There’s a need for software engineers as the tech industry continues to experience high demand and rapid growth. While bootcamps are quicker and more efficient at teaching you the programming languages needed to land a job in the industry, it’s a big commitment to take on.

Free, self-paced programs that teach you how to code are a good alternative to anyone wanting to break into the industry or gain coding experience on their own schedule and move up in other industries.

There are a variety of free resources available to teach you how to code, with a few popular options including Codecademy and App Academy Open. App Academy Open and Codecademy share a number of similarities, but there are some key differences to note if you’re trying to decide which one is best for your goals.

App Academy Open Cost Versus Codecademy Cost

Codecademy offers a basic plan that’s free of charge. You get limited access, however: it includes their basic courses and peer support.

For $19.99 a month, you earn access to their pro courses” for members only