19 Best Skillshare Courses 2025

A list of best Skillshare classes for entrepreneurs and creatives.

Skillshare isn’t just another online learning site—it’s a creative playground for people eager to grow, explore, and dive into new skills. Here, teachers, artists, and industry pros from around the world share their expertise through Skillshare courses on everything from animation and design to writing, photography, and beyond.

Imagine a space where you can learn at your own pace, connect with others, and build real skills that feel as personal as they are practical. Below, you’ll find a handpicked selection of Skillshare’s best classes, perfect for curious minds—from students and creative professionals to lifelong learners ready for their next challenge.

Skillshare Classes – Overview

True to its name, Skillshare (visit website) offers an affordable way for learners to get inspired, share skills, and refine them to perfection. From college-bound students to graduates stepping into their careers—and everyone beyond—this online community is open to all. It’s also a fantastic space for teachers who want to share their expertise, spark creativity in others, and even earn some extra income along the way.

Topics – Skillshare classes are divided into four categories: Business, Technology, Creative, and Lifestyle. While most of the 25,000 courses are pre-recorded tutorials, you can also access live sessions, and attend workshops.

Learning Paths consist of curated class sequences that build skills progressively in various fields. These paths help you master topics step-by-step, from basics to advanced, all tailored to your goals.

Credits – Since Skillshare courses are non-accredited, you will not be awarded any certificate at the end of the class. Learners can, however, list completed Skillshare classes to embellish their resumes. Upon completing a project, for example, you’ll be provided with a URL that you can drop on your resume, online portfolio, etc.

Pricing – Skillshare provides you with a cost-effective way of learning useful skills. Unlimited access to over 25,000 Skillshare classes will cost you $15/month or $99 per year. Alternatively, you can become a free member with access to selective content or get their free 1-month Premium trial (view offer) to see if you like it.

Skillshare Classes 2025 – Top Picks

Speed Reading	Animation	Photography	Productivity
Double Reading Speed	Illustration Design	DSLR Essentials	Productivity Tools
★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★★☆	★★★★★
View Course	View Course	View Course	View Course
Get 1-Month Free	Get 1-Month Free	Get 1-Month Free	Get 1-Month Free

*Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Read the full disclosure below.

1. Speed Reading Mastery – Double Reading Speed

Designed by speed reading coach Jordan Harry, this Skillshare class (visit website) will walk students through the art of efficient reading and greater retention. Furthermore, learners will master the craft of memorization, comprehension, and retention and apply them to various domains of education and learning.

Upon enrolling, you will begin with lectures based on shifting your readership mindset, training your memory, and aligning them with your near-term goals. From here, students will proceed towards application. Some core concepts include mind mapping, storytelling, and memory-improving habits. The last lessons will appraise learners of various drills that can help them retain information and process it faster. 

Jordan’s class also offers a certificate of completion towards the end and some bonus content that includes lectures on speed reading with Dyslexia and the e-book, “The Quick Guide to Speed Reading.”

Instructor: Jordan Harry | Rating: 4.7/5 ★★★★☆
Info: View Course page. Get 30% Off Premium. Access to all Skillshare classes.

2. Productivity Masterclass – Principles and Tools

Doctor and Youtuber Ali Abdaal has curated his popular masterclass (visit website) on the principles of productivity for individuals of all professional and educational levels. Abdaal begins with a productivity equation and dives deep into related concepts.

Enrolling in this Skillshare class, learners will follow the lecturer as he dissects some long-standing myths surrounding productivity. Next is an incisive breakdown of important laws of physics and their applicability in real life to boost work efficiency. 

Other concepts taught include myths about multitasking, productive downtime, productive procrastination, and the power of habits. Learners will finish off each lecture with a reflective practice for improving their soft skills. To get the most of these practices, students must engage with the given writing prompts each time they finish a lecture.

With an almost exclusive assortment of favorable reviews, Abdaal’s class remains one of the best Skillshare courses reviewed by learners.

Instructor: Ali Abdaal | Rating: 4.8/5 ★★★★★
Info: View Course page. Get 1-month Premium trial to try all Skillshare courses.

