GALWAY, IRELAND - 2026-06-18
Alison has introduced Stripe and PayPal as payment options in its Android App for US Learners purchasing digital Certificates and Offline Learning plans, giving people in the United States more choice when paying for their proof of course completion or downloadable courses.
Simplifying the Path to Certification
Certificates are an important part of how many Learners show completed learning to employers, clients, education providers or professional networks. By adding Stripe and PayPal to the Android App’s checkout window in the United States, Alison is making the final step more flexible for Learners ready to document their achievement.
The change is designed to reduce friction at the point of purchase by ensuring Learners can choose the payment option that feels the most familiar to them.
Extending Ease of Payment to Offline Learning
The new payment options also simplify the purchase of Offline Learning plans, which allow US Learners to download courses and learn without an internet connection. Stripe and PayPal are now available for purchases of the Alison Lite Plan at $1 per course, the monthly Unlimited Plan at $5 per month, and the Annual Plan at $40 per year.
Built For US Android Learners
The launch is focused on US users of the Alison Android App. It comes in a market where mobile payments are already part of everyday consumer behaviour. Federal Reserve Financial Services’ 2025 Diary of Consumer Payment Choice notes that US consumers are increasingly using mobile devices to make payments both remotely and in person.
That context matters for Alison Learners because the Certificate and Offline Learning purchase is often a practical step tied to work, career development or personal goals. More payment choices on Android helps make that step feel closer to the way many US consumers already pay online and on mobile.
The change also reflects Alison’s broader focus on making skills development accessible beyond courses alone. When checkout is simpler and more familiar, Learners can spend less time managing payment steps and more time using the skills they have built to support their next move.
Ends
About Alison
Alison is a global leader in free online learning and skills development. With over 50 million registered Learners across 193 countries (as of October 2025), Alison empowers individuals, communities, and organisations to upskill quickly and effectively – at zero cost.
The Alison platform provides immediate access to over 6,000 free, CPD-accredited courses, covering essential areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Digital Marketing, Project Management, Business Operations, Healthcare and Sustainability. Courses are created by a mix of independent experts and global leaders, including IBM, Stanford and Microsoft.
For organisations, Alison offers a Free Learning Management System (LMS) that enables unlimited Learners to access thousands of courses with no upfront cost. A premium version with advanced analytics and customisation is also available. Alison's offering includes a full suite of assessments and psychometric tools, including a Workplace Personality Assessment, Mental Health & Wellbeing Assessment, English Language Proficiency Test, as well as Numerical, Verbal, and Abstract Reasoning tests.
To further support career development, Learners also gain access to a Career Guide, a Resumé Builder, and the ability to study offline through the Alison App.
In 2026, Alison will launch a Global Recruitment Service to directly connect skilled, motivated Learners with hiring employers. The platform is also expanding its reach with multilingual versions, starting with complete Spanish, French, and Hindi offerings — reaffirming its mission to make education accessible to anyone, anywhere.
Founded in 2007, Alison pioneered the concept of free, large-scale online learning and is recognised as the world’s first MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) platform. Today, its mission continues: to break down barriers to learning, helping people gain skills, build confidence, and improve their lives — no matter where they live or what they earn.
