Codecademy Review 2024: Is It Really Worth It?

Here is a detailed Codecademy review that would help you decide if this is the right platform to get started with programming and coding courses. 

In this review, I have discussed different Codecademy course categories, the most popular courses, price structure, and whether this is the right platform for you or not. 

Read till the end to make an informed decision before opting for a Codecademy course. 

Codecademy Verdict at a Glance 

Here is our quick review of Codeacademy to help you get a quick glance. 

Aspect	Description
Number of courses	300+
Types of courses	Computer science Data Science Web development Developer tools Web design Code foundation Machine learning Cybersecurity etc.
Price	Free & Paid courses ($17.49 to $ 29.99)
Features	Completion certificate Learning flexibility Access to a supportive community
User-interface	User-friendly interface
Course quality	Well-curated and interactive course structure

Course Categories Offered by Codecademy

The tech industry is ever-evolving, and so do the courses Codecademy. Therefore, the platform widened its curriculum to help learners keep up with the changing dimensions. 

Since listing all the Codecademy course areas isn’t possible, I have shortlisted some of the most popular courses from the academy. Let’s have a look: 

1. JavaScript 

JavaScript is one of the core technologies of web development, and it can be used for both front and back end. Codecademy offers over 89 JavaScript courses for beginner, intermediate, and advanced learners. 

2. Python 

The next popular category of courses is Python, the most in-demand and versatile programming language in the tech field. This category includes 106 courses. The lessons are segregated into bite-sized modules, making them easily digestible. 

3. HTML & CSS

HTML & CSS are the foundation of the structure and design of web pages. Therefore, in-depth knowledge about them is necessary before making your first web page. There are almost 31 courses in this category designed for students in different stages of their learning careers. 

4. Computer Science 

With more than 113 courses in the category, Codecademy covers every sub-discipline of computer science courses, including both hardware and software. Regardless of whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, there is an option for everyone. 

5. SQL

SQL stands for Structured Query Language and is a standard rational data management language. It is an essential course for anyone who deals with systems that store large amounts of information in their databases. 

This course makes you data literate, and it’s a great skill for engineers and data scientists.  

6. C++

C++ programs are used in multiple languages, including software, VR, game development, robotics, scientific computing, etc. The wide acknowledgment of C++ language makes it an on-demand skill at the current moment. 

Codecademy has over eight courses in this field, covering A to Z in C++ programming. 

7. Machine Learning 

Machine learning is one of the most trending topics at the present time. This field of data science aims to enable computers to learn from data. The most common example is Chat GPT, which has created a big stir in the world of AI. 

Codecademy provides 33 courses in the Machine Learning category for beginner, intermediate, and advanced learners. 

8. Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity takes care of the security risks of today’s digitally connected world to recover from cyber threats and attacks. There are 17 courses in this category, and each course covers a specific area of the subject. 

Apart from the mentioned categories, Codecademy has more fields to choose from. So, make sure to skim through their course catalog to pick a subject that interests you the most. 

Who is Best Suited For Codecademy Courses? 

Codecademy is the perfect platform for learning coding and programming skills. 

The platform has 14 programming languages and 10 subject areas, and its course structure, interactive platform, and intuitive learning approach make it the right learning institute for beginners, students, career changers, professionals, and even hobbyists who want to brush up their programming skills. 

Codecademy supports self-paced learning allowing you to learn at your convenience, making it the best online learning institute for programming enthusiasts. 

Is Codecademy Good For Beginners?

When I first started learning to code, I was pretty nervous. But Codecademy made it so much easier than I expected! It’s really great for beginners like me. They break everything down into small, easy-to-understand lessons.

What I loved most was the hands-on approach. You’re not just reading about coding – you’re actually doing it right from the start. They have this cool interactive platform where you can practice as you learn. It’s like having training wheels while you’re figuring things out.

Another thing that helped me a lot was how they explained things. They use simple language and don’t throw too much at you at once. If you get stuck, there are hints and forums where you can ask for help.

Overall, I’d say Codecademy is a solid choice if you’re just starting out. It gave me the confidence to keep learning and growing as a coder.

List of Most Popular Codecademy Courses 

I mentioned the in-demand course categories of Codecademy. Let’s now have a look at some of the most popular courses you can try: 

1. Learn Javascript 

This is a beginner-friendly course on Javascript, which has 11 lessons, 12 projects, and eight quizzes. The course will make you familiar with concepts like Javascript data types, built-in methods, variables, function syntax, passing data to functions, etc. 

2. Building a Machine Learning Model With Python 

Building a Machine Learning Model with Python is another popular course on Codecademy, which is suitable for intermediate learners. It is information-heavy, so it may take you more than 2 months to complete it. 

The course has 10 units and covers everything from an introduction to machine learning to machine learning capstone projects. The course includes lots of projects and quizzes to encourage better learning practices. 

