How to Learn to Code for Free

We all know how tough it is to compete for jobs in today’s market. To stand out, we need to have that extra something on our resumé, and coding experience is one of the best extras you can have. More than ever, employers look for applicants with a programming background—companies of all sorts need people who can bust out a few lines of code. When a company interviews someone who has skills that can save them having to hire another programmer, you better believe they’re gonna give that person a second look. So, coding is clearly a skill worth picking up. The question, though, is how can you learn to code for free?

In this guide, we take a look at some of the best programs available that teach programming to any who are interested in learning. Find out where to find the right education solution for your lifestyle and become a more valuable and attractive prospective employee.

1. Try AGupieWare

If you do best with the type of traditional curriculum style you find at a traditional four-year college, consider using AGupieWare. This app developer offers courses based on important university programs, including those of Carnegie Mellon, Columbia, MIT, and Stanford.

The beautiful thing about AGupieWare’s program is its versatility—you can opt to take individual coding courses or you can get intense and choose to go through their intensive Bachelor’s level Computer Science program. It’s up to you, and it’s a fantastic way to learn to code for free.

2. Get Yourself to GitHub

When you want to learn to code, there’s no better source to tap into than current professional coders. Luckily for you and other knowledge seekers, many programmers are eager to teach you how to write code, and they use GitHub as their educational platform.

GitHub is a central hub for developers of all stripes and ranks. It’s the best place on the web to collaborate on coding projects, and it also hosts a vast array of educational content written by site residents. Operating systems, networking, database development—you can find it all on GitHub. And, when you’re ready to start writing your own code, GitHub also has you covered with their freeCodeCamp.

3. Get educated with edX

I always say that it’s a good sign when one of the best options for learning to code for free involves Harvard. And then I tip my straw boater to all present and step out onto the veranda because just the thought of Harvard makes me classier. That’s one of the things that makes edX such an attractive option for those looking for a quality programming education for free.

edX is affiliated with many top-ranked schools aside from Harvard, too, including Berkeley and Georgetown. They offer top-notch coding courses with no cost to you, and you can extend your education all the way to a complete Computer Science or Computer Engineering degree if you wish. You’ll be buying your own boaters in no time!

4. Visit Khan Academy

The best free coding programs are often the oldest ones. These are the guys who know how to provide the best free programming education for their audience in the shortest amount of time; their longevity speaks to their success. With this in mind, you can’t go wrong choosing Khan Academy as your free coding education option.

The site offers time-tested techniques involving video instruction and carefully paced learning that allows you the time to absorb difficult concepts while still providing you with a good challenge. Check out their introductory videos to get an idea of their program. It could be the right choice for you!

Know Yourself

We all have different learning styles, and it’s important to play to our strengths when we select a free coding program. Getting to know how you best learn is a huge step toward achieving your educational goals. Once you know what environment allows you to thrive, you can make an informed program choice. You might do best with Khan Academy’s lecture style or with edX’s more guided and traditional approach.

Isn’t it nice, then, that you’re selecting a free coding educational site? Because you don’t have to pay any money for classes, you don’t have to be constrained by your wallet. Give all of the sites a go and take a few introductory courses. You’ll know when you find the right method for you.