LinkedIn Learning has both free and paid options, depending on how you access it

LinkedIn Learning is not free for most people, but you may have access without paying out of pocket. The platform offers a limited free tier with a few courses, but the full library requires a paid subscription. However, your employer, school, or library may already cover the cost for you, which means you could use it at no personal expense.

The free tier gives you access to a small selection of courses and the ability to watch the first video of most other courses. A paid subscription runs about $40 per month if you pay monthly, or less if you commit to a year upfront. Some people never pay because their institution foots the bill.

Key Takeaways

  • LinkedIn Learning's free tier includes a limited course selection and the first video of most paid courses, but not full access to the complete library.
  • Your employer may provide a LinkedIn Learning subscription as part of your benefits package, so check with your HR or learning department before paying.
  • Many public libraries and community colleges offer free access to LinkedIn Learning through their own accounts, which you can use with your library card.
  • A paid individual subscription costs roughly $40 per month on a monthly plan or less per month on an annual commitment.
  • LinkedIn Premium subscribers do not automatically get LinkedIn Learning; you need a separate subscription or institutional access.

How the free tier works and what it includes

The free version of LinkedIn Learning lets you browse the course catalog and watch the first video of nearly every course on the platform. You can create a free account, search by topic, and see course descriptions, instructor bios, and user reviews. This is enough to get a sense of whether a course interests you before committing money.

The catch is that you cannot watch videos beyond the first one without paying. You also cannot read course materials, transcripts, or certificates of completion. The free tier is useful for sampling but not for completing a full course.

Checking if your employer covers LinkedIn Learning

Many companies offer LinkedIn Learning as a professional development benefit. Your employer may have already purchased a site license that covers all employees, meaning you can log in and take unlimited courses at no cost to you. This is one of the most common ways people get free access.

To find out, contact your HR department, learning and development team, or manager and ask whether LinkedIn Learning is available as a benefit. If it is, they will give you instructions on how to sign in—usually through your company email or a special company portal. Some employers make this information available in an employee handbook or benefits guide.

Getting free access through your library or school

Public libraries and community colleges often subscribe to LinkedIn Learning and make it available to cardholders and students at no charge. This is a real option in many parts of the country, though not everywhere. You would log in using your library card number or student ID rather than paying for your own subscription.

To check whether your library offers it, visit your library's website and search for "LinkedIn Learning" or "Lynda.com" (the original name of the platform). If your library does not list it, call and ask—some libraries do not advertise all their digital resources prominently. If you are a student, check your school's library website or ask a librarian whether access is included with your enrollment.

What you get with a paid subscription

A paid LinkedIn Learning subscription gives you access to the entire course library, the ability to watch videos offline, downloadable course materials, and certificates you can add to your LinkedIn profile. You can also bookmark courses, take notes, and resume where you left off across devices.

Monthly subscriptions cost around $40 per month if you pay as you go. Annual subscriptions are cheaper per month but require paying the full year upfront. LinkedIn occasionally runs discounts on annual plans, particularly around the new year or during promotional periods.

LinkedIn Premium does not include LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn Premium is a separate paid service that gives you features like seeing who viewed your profile, sending more direct messages, and using advanced search filters. It does not include access to LinkedIn Learning courses. You need a LinkedIn Learning subscription in addition to LinkedIn Premium if you want both services.

Some people confuse the two because they are both LinkedIn products. Make sure you understand which one you are paying for or which one your employer offers.

Deciding whether to pay for a subscription

If you have already checked with your employer and library and neither offers access, you have to decide whether the $40 monthly cost is worth it for you. Consider how many courses you plan to take and whether the topics are available elsewhere for free. Some people find the structured format and certificates valuable enough to justify the cost; others prefer free alternatives like YouTube or Coursera's free tier.

If you do subscribe, you can cancel anytime, so there is no long-term commitment on a monthly plan. You might also ask your employer to cover it as a professional development expense, even if they do not have a site license—some companies will reimburse individual subscriptions if you make a business case for it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch a full course for free on LinkedIn Learning?

No. The free tier only includes the first video of each course. To watch the complete course, you need a paid subscription or access through your employer, library, or school.

Does LinkedIn Premium give me access to LinkedIn Learning?

No. LinkedIn Premium and LinkedIn Learning are separate subscriptions. You can have one without the other. LinkedIn Premium does not include Learning courses.

How do I know if my employer offers LinkedIn Learning?

Contact your HR department, learning and development team, or manager and ask directly. They can tell you whether it is available and how to sign in. Some companies list it in their benefits guide or employee handbook.

Can I use my library's LinkedIn Learning access on my phone?

Yes. The LinkedIn Learning app works on phones and tablets. You log in with your library card number or student ID the same way you would on a computer. Offline viewing may be limited depending on your library's subscription terms.

What happens to my certificates if I cancel my subscription?

Certificates you earned while subscribed stay on your LinkedIn profile and remain valid. You can still share them and add them to your resume. You just lose the ability to take new courses once your subscription ends.