Alison is an online learning platform founded in 2007 whose course learning content can be accessed free of charge, with optional paid certificates and diplomas for learners who want documentation of completion.
Who makes Alison
Alison operates internationally as a free-access online learning provider, funded by advertising and by learners who choose to purchase certificates, diplomas and related services rather than by upfront course fees.
Official website: alison.com ↗
What it actually does
Learners enrol in a course, work through the material at their own pace, complete the assessment where one exists, and then decide separately whether to buy a certificate or diploma. Alison publishes figures of 50M+ registered learners across 193+ countries and 6,000+ CPD-accredited certificate and diploma courses; these are vendor-supplied claims TTML has not independently audited.
Product family
- · Free-access online courses
- · Certificates (optional paid)
- · Diplomas (optional paid)
- · Career and workplace skills training
- · Personal development
What people hire it for
- Exploring a new subject before paying for formal training
- Building demonstrable skills while job seeking or changing career
- Upskilling alongside a current role
- Filling specific freelance or small-business skill gaps
- Supplementing formal study
Where it runs
Where Alison appears
Featured in these buying guides
Not yet included in a Best-Of round-up. Editorial planned for the next update cycle.
Head-to-head
No comparisons scheduled yet.
Planned reviews
Full review published — read it here.