A clear, evidence-based guide to real free certificates, badges, and records you can earn and share.
What This Guide Covers
Learners search for free online courses with certificate to show progress without fees. Many lists mix free learning with paid certificates. This guide filters that out.
Every pick below offers free learning and a free certificate, badge, or record of achievement that you can download or share. Each claim links to an official source so readers can verify the details themselves.
Table of Content
- What This Guide Covers
- How These Picks Were Made
- Certificates, Badges, and Records—What’s the Difference?
- The 10 Best Free Platforms for Online Courses With Certificate
- How to Pick the Right Platform for Your Goal
- How to Share Your Credential on LinkedIn
- Common Pitfalls and Simple Fixes
- Hands-On Mini-Plans (14–30 Days)
- Frequently Missed Details Before You Start
- Closing Thoughts
- FAQs
How These Picks Were Made
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Free to learn, free to claim: no paywall for the certificate, badge, or record on the listed option.
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Verifiable: public badge link, downloadable certificate, or profile page that others can check.
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Credible issuers: nonprofit providers, universities, or widely trusted companies.
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Global access: content available to a wide audience with clear instructions to earn proof.
Certificates, Badges, and Records—What’s the Difference?
Certificates of Completion
A PDF you can download from your account. It proves the course is finished and assessments are passed. Example: Saylor Academy completion certificates issued through Accredible, shareable by link or PDF.
Digital Badges
A web-based credential with embedded metadata (issuer, skills, date) and a public verification page. Many platforms issue badges through Credly, which supports one-click sharing to LinkedIn.
Record of Achievement
An official statement given after passing all required quizzes or a final assessment. SAP Learning issues a digital record of achievement with a Credly badge for many beginner paths.
Tip: Employers often check for a public URL. Badges and records help with that. Certificates from nonprofits and universities help too when the course page lists clear completion rules.
The 10 Best Free Platforms for Online Courses With Certificate
Each profile lists what it is, who benefits, the credential, how to earn it, and a starter pick.
1) freeCodeCamp
What it is
A nonprofit coding curriculum with projects in web development, JavaScript, data, and more.
Who benefits
Beginners who want portfolio projects and a credential that hiring managers can click through on a profile or resume.
Credential
Free, verified certifications for each track; eleven certifications described in the official overview.
How to earn it
Finish the lessons in a track and build the required projects, then claim your certificate from your profile.
First course to try
Responsive Web Design or JavaScript Algorithms and Data Structures to get quick, visible wins.
2) Saylor Academy
What it is
A nonprofit offering 150+ self-paced college-level courses across business, CS, and the humanities.
Who benefits
Independent learners who want a structured syllabus and a shareable certificate.
Credential
Free completion certificates delivered through Accredible with shareable links and PDF download.
How to earn it
Create a free account, complete the course assessments, then download from My certificates. Support docs show the exact steps.
First course to try
Intro marketing, project management, or programming; pick a course with a clear final assessment and syllabus.
Note on credit: some Saylor courses carry ACE credit recommendations; the credit exam uses a separate paid proctoring process. The standard completion certificate remains free.
3) OpenLearn (The Open University)
What it is
The Open University’s portal for open courses, including Badged Open Courses (BOCs).
Who benefits
Learners who prefer university branding and a statement they can download.
Credential
A free OU digital badge plus a free Statement of participation on eligible courses. Both are downloadable and shareable to LinkedIn.
How to earn it
Enroll, complete all sections, and pass required quizzes; the badge and statement appear in your profile.
First course to try
Explore “Work & Skills” or “Digital & IT” BOCs listed on the badged courses hub.
4) Google Digital Garage (Skillshop)
What it is
Google’s digital skills area in Skillshop. The flagship course is Fundamentals of Digital Marketing.
Who benefits
Students and job-seekers who want a recognizable entry certificate in digital marketing.
Credential
An award for completion that you can add to your public Skillshop and LinkedIn profiles. Course page shows “Award” and “earn an award to add to LinkedIn.”
How to earn it
Complete the sequence of modules and assessments; claim the award within Skillshop.
First course to try
Start with Fundamentals of Digital Marketing listed under Google Digital Garage.
5) HP LIFE (HP Foundation)
What it is
A global program offering short business and employability courses in multiple languages.
Who benefits
Entrepreneurs, students, and early-career professionals who need practical topics and a downloadable certificate.
Credential
A free certificate of completion for each finished course; the site states “Get a certificate of completion.” The catalog page also notes “more than 30 free online courses … with free Certificates of Completion.”
How to earn it
Enroll in a course, complete the content and checks, then download from your dashboard or course page.
First course to try
Design Thinking or Effective Presentations—both show certificate language on their pages.
Useful stat
HP LIFE reports reach across 200+ countries and territories on its site.
6) IBM SkillsBuild
What it is
IBM’s public learning platform for tech and career skills.
Who benefits
Learners seeking digital badges from a major tech brand with Credly verification.
Credential
Free digital credentials issued through Credly once you finish the learning path; SkillsBuild explains the process and links to Credly in its FAQs.
How to earn it
Create a SkillsBuild account, complete the path, accept your Credly badge via email, then share it.
First course to try
Paths in AI foundations, cybersecurity basics, or data analytics; IBM notes that badges are issued via Credly for eligible completions.
7) Cisco Networking Academy (NetAcad)
What it is
Cisco’s global program for networking, cybersecurity, and tech fundamentals.
Who benefits
Students and career-switchers who want vendor-recognized starter badges.
Credential
Free digital badges for selected self-paced courses; Cisco states badges are free and easy to share. NetAcad articles describe accepting a Credly badge and accessing a printable certificate from the badge page.
How to earn it
Enroll in an eligible course, pass the assessments, then follow the Credly email to claim and share the badge.
First course to try
Introduction to Cybersecurity or Networking Basics to build fundamentals and signal interest.
8) SAP Learning (formerly openSAP)
What it is
SAP’s platform for structured learning journeys across the SAP ecosystem.
Who benefits
Learners targeting ERP, analytics, and business process topics.
Credential
Record of Achievement and digital badge for many beginner journeys after passing all quizzes; badges are issued by Credly on behalf of SAP.
How to earn it
Pick a learning journey, complete all modules and quizzes, then claim the badge and download your record. SAP’s help center explains the steps.
First course to try
Beginner journeys in analytics, integration, or low-code tooling; the FAQs clarify which paths yield records and badges.
9) HubSpot Academy
What it is
A well-known source for marketing, SEO, content, and CRM training.
Who benefits
Content creators, marketers, small-business teams, and students who want free certifications with clear steps.
Credential
Free certifications with a downloadable certificate and a public certification profile; the overview highlights free certifications and badges to add to LinkedIn.
How to earn it
Create a free account, complete the lessons, pass the final exam, then download and share your certificate. Course pages show FREE Certification Course labels.
First course to try
Digital Marketing, SEO, or Social Media Marketing to build a base and a shareable credential.
10) Kaggle Learn
What it is
Short, hands-on micro-courses in Python, ML, SQL, data visualization, and more.
Who benefits
New analysts and developers who want practice notebooks and quick wins they can show.
Credential
Free completion certificates for each micro-course. Kaggle’s certificate pages and announcement confirm downloadable certificates and public links.
How to earn it
Finish the exercises in a micro-course; access the certificate from the Your Completed tab or the course page.
First course to try
Python or Intro to Machine Learning; course pages show “no cost” and estimated hours to earn the certificate.
How to Pick the Right Platform for Your Goal
Match the proof to the need
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Portfolio + verification: freeCodeCamp (projects) and Kaggle (notebooks) produce artifacts you can link in resumes or applications.
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Employer-friendly badges: IBM, Cisco, and SAP issue Credly badges with a public URL.
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University branding: OpenLearn provides a badge and a Statement of participation with The Open University name.
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Quick workplace skills: HP LIFE and HubSpot give short paths with certificates and clear outcomes.
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Structured academics: Saylor offers free certificates and optional ACE credit routes later if needed.
Use an outcome checklist
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What job or study goal are you supporting?
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What proof will you share—badge link, PDF, portfolio, or a mix?