3. Intro to Procreate: Illustrating on the iPad

Step into the world of digital illustration with Intro to Procreate: Illustrating on the iPad visit website. Led by Brooke Glaser, this course transforms your iPad into a professional art studio, making creativity on-the-go a reality.

Perfect for both beginners and seasoned artists, this class covers essential tools to give you confidence in Procreate, helping you bring your unique ideas to life.

In this course, you’ll dive into Procreate’s most powerful features. You’ll learn to set up canvases, manage color palettes, and organize your work in Procreate’s gallery.

With a focus on efficiency, Brooke introduces key tools like layers, clipping masks, and brush customization to make your workflow smooth and enjoyable. Discover how to use QuickShape for precise shapes, layer management for depth, and time-lapse recording to capture your creative process—each skill brings you closer to mastering digital illustration.

With Brooke’s guidance, you’ll gain the skills to navigate Procreate like a pro, achieving high-quality results that feel just as natural as traditional art. Join this Skillshare course to unlock Procreate’s potential and find your digital illustration voice!

Instructor: Brooke Glaser | Rating: 4.7/5 ★★★★☆
Info: View Course page. Get a 1-month Premium trial to test all Skillshare classes.

4. Social Media Content Creation in Canva

Elevate your social media presence with Social Media Content Creation in Canva (visit website). This comprehensive course, led by expert instructor Maggie Stara, guides you through the essentials of Canva, empowering you to design captivating content that resonates with your audience.

Starting with the fundamentals, you’ll explore color psychology, font selection, and design principles to establish a strong brand identity.

As you progress, the course delves into advanced techniques, including creating interactive Instagram stories, designing animated Pinterest pins, and crafting compelling YouTube thumbnails. Each lesson is structured to build your skills progressively, ensuring a thorough understanding of Canva’s capabilities.

By the end, you’ll have the confidence to produce professional-quality graphics that enhance your brand’s online presence. Whether you’re a business owner, marketer, or content creator, this Skillshare class offers valuable insights to make your social media content stand out.

Instructor: Maggie Stara | Rating: 4.8/5 ★★★★★
Info: View Course page. Get 1-month Premium trial to test all classes.

5. YouTube Success: Script, Shoot & Edit with MKBHD

Embark on your YouTube journey (visit website) with this Original Skillshare class by MKBHD. Led by renowned tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee, this class offers a comprehensive guide to creating engaging content that resonates with viewers.

Marques begins by emphasizing the importance of authentic storytelling, guiding you through the process of scripting and storyboarding to craft compelling narratives. He then delves into shooting techniques, sharing insights on camera settings, lighting, and audio to enhance your video’s visual and auditory appeal.

The course also covers editing fundamentals, where Marques demonstrates how to piece together footage seamlessly, add effects, and maintain viewer engagement. Additionally, he provides strategies for growing your channel, including tips on audience interaction and content optimization.

By the end, you’ll have the skills to produce high-quality videos that reflect your unique voice and attract a dedicated audience.

Instructor: Marques Brownlee | Rating: 4.9/5 ★★★★★
Info: View Course page. Get 1-month Premium trial to test all classes.

6. Creating Your Dream Career: Uncover & Apply Your Creative Strengths

Taught by artist & cultural geographer Holley M. Kholi-Murchison (visit website), this Skillshare class targets creatives and entrepreneurs. In it, you will get tools that can help you shape your vision. These include writing exercises and PDF worksheets you can use while unpacking your past.

According to Holley, the influences of your past experiences can “become the building blocks to a more meaningful career”. She shares stories from her own journey to deliver her insights and guidance. You share your action plan or vision in the hands-on project.

This is one of the best Skillshare classes in the career section that just about everyone can take and find value in for themselves. With a premium membership, students can access all other courses to further advance their career and business skills.

Instructor: Holley M. Kholi-Murchison | Rating: 4.8/5 ★★★★★
Info: View Course page. Get 1-month Premium trial to test all Skillshare courses.

