The demand for tech professionals is increasing. In order to meet that demand, many coding bootcamps, coding training programs, classes, and courses have become available to those looking for careers in tech. These classes allow you to receive professional-level training for various careers, such as software engineering, data science, data analytics, and web design.
To make education more accessible, many education providers offer free web development bootcamps, free coding classes for adults, and cheap high school coding bootcamp options. In this article, we’ll provide overviews of all of these options so you can jumpstart your tech career goals in no time.
Find the Right Free Coding Program for You
If you are looking for a free online coding education, we give you all the information you need to know below. We explain the difference between free bootcamps, free coding courses, free coding classes, and free coding programs.
What Are Free Bootcamps?
Free bootcamps are rigorous training programs for learners who wish to pursue a certain career or specialization. While these bootcamps are free, they can also be difficult. Some students find coding bootcamps difficult when entering the tech field for the first time. These free coding bootcamps make the learning process easier while providing enough challenges to keep a student engaged.
Students experience a hands-on approach to learning by completing real-world projects to gain in-demand skills. Students also get access to networking opportunities through employer partners, help from career services teams, and assistance finding career opportunities.
Most coding bootcamps take six weeks to six months to complete. Most in-person bootcamps are now being offered online, and the majority of free bootcamps are offered as online bootcamps. The curricula are tailored to help students enter the best tech jobs after graduation.
What Are Free Coding Courses?
Free coding courses are individual, specialized programs designed to improve a particular skill. Sometimes, coding courses are offered by universities and are available to any of their students. Other courses are offered by online platforms like Coursera and edX.
Like free online coding bootcamps, these courses are designed to prepare a coding newbie for a career in programming. The majority of these programs are held via an online learning platform, so they’re accessible from anywhere.
What Are Free Coding Classes?
Coding classes, similar to courses, are programs that serve as a great introduction to programming. Classes are typically for those that want to build on their programming foundations or learn the basics. A one-time online class is a great starting point for students interested in coding who don’t know where to begin.
What Are Free Coding Programs?
Free coding programs are similar to bootcamps in that they are short-term education programs that prepare students for a chosen career. These programs are geared toward professional development. Some coding training programs provide students with certifications to help boost their resumes.
These programs can take a few weeks to complete and are often taught by experienced instructors. No matter where you’re starting in your tech career, any of these programs are a great way for you to learn to code for free. You can find an in-person or online bootcamp that offers the subject you’re interested in.
Best Free Bootcamps
Coding bootcamps offer weeks-long to months-long programs that teach you the core programming knowledge and skills you need to work in tech. These free coding programs cover an extensive amount of information and involve a great deal of work through real-world projects, hands-on learning, and multiple programming languages.
Free coding classes can help you start your programming career without having to pay out of pocket. Many large bootcamps offer free introductory courses that can help you gauge your interest and place in the coding world. Some of these may be delivered synchronously, although most free coding classes are offered as self-paced learning.
42
42 is a free coding bootcamp with locations in Paris and Silicon Valley. The school prides itself in having no instructors, with students learning through their peers and mentors, who are experienced tech professionals. This is a great free coding bootcamp for those seeking to learn programming, coding, and software engineering.
Ada Developers Academy
This Seattle-based bootcamp offers an immersive programming course for any local student interested in becoming a full stack web developer. The course runs for 27 weeks and is free to women and non-binary students. This is one of the best free coding programs for bridging the gender gap in the tech industry. Plus, Seattle is a huge tech hub and a great place to start a career in tech.
App Academy Open
App Academy offers a free online coding bootcamp called App Academy Open. This online program gives students access to the complete App Academy full stack web development curriculum. However, students do not enjoy the structured and instructor-led learning that comes with the paid option. App Academy is one of the best coding bootcamps for web development.
This free online coding bootcamp program includes over 1,500 hours of course materials and resources. App Academy is a well-known bootcamp, and the free coding program contains the same coursework as the paid version.
