completion certifications, learning checks and quizzes, organization tools, and discussion forums.
Pluralsight User Interface
One of the best and biggest reasons to use Pluralsight for taking online courses is so that you can access some of the best video content around. Although Pluralsight doesn’t win top points when it comes to the user-friendliness of its website (it can be tough to navigate and find what you are looking for), its videos are some of the best.
Unlike other platforms that allow anybody to upload a course, with Pluralsight, each class is vetted to make sure it’s accessible and accurate. The videos are high-quality and high-definition, delivered through a modern video player and developed with HTML5 that requires no additional software installed on your computer.
When you play the videos, you’ll be able to access settings for playback speed, subtitles, autoplay, and more. Pluralsight employs full-time video editors to make sure each clip is up to snuff.
Content Quality
Not just anybody can teach a class on Pluralsight – you’ve got to know your stuff. Authors’ revenue is tied to the number of views on their courses so they are highly motivated to offer high-quality education to their students.
Not only are instructors experts in their fields, but they are also great instructors. You will be able to look at an author’s profile before taking the class, but most are great communicators who are enthusiastic and passionate about whatever it is they are teaching.
Ease of Use
Each video and course is reviewed for both technical and literal accuracy before they are launched. Although Pluralsight courses are taught by some of the best and biggest names in the tech industry, the content curation team at Pluralsight still takes great pains to make sure everything is up to date and accurate.
The platform is also extremely user-friendly. All of the classes are broken down into tiny modules that don’t take very long to complete – some just a few minutes. You can take classes in a slow, self-paced format or you can sit down and work on a large chunk of work all at once. Plus, the modules are interactive – something you won’t find with very many other platforms. You can actually work on things (like writing a section of code) with your instructor in real-time.
User Experience
Pluralsight offers thousands of courses with an excellent user experience. You can access and download courses to complete both online and offline, on both your Windows and macOS device or on your iOS, Android, or Apple TV.
You will have access to exercise files and learning checks so you can make sure you are progressing through the material at the appropriate pace. You don’t have to move on until you’re sure you mastered the material – it’s a great platform for self-paced learning.
Plus, you’ll have access to mentoring and tutoring so you can get direct support from the professionals themselves – often in real-time through live video sessions.
What Type of Courses Does Pluralsight Offer?
Pluralsight offers a range of courses in several categories, including:
- Software Development (Java Path and Python Path)
- IT Ops
- Data Professionals
- Information and Cyber SEcurity
- Manufacturing and Design
- Architecture and Construction
- Cloud Computing
- Business Professionals
- Machine Learning/AI
- Creative Professional
Pluralsight Certificates
With Pluralsight, you also have the opportunity to earn professional certification by earning a certificate of completion. Pluralsight is not accredited but it does have a phenomenal reputation with countless companies in the tech niche.
Like many MOOCs, Pluralsight offers a variety of courses that include a certificate of completion at the end. These, again, won’t get you into college or earn you college credit, but they can be used to help demonstrate to an employer that you have certain skills.
In most cases, you’ll be eligible for a certificate of completion upon completing a course. Many courses also include certification practice exams to help you prepare for various continuing education programs. This is a unique feature of the Pluralsight learning experience.
What does this mean? After completing a Pluralsight course, you may have the skills necessary to go on to programs that will certify you with IT certificates and credentials such as ITIL, ISACA, PMI, and CompTIA.
Pros and Cons of Pluralsight
The Advantages (Pros) of Pluralsight
High-Quality Content
When you sign up to take classes on Pluralsight, you’ll be rewarded with a wide variety of classes that truly stand out from the competition. The images, audio, and instruction are clear and clean as can be – this might sound like a no-brainer, but believe it or not, there are plenty of other online learning platforms out there that include choppy audio and instruction from teachers who might not entirely know what they’re talking about.
Great E-Learning Platform for Beginners and Experts Alike
Whether you think you know everything there is to know about tech or you’re a beginner to the field, you’ll find content that’s right for you on Pluralsight. It’s important to note that the courses here aren’t necessarily easy – however, they’re written in a way that makes them conquerable if you’re willing to put the time and dedication into working on your courses.
That said, if you’re an expert, you’ll still find plenty to love with this platform. You will never be bored because Pluralsight has a quick test assessment that you can take to determine what level you are at. This will allow you to embark on a learning path that’s catered directly to your unique needs and existing skill level.
Perfect for IT Professionals
One of the best features of Pluralsight is that it’s a great platform if you are looking for classes in the IT niche. Although it doesn’t include quite as many far-reaching options in other niches, like the humanities, Pluralsight has lots of in-depth, up-to-date classes in things like Oracle, CSS, Python, and more.
Subscription-Based Model
Pluralsight has a subscription-based model that means you will have access to 100% of the content when you sign up. You won’t be limited to a certain chunk of material just based on your payment plan – you’ll be able to see absolutely everything.
The Disadvantages (Cons) of
Pluralsight
Limited to Classes in the Tech Niche
If you’re looking for courses that will teach you how to do things beyond coding, programming, and IT management, sorry – Pluralsight is not the right place for you. This e-learning platform is predominantly dominated by classes in the tech niche, so you won’t have a lot of options if you’re looking for a learning experience outside of that niche.
Some Topics Are Limited
Even though Pluralsight is dedicated to tech-focused classes, it isn’t a one-stop-shop for people hoping to take classes in this niche. You will have a hard time finding any classes on here that cover in-demand fields like social media management.
