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What is Skillshare? Is it worth it? FAQs answered

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  • 13 min read

Photo: Postmodern Studio / Shutterstock.com

Skillshare is an online learning community that offers thousands of classes for creative and curious people. It covers various topics, including illustration, design, photography, video, freelancing, and more​​​​​​. The platform is especially known for its focus on personal growth, productivity, and exploration, catering to creators, entrepreneurs, and professionals from around the world​

Often likened to the Netflix of online learning, Skillshare is a comprehensive online course platform founded in 2010. It offers a wide range of educational videos covering a multitude of topics. Unlike traditional learning institutions, Skillshare focuses on a more open and community-driven approach, allowing anyone to teach and learn at their own pace. The platform is particularly renowned for its substantial catalogue, offering over 35,000 courses to subscribers​​​​.

Given Skillshare’s growing popularity, people globally have quite a few questions about the company and its services. Here, we’ve compiled a list of the 15 most frequently asked questions about Skillshare.


How much does Skillshare cost?

New users can take advantage of a free trial​​​​​​. There are also specialized plans for teams and businesses, which are billed annually​​.

Skillshare operates on a subscription model with the following pricing plans for individuals:

  • Premium Membership: $15 per month (billed annually at $180) or $32 monthly (billed monthly). This membership offers unlimited access to all courses, offline viewing, and participation in group discussions​​.

For teams and companies, Skillshare offers tailored plans:

  • Starter Plan: For teams of 2-19, similar to the Premium Membership.
  • Enterprise and Revive Plans: For larger teams, these plans provide a customized learning experience with workshops and other features tailored to organizational needs​​.

The platform’s refund policy is applicable only within the first 7 days of purchase​.


Is Skillshare worth it?

Determining whether Skillshare is worth it depends on your individual learning goals, preferences, and your value of the content offered. Here are some considerations to help evaluate its worth:

  • Content Variety and Quality: Skillshare offers a wide range of courses, especially in creative fields like design, photography, illustration, and creative writing. Skillshare can be valuable if these areas align with your interests or professional development goals.
  • Cost-Effectiveness: With an annual subscription cost of about $13.99 to $14 per month, Skillshare can be more affordable than other platforms, especially if you frequently enrol in courses throughout the year. The monthly cost is higher, so opting for the annual plan can be more cost-effective​​.
  • Learning Experience: Skillshare’s courses are structured with short lessons and hands-on projects, which can benefit practical learning and the ability to apply new skills. If you prefer this learning style, Skillshare might be worth it for you.
  • Community Engagement: The platform offers a community aspect where you can share projects and get feedback. This can be motivating and helpful for learners who value interaction and collaboration.
  • Flexibility: Skillshare courses are self-paced, which is advantageous if you have a busy schedule and need the flexibility to learn independently.
  • Lack of Accreditation: Skillshare courses are unaccredited, and most do not offer certificates upon completion. If your goal is to gain formal accreditation or certification for career advancement, Skillshare might not meet your needs​​.
  • User Reviews: Skillshare generally receives positive reviews for its content quality and variety. Many users find the platform worth it for personal growth and skill development​​​​.
  • Free Trial: The platform offers a one-month free trial, allowing you to explore its courses and features before committing financially. This trial period can be useful in making an informed decision about its value to you

Whether Skillshare is worth it depends on your personal learning goals, how much you utilise the platform and the specific courses you are interested in. Taking advantage of the free trial is recommended to gauge its value for your specific needs better.


Is Skillshare free?

Skillshare used to offer a range of free courses but has transitioned to a fully paid subscription model since August 18th, 2021. The free one-month trial period provides temporary access to the platform’s full features​​, during which users can explore and utilize all the features available to premium members. However, credit card details are required to sign up for this trial​​.


How to learn new skills on Skillshare?

