14 Best Free Online Certificates & Courses in 2024

Gone are the days when you’d have to rely on expensive university degrees for quality education. Today, you can complete free online certifications for high-paying jobs and tailor your resume to be an exact match to the job description. 

In this guide, you'll learn the best online certifications available across a wide range of industries and skill sets. We’ll also back them up with advice on how you can use these certifications to advance your career—whether you’re a seasoned veteran looking to pivot or a beginner.

Struggling to land interviews? Showcase your skills and certifications with Teal's AI resume builder.

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Understanding the value of free online certifications

Free online certifications provide numerous benefits for both career growth and personal development. According to a recent survey by Coursera, 87 percent of individuals pursuing online certifications for professional development reported career benefits such as promotions, raises, or new job opportunities. 

Understanding these benefits and how employers view these certifications can help you make informed decisions about your learning journey.

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Benefits of pursuing free online certifications

Free online certifications can help you take huge leaps in your career development, allowing you to pivot into new fields or jump to a senior level. Here’s why they’re worth your time:

• Upskill without emptying your wallet: Many platforms offer a course completion certificate upon finishing free courses. 
• Fit learning around your busy schedule: Free courses don’t force you to take career breaks—you can easily fit them in during evenings and weekends. 
• Demonstrate initiative: Shows potential employers you’re proactive about your professional growth.

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How employers view free online courses

The perception of online learning has shifted dramatically in recent years. Here's how:

• Employers are waking up to the value of digital education and are no longer biased towards top universities
• Companies want employees who stay current and upskill regularly
• Certifications serve as proof of your capabilities and initiative.

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Top free online certifications by industry

To help you navigate the good, the bad, and the ugly of free online certifications, here's a curated list categorized by industry. Whether you're in technology, marketing, project management, or finance, there's a certification that can help you advance your career.

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Technology and IT free courses online

Technology and IT are fields where credentials can make a significant difference in your career trajectory. These free courses provide the skills and knowledge necessary to keep you competitive:

Google IT Support Professional Certificate

• Offered by: Google via Coursera
• Duration: Approximately 6 months
• Skills covered: IT fundamentals, networking, operating systems, system administration, security

AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner

• Offered by: Amazon Web Services
• Duration: Self-paced preparation, 90-minute exam
• Skills covered: The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification covers essential cloud computing concepts, security, technology, and billing and pricing

Microsoft Learn AI Fundamentals

• Offered by: Microsoft
• Duration: Self-paced
• Skills covered: The Microsoft Learn AI Fundamentals certification covers essential Microsoft skills and artificial intelligence concepts, machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing.

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Digital marketing free courses

Digital marketing skills are in high demand, and these free certifications offer a pathway to mastering essential concepts like SEO, social media, and e-commerce, setting you up for success:

Meta Certified Digital Marketing Associate

• Offered by: Meta Blueprint
• Duration: Approximately 5-7 hours
• Skills covered: Social media advertising, performance measurement, content distribution strategies

Semrush Content Marketing Fundamentals

• Offered by: Semrush Academy
• Duration: 3 hours
• Skills covered: Content creation, promotion strategies, content optimization

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Project management certifications

Project management is an industry-agnostic skill that can catapult you into managerial positions. Whether you’re new to project management or looking to formalize your skills, these certifications offer a comprehensive guide to managing projects with precision and efficiency, all without breaking the bank:

Google Project Management Certificate

• Offered by: Google via Coursera
• Duration: Approximately 6 months
• Skills covered: Project initiation, planning, execution, Agile project management

Google Project Management: Foundations

• Offered by: Google via Coursera
• Duration: Approximately 3 months (self-paced)
• Skills covered: Project planning, risk management, Agile practices, stakeholder communication

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Data science and analytics certifications

Data is the new oil, and proficiency in data science is a highly sought-after skill. These free certifications will help you navigate the complexities of data analysis and machine learning:

IBM Data Science Professional Certificate

• Offered by: IBM via Coursera
• Duration: Approximately 11 months
• Skills covered: Data analysis, machine learning, Python programming, SQL

Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate

• Offered by: Google via Coursera
• Duration: Approximately 6 months
• Skills covered: Data cleaning, analysis, visualization, R programming

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Business and finance certifications

These free certifications provide you with the latest knowledge and strategies to navigate the complex world of finance and entrepreneurship:

Financial markets course

• Offered by: Yale University via Coursera
• Duration: Approximately 32 hours
• Skills covered: Financial markets, risk management, behavioral finance

Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies

• Offered by: Harvard University via edX
• Duration: 6 weeks
• Skills covered: Business model innovation, market analysis, entrepreneurship strategies

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Specialized free certifications for niche skills

For those looking to acquire specialized skills in niche areas, several certifications cater to specific interests such as graphic design, language learning, and sustainability. These certifications can help you stand out in unique fields.

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Graphic design and creative tools

Creativity meets technology in graphic design, and these free courses are designed to help you master the tools of the trade:

Canva Design School Courses

• Offered by: Canva
• Duration: Various short courses
• Skills covered: Graphic design principles, branding, social media graphics

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Language learning certifications

With the world becoming global, language proficiency is a critical skill in almost every industry. These certifications provide a credible way to demonstrate your language abilities:

Duolingo English Test

• Offered by: Duolingo
• Duration: 45-minute test
• Skills covered: English language proficiency (reading, writing, speaking, listening)

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Sustainability and environmental certifications

The demand for sustainability experts is on the rise. These certifications will help you understand and apply sustainable practices, positioning you as a leader in environmental stewardship and corporate responsibility:

SDG Academy Courses

• Offered by: United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network
• Duration: Various course lengths
• Skills covered: Sustainable development goals, climate action, responsible consumption

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How to choose the right free online certifications

You need to evaluate your career goals, the reputation of certification providers, and your learning style to pick the right certification.

