Dataquest Alternative: 365 Data Science vs Dataquest Comparison
Course Content, Features, Pricing: Why 365 Data Science Brings More Value to Beginner Data Science Students
Looking to explore a Dataquest alternative?
Dataquest is one of the most popular e-learning platforms for data science. Their approach is unique, as Dataquest preaches learning by doing. However, this also means that you must figure out certain things on your own. This can be frustrating and discouraging for data science beginners who want to learn data science from scratch. 365 Data Science, on the other hand, offers a program that is tailor-made for absolute beginners. Here’s how the value proposition of our program differs from the one offered by Dataquest.
1. The Course Content: 365 Data Science vs Dataquest
365 Data Science is particularly suitable for beginner and intermediate students. The course curriculum ensures you will build a solid foundation that would allow you to understand the more complicated topics included in every career track. Each career track – Data Scientist, Data Analyst, and Business Analyst – starts with Intro to Data and Data Science – a course that provides you with an overall description of the fields of business intelligence and data science. What makes 365 Data Science particularly suitable for novice users is that each course is a natural continuation of what has been seen previously and takes into consideration the skill level already reached. You are not going to have to go through the same explanations over and over again, just because the course authors were not sure whether a given concept has been taught in previous courses.
Dataquest offers a super interesting approach to learning data science. Coding challenges in the browser (although this isn’t where you’ll usually do things when on the job) and no video. So, yes, you will have to read a great amount and pay attention.
There are many exercises and case studies that come with Dataquest’s program, as well as 11 skill paths and a few career paths to choose from – Data Analyst in R, Data Analyst in Python, Data Scientist in Python, and Data Engineer.
Dataquest’s program resembles 365 Data Science’s program in a remarkable way. For the most part, it appears that the two schools are on the same page in terms of the logical steps to be covered. However, 365 Data Science provides video lessons and Q&A support. Dataquest puts greater emphasis on self-education through practical examples.
A few additional distinctions that need to be highlighted:
- Spreadsheet tools are not covered in Dataquest’s curriculum – and yet this is an essential instrument in the arsenal of anyone working with data.
- Data visualization with modern BI software such as Tableau and Power BI has not been covered.
- Dataquest’s curriculum does not provide specific industry application cases, except for APIs and Web Scraping in Python. On the other hand, in 365 Data Science’s course curriculum one can find courses about Credit Risk Modeling in Python, Customer Analytics in Python, Time Series Analysis in Python, Fashion Analytics with Tableau, Product Management for AI and Data Science, AI Applications for Business Success, Python for Finance, Web Scraping and API Fundamentals in Python, and more.
That said, one of the biggest advantages of Dataquest lies in the fact that, if you have some experience, you can go through their curriculum very quickly. Chances are that you will need a fraction of the time to complete it compared to other online courses.
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2. Additional Features: 365 Data Science vs Dataquest
Q&A support
365 Data Science offers best-in-class personalized customer support, answering any specific questions students might have. All 365 Data Science instructors are involved in Q&A, bringing the most coherent experience possible. This is critical for beginners and is a great workaround for situations when you get stuck and need some expert tutoring.
Dataquest does a great job in helping students, too. They have a community forum, which is well-maintained and moderated. So, you can post a question if you get stuck while doing one of the course challenges.
Dataquest does a great job in helping students, too. They have a community forum, which is well-maintained and moderated. So, you can post a question if you get stuck while doing one of the course challenges.
Exercise materials
Both 365 Data Science and Dataquest provide access to exercises that help students practice what they have seen in a given lesson. Dataquest’s native ‘coding in the browser’ feature is believed to be one of their strongest assets. Students don’t need to switch between different windows while learning, which makes exercise activities seamless. At the same time, it is also true that this isn’t how you will have to solve real-world projects when on the job.
As a Dataquest alternative, 365 Data Science uses a different approach.
365 Data Science focuses on downloadable course materials: all exercises are in the form of coding notebook files, while the solutions – solution notebook files. Each of them is downloadable. Moreover, 365 Data Science provides plenty of additional resources, such as quizzes, course notes, and other downloadable files. Since you can store these materials locally on your computer – you get to keep all of them even after cancelling your subscription.
