Unexpected charges after a trial
Learners describe trials converting to paid subscriptions when they intended only to try a course, with further complaints about charges after cancellation.
Coursera
Summary
Coursera offers courses and Professional Certificates from universities and companies including Google, IBM and AWS. Programs combine lessons with graded assignments and projects.
Good fit
- Learners who want vendor or university content with a structured, graded path
- People eligible for financial aid who want a paid certificate at low or no cost
Less suited to
- Learners who want to buy one course and keep it indefinitely
- Anyone who wants the cheapest possible entry price without vendor backing
Learner Reviews
Trustpilot1.3 / 5
1,428 reviews
Apple App Store4.8 / 5
177,000 ratings
Google Play4.3 / 5
308,000 reviewsWhat learners complain about
Difficult refund and support experiences
Complaints focus on rejected refund requests and automated support replies that do not resolve billing problems.
Plans & pricing
- Plans and pricing
- Coursera Plus subscription, or a separate purchase per course, Specialization or Professional Certificate
Coursera Plus is $59/month or $399/year. Specializations and Professional Certificates are $49 to $79/month, and individual courses are a one-time payment.
- Free options
- 7-day free trial on monthly plans, and a free preview of the first module of many courses. Full courses and certificates need payment or approved financial aid.
- Access
- One-time course purchases give 180 days of access; subscriptions last while they are active.
- Refunds
- 7 days on one-time course and Specialization purchases, and 14 days on Coursera Plus annual. No refund once you have earned a certificate, and none after a free trial ends.
Courses & practice tests
Coursera resources included in our certification guides.
Alternatives
Udemy
An open marketplace for cert-prep video courses and practice tests, sold individually or through the Personal Plan subscription.
LinkedIn Learning
A business and tech video library, available as a paid subscription, through some employers, or free through many public libraries.
Pluralsight
Subscription tech-skills library with skill assessments and hands-on cloud labs, often paid for by employers.
Google Skills
Hands-on labs in temporary live Google Cloud environments, plus official courses and skill badges
Frequently asked questions
Can I still audit Coursera courses for free?
No. Many courses offer a free preview of the first module. Finishing the course and earning a certificate needs payment or approved financial aid.
Is Coursera Plus worth it?
It pays off if you take several Specializations or Professional Certificates in a year. For a single course, a one-time purchase or financial aid is usually cheaper.
Can I get a refund on Coursera?
One-time course and Specialization purchases can be refunded within 7 days if you have not earned a certificate. Coursera Plus annual has a 14-day money-back guarantee. Monthly subscriptions are not refundable once the free trial ends, so cancel before day 7.
Is a Coursera certificate the same as passing a vendor exam like a Google or AWS certification?
No. A Coursera certificate shows you finished the coursework. It does not replace the vendor's own proctored exam, which is separate and has its own fee.
Last updated October 2026