Datacamp vs Codecademy: Which is Better?
DataCamp and Codecademy are two of the most popular online platforms for learning programming, data science, and related skills. However, they serve slightly different audiences:
- DataCamp specializes in data science, machine learning, Python, R, SQL, and statistics.
- Codecademy offers a broader range of programming languages and software development courses, including web development, Python, Java, C++, and more.
1. Key Differences
| Feature | DataCamp | Codecademy |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Data Science, Python, R, SQL, Machine Learning | Web Development, Software Engineering, Multiple Programming Languages |
| Programming Languages | Python, R, SQL (Mostly focused on data science) | Python, JavaScript, Java, C++, SQL, HTML, CSS, R, Swift, etc. |
| Interactive Coding | ✅ Yes (Browser-based, with datasets) | ✅ Yes (Hands-on exercises in the browser) |
| Projects & Exercises | ✅ Yes (Real-world projects for data science) | ✅ Yes (Interactive coding projects) |
| Certifications | ✅ Yes (For data science and analytics) | ✅ Yes (For full-stack, front-end, and back-end development) |
| Career Paths | ✅ Yes (Data Science, AI, ML, Business Analytics) | ✅ Yes (Full-Stack Developer, Front-End Developer, etc.) |
| Pricing | $12.42/month (Standard), $33.25/month (Premium) | $17.49/month (Pro) |
| Free Plan | ✅ Yes (Limited courses) | ✅ Yes (Basic access) |
2. Best for Different Learning Goals
✔ Choose DataCamp if:
✅ You want to specialize in data science, machine learning, or AI.
✅ You need hands-on coding exercises with real-world datasets.
✅ You’re learning Python, R, or SQL for data analytics.
✔ Choose Codecademy if:
✅ You want to learn web development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, etc.).
✅ You need full-stack or back-end development training.
✅ You’re interested in multiple programming languages (Python, Java, C++, etc.).
3. Pricing
| Plan | DataCamp | Codecademy |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | ✅ Yes (Limited access) | ✅ Yes (Limited access) |
| Paid Plan | ✅ Standard: $12.42/month | ✅ Pro: $17.49/month |
| Certifications | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
💡 DataCamp is more affordable for data science courses, while Codecademy offers more programming flexibility.
4. Final Verdict: Which One Should You Choose?
✔ Pick DataCamp if you want to specialize in data science, machine learning, or analytics.
✔ Pick Codecademy if you’re looking for software development, web development, or general programming.
🚀 If you want to become a Data Scientist, go with DataCamp. If you want to be a Software Engineer or Web Developer, go with Codecademy!