Udemy Plus does not include all courses — it covers a rotating selection of around 15,000 courses, while Udemy's full catalog holds over 200,000
When you pay for Udemy Plus (the subscription plan), you get unlimited access to courses marked as "included with Plus" in the course listing. The catch is that most new courses launch outside the subscription and stay there. Udemy also removes courses from Plus regularly and adds others, so the catalog you see this month will not be identical next month.
If a course you want is not marked "included with Plus" on its page, you cannot watch it with a subscription — you have to buy it individually. This is the opposite of Netflix, where the subscription covers a fixed library. Udemy's model is closer to a rotating rental: you get a large but incomplete set, and you pay per course for everything else.
The subscription costs around $15 per month (prices vary by region and promotional periods). Individual courses typically sell for $10 to $15 when on sale, though the listed price is often $50 to $200. If you plan to take more than one course per month, the subscription usually saves money. If you take one course every few months, buying individually is cheaper.
Key Takeaways
- Udemy Plus covers roughly 15,000 courses out of over 200,000 total, and the included selection changes monthly.
- You can see which courses are included before you subscribe by looking for the "included with Plus" label on each course page.
- Courses not marked as included must be purchased separately, even if you have an active subscription.
- The subscription is worth it if you plan to take two or more courses per month, but individual purchase is cheaper for occasional learners.
- Udemy frequently runs sales on individual courses, sometimes dropping prices to $10 or less, which can beat the subscription cost.
How to check if a specific course is included
Before you subscribe, search for the course you want on Udemy's website. On the course page, look for a label that says "included with Plus" near the price. If you see that label, the course is part of the current subscription catalog. If you do not see it, the course is not included and you would need to buy it separately.
You can also browse the "Udemy Plus" section of the site, which shows only courses currently in the subscription. This is the fastest way to see what is actually available to you right now. Keep in mind that this list updates regularly — a course you see today may be removed next week, and a course not listed now may be added later.
Courses that stay outside the subscription
Certain types of courses rarely or never appear in Udemy Plus. These include brand-new courses (most launch as paid-only), courses from instructors who opt out of the subscription program, and highly specialized or niche courses with small audiences. Udemy also keeps some bestselling courses outside the subscription to encourage individual purchases.
If you are looking for a course in a very specific field — say, advanced Kubernetes administration or a particular software tool — there is a good chance it is not included. You can still search for it and buy it individually, but you cannot assume a subscription will cover it.
The difference between Plus and individual course purchases
When you buy a course individually, you own lifetime access to that course. You can watch it as many times as you want, read the materials, and keep them even if Udemy removes the course later. With Udemy Plus, you can watch any included course as many times as you want while your subscription is active, but if you cancel the subscription or Udemy removes the course from Plus, you lose access.
Individual purchases also let you read course videos for offline viewing, which is useful if you travel or have unreliable internet. Udemy Plus includes offline viewing as well, but only for courses currently in the subscription catalog.
When the subscription makes financial sense
If you plan to take two or more courses per month, the subscription usually costs less than buying them individually. At $15 per month, you are paying $7.50 per course if you take two. Most individual courses sell for $10 to $15 on sale, so the math works in the subscription's favor if you are an active learner.
However, Udemy runs sales constantly. If you are willing to wait for a sale or use a coupon code, you can often buy individual courses for $10 or less. In that case, buying as you go beats the subscription. The subscription is most valuable if you want to explore multiple topics without worrying about the cost of each course.
How to find out what is in Plus right now
Visit Udemy.com and log in (or create an account). Click on "Udemy Plus" in the navigation menu or search bar. This takes you to a page showing all courses currently included in the subscription. You can filter by category, skill level, and rating to narrow down what you want to explore.
You can also check individual course pages without subscribing. Search for any course, and if it has the "included with Plus" label, you know it is in the current catalog. This is the best way to decide whether a subscription is worth it for your specific learning goals — search for the courses you actually want to take, and see how many are included.
What happens to your courses if you cancel
If you cancel a Udemy Plus subscription, you lose access to all included courses when ready. Any courses you purchased individually before or during your subscription remain yours forever. You can still watch them, read materials, and take the quizzes.
This is why some learners use the subscription for exploration — they take courses to see what they like, then buy their favorites individually before canceling. That way they keep the courses that matter most and do not pay for a subscription they are not using.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read videos from courses included in Udemy Plus?
Yes. Udemy Plus includes offline viewing, which lets you read course videos to your device. You can watch them without an internet connection. Once you cancel the subscription, you lose access to the downloaded videos as well.
If I buy a course individually, do I keep it if Udemy removes it?
Yes. Individual purchases give you lifetime access. Even if Udemy delists the course or the instructor removes it, you can still watch it in your account. Subscription courses do not have this protection.
Do instructors get paid differently if their course is in Plus?
Yes, but this does not affect you as a learner. Instructors who include their courses in Plus receive a share of the subscription revenue instead of the full purchase price. This is why some instructors keep their courses outside the subscription — they make more money per student that way.
Can I try Udemy Plus before I pay?
Udemy offers a free trial period for new subscribers, though the length varies by region and promotion. Check the Udemy Plus page to see if a trial is currently available in your area. You can browse the included courses and take one free course during the trial to see if the subscription is worth it.
What if the course I want is not in Plus?
You can buy it individually. Udemy frequently discounts courses to $10 to $15, so check the price before you assume it is expensive. You can also add it to your wishlist and wait for a sale, which usually happens within a few weeks.