[2025] The 250 Most Popular Online Courses of All Time
The best way to pick an online course is to choose one that many people have taken and enjoyed.
The best way to choose an online course is to choose one that many other people have taken and enjoyed.
Class Central has been maintaining a catalog of online courses since the advent of the modern online education movement in 2012. More than a decade later, our catalog has now grown to over 250,000 online courses.
To help learners decide which course to take, Class Central publishes different course rankings, including the Best Online Courses of All Time, which is based on the tens of thousands of reviews written by Class Central users.
In this article, however, let’s take a different approach. Instead of ranking courses by reviews, let’s rank them by enrollment — that is, by their sheer popularity.
In some cases, the highest-rated online courses are also the courses with largest enrollments. In other cases, courses with big enrollments may have few or average reviews. This suggests that there are popular courses that Class Central’s reviews alone may miss.
So in this article, we’ve compiled the 250 most popular online courses of all time.
Most Popular Courses of the Year
In addition, every year, Class Central publishes the 100 most popular courses of the year. In these rankings, we only look at courses launched in a specific year. Here are the latest editions:
- The 100 Most Popular Online Courses (2025 Edition)
- The 100 Most Popular Free Online Courses (2024 Edition)
- The 100 Most Popular Free Online Courses (2023 Edition)
- The 100 Most Popular Free Online Courses (2022 Edition)
- The 100 Most Popular Free Online Courses (2021 Edition)
More Courses
If you don’t find what you need below, browse Class Central’s catalog of 250K courses or visit our thematic collections:
- Massive List of Thousands of Free Certificates & Badges
- 10,000+ Free Courses from Tech Giants: Google, Microsoft, Amazon
- 2,000+ Coursera Courses That Are Still Completely Free
- 8000+ OpenCourseWare Courses from Top Institutions
- 1000+ Free Digital Marketing Certificates & Badges
You can find all our free certificates articles here.
Most Popular Online Courses of All Time
Here are some stats about the course list:
- Enrollments range from 373K to 6M. There are 49 courses with over 1 million enrollments.
- Together, they account for 204M enrollments, with an average of 819K enrollments.
- 172 courses are free or free to audit and 78 are paid.
- 244 courses are in English, 5 are in Spanish, and 1 in French
- Together, they account for 115K reviews at Class Central, with an average of 667 reviews.
- 30 courses are beginner level, and 7 are intermediate level.
- Average Rating: 4.33/5
- Provider Stats:
- Coursera: 149
- Udemy: 51
- edX: 34
- DataCamp: 10
- FutureLearn: 6
- Stream Stats:
- Programming: 53
- Business: 41
- Computer Science: 36
- Data Science: 33
- Humanities: 26
- Art & Design: 14
- Social Sciences: 12
- Personal Development: 9
- Information Security (InfoSec): 6
- Certifications: 5
- Science: 5
- Mathematics: 3
- Education & Teaching: 3
- Test Prep: 2
- Health & Medicine: 2
Here are the 250 most popular online courses of all time, in order of popularity:
- CS50’s Introduction to Computer Science from Harvard University ★★★★★(193)
