Software · head to head
Udacity vs Codecademy
The short version
- Only Codecademy has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Udacity expensive compared to many online learning alternatives at $249/month or annual commitments; Codecademy free plan has limited access to quizzes and projects
- They diverge on capability: Udacity covers Nanodegree programs, Codecademy covers Interactive coding.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Udacity and Codecademy actually diverge.
| Attribute | Udacity | Codecademy |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $249/month | Free |
| Pricing model | Unknown | freemium |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web |
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 Udacity
- Nanodegree programs
- Real-world projects
- Mentorship
- Code review
- Career services
- Industry partnerships
- Mobile learning
- Enterprise platforms
Only in Codecademy
- Interactive coding
- Instant feedback
- Projects
- Quizzes
- Career paths
- Mobile app
- Offline practice
- Community forums
Both cover
- Web support
- IOS support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Udacity
- Tech skill developmentnot Codecademy
- Career transition
- Upskillingnot Codecademy
- Team trainingnot Codecademy
Codecademy
- Learn to codenot Udacity
- Career transition
- Skill buildingnot Udacity
- Portfolio projectsnot Udacity
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.
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
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
Pricing, plan by plan
Udacity
$249/monthNo published plan breakdown. See the Udacity review.
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
Which should you pick?
Choose Udacity if
- You need nanodegree programs.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android.
- You also want real-world projects.
Choose Codecademy if
- You need interactive coding.
- You want to start without paying.
- You also want instant feedback.
Questions people ask
- Is Udacity or Codecademy better?
- Neither clearly leads. Udacity starts at $249/month and Codecademy at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Udacity or Codecademy?
- Codecademy has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $249/month for Udacity and Free for Codecademy.
- Does Udacity or Codecademy run on more platforms?
- Udacity runs on Web, iOS, Android. Codecademy runs on Web.
- 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 Udacity best used for?
- Udacity is most often used for tech skill development, career transition, upskilling, team training. Of those, tech skill development and upskilling are not what Codecademy is typically brought in for.
- What can Udacity do that Codecademy cannot?
- Udacity covers Nanodegree programs, Real-world projects, Mentorship, Code review. Codecademy covers Interactive coding, Instant feedback, Projects, Quizzes. Both handle Web support, IOS support, Android support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
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.
SourceCodecademy: 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.
SourceUdacity: 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.
SourceCodecademy: What is Codecademy Pro pricing?
Codecademy Pro costs $15.99/month when billed annually. Student pricing is available at a discount.
Source