HarvardX CS50 Introduction to Computer Science is the best overall online coding course – Best Online Coding Courses. Ready to learn a programming language and land a new job in the tech field? Check out our list of the best online coding courses to get started.
- Online classes are available for just about any coding language you would like to learn.
- Many entry-level courses are free, but costs for more in-depth courses can vary substantially.
- Online coding courses are great for expanding your tech and coding knowledge.
Tech jobs are booming across the United States. Because of this, there is no shortage of online coding bootcamps and coding courses springing up to teach workers valuable tech skill sets. In fact, there are so many online learning options to choose from that it can be hard to know which one to pick.
A quick search online will show you everything from a simple class you can finish in an hour or two to those that almost resemble a university class. Some online coding courses focus on teaching a particular programming language or skill, while others prepare students for a specific career path.
Online courses can be a great start for beginner coders. They can also help tech professionals learn a new skill. We compiled information on 15 different online courses to give you an idea of what you can expect if you enroll. When deciding on a course, it’s important to assess numerous factors, including cost, time commitment, and course quality, so you can find a class that will launch or enhance your career.
Careers in coding are becoming more and more desirable in today’s technological world, and thankfully, you don’t need to attend a university to build this skill.
The best online coding courses allow you to learn from home, work with a flexible schedule, and receive feedback from both instructors and fellow students. Additionally, many courses offer a variety of topics, from introductory lessons to game development and data management. Here, we’ve rounded up our top picks to help you choose the right course for your needs.
Should I Enroll in an Online Course?
Just as there are hundreds of different kinds of coding classes online, there are hundreds of reasons people might choose this type of education. While there is a large variability between different programs, many of these online coding classes fill an educational gap created by the demand for IT workers.
The majority of online coding courses are designed for beginners with no previous experience. This makes them great for anyone who is looking to test-run a new skill set or decide if coding is for them. Students can find everything between an hour-long introductory course to year-long programs that offer a certificate.
Generally, these classes are also great for people who already work in tech and want to expand their skills and those who require more flexible schedules.
Online bootcamps are another option for those looking to learn coding. These intensive training programs usually require more hours per week than many standalone courses, and they usually teach a wider variety of tech skills and tools.
Bootcamps are career-focused and often include support for those who want to start a job search after the bootcamp. Bootcamp programs often last a few months and are quite a bit more expensive than an online course.
The Rundown
“Check if your code is up to par using a cloud-based IDE, and there’s a large community to interact with if you’re having trouble.”
Best Intro: Codecademy
“Codecademy is perfect for beginners thanks to the sheer amount of choices you have to choose from.” Learn the technical skills to get the job you want. Join over 50 million people choosing Codecademy to start a new career.
Runner-Up, Best Intro: Khan Academy
“If you ever have any questions or even want to get feedback on a project you’ve just coded, the community is always here to help.” Learn for free about math, art, computer programming, economics, physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, finance, history, and more.
Best University Course: MITx Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Using Python
“While rigorous, it’s intended to still be doable for students without prior knowledge, so all you need to do is put in the work.” Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Using Python. An introduction to computer science as a tool to solve real-world analytical problems.
Best Splurge: Pluralsight
“Each course comes with videos, assessments, and exercise files, so you can really make the most of your learning experience.” Pluralsight helps organizations, teams, and individuals build better products with online courses and data-driven insights that fuel skill development.
Runner-Up, Best Splurge: Linkedn Learning
“They really have something for everyone, no matter what language you want to get into.” Learn business, creative, and technology skills to achieve your personal and professional goals.
Best for Schools: Code Avengers
“It’s structured into different levels so you can teach programming concepts to everyone, regardless of age or skill.” Your gateway to the digital world. Learn. Teach. Upskill. A better way to build websites, apps, games and more.
Best Variety: Udemy
“Gives you the freedom to choose the specialization that you want, and learn how to program what interests you.” Udemy is an online learning and teaching marketplace with over 213000 courses and 57 million students. Learn programming, marketing, data science and more.
