13 sites where you can learn how to code online for free or close to it

• Coding can be a valuable hard skill for workers in an increasingly digital economy.
• Below, you'll find 13 sites with resources for learning to code online — from MIT's free coursework to an IBM Data Science Professional Certificate — that span categories and popular programming languages such as Python and JavaScript.
• If you've been affected by COVID-19, some e-learning sites like Educative and Codecademy also have programs that offer scholarships and free subscriptions. 
• See more: 9 online computer science classes that are free until December 31 — and each comes with a free certificate you can add to LinkedIn

Whether you're a beginner or an advanced coder, the internet has plenty of options to help you develop and deepen your skillset — often completely for free.

Below, you'll find 13 sites that offer resources for learning how to code from the comfort of your home. They vary in price and offerings, but most have free material or affordable options. You can take advantage of MIT's OpenCourseWare where they publish virtually all MIT course content for the public, or you can earn a Google IT Automation with Python Professional Certificate for $49/month. 

If you're looking to pick up a specific skill set, you can narrow your search down by programming language or coursework. If you're just starting out, it may be worth looking at affordable or free introductory courses to get a sense of what you'd like to pursue before investing money and time into a degree or professional certificate.

Some sites, like Educative and Codecademy, have opportunities for people who have been affected by COVID-19. For instance, Educative is offering free scholarships to its Become a Frontend Developer (typically $115) learning track to people whose life or livelihood has been interrupted, and Codecademy is donating three months of its Pro subscription to five unemployed or furloughed workers for every one purchased. You can apply for one of those free memberships here. Coursera has also made 100 of its courses completely free to enroll in — including computer science classes — through December 31. It's also worth looking into any scholarships or financial aid learning sites like edX or Coursera may offer if you opt for their material.

13 sites that will help you learn how to code online:

Coursera

Free to audit most courses, paid certificates and advanced degrees

Coursera has courses, MasterTracks, Specializations, professional certificates, and one guided project for coding offered from notable universities like Duke, Stanford, and Princeton, and companies like IBM and Google. There's something for both beginners and advanced learners, and while courses can typically be audited for free, certificates and graded work are usually behind a paywall. 

Specializations and professional certificates typically have a free 7-day trial and after that are billed monthly — so the faster you complete it, the cheaper it will be. They can take anywhere from a few months to more than a year to finish and start around $39/month. Its MasterTrack options tend to be more costly — as in a few thousand dollars. 

Coursera also has an annual $399 subscription, Coursera Plus, that includes access to 90% of the site and may end up being a cheaper option — just make sure your desired courses are included.  

Edx

Free to audit most courses, paid certificates and advanced degrees

edX was founded by MIT and Harvard and offers free and affordable online classes, professional certificates, MicroMasters, and Master's degrees from top universities like Harvard and Dartmouth and institutions like Microsoft and IBM. 

Most edX courses can be audited for free, with an optional certificate of completion costing anywhere from $39-$99. Professional certificates can run around a few hundred dollars, and MicroMasters and Master's Degrees a few thousand dollars. 

Udemy

Courses start at $10

Udemy has thousands of affordable courses. You can enroll in coding courses for as little as $10-$12. The site has over 150,000 courses available in over 65 languages and runs frequent sales. 

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