Byjus vs Unacademy – The Clash Of Indian Edtech Titans

Indian Edtech startups have become an integral part of students’ learning. E-education observed a massive rise after the pandemic. Although the affordable internet played a crucial role too! Nobody is unaware of the two Edtech titans of India- Byju’s and Unacademy. However, one question that continuously hits your mind is Byjus vs Unacademy. Which is better? Which one should you choose for regular learning or competitive exam preparation? And a chain of questions goes on. So, here we present an article on the same that will solve all of your queries.

Let’s begin!

A Quick Comparison of Byjus vs Unacademy

Let’s have a quick comparison of the two prominent players in the Indian Edtech space Byjus vs Unacademy. Both of them offer online learning solutions to millions of students but have certain distinguishable characteristics.

Comparison based on Educational aspects

We have compared them in educational aspects that are described in the following table-

Both of them have similar business models due to which most of the characteristic features are similar. Although they provide similar educational content in terms of comprehensive courses and competitive exams preparation. But the major difference lies in the type of students they target. Byju’s majorly targets school students and offers courses for young students too! You will see a thorough comprehensive syllabus for kindergarten to 12^th standard. However, Unacademy mainly focuses on students who are preparing for competitive exams like JEE, NEET, UPSC, and SSC. Banking, etc. But Byju’s is not behind in the race either! Recently it acquired numerous startups including Aakash to provide courses for JEE and NEET preparation.

Comparison based on position in the market

From the table, we can draw an inference that currently Byju is heavily investing in its services. Unacademy’s courses mostly involve PowerPoint presentations, digital boards, or whiteboards. Whereas, Byju’s along with digital boards, also incorporate gamified learning that requires animations and advanced technology. Therefore, the expenditure and losses are greater in Byju’s.

Reasons for Clashes between Byju’s & Unacademy

Byju’s and Unacademy are clashing with each other because they are both prominent players in the Indian EdTech space and compete for the same target audience of students and learners in India. Both companies offer online learning solutions and aim to capture a significant share of the growing EdTech market in India, which is driven by increasing demand for online education, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

There are several reasons why Byju’s and Unacademy are clashing with each other-

1. Overlapping Target Audience

Both Byju’s and Unacademy target students and learners in India, albeit with slightly different focuses. While Byju’s offers comprehensive courses for K-12 students and also competitive exams, Unacademy primarily focuses on competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, banking, etc., along with some K-12 offerings. However, there is an overlap in their target audience, as students preparing for competitive exams often require K-12 foundations as well. Hence, they compete for the same set of students, leading to a clash in the market.

2. Similar Business Models

Both Byju’s and Unacademy follow subscription-based business models, where students pay for access to their courses and content. They offer premium subscription plans with additional features, and both also have free access options. The similarity in their business models and pricing strategies creates competition in terms of attracting and retaining students.

3. Aggressive Marketing and Expansion

Both Byju’s and Unacademy have adopted aggressive marketing strategies to expand their reach and capture a larger market share. They have invested heavily in advertising, endorsements, and brand building to attract students and create brand awareness. They have also expanded their offerings, acquired smaller EdTech companies, and explored international markets to strengthen their position, resulting in direct competition in various segments.

4. Innovation and Differentiation

Byju’s and Unacademy are constantly innovating and differentiating themselves to stay ahead in the market. They are continually enhancing their content, courses, features, and technology to offer unique value propositions to their users. They compete in terms of instructional methodologies, content quality, user experience, and personalized learning approaches, among other factors, to attract and retain students.

5. Investor Backing and Valuation

Byju’s and Unacademy have both secured significant funding from high-profile investors, resulting in substantial valuations. This financial backing allows them to invest in expansion, marketing, and technology, creating intense competition to capture a larger share of the EdTech market in India and establish dominance.

Let’s have a brief look at their key investors-

Consequences of the Clash between Byju’s and Unacademy

As a result of the competition, both companies are highly focused on grabbing more users. For this purpose, they are immensely investing in the following features-

• R&D: To create innovative ways of learning. 
• Acquisitions: Both Byju’s and Unacademy acquired several brands to expand their arms in different fields. We have already explained the list of startups acquired by Byju’s and Unacademy.
• Marketing: To create brand awareness. For example- Byju’s brand ambassador was Shah Rukh Khan while they advertised on television. Whereas Unacademy mainly utilizes digital marketing methods.
• Technology: To make the user-friendly interface of their respective apps
• Partnerships and Sponsorships: To expand their services
• Increasing the number of test series, mock tests, and mock interviews.

Byjus vs Unacademy: Which One is Better?

The choice between Byjus vs Unacademy would depend on various factors, such as indivdual learning needs, preferences, and goals. Both platforms have their strengths and weaknesses, and the best choice would depend on your specific requirements and priorities.
As you have observed through the comparison that Byju’s and Unacademy provide similar educational content but with different approaches. 

Why do people prefer Byju’s?

Pros: It is a better fit for students looking for comprehensive K-12 courses and exam preparation for competitive exams, with a focus on interactive video lessons and adaptive learning. Byju’s also offers engaging content, assessments, and personalized learning paths. It also offers gamified and animated learning options.

Cons: There is no monthly fee. Due to the one-time payment system, you need to pay all the fees in advance.

Why do people prefer Unacademy?

Pros: Unacademy is a preferable option if you are primarily focused on competitive exam preparation, such as UPSC, SSC, banking, railways, etc. Unacademy offers a wide range of courses taught by experienced educators, live classes, interactive quizzes, and doubt-solving sessions.

Cons: Insufficient content related to comprehensive learning for primary school students. Also, an advanced learning system with animations has not been incorporated yet. 

Final Words for Byjus vs Unacademy

As you can see, both the ed-tech giants of India are in cutthroat competition to grab maximum market share as well as users. While making a final decision, ensure to evaluate the features thoroughly by researching the content quality, pricing, and user reviews of both platforms. You can make an informed decision based on your learning requirements and preferences. It may also be beneficial to try out free trial offers or demo versions of the platforms to experience their offerings firsthand before purchasing the course or subscription.