As a Dataquest alternative, 365 Data Science uses a different approach.
365 Data Science focuses on downloadable course materials: all exercises are in the form of coding notebook files, while the solutions – solution notebook files. Each of them is downloadable. Moreover, 365 Data Science provides plenty of additional resources, such as quizzes, course notes, and other downloadable files. Since you can store these materials locally on your computer – you get to keep all of them even after cancelling your subscription.
Real Environment Practice
As we mentioned, Dataquest is popular for its ‘coding in the browser feature’. However, there is a major downside to it. Whether you need to solve a programming task during your job interview, or you have just landed a job as a data professional, no employer will ever ask you to code in the browser. You will be expected to be completely confident in setting up the real environment yourself and solving complex tasks in it. And that is exactly what 365 Data Science provides in each programming-related course in the program – not only there are lessons dedicated to setup, but all exercise and practical tasks are carried out within the actual environment, so you are prepared for the real-world challenges of any data science or analytics job.
The other obvious benefit is that this approach will teach you how to solve problems in a real-world environment where coding in the browser wouldn’t be powerful enough (as you will be using very large datasets) and where you can’t ask the browser for a tip.
The other obvious benefit is that this approach will teach you how to solve problems in a real-world environment where coding in the browser wouldn’t be powerful enough (as you will be using very large datasets) and where you can’t ask the browser for a tip.
Practical case studies
Dataquest and 365 Data Science both focus extensively on practical case studies. The main difference is that many of the challenges and tasks by Dataquest are not centered around business applications, whereas 365 Data Science highlights the business application of data science in their exercises and their case studies.
Exams
Exams indicate you meet a high standard of competence and can give you a competitive advantage, more job opportunities, and a higher pay scale. 365 Data Science provides 3 types of exams to test the skills you have acquired with 3 types of timed online exams – Practice Exams, Course Exams, and Career Track Exams.
Practice Exams are optional. Their goal is to help you gain confidence in your skills, show you if there are areas you still need to work on and prepare you for your course exams and final career track exam. Course Exams give you the chance to prove that you have gained the necessary skills and competencies in a certain data science area. A passing score of 60% is required to be eligible for a Course Certificate.
Career Track Exams are accessible to students who have successfully passed the 9 required course exams in their chosen career track – Data Scientist, Data Analyst, or Business Analyst. These include 7 mandatory exams and 2 electives. A passing score of 60% is required to be awarded a Career Track Certificate.
Presently, Dataquest doesn’t offer exams as a feature of their training.
Practice Exams are optional. Their goal is to help you gain confidence in your skills, show you if there are areas you still need to work on and prepare you for your course exams and final career track exam. Course Exams give you the chance to prove that you have gained the necessary skills and competencies in a certain data science area. A passing score of 60% is required to be eligible for a Course Certificate.
Career Track Exams are accessible to students who have successfully passed the 9 required course exams in their chosen career track – Data Scientist, Data Analyst, or Business Analyst. These include 7 mandatory exams and 2 electives. A passing score of 60% is required to be awarded a Career Track Certificate.
Presently, Dataquest doesn’t offer exams as a feature of their training.
Certificates of Achievement vs Certificates of Completion
365 Data Science recently substituted Certificates of Completion with 2 types of Certificates of Achievement – Course Certificates and Career Track Certificates. Both are official 365 Data Science credentials that confirm your accomplishment and domain expertise.
To earn a Course Certificate, it is not necessary to watch all the videos in a course. However, you still need to be enrolled in the program and pass the course exam successfully, that is, achieve a 60% or higher score.
Career Track Certificates are awarded to students who have passed 10 exams successfully – 9 course exams plus a final exam with questions covering all required courses in the respective Career Track.
Once earned, you can easily share them with your professional LinkedIn network or get a physical copy as a stylish testament to your achievement.
The data science industry places high value on degrees, credentials, and professional certificates, especially when there is an exam required to obtain them. There is a good reason for that – certificates not only confirm subject matter expertise but are also required for certain job openings. Not to mention that employers consider certificates a measure of a candidate’s willingness to work hard and achieve the goals they have set for themselves.
As long as you complete a course on Dataquest, you will be able to download a certificate of completion.
