Softwr

Software · head to head

Codecademy vs Udacity

Codecademy logo

Codecademy

Software

Learn to code interactively for free

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Udacity logo

Udacity

Software

Nanodegrees for in-demand tech skills

From
$249/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

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; Udacity expensive compared to many online learning alternatives at $249/month or annual commitments
  • They diverge on capability: Codecademy covers Interactive coding, Udacity covers Nanodegree programs.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Codecademy and Udacity actually diverge.

Attributes where Codecademy and Udacity differ
AttributeCodecademyUdacity
Starting priceFree$249/month
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWebWeb, iOS, Android

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown), founded (2011).

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 Udacity

  • Nanodegree programs
  • Real-world projects
  • Mentorship
  • Code review
  • Career services
  • Industry partnerships
  • Mobile learning
  • Enterprise platforms

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 Udacity
  • Career transition
  • Skill buildingnot Udacity
  • Portfolio projectsnot Udacity

Udacity

  • Tech skill developmentnot Codecademy
  • Career transition
  • Upskillingnot Codecademy
  • Team trainingnot Codecademy

Both are used for career transition, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.

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

Udacity

  • Expensive compared to many online learning alternatives at $249/month or annual commitments
  • Course certificates lose value after subscription ends if not continuously maintained
  • Limited offline access to course materials
  • May lack breadth of non-tech courses compared to general learning platforms

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

Udacity

$249/month

No published plan breakdown. See the Udacity review.

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 Udacity if

  • You need nanodegree programs.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want real-world projects.
Udacity review

Questions people ask

Is Codecademy or Udacity better?
Neither clearly leads. Codecademy starts at Free and Udacity at $249/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Codecademy or Udacity?
Codecademy has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Codecademy and $249/month for Udacity.
Does Codecademy or Udacity run on more platforms?
Codecademy runs on Web. Udacity runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use Codecademy for free?
Yes. Codecademy has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Udacity starts at $249/month.
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 skill building are not what Udacity is typically brought in for.
What can Codecademy do that Udacity cannot?
Codecademy covers Interactive coding, Instant feedback, Projects, Quizzes. Udacity covers Nanodegree programs, Real-world projects, Mentorship, Code review. 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
Udacity: How is Udacity priced?

Udacity offers subscription-based pricing: $249/month or $846 for 4 months (approximately $212/month with 15% discount). One subscription covers 500+ courses and all 80+ Nanodegree and Executive programs. Month-to-month subscriptions are cancellable anytime.

Source
Codecademy: What is Codecademy Pro pricing?

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

Source
Udacity: Does Udacity offer degree programs?

Yes, Udacity offers a Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence ($199 enrollment fee plus subscription) and MBA in AI Product Management, both priced under $5,000 total, approximately 90% cheaper than traditional programs.

Source
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Codecademy

More on Udacity

Keep looking

Other head to heads