The Data Incubator
The Data Incubator offers programs in data science and data engineering. The Data Incubator is best for experienced programmers who are comfortable coding in Python and ideally one other programming language. The curriculum is designed to equip students with highly specialized skills to become seasoned professionals.
There is a free online coding bootcamp option for students who apply for the fellowship scholarship. There are a limited number of free online coding bootcamp seats in each cohort, and the scholarship is only available for full-time bootcamp students.
If you do not receive a free online coding bootcamp scholarship, you can get a $2,000 discount by applying for the program early and paying upfront. If you pay upfront and are placed with one of the school’s coding partners after graduating, The Data Incubator will refund 50 percent of your tuition.
Flatiron School Introductory Courses
Flatiron School is a big-name coding bootcamp. With locations in London, New York City, and Washington DC, students can attend programming courses in person or online. The bootcamp has several programs dedicated to web development, cyber security, data science, UI/UX design, and more.
Flatiron School offers free coding classes as an introduction for those interested in a full bootcamp program. It’s one of the best free coding classes for adults offered by a top education provider.
Founders and Coders
Founders and Coders holds the title of being the first free bootcamp in the United Kingdom. Based in London, it offers beginner-friendly free coding programs in full stack web development and covers a range of common coding languages. At the end of the free bootcamp, students complete a final project and get help with interview prep.
freeCodeCamp
This free online coding bootcamp offers coding certificates in front end and full stack development. This online training program is self-paced and offers a 1,600-hour JavaScript curriculum. Demographically, freeCodeCamp stands out. Roughly 80 percent of its coding community is over 25 years old, making it a great resource for free coding classes for adults.
Fullstack Academy Prep Program
Fullstack Academy offers a free online coding bootcamp preparation course. The program covers full stack JavaScript and helps students gain the foundation they need to be successful coders. This free online coding program is perfect for beginner and intermediate students.
Fullstack Academy also offers cheap coding bootcamp prep courses. You can learn to code in a week or a month for just $200 and gain the foundational skills you need to continue to a full-time bootcamp program or continue teaching yourself to code.
GA Dash
General Assembly offers a free online coding bootcamp called GA Dash. Students learn to code using HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript. This free coding program is project-based. For example, students build an entire Tumblr theme from the ground up. This unique program is popular and comes from a top coding bootcamp.
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Hack Reactor Basic Prep
Hack Reactor, a well-known coding bootcamp, offers a free coding program called Hack Reactor Basic Prep. The course is an introductory program designed for beginners to learn all the basics of coding.
The free online coding bootcamp prep course is self-paced, so you can learn to code when it’s convenient for you. You can also get access to live support and scheduled classes for just $250, which is a great cheap coding bootcamp option if you aren’t ready to commit to a full coding bootcamp program.
Kenzie Free
Kenzie Free is an introductory free bootcamp for coding beginners. Kenzie Academy’s self-paced free coding program is available online. Kenzie Free allows potential programmers to learn from a top tier bootcamp without any financial commitments.
The program covers the basics of HTML and CSS, and it later offers an introduction to JavaScript. Kenzie Academy’s mini-courses allow anyone interested in coding to get a feel for the subject. Students learn practical skills and decide if they want to pursue a career in tech through Kenzie’s free coding classes.
NodeSchool
NodeSchool is a free online coding bootcamp offering a range of useful tutorials and courses. The program is open source and run by volunteers. The free coding program, or workshop, is entirely tuition-free for anyone who is able to install the workshops on their computer. This is not a traditional free online coding bootcamp, but it is a great resource for self-taught programmers.
The Odin Project
The Odin Project is another community-based, open source free online coding bootcamp. It was designed to train new coders from the ground up. The free coding program offers tech career training courses in web development. Students start with an introductory course, then move on to Web Development 101.
The course curriculum includes HTML, CSS, Ruby, Rails, Git, and more. The Odin Project offers flexible tutorials and lessons. This free online coding bootcamp is a great place for beginners and offers excellent resources across the board.
