Does a career in tech entice you?
Learning to code is one of the most productive ways to spend your free time, mainly because you’ll acquire one of the most in demand skills today.
However, learning to code can be a very costly affair for the uninitiated.
Most coding bootcamps charge an arm and a leg, not to mention a college degree in computer science that would cost you even more.
What if you could learn to code for free?
In this article, we are going to look at the best websites where you can actually learn to code for free in 2022.
Now, learning to code for free without an instructor or any form of guidance can prove counterproductive in the long run, as you won’t be aware of the skill gaps that’ll surface at the workplace.
That being said, it’s a great place to start if you are still testing the waters before deciding on a definite program, bootcamp or course to enroll in.
Let’s get started.
1. Coursera
If you are looking for a platform where you can greatly transform your life through learning then Coursera is the place to be.
Here you’ll get access to affordable, flexible, and job ready online learning materials that are developed for individuals as well as organizations of all sizes.
Coursera has partnered with more than 275 universities to bring you some of the best courses that will teach you to code through hands-on projects, leading up to professional certificates as well as university degrees.
It is also one of the best websites for learning to code for free because it has a ton of free courses to get you started.
Here are the top three free Coursera courses:
In addition to the free courses, you also have a 7 day free trial where you can try all the premium courses for free.
2. Udemy
If you’ve taken just one course online then it’s probably been on Udemy.
I say that because it’s currently the most popular website for learning to code, currently boasting more than 54M+ students registered in various courses on the platform.
It is the perfect base for a student on a shoestring budget who wants to pick up some skills in coding, thanks to the monthly heavy discounts that Udemy runs.
What’s more, Udemy has a course on almost anything you can imagine, besides programming. Here you’ll find all types of instructors, with varying teaching styles, personalities, and languages.
Here are the top free Udemy courses:
So if you are a self driven, disciplined learner Udemy it is a gold mine of courses and tutorials for getting job ready in programming quickly.
However, the huge collection of courses might prove overwhelming to beginners.
3. LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn is currently the most popular professional networking platform, and if you haven’t joined then it’s time your jumped on to the bandwagon
Recently, LinkedIn acquired Lynda.com and brought all the courses over to the LinkedIn Learning platform where you can access the free as well as paid training programs to advance your career as a programmer.
How about that for convenience?
You use the same networking platform to acquire the skills that you’ll need when applying for a job, all on the same platform.
What’s more, you’ll learn from instructors with expertise and real life experience in programming, having worked at companies like Google and Amazon.
Here are the top three free LinkedIn courses:
Again, with a course catalog of 18K+ courses and learning paths, I find it one of the best websites for learning to code in 2022, as there’s no shortage of learning materials.
4. PluralSight
You might not have heard of PluralSight if you are new to tech.
It’s one of the best websites for learning to code in 2022, but might not be as popular because it mainly focuses on teaching coding and related tech skills like DevOps.
However, among programmers it is the best platform to hit for world class tutorials in the popular JavaScript framework, Angular, as well as C# and the popular Microsoft .NET framework. Besides, it has some amazing security centered coding tutorials.
What’s more, PluralSight handpicks top courses and makes them free every month.
Here are the top free PluralSight courses:
PluralSight is designed for the convenience of teams rather than for individuals.
So if you want to provide programming training for a department in your organization then you’re better served with PluralSight, than with Udemy or Coursera.
5. Udacity
Udacity has been recognized by IDC, times without number, as the top platform for creating job-ready digital talent, as well as delivering measurable business results.
So if you’d like to turbocharge your tech career by learning to code then Udacity is one of the platforms that will not disappoint you.
In fact, according to alumni data, 70% of their graduates either get promoted or land a better job within the first 12 months of graduating.
Here are the best free Udacity courses:
I have included it in this list of the best websites for learning to code online because despite their premium Nanodegree programs that equip you with in demand digital skills, they also have free programming courses to get you started.
It is a great way to test the waters before going all in on a Nanodegree program.
Conclusion
Clearly, premium coding websites also provide free courses for beginners.
When you are still on the fence as to whether you want to make a career move into software development, it is best to pick up free tutorials here and there to get a feel of what programming is all about, without making any commitments.
However, once you decide to go all in, I strongly suggest that you take a paid course where you have access to a proper curriculum, the course instructor and a community.
It will really come in handy when you get stuck, as well as when you need to bounce your project ideas off someone.
Having access to a community also serves as a source of motivation and accountability, especially when the excitement settles down and you are faced with real challenges.
Which of these websites do you find the best for learning to code for free?
Please share your thoughts below.
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