SkillsNest vs MeasureUp, CBT Nuggets, ACI Learning, Pluralsight and Coursera Plus

If you are studying for an IT certification, there are now hundreds of online learning platforms to choose from.

Some focus mainly on video training. Others specialise in practice exams. Some provide hands-on labs, while others offer huge libraries covering everything from business and project management to cloud computing, AI and cyber security.

So how do you choose the right platform?

In this guide, we compare SkillsNest with five well-known online learning providers:

• MeasureUp
• CBT Nuggets
• ACI Learning
• Pluralsight
• Coursera Plus

The aim is not simply to compare who has the biggest course library. Instead, we are looking at the features that matter when you are actually preparing for an IT certification:

Training, practice questions, mock exams, labs, progress tracking, price and ease of getting started.

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SkillsNest

SkillsNest has been designed specifically around IT certification preparation.

Rather than simply giving learners access to a large library of videos, the platform follows a straightforward learning process:

Learn → Practise → Identify Weak Areas → Prepare for the Exam

Learners can access structured training, practice questions, realistic mock exams, case studies, knowledge checks and progress analytics.

SkillsNest also allows users to create a free account without entering card details.

Free users can preview training and take a full mock exam for available certifications. Premium access then unlocks additional learning resources, including complete courses, remaining mock exams, full practice question banks, case studies, knowledge checks and progress analytics.

SkillsNest pricing

SkillsNest Premium is currently:

£19.99 per month

One subscription gives learners access to the certification content available across the SkillsNest platform.

For learners whose main goal is preparing for professional IT certifications, SkillsNest is deliberately focused on certification learning and exam preparation rather than trying to cover every possible academic or professional subject.

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MeasureUp

MeasureUp is a well-established provider of certification practice tests.

Its primary focus is practice exams and exam preparation, rather than providing a complete video-based training platform.

MeasureUp currently advertises access to more than 200 practice tests through its subscription catalogue. Its monthly payment option is currently $21 per month with a 12-month commitment.

This can make MeasureUp useful for learners who already understand the subject matter and mainly want additional exam practice.

The approach taken by SkillsNest is different because training and assessment are available within the same platform.

With SkillsNest, the intended learning journey is:

Learn the topic → Practise questions → Take mock exams → Identify weaker areas

This can reduce the need to use a separate training platform alongside a practice-test subscription.

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CBT Nuggets

CBT Nuggets is a long-established IT training provider with a large catalogue of instructor-led video courses.

Its individual subscription is currently advertised at $59 per month, with an annual option of $599 per year.

A CBT Nuggets subscription includes features such as:

• IT-focused video training
• Virtual labs
• Practice exams
• Quizzes
• Flashcards
• Progress and learning tools
• Certification-focused training

CBT Nuggets also currently offers a 7-day free trial.

It therefore provides a broad set of tools for learners who want access to a substantial IT training library alongside practical and assessment resources.

The main difference for many learners may be the type of platform they need and the price they are comfortable paying.

SkillsNest is focused more narrowly on certification preparation, with training, practice questions and mock exams available through a lower-cost monthly subscription.

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ACI Learning

ACI Learning's ITPro platform provides certification-focused IT and cyber security training.

Its ITPro Premium subscription is currently advertised at $59 per month.

The Premium package includes:

• Video courses
• Hands-on Skill Labs
• Assessments
• Practice exams
• Certification-focused learning

ACI Learning also currently advertises an ITPro Standard plan at $379 per year, while its Premium annual plan is $579 per year.

One of the notable features of ITPro Premium is its combination of training and browser-based practical Skill Labs.

For learners who want substantial hands-on practice using virtual lab environments alongside their certification training, this may be particularly useful.

SkillsNest takes a somewhat different approach. Its focus is on providing structured certification training, practice question banks, realistic mock exams and assessment tools through a lower-cost monthly subscription.

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Pluralsight

Pluralsight is a large technology learning platform covering areas such as:

• Software development
• Cloud computing
• Cyber security
• Data
• Artificial intelligence
• IT operations

Its individual subscription structure includes both broad and specialist learning packages.

At the time of writing, Pluralsight advertises its Complete, AI+, Cloud+, Data+ and Security+ plans at $29 per month, while its Core Tech plan is $49 per month.