Learning new skills on Skillshare involves a few simple steps. Here’s how you can start:

  1. Sign Up for Skillshare: First, you must create an account on Skillshare. You can start with a free trial to explore the platform before committing to a paid subscription.
  2. Explore Courses: Once you have an account, you can browse the thousands of available courses. Skillshare offers classes in various fields, including creative arts, design, entrepreneurship, technology, and more. Use the search and filter functions to find courses that match your interests or needs.
  3. Select a Course: When you find a course that interests you, click on it to view more details like the course outline, duration, and instructor profile. This information will help you decide if the course is right for you.
  4. Start Learning: Enroll in the course and start watching the video lessons. Skillshare courses are typically broken down into shorter lessons, making learning easier at your own pace and schedule.
  5. Participate in Projects: Many Skillshare courses include hands-on projects. These projects allow you to apply what you’ve learned and create something tangible. You can also share your project in the course community for feedback and insights.
  6. Engage with the Community: Skillshare has a vibrant community of learners and instructors. Participate in discussions, ask questions, and share your experiences. Engaging with the community can enhance your learning experience.
  7. Review and Repeat: After completing a course, you can review it and even retake lessons if needed. The more you practice and apply the skills, the better you’ll learn.
  8. Teach a Course: If you have expertise in a particular area, you can also consider becoming an instructor on Skillshare. This helps others learn and can deepen your understanding of the subject.

How to cancel Skillshare? 

To cancel a Skillshare membership, users must log into their account and navigate to the “Membership & Payments” section in the account settings. From there, they can select “Cancel membership” and follow through with the cancellation steps​​.

For memberships or free trials started through Skillshare’s website, cancellation must be made via a desktop or mobile web browser​​. If the membership was signed up through an app, users might need to contact the app store directly for billing, cancellations, or refunds


How does Skillshare work?

Skillshare features both in-house experts and community users, offering a diverse range of teaching styles and perspectives. While some instructors are high-profile experts, most courses are led by skilled practitioners whose teaching is grounded in real-world application. The platform also includes a user rating system to help learners choose high-quality courses​​.

Instructors on Skillshare are compensated based on referral purchases of the Premium plan and for every minute that students watch their courses. This revenue model encourages instructors to create engaging and valuable content​​.


How to delete Skillshare account?

There is no way to delete your Skillshare account via the account settings. You’ll need to fill out their privacy request form

  1. Submit a Deletion Request: Within the support section, you can request account deletion by filling out this Skillshare form. Ensure you provide any required details and specify that you wish to delete your account permanently.
  2. Confirmation and Follow-up: You may receive a confirmation email or notification from Skillshare after submitting your request. Follow any additional steps provided by Skillshare to complete the account deletion process.
  3. Verify Account Deletion: Once you’ve been notified that your account has been deleted, you might want to try logging in again to ensure that the account has been deactivated.

Remember that deleting your account is irreversible. All your data, including course progress and project submissions, will be lost. Any active subscription should be cancelled before deleting your account to avoid further charges.


Does Skillshare give certificates?

Skillshare does not provide accredited certificates for course completion. Individual creators generally create the courses and are not formally recognized by educational institutions or professional bodies​​.


What can you learn on Skillshare?

Skillshare’s extensive catalogue includes courses categorized under three main themes: Create, Build, and Thrive. These categories cover various topics, from creative arts like music and fine art to business analytics and productivity. The platform is intuitive and user-friendly, making navigating through this vast collection of courses​​easy.

Skillshare boasts over 25,000 classes in various creative fields like music, drawing, painting, marketing, animation, social media, UI/UX design, creative writing, digital illustration, film, video, and more​​. The platform is tailored for creatives looking to advance their skills, emphasising hands-on projects and community collaboration​​.


How much does Skillshare pay?

Skillshare compensates its teachers through a payment system based on royalties and premium referrals. Here’s how it typically works:

  • Royalties for Watched Content: Teachers earn money based on the number of minutes watched in their classes each month by Premium members. The total amount paid to teachers is divided from a royalty pool, which is determined by the overall number of minutes watched across all classes on Skillshare. Therefore, the more minutes of your content watched by Premium members, the more you earn.
  • Referral Payments: Skillshare also pays teachers for referring new Premium members to the platform. When someone signs up for a Premium Membership using a teacher’s referral link, the teacher earns a one-time payment. The amount per referral can vary and is subject to Skillshare’s current referral program terms.
  • Fluctuating Earnings: It’s important to note that earnings can fluctuate month-to-month based on class engagement and the total number of minutes watched on the platform. Therefore, what a teacher earns can vary significantly.
  • Factors Influencing Earnings: Your earnings as a Skillshare teacher will depend on factors like the popularity and engagement of your classes, how many classes you have, and how actively you promote your classes.
  • Payment Threshold and Schedule: Teachers are usually paid monthly, and a minimum earnings threshold may exist before a payout is issued.
  • No Guaranteed Amount: Skillshare doesn’t guarantee a specific amount teachers can earn, depending on the factors mentioned above.

