Skillshare
by Skillshare, Inc. · Education & Learning · Online Courses
Online learning community focused on creative skills like design, illustration, and photography.
Quick Answer: Skillshare has a verified Real Score of 3.7/5 based on 35,000 verified reviews, compared to its App Store rating of 4.5/5. Mixed reviews from verified users.
Real Score vs App Store Rating
App Store Rating
Includes unverified reviews
Verified Real Score
Based on 35,000 verified reviews
Gap Alert: Skillshare's App Store rating is 0.8 points higher than its verified Real Score. This suggests that some store reviews may be inflated by fake or incentivized ratings.
Pros & Cons
What Users Love
- Great for creative skills
- Project-based learning
- Affordable subscription
- Active community
Common Complaints
- Quality inconsistent
- Less technical depth
- Subscription required
- Creator payouts low
Verified Reviews (20)
Best platform for creative skills
Illustration, graphic design, photography, animation, writing - Skillshare is where creative professionals teach their craft. The project-based approach means you create something in every class.
Quality varies significantly
Anyone can teach on Skillshare, so quality ranges from exceptional to unwatchable. Staff picks and highly rated classes are usually good. Filter aggressively.
Affordable creative education
$14/month for unlimited classes in design, illustration, writing, and more. Compared to art school tuition, Skillshare provides incredible value for building creative skills.
Class projects create a portfolio
Every class has a project assignment. After 20 classes, you have 20 portfolio pieces. This project-based approach builds a body of work while you learn. Practical by design.
Not great for technical subjects
Creative classes are strong but programming, data science, or business courses are better elsewhere. Skillshare's sweet spot is creative and artistic education.
Community gallery is inspiring
Seeing what other students create for the same class project provides inspiration and perspective. The community gallery shows different interpretations and skill levels.
Classes are getting shorter
The trend toward shorter classes (15-30 minutes) means less depth. What used to be comprehensive deep-dives are becoming surface-level overviews. Quality over quantity, please.
Procreate classes are exceptional
The digital illustration classes for Procreate on iPad are some of the best available anywhere. From basics to advanced techniques, the Procreate content is comprehensive and well-taught.
Free trial is generous
The 7-day free trial (sometimes extended to 30 days through promotions) gives you enough time to evaluate. Take several classes during the trial to see if the platform suits you.
Teaching by working professionals
The best Skillshare teachers are working professionals sharing real-world experience. Learning design from a senior designer at a top agency provides industry-relevant insights.
Creator payouts are controversial
Skillshare pays teachers based on minutes watched, which incentivizes longer classes over better ones. The compensation model has been criticized as unfair to quality creators.
Mobile app for creative learning
Watching classes on mobile during commutes or breaks and then working on projects when you have your tools. The app handles video streaming well with offline downloads.
Photography classes improved my shots
Composition, lighting, editing, and storytelling classes transformed my photography from snapshots to intentional images. The before/after in my camera roll is dramatic.
Business and marketing classes are okay
Social media marketing, freelancing, and branding classes exist but don't go deep enough. For business skills, LinkedIn Learning or Coursera offer more substance.
Annual plan is worth it for active users
$168/year ($14/month) is justified if you take at least 2-3 classes per month. The unlimited access model encourages exploration across different creative disciplines.
Hand lettering classes are delightful
The hand lettering and calligraphy classes combine creativity with relaxation. Picking up brush pens and following along is both productive and therapeutic. Unexpected favorite.
No certificates of completion
Skillshare doesn't offer certificates or credentials. The learning is for personal growth, not career signaling. If you need proof of completion, look elsewhere.
Animation courses opened a new world
Started with a basic animation class, got hooked, and now I create animations as a side income. Skillshare provided the foundation that sparked a new creative direction in my life.
Wishlist and bookmark generously
Save classes to watch later and organize them into custom lists. Building a learning roadmap from the extensive catalog helps focus your creative development.
Perfect for creative exploration
Not sure what creative skill to pursue? Skillshare lets you sample everything - illustration, pottery, writing, music - at low cost. It's a creative buffet that helps you find your passion.
Showing 1-20 of 12,847 reviews
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Last updated: April 2026