Neither 365 Data Science nor Dataquest charge an additional fee for the online certificates.
To earn a Course Certificate, it is not necessary to watch all the videos in a course. However, you still need to be enrolled in the program and pass the course exam successfully, that is, achieve a 60% or higher score.
Career Track Certificates are awarded to students who have passed 10 exams successfully – 9 course exams plus a final exam with questions covering all required courses in the respective Career Track.
Once earned, you can easily share them with your professional LinkedIn network or get a physical copy as a stylish testament to your achievement.
The data science industry places high value on degrees, credentials, and professional certificates, especially when there is an exam required to obtain them. There is a good reason for that – certificates not only confirm subject matter expertise but are also required for certain job openings. Not to mention that employers consider certificates a measure of a candidate’s willingness to work hard and achieve the goals they have set for themselves.
As long as you complete a course on Dataquest, you will be able to download a certificate of completion.
Neither 365 Data Science nor Dataquest charge an additional fee for the online certificates.
3. Pricing: 365 Data Science vs Dataquest
Both 365 Data Science and Dataquest offer a free subscription plan. At Dataquest, you will get the first chapters of all their courses, while at 365 Data Science, you’ll get the first section of all courses. In both cases, there is plenty to learn even from the free version!
The two business models are similar – paid subscriptions that give you access to all the content.
Currently, Dataquest charges $49/month, billed monthly or for 3 months, and $33.25/month, billed annually.
365 Data Science charges $36/month, billed monthly, or $29/month, billed annually.
The two business models are similar – paid subscriptions that give you access to all the content.
Currently, Dataquest charges $49/month, billed monthly or for 3 months, and $33.25/month, billed annually.
365 Data Science charges $36/month, billed monthly, or $29/month, billed annually.
- Online On-demand Video
- Comprehensive Portfolio
- Free plan
- Step-by-step Curriculum
- Real environment practice
- Personalized learning dashboard
- Career tracks
- Exams
- Online On-demand Video
- Comprehensive Portfolio
- Free plan
- Step-by-step Curriculum
- Real environment practice
- Personalized learning dashboard
- Career tracks
- Exams
Premium
$33.25 per month
Billed annually- Online On-demand Video
- Comprehensive Portfolio
- Free plan
- Step-by-step Curriculum
- Real environment practice
- Personalized learning dashboard
- Career tracks
- Exams
365 Data Science vs Dataquest: Which One to Choose?
Both e-learning platforms offer a rich portfolio of courses and practical exercises. The main difference is the ‘video’ vs. ‘non video’ approach. In addition, 365 Data Science and Dataquest provide verifiable certificates to their students. But which one is the best for your learning needs? Let’s find out.
Dataquest is a great resource for anyone who has some experience with either programming and data analysis or data science in general. Their curriculum is structured in a way that allows you to be efficient. You can solve many interesting exercises on your own and save time.
365 Data Science instead focuses on the beginner data scientist and offers a fully integrated all-in-one learning solution. The training is designed to ensure the student has mastered the fundamentals before building up with more advanced concepts. 365 Data Science will teach you the necessary linear algebra and statistics skills to later model your data and the three key programming languages (Python, SQL, and R) to help you start developing machine learning algorithms. The platform is also focusing heavily on student-teacher feedback, where the beginner learner is fully supported.
In essence, if you are a beginner, the 365 Data Science curriculum structure provides a superior learning experience and a more supportive environment.
Dataquest is a great resource for anyone who has some experience with either programming and data analysis or data science in general. Their curriculum is structured in a way that allows you to be efficient. You can solve many interesting exercises on your own and save time.
365 Data Science instead focuses on the beginner data scientist and offers a fully integrated all-in-one learning solution. The training is designed to ensure the student has mastered the fundamentals before building up with more advanced concepts. 365 Data Science will teach you the necessary linear algebra and statistics skills to later model your data and the three key programming languages (Python, SQL, and R) to help you start developing machine learning algorithms. The platform is also focusing heavily on student-teacher feedback, where the beginner learner is fully supported.
In essence, if you are a beginner, the 365 Data Science curriculum structure provides a superior learning experience and a more supportive environment.