- Introduction to Python ★★★★☆(16)
- The Science of Well-Being from Yale University ★★★★★(30)
- Learning How to Learn: Powerful mental tools to help you master tough subjects from Deep Teaching Solutions ★★★★★(26642)
- Programming for Everybody (Getting Started with Python) from University of Michigan ★★★★★(46095)
- Foundations: Data, Data, Everywhere from Google ★★★★★(4)
- Introduction to R ★★★★☆(8)
- English for Career Development from University of Pennsylvania ★★★★★(22)
- Foundations of Project Management from Google ★★★★☆(1)
- Financial Markets from Yale University ★★★★☆(34)
- The Complete Python Bootcamp From Zero to Hero in Python
- Technical Support Fundamentals from Google ★★★☆☆(9)
- Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Using Python from Massachusetts Institute of Technology ★★★★☆(131)
- AI For Everyone from DeepLearning.AI ★★★★★(6)
- Google Data Analytics from Google ★★★★★(2)
- IELTS Academic Test Preparation from University of Queensland ★★★★★(6)
- First Step Korean from Yonsei University ★★★★★(122)
- Successful Negotiation: Essential Strategies and Skills from University of Michigan ★★★★★(219)
- Microsoft Excel – Excel from Beginner to Advanced ★★★★☆(1)
- TOEFL iBT Test Preparation: The Insider’s Guide from ETS ★★★★★(7)
- CS50’s Web Programming with Python and JavaScript from Harvard University ★★★★★(33)
- 100 Days of Code: The Complete Python Pro Bootcamp ★★★★☆(1)
- Python for Everybody from University of Michigan ★★★★★(418)
- Introduction to Psychology from Yale University ★★★★★(19)
- Foundations of User Experience (UX) Design from Google
- The Complete Full-Stack Web Development Bootcamp ★★★★★(1)
- COVID-19 Contact Tracing from Johns Hopkins University ★★★★★(16)
- Neural Networks and Deep Learning from DeepLearning.AI ★★★★★(16)
- Chinese for Beginners from Peking University ★★★★☆(61)
- Algorithms, Part I from Princeton University ★★★★☆(62)
- CS50’s Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python from Harvard University ★★★★★(25)
- CS50’s Introduction to Programming with Python from Harvard University ★★★★★(11)
- Foundations of Digital Marketing and E-commerce from Google
- Ask Questions to Make Data-Driven Decisions from Google ★★☆☆☆(3)
- Crash Course on Python from Google ★★★★★(2)
- Google Project Management: from Google ★★★★☆(2)
- Intermediate Python
- DemoX
- HTML, CSS, and Javascript for Web Developers from Johns Hopkins University ★★★★★(23)
- Automate the Boring Stuff with Python Programming
- Foundations of Cybersecurity from Google ★★★★☆(1)
- Python for Data Science, AI & Development from IBM ★★☆☆☆(3)
- Machine Learning A-Z: AI, Python & R + ChatGPT Prize [2025]
- [NEW] Ultimate AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner CLF-C02 2025
- What is Data Science? from IBM ★★★★☆(4)
- Python Data Structures from University of Michigan ★★★★★(17343)
- Ultimate AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate 2025
- Introduction to SQL ★★★★★(1)
- Google AI Essentials from Google
- Write Professional Emails in English from Georgia Institute of Technology ★★★★☆(5)
- Getting Started with Microsoft Excel from Coursera Project Network
- Excel Skills for Business: Essentials from Macquarie University ★★★★☆(7)
- Stanford Introduction to Food and Health from Stanford University ★★★★☆(47)
- The Complete JavaScript Course 2025: From Zero to Expert!