Best Overall: HarvardX CS50 Introduction to Computer Science on edX
- Price: Free
- Online Community: Yes
- Certificate: Optional
Why We Chose It
The HarvardX CS50 Introduction to Computer Science course is completely free for students, but an optional certificate of completion is available for $149. With an online community for help and specific assignments for each topic, this course is best for students to gain a solid working knowledge of coding that is why its listed on our Best Online Coding Courses.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- An extensive introduction to coding
- The same course as Harvard students take
- Free
Cons
- Free to use, but certificate of completion is $149
Overview
If you’re looking to dive into coding, this course stands out from the rest. Harvard has put its most-visited course, CS50 Introduction to Computer Science, online, and it’s completely free unless you want a certificate of completion for $149. Not only does the course offer video recordings of each lecture, as well as additional videos explaining certain concepts, but it also has an assignment for each block of content. You can check if your code is up to par before you hand it in using the cloud-based IDE that complements this course, and there’s a large community to interact with if you’re having trouble.
CS50 Introduction to Computer Science is built in a way that the problem sets get more difficult enough every week that they can be challenging, but never in a way that you feel completely left on your own. This course stands out from the rest because instead of simply teaching you how to code, it tries to teach you how it works.
Best Intro: Codecademy
- Price: Free and paid courses available
- Online Community: Yes
- Certificate: Optional
Why We Chose It
Codecademy offers a large selection of free introductory courses for coding, allowing students to start their journey without committing to payments. Plus and Pro subscriptions are also available to access paid courses, and certificates of completion are optional for subscribers. The best option listed on our Best Online Coding Courses.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Interactive learning interface
- Courses for everyone
- Mobile app
Cons
- Can be overwhelming to beginners
Overview
Codecademy is a great option thanks to the sheer amount of courses you have to choose from. You can find something for everyone here, with an extensive category ranging from HTML to C#, and more, if you sign up for Codecademy Plus or Pro. Every course that doesn’t require a subscription to Plus or Pro is completely free, so you can learn to your heart’s content. If you choose to sign up for Codecademy Pro, you’ll even have a range of so-called career and skill paths to choose from, guiding you towards specific goals.
Having such a wide range of intro-level courses for free is great because it means that not only can you start learning how to code, you can also learn the differences between programming languages and find out which ones are best for what you want to do. Students can access online forums to post questions and discuss different topics. Not to mention there’s a smartphone app, too, letting you practice what you’ve learned on the go.
Runner Up, Best Intro: Khan Academy
- Price: Free
- Online Community: Yes
- Certificate: No
Why We Chose It
Khan Academy is another great introductory course for coding students, including projects and challenges for each lesson to help new coders apply their skills in common scenarios. Khan Academy is listed on our Best Online Coding Courses.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Great for beginners
- Some complex topics
- Free
Cons
- Most courses are about Javascript and HTML
Overview
Khan Academy is a non-profit organization that specializes in bringing everyone a better education, and some of its courses are on coding. The courses are mostly on HTML or Javascript, and while there are some more complex topics such as natural simulations or different types of algorithms, Khan Academy is best suited for those with little to no coding experience.
Each course is structured so that you have an info block and then a challenge that builds upon the things you just learned. This type of project-based learning is a great way to start coding, as applying what you’ve learned helps you remember key concepts.
Khan Academy is completely free, and it has a whole community around it, too. If you ever have any questions or even want to get feedback on a project you’ve just coded, they’re always here to help.
