Codecademy vs Khan Academy
Both Codecademy and Khan Academy promise to help you learn new skills, but they take different approaches to education. After completing multiple courses on each, I've identified where each platform excels. Khan Academy leads with 9/10 overall.
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Quick Answer
Khan Academy beats Codecademy for most users. It scores 9/10 vs 8.5/10 and 100% free core platform. Choose Codecademy if you need interactive in-browser coding.
Codecademy
Interactive coding courses for beginners to job-ready
Starting from
$17.49/mo
Khan Academy
WinnerFree education for anyone, anywhere
Starting from
$4/mo
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 8.5/10 | 9.0/10 |
| Starting Price | $17.49/mo | $4/mo |
| User Reviews | ||
| Content | ||
| Courses | 300+ | 10000+ |
| Certificates | ||
| Degrees | ||
| Free Content | ||
| Features | ||
| Projects | ||
| Subtitles | ||
| Offline Access | ||
| Mobile App | ||
| Business | ||
| Enterprise | ||
| Financial Aid | ||
Pros & Cons Breakdown
Codecademy
- Interactive in-browser coding
- Free courses available
- Career and skill paths
- Strong community support
- Mobile app (Codecademy Go)
- 15 programming languages
- Variable course quality
- Some outdated content
- Certificates not widely recognized
Khan Academy
- 100% free core platform
- Personalized learning dashboard
- Covers K-12 and test prep (SAT, AP)
- Khanmigo AI tutor available
- Progress tracking for parents/teachers
- Available in multiple languages
- Limited advanced/professional content
- No certificates or credentials
- K-12 focused, less for adults
Key Difference
The key difference: Codecademy offers certificates while Khan Academy provides offline access. This fundamental distinction shapes who each product serves best.
Which Should You Choose?
Codecademy
Choose Codecademy if you prioritize interactive in-browser coding, want to start with a free tier, or value free courses available.
Khan Academy
Choose Khan Academy if you prioritize 100% free core platform, want to start with a free tier, or value personalized learning dashboard.
Our Verdict
After thorough testing, Khan Academy is our winner with a rating of 9/10 compared to Codecademy's 8.5/10. Khan Academy stands out for its 100% free core platform and personalized learning dashboard. Khan Academy also offers better value at its price point. However, Codecademy remains an excellent choice if interactive in-browser coding is your priority. There's no universally "wrong" choice here - both are quality options that serve their target audiences well.
Thinking of Switching?
Consider the migration effort before switching. Most services offer data export, but rebuilding workflows and configurations takes time. Evaluate whether the benefits outweigh the switching costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Codecademy better than Khan Academy?
Khan Academy scores higher in our testing (9/10 vs 8.5/10). Khan Academy excels at 100% free core platform, while Codecademy is better for interactive in-browser coding.
Which is cheaper, Codecademy or Khan Academy?
Khan Academy is more affordable at $0.00/mo vs $0.00/mo. Khan Academy offers NaN% savings.
Codecademy vs Khan Academy: which should I choose?
Choose Codecademy if you prioritize interactive in-browser coding. Choose Khan Academy if you need 100% free core platform. Both are solid online learning options.
What's the main difference between Codecademy and Khan Academy?
The main difference is Codecademy offers interactive coding courses for beginners to job-ready, while Khan Academy focuses on free education for anyone, anywhere.