Skillshare Review: Best Gift for Creatives?

What We Like

1. Project-Based Learning That Actually Works

Unlike passive video watching, Skillshare classes are built around creating something tangible. Learn logo design? You design a logo. Photography class? You take and edit photos. Writing course? You write a short story. This hands-on approach means the recipient actually builds skills, not just watches videos.

2. Real Working Professionals Teaching

Instructors aren't celebrities—they're working graphic designers, photographers, illustrators, and writers sharing techniques they use daily. You get practical, current knowledge from people in the trenches, not theory from academics. Classes include real portfolio examples and behind-the-scenes workflows.

3. Massive Creative Class Library

Over 30,000 classes covering illustration, graphic design, UI/UX, photography, video editing, animation, creative writing, music production, social media marketing, and more. The recipient can explore dozens of creative skills without committing to expensive individual courses.

4. Community Feedback and Inspiration

Students share their class projects publicly, creating a supportive community where creators give and receive feedback. Seeing others' work is inspiring and helps learners improve faster. It's not just watching videos alone—it's joining a creative community.

5. Affordable and Low-Pressure

At $13.99/month for unlimited classes, it costs less than a single Udemy course. There are no grades, deadlines, or pressure—just creative exploration at the recipient's own pace. Classes range from 20 minutes to a few hours, perfect for busy schedules.

What to Consider

1. Quality Varies Significantly

Because Skillshare is community-taught, class quality ranges from excellent to mediocre. Some instructors are polished professionals with great teaching skills, while others are amateurs with poor audio, rambling lessons, or thin content. You'll need to read reviews and ratings to find the gems.

2. No Formal Certifications

Completing Skillshare classes doesn't earn professional credentials or accredited certificates. It's about personal skill-building, not career advancement through formal qualifications. If the recipient needs certifications for job applications, platforms like Coursera or LinkedIn Learning are better.

3. Creative/Business Focus Only

Skillshare excels at creative and business skills—design, art, marketing, photography, writing. It's not great for STEM subjects, languages, or academic topics. If the recipient wants to learn coding, data science, or math, other platforms are better fits.

Who It's Best For

How to Gift Skillshare

1. Visit the gift page at skillshare.com/gifts (link below).
2. Choose a duration — Annual membership ($167.88/year, best value) or shorter options.
3. Personalize your gift — Add a message explaining why you chose Skillshare for them.
4. Select delivery method — Email instantly or schedule for a specific date.
5. Recipient redeems — They get an email with a redemption link to create their account and start exploring classes.

Pricing Breakdown

Skillshare offers two membership options for gifting:

Alternatives

If Skillshare doesn't feel quite right, consider:

• MasterClass — Celebrity instructors with cinematic production quality. More inspirational, less hands-on. $10/mo annually. See our MasterClass vs Skillshare comparison →
• Domestika — Similar to Skillshare but with a stronger international creative community. One-time course purchases instead of subscription.
• LinkedIn Learning — Professional skills focus (business, tech, design). Better for career development than creative exploration.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do Skillshare gift memberships work?

Purchase a gift membership on skillshare.com/gifts, and the recipient receives an email with a redemption link. They create an account (or add time to existing account) and get instant access to all 30,000+ classes. You can schedule the email for a specific date or send it immediately.

What kinds of classes does Skillshare offer?

Skillshare focuses on creative and business skills: graphic design, illustration, photography, video editing, UI/UX design, animation, creative writing, social media marketing, productivity, entrepreneurship, music production, and more. It's not strong in STEM subjects, languages, or academic topics.

Are Skillshare classes actually good quality?

Quality varies because classes are community-taught. Some instructors are excellent professionals with polished content, while others are beginners with rough production. Check class ratings and reviews before starting—classes with 90%+ positive ratings and thousands of students are usually solid. The best classes rival paid courses elsewhere.

Can you download Skillshare classes for offline viewing?

Yes! Both Premium and Annual memberships include offline downloads on mobile apps (iOS and Android). Download classes before a flight or commute and watch without internet. Desktop web app requires an internet connection.

How is Skillshare different from YouTube tutorials?

Skillshare classes are structured, multi-lesson courses with projects and community feedback. YouTube is individual one-off tutorials. Skillshare instructors plan comprehensive learning paths—not just "here's one technique" but "here's how to build this skill from scratch." Plus, no ads and better production quality on average.

Is there a free trial before gifting?

Skillshare occasionally offers free trials (usually 7-30 days). Check their website before gifting—you could let the recipient try it first before committing to a full year. However, gift memberships themselves don't include trials.

Final Verdict

Skillshare earns our "Creative Learning" badge because it's the best platform for hands-on creative skill-building. While MasterClass offers inspirational celebrity-taught lessons, Skillshare focuses on practical projects taught by working professionals—perfect for recipients who want to actually create, not just watch.

If you're gifting to someone who's expressed interest in graphic design, photography, video editing, or any creative pursuit, Skillshare is an excellent choice. The project-based format ensures they're building real skills, and the community feedback provides motivation to keep improving.

The Annual plan ($167.88/year) is the best value—it works out to just $13.99/month for unlimited access to 30,000+ classes. That's less than a single Udemy course, making it an affordable gift that could genuinely launch a creative career or fulfilling hobby.