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Education · head to head

Codecademy vs Lumosity

Codecademy logo

Codecademy

Education

Learn to code interactively for free

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Lumosity logo

Lumosity

Education

Brain training game app from Lumos Labs, which paid an FTC settlement in 2016 over unsupported cognitive improvement claims

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Codecademy free plan has limited access to quizzes and projects; Lumosity lumos Labs settled with the US FTC in 2016 for 2 million dollars over deceptive claims that its games improved real-world cognitive performance and could delay age-related decline, and the company was barred from making such claims without solid supporting evidence, a fact any buyer evaluating cognitive benefit claims should weigh.
  • They diverge on capability: Codecademy covers Interactive coding, Lumosity covers Daily training set.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Codecademy and Lumosity actually diverge.

Attributes where Codecademy and Lumosity differ
AttributeCodecademyLumosity
Pricing modelfreemiumFree with a subscription
PlatformsWebiOS, Android, Web
Founded2011Unknown

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Education).

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 Lumosity

  • Daily training set
  • Brain Performance Index
  • Game library by domain
  • Fit Test assessment
  • Progress tracking
  • Insights and tips

What people use each for

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

Codecademy

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

Lumosity

  • An adult wanting a short daily game habit with a cognitive theme, treated as entertainment rather than medical interventionnot Codecademy
  • Someone comparing Lumosity against Elevate to decide between abstract cognitive games and practical skills practicenot Codecademy
  • A user who wants a long historical performance trend across many game sessionsnot Codecademy
  • A buyer evaluating whether the current marketing claims about cognitive benefit are consistent with the 2016 FTC settlement findings before subscribingnot 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

Lumosity

  • Lumos Labs settled with the US FTC in 2016 for 2 million dollars over deceptive claims that its games improved real-world cognitive performance and could delay age-related decline, and the company was barred from making such claims without solid supporting evidence, a fact any buyer evaluating cognitive benefit claims should weigh.
  • The free tier is limited to a small daily set of games, and the personalised training programme the product is built around is a paid-only feature.
  • As with the brain training category broadly, evidence that improved performance on the specific games transfers to real-world cognitive ability remains contested, independent of the marketing claims addressed by the settlement.
  • The subscription auto-renews and, like most mobile subscriptions, requires cancelling through app store account settings rather than within the app.
  • The game library has not changed dramatically in years, and long-term subscribers report the exercises becoming repetitive well before a years subscription is up.

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

Lumosity

Free
  • Lumosity$11.99/month
    • Free tier gives a small daily set of games
    • Full subscription unlocks the complete game library and personalised programme
    • Annual plans typically run $59.99 to $79.99, cheaper per month than monthly billing

Which should you pick?

Choose Codecademy if

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

Choose Lumosity if

  • You need daily training set.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want brain performance index.
Lumosity review

Questions people ask

Is Codecademy or Lumosity better?
Neither clearly leads. Codecademy starts at Free and Lumosity at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Codecademy or Lumosity?
Codecademy starts at Free and Lumosity at Free.
Does Codecademy or Lumosity run on more platforms?
Codecademy runs on Web. Lumosity runs on iOS, Android, Web.
Can I use Codecademy for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 Lumosity is typically brought in for.
What can Codecademy do that Lumosity cannot?
Codecademy covers Interactive coding, Instant feedback, Projects, Quizzes. Lumosity covers Daily training set, Brain Performance Index, Game library by domain, Fit Test assessment.

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
Lumosity: What was the FTC settlement about?

In 2016 the FTC found Lumos Labs advertising made unsupported claims that Lumosity games could delay cognitive decline, protect against conditions like Alzheimers, and improve real-world performance. The company paid 2 million dollars and was barred from such claims without solid evidence.

Codecademy: What is Codecademy Pro pricing?

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

Source
Lumosity: Is Lumosity still available and does it still make cognitive claims?

Yes, the app and games remain available, but the company is legally restricted from the specific unsupported claims covered by the settlement.

Lumosity: Is Lumosity free?

A small daily set of games is free. The full library and personalised training programme require a paid subscription.

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