Is Hackerrank Harder Than Leetcode?
It depends on your goal—job preparation, competitive programming, or skill-building. Here’s a breakdown of the difficulty levels of HackerRank vs. LeetCode:
1. Problem Difficulty
- HackerRank: Easier beginner-friendly questions, focusing on basic programming, data structures, and algorithms.
- LeetCode: More interview-focused questions, covering harder topics like dynamic programming (DP), graph algorithms, and system design.
✅ Verdict: LeetCode is harder than HackerRank, especially at medium and hard levels.
2. Question Structure
- HackerRank: More structured step-by-step problems, making it great for beginners.
- LeetCode: Questions are less guided, requiring more problem-solving skills.
✅ Verdict: HackerRank is easier for beginners, but LeetCode is better for deep problem-solving.
3. Topics Covered
| Feature | HackerRank | LeetCode |
|---|---|---|
| Algorithms & DSA | ✅ Easy-Medium | ✅✅ Medium-Hard |
| Competitive Coding | ✅ Some challenges | ❌ Mostly interview prep |
| SQL & Shell | ✅ Extensive | ✅ Limited |
| System Design | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
✅ Verdict: LeetCode is better for coding interviews, while HackerRank is broader (includes SQL, Shell, etc.).
4. Job Preparation
- HackerRank: Used for hiring assessments, but questions are easier than real interviews.
- LeetCode: Closely matches real FAANG interviews (Amazon, Google, Meta, etc.).
✅ Verdict: LeetCode is better if you’re targeting FAANG-level jobs.
Final Verdict: Which is Harder?
- For beginners → HackerRank is easier 🟢
- For FAANG/Top tech jobs → LeetCode is harder but better 🔴
If you’re new to coding, start with HackerRank. If you’re preparing for interviews, LeetCode is the way to go! 🚀