7. Graphic Design Basics: Visual Design

Graphic Design Basics (visit website) is a collaboration between Ellen Lupton and Jennifer Cole Philips from the Smithsonian Design Museum. Lupton and Philips are currently co-directing the Graphic Design MFA Program at the Maryland Institute of Art. This class has been inspired by their textbook Graphic Design: The New Basics. 

The nine lessons will teach you how to crack the code to great designing. Your journey in this beginner-level Skillshare course will start with identifying and defining the 5 basic design principles. These include differentiating between symmetry and asymmetry, scaling, framing, hierarchy and grids.

If you like to approach graphic design from an art and product design perspective, this is one of the best Skillshare classes to consider. Students will finish off this course with a real-life project that will help learners with concept applicability and to create a project from scratch or improve something from their portfolio.

Instructor: Ellen Lupton, Jennifer Cole Philips | Rating: 4.7/5 ★★★★☆
Info: View Course page. Get 1-month Premium trial to test all Skillshare courses.

8. Fundamentals of DSLR Photography

Fundamentals of DSLR (visit website) is a beginner-level course designed by Justin Bridges, a New York-based fashion and portrait photographer. His Skillshare class teaches the core concepts in DSLR photography. These include manually balancing shutter speed, aperture, and ISO for perfect exposure. Lecture videos also include taking students on the streets of New York for more action-oriented learning. 

Coming out of the hour-long class, you will have gained some working knowledge on adjusting apertures to control blurs, understanding freeze and blur motion, and editing photos in 5 minutes. In the hands-on project, you will be asked to upload your photographic creations in the Photo Gallery and share your process.

In a way, this will be another reflective practice that will help you uncover what you do right and wrong during the shooting process and the camerawork. This is one of the best Skillshare classes to improve your photography skills.

Instructor: Justin Bridges | Rating: 4.8/5 ★★★★★
Info: View Course page. Get 1-month Premium trial to test all Skillshare courses.

9. Animation for Illustration: Procreate & Photoshop

Animation for Illustration is an intermediate course (visit website) that teaches aspiring illustrators how to animate using Procreate. Comprising of 11 video lectures of less than ten minutes each, the class is one of the top-rated and best Skillshare courses. 

You will begin by learning about storyboarding, building and refining characters, consolidating layers, and animating these layers. Next, comes animation and the use of additional elements in Photoshop. Once your creation is finalized, you can export and bring it to life. 

Animation for Illustration has been designed by Artist and Illustrator Libby VanderPloeg and her team at Snyder NY. She boasts experience with some great names in the industry, including the Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Boston Globe, and Netflix. Her class continues to be one of the best Skillshare courses.

Instructor: Libby VanderPloeg | Rating: 4.8/5 ★★★★★
Info: View Course page. Get 1-month Premium trial to try all Skillshare classes.

10. Kickstart your Creativity with Procreate

Unleash your inner artist with Procreate – 20 Fun Drawings for Beginners and Beyond! This course (visit website) is like a playground for your creativity, offering 20 exciting drawing projects that make learning both easy and fun.

Whether you’re doodling on the go or sketching to de-stress, each lesson is designed to bring your imagination to life on the iPad. If you’re looking to unwind or simply explore a new skill, this course makes it effortless to dive into the world of digital art.

In each session, you’ll explore different drawing techniques, from simple shapes to intricate designs. Think of it as a mini journey through color and form—no matter your skill level, you’ll find yourself immersed in creating beautiful, personal art that brings joy.

As you work through the projects, you’ll feel your confidence grow with every stroke and layer, giving you the skills to create vibrant designs that capture your unique style.

Perfect for beginners and those looking to rediscover their creative spark, this course helps you connect with art in a meaningful, relaxed way. So grab your iPad, open Procreate, and let’s get started on a colorful adventure. Happy art-making!

Instructor: Lisa Bardot | Rating: 4.8/5 ★★★★☆
Info: View Course page. Get 1-month Premium trial to try any class you want.

Tip: If you look for Skillshare alternatives, browse our lists of the best speed reading classes or LinkedIn Courses and Udemy Courses.

11. Basic Skills – Getting Started With Drawing

Master Artist and Illustrator Brent Eviston teaches students basic skills in art and design of all kinds. This Skillshare class (visit website) is the first of Eviston’s The Art and Science of Drawing series.