Website is Hard to Navigate
Some users also report that it can be hard to find classes that meet their needs because there are so many tech-focused classes lumped together on the website. Unlike some of the other e-learning platforms we’ve reviewed, there aren’t a ton of ways to browse or search. For example, it’s nearly impossible to search based on ratings.
Long Courses
This last con is one that, for some students, might be an advantage. If you can’t get enough of your favorite instructor and course topic, you might love the fact that the class is long – hey, you’re getting your money’s worth, right? However, for some students, the courses on Pluralsight are just too long to be practical or useful.
Pluralsight Alternatives
Udemy
Udemy is another popular website where you can find a myriad of online classes. The two are similar, but there are a few key differences to keep in mind.
For starters, Udemy serves as an open marketplace where anybody can publish a course. Because there is no fact-checking or quality control by the company, it’s common to find some lower-quality classes here. You aren’t guaranteed accuracy or precision with these courses!
Pluralsight, on the other hand, houses courses that are all produced in-house by a team of “hired” authors. You will be able to take classes from tutors who are skilled and experienced – they actually know what they are talking about. There is no minimum duration on courses, so you’ll sometimes find courses that are very short while others can be quite long.
The only downside when comparing Pluralsight versus Udemy is that Udemy has a much larger reach and range of courses. On Udemy, you can find a class in just about anything – and many of these classes are free, too. Because Udemy has a pricing model that includes a wide selection of free courses, it can be more affordable.
LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning is another popular alternative to Pluralsight. With this platform, you’ll find more classes in things like human resources, SEO, photography, marketing, and graphic design. It also offers courses in other subjects that are similar to what’s found on Pluralsight, like technology.
While Pluralsight is the clear winner for people who want to prepare for certain technical certificates, LinkedIn Learning ultimately offers more courses. The two are priced almost identically, and with LinkedIn Learning, you can also add completed courses to your LinkedIn profile to help you land a job.
Coursera
Coursera, like LinkedIn Learning, has a wider range of courses in other disciplines. It’s a more academic website and offers a pathway to college courses that will actually earn you real course credit. It’s a good way to take college classes without having to enroll – but again, Pluralsight is the winner if you’re studying for a professional certificate or want to study technologies like cloud computing or machine learning.
Treehouse
Treehouse is another alternative to Pluralsight, though it’s one you’re less likely to stumble upon if you’re new to e-learning and just do a quick Google search for platforms. This platform is designed specifically to teach online students how to learn top programming languages. You’ll also be able to take classes in other topics you might find on Pluralsight, including things like mobile development and web development.
As you might infer, both platforms are a good choice if you’re hoping to learn technology and tech-related skills. However, Treehouse is far better for beginners as it has a gamified reward system that will give you a badge and allow you to earn points by completing a course. It’s a lot more fun if you’re new to the world of programming.
The prices are comparable. Although both utilize a subscription set-up, the subscription plans are similarly priced (Pluralsight is just a few dollars more expensive).
Conclusion
Ready to start learning? Pluralsight courses offer high-quality education in the tech space, allowing you to take valuable online courses that will help you build your career expertise – and provide you with an enjoyable learning experience while you’re at it.
Hopefully, this Pluralsight review has proven to be helpful in giving you the information you need to choose the right online learning platform. Consider signing up for a few Pluralsight courses today to build your skills and broaden your horizons.
FAQ
Is Pluralsight Worth it?
While you’ll want to do some research to make sure Pluralsight is right for you, the short answer is a resounding yes – this platform is worth it. A high-quality e-learning service, it offers classes at an affordable monthly rate. Just do your research to make sure this platform is the right fit for you.
Is Pluralsight Free?
Pluralsight is not free. While you can get several months for free if you are a Visual Studio user who has an annual paid plan of Visual Studio, you otherwise will need to pay for a subscription.
Is Pluralsight Good for Beginners?
While Pluralsight might not be the best choice if you are interested in taking courses for credit, it’s a good option for individuals who want to take classes just for fun. There are some high-quality classes published on this platform, so you shouldn’t have a hard time finding a course that is not only reputable but also enjoyable to take.
Who Pluralsight Is Recommended For?
Anybody can take classes on Pluralsight, However, it’s one of the best for people who are interested in taking classes in disciplines related to technology. There are all kinds of courses for tech professionals to learn new skills, including through classes in things like Oracle, CSS, and Python. That said, there are also classes on here for business professionals as well.
Are Pluralsight Courses Certified?
Although Pluralsight courses are not offered by an accredited educational institution, the platform has a wonderful reputation with large companies. You probably won’t be able to transfer in course credits after taking a Pluralsight course, but you will likely gain some credibility with your employer when you choose to take classes on this website.
Pluralsight Customer Support
You can reach customer support at Pluralsight in several ways. You can call the support hotline at +1 (801) 784-9007 or you can visit the help center for answers to commonly asked questions. There is also an email address you can reach out to via Microsoft.
Who Teaches Pluralsight Courses?
Pluralsight courses are taught by average people who want to get their names in front of a global audience by teaching about subjects they enjoy. With Pluralsight, you can earn money for the content you create and make a serious impact. To sign up, you will need to visit the Pluralsight teaching portal here and register to create an account. You can indicate whether you would like to create assessments, courses, labs, or projects and Pluralsight will get in touch with you.
