Pluralsight is a learning platform that provides a range of courses for individuals who want to learn new technical skills or improve their existing ones. At under $30 a month, Pluralsight is good for beginners who are looking for a flexible and affordable way to learn skills that can propel them into the tech industry.
There is a bunch of information online for beginners looking to get into software development and picking the best resource is difficult. With 7000+ courses there is enough content for people to go from beginner to advanced on Pluralsight. The 1 million+ individual users are great social proof that Pluralsight works and is a great learning resource.
Let’s explore the history of Pluralsight, the types of courses offered, pricing plans, advantages, and disadvantages, and compare it with other online learning platforms.
What is Pluralsight?
Pluralsight was founded in 2004 by Aaron Skonnard, Keith Brown, and Fritz Onion. The platform started as a classroom training company but later transitioned to an online learning platform in 2007. Today, Pluralsight offers over 7,000 courses in software development, IT operations, data, security, and creative professions.
The courses are taught by industry experts and are designed to help learners acquire new skills and advance their careers. Pluralsight offers three pricing plans: monthly, annual, and premium. The site has over a million users and more than 18,000 business customers.
Advantages of Pluralsight for beginners
Pluralsight is an excellent platform for beginners who are looking for a flexible and affordable way to learn new skills. Here are some advantages of Pluralsight for beginners:
- Beginner-friendly: Pluralsight offers courses that are designed specifically for beginners. They are easy to follow, and learners can start from scratch, even if they have no prior knowledge of the subject matter.
- Learning at your own pace: You can pause, rewind, or fast-forward the videos, and take as much time as you need to complete the course. It’s the perfect choice for people who are aiming to switch careers and need to learn in their own time, from the comfort of their laptop.
- Expert instructors: The courses on Pluralsight are taught by experts who have years of experience in their respective fields. Learners can benefit from the experience of these instructors and learn from the best.
- Hands-on: Pluralsight offers hands-on learning that allows learners to practice what they have been taught. These opportunities include coding challenges, quizzes, and projects. The best way to learn something is to do it, and switching up ways in which it challenges students is great.
- Cheap: At under $30 a month for an individual or team license Pluralsight is an incredibly cheap option for beginners looking to get into software development.
Disadvantages of Pluralsight for beginners
While Pluralsight has many advantages, it also has some disadvantages, especially for beginners. Here are some disadvantages of Pluralsight for beginners:
- Amount of courses: Pluralsight has more than 7,000 courses, which can be overwhelming for beginners. Without a clear roadmap, it can be easy for beginners to get bogged down in decisions and Pluralsight doesn’t help with this. It can be challenging to choose the right course, and learners may end up wasting time and money on courses that are not relevant.
- Lack of interaction: The courses are pre-recorded, which means that you do not have direct access to the instructors. If you have questions or need further clarification on certain topics you get feedback asynchronously rather than immediately.
- Limited collaboration: Pluralsight courses are designed for individual learning, so you don’t get to work with other students. This isn’t great if you prefer to learn in a group setting or want to network with other professionals. Working as a team is a vital part of software development which just isn’t taught with Pluralsight.
Comparison with other online learning platforms
There are a lot of different online learning platforms, and each has its benefits and drawbacks. We’ve compared Pluralsight with three other popular online platforms:
- Udemy: Udemy has over 155,000 courses in various fields. Unlike Pluralsight, Udemy courses are created by instructors, and anyone can create and sell a course on the platform. Udemy courses are generally more affordable than Pluralsight courses, but the quality and expertise of the instructors can fluctuate widely compared to Pluralsight.
- Coursera: Coursera partners with universities and organizations to offer courses, certificates, and degrees. Coursera courses are taught by professors and industry professionals, and learners earn certificates and degrees from accredited institutions. Coursera courses are generally more structured than Pluralsight courses, with set start and end dates, and learners have more opportunities for interaction with instructors and other learners. However, Pluralsight is cheaper than Coursera so it’s a better option for those on a budget.
- Codecademy: Codecademy offers coding and programming courses. The courses are interactive and hands-on, and learners can practice coding as they learn. Codecademy courses are cheaper than Pluralsight courses, but the platform offers fewer courses in other fields outside of tech.
Is Pluralsight a good place to learn?
Pluralsight is a good place to learn because the platform offers a wide range of courses taught by experts in the industry. Plus students can learn at their own pace which is perfect for people who are already employed but looking to switch fields. The platform also offers hands-on learning opportunities and beginner-friendly courses, making it a great starting point.
Unlike Where to start with Pluralsight as a software developer
- Choose your area of focus: There are courses in various areas of software development, such as web development, mobile development, data science, and more. Your choice will largely depend on where you want to focus your career. So, choose the area you want to focus on and explore the courses available in that area.
- Take a beginner course: If you are new to software development or a particular area of development, start with an easy course, build a strong foundation in the subject matter, and then move on to more advanced classes.
- Take your time: Pluralsight allows you to learn at your own pace, so don’t rush through the courses. Make sure you fully understand the concepts before moving in which is particularly important at the beginning of your journey.
- Complete hands-on exercises: Don’t skip the hands-on exercises, coding challenges, and projects because these allow you to practice what you have learned. Completing these exercises will help you reinforce your knowledge and build practical skills.
- Keep learning: Software development is a rapidly evolving field, and it’s important to keep learning and staying up-to-date with the latest technologies and trends. Use the more advanced courses to grow and advance your skills, and keep up with the industry.
Overall, Pluralsight is an excellent platform for software developers who want to learn new skills or improve their existing ones. If you choose your area of focus, take a beginner course, learn at your own pace, do the extra activities, and keep practicing, you can make the most of your Pluralsight learning experience.
Conclusion
Pluralsight is a good platform for beginners who are looking for a flexible and affordable way to learn new skills. The platform offers a wide range of courses that are suitable for beginners and will allow you to progress your knowledge. There are also plenty of tasks and challenges to complete while moving through a course to help sharpen your skills.
Whether you are looking to become a software developer or advance your career and move into a mid-level or senior role, Pluralsight is a great choice. Just remember you should have a portfolio of things you’ve built and not rely on any one course to progress as a software engineer.
Resources
Nathan Britten, the founder and editor of Developer Pitstop, is a self-taught software engineer with nearly five years of experience in front-end technologies. Nathan created the site to provide simple, straightforward knowledge to those interested in technology, helping them navigate the industry and better understand their day-to-day roles.
