THE BEST PROGRAMS FOR LEARNING TO CODE

We should all learn to code, and no matter your skill level, there’s an online school that can teach you how.

- MOLLY MCLAUGHLIN & JORDAN MINOR

Coding is a critical skill these days, and not just for web developers. Whether you’re creating a website, assembling a professional portfolio, or contributing to an online publication, knowing even the basics of coding can go a long way. Of course, if you’ve ever tried to learn how to code—and we’ve taken many a course over the years—you know that it can be a frustrating and overwhelming process. Online learning programs can make the education process less intimidating, enabling you to move at your own pace, seek help when you need it, and repeat lessons as needed until you have a real grasp on how and why your code is working the way it does.

We looked at a wide variety of online schools aimed at different age groups and skill sets to find the best coding classes. If you want to learn to code online, these services will put you on the right path. Here’s what to look for when making your selection.

ONLINE CODING COSTS

Price is always a concern, no matter what you’re buying. There are subscription-based programs, such as Code Avengers, Treehouse, CodeHS, and SitePoint (formerly Learnable), that offer access to all classes in the course catalog for a monthly or annual fee. Check to see if the program lets you pause your membership, which is helpful if you want to save your progress without racking up fees while you’re away on a trip or too busy to access the classes.