Is Skillshare legit?

Skillshare is a legitimate and widely recognized online learning platform. While it provides a diverse range of courses, it is important to remember that the quality of instructors can vary. Users are advised to read reviews and course descriptions carefully to ensure the course meets their learning objectives​


Are there free classes/courses on Skillshare?

Skillshare has transitioned away from offering a free class experience. As of September 15, 2021, all Skillshare students need an active free trial or a paid membership to log in and explore classes, including those previously available for free​​. However, before this transition, Skillshare did offer a range of free classes​​.

Currently, new students can take advantage of a promotion allowing them to try all the classes on Skillshare during a one-month free trial​​. This trial period allows new users to explore the full range of courses available on Skillshare without immediate financial commitment.

In summary, while Skillshare once offered free classes, they have shifted their model to require either a free trial or a paid membership to access their courses.


How to cancel the Skillshare free trial?

Cancelling a Skillshare subscription is straightforward and can be done with a single click through the user’s account settings.

Login to your account via Skillshare’s website on your desktop or mobile browser. Then go to your Account Settings and head over to Memberships and Payments. Here, you can cancel the trial.

If you subscribed via Google Play Store or Apple App Store, you must head to the subscription page and cancel your trial.


How can I get a refund from Skillshare?

Skillshare offers refunds for annual Premium membership payments if requested within seven days of the charge. There are no refunds for monthly memberships, and the platform allows only one refund per customer​​.

To get a refund from Skillshare, you need to follow their specific refund policy. Skillshare says refunds generally apply only within the first seven days of purchase. Here are the steps to request a refund:

  1. Determine Eligibility: Ensure that you are within the 7-day window from the time of your charge. Skillshare’s refund policy primarily applies to this period.
  2. Contact Skillshare: You must contact Skillshare directly to initiate the refund process. This can typically be done through their website or app.
  3. Provide Necessary Information: When contacting Skillshare, be prepared to provide any necessary information regarding your account and the reason for requesting a refund. This might include your account details, payment information, and why you seek a refund.
  4. Follow Instructions: Follow any additional instructions Skillshare’s customer service team provided to complete the refund process.

Please note that there may be exceptions to this policy based on the type of membership you have (monthly or annual), the method of payment, or specific terms and conditions agreed upon at the time of purchase. Also, if you purchased your membership through a third-party platform (like the iOS App Store or Google Play Store), you might need to request a refund directly through that platform​


Can I download Skillshare videos?

Yes, you can download Skillshare videos for offline viewing, but there are some limitations to keep in mind:

  • Skillshare App Required: Videos can only be downloaded through the Skillshare mobile app. Currently, there is no option to download videos directly from the website.
  • Internet Connection for Downloading: You need to be connected to the internet to download the classes initially. Once the class lessons are downloaded, you can watch them offline.
  • Downloading Individual Classes: To download a class, navigate to the class page in the app and use the “Download Class” button. This will download all the lessons in that class.
  • Offline Viewing: Once the classes are downloaded, you can view the videos offline through the app.
  • Limitations: Keep in mind that the availability of videos for download may vary based on the class and licensing agreements. Also, the downloaded content is only accessible within the Skillshare app and cannot be transferred or viewed outside of it.
  • Membership Requirement: Typically, you must have an active Skillshare membership (either during a free trial or a paid subscription) to access and download videos.

This feature is particularly useful for learners who want to access classes without an internet connection, such as during travel or in areas with limited connectivity​

Also read: Everything you need to know about Shutterstock

CT Editorial Team

CT Editorial Team

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