- React – The Complete Guide 2025 (incl. Next.js, Redux)
- Speak English Professionally: In Person, Online & On the Phone from Georgia Institute of Technology ★★★★★(5)
- The Web Developer Bootcamp 2025
- Data Science: R Basics from Harvard University ★★★★★(12)
- Basic English 1: Elementary from King’s College London ★★★★☆(8)
- Prepare Data for Exploration from Google
- The Complete SQL Bootcamp: Go from Zero to Hero
- Java Masterclass 2025: 130+ Hours of Expert Lessons
- Supervised Machine Learning: Regression and Classification from DeepLearning.AI
- Introduction to Linux from Linux Foundation ★★★★☆(38)
- The Bits and Bytes of Computer Networking from Google ★★★★★(4)
- Project Initiation: Starting a Successful Project from Google
- Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies from Harvard University ★★★★★(12)
- Google UX Design from Google
- Python Basics for Data Science from IBM ★★★☆☆(5)
- Fundamentals of Graphic Design from California Institute of the Arts ★★★★☆(22)
- Introduction to Data Science in Python from University of Michigan ★★☆☆☆(46)
- English Grammar and Style from University of Queensland ★★★★☆(32)
- Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Technologies from Princeton University ★★★★★(19)
- Rhetoric: The Art of Persuasive Writing and Public Speaking from Harvard University ★★★★★(5)
- The Complete Digital Marketing Course – 12 Courses in 1 ★★★★★(1)
- Angular – The Complete Guide (2025 Edition)
- Deep Learning from DeepLearning.AI
- Exploring English: Language and Culture from British Council ★★★★★(851)
- Google Cloud Fundamentals: Core Infrastructure from Google Cloud ★★★★☆(8)
- Process Data from Dirty to Clean from Google
- Grammar and Punctuation from University of California, Irvine ★★★★☆(32)
- Python for Data Science and Machine Learning Bootcamp
- The Data Scientist’s Toolbox from Johns Hopkins University ★★★☆☆(166)
- The Data Science Course: Complete Data Science Bootcamp 2025
- R Programming from Johns Hopkins University ★★★☆☆(245)
- Introduction to Generative AI from Google Cloud ★★★★☆(4)
- Understanding Data Science ★★★★★(2)
- Introduction to Philosophy from University of Edinburgh ★★★★☆(73)
- Using Python to Access Web Data from University of Michigan ★★★★★(5916)
- Exercising Leadership: Foundational Principles from Harvard University ★★★★★(24)
- Introduction to Data Analytics from IBM
- Social Psychology from Wesleyan University ★★★★★(88)
- Étudier en France: French Intermediate course B1-B2 from École Polytechnique ★★★★★(4)
- Small Business Marketing Using YouTube from Coursera Project Network
- Analyze Data to Answer Questions from Google
- Data Analysis with R Programming from Google ★★★★☆(2)
- Introduction to Negotiation: A Strategic Playbook for Becoming a Principled and Persuasive Negotiator from Yale University ★★★★★(11)
- SQL for Data Science from University of California, Davis ★★★★☆(5)
- The Strategy of Content Marketing from University of California, Davis ★★★★☆(8)
- Data Science: Machine Learning from Harvard University ★★★★☆(3)
- Intermediate R
- Learn Ethical Hacking From Scratch 2024 ★★★★★(1)
- Microsoft Power BI Desktop for Business Intelligence ★★★★☆(1)
- Basic Spanish 1: Getting Started from Universitat Politècnica de València ★★★★★(434)
- Share Data Through the Art of Visualization from Google
- Fundamentals of Neuroscience, Part 1: The Electrical Properties of the Neuron from Harvard University ★★★★★(22)
- Indigenous Canada from University of Alberta ★★★★☆(9)
- Contract Law: From Trust to Promise to Contract from Harvard University ★★★★☆(16)
- Google IT Automation with Python from Google ★★★★★(1)
- Justice from Harvard University ★★★★★(58)
- The Science of Happiness from University of California, Berkeley ★★★★★(35)
- Ultimate AWS Certified Developer Associate 2025 DVA-C02
- Agile Project Management from Google ★★★★★(1)
- Improve Your English Communication Skills from Georgia Institute of Technology ★★★★★(1)
- Improving Deep Neural Networks: Hyperparameter Tuning, Regularization and Optimization from DeepLearning.AI ★★★★★(3)
- Programming Foundations with JavaScript, HTML and CSS from Duke University ★★★★☆(14)
