Codecademy vs MakeCode

Codecademy9.3Visit MakeCode8.9Visit

Higher score Codecademy #2 in Coding Education Platforms 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Codecademy

vs

MakeCode #5 in Coding Education Platforms 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit MakeCode

• Codecademy fits best

  Self-paced learning across coding and tech careers

• MakeCode fits best

  Learners building code for supported hardware

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Side by side

Feature	Codecademy 9.3/10 Visit ↗	MakeCode 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	8.9
Ranking	#2 in Coding Education Platforms	#5 in Coding Education Platforms
Best for	Self-paced learning across coding and tech careers	Learners building code for supported hardware
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	Not published	Not published
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Mobile	Cloud
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android	Web
Support	Community, Docs	Email
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business
Features Codecademy 0/3 · MakeCode 0/3
Guided lessons	Not published	Not published
Interactive projects	Not published	Not published
Classroom tools	Not published	Not published
Specs
Teaching approach	Not published	Not published
Languages taught	Not published	Not published
Learner age range	Not published	Not published
Our review
Pros	Interactive browser-based lessons, code challenges, and portfolio projects Courses and paths cover programming, data, AI, and cybersecurity Mobile practice, certificates, and interview preparation on eligible plans	Offers both drag-and-drop blocks and text editors. Simulators let learners test and debug programs. Downloads code in native formats for compatible hardware.
Cons	Career paths and interview preparation require Pro Unlimited expert-led bootcamps and live workshops require All Access Teams is billed annually, and its listed price is per user per month	Experiences and features vary by target and editor. It is built around target-specific projects, not general-purpose coding. Its verified curriculum and platform coverage are narrower.
Our verdict	Codecademy is an online learning platform for individuals and teams building technical skills. Its self-paced courses, skill paths, and career paths span programming, data, AI, cybersecurity, and related subjects. Learners work through… Read the review →	MakeCode gives learners and educators a free way to create coding projects through target-specific experiences. Its editors pair drag-and-drop blocks with text-based coding, including JavaScript and Python in supported experiences.… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Codecademy — where it wins

  • Interactive browser-based lessons, code challenges, and portfolio projects
  • Courses and paths cover programming, data, AI, and cybersecurity
  • Mobile practice, certificates, and interview preparation on eligible plans

  Where it doesn't

  • Career paths and interview preparation require Pro
  • Unlimited expert-led bootcamps and live workshops require All Access
  • Teams is billed annually, and its listed price is per user per month

• MakeCode — where it wins

  • Offers both drag-and-drop blocks and text editors.
  • Simulators let learners test and debug programs.
  • Downloads code in native formats for compatible hardware.

  Where it doesn't

  • Experiences and features vary by target and editor.
  • It is built around target-specific projects, not general-purpose coding.
  • Its verified curriculum and platform coverage are narrower.

• Codecademy9.3/10 · Free plan

  A broad self-paced coding and tech learning platform, with free entry and paid career tools.

  Visit CodecademyFull verdict →
• MakeCode8.9/10 · Free plan

  A free learning platform that moves from visual blocks to text-based coding.

  Visit MakeCodeFull verdict →