In today’s fast-paced world, personal development is essential for anyone who wants to improve their skills, increase their productivity, or enhance their well-being. With the rise of smartphones, we now have access to a range of apps that offer personal development courses, making it easier than ever to work on ourselves, no matter where we are. Whether you’re looking to boost your career, improve your mental health, or develop better habits, there are apps that can guide you through the process. In this article, I’ll walk you through the top 10 personal development courses available in apps, each offering unique benefits, so you can choose the ones that best fit your needs.
1. Udemy: A Treasure Trove of Courses
When I first heard of Udemy, I was impressed by the sheer volume and variety of courses it offers. From productivity hacks to learning new skills, this app has it all. What’s great about Udemy is that it provides courses in video format, so you can learn at your own pace. The course structure is clear, and most courses offer lifetime access. I found that it’s an excellent platform for anyone who prefers to dive deep into a particular subject.
Some of the standout features of Udemy include:
- A wide range of topics, from coding to mental health
- Lifetime access to purchased courses
- Frequent discounts, making courses affordable
- Learn at your own pace with the ability to revisit lessons
2. Skillshare: A Creative Focused Platform
Skillshare caught my attention because it’s a platform that prioritizes creativity and personal growth through practical classes. Whether you’re into photography, writing, or entrepreneurship, Skillshare offers courses from industry experts. The app’s short and to-the-point videos cater well to busy schedules, making it easy to fit learning into my daily routine.
- Creative-focused courses (design, art, photography)
- Classes are project-based, allowing you to practice as you learn
- A membership model that gives you access to all courses
- Active community for feedback and collaboration
3. Headspace: A Focus on Mental Health and Mindfulness
Headspace is an app that focuses on mindfulness and meditation. I started using Headspace when I realized how stressed I had become in my daily life. The app has courses on reducing stress, improving sleep, and increasing focus. It’s like having a mindfulness coach in my pocket. The guided meditations are perfect for anyone looking to improve their mental health or simply find some peace in a busy life.
- Guided meditation courses for beginners to advanced users
- Focus on stress management, sleep improvement, and overall well-being
- Short, accessible sessions that don’t take up much time
- Tracks your progress to help maintain consistency
4. Coursera: Academic Learning Meets Practical Skills
For those of us looking to combine personal development with professional growth, Coursera is a great option. This app offers a wide variety of courses, many of which are taught by university professors. From data science to psychology, Coursera blends academic rigor with practical skill-building. What impressed me the most was the option to earn certificates upon completion, adding real value to my resume.
- High-quality courses from top universities and institutions
- Option to earn certificates and degrees
- A mix of free and paid courses
- Courses range from academic topics to job-oriented skills
5. Calm: Relax, Sleep, and Be Mindful
Calm is another app I’ve found invaluable for managing stress and improving sleep quality. It offers guided meditation, breathing exercises, and even bedtime stories. The courses on relaxation techniques have helped me create a more mindful daily routine. The app is easy to navigate, and the soothing sounds make it perfect for unwinding after a long day.
- Focus on mental well-being, sleep improvement, and relaxation
- Guided meditations and breathing exercises
- Sleep stories and soothing sounds for better rest
- Tracks your daily meditation and sleep patterns
6. LinkedIn Learning: Professional Development and Growth
LinkedIn Learning is ideal for anyone looking to improve their professional skills. Whether you want to enhance your leadership abilities, learn a new software program, or improve your public speaking, LinkedIn Learning has a course for it. I personally enjoy how the app integrates with LinkedIn, allowing me to showcase the skills I’ve learned to potential employers.
- Courses focused on professional skills (leadership, software, communication)
- Integrates with LinkedIn to display completed courses on your profile
- Access to a wide range of business and career-focused content
- Bite-sized lessons that can be completed on the go
7. Duolingo: Language Learning Made Fun
Duolingo is an excellent tool for personal development, especially if you’re looking to pick up a new language. The app makes learning fun and interactive, with a gamified experience that keeps me motivated. I’ve used Duolingo to learn Spanish, and I found it to be both engaging and effective. If learning a new language is on your personal development journey, this app is a must-try.
- Gamified language learning experience
- Offers courses in a wide variety of languages
- Short, daily lessons that are easy to fit into any schedule
- Tracks your progress and motivates you with rewards
8. MyFitnessPal: Health and Fitness Focused Development
Personal development isn’t just about mental growth – physical health plays a crucial role too. MyFitnessPal is an app that helps you track your diet and exercise routines. It offers educational courses on nutrition, exercise, and wellness, and I’ve found it very effective for maintaining a balanced lifestyle. The app also provides a large food database, making it easy to log your meals.
- Focus on physical health, nutrition, and fitness
- Tracks your diet and exercise to help you reach goals
- Offers educational courses on healthy living
- Integrates with other fitness apps and devices
9. Blinkist: Learn in Minutes
If you’re looking to improve your knowledge but don’t have hours to spend on a book, Blinkist is perfect. The app offers summaries of non-fiction books, breaking them down into bite-sized, digestible pieces. I’ve used Blinkist to learn from a variety of personal development books in a fraction of the time it would take to read them fully. It’s ideal for busy people who still want to stay informed and keep learning.
- Provides summaries of popular non-fiction books
- Ideal for learning key concepts in a short amount of time
- Wide selection of topics, including productivity, self-improvement, and business
- Available in both text and audio formats
10. Fabulous: Build Better Habits
Fabulous is a personal development app that helps you build better habits. The app guides you through a step-by-step process to improve your daily routine, increase your energy, and make better choices. I’ve found it particularly useful in terms of setting small, manageable goals and seeing real progress over time.
- Helps you create and maintain positive habits
- Focuses on well-being, productivity, and self-care
- Provides personalized plans based on your goals
- Encourages daily routines and small, achievable tasks
Comparison Table
To help you make an informed decision, I’ve put together a comparison table of the top 10 personal development courses available in apps:
| App | Focus Area | Pricing Model | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Udemy | Wide variety of topics (coding, business, mental health) | Pay-per-course | Lifetime access, frequent discounts |
| Skillshare | Creativity (design, photography, writing) | Subscription-based | Project-based learning, active community |
| Headspace | Mental health, stress management, sleep | Subscription-based | Guided meditation, progress tracking |
| Coursera | Academic and professional development | Free and paid options | University-level courses, certificates |
| Calm | Relaxation, sleep, mindfulness | Subscription-based | Sleep stories, guided meditations |
| LinkedIn Learning | Professional skills (leadership, software) | Subscription-based | Integrates with LinkedIn profile |
| Duolingo | Language learning | Free with in-app purchases | Gamified lessons, wide language options |
| MyFitnessPal | Fitness, nutrition, wellness | Free with premium options | Tracks diet, integrates with fitness devices |
| Blinkist | Book summaries (self-improvement, business) | Subscription-based | Quick book summaries, text and audio formats |
| Fabulous | Habit-building, well-being | Subscription-based | Personalized habit plans, goal tracking |
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right personal development course depends on your goals. Each app offers unique strengths, whether you’re looking to improve your professional skills, mental health, or physical well-being. Over time, I’ve found that a combination of apps works best for me. I use Udemy for learning new skills, Headspace and Calm for mindfulness, and LinkedIn Learning to advance my career. The beauty of these apps is that they allow you to work on yourself whenever and wherever you choose. So, take a look at the options, and start your personal development journey today!