Recurse Center
Recurse Center is not an online coding bootcamp but an educational retreat for programmers of all skill levels. In six or 12 weeks of online learning, work, and communication, coders can better themselves. Recurse Center encourages lifelong learning, and although it’s different from a bootcamp, it offers the same level of immersive tech learning.
Resilient Coders
Resilient Coders offers a full-time JavaScript bootcamp in Boston, Massachusetts. This program is for people of color trying to enter the tech industry. The 14-week course covers a range of coding languages, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Bootcamp graduates will be proficient coders who are ready to launch their tech career journey.
Skillcrush’s Free Coding Bootcamp
Skillcrush offers free coding courses to anyone interested in tech. From aspiring software engineers to complete coding beginners, Skillcrush offers something useful to learn. Students can learn coding languages like Java, Python, HTML, and JavaScript using Skillcrush’s free online coding bootcamp program.
Best Free Coding Courses and Resources
Coding courses are short-term programs that cover the core concepts of coding. These programs typically take a few weeks or months to complete. The best free coding courses involve multiple online classes and even give you a learning path to prepare you for a career in your chosen industry.
If you prefer a more self-paced environment or simply want an introduction to coding, these are the best free coding courses for beginners.
Bento.io
Bento.io takes an interesting approach to coding and web development. Each free coding program is a minincoding course compiled from learning resources from around the web. It’s a great resource for those that are just starting out on their coding learning journey.
Bento.io offers free coding programs in CSS, HTML, JavaScript, Git, Python, jQuery, and more. It also has more comprehensive tracks in front end development, backend development, and web fundamentals.
Codecademy
Codecademy is a well-known free online coding school. This platform is popular with beginners and intermediate coders. Students learn coding languages like HTML and JavaScript. They also receive peer support from other students and have access to daily mobile practice.
Codecademy’s free courses offer a chance to learn programming at no cost. You can also upgrade to the Pro plan for only $20 a month, making Codecademy a great cheap coding bootcamp option as well as a provider of free coding classes. Students who subscribe to the Pro plan get to work on projects to improve their skills and build a portfolio.
Coursera
Coursera is unique in that it offers coding courses designed by prestigious universities and companies. Students take courses offered by colleges like the University of Michigan and Duke University at little to no cost. The online learning platform also covers a long list of topics, such as computer science, data science, and various coding languages.
While Coursera offers some free coding programs, there are some paid options as well. If you want to earn a certificate for completing a course and take your education beyond basic coding, you can do so at around $30 to $50 per certificate. Coursera even offers degree programs students can complete online.
Digital Ocean
Digital Ocean is a large compendium of text-based, free coding classes. It’s a fantastic resource for those who prefer to learn by reading rather than by watching videos. Among the free coding classes offered by Digital Ocean are courses in React, JavaScript, jQuery, and Vue.
edX
Like Coursera, edX offers hundreds of massive open online courses (MOOCs) on a huge range of subjects. Students can learn from over 100 universities, such as Berkeley, Harvard, and MIT. On edX, you can take free coding classes in HTML5, CSS, mobile application development, Java programming, and more. Learn from high-level lectures delivered by top university instructors.
Hackr.io
While Hackr.io isn’t itself a free coding program, it is still a fantastic free resource for anyone wanting to learn how to code. If you have no experience with programming, this site is a fantastic tool.
Hackr.io offers fairly comprehensive listings of free online coding classes and tutorials, broken down by coding languages and topics. It serves as an excellent supplemental resource for any of the other free online coding classes and training programs listed in this article.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy courses are very popular among many demographics and types of learners. This free education resource offers a long list of free online coding programs. Students can sharpen their computer skills with Khan Academy and learn basic and advanced concepts.
Practicum by Yandex
This intro course is a completely free coding program. It’s designed for those who haven’t yet decided on a career path and want to try their hand at web development. It provides 20 hours of free practice packed with the kinds of tasks you might expect to encounter at a real job. The course focuses on the basics of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. You get 24/7 support and can join its Slack community.
