Codecademy review

Codecademy teaches programming by making you type code from the start. Lessons run in the browser, so there is nothing to install, and newer features let you build prototypes in natural language with explanations at each step. The free Basic plan gives limited course access. Plus costs $14.99 a month billed annually, or $29.99 billed monthly, and adds skill paths, for example building an ML model. Pro costs $19.99 a month billed annually and adds career paths for roles such as data scientist or AI engineer, certification paths for AWS, Microsoft, CompTIA and ISC2, technical interview prep, an interview simulator and a job-readiness checker. Annual plans include one complimentary live workshop. The limits are scope and depth: it only covers tech skills, and browser exercises are no substitute for building larger projects on your own machine. For a career switcher who needs structure and practice, the Pro plan is good value.

Who it is for

Adults learning to code or moving into a tech role who want hands-on practice.

Price

Free Basic plan; Plus $14.99 per month billed annually or $29.99 monthly; Pro $19.99 per month billed annually.

$14.99 a month, billed annually or $29.99 billed monthly
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 9, 2026.

Key features

• Interactive lessons where you code in the browser
• Skill paths on Plus, career paths on Pro
• Certification paths for AWS, Microsoft, CompTIA and ISC2 on Pro
• Interview simulator and job-readiness checker on Pro
• Builder credits for learning by building prototypes

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Hands-on practice from the first lesson
• Strength: Free Basic plan to try courses
• Strength: Annual plans include one complimentary live workshop
• Weakness: Covers tech topics only
• Weakness: Career and certification paths need the Pro plan
• Weakness: Monthly billing costs about twice the annual rate

Key facts

• Free plan: Yes, Basic with limited courses
• Plans: Basic, Plus, Pro
• Pro monthly: $39.99 billed monthly

Where it ranks

Codecademy is No. 2 in our Best Online Learning Platforms verdict.