Codecademy is an interactive online platform that provides free coding studies to people from all walks of life.
The platform provides these studies in 12 different programming languages including Go, Java, Python, JavaScript, Ruby, SQL, C++, and Swift.
It was founded in August 2011 by Zach Simms and Ryan Bubisnki with the aim of making coding a universally accessible skill. The two founders believed strongly that it was necessary to create a world where anyone could make something meaningful with technology.
Their mission was, therefore, to create a platform that provides equal opportunities and resources for people across the world hence the birth of Codecademy.
Codecademy Pro and its Premium Features
The platform also includes a premium version referred to as Codecademy Pro. The premium version offers customized learning programs, quizzes, and realistic projects for those who are enrolled.
The premium version provides priority support to members in all aspects. It also includes things like a certificate of completion, professional certification, career services, resources for staying motivated and accountable, and interview prep courses.
Is Upgrading to Codecademy Pro Worth the Investment?
If you have plenty of time on your hands and are comfortable learning new things on your own, then you do not need to upgrade to the Codecademy Pro version.
Instead, stick to the free version which is packed with helpful resources for just about anyone to learn coding. In fact, learning on your own can sometimes help you become a better programmer.
However, if you do not have a lot of time on your hands, and want to pursue a guided path to learning a new language or career in coding, it is highly advisable that you upgrade.
The Pro version has a huge advantage over the free version because you get to grasp concepts faster and avoid the mistakes that most people make when they go at it on their own.
Codecademy Free Features
Core Functionalities of the Free Version of Codecademy
One of the best things about Codecademy’s free version is that you get access to some of the basic courses in coding.
These are available in the form of articles that talk about the technical concepts of coding. You can read through these articles at your own pace which makes it even easier for you to grasp the most important things.
Courses also include videos containing tutorials and project walkthroughs so you can sit quietly on the train, plane, or in your room and learn virtually. There is also a range of cheat sheets that you can go through to review concepts you learn throughout the course.
At the end of the course, you get access to code challenges in the form of quizzes to help you test your knowledge of whatever you have been learning. You also get to interact with a community of programmers and can practice your skills on the Codecademy mobile app.
Codecademy Basic UI and UX
The Codecademy platform has a pretty generic user interface when compared to other platforms in the educational category. As soon as you get to the landing page, you’ll notice the sign-up form on the right side of your screen.
Right at the top of the page, there are sections you can navigate to including Catalog, Resources, Community, and Pricing. A simple click on any of those sections will redirect you to the relevant page.
The sign-up process is pretty straightforward since you only have to enter your details and a valid email address for verification. Because it is a free version, you won’t have to worry about connecting your credit cards or bank details.
If you scroll right below the sign-up form you’ll find a list of some of the most popular courses and a few testimonials by those who have already used the platform. Additionally, there is a quiz section you can click on if you are still not sure where to start your programming or coding journey.
All things considered, this platform’s user interface and user experience are pretty decent since you don’t have to deal with any annoying pop-ups or clunky pages. All sections are well-marked, and pages load relatively fast.
Limitations on Codecademy’s Free Version
One of the things you are likely to notice when you sign up for the free version is that you do not have access to all courses available on the platform. Instead, you’ll only be able to learn courses that are marked “Free”.
The free courses are quite basic and are therefore not likely to lead to more lucrative careers. Another limitation is that you do not get priority customer support.
That means you may make an inquiry and wait for a while before receiving feedback. The next thing to keep in mind is that you’ll only have limited access to the Codecademy mobile app.
Consequently, you may not be able to practice your skills as much as you may want to. Finally, it does not offer personalized courses, quizzes, or interview prep courses.
Introducing Codecademy Pro
As noted earlier, Codecademy includes premium plans that come with their own benefits. These plans include Codecademy Plus and Codecademy Pro with the latter being the most recommended.
Overview of Codecademy Pro
Codecademy Pro was launched in the summer of 2016 to ensure that learners have access to future-facing resources and opportunities in the coding world.
One of the best things about this subscription plan is that it provides members with access to all available courses on the platform. Pro members are free to pick up any course at any time.
Another important aspect to consider is that learners under this plan gain access to personalized lessons, quizzes, and projects. This can be ideal in ensuring the learner is fully focused on his or her career path.
Members also get access to an exclusive community of peers that can help provide motivation and impart some skills or knowledge. Codecademy Pro is not only available to new learners but can also be a good option for those who are already familiar with coding but want to add to their knowledge and skills.
It is with that in mind that the plan is not designed to suit individuals only, but teams as well. Companies that work with programmers can enroll their employees in the plan as a way to help sharpen and improve skills to ensure their companies remain competitive.
