Brandwave

Coursera vs Khan Academy:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Khan Academy had more branded searches than Coursera among online learning platforms in New Zealand. Khan Academy had about 10,000 branded searches, while Coursera had 3,830. Khan Academy made up 15.3% of all online learning platform searches we track, and Coursera accounted for 5.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about online learning platforms, Coursera appeared in four of the five answers and Khan Academy in one. Coursera was mentioned before Khan Academy in every answer.

Among online learning platforms in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Khan Academy, about 3 searches for every 1 for Coursera

Khan Academy 10K searchesCoursera 3.8K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Coursera, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Khan Academy in 1

Coursera in 4 of 5Khan Academy in 1 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Coursera, named ahead of Khan Academy in every answer

Coursera first in 4Khan Academy never first

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Top online learning platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Coursera was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Khan Academy was mentioned in one out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Coursera was listed before Khan Academy in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Coursera1st
  2. Open Polytechnic2nd
  3. LinkedIn Learning3rd
  4. Udemy4th
  5. edX5th
  6. Khan Academy6th
  7. Skillshare7th
  8. MasterClass–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Coursera4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • LinkedIn Learning4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Open Polytechnic3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Udemy3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • edX2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Khan Academy1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Skillshare1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • MasterClass0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about online learning platforms

5 answers

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 Khan Academy more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Coursera and Khan Academy by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight online learning platforms we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

Coursera and Khan Academy among online learning platforms in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Khan Academy, Coursera. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthOpen PolytechnicKhan AcademyUdemyCourseraLinkedIn LearningedXSkillshareMasterClass
Oct 202560%17%9.8%6.6%4.1%1.4%1.1%0.03%
Nov 202559.8%17.1%9.8%6.6%4.1%1.5%1.1%0.01%
Dec 202562.3%11.9%12.4%6.9%3.4%1.6%1.3%0.04%
Jan 202660.7%11.7%12.3%8.3%4.2%1.4%1.3%0.03%
Feb 202659.7%17.1%9.9%6.9%4.1%1.1%1.1%0.04%
Mar 202656.7%19.8%9.4%6.5%4.8%1.7%1%0.03%
Apr 202661.6%14.6%10.3%7%4.3%1.2%1.1%0.03%
May 202657.3%20.2%9.6%6.8%4%0.98%1%0.03%
Jun 202656.7%20.2%9.5%6.7%4.9%1.1%0.83%0.03%
Jul 202661.7%14.9%10.3%6%4.4%1.8%0.9%0.03%
Aug 202660.2%17.7%10%5.7%4.3%1.2%0.88%0.04%
Sep 202664.2%15.3%8.7%5.8%3.8%1.5%0.76%0.06%

How has the Coursera and Khan Academy comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

How did search popularity change for New Zealand online learning platforms in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Khan Academy lost share of searches among online learning platforms in New Zealand, from 17.7% to 15.3%.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for Coursera in New Zealand fell 18.5% over 12 measured months, from 4.7K to 3.8K in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

15 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Coursera’s and Khan Academy’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.

Coursera

9 branded search terms

  • coursera
  • coursera accounting courses
  • coursera ai courses
  • coursera business courses
  • coursera certificate
  • coursera courses
  • coursera excel course
  • coursera plus
  • mooc coursera

Khan Academy

6 branded search terms

  • khan academy
  • khan academy algebra
  • khan academy certificate
  • khan academy courses
  • khanacademy
  • khanacademy courses

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among online learning platforms

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