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How much time can you spend each week?
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What project can you produce alongside the certificate?
How to Share Your Credential on LinkedIn
Badges issued through Credly
Accept the email, open the badge on Credly, and select Share → LinkedIn. You can add it to Licenses & Certifications and share to your feed.
PDF certificates or award links
Open LinkedIn → Add profile section → Licenses & Certifications → enter the credential name, issuer, issue date, and a public URL if available. Multiple learning sites describe this process.
Small lift, big impact
Post the badge or certificate with a one-line outcome: “Built a responsive site,” “Completed Python basics,” or “Designed a simple marketing plan.” This gives context beyond the credential.
Common Pitfalls and Simple Fixes
Confusing “free to learn” with “free certificate”
Some MOOC platforms allow free auditing but charge for the certificate. The platforms in this guide list free certificates, badges, or records directly on their official pages. Tap the linked sources before you start.
Collecting certificates without practice
A badge without an example project loses impact. Pair a certificate with a code repo, case study, or short write-up. freeCodeCamp and Kaggle build this into the process.
No verification link
When possible, choose credentials with a public URL. Credly, OpenLearn profiles, and many academy dashboards provide shareable links.
Hands-On Mini-Plans (14–30 Days)
Starter plan for business and marketing
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HP LIFE: Effective Presentations → download certificate.
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HubSpot Academy: Digital Marketing or SEO certification.
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LinkedIn: add both credentials with links.
Starter plan for coding and data
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freeCodeCamp: complete the first project in Responsive Web Design and claim the first certification once all projects are finished.
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Kaggle Learn: Python or Intro to Machine Learning → download the certificate.
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LinkedIn: list the certificate and link to your GitHub notebook or site.
Starter plan for enterprise tech
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IBM SkillsBuild: one beginner path with a Credly badge.
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Cisco NetAcad: one intro course with a free badge and printable certificate via Credly.
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SAP Learning: one beginner journey for a record of achievement and badge.
Frequently Missed Details Before You Start
Check course pages for the exact proof offered
Some providers label the proof as an award, certificate, badge, or record. Read the line that mentions sharing or downloading. Google’s course page for Fundamentals of Digital Marketing, for instance, lists an Award that you can add to LinkedIn.
Look for a public profile or portfolio option
OpenLearn, Credly, and several academies give you a profile page others can view. That extra click builds trust with recruiters.
Save a local copy
Even with public URLs, keep a PDF in your records. Saylor and HP LIFE mention PDF downloads.
Closing Thoughts
Free certificates and badges carry more weight when they connect to proof of skill. Pick one platform, finish one course, download the certificate or claim the badge, and share a link to something you built or wrote.
Repeat that cycle across a few domains—marketing basics, a coding sprint, and one enterprise platform—to create a convincing learning trail. Over time, the combination of verifiable credentials and small, real projects tells a stronger story than either one alone.
FAQs
1) Are these free credentials recognized by employers?
Hiring teams look for evidence they can check. Credly badges and university statements provide public links, and many job posts welcome short certificates for entry roles. Add a line about what you built or analyzed to give context.
2) Which platform suits absolute beginners?
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Coding: freeCodeCamp for project-first learning.
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Data: Kaggle Learn for short hands-on notebooks.
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Business/marketing: HP LIFE and Google Digital Garage for applied skills with quick certificates or awards.
3) How do I add a badge or certificate to LinkedIn?
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Credly badges: open the badge on Credly and select Share → LinkedIn. It fills the Licenses & Certifications form for you.
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PDFs: use LinkedIn’s Add profile section → Licenses & Certifications and paste the credential URL if you have one. Guides from reputable learning platforms outline the same steps.
4) Do any of these pathways lead to college credit?
Saylor offers selected courses with ACE credit recommendations. The free completion certificate does not carry credit by itself; credit-bearing exams use a separate proctored process with a fee.
5) What’s a simple 30-day plan to show progress?
Week 1–2: one HP LIFE course and one HubSpot certification.
Week 3–4: one Kaggle micro-course with a small project or one freeCodeCamp project set. Share the results on LinkedIn with links.
