In the modern professional landscape, continuous learning is essential for career advancement. Whether you need to master advanced Microsoft Excel formulas for data analysis, prepare for a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification exam, learn basic web development, or improve your leadership skills, acquiring new skills is a key driver of career growth.
However, traditional professional training seminars can be expensive and time-consuming, and long-form video courses can be difficult to fit into a busy workday.
To solve this problem, GoSkills was created.
Founded in 2013, GoSkills is an online learning platform that specializes in business, technical, and creative skills. It is renowned for its microlearning methodology—breaking down complex professional topics into short, bite-sized lessons that can be completed in under ten minutes.
But is GoSkills the right learning platform for your career goals? What courses does it offer, how much does it cost, and how does it compare to major competitors like LinkedIn Learning? In this comprehensive review, we will explore GoSkills’ learning methodology, catalog, pricing structures, pros, cons, and alternatives.
What is GoSkills?
GoSkills is an educational technology company founded by Cheryl Knight and Franziska Alesso-Bendisch, with headquarters in Australia and the United States.
The platform’s core philosophy is built around microlearning. Instead of hosting two-hour video lectures, GoSkills breaks every course down into small, highly focused modules:
1. Watch: A short, high-quality video lesson (usually 3 to 6 minutes long) explaining one specific concept.
2. Read: A quick text summary with key terms and definitions.
3. Practice: A downloadable exercise file or interactive quiz to test your understanding.
4. Quick reference: A handy cheat sheet or keyboard shortcut guide for reference.
GoSkills serves individual learners looking to upgrade their skills, as well as businesses looking to manage employee training through a built-in Learning Management System (LMS).
Key Features of GoSkills
GoSkills focuses on delivering high-quality, practical business skills that translate directly to workplace productivity.
1. The Business and Technical Course Catalog
While GoSkills does not have the massive catalog size of platforms like Udemy, its library is highly focused on essential professional skills:
* Microsoft Excel: GoSkills is widely considered one of the best platforms for learning Excel, offering courses ranging from Basic Excel and Advanced Formulas to Pivot Tables, VBA, and Power Query.
* Project Management: Official prep courses for globally recognized certifications, including PMP (Project Management Professional), CAPM, Scrum, Agile, and Six Sigma.
* Coding & Development: Introductory courses in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, SQL, and web design.
* Design & Creative: Software training for Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Premiere Pro.
* Business Skills: Courses covering public speaking, business writing, leadership, finance, and time management.
2. Globally Recognized Accreditation
For professionals needing to maintain their credentials, GoSkills is highly valuable. The platform is:
* An Authorized Training Partner (ATP) of the Project Management Institute (PMI). GoSkills project management courses provide officially recognized PDUs (Professional Development Units) and contact hours required to apply for or maintain PMP certifications.
* Accredited by IACET (International Association for Continuing Education and Training), allowing users to earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
3. Gamification and Progress Tracking
To help users maintain their daily study habits, GoSkills uses gaming elements:
* Daily Goals: Set your learning target (e.g., 10, 15, or 30 minutes per day).
* Learning Streaks: Track how many consecutive days you have completed a lesson.
* Badges and Points: Earn points as you complete lessons, pass quizzes, and graduate from courses.
4. Enterprise LMS for Team Training
For businesses, GoSkills provides a complete employee training infrastructure:
* Custom Learning Paths: Assign specific courses to different departments (e.g., Excel for finance, public speaking for sales).
* Progress Tracking Dashboards: Managers can track employee enrollment, lesson completion rates, and test scores.
* Custom Content Upload: Businesses can upload their own training manuals, videos, and quizzes alongside GoSkills courses.
GoSkills Subscription Plans and Pricing
GoSkills operates on a subscription model, providing unlimited access to all courses in its library.
| Plan Type | Pricing | Key Features Included | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual Monthly | $29.00 / month | Unlimited access to all 100+ courses, certificates of completion, mobile access | Short-term learners targeting a specific skill |
| Individual Annual | $14.50 / month ($174.00 billed annually) | Unlimited access to all courses (saves 50% compared to monthly billing) | Professionals committed to continuous development |
| Team / Enterprise | Custom Quote | Admin dashboards, custom branding, employee tracking, custom course uploads | Small businesses and corporate HR departments |
Note: GoSkills offers a 7-day free trial for individual plans. Subscriptions can be managed and canceled online at any time.
Head-to-Head: GoSkills vs. LinkedIn Learning vs. Coursera
| Feature | GoSkills | LinkedIn Learning | Coursera |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course Structure | Microlearning (3-5 min videos) | Video-first lectures (10-30 min) | Academic courses & specializations |
| Accreditation | High (PMI, IACET approved) | Low (general certificates) | High (University degrees & certificates) |
| Catalog Focus | Practical business & software | General career & business skills | Deep academic & tech theories |
| Monthly Cost (Annual) | $14.50 | $19.99 | $39.99 |
Pros and Cons of GoSkills
The Pros:
- Highly Efficient Microlearning: Short lessons are easy to complete during lunch breaks or commutes.
- Excellent Excel Courses: The structured Excel pathways are some of the best available online.
- Official PMI PDUs: Essential for project managers maintaining their PMP status.
- High Production Value: All videos are professionally edited with clear audio and on-screen graphics.
- Interactive Practice: Downloadable worksheets let you practice alongside the instructor in real-time.
The Cons:
- Smaller Catalog: With around 100+ courses, it lacks the massive variety of platforms like Udemy or LinkedIn Learning.
- No Advanced Coding/Tech: GoSkills only teaches basic programming concepts; it is not suitable for aspiring full-stack engineers.
- No True Monthly Billing for Teams: Enterprise plans typically require annual agreements.
Conclusion: Is GoSkills Worth It?
If you are looking to learn highly advanced computer science theories, artificial intelligence, or creative arts, GoSkills is not the right platform. You would be better served by Coursera or Udemy.
However, if you are a business professional looking to master Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word), prepare for a PMP project management certification, or improve your public speaking and leadership skills, GoSkills is an exceptional investment. Its microlearning format, downloadable practice exercises, and official PMI accreditation make it one of the most efficient and practical career-development platforms on the market.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are GoSkills certificates recognized by employers?
Yes. GoSkills is an accredited training provider, and its certificates carry weight—especially in project management and Microsoft software proficiency. You can add your certificates directly to your resume or link them to your LinkedIn profile.
Can I try GoSkills for free?
Yes. GoSkills offers a 7-day free trial that provides full access to all courses, lessons, and practice files. You must cancel before the trial ends to avoid subscription billing.
Do GoSkills courses provide PDUs for PMP?
Yes. Many of GoSkills’ project management courses are officially aligned with the Project Management Institute (PMI) and provide the Contact Hours or Professional Development Units (PDUs) required to maintain your PMP or CAPM status.
How do I cancel a GoSkills subscription?
You can cancel your subscription by logging into your account on GoSkills.com, going to your account profile settings page, selecting “Membership,” and choosing “Cancel Subscription.” Your access will remain active until the end of your current paid billing period.