Features available across its individual plans include:

• Expert-led video courses
• Learning paths
• Certification preparation
• Skill assessments
• Hands-on labs
• Progress tracking
• Iris AI learning assistance
• Cloud and sandbox environments on selected plans

Pluralsight currently offers a 10-day free trial. Some lab and sandbox functionality is limited during the trial or available through particular paid plans.

Pluralsight can suit learners who want to develop broader technical skills across several technology areas.

SkillsNest is more narrowly focused on learners whose immediate objective is preparing for professional IT certifications using structured training, practice questions and mock exams.

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Coursera Plus

Coursera is somewhat different from the other platforms in this comparison because it covers a much wider range of academic and professional subjects.

These include:

• Technology
• Business
• Artificial intelligence
• Data science
• Professional skills
• University-led programmes
• Professional certificates

Coursera Plus is currently advertised at $59 per month and provides access to thousands of courses and learning programmes included within the subscription.

Learners can also access hands-on projects and labs on supported courses and earn certificates for eligible programmes.

Coursera Plus currently offers a 7-day free trial for its monthly subscription.

Coursera can be useful for learners looking for broad professional development or university and industry-led online learning.

Someone preparing specifically for exams from vendors such as Microsoft, CompTIA, Cisco or similar IT certification providers may instead prefer a platform built more directly around certification objectives, question banks and timed mock exams.

That is the area SkillsNest has been designed around.

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Quick comparison

Feature	SkillsNest	MeasureUp	CBT Nuggets	ACI Learning	Pluralsight	Coursera Plus
Monthly price	£19.99	$21*	$59	$59	From $29*	$59
Video training	✅ Yes	❌ No / practice focused	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Practice questions	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	⚠️ Selected courses
Mock exams	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	⚠️ Certification prep	⚠️ Varies
Full free mock	✅ Yes	❌ Not standard	❌ Not standard	❌ Not standard	❌ Not standard	❌ Not standard
Hands-on labs	⚠️ Growing / selected	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Projects & labs
Progress tracking	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Certification focused	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	⚠️ Mixed
Free access	✅ Free account	⚠️ Limited	✅ 7-day trial	⚠️ Limited	✅ 10-day trial	✅ 7-day trial
Card required for free SkillsNest account	❌ No	—	⚠️ Trial terms apply	—	⚠️ Trial terms apply	⚠️ Trial terms apply

*Pricing, subscriptions and plan structures vary between providers and can change.

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Which type of learner is each platform suited to?

Each platform takes a different approach to online learning.

MeasureUp focuses heavily on certification practice tests and can be useful for learners who already know the material and want additional exam practice.

CBT Nuggets provides a large IT training library alongside virtual labs, quizzes and practice exams.

ACI Learning combines structured IT certification training with practical Skill Labs and practice exams.

Pluralsight provides a large technical learning catalogue covering multiple areas of technology, with courses, assessments, learning paths and hands-on resources.

Coursera Plus provides broader professional and academic-style online learning across technology, business, AI, data and many other subjects.

SkillsNest has been built specifically around affordable, structured IT certification preparation, combining learning content, practice questions, mock exams and progress tools.

The right choice therefore depends on whether your priority is broad professional learning, hands-on lab experience, video training, practice exams or focused certification preparation.

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Why SkillsNest was built differently

One of the challenges with online learning is that having access to thousands of hours of content does not necessarily tell you what to study next.

SkillsNest is designed around a simpler question:

What does the learner need to know to become exam ready?

Courses are structured around professional certification objectives.

After learning a topic, learners can practise questions, review their results and identify areas that may require additional revision.

They can then use realistic mock exams to assess their preparation before taking the real certification exam.

The idea is simple:

Learn it.

Practise it.

Test it.

Get certified.

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Start with a free SkillsNest account

You do not need to commit to a subscription just to see whether SkillsNest is right for you.

Create a free SkillsNest account and you can:

• Access course previews
• Explore certification and career pathways
• Take a full mock exam
• Review your results
• Explore the SkillsNest learning platform

No card required. No contract.

If you then want access to additional training, remaining mock exams, practice question banks, case studies, knowledge checks and other Premium resources, you can upgrade to SkillsNest Premium.

Create your free SkillsNest account

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Prices, subscription terms and platform features were checked in September 2026 and may change. Currency, taxes, promotions and regional pricing may vary. Always check the provider's own website for the latest pricing, subscription terms and features before purchasing.