Codecademy Alternative: 365 Data Science vs Codecademy Comparison

365 Data Science acknowledges the challenges students face with online learning, such as the lack of engagement, accountability, motivation, and enjoyment. Their platform offers gamified features that encourage positive learning habits to address these issues. In addition to the standard learning dashboard where you set goals and track your progress, the platform provides an EXP system, newsfeed, collectible cards, and other benefits.

Codecademy also offers the standard learning dashboard but none of the above-gamified features. They do have a convenient focus timer feature that allows you to pace your learning. Another useful feature they have includes the saved resources buttons that enable you to save docs, cheat sheets, and articles in one place for later use.

While 365 Data Science and Codecademy seem to be on the same page regarding providing students with the same learning materials, there are a few key differences.

365 Data Science’s resources are downloadable to your drive, which can be accessed offline even after canceling your subscription.

The only way to access your saved Codecademy resources is by logging in to your profile.

365 Data Science offers course notes that are detailed text-based pdf files covering the concepts and formulas in each course. At the same time, the Codecademy equivalent is cheat sheets, which are concise summaries of the concepts from a course section.

Both e-learning platforms offer code-ready templates. The main difference here is the working environment in which they can be used. 365 Data Science templates need the respective programs to be used, while Codecademy has in-browser coding. In the next section, we’ll go over the environment in greater detail on why in-browser coding might disadvantage many students.

Codecademy’s in-browsing coding function allows students to code inside the platform, saving set-up time and making it more convenient to follow text-based instructions and tips.

The big downside, however, is that in real-life situations and interviews, you must be confident enough to set up your own environment for coding and solve real-world tasks in the respective domains. Plus, no one will give you tips whenever you get stuck in your coding schemes.

365 Data Science, on the other hand, walks you through the entire process step by step—including how to load Python, R, Tableau, or SQL before starting a coding assignment. This gives you a tremendous competitive advantage in the data science job market. Moreover, this approach teaches you how to solve problems in a real-world environment where coding in the browser isn’t powerful enough for massive datasets.

365 Data Science and Codecademy emphasize practical case studies that allow students to practice what they’ve learned from the lessons in a practical context.

The difference here is that Codecademy’s case studies come from practice and portfolio projects. They focus on topics such as machine learning in Python which you can add to your portfolio. The Practice Projects provide tips and video walkthroughs for those who feel stuck. At the same time, Portfolio Projects provide high-level tasks where you’re expected to use Codecademy and other internet resources to complete your project. The emphasis is on finding your own approach and solutions.

It’s important to note that the Portfolio Projects require you to set up real-world environments. If you have difficulties installing it, you can turn to Codecademy’s articles and videos.

Conversely, 365 Data Science highlights the business application of data science in its exercises and case studies in courses such as Python for Finance

• Credit Risk Modeling in Python
• Time Series Analysis in Python
• Ai Applications for Business Success

Exams are an excellent way to evaluate your theoretical knowledge and practical skills gained throughout the course. More importantly, passed examinations indicate your level of expertise and competence to future employers.

365 Data Science takes the lead in terms of quality and quantity. The platform provides the opportunity to test the skills you’ve acquired with three types of (timed) online exams: Practice Exams, Course Exams, and Career Track Exams.

Practice Exams are optional. They aim to help you gain confidence in your skills, show you areas you need to work on and prepare you for your course exams and final career track exam.

Course Exams test all the practical skills and theoretical knowledge you’ve gained at the end of each course.

Career Track Exams are accessible to students who have successfully passed the required course exams in their chosen career track, including seven mandatory exams and two electives.

Codecademy, on the other hand, does not offer comprehensive exams, only short practice quizzes that test your knowledge of a specific course section.

Arguably, the main selling proposition of any online learning platform includes the certificates it issues to students upon successful completion of a course or career track. The data science industry places high value on certificates because they indicate that the student has the necessary technical skills and character traits to be a good job candidate.

365 Data Science provides industry-recognized certificates that significantly increase students’ chances of landing a data science job. Students can earn two types of certificates (Course Certificates and Career Track Certificates) which are granted upon the successful completion of exams with a score of at least 60%.

Codecademy offers certificates of completion that are easier to acquire since they don’t have assessment-based certification—all you need to do is complete all the practice quizzes and exercises. This also means that Codecademy certificate value is lower in the job market.

Neither 365 Data Science nor Codecademy charges additional fees for online certificates.

365 Data Science provides superb, personalized customer support, where instructors are actively engaged in answering specific questions from the platform’s Q&A section. Such support is vital for beginners and when they need help or expert tutoring.

Codecademy offers community forums and a discord group where students can turn for peer help when experiencing difficulties with a particular problem from the course. Unfortunately, students cannot receive professional support from instructors, and the forum’s navigation is not the most user-friendly.

365 Data Science and Codecademy platforms are well-regarded by students, although Codecademy reviews are more on G2 and Trustpilot review platforms.

As of 2022, Codecademy has a 4.4/5 rating on G2’s tech marketplace based on 147 reviews and a 4.2 rating on Trustpilot from 1,331 user opinions.

With an impressive 667 reviews, 365 Data Science boasts 4.9/5 stars on Trustpilot. And only four students left reviews on G2, resulting in a 4.8 rating.

• Diverse Portfolio Projects
• Plethora of external informational resources
• Diverse curriculum of software development and programming languages

• No exams
• Fewer video lessons
• Lack of graded assignments

• Real environment practice and use cases
• Lessons from world-class instructors
• Recognized Certificates of Achievement

• Fewer Practical Case Studies
• No Guided Projects

Codecademy and 365 Data Science offer free content to students who want to taste the platforms’ teaching styles before deciding on a plan. 365 Data Science allows students access to the first chapters of each course and the resources and practice exams in them. In this way, students have an excellent opportunity to decide if they want to upgrade.

Codecademy’s free plan allows students to access the free courses, but you need a Pro membership to access all the practice quizzes, portfolio projects, and walkthrough videos.

• Basic subscription: free
• Pro Lite: $13.99/month billed annually
• Pro: $19.99/month billed annually

• Free subscription: access to the first few lessons of all courses
• Premium: $36/month or $29/month billed annually