LinkedIn Learning, previously known as Lynda.com, is a popular online learning platform that offers video courses taught by industry experts in business, technology, and creative skills. With over 16,000 courses across a wide range of subjects, LinkedIn Learning is used by individuals and organizations to develop professional skills. But how much does access to this platform cost for a company?
The pricing structure for LinkedIn Learning depends on the size of the organization and the type of plan. LinkedIn offers two main plans for business customers:
LinkedIn Learning Core
This plan provides access to the full LinkedIn Learning library and personalized recommendations. It costs:
– $2 per user/month for 100-500 users
– $1.50 per user/month for 501-1,500 users
– $1 per user/month for 1,501-10,000 users
– Custom pricing for over 10,000 users
LinkedIn Learning Pro
This plan has all the Core features plus additional administrator tools for groups, learning paths, skills assessments, and tracking progress. It costs:
– $4 per user/month for 100-500 users
– $3 per user/month for 501-1,500 users
– $2 per user/month for 1,501-10,000 users
– Custom pricing for over 10,000 users
In addition to these ongoing subscription fees, LinkedIn also charges a one-time setup fee of $500-$2000 depending on the plan.
So in summary, the cost for a 500 person company to subscribe to LinkedIn Learning would be:
– LinkedIn Learning Core: $1000/month
– LinkedIn Learning Pro: $2000/month
The pricing is tiered, so the more users a company has, the lower the per-user cost. Volume discounts are available for companies with over 10,000 users.
Factors that Determine LinkedIn Learning Pricing for Companies
There are several factors that determine how much a company will pay to access LinkedIn Learning for their employees:
Number of Users
As shown above, the per-user monthly fee decreases as the number of licensed users increases. So larger companies get a discounted rate.
Type of Plan
The Pro plan costs more per user because it includes administrator tools and analytics features. Companies choose between Core or Pro depending on their needs.
Annual Contract
Companies that commit to an annual contract get better rates than paying month-to-month. Annual contracts provide upfront savings.
Industry
Some industries like nonprofits and education are eligible for academic or enterprise pricing on request. The industry affects the deal a company can get.
Group Size
LinkedIn offers a Group option where you pay based on group size rather than number of individual users. This allows flexibility for organizations that want to share logins.
Cost Comparison with Competitors
How does LinkedIn Learning pricing compare to competitors like Udemy for Business, Skillsoft, and edX? Here is an overview:
Udemy for Business
Udemy for Business costs $25-$35 per user annually for access to their library of courses. Volume discounts apply for over 500 users.
Skillsoft
Skillsoft Percipio costs approximately $59 per user annually for its platform. Custom quotes are available.
edX Business
edX charges $400 per user annually for unlimited access to courses. Enterprise pricing available.
Compared to these options, LinkedIn Learning offers competitive pricing, especially for large companies that can take advantage of volume discounts. The Pro plan provides features like progress tracking and certifications that the others lack.
Use Cases and Cost Analysis
Let’s look at some examples of real companies using LinkedIn Learning and analyze the estimated costs:
Medium Enterprise Tech Company
ACME Corporation is a tech company with 1500 employees. They choose LinkedIn Learning Pro for $2 per user/month. With setup fee, their estimated annual cost is:
– 1500 users
– $2 per user x 12 months = $36,000/year
– One-time $1000 setup fee
– Total = $37,000 per year
Large Enterprise Retail Company
ABC Stores is a Fortune 500 retail company with 30,000 employees. They negotiate an enterprise price for LinkedIn Learning Core at $0.75 per user/month. Their estimated annual cost is:
– 30,000 users
– $0.75 per user x 12 months = $270,000/year
– One-time $2000 setup fee
– Total = $272,000 per year
Small Team at Large Company
The Marketing Team at XYZ Corporation has 50 people. They purchase a LinkedIn Learning Group subscription for $750/month to share logins. Their estimated annual cost is:
– 50 user Marketing Team
– $750 per month for group license
– $750 x 12 months = $9,000 per year
Cost Savings from LinkedIn Learning
While the subscription fees may seem high, LinkedIn Learning can provide significant cost savings compared to other training options:
Reduced Travel Costs
No travel is required because courses are available online. Employees can learn from their desk.
Less Employee Time Off
With on-demand courses available anytime, employees don’t have to miss work to attend training sessions.
Lower Cost than In-Person Training
No venue rental or catering is needed. Courses are much cheaper than live, in-person training.
Improved Employee Retention
Employees appreciate learning opportunities. Up-to-date skills lead to better job satisfaction.
When calculating the ROI of LinkedIn Learning, be sure to account for these hidden benefits and cost savings beyond just the subscription fee. The platform can provide great value, especially compared to arranging in-person training across a distributed workforce.
Conclusion
The cost for a company to provide LinkedIn Learning to its employees depends on the number of users and type of plan selected. Licenses are charged on a monthly per-user basis, with discounts for annual contracts and larger volumes.
While the subscriptions represent a significant expense, the platform offers convenience and can produce notable cost efficiencies compared to arranging in-person training. Companies can potentially realize an ROI through increased employee retention and reduced travel costs and time off work.
With over 16,000 courses, LinkedIn Learning provides access to a robust content library for professional development across a wide range of business, creative, and technical skills. For many organizations, the platform is a valuable talent development tool worth the investment. Careful analysis of business requirements and costs versus benefits can help determine the appropriate level of LinkedIn Learning access.