How to Cancel LinkedIn Learning in 2026 (Keep Certificates + Free Alternatives)
Updated 2026-02-26 · 7 min read
💰 The Bundled Premium Trap
LinkedIn Learning costs $29.99/month or $239.88/year as a standalone subscription. But here's the catch — it's also bundled into LinkedIn Premium Career ($29.99/month) and Premium Business ($59.99/month). Many people are paying for LinkedIn Learning without realizing it's part of a larger Premium subscription they don't need. Before canceling Learning, check if you actually have a Premium plan — you might save even more by downgrading.
Check: Are You Paying for LinkedIn Learning Directly?
First, figure out which product you actually have:
LinkedIn Learning (standalone): $29.99/month — courses only, no Premium features
LinkedIn Premium Career: $29.99/month — includes Learning + InMail + profile insights + who viewed your profile
LinkedIn Premium Business: $59.99/month — includes Learning + unlimited search + company insights
LinkedIn Sales Navigator: $99.99/month — includes Learning + advanced lead search + CRM integration
Employer-provided: Many companies pay for LinkedIn Learning — check with HR before paying yourself
Check at linkedin.com/premium/products or Settings → Account → Subscriptions to see exactly what you're paying for.
Step 1: Download Your Certificates
Your certificates stay on your LinkedIn profile after canceling, but download backups:
Go to linkedin.com/learning/me
Click Learning History
For each completed course, click Download Certificate (PDF)
Save certificates to a folder — they're proof of completion
Certificates remain on your LinkedIn profile even after you cancel
Step 2: Cancel LinkedIn Learning
On Desktop:
Go to linkedin.com → click your profile photo → Settings & Privacy
LinkedIn will show a retention offer — typically 50% off for 2 months
Click Continue to cancel
Select a reason and confirm
On Mobile:
If you subscribed through the App Store: Settings → Apple ID → Subscriptions → LinkedIn → Cancel
If you subscribed through Google Play: Play Store → Profile → Payments & subscriptions → Subscriptions → LinkedIn → Cancel
If you subscribed on LinkedIn.com: You must cancel on desktop (mobile app redirects to web)
💡 Watch for the App Store Billing Trap
If you subscribed through Apple or Google, canceling on linkedin.com does nothing. You must cancel through your App Store or Google Play subscription settings. This is a common reason people think they canceled but keep getting charged.
LinkedIn's Retention Offers
LinkedIn is aggressive about retention. Expect these offers during cancellation:
50% off for 2 months: Common first offer — drops to $14.99/month
Free month: "Stay one more month on us" — delays cancellation
Switch to annual: $239.88/year ($19.99/month effective) vs $29.99/month — saves $120/year if you decide to keep it
"Pause" subscription: Some markets offer a 1-month pause instead of cancellation
Free Alternatives That Are Actually Better
For most skills, free resources have surpassed LinkedIn Learning in quality:
YouTube: Unlimited free courses on virtually every topic. Channels like Fireship, Traversy Media, and freeCodeCamp rival paid content
freeCodeCamp: Free, project-based coding curriculum with certificates recognized by employers
Khan Academy: Free courses in math, science, economics, and computing
Coursera (audit mode): Audit most courses for free — you only pay ($49-79/month) if you want the certificate
edX (audit mode): MIT, Harvard, and Berkeley courses free to audit
Google Certificates: $49/month on Coursera — Google-branded certificates in data analytics, UX, project management, and cybersecurity
Microsoft Learn: Free courses on Azure, Power Platform, and Microsoft tools — with free certificates
HubSpot Academy: Free marketing, sales, and service certifications
Your local library: Many libraries offer free LinkedIn Learning access — check with your library card
📚 Library Access = Free LinkedIn Learning
Many public libraries in the US offer free LinkedIn Learning access to cardholders. Check your library's website — search for "LinkedIn Learning" or "Lynda.com" (the old name). If your library participates, you get the full course catalog for free with just your library card. No credit card needed.
After Canceling
Certificates stay: All earned certificates remain on your LinkedIn profile permanently
Course progress saved: If you resubscribe later, your progress is still there
Access until end of billing: You keep access through your current paid period
Free LinkedIn still works: Your profile, connections, messaging, and job search are all free
Premium features gone: If you had Premium Career/Business, you lose InMail credits, profile viewers, and salary insights
Find Every Subscription You're Paying For
LinkedIn Learning might not be the only subscription quietly draining your bank account.