Coursera Plus is a monthly subscription that gives you access to most courses on Coursera for a flat fee
Coursera Plus costs $59 per month (or $399 per year if you pay annually) and lets you take as many courses as you want from Coursera's catalog. You do not pay per course. The subscription covers most individual courses, but not specializations, professional certificates, or degree programs — those cost extra even with Plus.
The subscription renews automatically each month unless you cancel. You can pause your subscription for up to three months without losing access to your progress, then resume when you are ready. If you cancel, you keep access to your course materials for 180 days but cannot earn new certificates.
Coursera Plus is different from financial aid or free courses. Coursera offers both of those separately. This subscription is for people who want to take multiple courses without paying $30 to $50 per course each time.
Key Takeaways
- Coursera Plus costs $59 per month or $399 per year and covers most individual courses but not specializations, certificates, or degree programs.
- You can take unlimited courses with one subscription and earn certificates for each course you complete.
- The subscription renews automatically each month, and you can pause for up to three months without losing your course progress.
- If you cancel, you keep access to your materials for 180 days but cannot earn new certificates after that period ends.
What courses and programs are included with Coursera Plus
Coursera Plus covers individual courses across all subjects — business, technology, health, arts, and more. You can search the Coursera catalog and filter by "Included with Plus" to see what is available in your area of interest. The number of courses included varies by country and changes over time as Coursera adds and removes content.
Coursera Plus does not include specializations, professional certificates, or degree programs. A specialization is a series of related courses that build on each other and end with a capstone project — those cost $200 to $500 extra. Professional certificates (like Google Career Certificates or IBM certificates) are separate products. Degree programs through Coursera cost thousands of dollars and are not part of Plus.
You can still take free courses on Coursera without a subscription. Free courses let you watch videos and read materials but do not include graded assignments or certificates. Coursera Plus adds graded assignments, quizzes, and certificates to the courses it covers.
How certificates work with Coursera Plus
When you complete a course included with Plus, you can earn a certificate of completion. The certificate shows your name, the course title, the completion date, and a unique credential ID. You can add it to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or portfolio. Coursera does not verify that you actually did the work — the certificate is based on your account activity.
Certificates from individual courses are different from professional certificates. A professional certificate requires you to complete a full sequence of courses and a capstone project, and Coursera charges separately for those. Individual course certificates are included with Plus.
If you cancel your subscription, you have 180 days to download your certificates. After that, you cannot earn new certificates, but certificates you already earned stay on your account and remain valid.
How to start and manage your Coursera Plus subscription
To start a subscription, go to Coursera.com, click on your profile icon, and select "Coursera Plus." You will see the current price and billing cycle options (monthly or annual). Choose your option and enter a payment method. Coursera accepts credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal. Your subscription begins immediately.
Once you are subscribed, you can enroll in any course marked "Included with Plus" by clicking the course and selecting "Enroll." You do not need to pay again for each course. You can enroll in multiple courses at once and work through them at your own pace. Most courses have no time limit, though some have suggested completion timelines.
To pause or cancel your subscription, go to your account settings and select "Manage Coursera Plus." You can pause for up to three months at a time. When you pause, your subscription fee stops, but you keep access to your enrolled courses and your progress is saved. To cancel permanently, select "Cancel subscription" in the same menu.
When Coursera Plus makes sense financially
Coursera Plus costs $59 per month. A single course on Coursera typically costs $30 to $50 if you pay without a subscription. If you plan to take two or more courses in a month, Plus usually costs less than paying per course. If you take one course per month, you break even or pay slightly more.
The annual plan ($399 per year, or about $33 per month) is cheaper than the monthly plan if you commit to staying subscribed. That works out to roughly $33 per course if you take 12 courses over the year. The monthly plan is better if you are unsure whether you will stick with it or if you only want to take a few courses.
Coursera also offers financial aid for individual courses and some specializations. If you cannot afford the subscription, you can request aid directly on the course page. Aid is free and usually takes a few days to process. That is a separate path from Plus.
What happens to your courses and certificates if you cancel
If you cancel your Coursera Plus subscription, you keep access to all your enrolled courses for 180 days. You can continue watching videos and reading materials. You cannot submit new assignments, take new quizzes, or earn new certificates after your subscription ends. Any certificates you already earned stay on your account permanently.
After 180 days, your access to course materials ends. You lose the ability to view videos, assignments, and discussion forums. If you want to keep a record of what you learned, download your course materials and certificates before the 180-day window closes.
If you resubscribe later, your old course progress is restored. Coursera keeps your account history even after you cancel.
Coursera Plus compared to other subscription and payment options
| Option | Cost | What You Get | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coursera Plus | $59/month or $399/year | Unlimited individual courses, graded assignments, certificates | Taking multiple courses over time |
| Pay per course | $30–$50 per course | One course, graded assignments, certificate | Taking one or two courses |
| Free courses | $0 | Videos and materials only, no grades or certificates | Learning without commitment or cost |
| Financial aid | $0 | Same as paid course (graded, certificate) if approved | Cannot afford the course fee |
| Professional certificates | $200–$500 | Multi-course sequence, capstone, employer-recognized credential | Career-focused training |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Coursera Plus if I am outside the United States?
Coursera Plus is available in most countries, but the price and included courses vary by location. Go to Coursera.com and log in to see the price and course catalog for your country. Some countries have regional pricing that is lower than the U.S. price.
Do I have to take a course every month to make Coursera Plus worth it?
No. You pay the same monthly fee whether you take one course or ten. If you enroll in a course and do not finish it, you still have access as long as your subscription is active. You can work through courses at your own pace without pressure to complete them quickly.
Can I get a refund if I change my mind about Coursera Plus?
Coursera offers a 7-day refund window from the date you start your subscription. After 7 days, you cannot get a refund, but you can cancel and your subscription will end at the end of your current billing cycle. Contact Coursera support through your account to request a refund within the 7-day window.
What is the difference between Coursera Plus and a professional certificate?
Coursera Plus gives you access to individual courses. A professional certificate is a separate product that requires you to complete a full sequence of courses and a capstone project. Professional certificates cost $200 to $500 and are not included with Plus, even though some of the individual courses in the sequence might be.
Can I pause my subscription and come back later?
Yes. You can pause your subscription for up to three months at a time through your account settings. While paused, you do not pay, but you keep access to your enrolled courses and your progress is saved. After three months, your subscription either resumes or you can pause again.