Software · head to head
Udemy vs Codecademy
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Udemy course quality varies significantly as Udemy allows anyone to create and sell courses without vetting; Codecademy free plan has limited access to quizzes and projects
- They diverge on capability: Udemy covers Video courses, Codecademy covers Interactive coding.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Udemy and Codecademy actually diverge.
| Attribute | Udemy | Codecademy |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Unknown | freemium |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web |
| Founded | 2010 | 2011 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Udemy
- Video courses
- Assignments
- Certificates
- Mobile learning
- Offline viewing
- Q&A
- Reviews
- Slack
Only in Codecademy
- Interactive coding
- Instant feedback
- Projects
- Career paths
- Mobile app
- Offline practice
- Community forums
- GitHub
Both cover
- Quizzes
- Web support
- IOS support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Udemy
- Skill building
- Career transition
- Professional developmentnot Codecademy
- Team trainingnot Codecademy
Codecademy
- Learn to codenot Udemy
- Career transition
- Skill building
- Portfolio projectsnot Udemy
Both are used for skill building, 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.
Udemy
- Course quality varies significantly as Udemy allows anyone to create and sell courses without vetting
- No formal credentials or degrees offered, unlike Coursera and edX which offer institution-branded certificates
- Courses are self-paced with no instructor interaction or support, making structured learning difficult for some students
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
Udemy
Free- Personal$19/month
- 11,000+ courses access
- Team$360/year
- For 5-20 people
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 Udemy if
- You need video courses.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android.
- You also want assignments.
Choose Codecademy if
- You need interactive coding.
- You want to start without paying.
- You also want instant feedback.
Questions people ask
- Is Udemy or Codecademy better?
- Neither clearly leads. Udemy starts at Free and Codecademy at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Udemy or Codecademy?
- Udemy starts at Free and Codecademy at Free.
- Does Udemy or Codecademy run on more platforms?
- Udemy runs on Web, iOS, Android. Codecademy runs on Web.
- Can I use Udemy for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Udemy best used for?
- Udemy is most often used for skill building, career transition, professional development, team training. Of those, professional development and team training are not what Codecademy is typically brought in for.
- What can Udemy do that Codecademy cannot?
- Udemy covers Video courses, Assignments, Certificates, Mobile learning. Codecademy covers Interactive coding, Instant feedback, Projects, Career paths. Both handle Quizzes, Web support, IOS support, Android support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Udemy: Does Udemy offer team/business pricing?
Yes, Udemy's Team plan costs $360 per user annually for groups of 5 to 20 people, in addition to individual Personal plan at $19/month.
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.
SourceCodecademy: What is Codecademy Pro pricing?
Codecademy Pro costs $15.99/month when billed annually. Student pricing is available at a discount.
Source