Updated September 30, 2026 · AcademyCue Editorial Team
International Open Academy vs Upgrad knowledgehut
What sets them apart
| Compare |  International Open Academy |  Upgrad knowledgehut |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | €129Lower | €305 |
| Free tier | No | YesHas it |
| Money-back period | 14 daysHigher | 7 days |
| Platform type | Subscription | Bootcamp |
| Number of courses | 300Higher | 250 |
| Price per month | €29.99 | Not confirmed |
| Price per year | €169 | Not confirmed |
| Certificate fee | €23.99 | Not confirmed |
| Course languages | English, French, Spanish | Not confirmed |
| Access period | 2 months | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Graded assessments (Yes), Team plan (Yes).
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Key differences
- Upgrad knowledgehut scores higher overall: 9.0 vs 8.7.
- Price from is lower at International Open Academy: €129 vs €305.
- Free tier: only Upgrad knowledgehut.
- Money-back period is higher at International Open Academy: 14 days vs 7 days.
- Number of courses is higher at International Open Academy: 300 vs 250.
- Support channels: only International Open Academy offers Help centre.
- Support channels: only Upgrad knowledgehut offers Chat, Phone.
- Subjects: only International Open Academy offers Languages.
- Subjects: only Upgrad knowledgehut offers Coding, Data, It.
Our verdict on each
International Open Academy
International Open Academy suits learners who want one subscription covering many subjects rather than a single certificate, and it prices below the certificate specialists. It holds an overall score of 8.7 out of ten, and the team plan makes it workable for a small group buying together.
Upgrad knowledgehut
Upgrad Knowledgehut suits people who want an IT certificate with tutor support, a practicum and the exam fee folded into one payment rather than added later. IT certification fees start at €305, and the 7 days refund window gives a short way out if the training is not the right fit.
Score breakdown
| Area | International Open Academy | Upgrad knowledgehut |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.7Subscription pricing starts at €129, monthly billing is €29.99 and yearly is €169, with a certificate fee of €23.99. | 8.8HigherThe entry price of €305 is listed once, the exam fee is included, and the 7 days refund window limits the downside. |
| Offer | 8.7A subscription catalogue of 300 courses in English, French and Spanish, covering business and languages, with assessments yes and a team plan yes. | 9.1HigherTutor support, a practicum, job support and delivery across online and in person formats, with free courses alongside paid programmes. |
| Trust | 8.8Money back runs 14 days, and support runs on email and help centre. | Not confirmed |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | International Open Academy | Upgrad knowledgehut |
|---|---|---|
| Online course platforms | 17 of 269 | 15 of 269 |
| Online professional certificates | 8 of 86 | 7 of 86 |
Pick International Open Academy if, pick Upgrad knowledgehut if
Pick International Open Academy if price from, money-back period, and number of courses matter most.
Pick Upgrad knowledgehut if offer and free tier matter most.
A third option
Alison has price from at €6.60, against €129 for International Open Academy and €305 for Upgrad knowledgehut.
Alison reviewEvery fact side by side
| Fact | International Open Academy | Upgrad knowledgehut |
|---|---|---|
| Subjects | Business, Languages | Coding, Data, It, Business |
| Certificate types | Completion, Professional | Completion, Professional |
| Credit recognition | Cpd | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | North Royal Training Limited | upGrad Education Private Limited |
| Headquarters | Ireland | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre | Email, Chat, Phone |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | International Open Academy | Upgrad knowledgehut | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | €129above the median | €305highest quarter | €65.50 |
| Price per month | €29.99above the median | Not confirmed | €29.45 |
| Price per year | €169below the median | Not confirmed | €180 |
| Certificate fee | €23.99above the median | Not confirmed | €0 |
| Money-back period | 14 daysat the median | 7 dayslowest quarter | 14 days |
| Number of courses | 300above the median | 250above the median | 240 |
Median across 169 listed providers.
Pros and cons
International Open Academy
Pros
- A single subscription price of €29.99 covers 300 courses, so the cost per course falls as study volume rises.
- The yearly option at €169 costs less per year than paying the monthly rate, which is the cheaper choice for steady learners.
- Courses run in English, French and Spanish, which suits learners who want to study in a second language.
Cons
- Support runs on email and help centre only, with no live channel listed for questions that cannot wait for email.
- There is no free tier, so the 14 day money back window is the only way to test the subscription before paying for a longer period.
- The certificate is not included in the subscription, so €23.99 sits on top of €29.99 for anyone who needs the document.
Upgrad knowledgehut
Pros
- The exam fee is included in the programme price, so the certificate does not add a second charge on the day of the test.
- Tutor support, a practicum and job support sit inside the same package, which covers more ground than a practice-test bundle such as CrackCerts at $9.99.
- Delivery spans online and in person formats, so the same IT programme works for a remote candidate and for an employer booking a room.
Cons
- The money-back period of 7 days is short, so a change of mind after the first week of a 16 hour course costs the fee.
- The listed certification type is it and the subjects are coding, data and it, so coaching, language and first aid certificates fall outside what this provider sells.
- Support runs on email, chat and phone channels, which leaves learners who prefer a written help centre or a community forum without one.
Who each suits
International Open Academy
Who it suits
- Learners who want broad business and languages study on one subscription instead of a single course purchase
- Anyone budgeting monthly, since the monthly and yearly plans let you switch between a smaller and a larger commitment
- Groups and small teams that want a shared subscription and completion or professional certificates
Who should look elsewhere
- Buyers who only need a professional certificate in a regulated field, who will find DRCertifications cheaper at $19.99 for a single route
- Anyone who wants to browse before paying, since there is no free tier and no trial to sample the catalogue
- Learners after a wide technology catalogue, who get more subject choice from Hotmart
Upgrad knowledgehut
Who it suits
- IT candidates who want the exam fee, a practicum and tutor support settled in one payment.
- Learners who need job support alongside the certificate, since job support is part of the training.
- Employers sending several staff through the same certification, since a team plan is offered and delivery includes in-person training.
Who should look elsewhere
- Testprep Training at $12.99 fits candidates who only need exam practice and no tutor support.
- CrackCerts at $9.99 is the cheaper pick for self-study learners who want practice tests alone.
- Marisa Peer, whose listed certification type is coaching, serves coaching candidates rather than the IT track.
Questions about each
International Open Academy
How much does International Open Academy cost to start?+
The entry price is €129, and the platform runs as a subscription rather than a one off purchase. Monthly billing is €29.99 and the yearly plan is €169. Buyers who already know they will study for a full year find the yearly rate the cheaper commitment.
Is there a certificate included in the subscription?+
No. The certificate is charged separately at €23.99, on top of the subscription. Two types are offered, completion and professional, so a learner taking a single course or a longer route can pick the document that matches the course. Budget the fee on top of €29.99 if you plan to pay monthly.
Upgrad knowledgehut
What does an Upgrad Knowledgehut IT certification cost to start?+
The listed starting price is €305 for an IT certification programme, and the exam fee is included in that figure rather than charged later. Tutor support and a practicum come in the same package, which is where the money goes compared with a bare practice-test product.
Is tutor support included, or is it self-study?+
Tutor support is part of the training rather than an upsell, so a learner has someone to ask during the 16 hours of study. The programme also carries assessments and a practicum, which means the work is marked and practised rather than only watched. Job support is offered as well.
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