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Software · head to head

Codecademy vs edX

Codecademy logo

Codecademy

Software

Learn to code interactively for free

From
Free
Rated
-
edX logo

edX

Software

Online courses from the world's top universities

From
On request
Rated
-

The short version

  • Only Codecademy has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Codecademy free plan has limited access to quizzes and projects; edX individual course costs not displayed; pricing requires enrollment to view
  • They diverge on capability: Codecademy covers Interactive coding, edX covers Video lectures.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Codecademy and edX actually diverge.

Attributes where Codecademy and edX differ
AttributeCodecademyedX
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWebWeb, iOS, Android
Founded20112012

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Codecademy

  • Interactive coding
  • Instant feedback
  • Projects
  • Quizzes
  • Career paths
  • Mobile app
  • Offline practice
  • Community forums

Only in edX

  • Video lectures
  • Interactive exercises
  • Discussion forums
  • Certificates
  • MicroMasters
  • Professional certificates
  • Degrees
  • Mobile learning

Both cover

  • Web support
  • IOS support
  • Android support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Codecademy

  • Learn to codenot edX
  • Career transitionnot edX
  • Skill buildingnot edX
  • Portfolio projectsnot edX

edX

  • Learners seeking university-level credentials from elite institutions (MIT, Harvard, Cambridge)not Codecademy
  • Career changers pursuing MicroMasters or professional certificatesnot Codecademy
  • Individuals in regions with limited access to higher educationnot Codecademy

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Codecademy

  • Free plan has limited access to quizzes and projects
  • Pro pricing at $15.99/month is among the higher options for coding education platforms

edX

  • Individual course costs not displayed; pricing requires enrollment to view

Pricing, plan by plan

Codecademy

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Basic courses
    • Interactive lessons
    • Community
  • Plus$17.49/month
    • All courses
    • Projects
    • Quizzes
  • Pro$29.99/month
    • Everything in Plus
    • Interview prep
    • Real-world projects

edX

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the edX review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Codecademy if

  • You need interactive coding.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want instant feedback.

Choose edX if

  • You need video lectures.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want interactive exercises.

Questions people ask

Is Codecademy or edX better?
Neither clearly leads. Codecademy starts at Free and edX at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Codecademy or edX?
Codecademy has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Codecademy and On request for edX.
Does Codecademy or edX run on more platforms?
Codecademy runs on Web. edX runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use Codecademy for free?
Yes. Codecademy has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. edX starts at On request.
What is Codecademy best used for?
Codecademy is most often used for learn to code, career transition, skill building, portfolio projects. Of those, learn to code and career transition are not what edX is typically brought in for.
What can Codecademy do that edX cannot?
Codecademy covers Interactive coding, Instant feedback, Projects, Quizzes. edX covers Video lectures, Interactive exercises, Discussion forums, Certificates. Both handle Web support, IOS support, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Codecademy: Does Codecademy have a free plan?

Yes. Codecademy offers a permanent free plan with access to basic courses and introductory content. Advanced features like quizzes, projects, and career paths require Pro with a 7-day free trial.

Source
Codecademy: What is Codecademy Pro pricing?

Codecademy Pro costs $15.99/month when billed annually. Student pricing is available at a discount.

Source

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