Are you searching for free online certificate courses? Not understanding whether they are worthy or not? Then this blog is a must-read for you.

Digital education is rising. Be prepared as most of the courses after 2020 will become online.

So, why not get started from now? Take advantage of the available online courses.

You will be shocked to know that the worldwide digital education market has been estimated to be worth $325 Billion in 2025! More and More Corporations are leaning towards online training for their employees.

The e-learning businesses have grown manifold especially during the worldwide pandemic lockdown of 2020!

However, before you go start an online course you must learn whether it is worthy of your time! Don’t go for courses which provide basics only. Unless you are a beginner!

I have listed down some of the best online certificate courses for free in India. Even I have done a few of these courses.

So, yes, you will get the most value out of these online certificate courses.

Table of Content

1. Hubspot Academy (For marketing and digital marketing)
2. Google News Initiative (Online Journalism courses)
3. Google Digital Garage (For Digital Marketing courses)
4. Google Skillshop (Education about Google products and platforms)
5. SEMRush Academy (For SEO professionals)
6. Microsoft Learning Platform (For IT studies)
7. Swayam (Different subjects)
8. Coursera
9. Udemy
10. Harvard University online courses

Checked out the list? Awesome!

Now, let me tell you in detail about these online education sites.

1. Hubspot Academy

Hubspot Academy is one of my favourite websites from where you can learn a lot about marketing and digital marketing!

If you are a beginner or just curious about the marketing world, get started with this online academy!

They have the best educators. The educators are the employees of Hubspot. So, they are sharing their practical experiences which make the courses much more fun and informative.

Moreover, the courses are packaged well. You will find short courses, Certificate courses and much more. The Inbound Marketing course is one of their most popular courses online!

Yes, you will get an e-certificate for free after you successfully pass their online test. They will give you 3 hours. But they teach so well, that you will find most of the questions quite easy.

The thing I like about the Hubspot Academy is that they provide case studies and the most updated information!

The marketing world keeps on changing. But most of the online marketing courses do not update their courses. However, that’s not the case with this! They have the most updated information about the Digital Marketing and Marketing world.

You will surely enjoy!

You can add the e-certificate you receive in your Linkedin Profile. The certificates are valid for two years, after that you have to take the test again.

2. Google News Initiative

If you are a journalism student or a Journalist, pursuing this online certificate course is a must.

Google has several products and platforms which we are unaware of. Some of these Google tools are useful for Journalists who are using the online world for their research!

In this Google News Initiative course, you will learn all about Online research tools.

Some of my favourites are:

1. Data Journalism
2. Investigative Reporting
3. Publishing and Monetization
4. Introduction to Machine Learning

However, this is not a one time course, they keep on updating their course package. You will get badges in your certificate as soon as you complete any course and pass the short quiz.

As Google comes up with any new product that is useful for the journalists, they will upload tutorials and classes explaining them!

So, even if you have done your courses and received the free online course printable certificate, go and check again and again!

Recently, they have added the Google Trends course which is useful not only for the Journalists but for the digital marketing professionals as well.

You can download the e-certificate once you do any of the courses. But I will recommend you to take your time and complete all the badges and get the e-certificate.

You can then add it to your Linkedin Account! The validity of the certificate is for a lifetime.

These courses are vital for journalists who wish to learn the tricks to identify fake news with the help of Google.

3. Google Digital Garage

Interested in learning all about digital marketing for free? Then this is the one!

Is Google digital Unlocked useful?

As this is from Google, be sure that this is 100% worth it!

Even I have done this course.

This is an easy-to-understand course which you will love. It is great for beginners! If you already know a lot about digital marketing then you may not find it too informative. However, if you want the certificate, you can directly appear for the test.

If you have done the courses attentively, you will find the test easy! They have videos with video transcripts. They will even show diagrams to make you understand.

Just like Hubspot Academy, they will bring real people to show their experience with digital marketing! So, yeah you will get enough case studies to understand the subject properly!

For now, they only have a Digital marketing certification course. The certificate you will receive is valid for a lifetime!

However, there are many more short courses you can select. However, you won’t get any certificate for those!

4. Google Skillshop

Want to get free online certificates from Google? Eager to learn about various Google tools and platforms? Then enroll in the Google skillshop today!

Some of the courses you will find here are:

1. Google Ads
2. Analytics Academy
3. Google Marketing Platform
4. Authorized Buyers
5. Google My Business
6. Google Ad Manager
7. Waze
8. Google AdMob

So, if you want to upgrade your skills, then you should do these courses.

Having your own business and want to market online? Then learn all the basics from the Google skillshop.

These courses are designed to help entrepreneurs and small businesses who want to go online! You will get free online certificates from Google after you complete any of these courses.

Google platforms have different jargons which you will know only if you do these courses. If you are already using the Google platforms and wish to reap more benefits then enroll today.

Read More: 5 Websites From Where You Can Download Free Ebooks

5. SEMRush Academy

You must already know all about SEMRush if you are a digital marketer or an SEO professional!

But if you are just starting with the SEO and Digital marketing, this online education site is the best for learning all the details about SEO, Content Marketing, Link Building, PPC ad more.