- The Architectural Imagination from Harvard University ★★★★☆(15)
- Programming for Everybody (Getting Started with Python) from University of Michigan ★★★★★(15)
- Introduction to HTML5 from University of Michigan ★★★★☆(52)
- Contabilidad para no contadores from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
- The Complete Python Programming Course: Beginner to Advanced
- Marketing in a Digital World from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ★★★★★(630)
- Psychological First Aid from Johns Hopkins University ★★★★☆(51)
- Finanzas personales from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
- Operating Systems and You: Becoming a Power User from Google ★★★☆☆(4)
- Start the UX Design Process: Empathize, Define, and Ideate from Google
- Introductory Human Physiology from Duke University ★★★★★(28)
- Google Data Analytics Capstone: Complete a Case Study from Google
- Primeros Auxilios Psicológicos (PAP) from Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (Autonomous University of Barcelona) ★★★★★(1)
- Project Planning: Putting It All Together from Google
- Game Theory from Stanford University ★★★★☆(35)
- Writing in the Sciences from Stanford University ★★★★★(14)
- Introduction to Statistics from Stanford University ★★★★★(2)
- Introduction to Social Media Marketing from Meta ★★★★★(1)
- Algorithmic Toolbox from University of California, San Diego ★★★★☆(23)
- Java Programming for Complete Beginners
- Convolutional Neural Networks from DeepLearning.AI ★★★★★(8)
- Databases and SQL for Data Science with Python from IBM ★★☆☆☆(1)
- Introduction to Mathematical Thinking from Stanford University ★★★★☆(51)
- The Ultimate Drawing Course – Beginner to Advanced
- Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) from IBM ★★★★★(2)
- Python : Master Programming and Development with 15 Projects
- Cryptography I from Stanford University ★★★★★(53)
- Work Smarter, Not Harder: Time Management for Personal & Professional Productivity from University of California, Irvine ★★★★☆(43)
- Tools for Data Science from IBM ★☆☆☆☆(3)
- Adobe Photoshop Masterclass with Photoshop 2025 + AI Updates
- Learn to Speak Korean 1 from Yonsei University ★★★★★(12)
- Google IT Support from Google ★★★★★(3)
- Machine Learning with Python from IBM ★★★★☆(4)
- Introduction to Project Management from University of Adelaide ★★★★☆(6)
- Data Analysis with Python from IBM ★★★★☆(2)
- Generative AI for Everyone from DeepLearning.AI ★★★★★(1)
- AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals Exam Prep – SEP 2024
- Using Databases with Python from University of Michigan ★★★★★(4885)
- Child Nutrition and Cooking from Stanford University ★★★★☆(31)
- Data Science Math Skills from Duke University ★★★★☆(12)
- Learn to Program: The Fundamentals from University of Toronto ★★★★★(110)
- Business Analysis & Process Management from Coursera Project Network
- Business Analytics with Excel: Elementary to Advanced from Johns Hopkins University ★★★★★(1)
- Introduction to Psychology from University of Toronto ★★★★★(29)
- Introduction to Programming with MATLAB from Vanderbilt University ★★★★★(205)
- Adobe Premiere Pro Masterclass: Video Editing in Premiere ★★★★☆(4)
- System Administration and IT Infrastructure Services from Google ★★★★☆(2)
- An Entire MBA in 1 Course:Award Winning Business School Prof
- Introduction to Power BI ★★★★★(4)
- Excel Skills for Business from Macquarie University
- Web Development Masterclass – Online Certification Course
- Structuring Machine Learning Projects from DeepLearning.AI ★★★★☆(6)
- A Life of Happiness and Fulfillment from Indian School of Business ★★★★★(502)
- Statistics and R from Harvard University ★★★★☆(20)
- The Ultimate MySQL Bootcamp: Go from SQL Beginner to Expert
- Introduction to User Experience Design from Georgia Institute of Technology ★★★☆☆(3)
- Mindshift: Break Through Obstacles to Learning and Discover Your Hidden Potential from McMaster University ★★★★★(8016)
- Data Science from Johns Hopkins University ★★★★★(9)
- Python Basics from University of Michigan ★★★★★(2)
