📋 Overview
Udemy is a global online learning marketplace with over 200,000 courses across every conceivable topic. Unlike curated platforms, Udemy operates as an open marketplace where anyone can create and sell courses, leading to massive variety but inconsistent quality.
With a score of 40/100, Udemy's Terms of Service present significant concerns around instructor revenue practices, course quality control, and aggressive discounting that affects both instructors and the perceived value of courses.
⚠️ Key Concerns ("Gotchas")
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⚠️ Heavy Discounting Without Instructor Consent
Udemy routinely discounts courses by 80-90% through platform-wide sales without instructor approval. A $199 course may sell for $9.99, dramatically affecting instructor revenue. Instructors cannot opt out of promotional pricing.
Source: Udemy Instructor Terms, Pricing Section -
⚠️ Low Revenue Share on Platform Sales
When Udemy acquires students through their marketing (the majority of sales), instructors receive only 37% of revenue. Combined with heavy discounting, this can result in just a few dollars per sale for courses priced at $100+.
Source: Udemy Instructor Revenue Share Policy -
⚠️ Course Quality Inconsistency
Minimal quality control means course quality varies dramatically. Udemy's terms place responsibility on learners to evaluate courses before purchase, with limited recourse for misleading course descriptions.
Source: Udemy Terms of Use, Section 7 -
⚠️ Perpetual Content License
Instructors grant Udemy a perpetual, worldwide license to use, copy, reproduce, and sublicense course content. Even after removing a course, Udemy may retain and use promotional materials.
Source: Udemy Instructor Terms, Content License Section
✅ Positive Aspects
✓ Lifetime Access to Purchased Courses
Unlike subscription platforms, courses you purchase on Udemy are yours forever. You retain access even if the instructor updates or the platform changes, providing long-term value.
✓ Generous 30-Day Refund Policy
Udemy offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on courses, providing reasonable time to evaluate whether a course meets expectations.
✓ Massive Course Selection
With 200,000+ courses, learners can find instruction on almost any topic, including niche subjects not available on curated platforms.
📖 What This Means For You
For Learners
Udemy can offer excellent value, but requires careful course selection. Never pay full price—sales happen constantly. Read reviews thoroughly, check instructor credentials, and preview free content before purchasing. The 30-day refund policy is your safety net for courses that don't meet expectations.
For Instructors
Udemy provides reach but at significant cost. Expect most revenue to come from discounted sales with low per-course earnings. Consider Udemy as a marketing channel to build audience, but maintain your own sales channels for premium pricing. The perpetual license means your content on Udemy stays on Udemy.
For Organizations
Udemy Business offers team plans with curated content. Quality is higher in the Business library, but be aware that individual course access policies differ from consumer purchases. Review the enterprise agreement separately from consumer terms.