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Advantages of Upgrading to Codecademy Pro
One of the advantages of upgrading to the Pro plan is that you get access to interview prep courses which can be helpful especially when you are about to attend an interview. These courses are quite detailed and stack up against any other competitive interview courses available out there.
Another advantage is that learners get personalized projects so that they can focus on the most important skills only. These include basic projects, challenge projects, and portfolio projects.
Note that portfolio projects are especially important because they can help showcase the individual’s skills and knowledge in coding. There is also the professional certification benefit which can help solidify anyone’s credentials.
Users under this plan have full access to the Codecademy Go app which is available on Google Play and App Store. This allows users to practice on the go rather than having to be stationed at a particular place.
Another advantage is that you’ll feel the need to stick to your learning schedule because you have already spent money on it. Remember, it is easy for someone learning free of charge to drop a course on a whim.
However, if you have made some monetary investment into it, you’ll probably stick it out to the end.
A Comparison of Features: Codecademy Pro vs Codecademy Basic
| Features | Pro | Basic |
|---|---|---|
| Basic access to free courses | Yes | Yes |
| Community access | Exclusive | General |
| Practice on the mobile app | Unlimited | Limited |
| Access to all courses | Yes | No |
| Personalized quizzes | Yes | No |
| Personalized lessons | Yes | No |
| Skill paths | Yes | No |
| Real-world projects | Yes | No |
| Technical interview prep | Yes | No |
| Priority customer support | Yes | No |
| Career services | Yes | No |
| Professional certification | Yes | No |
User Reviews and Feedback
Codecademy has a score of 4.4 out of 5 stars on G2 after receiving reviews from 152 users. This is quite impressive since it only falls short of six points to get 5 out of 5 stars.
One of the users on the platform by the name of Abhay V notes that it is a good platform for learning new skills thanks to its variety of courses, structured curriculum, and supportive community.
Another under an anonymous name states that the platform is impressive because it has a well-thought-out learning process that includes lessons, quizzes, and test practices.
Moustafa Medhat notes that the platform is good because it offers courses in a variety of programming languages and not just the popular ones. He goes ahead to state that the pricing should be reviewed since it seems too expensive.
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The Positives and Negatives Noted by Users
Most users seem to love the platform because of its structured curriculum and variety of programming languages and courses. They also seem to appreciate the fact that they can interact with peers who offer helpful information and support.
On the downside, users seem to find the pricing a bit too expensive compared to other alternatives. Another issue is that the free courses are not as comprehensive as those available on the Pro subscription plan.
Recurring Themes in Customer Reviews and Feedback
Users seem to agree that the Codecademy platform is an impressive place to learn coding. They are in praise of its curriculum, variety of courses, and community-based approach to learning.
Learning Experience and Quality of Content
A deeper look at the learning experience and quality of content available on the Codecademy platform can be key to appreciating its full worth.
Course Materials
Codecademy has invested a lot in creating courses that are sure to have an impact on learners. Users can take up multiple courses simultaneously or choose one and focus on it wholeheartedly.
Courses start from the basic beginner stage and go up to the professional level. A course can have as few as six lessons or as many as 20 lessons depending on the complexities involved.
Interactive Learning Approach
While the free plan offers a one-sided approach to learning, Codecademy Pro leans more toward an interactive system of learning. This means that members can get in touch with professionals who help in customizing their courses and lessons.
Another thing to note is that learners get to practice their newly acquired skills and receive feedback almost immediately. This can be crucial in ensuring that they grasp important skills quickly.
This interactive approach to learning also creates an environment for learners to feel motivated since they’ll be sharing their experiences with a community of people going through the same courses.
Course Applications in Real Life
A casual look at the courses provided by Codecademy reveals that the content applies to real-life needs. Some examples of coding skills you can apply in real life include,
- Honey Production
- Block Letters
- Gradebook
- Animal Fun Facts
- Kelvin Weather
- Video Player
- Wine Festival Schedule
- Real Good Reviews
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Specialized Learning Paths and Projects
Codecademy Pro offers at least four specialized career paths that are essential in laying the foundation for the job you are likely to get. These career paths include Code Foundations, Computer Science, Data Science, and Web Development.
It also offers over 15 skill paths that are designed to help you start utilizing your skills immediately. Skill paths may include content from different courses as well as unique content that is created to help learners sharpen their skills in specific areas.
The Added Value of Specialized Paths
Unlike learners under the free plan, Pro members get to develop their skills more predictably. That is because Codecademy gives an overall estimation of the time it will take to complete each course.