- Initiating and Planning Projects from University of California, Irvine ★★★★☆(19)
- Complete C# Unity Game Developer 2D
- Play It Safe: Manage Security Risks from Google
- Introduction to Data Science in Python
- Brand Management: Aligning Business, Brand and Behaviour from London Business School ★★★★★(2)
- The Complete Financial Analyst Course 2025
- Introduction to Cybersecurity Tools & Cyberattacks from IBM ★★★☆☆(2)
- Modern Art & Ideas from The Museum of Modern Art ★★★★★(5)
- Cybersecurity for Everyone from University of Maryland, College Park ★★★★★(1)
- Basic English 2: Pre-Intermediate from King’s College London ★★★★☆(8)
- Project Execution: Running the Project from Google ★★★★★(1)
- English Composition I from Duke University ★★★☆☆(19)
- Design Thinking for Innovation from University of Virginia ★★★★★(5)
- IT Security: Defense against the digital dark arts from Google ★★★★☆(3)
- Zero to Hero in Microsoft Excel: Complete Excel guide 2025
- Excel: Fundamentos y herramientas from Universitat Politècnica de València ★★★★★(617)
- Computer Science: Programming with a Purpose from Princeton University ★★★★★(1)
- Build Responsive Real-World Websites with HTML and CSS
- English for Common Interactions in the Workplace: Basic Level from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile ★★★★☆(3)
- Data Manipulation with pandas
- Introduction to Functions in Python
- Creative Thinking: Techniques and Tools for Success from Imperial College London ★★★★★(15)
- Sequence Models from DeepLearning.AI ★★★★★(4)
- Learn Python Programming Masterclass
- Excel Basics for Data Analysis from IBM
- Code Yourself! An Introduction to Programming from University of Edinburgh ★★★★☆(11)
- The Complete Front-End Web Development Course
- Project Management: The Basics for Success from University of California, Irvine ★★★★★(26)
- Zero to Hero in SQL: SQL for Data Analytics
- Introduction to Front-End Development from Meta ★★★★★(7)
- [NEW] Spring Boot 3, Spring 6 & Hibernate for Beginners
- Introduction to Marketing from University of Pennsylvania ★★★★☆(71)
- Stock Market Investing for Beginners
- Selenium WebDriver with Java -Basics to Advanced+Frameworks
- HTML5 and CSS Fundamentals from World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) ★★★★☆(6)
- Microsoft Excel: Advanced Excel Formulas & Functions
- Vital Signs: Understanding What the Body Is Telling Us from University of Pennsylvania ★★★★★(51)
- Mathematics for Machine Learning: Linear Algebra from Imperial College London ★★★☆☆(9)
- Lesson | Small Talk & Conversational Vocabulary from Georgia Institute of Technology ★★★★★(1)
- Pianoforall – Incredible New Way To Learn Piano & Keyboard
- Google Digital Marketing & E-commerce from Google ★★★★★(1)
- Seeing Through Photographs from The Museum of Modern Art ★★★★☆(5)
- Prompt Engineering for ChatGPT from Vanderbilt University ★★★★★(2)
- PMP Certification Exam Prep Course 35 PDU Contact Hours/PDU
- Kubernetes for the Absolute Beginners – Hands-on
- Tableau A-Z: Hands-On Tableau Training for Data Science
- Academic and Business Writing from University of California, Berkeley ★★★★☆(18)
- iOS & Swift – The Complete iOS App Development Bootcamp
- Machine Learning Foundations: A Case Study Approach from University of Washington ★★★★☆(40)
- Start Writing Fiction from The Open University ★★★★☆(21)
- Principles of Biochemistry from Harvard University ★★★★★(12)
- Java Programming: Solving Problems with Software from Duke University ★★★☆☆(15)
- Google Ads for Beginners from Coursera Project Network ★★★★☆(1)
- Deep Learning A-Z 2025: Neural Networks, AI & ChatGPT Prize
- Aprendiendo a aprender: Poderosas herramientas mentales con las que podrás dominar temas difíciles (Learning How to Learn) from Deep Teaching Solutions ★★★★★(11)
- Introduction to TensorFlow for Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Deep Learning from DeepLearning.AI ★★★★★(1)
- Italian Language and Culture: Beginner (2025-2026) from Wellesley College ★★★★☆(3)
- Attract and Engage Customers with Digital Marketing from Google
- CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) Complete Course & Exam ★★★☆☆(1)
