Which is better? (Indian)
They are talking specifically about an L1-A visa. An L1-B visa has similar terms to an H1-B except it only lasts for 5 years and cannot be extended. An H1-B last six years and can be renewed yearly after that so long as a PERM application has been filed and the green card application is pending.
L1A > H1B > L1B
What about online masters while on l1b?
Depends on the goal. If the goal is to stay in the US long term, L1 is hands down a lot better. That's because you can apply for an EB1 green card which has very little wait time compared to EB2 (which is what you will most likely apply for with an H1B) which has a projected wait time of 70+ years for new applications. I know many people who left their H1B - moved to Canada for a year and came back on L1 so they could get a green card. I'm planning on doing the same.
Wait don’t you have to be a manager/exec to go from L1 to eb1?
There’s L1A and L1B. Only manager/exec get L1A and EB1 category. L1B which most software engineers come on is bonded labor. With shitty pay.