Best University Course: MITx Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Using Python on edX
- Price: Free
- Online Community: Yes
- Certificate: Optional
Why We Chose It
MIT’s online coding course on edX gives at-home students the same deep-dive into coding that their university courses offer; Best Online Coding Courses. While the course is challenging, staff members are available to answer questions and guide students along the way.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- The same level of depth that MIT students receive
- Large community
Cons
- Needs a lot of time and dedication
Overview
Although MIT has a lot of old courses on their website for free, they also have a new one for free on edX. MITx Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Using Python is a version of the on-campus course that has been built specifically for edX, and that means it’s no walk in the park. However, it’s intended to still be doable for students without prior knowledge, meaning that if you put the work into it and take this course seriously, then it’ll be more than worth it.
If you want to learn coding and more, then this course is right for you.
Best Splurge: Pluralsight
- Price: $29 per month or $299 per year
- Online Community: Yes
- Certificate: Optional
Why We Chose It
Pluralsight requires a monthly or yearly subscription, but it offers interactive lessons, multiple programming languages, career tools, and more, making it worth the splurge for serious students and team lessons. Best Online Coding Courses to Learn Coding for Free.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Career-focused
- Interactive guided courses
Cons
- Hefty price tag
Overview
If you want to learn to code so you can look more up-to-date on your resume, or if you’re looking to get your team up to par, then Pluralsight is the service for you. It’s a bit costly at $29 monthly or $299 yearly, but with the extensive course library, it can be worth it if you use it properly. Not only is there a wide variety of guided courses in different programming languages, but there are even specific courses for further learning in game development or data management for example.
Each course comes with videos, assessments, and exercise files, so you can really make the most of your learning experience. You can even measure how well you stack up against others in the same field. On top of that, some courses have interactive lessons, which can be especially helpful for trying to learn new concepts in a specific language.
Runner Up, Best Splurge: LinkedIn Learning
- Price: $19.99 per month (billed annually)
- Online Community: No
- Certificate: Optional
Why We Chose It
LinkedIn Learning is more affordable overall than Pluralsight, but subscriptions must be paid annually. However, courses can be purchased individually, making this a great option for students who want to hone in on specific skills.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Large variety of courses
- Numerous programming languages
Cons
- The experience isn’t guided
- Picking the wrong course can lead to wasting time
Overview
LinkedIn Learning, formerly known as Lynda.com, is filled to the brim with courses on coding and otherwise. Although the experience isn’t quite as streamlined as some of the other courses listed, it makes up for it by the number of available courses. LinkedIn Learning has more than just what you need to get started, as it even has courses for people with prior experience. You can really dive into the depths of different languages, see what makes them tick, and why they’re fit for certain tasks more than others.
It might be a bit overwhelming to know where to start, but if you search for the programming language you’re looking for, or the keywords “essential training,” you’ll be sure to find a course that’s right for you. They really have something for everyone, no matter what language you want to get into.
Best for Schools: Code Avengers
- Price: $20 to $29 per month
- Online Community: No
- Certificate: Yes
Why We Chose It
Code Avengers is an excellent choice for kids and teens to learn coding, making lessons fun, engaging, and easy to build on while teaching real-world coding concepts. Best Online Coding Courses to Learn Coding for Free.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Built for kids and teens
- Heavily discounted for schools
- Different paths for different interests
Cons
- Pricey for a service meant for kids
Overview
Code Avengers is perfect for schools and kids or teens who want to learn how to code. It’s structured into different complexity levels so it can be used to teach programming concepts at every school level. Using the online programming environment to work on different projects, Code Avengers aims to teach children programming, computational thinking, and data representation. There are also three guided paths available for teenagers, focused on becoming either a web developer, web designer, or software engineer.
The platform also has a series of resources for teachers, with lesson plans and course overviews, as well as being able to see how far into the course each student has come so far, and how well they’ve done along the way. Code Avengers is a great way to get children and teenagers into coding.