Revature
Revature works by partnering with universities to offer free coding programs to students. Some courses are delivered in person, and some are accessible online. Immersive courses cover programming and software development. Revature seeks to help students bolster their university education with real, practical development and coding skills in 10 to 14 weeks.
Sabio
Sabio currently offers a free coding program in front end web development. The course includes videos, tests, access to a Slack channel, and even live office hours with your instructors. Sabio’s free prework course covers topics like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Bootstrap, and much more.
SoloLearn
SoloLearn offers a series of interactive free coding programs through its online platform. It offers short and clever tutorials on just about every programming language, including Python, Java, C++, JavaScript, C#, PHP, Ruby, Swift, jQuery, C, HTML, CSS, and SQL. Join the millions of learners on this platform and learn to code for free.
Udacity
Udacity offers free coding programs for beginners and intermediate programmers. It also offers special nanodegrees in specific topics like web development and data analytics. While the courses are free, the nanodegrees come with a small price but are still a great cheap coding bootcamp alternative. Udacity students can use their skills to get a job in tech or pursue further education.
Udemy
Udemy offers paid and free coding classes online. Students can learn a specific programming language or take another program like web development or data science. Udemy offers an open platform for anyone to create technology courses, so use discretion when selecting a class. Read free coding bootcamp reviews before deciding on a course.
w3schools
This is another fantastic site that offers comprehensive text-based tutorials and courses on HTML, CSS, JavaScript, XML, SQL, PHP, React, jQuery, and much more. Another great benefit of w3schools is the quizzes integrated into the courses to check your learning progress. While w3schools features completely free coding classes, you also have the option of paying for a certificate.
Best Free Coding Classes
Coding classes are great resources for those that are completely new to programming. While the above learning platforms offer any number of courses for you to choose from, it sometimes helps to find a good starting point. Free computer coding classes can help you decide whether coding is right for you.
Below is a list of the best free coding classes for beginners. Many of these coding classes are tied to the platforms mentioned above, so you can continue your education through related courses. Consider the following free computer coding classes if you are curious about a career in tech.
HTML5 and CSS3 Fundamentals for Web Design: Udemy
Web design is a growing tech field, and learning the fundamentals of it is a great way to get started in the industry. This free Udemy course covers the fundamentals of design through HTML5 and CSS. If you already know you want a career in web design or want to see if it is a good fit for you, then give this free coding course a try.
Introduction to User Experience Design: Coursera
Similar to web design, this introductory free coding class teaches you the fundamentals of user experience and user interface (UX/UI) design. The Coursera course is offered by Georgia Tech and is designed to teach students how to help users meet their needs in an efficient and satisfying manner.
Programming 101: Udemy
Programming is vital to many tech careers, and knowledge of at least one programming language is necessary for many occupations. This free coding class offers an introduction to programming and is a great first step for complete beginners. You’ll learn how programming works and how it is utilized in a professional capacity.
Programming for Everybody (Getting Started with Python): Coursera
Among the most popular programming languages used today is Python. It is also one of the easiest programming languages to learn thanks to its readability. Many professionals consider it a great first language for those that want a career in the tech industry. This free coding class is offered by the University of Michigan and teaches the fundamentals of Python and programming in general.
Learn Python 3: Codecademy
If you want to continue your coding journey into Python, Codecademy has a great list of resources and tools. Many of the free coding classes you can complete at your own time. It also has a structured Python course that takes you through all of its Python 3 content. These classes will transform you from a novice to an advanced-level programmer.
Learn JavaScript: Codecademy
Another popular programming language among professional coders is JavaScript. This language is often used with web development, both front end and backend. If you want to learn how to code web pages, impact their design, and how they function, then this series of online coding classes from Codecademy may be a great starting point for you.
Best Free Coding Programs
Free coding programs are designed for career development. These tech programs train people for a specific career or skill. In fact, most coding training programs specialize in a particular coding language or occupation. These programs are designed for people at various experience levels and are particularly great for those that want to make a career change.
Below is a list of free coding programs for beginners designed to improve your technical skills and jumpstart your career in tech.