Prepare for a compilation of short lectures that break down how art is more of a skill than a naturally acquired talent. The entire series is designed to teach learners the basics of drawing and honing their skills one step at a time. 

In this class, students will focus on the science of shapes. More importantly, the focus is on simplifying complex-looking objects into their simplest shapes as the starting point. It is a good opener for aspiring illustrators on the watch for some accessible instruction.

Coming out of the entire series, learners will have developed skills in fine art, sketching, creativity, and illustration. It’s one of the best Skillshare courses to learn drawing.

Instructor: Brent Eviston | Review: 4.6/5 ★★★★☆
Info: View Course page. Get 1-month Premium trial to try any class you want.

12. Find Your Style – Unlock Creative Identity

Designer and Podcaster Andy J. Pizza (visit website) has curated this Skillshare class for all levels based on managing your style to become a better creative. Andy’s Find Your Style is an engaging class that specifies five rules to unleash your artistic potential. His principles will benefit each one regardless of their medium of choice. 

Some important concepts and skills taught in the class include uncovering influences to find your real identity, translating your taste into your products, experimenting, and the art of creating successful projects.

Each lecture in the class comprises anecdotes, lessons learned, and tips to hone your style for greater productivity and yield. The hands-on class project involves a self-reflective question exercise on a defining piece of work that will help you uncover your creative abilities. One of the best Skillshare courses to develop a creative mindset.

Instructor: Andy J. Pizza | Rating: 4.7/5 ★★★★☆
Info: View Course page. Get 1-month Premium trial to try all Skillshare classes.

13. Discovering Success – Uncover Your Purpose, Passion & Path

Contrary to what many may believe, success is a highly subjective concept. This Skillshare class (visit website) is taught by author and podcaster Emma Gannon. She aims to help you “define success on your own terms” in this compact class.

Guided exercises help you with your introspection. Among the tools you will get are PDF worksheets, and a “first step” plan to start acting on your intentions. The class project gives you a chance to share a bit about your own journey with other learners.

If you feel like you are losing your sparkle, this could be one of the best Skillshare classes to get your plans, projects, career, and relationships back on track.

Instructor: Emma Gannon | Rating: 4.6/5 ★★★★★
Info: View Course page. Get 1-month Premium trial to test all Skillshare classes.

14. Going Freelance: Building Your Own Success

Instructor Justine Gignac is the founder of Working Not Working, an invite-only platform for veteran creatives. Gignac offers a Skillshare course (visit website) for individuals looking to build and expand their careers in the world of freelancing. 

It’s a compact one-hour class distributed that finishes off with the chance to share portfolio ideas and test side projects to get real feedback from the community. Some core concepts covered in the class include working with side-projects, creating great portfolios, marketing the right way, and becoming part of an authentic network.

Learners can look forward to gaining skills in entrepreneurship, personal branding, business, and creativity. Throughout the lecture, students hear about real-life stories, lessons, and tips that will ideally bring them clarity and put them in the right mindset.

It is a foundational class aiming to enlighten, empower, and equip individuals who are ready to start a tangible phase for their freelance careers. Going Freelance has received good reviews and is among the best Skillshare courses in business.

Instructor: Justine Gignac | Rating: 4.7/5 ★★★★☆
Info: View Course page. Get 1-month Premium trial to test all Skillshare classes.

15. Mastering Productivity: Create a Custom System

This popular class (visit website) is designed by entrepreneur and author Thomas Frank. Within 10 lectures it will teach you the techniques to be more productive and efficient in your work environment. Learners from varying professional levels can enroll and lay their hands on important takeaways.

Whether you are a struggling freelancer, a grad student with a side-gig, or an amateur looking to season their craft, the lessons are designed to help you streamline your goals and achieve results faster. 

Productivity Masterclass is aimed at helping learners replace disorganization with an improved workflow. Frank claims in his lectures that his assortment of simple and straightforward techniques can generate a foolproof efficiency system that works regardless of your work environment. 

