You’re probably here because you saw that little yellow "In" icon pop up on your feed, or maybe you’re tired of the "Open to Work" banner and want to actually do something about your resume. Let's be real. The internet is flooded with free tutorials on YouTube, so paying for a LinkedIn Learning individual subscription feels like a big ask. Is it just a glorified version of Lynda.com? Well, technically, yes—LinkedIn bought Lynda years ago—but it’s evolved into something much more integrated into the professional ecosystem.
Most people get this wrong. They think they’re paying for the videos. You aren't. You can find "How to use Excel" videos anywhere. What you’re actually paying for is the ecosystem, the Skill Assessments, and that dopamine hit of adding a verified certificate to your profile that recruiters actually see.
The Reality of the LinkedIn Learning Individual Subscription Cost
Let’s talk money first because that’s usually the dealbreaker. If you go month-to-month, you’re looking at about $39.99. Honestly, that’s steep. It’s more than Netflix and Disney+ combined. However, if you commit to the annual plan, the price drops significantly to around $19.99 or $26.99 a month depending on current regional promotions.
Is it a rip-off? Not necessarily.
Think about it this way: a single specialized course on platforms like Udemy might cost $15 to $20 on sale, but $200 at full price. With the LinkedIn Learning individual subscription, you get the "all-you-can-eat" buffet. You can start a course on Python, realize you hate it ten minutes in, and pivot to Project Management without feeling like you wasted twenty bucks.
👉 See also: US Dollar to Polish Zloty Conversion: What Most People Get Wrong
But here is the catch. If you aren't the type of person who actually carves out two hours a week to learn, you’re just donating money to Microsoft.
Why the "Individual" Part Matters
When you have a personal account, the data is yours. If you leave your job, you don't lose your certificates. This is a common pain point for people who use corporate-provided accounts. Once you're off the payroll, your learning history often vanishes into the HR ether. By paying for yourself, you own the transcript.
What You Actually Get (Beyond the Videos)
It’s easy to focus on the 20,000+ courses, but the value is usually in the fringes.
- LinkedIn Premium is included. This is the "secret sauce." When you pay for a LinkedIn Learning individual subscription, you usually get the full Premium Career features. This means you see who viewed your profile, you get InMail credits to message recruiters, and you see "Competitive Insights" on job postings.
- Exercise files. Most high-quality courses come with the actual datasets, Photoshop files, or code snippets the instructor is using. You can't get those from a ripped YouTube video.
- Offline viewing. The mobile app is surprisingly stable. You can download a whole course on "Strategic Thinking" and listen to it while you're on a flight or commuting through a tunnel.
The Instructor Quality Gap
LinkedIn is picky. Unlike some other platforms where literally anyone with a webcam can sell a course, LinkedIn Learning tends to recruit industry veterans. You’ll find courses by people like Seth Godin (marketing), Arianna Huffington (wellness/leadership), and Guy Kawasaki.
These aren't just "influencers." They are practitioners.
The Certificate Debate: Do Recruiters Care?
This is the million-dollar question. Does a "Certificate of Completion" from LinkedIn actually get you a job?
Probably not on its own.
No hiring manager at Google is going to look at a certificate for "Foundations of Data Science" and say, "Wow, hire this person immediately!" However, there is a nuance here. When you finish a course via your LinkedIn Learning individual subscription, the skills are automatically added to your profile.
When a recruiter uses LinkedIn Recruiter (the backend software they pay thousands for), they search by keywords. If you’ve completed a verified course in "Tableau," you are more likely to show up in their search results than someone who just wrote "Tableau" in their bio. It’s about SEO for your own career.
A Few Things That Are Kind of Annoying
I’m not going to sit here and tell you it’s perfect. It isn't.
🔗 Read more: Why the Bet on You Book is Actually About Risk Management, Not Just Hustle
First off, the "Personalized Recommendations" can be hit or miss. Sometimes the AI gets stuck in a loop. If you watch one video on "Public Speaking," your entire home feed will be dominated by communication courses for the next month, even if you’re actually a backend developer who just wanted one tip for a wedding toast.
Secondly, the depth can be lacking for advanced users. If you are an expert C++ coder, you might find the library a bit shallow. It’s heavily weighted toward "beginner" to "intermediate" levels. It’s fantastic for pivoting careers or learning a new soft skill, but for high-level technical mastery, you might still need specialized bootcamps or documentation.
Also, the social aspect is weird. LinkedIn tries to make "Learning Groups" a thing. Honestly? Nobody uses them. You’re there to watch the video, take the quiz, and get out. The "community" features often feel like a ghost town.
The Strategy: How to Use It Without Wasting Money
If you’re on the fence about a LinkedIn Learning individual subscription, don't just sign up and browse. That’s a recipe for "Subscription Guilt"—that feeling when you see the charge on your bank statement but haven't logged in for three weeks.
- Do the Free Trial. LinkedIn almost always offers a one-month free trial. Set a calendar reminder for day 28.
- Binge-learn a specific path. Don't just watch random videos. Look for "Learning Paths." These are curated sequences of courses (like "Become a Digital Marketing Specialist") that take 10-20 hours.
- Download the certificates. Even if you cancel the subscription, those certificates stay on your profile.
- Check your local library. This is a massive "pro tip." Many public libraries (especially in the US and Canada) offer free access to LinkedIn Learning with a library card. It’s the exact same content, just free.
Is it Better Than Coursera or Skillshare?
It depends on what you want.
Skillshare is great for "creatives"—think illustration, photography, and "aesthetic" hobbies. Coursera is more academic; you’re often taking courses designed by Stanford or Yale, and you can even earn actual university credits.
The LinkedIn Learning individual subscription sits right in the middle. It’s "Corporate Academic." It’s designed for the office, the remote workplace, and the professional grind. It’s the most practical of the bunch if your goal is strictly "get a promotion" or "find a new job."
👉 See also: AW Flowers Kearny NJ: What Most People Get Wrong About This Local Gem
A Quick Reality Check
- Total Courses: Over 21,000.
- Languages: English, Spanish, German, French, Japanese, Mandarin, etc.
- Update Frequency: They add dozens of courses every week to keep up with things like AI and new software versions.
Final Verdict on the LinkedIn Learning Individual Subscription
If you are actively job hunting, the subscription is a no-brainer because it includes LinkedIn Premium. The ability to see who is looking at you and the extra search visibility is worth the $30-$40 alone.
If you are just "curious" about learning, maybe start with your local library first.
The value isn't in the information—information is cheap. The value is in the signal. Telling the world (and the LinkedIn algorithm) that you are actively upgrading your skills is a powerful move in a competitive job market.
Next Steps for You:
Start by identifying the "Skill Gap" in your current role. Go to a job posting you want, see which skills you’re missing, and search for those specifically on LinkedIn Learning. Use the 30-day trial to knock out a full "Learning Path" in that specific niche. This way, even if you decide the monthly fee isn't for you, you walk away with a verified credential that stays on your profile forever. If you find yourself using it more than three times a week, go for the annual plan—the savings are too big to ignore.