Practice simulation by FreelanceSites: not the real Udemy app, no account is created, nothing leaves your device.
Udemy, practice simulation
Open a shop, create your first listing, wait for an order, pack and ship it, then get paid. A coach explains every step and can do it for you.
Udemy
The whole journey is written out step by step below, with the real-life time each part takes.
Your journey, in real-life terms
What you would need in real life
- A computer
- Reliable internet
Next steps
This practice run at a glance
The real rules this practice run uses
From Udemy's published pages, as recorded on its platform page. Check the platform itself before you join.
- Fees
- Instructors keep 37% of net marketplace sales or 97% with their own coupon or referral link
- Minimum payout
- $25 (smaller balances paid in December)
- Payout speed
- Monthly
- Payout methods
- PayPal, Payoneer
- Approval
- Quick profile or ID review
- First pay
- 30+ days
- Good to know
- Must be 18 and pass ID verification before publishing, sales are paid about two months after the month earned with a $25 minimum.
- You need
- A computer and Reliable internet
Eligibility source: support.udemy.com
The journey, step by step
What happens on a real online shop seller from sign-up to your first withdrawal, and how long each part takes. In total: 5 months to 17 months.
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Create your Udemy account
Every earning app starts with an account tied to your real name and email. Here you sign up as a demo person, so nothing about you is used.
Typical estimate About 5 minutes
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Log in to Udemy
Real apps ask you to confirm your email and often turn on two-step login. Never reuse a password from another site, and only ever type it on the real site.
Typical estimate A minute
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Complete your Udemy profile
Your profile is your shop window: photo, headline, skills and price. Students compare it with everyone else's before they pick you.
Typical estimate 1 to 2 hours to set up a shop
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Verify your identity
Most platforms check your ID before you can withdraw money. It stops fraud and is required by payment laws.
From Udemy's published rules ID checks often take minutes, sometimes a day or two
Udemy checks ID.
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Wait for Udemy to approve you
Platforms control who joins. Some let you in instantly, others review profiles, vet applications or keep a waitlist when they have enough people.
From Udemy's published rules A quick profile or ID review, usually 1 to 3 days
Udemy: Quick profile or ID review. Must be 18 and pass ID verification before publishing, sales are paid about two months after the month earned with a $25 minimum.
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Record your course
Plan the outline, record short lessons with clear audio, edit and add exercises. Platforms check quality before publishing.
Typical estimate Planning, recording and editing a course: 1 to 3 months
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Publish and get your first student on Udemy
Your course page, title and preview video sell it. Marketplace sales often come at heavy discounts, and sales you bring yourself can pay more.
Typical estimate First enrolments: days to weeks after publishing
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Get approved and reviewed
The student confirms the enrolment is done and leaves a rating. Early reviews matter most: they decide who sees you next.
Typical estimate Students can ask for refunds for a while
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Udemy takes its fee
What the student pays is not what you keep. The platform fee comes off first, then your own costs.
From Udemy's published rules Instant
Fees on Udemy: Instructors keep 37% of net marketplace sales or 97% with their own coupon or referral link
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Wait for Udemy to clear the money
New earnings sit as "pending" for a while so refunds and disputes can be handled. You cannot withdraw them yet.
From Udemy's published rules Monthly
Payout speed on Udemy: Monthly
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Reach the minimum payout
Many platforms only let you withdraw above a threshold. Small tasks may mean several enrolments before you can cash out.
From Udemy's published rules About 4 more enrolments like this one
Minimum payout on Udemy: $25 (smaller balances paid in December).
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Withdraw from Udemy
Pick a payout method and confirm. Bank transfers take a few days, wallets and instant cards can be faster but may charge a fee.
From Udemy's published rules Usually 1 to 5 days to arrive
Payout methods on Udemy: PayPal, Payoneer.
Where the money goes on one enrolment
| One course sale through the Udemy marketplace (illustrative price) | $15.00 |
|---|---|
| Platform fee (63%) Marketplace sale: you get 37% and Udemy keeps 63%. Sales through your own coupon or referral link pay you 97% | −$9.45 |
| What you keep | $5.55 |
This is an educational practice run by FreelanceSites. It is not Udemy's app and is not affiliated with Udemy: only its published rules are used, in our own simplified design. Amounts marked illustrative are examples, and real times vary by country, demand and your own effort.