Core concepts taught in this class include task management, organization of digital and physical files, taking notes more effectively, emailing tricks, and more. The class has garnered favorable reviews and remains one of the best Skillshare courses.

Instructor: Thomas Frank | Rating: 4.8/5 ★★★★★
Info: View Course page. Get 1-month Premium trial to try all classes.

16. iPhone Photography: Take Pro Photos

Dale McManus’ iPhone Photography (visit website) is a compact 1-hour class directed at beginners. It covers most of the foundational principles that rookies aspiring to become professional digital photographers must know. All of the skills taught in the course can be applied without any heavy-duty camera equipment.

Your iPhone camera or a similar smartphone device would more than suffice. This best-rated course is categorically designed for beginner-level photographers looking to hone their skills without having to spend thousands of dollars. 

Upon enrolling in the class, you will learn how to create stunning photos using shot composition, optimizing iPhone settings, creating depth, telling stories with pictures, and other valuable tricks. In the capstone project, learners will have the opportunity to show their creative improvement by uploading pictures to the photo gallery.

Instructor: Dale McManus | Rating: 4.6/5 ★★★★☆
Info: View Course page. Get 1-month Premium trial to try all Skillshare classes.

17. The Writer’s Toolkit – 6 Steps to Writing Habit

Designed by award-winning writer Simon Van Booy, The Writer’s Toolkit (visit website) is a foundational class for aspiring writers. Within eight lectures, Simon will teach you six essential steps to inspire creativity and productivity. It is a class aimed at beginners to help individuals create a basic blueprint for a more efficient writing environment. 

The class begins with teaching subtle practices that make writing both accessible and fun. Other topics include optimizing your writing space, creating a daily writing routine, and getting inspiration. Students should revisit the lessons to build a lasting system of productive daily practices that writers can depend on in the long run. 

As part of the class’s hands-on project, students will be asked to show how they have practically applied the ideas learned to their creative art. It is one of the best Skillshare classes if you want to increase the impact of your writing and seek guidance.

Instructor: Simon Van Booy | Rating: 4.7/5 ★★★★☆
Info: View Course page. Get 1-month Premium trial to try all classes.

18. Social Media Marketing – Tips for Going Viral

Artist, Entrepreneur, and Educator Cat Coquillette walks her students through the essential steps for strengthening their online presence and building a brand using virtual tools. It is a beginner-level class (visit website) aimed at individuals looking to kick-start online businesses and utilize digital tools for greater exposure. 

In this Skillshare course of eleven short lectures, you will learn how to leverage the four big digital beasts in the online world: Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. 

Some of the key strategies taught include crafting the perfect profile, choosing the right platform, writing the perfect posts and hashtags do’s and don’ts. Coming out of the course, individuals will more likely have a greater understanding of creating a following, decoding analytics, and optimizing photos with the right editing skills.

Instructor: Cat Coquillette | Rating: 4.6/5 ★★★★☆
Info: View Course page. Get 1-month Premium trial to try all Skillshare classes.

19. Context is Key: Social Media Strategy In A Noicy Online World

If your goal is to build a high-impact brand, this Skillshare class (visit website) can help you use social media to do just that. In less than 90 minutes, Gary Vaynerchuk, founder of Wine Library and CEO of Vaynermedia, breaks down “the right story for every relevant platform—Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Instagram and Pinterest”.

His strategy has been used in the growth of huge brands like GE, PepsiCo, and the NY Jets. You will learn how to build long-term relationships with your customers and tailor your content. Real-world case studies give you a chance to see his concepts in action.

By the end, you should be able to create your own social media strategy on any given channel. This is among the best SKillshare classes for marketing professionals, social media managers, and entrepreneurs looking for hands-on expertise.

Instructor: Gary Vaynerchuk | Rating: 4.6/5 ★★★★★
Info: View Course page. Get 1-month Premium trial to test all Skillshare classes.

Skillshare Learning Paths

Skillshare’s Learning Paths are like guided journeys for mastering skills, designed to build your knowledge step-by-step. Each path combines curated classes that take you from beginner fundamentals to advanced techniques, helping you achieve specific goals.

