Are you looking for an answer to the question: “How to get a Coursera Plus subscription for free?” If yes, you’re not alone. Many learners reach out to me with the same doubt because Coursera Plus has become one of the most popular ways to access thousands of online courses, specializations, and professional certificates at once.
Hi, I’m Aqsa Zafar, founder of MLTUT and a Ph.D. scholar in Machine Learning at Dayananda Sagar University. My research focuses on depression detection from social media data, but alongside my academic work, I create blogs and tutorials to help students and professionals explore AI, Data Science, and Machine Learning in a practical way. Over the past few years, I’ve completed dozens of online courses from Coursera, edX, and Udemy, so I’ve experienced firsthand how these platforms work and how you can save money while learning.
Here’s the truth: Coursera Plus is a paid subscription. There’s no way to get it permanently free. But there are legitimate, safe, and smart strategies to access Coursera Plus either for free (for a short period) or at a very low cost through free trials, financial aid, or discounts.
This blog is a complete guide (2025 edition) based on my personal experience and research. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to take advantage of Coursera’s hidden opportunities and save money while still enjoying the full learning experience.
How to Get a Coursera Plus Subscription for Free
What is Coursera Plus and Why It Matters?
Coursera Plus is a subscription plan that gives learners unlimited access to most of Coursera’s content. Instead of paying for each course separately, you can choose a monthly or annual plan and unlock:
- 7,000+ courses and certificates from top universities like Stanford, Michigan, Yale, and Duke, as well as leading companies such as Google, IBM, and Meta.
- Professional certificates in high-demand fields, including Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Business, and IT.
- Unlimited course enrollments → You can take as many courses as you want during your subscription period without extra fees.
Why it matters
Coursera Plus makes continuous learning both affordable and flexible. If you’re in fields like AI, Machine Learning, or Data Science, it allows you to explore advanced topics, such as Natural Language Processing (NLP), Deep Learning, and Applied Data Science—without worrying about the per-course cost. For serious learners, it’s one of the most cost-effective ways to build a strong skill set backed by credentials from world-class institutions.
Coursera Plus vs. Individual Courses
- Individual courses usually cost between $49 and $99 each. Professional certificate programs or specializations can go much higher, often several hundred dollars.
- With Coursera Plus, you pay a flat monthly or annual fee and get unlimited access. If you plan to take two or more courses in a year, the subscription already pays for itself.
That’s why Coursera Plus matters; it removes the financial barrier for learners who want to take multiple courses and ensures you get maximum value for your investment.
Now, let’s see how to get a Coursera Plus Subscription for Free–
Proven & Legit Ways to Get Coursera Plus for Free (or Almost Free)
1. 7-Day Free Trial (Best for Beginners)
Every new user on Coursera gets a 7-day free trial of Coursera Plus. During this period, you can start as many courses as you want and explore the platform without paying.
Practical tip from experience:
Plan your trial carefully before activating it. Pick a short course or specialization, such as Google’s Generative AI courses or DeepLearning.AI’s short machine learning programs, that you can realistically complete within a week. Set aside focused time to make the most of the trial.
Important to know:
If you don’t cancel before the 7 days ends, Coursera will automatically charge you for the next billing cycle. Mark the date and cancel in time if you don’t plan to continue.
2. Coursera Financial Aid (Most Reliable Long-Term Option)
Coursera offers financial aid on most paid courses, making it one of the most dependable ways to learn without paying.
How it works:
- Open the course page and click on “Financial aid available.”
- Fill out a short form explaining why you want to take the course and why you cannot afford the fee.
- Wait around two weeks for Coursera to review your application.
- If approved, you’ll receive full access to the course and a verified certificate at no cost.
Important to know:
You need to apply separately for each course. If you’re interested in a specialization that includes multiple courses (for example, a 5-course Data Science track), you must submit a financial aid application for each one individually.
Many of my students have successfully completed full Data Science and Machine Learning specializations through this route without spending anything. I’ve also created a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to apply for financial aid, which is available on MLTUT YouTube Channel.
3. $1 First-Month Deals (When Available)
From time to time, Coursera runs special promotions where the first month of Coursera Plus costs just $1 (around ₹85 in India). After the first month, the subscription returns to its regular price.
