I'm currently learning Python and have heard from friends about both futurecoder.io and Codecademy. I'm not too familiar with futurecoder.io and would like to know if it's a better option than Codecademy for programming beginners.
3 Answers
Honestly, just skip both and learn a real skill like plumbing instead!
I would steer clear of both! They have this way of presenting simple assignments where you just guess the right answer to move forward, which doesn’t really teach you programming effectively. It gives a false sense of progress since you just keep unlocking levels without truly learning. Try to find courses that encourage you to actually write your own programs and experiment with coding. It's the best way to learn!
Honestly, neither of those platforms are the best options. I highly recommend checking out the free "Python Programming 2026" MOOC offered by the University of Helsinki. It provides a comprehensive introduction to computer science and focuses heavily on practical exercises, plus it's all free! After you get through the first parts, consider using Codingbat for extra practice, and once you're set up on your local environment, adding Exercism can really help deepen your skills. Avoid using AI for coding; it's not the best teacher for you.
Wow, that’s a solid life skill I hadn’t even considered! Maybe I’ll switch my major right now!