- Photography Masterclass: Your Complete Guide to Photography
- How to Write an Essay from University of California, Berkeley ★★★★☆(28)
- Introduction to Kubernetes from Linux Foundation
- Teaching English Online from Cambridge English Language Assessment ★★★★★(3)
- Applied Data Science with Python from University of Michigan
- Capstone: Applying Project Management in the Real World from Google
- Fundamentals of Music Theory from University of Edinburgh ★★★★☆(27)
- Leaders of Learning from Harvard University ★★★★☆(21)
- Introduction to Cloud Computing from IBM ★★★★☆(1)
- Medical Neuroscience from Duke University ★★★★★(52)
- Unreal Engine 5 C++ Developer: Learn C++ & Make Video Games
- Understanding the Brain: The Neurobiology of Everyday Life from The University of Chicago ★★★★★(27)
- Conversational English Skills | 生活英语听说 from Tsinghua University ★★★★☆(12)
- Understanding Research Methods from SOAS University of London ★★★★☆(15)
- A Beginner’s Guide to Writing in English for University Study from University of Reading ★★★★☆(23)
- PMP Exam Prep Seminar – Complete Exam Coverage with 35 PDUs

Bani
Thank you so much for sharing all the resources, really helpful and much appreciated.
Suhas
Thank you for sharing information. It is worth for teachers and students both. Even any person who is interested apart from his acedemic specialization can do it.
Dr.Suvarna Sukhadeo Gund
Thanks for new information . मराठी माषेसाठी असे कोसऀ आहेत का? नसतील तर आपण यासाठी काय करू शकता? यासाठी मराठी भाषिक म्हणुन मी या कोसऀसाठी प्रयत्न करु शकते.?
Thanks .
Muvaffak GÖZAYDIN
What is the meaning of numbers next to name within paranthesis .
Suparn Patra
It is the number of reviews that course has received at Class Central.
Lesa Taylor
Good morning,
I see that you are specializing in ed-tech. I am a ed-tech 11 in Maine. I am looking for free courses while i am home this summer. My job at a Boy Scout camp was closed due to COVID 19. Is there any courses for ed-tech to be able to get CEU’S?
Thank you
Lesa
Suparn Patra
Hi Lesa,
You may use the search feature of Class Central ( https://baraaas.info ) to look for your required courses.
You may also explore various collections at https://baraaas.info/collections
Thanks
David Pérez Diego
Hello, is there an approximate number of enrollments (historically) for each course? Or some sort of average per year/starting period?
Thanks for the hard work, amazing data.
Sally Mac
Wow-this is great! T/you-Sally
Sandipan Debnath
I really appreciate the efforts put in by the class central team.
Just a request if it is possible to get the same list separated by subjects so that it becomes easy for us to find specific stream related most popular course.
Alexandros
I’m finding this article and list a bit disappinting. I’ll share here what I didn’t like in the hope someone will find it helpful and/or I’ll see improvements in the future.
– The article starts saying that “The *best* way to choose a free Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) is to choose one that other people have taken and enjoyed”, and I think it’s wrong/misleading. 1) even the best courses start with 1 enrollment; 2) the interest of a person in a course and the impact such education will have on her life is not necessarily linked with how many other people have taken and even enjoyed the course; 3) maybe I’m missing something here but, is it enough to consider only how many people have enrolled? Shouldn’t we consider also how many have finished it?
– The list is too long, incomplete, and disorganised: it’s not possible to filter the list by language, nor by topic; it’s not possible to see how many have enrolled. It’s also strange that some courses that made it to the most-popular courses list have only a handful of reviews… I’d even dare to say that reviews / stars maybe doing more harm than good to the industry: they are not reliable, and they may create positive/negative prejudice in other students. I’d say, NO REVIEWS, present what the course offers and how it compares to other similar ones! Feedback should be gathered with in-depth interviews to satisfied and disappointed students.