Coursera vs Udemy:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Udemy had more branded searches than Coursera among online course platforms in New Zealand. Udemy had about 5,710 branded searches, while Coursera had 3,670. Udemy made up 52.6% of all online course platform searches we track, and Coursera accounted for 33.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about online course platforms, Udemy appeared in four of the five answers and Coursera in three. Coursera and Udemy were each mentioned first in two of the four answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Udemy, about 56% more searches than Coursera
Who does AI mention more?
Udemy, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Coursera in 3
Who does AI recommend more?
Each is named first in 2 of 4 answers.
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Top online course platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Udemy was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Coursera was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Coursera and Udemy were each listed first in two of the four answers that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Udemy4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Kajabi4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Thinkific4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Coursera3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Teachable3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
LearnWorlds2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Podia0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about online course platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which online course platform should I use in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best online course platforms in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best online course platform in New Zealand for selling courses?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best course platform”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“sell online courses”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is Coursera or Udemy more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Coursera and Udemy by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven online course platforms we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Udemy, Coursera. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Udemy | Coursera | Kajabi | Thinkific | Teachable | LearnWorlds | Podia |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 50.9% | 32.6% | 5.5% | 4.4% | 3.5% | 1.2% | 1.9% |
| Nov 2025 | 51.9% | 33.3% | 4.7% | 3.6% | 3.6% | 1.3% | 1.6% |
| Dec 2025 | 56% | 29.9% | 5% | 3.2% | 3.2% | 1.4% | 1.4% |
| Jan 2026 | 53.2% | 34.1% | 4% | 3.7% | 2.5% | 1.3% | 1.3% |
| Feb 2026 | 52.3% | 33.4% | 4.6% | 3.6% | 3% | 1.6% | 1.6% |
| Mar 2026 | 51.1% | 32.8% | 5.6% | 4.4% | 2.8% | 1.9% | 1.5% |
| Apr 2026 | 52.5% | 33.6% | 4.7% | 4.4% | 2% | 1.3% | 1.6% |
| May 2026 | 52.8% | 33.8% | 4.8% | 3.6% | 2.5% | 1.6% | 1% |
| Jun 2026 | 52.4% | 34.4% | 4.6% | 3% | 2.4% | 1.6% | 1.6% |
| Jul 2026 | 57.2% | 30.6% | 4.3% | 3.2% | 2.1% | 1.1% | 1.4% |
| Aug 2026 | 57.3% | 30.5% | 3.5% | 3.2% | 2.6% | 1.4% | 1.4% |
| Sep 2026 | 52.6% | 33.8% | 4.7% | 3.6% | 2% | 1.9% | 1.3% |
How has the Coursera and Udemy comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Udemy was ahead of Coursera in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Coursera’s share of searches among online course platforms in New Zealand moved from 32.6% to 33.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 4.5K to 3.7K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Udemy’s share of searches among online course platforms in New Zealand moved from 50.9% to 52.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 7K to 5.7K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand online course platforms in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Coursera gained share of searches among online course platforms in New Zealand, from 30.5% to 33.8%.
In September 2026, Udemy lost share of searches among online course platforms in New Zealand, from 57.3% to 52.6%.
How are branded searches counted?
7 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Coursera’s and Udemy’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among online course platforms
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