Whether you’re aiming to create your first animation, launch a business, or level up in digital art, Learning Paths give you a clear structure to follow, so you’re not left wondering where to start or what’s next.

With Skillshare Learning Paths, you can focus on key areas like design, illustration, business, and more, each crafted by experts to ensure every class adds value. The purpose is simple: to make learning more efficient, accessible, and outcome-driven, so you reach your goals with confidence.

From hobbyists to budding professionals, these paths support you in turning your creative passions into polished skills or even new career opportunities. It’s learning with intention, all at your own pace.

Get a 1-month Premium trial to try popular learning paths.

Popular learning paths

• Procreate for Professionals: Master Illustration Techniques (2 classes) – Illustrator
• From Guitar Player to Producer: Learn, Write, Record (4 classes) – Music Producer
• Create & Publish Your First Children’s Picture Book (3 classes) – Author/Illustrator
• Price & Sell Your Own Handmade Products (3 classes) – Entrepreneur
• Start Your Freelance Video Editing Career (5 classes) – Video Editor
• Mastering Vector Illustration with Adobe Illustrator (4 classes) – Graphic Design
• Procreate for Professionals: Master Animation (4 classes) – Animator
• Edit Eye-Catching Videos in Final Cut Pro (6 classes) – Video Editor
• Open Your Own Etsy Shop (4 classes) – Etsy Shop Owner
• Level Up Your Digital Art with Affinity Designer (6 classes) – Digital Artist

Skillshare Classes – Pros and Cons

Skillshare’s biggest strength lies in the sheer variety of courses available on the site. With unlimited access to over 25,000 Skillshare courses, all for a reasonable price, it’s easy to see why the platform has gained such acclaim in a short time. However, there are a few areas to keep an eye on.

Bear in mind that Skillshare does not require prerequisites for teachers who wish to feature their classes on the platform. Essentially, anyone can become a teacher on the platform. That said, some of the best Skillshare classes often come from the platform’s Original series, which tends to feature higher-quality content.

Because of this open structure, there can sometimes be a trade-off in lesson quality. Not every Skillshare class on the platform will necessarily be a top learning experience. That’s why it’s a good idea to check out reviews related to any course you’re interested in before enrolling.

Many see Skillshare as an economical e-learning option, providing unlimited access for a yearly subscription of $99. However, some users have reported issues with billing, such as being charged even after canceling subscriptions. It seems to be rare though.

Ultimately, learning experiences and outcomes can vary for everyone. With any luck, the platform will continue to incorporate user feedback to enhance the overall experience in the future.

Pros

• Wide Range of Courses: Covers creative and professional skills.
• Affordable Pricing: Economical annual subscription model.
• Project-Based Learning: Courses encourage hands-on practice.
• Community Interaction: Engage with peers and instructors.
• Flexible, Self-Paced: Easy to fit into busy schedules.
• Creative Focus: Great for artistic and practical skills.
• Regular Updates: New content added frequently.

Most Important Pros: Affordable pricing, course variety, project-based learning, and community engagement.

Cons

• Non-Accredited: No official certifications.
• Quality Varies: Courses differ in quality due to user-generated content.
• Limited Advanced Content: Stronger in beginner/intermediate levels.
• Online Access Only: No offline viewing options.
• Subscription Only: No option to buy individual courses.

Most Important Cons: Non-accredited, variable quality, and limited advanced courses.

Skillshare Courses 2025 – Verdict

Summing up our look at the best Skillshare classes, it’s clear that despite some imperfections, Skillshare has become a leading e-learning platform for learners, practitioners, and teachers alike. Its standout feature is the incredible range of skills offered through an accessible and reasonable pricing model.

Ultimately, individual differences in learning styles and instructor approaches may be the deciding factors in determining if this popular online community is the right fit for you. With the $99/year subscription plan, Skillshare courses are available at an affordable rate, and you can even explore it with a free 1-month Premium trial here.

What are the best Skillshare classes? Please share your favorite list in the comments below. If you have any questions, feel free to use our contact form to get in touch.

Sources: What is Graphic Design? – 1 | What is Productivity? – 2 | What is Illustration? – 3 | Javascript Overview – 4

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