3. Build a Website with HTML, CSS & GitHub Pages

This course is ideal for beginners who are interested in learning HTML and CSS. This course will teach you:

• Reading and writing basic HTML. 
• Building a static website 
• How to implement web design principles 
• And launching a website with GitHub pages. 

The overall time required to complete this course is 10 weeks, and there are a total of 9 modules. 

4. Intro to Chat GPT 

If AI and machine learning interest you, you shouldn’t miss the course on Chat GPT. It will make you familiar with everything related to Chat GPT, and you’ll learn how to write effective prompts, about generative AI, summarize large texts, and much more. 

It has 8 modules and won’t require more than 7 to 10 hours to finish the whole course. The best part is it’s a free course. 

5. Learn C++

By completing the C++ course, you’ll be able to build core programming concepts, build C++ projects, and understand pointers and memory. This course can be a great starting point for beginners who want to learn C++ programming. 

The course has 10 modules in total, which includes 13 lessons, 14 projects, and 8 quizzes. 

These are the most common options in each category, but as stated before, Codecademy’s library is huge, so you can pick any course that you think interests you and would meet your learning requirements. 

How Much Do Codecademy Courses Cost? 

Codecademy has a well-laid-out price plan. There are two subscription options: Plus & Pro. Besides that, there is a basic subscription that costs you nothing, and you can learn the courses under it for free. 

The individual price plan for the Plus and Pro subscriptions is as follows: 

Subscription Plan	Price
Plus	$34.49 per month Or $209.88 per year
Pro	$59.99 per month Or $359.99 per year

The basic plan gives you access to a lot of courses. Still, it has certain limitations, like it allows only limited practice on the mobile app, you won’t get completion certificates, and you can’t access quizzes, skill paths, real-world projects, assessments, career services, etc. 

Codecademy Pricing Plan for Students

Codecademy has a special pro-student membership for eligible students. This membership is similar to the Codecademy Pro membership, but students have to pay 35% less, ultimately costing them $149.99 annually. 

Note: Only students from higher education institutes can apply for the Codecademy Pro student plan. 

Codecademy Pricing Plan for Business

There is also a separate pricing plan for teams or businesses. Here is what the pricing for team membership looks like: 

Subscription Plan	Price
Teams (5 to 25 members)	$299 per user per year
Pro	Contact the Codecademy team for a custom price

Can You Use Codeacademy for Free?

Codecademy has different pricing plans, but it also has a handful of free courses that you can check. The course duration varies from one course to another, running from 1 hour to up to 17 hours+. 

However, you might not be eligible to get a certificate after completing these free courses. In order to get a certificate, you can opt for the paid subscriptions. 

Pros and Cons of Codecademy 

Following are a few pros and cons associated with the Codecademy. 

Pros	Cons
Free courses	Courses are not accredited by any renowned university
Self-paced learning	You can’t access all features and some advanced course material with the free subscription.
Courses available for learners of every stage
Interactive teaching
Wide variety of courses available

Codecademy Alternatives

While Codecademy worked well for me, I know it might not be the perfect fit for everyone. Here’s a table comparing Codecademy with some other popular options I’ve tried or heard about:

Platform	Best for	Price	Certification
Codecademy	Beginners who like hands-on learning	Free plan available, Pro from $15.99/month	Yes, with Pro
freeCodeCamp	Self-paced learners on a budget	Completely free	Yes
Udemy	Those who prefer video courses	Individual course prices vary	Yes
Coursera	People looking for university-backed courses	Free to audit, paid subscription	Yes
Treehouse	Visual learners who like project-based courses	From $25/month	No

Remember, the best platform for you depends on how you like to learn. Some people prefer videos, others like reading, and some (like me) enjoy interactive coding. It’s worth trying out the free options or trials to see what clicks with you.

My Experience: Is Codecademy Worth It?

Codecademy is a reliable and reputed learning platform to get you started with programming and coding. I have completed more than ten courses from platforms in Javascript, Python, and Machine Learning categories. 

The course material is explained in simple terms, which is great for slow learners like me. The quizzes and projects further helped me brush up on my skills, which is why taking the pro or plus membership is crucial. 

If you’re new to programming or coding and still unsure of which course to opt for, I would suggest taking the quiz to identify your interest areas and which course will be perfect for you. Codecademy provides a free trial as well, so you can try out their courses for free if you’re unsure about the paid plan. 

Related read:

• Comparing popular coding platforms
• Top-rated LinkedIn Learning Courses
• Detailed Overview of Datacamp

Final Thoughts On Codecademy Review

That’s everything you need to know about Codecademy. In my opinion, it’s a great platform for both beginners and advanced learners. Plus, it has a wide variety of courses to choose from. 

Each category has multiple courses, so there is an option for everyone. The course prices are also pretty affordable compared to platforms offering similar courses. 

Some courses could have been more detailed, but overall, I had a great learning experience with Codecademy and would recommend it to anyone looking for an intuitive coding and programming platform. 

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