Another importance of these specialized paths is that they help remove confusion and force learners to focus on the most important aspects of their learning and careers.
Relevance of Specialized Paths to Individual Goals
Because each individual has a certain timeline within which they wish to achieve a goal, it is always important to have a map or plan of how to get there. Specialized paths not only help individuals stay on course but also keep them accountable.
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Codecademy Pro vs Free Alternatives
Some popular examples of code learning alternatives include freeCodeCamp, Coursera, and DataCamp.
Codecademy vs freeCodeCamp
While both of these platforms are big on interactive learning, they do not take a similar approach toward it. Instead, freeCodeCamp makes it easy for learners to get hands-on experience by engaging in web-based coding projects and challenges.
Codecademy tends to encourage learners to participate in interactive lessons, projects, quizzes, and challenges. It also offers a mobile application for practice.
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Codecademy vs Coursera
Coursera offers more robust or comprehensive high-tech courses which is why a lot of people tend to prefer it over Codecademy.
Coursera also utilizes real college professors in providing real-time lessons which can be a better experience than learning on your own. However, it is only the paid version of Coursera that provides learners with access to those professors.
Codecademy vs DataCamp
Codecademy offers a wider range of coding courses so you are likely to be spoiled for choice. On the other hand, DataCamp specializes in specific subjects that include data science and data analysis.
Advantages of Codecademy Pro Over Free Alternatives
One of the most important advantages of Codecademy Pro is that it offers a huge selection of courses and subjects for you to choose from.
It also provides priority support to learners which is not the case with the free alternatives. Additionally, Codecademy offers a versatile way of learning since it includes a mobile app you can use on the go.
Codecademy vs Competitors: Pricing
Codecademy differs slightly from DataCamp because its Pro plan costs $23.99 a month, while DataCamp’s Premium plan costs $12.42 per month billed annually.
Coursera Plus costs $59.00 per month which is costlier than Codecademy while freeCodeCamp is available absolutely free of charge with no premium plans.
Progress Tracking and Support
One of Codecademy’s strengths is the fact that it has integrated a tracking system to ensure administrators can keep tabs on project progress.
The Progress tab shows the percentage of the project that is complete, the number of modules, and whether the project was assigned or the learner enrolled themselves.
Once a learner completes an assignment, they receive prompt feedback letting them know about their performance and whether they need to make adjustments or move on to the next stage.
Personalized Support for Pro Users
Codecademy responds to Pro user inquiries in 12 hours or less depending on the time of contact and the number of customers to be served.
Individuals can receive emails with personalized information regarding their issues or get in touch with a customer care support staff for one-on-one discussions.
Overall Impact on Learning Experience
Progress tracking makes it easy for administrators to personalize solutions for their learners. At the same time, timely reports help the learner know about their weaknesses and encourage them to improve.
Prompt customer support coupled with personalized solutions for each user also helps make the learning experience smooth and pleasant.
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Cost Benefits Analysis
As noted earlier, CodeCademy offers two premium plans but the Pro plan is the most recommended because of its immense features, functionalities, and benefits.
Pro Pricing and Features
Individuals are free to enjoy Codecademy’s Pro version on a seven-day trial basis before subscribing. Once subscribed, the individual will have to pay $23.99 per month on an annual basis.
Alternatively, they can pay $29.99 on a monthly basis. Regardless of the payment plan you pick, you’ll get to enjoy all the features and functionalities available on both the Basic and Plus versions.
Of course, the Pro plan also has additional features and benefits including priority support, assessments, code challenges, career services, technical interview preps, career paths, and professional certification.
Value Proposition of Pro Against Cost
Considering the amount of features and benefits available with the Pro subscription, it is easy to conclude that learners are bound to get real value for their money.
Not only does the plan help you learn coding in different programming languages, but it also offers well-defined career and skills paths so you don’t have to deal with the confusion that often affects learners.
Long-Term Benefits of Pro Subscription
Once you are done with the learning process, the next big thing is finding a job. Luckily, those enrolled under the Pro plan get to enjoy career services which can be essential in securing a new job in a competitive job market.
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Conclusion: Is Codecademy Pro Worth It?
Codecademy is one of the best programming and coding websites you can go to when you need to learn a new skill or sharpen the skills you already have.
It has a free version with foundational courses for beginners and a Plus version that costs some money but unlocks a lot more than what you get with the basic version.
However, the Codecademy Pro version is packed with features, functionalities, and benefits that you’ll not find on any other platform.
If you are serious about learning coding, then you should consider subscribing to the Pro plan as it is almost certainly going to be integral to your success.
