Alison vs SWAYAM
Alison
alison.com
SWAYAM
swayam.gov.inSide by side
| Figure | Alison | SWAYAM |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $5/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 12 | 1 |
| Spec score · Online Course Marketplaces | 9.2 (#5) | 8.2 (#34) |
| Spec score · MOOC Platforms | 9.3 (#3) | 7.6 (#49) |
| Course Certificates | Courses are CPD-accredited and completers can earn recognized certificates. | Learners seeking a certificate must register and pay for a proctored exam; exams are held in person at designated centres on specified dates. |
| Course certificates | Yes | Yes |
| Course formats | mixed | mixed |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Apps | The Alison App supports learning on the move and offline course access. | android |
| Offline access | Yes | Yes |
| Self-paced learning | Learners can study at their own pace and Alison says there is no time limit for completing a course. | SWAYAM offers self-paced courses, for which the FAQ says there is no enrollment deadline. |
| Support | Alison provides general and support contact routes for its platform and business services. | The site directs learners to choose the relevant SWAYAM National Coordinator for support. |
Plans
Alison
- FreeFree
- Single Course Download$1, paid once
- Unlimited Offline Access$5 a month
- LMS+ Starter$99 a month
- LMS+ Growth$249 a month
- LMS+ Enterprise$599 a month
- Free LMSFree
- Lite Plan$1, paid once
- Unlimited Plan$5 a month
- Starter$99 a month
In their own words
Alison
Alison is an online learning service with more than 6,000 courses across 10 categories, alongside skills training, psychometric assessments, career resources, and a learning management system. Learners can study at their own pace, with no stated deadline for finishing a course. Completed courses can lead to Certificates and Diplomas; Alison says its courses are CPD UK accredited. Career resources include a Career Ready Plan, a résumé builder, job listings, and course recommendations. Free learning includes advertising, while Premium is offered to remove ads. The Android and iOS app supports offline study for English courses, but quizzes, assessments, and certificates need an internet connection. The Free LMS supports up to 10 users in an organisation. LMS+ adds unlimited learners, groups, co-branded certificates, reporting, and Content Hub storage. The free plan is free; an individual offline course download is $1, paid once, and unlimited offline access is $5 a month. Alison was founded in Ireland and is headquartered in Mount Carmel, Loughrea.
SWAYAM
SWAYAM is an online learning platform offering courses from Class 9 through postgraduate level. Anyone worldwide can register, with no specific age or eligibility criterion for online courses. Course material combines video lectures, downloadable or printable reading, self-assessment tests and quizzes, and an online discussion forum. Some courses are self-paced and have no enrollment deadline, while availability depends on semester and instructor schedules. Courses are offered through National Coordinators including AICTE, NPTEL, UGC, CEC, NCERT, NIOS, IGNOU, IIMB, NITTTR and INI. Access is free on the web and Android. Learners seeking certificates must register and pay a fee for a proctored exam held in person at a designated centre on a specified date; the amount varies by course and coordinator. Approved universities and colleges may accept course marks or certificates for credit transfer. Internet access is required, although faculty-enabled downloads may be available.