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Best Professional Learning 2026

By Readers' Choice On 8/12/26 at 12:00 PM EDT

Online learning has made it easier than ever to gain new skills, advance a career and explore personal interests from anywhere in the world. The Newsweek Readers' Choice Awards for Best Professional Learning contest recognizes the companies helping learners succeed through high-quality instruction, innovative technology and flexible educational experiences.

From professional certifications and coding boot camps to university courses, creative workshops and executive education, these platforms are expanding access to lifelong learning.

Newsweek is proud to recognize this year's 10 standout professional learning programs—selected by our expert panelists and contributors and voted on by readers for their exceptional quality and distinctive excellence. Each has been officially recognized by Newsweek as one of the Best Professional Learning of 2026.

1. Degreed

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Degreed is a workforce learning platform that helps organizations manage employee development and continuous learning. The platform brings together courses, certifications, articles, videos and internal training into personalized learning pathways. Using skills data and analytics, Degreed enables employees to identify skill gaps, track progress and build capabilities aligned with career goals and evolving business needs.

2. MasterClass

MasterClass

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MasterClass offers premium online courses taught by internationally recognized experts, celebrities and industry leaders. Covering topics such as business, writing, cooking, music, sports, wellness and the arts, the platform combines cinematic video production with engaging lessons. Learners gain insights, techniques and inspiration from accomplished instructors while exploring personal interests and professional development through flexible, self-paced learning.

3. LinkedIn Learning

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LinkedIn Learning provides on-demand online courses designed to help professionals develop business, technology and creative skills. Its extensive library includes expert-led video instruction covering leadership, project management, software, marketing, data analysis and more. Integrated with LinkedIn, the platform enables learners to showcase completed courses, strengthen professional profiles and continuously build skills that support career growth and workplace success.

4. Udemy

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Udemy is an online learning marketplace featuring thousands of courses created by independent instructors across business, technology, creative arts, personal development and more. Students can learn at their own pace through video lessons, downloadable resources and practice exercises. The platform serves individuals and organizations seeking flexible, affordable opportunities to build new skills and expand professional knowledge.

5. Coursera

Degreed

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Coursera partners with leading universities and organizations to deliver online courses, professional certificates, degree programs and industry-recognized credentials. Learners can study subjects ranging from business and technology to healthcare and the humanities through flexible, self-paced or instructor-led programs. Coursera combines academic excellence with career-focused learning to help individuals gain valuable knowledge and advance professionally.

6. Codecademy

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Codecademy offers interactive coding and computer science education through hands-on lessons and projects. Learners can study programming languages, web development, data science, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence while writing code directly in the browser. Structured learning paths, practical exercises and career-focused content help beginners and experienced developers build technical skills for professional advancement.

7. edX

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edX delivers online education through partnerships with leading universities and institutions worldwide. The platform offers individual courses, professional certificates, MicroBachelors, MicroMasters and degree programs across disciplines including business, computer science, engineering and healthcare. Flexible learning options, expert instruction and recognized credentials help learners expand knowledge, develop professional skills and pursue lifelong education.

8. FutureLearn

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FutureLearn offers online courses, certificates and degree programs from universities, businesses and cultural institutions around the world. The platform covers subjects including business, healthcare, technology, education and the arts through interactive learning experiences. FutureLearn emphasizes collaborative learning, allowing participants to engage with instructors and fellow students while developing academic and professional knowledge.

9. General Assembly

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General Assembly provides workforce education in technology and AI. It offers artificial intelligence upskilling programs that support business priorities to companies of all sizes. General Assembly helps employees build practical skills through live, instructor-led and hands-on learning.

10. O'Reilly Media

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O'Reilly Media provides a digital learning platform featuring books, videos, live training and expert-led courses covering technology, software development, cybersecurity, leadership and business. The platform offers access to technical resources from leading publishers alongside interactive learning experiences. O'Reilly helps professionals stay current with emerging technologies while supporting continuous learning and workforce development.

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About Newsweek Readers' Choice™ Awards

Our nominees are editorially driven with contributions from a panel of travel experts. The final list is determined by Newsweek editors. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions, please see our FAQs or email us at readers.choice@newsweek.com.

Our Featured Panelists

Gavin Booth

Gavin Booth of coupleinthekitchen.com specializes in recipe development, all things grilling, food- and wine-based travel and romantic destinations of the world. He has extensive travel experience, visiting all 50 U.S. states and over 40 countries. He's a full-time recipe developer, photographer, videographer and writer.

Cherith Fluker headshot

Cherith Fluker

Cherith Glover Fluker is an Alabama-based freelance writer specializing in travel, self-care, and lifestyle content. With a blend of experience, creativity and Southern warmth, Cherith's writing resonates with readers seeking inspiration and authenticity. Her work has appeared in Food, Wine, & Travel Magazine, SheBuysTravel, LakeLife 24/7, Chicken Soup for the Soul, Motherly and more. She also shares her voice on her blog, WhatCherithinks. Cherith is the author of the book Secret Birmingham, set to be published in fall 2025. She is a member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association and the National Federation of Press Women.

Jamie Davis Smith - headshot-Newsweek Fans Choice

Jamie Davis Smith

Jamie Davis Smith is a writer and attorney from Philadelphia who now calls Washington, D.C. home. She's traveled to more than 90 countries, often bringing her children along on her adventures. Her work can be found in The Washington Post, National Geographic, Travel + Leisure, Afar, The Huffington Post, USA Today and many other publications. Jamie can be contacted at byjamiesmith@gmail.com, and posts about her travels on Instagram.

Aly Walansky

Aly Walansky writes regularly about food news and trends. She has been a food journalist for over twenty years and has covered everything from budget shopping to recipes to culinary travel content for national publications that include the Food Network, Southern Living, Food & Wine, Travel & Leisure, The Kitchn and more. She was ranked among top 10 journalists of 2023 and top 10 freelance journalists in 2024, as well as #1 food journalist of 2022, by Muck Rack. Follow her at alywalansky.substack.com.