Originally published on LeetCopilot Blog
Educative has Grokking courses + system design. AlgoMonster has 48 patterns + lifetime access. After using both, here's which one actually prepares you better.
Educative and AlgoMonster are both pattern-based learning platforms—but they serve very different needs.
Educative is a comprehensive course platform with the famous "Grokking" series for both coding patterns and system design.
AlgoMonster is a focused DSA course teaching 48 patterns through interactive text and diagrams.
Which is right for you? After comparing both, here's what I found.
TL;DR: Educative vs AlgoMonster
| Feature | Educative | AlgoMonster |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Coding + System Design | DSA Patterns Only |
| Content | 600+ courses | 48 patterns, 231 lessons |
| System Design | Excellent (Grokking SD) | Limited |
| Format | Interactive text | Interactive text |
| Pricing | ~$299/year | ~$89/yr or $99-150 lifetime |
| Best For | Senior engineers | DSA focus, beginners |
What Is Educative?
Educative is a comprehensive learning platform with interactive, text-based courses covering coding interviews, system design, and software engineering.
Key Features
- Grokking the Coding Interview: 26 coding patterns
- Grokking System Design: Industry-leading SD course
- 600+ Courses: Beyond just interviews
- In-Browser Coding: No setup needed
- AI Mock Interviews: Practice with feedback
- Personalized Paths: AI-generated roadmaps
Pricing
- Monthly: ~$59/month
- Annual: ~$299/year
What Is AlgoMonster?
AlgoMonster is a focused DSA course created by ex-Google engineers, teaching 48 coding patterns through interactive lessons.
Key Features
- 48 Coding Patterns: Two Pointers, Sliding Window, DP, etc.
- 231 Lessons: Organized by pattern
- 700+ Diagrams: Visual explanations
- Speedrun Mode: Quick review before interviews
- AI Assistant: Q&A and debugging help
- Job Guarantee: Promise of at least one offer
Pricing
- Annual: ~$89/year
- Lifetime: ~$99-150 (often on sale)
Head-to-Head Comparison
Coding Interview Coverage
| Educative | AlgoMonster | |
|---|---|---|
| Patterns Taught | 26 (Grokking) | 48 |
| Problem Count | 500+ (across courses) | ~230 |
| Depth | Good | Excellent |
AlgoMonster wins for pure DSA pattern coverage with 48 explicit patterns vs. Educative's 26.
System Design
| Educative | AlgoMonster | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | Excellent | Limited |
| Course Quality | Industry-leading | Basic |
| Senior Prep | Complete | Needs supplements |
Educative dominates for system design. Grokking System Design is considered the gold standard.
If you're interviewing for senior roles, Educative is essential.
Learning Format
| Educative | AlgoMonster | |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Interactive text | Interactive text |
| Visualizations | Good | Excellent (700+) |
| In-Browser Coding | Yes | Yes |
Both use interactive text—no videos. AlgoMonster has more diagrams; Educative has more course variety.
AI Features
| Educative | AlgoMonster | |
|---|---|---|
| AI Mock Interviews | Yes | No |
| AI Assistant | Yes | Yes |
| Personalized Paths | Yes | No |
Educative wins for AI features—especially AI mock interviews that simulate real conditions.
Pricing Comparison
| Plan | Educative | AlgoMonster |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | ~$59/mo | N/A |
| Annual | ~$299/yr | ~$89/yr |
| Lifetime | N/A | ~$99-150 |
AlgoMonster is significantly cheaper—especially with lifetime access at ~$99-150.
Educative costs 3x more annually and has no lifetime option.
Pros and Cons
Educative Pros
- ✅ Best system design content — Grokking SD is industry standard
- ✅ Comprehensive coverage — 600+ courses
- ✅ AI mock interviews — Realistic practice
- ✅ Personalized paths — AI-generated roadmaps
- ✅ Beyond interviews — Career-long learning
Educative Cons
- ❌ Expensive — $299/year, no lifetime option
- ❌ Fewer DSA patterns — 26 vs. AlgoMonster's 48
- ❌ Content bloat — 600+ courses can overwhelm
- ❌ Variable quality — Some community courses weaker
AlgoMonster Pros
- ✅ More patterns — 48 explicit DSA patterns
- ✅ Affordable lifetime — $99-150 one-time
- ✅ Focused curriculum — No bloat
- ✅ 700+ diagrams — Excellent visualizations
- ✅ Speedrun mode — Quick pre-interview review
- ✅ Job guarantee — Promise of at least one offer
AlgoMonster Cons
- ❌ No system design — Need other resources
- ❌ No AI mock interviews — Missing this feature
- ❌ DSA only — Limited scope
- ❌ No personalized paths — One curriculum
When to Choose Educative
Choose Educative if you:
- Need system design preparation
- