If you’re entirely new to coding and web development, it makes perfect sense to begin by self-teaching using the numerous free online learn-to-code resources.
By using these resources as you take lessons to code for free, you can determine what you enjoy and dislike about a particular coding language or set of classes before investing money in them.
Once you’ve taken enough free coding lessons to establish your learning direction, you’ll be able to channel your enthusiasm into the most efficient way to continue to learn how to code.
With so many free coding resources, classes, and Ebooks available, how do you know which websites are the best for learning to code?
Here’s our list of best free programming courses available in 2022:
Best free programming courses in 2022
Udemy
Udemy is a learning platform with over 100,000 courses on various subjects. The website offers free courses covering introductory Python, coding in Javascript, and Java programming basics.
Udemy breaks down the learning curve to make it simple for beginners who have no experience with coding or programming.
It has classes on web development, data science, and machine learning. In addition to web development courses, Udemy provides courses for more advanced learners of HTML and CSS. The website allows students to search by topic, the course title, or instructor name.
Coursera
Coursera is one of the most popular online course libraries in the world. It offers a vast range of professional and versatile courses that you can take for free- with the option to pay for verified certificates should you want them.
Additionally, if you’re looking to gain an online degree or specialization (a collection of related courses on a specific topic), Coursera is definitely worth checking out.
They offer many different coding courses beyond the introductory computer science topics. In other words, if you’re interested in learning how to code, Coursera has got you covered!
GitHub
When you’re stuck on a problem, you’ll need to consult a reference book. That is GitHub, according to the website, where over 31 million devs cooperate to host and evaluate code, manage projects, and create software collaboratively.
Numerous programming languages are used in this environment, and a GitHub Coding Camp teaches the fundamentals.
Codeacademy
One of the most popular coding websites is Codeacademy. It offers a wide variety of courses, including how to program in various languages and HTML & CSS, JavaScript, PHP, Python, and Ruby.
To date, Codeacademy has educated 45 million people worldwide.
You can learn at your own pace on Codeacademy, and there are plenty of courses that teach you everything from the basics of HTML & CSS to more advanced topics like Bash/Shell scripting or Python programming.
If you’re looking for a comprehensive way to learn how to code for free, Codeacademy is a great place to start.
edX
edX is the brainchild of MIT and Harvard, providing high-caliber courses. It offers a wide range of exciting programming courses conveniently categorized by discipline.
The site offers free online classes and learning materials to people eager to learn coding in many different languages.
edX currently offers courses from 53 different schools, and we recommend starting with the free Introduction to Computer Science from Harvard University.
AGupieWare
AGupieWare is an established app developer that surveyed computer science programs at some of the nation’s top universities. It then developed a curriculum based on Stanford, Berkeley, MIT, Columbia, and Carnegie Mellon’s free courses.
The program was then divided into fifteen courses: three entry classes, seven core classes, and five electives.
While you will not receive academic credit for this program, it is an excellent introduction for aspiring computer programmers.
Khan Academy
The Khan Academy is a not-for-profit organization with the goal of providing free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere. In addition to its video library, the Academy also includes practice exercises and assessments.
Khan Academy has a whole curriculum dedicated to computer science covering everything from basic programming concepts (such as variables and loops) to more advanced topics like data structures and algorithms.
If you’re interested in learning how to code, Khan Academy is an excellent place to start.
Web Fundamentals
Web Fundamentals is a Google initiative for web developers that was launched in 2010 in response to Apple’s HTML5 standard. The site is jam-packed with tutorials, resources, and the most up-to-date HTML5 news.
Because it’s open-source, developers can experiment with HTML5 code. The offerings on this site are more advanced than most introductory courses, which means you should have some pre-existing knowledge before enrolling.
MIT Open Courseware
If you’ve already mastered the fundamentals and want to delve deeper into something more complex – such as the theory behind coding – you can take advantage of MIT’s free courseware platform, which includes classes like Introduction to Computer Science and Python Programming, as well as language-specific course materials like Java, MatLab, and C and C++.
Code Avengers
Code Avengers, based in New Zealand, offers entertainment and interactive programming classes for children ages 5 to 14, school teachers interested in teaching coding, people interested in pursuing careers in coding, and creatives ages 15 and up.
Additionally, one- to three-day “code camps” for students up to the age of 17 are available. These day camps are located throughout the United States – and even in foreign countries.
Courses cover topics such as game design, C++, HTML, and Python and are available in various languages.
Free Code Camp
By networking and becoming a part of this nonprofit’s community of professionals and students, you’ll learn HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, Databases, React.js, and Node.js.
You’ll even collaborate to improve your coding abilities so that you can create apps for free. The catch is that you’re developing those skills and assisting in solving real-world problems, and nonprofit organizations can view your code.
Final thoughts
The opportunity to learn how to code can be intimidating, especially if you lack prior knowledge or experience in computer science.
However, software engineering, data science, and related fields can provide stable, long-term career paths regardless of where you live.
There is a high demand for a workforce with computer science skillsets at established companies and startups right now.
Additionally, jobs in these fields are frequently well compensated and come with many associated perks and benefits.
If you’re considering a career change, learning to code is an excellent investment in yourself.
Infoceptor's editorial team handpicks all of the products and services it recommends, regardless of external influences. Affiliate links appear in some of our stories. We may receive an affiliate commission if you purchase something through one of these links, which helps us stay independent and support our great team.