edX was created in 2012 as a joint venture between Harvard University and MIT, with a mission to increase access to high-quality education. The platform quickly became one of the most respected names in online learning, attracting partnerships with over 160 institutions including Berkeley, Georgetown, and the University of Toronto.
Courses on edX follow the MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) format — they’re available to anyone and typically include video lectures, interactive exercises, and assessments. Many courses can be audited for free, though verified certificates come with a fee. edX also offers MicroMasters and MicroBachelors programs that can count toward full degrees at partner universities.
In 2021, 2U acquired edX for $800 million, marking a major shift from its nonprofit roots to a for-profit model. The acquisition raised concerns among some educators, but 2U committed to maintaining edX’s open-access mission. The platform’s open-source learning management system, Open edX, continues to be used by organizations worldwide to host their own courses.
edX has served over 45 million learners since launch. Its course catalog leans heavily toward STEM, business, and computer science, though it also covers humanities, social sciences, and professional development. The platform remains a go-to choice for learners who want university-caliber instruction online.