Codewars
Codewars is an outstanding and innovative way to learn how to code. This free coding program involves challenges, which Codewars calls “katas”. During katas, you code with other users to learn programming languages like Java, JavaScript, Python, Ruby, and many others.
Upon completing each of the lessons for beginners, you’ll increase in rank. This allows you to see how proficient you’re becoming in programming. It’s a valuable tool for those that prefer a remote coding training platform, and it’s also a good choice for students who are fueled by competition.
CodeGym
CodeGym is a free coding program for beginners who want to learn Java programming. It is also an online resource with several free coding classes that allows you to do your coding training at home. The platform is 80 percent based on practical coding. You’ll start programming immediately, and there are well over 1,000 programming tasks and puzzles for you to complete.
DevOps School
If you have an interest in development operations, also known as DevOps, then this online program gives you everything you need. It has a wide array of free online coding programs, certifications, and courses for you to complete. You can get started with its free video course, blog articles, and more.
Google AI
Google AI is a great introduction to machine learning. The program is taught by experienced experts. This machine learning crash course comes with tutorials, coding videos, exercises, and full courses for you to complete. This free online coding program is designed for beginners and seasoned engineers.
Google Developers Training
For those interested in mobile and app development, Google has a free coding program that takes you from absolute beginner to experienced developer. This program was created by Google and Udacity to provide a self-paced, free coding program for those new to Android development.
Makers Academy
Makers Academy is a UK-based coding bootcamp. This bootcamp provider offers a free coding program for students to learn Ruby. Interested students will receive an email every other day for a month containing exercises, stories, and ways to connect with other students and programmers. This is a great free coding program for basic courses on Ruby.
MIT OpenCourseware
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is one of the most prestigious technical universities in the world. The research institute has decided to offer many of its renowned computer science programs to the public for free.
Among the many completely free coding course offerings are Introduction to Computer Science and Programming, Introduction to Programming in Python, Artificial Intelligence, Programming for the Puzzled, and Advanced Data Structures.
Revolent
Revolent offers short-term tech education programs. Revolent provides free, quality courses that prepare students to become certified Salesforce developers, administrators, and consultants. There is also a course that trains candidates to become certified ServiceNow consultants.
Revolent courses last 10 to 12 weeks in New York, London, Melbourne, and Amsterdam. During the program, students are assigned a mentor to support them throughout the course. Upon completion of the certificate, students begin working with one of Revolent’s tech company partners for two years.
Rithm School
Rithm School is a San Francisco-based bootcamp. It offers a self-paced free coding program for full stack development. During these free coding classes, students focus on JavaScript and Python. Students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of open-source projects and portfolio-building activities. Currently, all San Francisco programs are being offered online.
Unity Learn
Unity is one of the largest game development engines in the industry. The Unity Learn platform provides several free coding programs, tutorials, and courses to help you build projects in real time. The self-paced program teaches students how to make 3D video games, augmented reality games, and even games in VR.
Upskill
Upskill is a free coding program specializing in web development. Participants learn to code by building a fictional startup. Throughout the program, students learn HTML, CSS, Ruby on Rails, Git, and more as they develop features found on popular sites like Salesforce and Dropbox.
Bootcamp vs Course: Which Is Better?
A bootcamp is better than a course if you are serious about a career in tech. The difference between a coding bootcamp and a course is significant. Most free coding courses online tend to last a few days or weeks and don’t dive deep into the subject matter, covering only the basics and a few intermediate elements.
By comparison, free coding bootcamps last anywhere from three months to a year. During that time, students engage in intensive coursework and develop a strong foundation in the chosen subject. Students learn both the basics and the advanced concepts they will need to land a well-paying job in the tech industry.
If you are still on the fence regarding whether to choose a free coding bootcamp or a free online course, the answer is clear: a free coding bootcamp will allow you to acquire the skills you need to get started in your tech career of choice.
