5 Best Coding Programs for Beginners in 2024: Learn to Code Online
The demand for coding experience makes it an increasingly desirable skill for students and job seekers, especially for complete beginners. It’s also an accessible one, with many professionals starting with hobbies or side projects. Whether you’re looking to start a new career or enhance your current skillset, there are numerous coding programs with flexible online courses and even boot camps to build skills fast.
In this article, we’ll explore five of the best coding programs for beginners, offering a mix of free and paid options to help you start your programming journey.
1. Free Code Camp: Best Free Coding Program
Free Code Camp offers a comprehensive and entirely free curriculum for aspiring programmers. They provide multiple free classes to help beginners start their coding journey. With over a dozen different formal computer coding programs, it’s an excellent choice for those looking to learn web development and programming languages without any cost.
Key features:
- Completely free
- 12 certifications covering various aspects of web development and programming
- Active community forum for support
- Coding radio for background music while you work
Popular certifications include:
- Responsive Web Design
- JavaScript Algorithms and Data Structures
- Front End Development Libraries
- Data Visualization
- Back End Development and APIs
Free Code Camp is ideal for those looking to become web developers, but the skills learned are widely applicable to many programming fields.
2. Code Avengers: Best for Young Learners and Educators
Code Avengers offers coding programs online for younger students, aspiring professionals, and educators. They provide a variety of coding classes that cover topics like Java, Python, and web development, helping learners gain practical skills. With a structured curriculum tailored to different age groups and skill levels, it’s an excellent choice for those looking for a more guided learning experience.
Key features:
- Tailored courses for different age groups (5-16) and skill levels
- Professional courses for career-oriented learning
- Educator resources for teaching coding
- Code Camp events for practical experience
Pricing:
- Subscription-based, starting at $8 per month when paid annually
Code Avengers is particularly suitable for younger learners and those who prefer a more structured learning environment.
3. Pluralsight: Best for Skill Assessments, Coding Interviews, and Certification Prep
Pluralsight offers a vast library of courses covering various aspects of technology, including coding. Their courses include video lectures, providing a comprehensive learning experience. It’s an excellent choice for those looking for in-depth learning with skill assessments and certification preparation.
Key features:
- Over 7,000 courses in their full library
- Skill assessments to track your progress
- Certification prep for various tech fields
- Interactive content and projects
Pricing:
- Standard subscription: $24.92 per month or $299 annually
- Premium subscription: $37.42 per month or $449 annually
Pluralsight is ideal for those looking to gain comprehensive skills in software development, IT operations, cybersecurity, cloud computing, machine learning, and data science.
4. Codecademy: Best for Career-Oriented Learning
Codecademy offers both free and paid options for learning to code. Their Pro subscription provides additional resources and guidance for career-oriented learners. They also offer a course on coding interview prep, acknowledging the importance of preparing for coding interviews as a separate skill in the field of web development.
Key features:
- Substantial free curriculum
- Pro subscription for career certifications and projects
- Career path options include Data Scientist, Front-End Engineer, Back-End Engineer, and Full-Stack Engineer
Pricing:
- Free basic access
- Pro subscription: $19.99 per month when billed yearly
- Student pricing available
Codecademy is excellent for those looking to transition into a coding career, offering practical projects and career-focused learning paths.
5. Khan Academy: Best Free Comprehensive Computer Science Learning Platform
While not exclusively focused on coding, Khan Academy offers an extensive free curriculum on computer programming. It also covers various computer science topics, including online courses in computer science, the importance of computer programming, and its relevance in career paths like web development, software engineering, and game development. It’s an excellent resource for beginners looking to explore various aspects of coding without any cost.
Key features:
- Completely free
- Covers a wide range of programming topics
- No account required to access courses
- Self-paced learning
Course categories include:
- Intro to JS: Drawing & Animation
- Intro to HTML/CSS: Making webpages
- Intro to SQL: Querying and managing data
- Advanced JS: Games & Visualizations
Khan Academy is ideal for those who prefer a self-paced, comprehensive approach to learning coding basics.
Conclusion: Choosing the Best Coding Program for You
When selecting the best coding program to learn programming for your needs, consider factors such as:
- Your current skill level
- Learning style preferences
- Budget
- Career goals
- Time commitment
Each of these coding programs offers unique strengths:
- Free Code Camp for comprehensive, free web development training
- Code Avengers for younger learners and structured education
- Pluralsight for in-depth tech skills and certification prep
- Codecademy for career-oriented learning paths
- Khan Academy for free, self-paced comprehensive learning
Remember, the best coding program is the one that keeps you engaged and helps you achieve your learning goals. Consider trying out free trials or introductory courses from multiple platforms to find the best fit for your learning style and objectives.
As you embark on your coding journey, having the right tools is crucial. HP offers a range of laptops and desktops perfect for coding and programming tasks, ensuring you have the performance you need to learn and create efficiently.
Start your coding adventure today with one of these top-rated programs and take the first step towards an exciting new skill or career in programming!
