7 best designed Edtech platforms we've seen so far

Found yourself in a peculiar situation of needing inspiration for your next Edtech platform or a redesign of a current one? Before you hire Edtech design expert (that’s the next step), you need to check out what is popular right now in the Edtech market and why.

We’ve been designing Edtech platforms for years and have carefully chosen seven examples of online Edtech tools and websites that hit the mark not only from our designer perspective but also from their users’ standpoint - which means they are popular for a reason. 

Scroll down to see our selection of the best online education tools and learn what makes their attempts at proper Edtech design so successful.

Why do Edtech tools need good design?

Good design needs to be one of the top priorities for Edtech tools because it directly affects how your primary audience perceives and interacts with your product. 

First impressions matter, and frankly, a lot. 

In fact, did you know that 94% of first impressions are based on design and design alone?

If your Edtech tool looks unprofessional or is hard to navigate, well... The students, parents, and educators might leave before ever giving it a chance.

A well-designed tool grabs attention and keeps users engaged. 

It builds trust by showing that you're credible and serious about quality. Consistent branding, which usually comes down to using the same logos, colors, and fonts, is one of the best initial tweaks that make your tool memorable and boost brand awareness.

Good design also makes it easier for users to find what they need, which can lead to more sign-ups and conversions. It helps generate qualified leads by providing clear calls to action and relevant content.

So, it isn't just about your platform looking nice. In the Edtech market, good design is valued a lot because it can easily help create a more positive user experience and grow your startup the way you want it to.

Overview of best designed platforms in the Edtech market

The Edtech industry offers lots of tools for teachers, students, freelance educators, and self-learners. But which ones have good design? Well, let’s see.

1. LiveSchool

LiveSchool is a school culture and behavior management platform that helps educators and schools manage student behavior and improve academic performance. 

Its recent website redesign is what prompted us to add it to the list - LiveSchool has improved its digital presence and made it so much easier for users to explore its features and benefits. 

The platform's use of visual appeal and user-friendly interface creates a seamless website experience for its users.

Good design choices from Edtech's perspective:

• Visual storytelling. LiveSchool's website features engaging visuals that showcase its brand and goals.
• Motion and animations. Dynamic elements bring the website to life, making interactions more engaging and memorable.
• Consistent branding. The website's distinctive visual identity creates a consistent brand image and makes navigation easy.

2. Masterclass

Masterclass is an online learning platform that offers bite-sized videos led by field experts. At first glance, it has a premium and rather cinematic design. 

The platform’s media includes high-definition videos and professional production quality that give users a feeling akin to watching a high-end documentary or film. 

The use of rich visuals, minimalist layouts, and a dark theme accentuates the content, and the instructors - who are often celebrities and industry leaders - are usually placed in the center. 

Good design choices from Edtech’s perspective:

• Navigation. The interface is clean and straightforward, so users can easily browse courses through categories or search functions.
• Course structure. Courses are broken down into short video lessons that make the content more digestible.
• Progress tracking. Users can seamlessly track their progress and pick up where they left off.

3. Coursera

Coursera is an online learning platform that offers courses in various subjects. It has structured learning paths and the ease with which users can access university-level courses. 

When it comes to design, it features a clean, professional look that reflects its academic partnerships with universities worldwide. 

The platform uses a light color palette with blue accents, providing a neutral backdrop that keeps the focus on the course content.

Good design choices from Edtech’s perspective:

• Course Catalog. Coursera's organized catalog, with filters and search options, helps users find courses by subject, language, or institution.
• Dashboard. Personalized dashboards display enrolled courses, deadlines, and recommendations.
• Interactive elements. Quizzes, peer-graded assignments, and discussion forums are integrated smoothly into the course flow.

4. Udacity

Udacity is an online learning platform that offers Nanodegrees in various subjects. 

Its design is quite modern and sleek and includes tech-focused aesthetics and real-world projects to match its emphasis on programming and vocational skills. 

The use of simple graphics and icons definitely also aids in maintaining a professional yet approachable interface.

Good design choices from Edtech’s perspective:

• Nanodegree programs. Clear pathways guide users through comprehensive programs with a logical progression of courses.
• Interactive content. Code editors, quizzes, and projects are embedded within the platform for hands-on learning.
• Progress indicators. Visual progress bars and checkpoints help users stay motivated and on track.

5. Skillshare

Skillshare also embraces a creative and vibrant design, which aligns rather nicely with its focus on the arts, design, and entrepreneurship. Engaging imagery and a light, airy layout also make the platform very inviting.

We’d like to highlight the project-based classes and community interaction as key benefits that enhance its usability and engagement.

Good design choices from Edtech’s perspective:

• Ease of navigation. Categories and personalized recommendations make it easy to discover new classes.
• Short lessons. Bite-sized video lessons cater to users looking for quick, practical skills.
• Offline access. The mobile app allows users to download classes for offline viewing.

6. Stride 

Next up is Stride, a leading provider of online and blended education solutions that offers accessible, personalized, and career-centric virtual learning experiences. 

They offer range of services, including K-12 education, career learning, professional skills training, and talent development, and all of that is with the help of good Edtech design. 

Good design choices from Edtech's perspective:

• Personalized learning. Stride's online solutions offer personalized education experiences that fulfill the diverse needs of learners of all ages.
• Flexible online solutions. The platform's flexible online solutions allow students to customize their learning experiences according to their unique needs and preferences.
• Interactive and engaging tools. The platform's use of game-based learning and interactive tools makes learning more effective and enjoyable.

7. Duolingo

This next Edtech platform is extremely popular for its gamified design and engaging visuals. Duolingo's use of a blue and green color scheme, along with ample white space, creates a clean and minimalistic design that is easy on the eyes.

Bright colors, friendly characters (like Duo, the Owl), and interactive animations make the language-learning process fun and less intimidating. 

Well, the Owl does take part in some “intimidating” activities - if you have seen the memes or tried Duolingo yourself, you know what we mean.

Good design choices from Edtech’s perspective:

• Gamification. Features like streaks, leaderboards, and in-app rewards motivate users to continue learning.
• Consistent branding. The use of Duo for every subheading on the homepage creates a consistent brand identity and makes the content light and easy to read.
• Adaptive learning. The platform adjusts to the user's proficiency level, providing personalized challenges.

What to do if you need a good design for your Edtech platform?

Launching an EdTech platform is an exciting journey - we know it all too well. But making it successful requires more than good content. It also needs great design. 

A user-friendly platform can make learning enjoyable and keep your students and teachers engaged. When users find your platform easy to navigate, they're more likely to use it regularly and recommend it to others.

Imagine a classroom where the materials are hard to find and the instructions are confusing. Students would quickly lose interest. The same goes for digital platforms. Good Edtech design turns complicated technology into something accessible and fun.

By working with a design team that focuses on user experience, you can transform your platform into a space where learning is not a chore. 

Merge has experience designing educational tools that are very enjoyable to use. Our goal is to help you create a platform that makes a real difference in education.