Pros and Cons of Free Coding Bootcamps
The biggest pro of attending a free coding bootcamp is that you’ll save a lot of money on your coding education. According to Career Karma’s State of the Bootcamp Market Report 2021, the average coding bootcamp costs $11,727, which is a considerable amount of money.
Although you’ll gain a high-quality and intensive education at zero cost, there are some drawbacks to attending a free online coding bootcamp. The biggest one is limited access to career services, although this may not always be the case.
Many free coding bootcamps simply cannot afford the close mentorship and guidance that the student would enjoy in a paid program. Other services, like resume reviews, networking events, or help during the job search may be lacking as well. All in all, attending a free coding bootcamp has several pros as well as cons. Consider them both and make an informed decision.
What Jobs Can I Get After a Free Coding Bootcamp?
After attending a free coding bootcamp, you can get jobs in web development, software engineering, UX/UI design, and more. However, you might need more education to land a position. Most free bootcamps offer introductory classes or language-specific tutorials. These can often be enough to secure an entry-level position.
However, if you’re ready for job training, you should also consider attending a paid bootcamp. Paid bootcamps often provide career coaching services, job guarantees, and financing options to help you with your job search.
If you choose a free program, the education you receive will be sufficient to land some very profitable jobs after your coding bootcamp. Below, we list some of the most lucrative roles you can land right after graduation from your free online coding bootcamp.
Best Jobs After Coding Bootcamp
| Job Title | Average Salary | Job Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Marketer | $133,380 | 10% |
| Data Scientist | $131,490 | 22% |
| Software Developer | $110,140 | 22% |
| Cyber Security Expert | $102,600 | 33% |
| Product Manager | $100,498 | 10%* |
| Game Developer | $84,262 | 22%** |
| Data Analyst | $82,360 | 25% |
| Web Developer | $77,200 | 13% |
| UX/UI Designer | $75,895 | 13%*** |
| Mobile Application Developer | $71,958 | 22%** |
*Figure taken from the BLS page for Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers
**Figure taken from the BLS page for Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers
***Figure taken from the BLS page for Web Developers and Digital Designers
Finding the Right Free Online Coding Bootcamp
So, how do you choose the right free coding program for yourself? You have to ask yourself the following questions to find the free coding classes that work best for you.
- What are you looking for in coding? Do you have a specific vision or goal in mind, or are you looking for a primer?
- Do you want to work as a developer full-time, or do you want to complement or improve the skills you already have?
- Are you interested in learning front end or backend programming?
- What programming languages do you want to learn?
- How much time do you have?
- How much are you able to learn on your own?
- Do you want to learn in person, or do you like online courses?
This list covers some of the best free coding bootcamps available. We also show you the best free coding courses, resources, classes, and programs. Whether you want to learn through a six-month free online coding bootcamp or just take part in a few free coding classes for beginners, there is something for you.
Free Coding Bootcamp FAQ
The best way to learn coding for free is to join a free online coding bootcamp. Fortunately, there are plenty of bootcamps with free coding programs. Some of the most popular free coding bootcamps are 42, Ada Developers Academy, and App Academy Open.
App Academy’s free online coding bootcamp is the best if you want to get into full stack web development. If you are a woman or a non-binary person, then your best option is Ada Developers Academy. Those interested in data science should consider The Data Incubator. These are some of the best free coding bootcamps out there.
Currently, most free coding classes and free coding programs are available online. However, there may be some local coding bootcamps in your area. Consider researching the coding bootcamp you’re interested in to see if it has any local campuses.
Coding courses take a few weeks to complete. Coding courses may take several weeks to complete or at least five or so hours. Coding classes are a bit shorter. Many of them can be completed in an hour or several days. Training programs vary based on the topic they’re covering. Most coding courses are self-paced, which means how long it takes to complete depends entirely on the individual.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
Nice. I’ve been trying to learn coding specifically JavaScript from a few boot camps that I know. This gives me more options on bootcamps. I did not know there are A lot of highly reviewed boot camps to choose from that offers free coding programs. I would like to know more about the camps specifically those who offer online classes. Any suggestions?