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Udemy (Course Instructor) Review 2026
World's largest course marketplace — 73M students, passive income potential
4.0
HomeBusinessWatch Rating
Last updated: March 20, 2026
What is Udemy (Course Instructor)?
World's largest online learning marketplace with 210,000+ courses and 73 million students. Instructors create and sell courses on any topic. Udemy takes 63% when they market your course; instructors keep 97% of sales from their own promotions.
Pros
- Free to create and publish courses
- Access to 73 million students worldwide
- Passive income once course is created — sells 24/7
- 97% revenue when you drive your own traffic via coupons
- Udemy's marketplace can drive organic sales with no marketing effort
- No technical skills needed — Udemy handles hosting and delivery
Cons
- Udemy takes 63% on marketplace sales — instructors keep 37%
- Frequent Udemy-wide sales (courses often discounted to $9.99) reduce per-sale revenue
- High competition in popular categories
- Udemy owns the customer relationship — limited ability to build email list
- Revenue can be inconsistent due to Udemy's heavy discounting strategy
Rating Breakdown
Residual Income
4.0
Potential for ongoing passive income
Simplicity
3.5
Easy to understand and execute
Transparency
3.5
Clear about costs, requirements, and income
Community & Support
3.5
Quality of training and community
Value for Money
4.0
Worth the investment
Overall Rating
4.0
Frequently Asked Questions About Udemy (Course Instructor)
How much can you earn as a Udemy instructor?
Top Udemy instructors earn $100,000-$1,000,000+/year. Average instructors with 2-5 courses in competitive niches might earn $1,000-$5,000/month. Success depends heavily on course quality, niche demand, and reviews.
Why does Udemy take so much commission?
Udemy takes 63% on marketplace sales because they handle all marketing, payment processing, student support, and hosting. When you drive your own traffic using instructor coupons, you keep 97% — paying only a 3% transaction fee.
Should I sell on Udemy or my own platform (Teachable/Kajabi)?
Udemy for discoverability and passive income from their marketplace. Your own platform (Teachable, Kajabi) for higher margins and owning the customer relationship. Many successful instructors use both — Udemy for traffic, own platform for premium offers.