Best Variety: Udemy
- Price: Free and paid courses available
- Online Community: No
- Certificate: Optional
Why We Chose It
Udemy’s extremely large range of classes makes it possible for students to pick and choose the specific skills they’d like to learn.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Massive number of courses and teachers
- Detailed reviews to read before you buy
Cons
- Some courses are quite expensive, especially for coding
Overview
When it comes to variety, you can’t beat Udemy. You can find over 200,000 online courses in different subjects, and a large fraction of those is about coding. Unlike some of the other options on this list, Udemy isn’t subscription-based; instead, you pay only for the courses you actually choose. Each of them is a different price, and you can see how long each one is before you purchase it. This gives you the freedom to choose the specialization that you want, and learn how to program what interests you.
The courses are uploaded by individuals all over the world, and you can tell by their ranking how good they are. Different instructors have different specialties, and picking out the courses that feel relevant to you from a broad spectrum will help you see different styles of programming and teaching.
Final Verdict
The HarvardX CS50 Introduction to Computer Science class is our best overall pick for the Best Online Coding Courses to Learn Coding for Free. This course offers in-depth lessons for those interested in pursuing coding as a career, teaching students how coding actually works for a working knowledge upon completion. The course itself is completely free, and certificates are available for an added cost.
Guide to Choosing the Best Online Coding Courses
Instructor And Community Feedback
The best online coding courses allow students to communicate with their instructors and peers. Because coding can be challenging at first, it’s beneficial for many students to opt for a class with this feature, which allows them to ask questions and get a deeper knowledge of each topic.
Free Vs. Paid Courses
Many online coding courses are available for free, and even top-rated courses don’t have to cost a cent. Some students prefer the specific features offered by paid courses, like career tools and easy access to learning different programming languages.
Certificates
Not all online coding courses offer certificates. Accredited schools like Harvard, MIT, and more have programs for students to graduate with a coding certification. Other courses provide students with certificates of completion for specific classes.
Compare the Best Online Coding Courses
| Course | Price | Online Community | Certificate |
| HarvardX CS50 Introduction to Computer Science Best Overall | Free | Yes | Optional |
| Codecademy Best Intro | Free and paid courses available | Yes | Optional |
| Khan Academy Runner-Up, Best Intro | Free | Yes | No |
| MITx Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Using Python Best University Course | Free | Yes | Optional |
| Pluralsight Best Splurge | $29 per month or $299 per year | Yes | Optional |
| LinkedIn Learning Runner-Up, Best Splurge | $19.99 per month (billed annually) | No | Optional |
| Code Avengers Best for Schools | $20 to $29 per month | No | Yes |
| Udemy Best Variety | Free and paid courses available | No | Optional |
Frequently Asked Questions About Coding Classes Online
Can I get a coding job through an online course?
It’s possible to get a coding job after taking an online course, but taking a course doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get a job. If you are serious about a career change, you may want to find in-depth courses that cover multiple skills. Generally these types of classes require a hefty time commitment and financial investment.
Many tech positions, especially those that offer higher pay or more advancement opportunities, require a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. While some courses teach similar skills, they may not hold the same weight as a degree.
Is coding hard to learn?
Learning how to code is like learning another language. Once you get the hang of it, you will know how to express what you want to say, but at the beginning, you might spend a lot of time looking things up and making mistakes.
Many programmers who are still learning create cheat sheets to remind them of the different functions. As you practice, these will become second nature. While the first programming language you learn might be difficult since it involves learning a new way of thinking, most people report that learning subsequent programming languages is substantially more straightforward.
What is the highest-paid coding job?
There are so many factors that go into deciding a pay rate that it is difficult to determine who gets paid the most. However, some of the job titles that frequently rank at the top include computer and information research scientists, computer network architects, and information security analysts.
Highly-paid tech workers are often specialized, such as those in artificial intelligence or machine learning, or have gained a diverse skill set like full-stack web developers. According to May 2021 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for all computer and information technology occupations is $97,430 — more than double the median annual wage for all occupations.
Methodology
Our writers spent numerous hours researching the most popular online coding courses on the market. Before making their final recommendations, they considered nine different online coding courses overall, read user reviews (both positive and negative), and tested three of the online coding courses themselves to recommend high-quality options.
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