This section will guide you through these considerations to help you make the best choice.

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1. Assess your career goals

Here's how to make an informed choice:

• Identify skills gaps in your current role: What's holding you back from that promotion?
• Consider certifications that complement your existing skill set: How can you build on your strengths?
• Research in-demand skills in your target industry: What are employers ready to pay for?

Pro tip: Analyze freshly-minted roles in your industry and make a note of the skills they’re paying extra for. For example, content managers with an understanding of AI workflows are paid higher than regular content managers.  

For example, you might have a experience in data analysis and decide to pursue a certification that deepens your expertise in a specific tool or technique. This would make you more competitive in roles that require advanced analytical capabilities.

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2. Evaluate certification providers

Not all certifications are created equal. Here’s what to look for:

• Check the reputation and recognition of the certifying organization: Is it a name that carries weight?

For example, certifications by Google or Harvard X are more reputed than an Edtech startup. 

• Look for providers that offer unlimited access to course materials and quizzes so you can refer to your course when you’re in a position to implement the learnings. Download course content from free courses online where your access expires after completion.
• Read reviews and testimonials from past participants: What are others saying about their experience? Does it cover the skills you’ve shortlisted? Does it include helpful downloadable templates or checklists?

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3. Consider your time commitment and learning style

Make sure the certification fits your lifestyle:

• Assess the time required to complete the certification: Can you realistically commit?
• Determine if the learning format suits your preferences: Do you thrive on video lectures or do you prefer reading?
• Check if there's flexibility in completion deadlines: Can you pause and resume as needed?

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How to get the most out of your online certifications 

Online certifications should collect dust in your digital drawer. If you want to attract opportunities, raises, and recruiters through the free online certifications, you must display them well. 

This section covers how you can incorporate certifications into your resume, LinkedIn profile, and job interviews.

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Incorporate certifications into your resume

Your resume is prime real estate. Here’s how to list certifications on a resume:

• List certifications in a dedicated “Certifications” section
• Include the certification name, issuing organization, and date of completion
• Highlight relevant certifications in your professional summary or cover letter
• Highlight any free courses you have completed to demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning and skill enhancement

How to show certifications on a resume

Google IT Support Professional Certificate (Google, 2024)
HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification (HubSpot Academy, 2023)
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (Amazon Web Services, 2023)

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Example of certifications on a resume

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How to add certifications using Teal's Resume Builder

Teal offers a suite of tools designed to help you manage and showcase your certifications effectively. With Teal's Resume Builder, you can easily add and format your certifications, customize certification descriptions to match job requirements, gain valuable AI-powered insights and suggestions for improving your resume, and more.

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Certifications section on a resume

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Showcase certifications on LinkedIn

LinkedIn is your digital calling card. Add certifications to your LinkedIn profile to make it shine.

• Add certifications to the "Licenses & Certifications" section of your profile
• Include the certification name, issuing organization, issue date, and credential ID
• Share your newly earned certifications as updates to your network

Example of LinkedIn certifications

Certification Name: Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate

Issuing Organization: Google Issue Date: January 2024

Credential ID: XXXXXXXX

Credential URL: [Link to verify the credential]

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Use certifications during job interviews

Interviews are a chance to illustrate what you’ve learned during your certification courses, so a potential employer can visualize you in the role. Here’s how you can talk about your certifications during interviews: 

• Prepare specific examples of how you've applied skills learned from certifications. For example, if you’ve studied search engine optimization, talk about a time you used your knowledge to increase organic traffic by 40 percent. Examples with results and metrics go further than merely illustrative examples. 
• Discuss your motivation for pursuing additional learning and how it relates to the role. Get personal here. Talk about internal and circumstantial motivators to help your employer see you as a determined, self-aware individual who’d be an asset to their team. 
• Highlight any projects or practical applications completed as part of the certification process.

Ready to make your certifications shine on your resume? Teal's Resume Builder can help you showcase your credentials in a way that catches employers' eyes. With AI-powered suggestions and easy formatting options, you'll create a standout resume in no time.

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Maintain and update your certifications

To stay competitive, it's essential to keep your certifications current and relevant. This section discusses how to keep your skills up-to-date and strategically stack complementary certifications.

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Keep your skills current

The learning doesn't stop when you get your online certificate:

• Regularly review and renew certifications if required
• Stay informed about updates or new versions of certifications you've earned
• Continuously apply learned skills in real-world scenarios or personal projects

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Stack your complementary certifications

Build a certification strategy that propels your career forward:

• Identify certifications that build upon each other
• Create a learning path that progressively enhances your expertise in a specific area
• Balance breadth and depth in your certification portfolio

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Get an edge on the job market with free online certifications

Free online certifications are more than just digital badges—they're powerful tools for career growth and personal development. By completing these certifications, you learn a new skills;  invest in your future, demonstrate your adaptability.

The world of work is changing fast, but with the right certifications and tools at your disposal, you're well-equipped to not just keep up, but to lead the charge. 

Start exploring these free online certifications today, and take the first step towards landing your dream job and building the career you've always wanted.

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