These deals don’t appear often, so if you come across one, it’s worth taking immediately. With careful planning, you can complete several short courses or even entire certificate programs within that first month, making it an excellent value for money.
4. Free Access via Universities and Employers
Many universities have active partnerships with Coursera, which means students often receive full access to Coursera Plus at no additional cost.
Several employers, including companies like Google, Accenture, and Infosys, also provide free Coursera Plus subscriptions to their employees as part of learning and development benefits.
Action step:
Check with your university administration or your company’s HR or L&D team. You may already have access to Coursera Plus through these partnerships without even realizing it. To verify, try logging in with your university or work email on Coursera—if your institution is partnered, your subscription benefits will be automatically applied.
5. Seasonal Discounts and Regional Pricing
Coursera frequently runs promotions where subscriptions are discounted by 30% to 75%. These offers often appear during global sale periods such as New Year, Back-to-School, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday.
In addition, Coursera applies regional pricing. For example, in India, Coursera Plus is already offered at a lower rate—typically around 30% less than global prices.
If you’re not in a hurry to subscribe, it’s often worth waiting for a seasonal sale. With the right timing, you can save a significant amount of money while still getting the same unlimited access to courses and certificates.
6. Audit Courses for Free (If You Don’t Need Certificates)
Most courses on Coursera can be audited for free, even without a Coursera Plus subscription.
When you audit a course, you get access to:
- Video lectures
- Reading materials
What you don’t get:
- Graded assignments
- Peer-reviewed projects
- Course certificate
If your primary goal is gaining knowledge rather than earning credentials, auditing is one of the best no-cost options. It allows you to learn directly from top universities and companies without paying a fee.
Smart Strategy: How to Combine These Methods
The best way to save money on Coursera is to use a layered approach rather than relying on just one method. Here’s a strategy that works well for most learners:
- Start with the 7-day free trial and complete a short course or specialization to build momentum.
- Apply for financial aid for longer or certificate-based programs you want to pursue.
- Audit additional courses if your goal is learning without certificates.
- Take advantage of $1 promotions or seasonal discounts to upgrade when it makes sense.
- Check with your university or employer to see if free access is already available to you.
By combining these methods, you can maximize your learning opportunities while keeping costs as low as possible. This structured approach ensures you get real value from Coursera without overspending.
My Personal Experience
In the early days of my ML journey, I depended a lot on financial aid and auditing. For example, I completed the University of Michigan’s Applied Data Science Specialization entirely through financial aid. Later, when Coursera offered a seasonal discount, I switched to Coursera Plus. That year, I was able to finish Google’s TensorFlow, NLP, and Deep Learning certificates without extra cost.
This isn’t just advice—it’s a path I’ve personally walked. Many of my students and readers have used the same methods and found success, proving that these strategies work in real learning journeys.
Things to Avoid
Avoid shortcuts like cracked accounts, illegal hacks, or pirated content. They put your data at risk and go against Coursera’s policies.
Stick to official Coursera options instead. This way, your certificates stay valid, credible, and trusted by employers.
Using unofficial methods may save money temporarily, but it can compromise your learning, harm your reputation, and make certificates invalid for job applications or professional growth. Following legitimate methods ensures long-term benefits and security.
Final Thoughts
If you’re wondering how to get a Coursera Plus subscription for free, the truth is that there’s no permanent way to access it without paying. However, by using trials, financial aid, course audits, and seasonal promotions, you can gain access to thousands of high-quality courses without paying the full price.
These strategies allow you to build your skills in AI, Machine Learning, and Data Science affordably while still earning certificates and completing professional programs. For serious learners, Coursera Plus remains one of the best investments in 2025. Until you’re ready to subscribe, applying these legitimate and safe methods will help you learn smart, save money, and make the most of Coursera’s offerings.
Happy Learning!
FAQs – Coursera Plus Free Access (2025)
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Thought of the Day…
‘ It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.’
– John Wooden
Written By Aqsa Zafar
Aqsa Zafar is a Ph.D. scholar in Machine Learning at Dayananda Sagar University, specializing in Natural Language Processing and Deep Learning. She has published research in AI applications for mental health and actively shares insights on data science, machine learning, and generative AI through MLTUT. With a strong background in computer science (B.Tech and M.Tech), Aqsa combines academic expertise with practical experience to help learners and professionals understand and apply AI in real-world scenarios.