They provide case studies, and you learn from the industry experts. There are tests with which you can understand how much you have learned.

After completion of the course, you will get free e-certificate. You can add these online certificates on your Linkedin account.

I have enrolled in this academy, however, I didn’t personally like it. But it is just my opinion.

If you are already using SEMRush for your keyword research, then you will find it useful. Some of the courses provide in-depth knowledge about SEMRush tools.

So, if you are a SEO professional using this platform, then enroll today!

6. Microsoft Learning Platform

Previously known as the Microsoft Virtual Academy (MVA), the Microsoft Learning Platform is great for IT students and professionals.

When you are in the IT industry, you never stop learning! And so, Microsoft has rebuilt their old Microsoft Virtual Academy with a new look and better-packaged courses.

The newer version has written content. You will get hands-on practice with the Microsoft Learning platform. Instead of watching videos and demos, they have created courses that will give the students practical experience.

The training contents are separated into various modules and units making it easier for the students. Each time you complete one unit you will earn points.

Just like the Google News Initiative, you will earn badges which you can share with others. They have several certification courses which will help you keep pace with today’s technical world.

Some of the Microsoft certificate courses are as follows:

1. Azure Fundamentals
2. Mircosoft 365 Fundamentals
3. Azure Developer Associate
4. Microsoft Word expert

and more.

So, get enrolled today and start learning and building your skills.

7. Swayam

Searching for free online courses with certificates in India by the Government? Then Swayam is your answer.

Swayam Central is a programme started by the Government of India to educate digitally. The aim of this platform is to bridge the digital divide that exists in the country.

All the online certificate courses at Swayam are free.

They upload new courses every six months. Most of the certificate courses are of 4-6 months duration.

If you want the certificate, you will have to appear for the examination at the said centre. However, before that, you need to get enough marks in the internal exams.

You will have to pay a minimal amount of Rs 1000 for sitting in the certificate course exams. However, there are many scholarship options for students who want to sit for the exams for free.

The courses are conducted by:

1. AICTE
2. UGC
3. NCERT
4. NPTEL
5. IIMB
6. IGNOU
7. NIOS
8. NITTR
9. CEC

As these online certificate courses are approved by the Government so you can use them anywhere. If you don’t want the certificate and only wish to learn, then the courses are absolutely free.

There is also a Swayam App which you can use to do your classes. Browse through the huge catalogue to select the courses you wish to learn and get started.

Read More: Student Opinion: Pandemic Online Classes

8. Coursera

There are several free courses in Coursera which you can do. You have to simply signup and complete your Coursera login process.

The Coursera allows you to build your skills with the courses designed by some of the best Institutions in this world. You can even browse the courses according to your choice of Institute.

Here are some of the popular courses:

1. Google IT Support
2. IBM Data Science
3. Stanford Machine Learning
4. Google IT Automation with Python
5. Yale Financial Markets
6. Introduction to Philosophy by The University of Edinburgh

and more.

Most of the courses at the Coursera are free of cost. They have been divided into two sections – for professionals and for students! So, ensure you are enrolling in the right courses.

You can even earn an online degree from this platform from some of the top educational institutes in the world.

Want a career change? Then you should build your Resume with the help of the courses from this platform.

However, most of the courses do not provide a free certificate. You will have to pay some extra amount for the e-certificate.

But you can still learn the courses as they are free.

Tip: Keep an eye on the platform as from time to time, they offer free certificates!

9. Udemy

This is another popular online education site for doing free online certificate courses. Even my professors do courses from this platform, so yes, it’s great!

There are several Udemy online certificate courses on various subjects. However, they are known mostly for their IT and Business courses.

You have to sign up and complete the Udemy login procedure and you can start learning!

There are more than 130,000 free online video udemy courses! And every month there is a new addition.

You can learn about Design, Photography, Marketing, Development, Digital Marketing, Personal Development and much more from here.

Use the Udemy App if you want to do your courses on the go.

Almost all the courses on this platform are free. However, just like Coursera and Swayam, you have to pay a little amount for the certificate. But if you wish to learn, then this platform is the best.

However, if you really want to get the certificates for free, you can use the Udemy coupons. The coupons will lower the amount or if you are lucky, you can get them for free.

So, eroll today and start learning!

10. Harvard University online courses

As you all know, Harvard University is among the best universities in the world! So, what is better than doing online courses provided by this university?

The aim of the Harvard online courses is to give people around the world the oppurtunity to advance in their career, pursue their dreams and keep learning.

There are different kinds of Harvard university online courses for free. You can even get them done with the edX.

Some of their featured courses include:

1. Fundamentals of TinyML
2. Molecular Foundations
3. Introduction to Game Development
4. Web Programming with Python and Javascript
5. Free course for lawyers

and more.

There are paid and non-paid courses.

You can browse through their selection of topics. There are about 100+ Free online courses. But for the certificate, you will have to pay a small amount. So, if you are up for doing an online certificate course from Harvard University then go for it!

That’s all for the free online certificate courses. Go check these websites and see if anything interests you. Learn only if you feel that their classes are worthy. It is essential you are learning the skills properly.

So, all the best!