What is free and what costs money
Alison's help center says there is no cost to study and complete any of its courses. After you finish, you can choose to buy a printed or digital certificate or diploma. Separately, the free Learner Record acts as proof of the courses you have completed. The help pages we fetched on 29 October 2026 do not list certificate prices, so check the amount and currency at checkout.
| Item | Cost | What it shows | How to get it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studying and completing a course | Free | Your own learning | Enroll and study |
| Learner Record | Free | Finished and in-progress courses plus total study time | Settings, then Download in the Learner Record box, in a computer or mobile browser |
| Certificate | Paid, optional | Completion of one course | Purchase after completion, printed or digital |
| Diploma | Paid, optional | Completion of a diploma-level course | Purchase after completion |
Decide by who will look at the proof
| Your purpose | Try this first | Buy a certificate only if |
|---|---|---|
| Learning a skill for your own work | Study and make one small work sample | You later find someone who requires it |
| Showing a manager you finished a course | Download the free Learner Record | The manager says the record is not acceptable |
| Meeting a job or program requirement | Ask which course and which document they accept | They name the paid certificate specifically |
| Keeping a record for yourself | Save the free record | You want a printed keepsake and the checkout total is clear |
Worked example (invented scenario)
Sam finishes an Alison spreadsheet course because a temp agency asked for evidence of spreadsheet training. Before buying a certificate, Sam downloads the free Learner Record, which shows the completed course and study time, and emails the agency: Will this record satisfy your request, or do you need a paid certificate? Sam also attaches one small spreadsheet built during the course.
If the agency accepts the record, Sam spends nothing. If it asks for the certificate, Sam buys the digital version, checking the price and currency at checkout. Either way the decision rests on the recipient's answer, not on the course page.
How to download the free Learner Record
- Open Alison in a computer or mobile web browser; the help center says the app does not support the download yet.
- Go to Settings.
- Click Download in the Learner Record box.
- Check that the record lists the course you need and your total study time.
- Save the file with the date so you can send the same version again.
Checklist before you pay for a certificate
The worksheet lets you record the course, the recipient, their accepted evidence and the quoted price. Leave unknowns blank rather than guessing a certificate price.
- The recipient has said in writing which document they accept.
- You have tried the free Learner Record first.
- You know whether you want the printed or digital version.
- You have recorded the checkout price, currency and any delivery charge.
- You have a work sample that shows the skill itself, not only completion.
What this guide does not establish
Alison's help pages describe what is free and paid; they do not address accreditation or how employers treat Alison certificates, and we have not tested employer acceptance. If you need academic credit, read our college-credit guide before buying any certificate for that purpose.
Questions before you decide
Is Alison really free?
Studying and completing courses is free according to Alison's help center, and so is downloading the Learner Record. Printed or digital certificates and diplomas cost money and are optional.
Can I download my Learner Record in the Alison app?
Not yet, according to Alison's help center. Use a computer or mobile web browser, open Settings and click Download in the Learner Record box.
What does the Learner Record show?
Alison says it lists your finished and in-progress courses along with your total study time, and acts as proof of the courses you have completed.
Sources & verification
Product details and prices can change. Check the linked provider before buying.
- Alison Help Center: Is Alison really free? Accessed 29 Oct 2026
- Alison Help Center: How do I download my Learner Record? Accessed 29 Oct 2026
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