Are you wondering what the difference is between Lynda and LinkedIn Learning? We understand that searching for it on the internet can yield very confusing results, but we are here to help you out.
So, what makes Lynda different from LinkedIn Learning? The quick answer is that they are the same! LinkedIn acquired Lynda.com in 2015, and it took three years of transition to carry over services from Lynda into LinkedIn Learning.
All the history, playlists, and certificates from Lynda.com were transferred to LinkedIn Learning. In fact, if you visit Lynda.com and register for a free trial, you will be redirected to LinkedIn Learning.
Are you curious to know more? First, let us go through brief introductions to Lynda and LinkedIn Learning, and then we will move on to their differences and similarities.
Lynda Vs. LinkedIn Learning – What’s the Difference?
Lynda was founded in 1995 as online support for Lynda Weinman’s books and classes as a special effects animator and multimedia professor. She and her husband, Bruce Heavin, also founded the digital arts school.
By 2002, the company had begun offering online courses and had become a huge success, offering over 3500 courses. People adored the video format as well as other user experiences, such as Lynda’s content library. The success story of the founder and the website is still a hot topic in business and investment studies.
LinkedIn, a company with a great reputation for providing millions of jobs, decided one day that they needed to enter the market of online education and decided to purchase Lynda and began offering online professional courses. As a result, LinkedIn now has over 1,500 courses and is one of the most popular platforms for learning and skill development.
With the news of Lynda’s acquisition by LinkedIn, many learners who were already enrolled were confused about their courses and user data. After a three-year transition period, LinkedIn has transformed the dynamic of Lynda.com into a much more advanced professional learning platform, LinkedIn Learning.
Let’s take a look at the changes and upgrades that LinkedIn has made to Lynda.com.
What are the Changes Made in Courses and Content?
A Lynda.com subscriber had access to an exclusive collection of top courses taught by experts in languages such as English, German, French, Spanish, and Japanese. Lynda also provided services to educational institutions, corporations, and government agencies through its lyndaEnterprise, lyndaLibrary, lyndaCampus, lyndaPro, and lyndaKisok products.
Lynda provided courses and skills in various fields and has a massive library of great courses. When LinkedIn purchased Lynda and rebranded it as LinkedIn Learning, all the courses from Lynda were made available in LinkedIn Learning. This also applies to all of the Apple and Android apps that allow you to download course materials for offline use.
LinkedIn Learning has more course topics than Lynda. While both platforms offer courses in technology, business, and creative fields, LinkedIn Learning covers a broader range of topics, such as leadership, project management, and soft skills, to name a few. In addition, LinkedIn totally expanded Lynda.com and its reach by merging it with LinkedIn Learning.
A current Lynda user account will be redirected to LinkedIn.
All login credentials have also been transferred to LinkedIn, making the transition easier for many users.
What About the User Experience?
The user experience of Lynda and LinkedIn Learning is vastly different. Lynda was an entirely educational platform, but LinkedIn Learning provides a more professional experience in addition to taking a course.
Let’s go over the differences in the user experience.
- User Interface: In comparison to Lynda, LinkedIn Learning has done an excellent job of providing a much more modern and visually appealing user interface. It has a simple design that is easy to use. People enjoy the course material because it is presented in an engaging manner with high-quality videos, transcripts, quizzes, and exercises.
- Social Features: One of the most significant advantages of LinkedIn Learning over Lynda is its integration with LinkedIn. LinkedIn Learning users can connect with other professionals, follow industry leaders who inspire them, and join communities and groups that are relevant to them. All of this increases the learner’s exposure to the professional community and helps them land their dream job.
- Learning Map: LinkedIn Learning provides users with more organized and personalized learning maps based on their preferences, career goals, and skill levels. Lynda.com did not have this feature.
- Pricing: Lynda offered a monthly or yearly subscription-based model. LinkedIn provides the same service, but you can also pay per course instead of paying a subscription fee. You can also find free courses on LinkedIn and sign up for a month-long free trial to explore the benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lynda Vs. LinkedIn
With the merging of two popular platforms with rapid growth rates, there may be some confusion about how Lynda and LinkedIn Learning work, and many questions need to be answered.
1. Is Lynda.com Gone?
Both yes and no! Lynda.com is now LinkedIn Learning, and it includes everything that was previously available on Lynda.com, as well as much more that you are going to love.
2. Can I Still Use Lynda without Linked In?
Despite the fact that this option was previously available, you cannot currently use Lynda without LinkedIn. If you go to Lynda.com and register, you will be taken to LinkedIn Learning.
3. Will Learning History and Certificates be migrated to Linked in Learning?
Yes! Every piece of data and credential from an existing Lynda account, including certificates, history, and billing information, has been transferred to LinkedIn Learning. All login credentials have also been transferred to LinkedIn, making it easier for many users to make the transition.
4. Is Linked in Learning Worth the Cost?
Without a doubt, yes. Many businesses and professionals value a valid LinkedIn Learning certificate. LinkedIn Learning is an excellent resource for learning new skills or staying current. You can highlight your achievements in your LinkedIn profile to attract recruiters and advance your career.
Make the Right Choice for Your Online Learning
In the era of increasing online learning, it is important to make the right choice. LinkedIn Learning, formerly Lynda.com, can be your constant guide and an infinite library of information to learn or upgrade any skill you desire.
The success of Lynda.com and the ever-expanding LinkedIn Learning is sure to inspire you to give it a try right away.
