Codecademy vs DataCamp

Updated November 2026 · AppBreakup editorial

Codecademy

Interactive coding courses you complete in the browser, from first lessons to career paths.

Free plan + paid

Visit Codecademy Codecademy profile

DataCamp

Interactive online courses in Python, SQL, R, data science and AI, with code written in the browser.

Free plan + paid

Visit DataCamp DataCamp profile

The short answer

Codecademy suits beginners who want a structured, in-browser path into programming in general, from web development to Go, Rust and Swift, with career paths and interview prep. DataCamp suits analysts and beginners who want job-focused Python, R, SQL, BI and AI skills. The biggest difference is scope: Codecademy covers software development broadly, while DataCamp concentrates on data and AI with recognised certifications.

Codecademy or DataCamp: our take

Both teach through short interactive exercises where code is written and checked in the browser, with no local setup, and both have iOS and Android apps for practice on the go. Codecademy pairs a written explanation with an editor alongside it and covers web development, Python, JavaScript, SQL, data science, machine learning, cybersecurity and cloud, in languages from HTML and CSS to Go, Rust and Swift. DataCamp opens each lesson with a short video, then exercises, across 700+ courses in Python, R, SQL, statistics, machine learning, data engineering, Power BI, Tableau, spreadsheets and generative AI. It also includes DataLab, a cloud notebook for analysing a learner's own data with an AI assistant.

The free tiers differ. Codecademy's Basic plan gives limited course access; DataCamp's free account opens the first lesson of every course. On Codecademy, Plus unlocks the full catalogue, skill paths, projects and certificates, while Pro adds career paths, interview prep, mock interviews and certification-prep paths for exams from vendors like AWS and Microsoft. DataCamp's Premium subscription unlocks the whole library, billed yearly or monthly, and paid members get guided projects, skill assessments and data analyst and data scientist certifications. DataCamp also has student discounts and a free programme for eligible nonprofits and student groups; both offer plans for companies.

The shared weakness is depth: guided exercises can feel hand-held to experienced developers, and bigger projects need work elsewhere. Pick Codecademy for learning to program in general or for a software or web development career path. Pick DataCamp for becoming a data analyst or data scientist, or for adding Python, SQL, BI and AI skills to an existing job.

Choose Codecademy if…

Beginners who want a structured, hands-on path into programming without setting up tools
Write and run code in the browser with no local setup
Clear skill and career paths that sequence courses for you

Choose DataCamp if…

Analysts and beginners who want hands-on Python, SQL and AI practice without setting anything up
Write and run code in the browser from the first lesson
Large catalogue of data, AI and BI courses in tracks

What is Codecademy?

Codecademy teaches programming through short interactive lessons where you read an explanation and then write code in an editor right next to it, with instant checks. It covers web development, Python, JavaScript, SQL, data science, machine learning, cybersecurity, cloud and more, in languages from HTML and CSS to Go, Rust and Swift. The free Basic plan gives limited access to courses. Plus unlocks the full course catalogue, skill paths, projects and certificates of completion, while Pro adds career paths, interview prep, mock interviews and certification-prep paths for exams from vendors like AWS and Microsoft. Newer features include an AI learning assistant and an AI builder for making prototypes. There are mobile apps for practising on the go and team plans for companies. Codecademy is owned by Skillsoft. It suits beginners who want a guided path, but experienced developers may find the exercises too hand-held.

What is DataCamp?

DataCamp teaches data and AI skills through short video lessons followed by coding exercises you complete in the browser. Its library of more than 700 courses covers Python, R, SQL, statistics, machine learning, data engineering, Power BI, Tableau, spreadsheets and generative AI, grouped into skill tracks and longer career tracks. Paid members also get guided projects, skill assessments and professional certifications such as data analyst and data scientist exams. DataLab is a separate cloud notebook for analysing your own data with an AI assistant. A free account opens the first lesson of every course; the Premium subscription unlocks the whole library, billed yearly by default with a monthly option, and there are discounted student plans, a free programme for eligible nonprofits and student groups, and Teams and Enterprise plans for companies. It works in a web browser and in mobile apps for practice on the go. It suits beginners and analysts who want practical, job-focused data skills without installing anything.

Side by side

Attribute	Codecademy	DataCamp
Pricing	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Open source	No	No
Self-hostable	No	No
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android	Web, iOS, Android
Best for	Beginners who want a structured, hands-on path into programming without setting up tools	Analysts and beginners who want hands-on Python, SQL and AI practice without setting anything up
Status	Active	Active

Verified facts, compared

Facts both apps publish, checked on each vendor's own site.

Fact	Codecademy	DataCamp
Free plan	Yes (Basic)	First lesson of every course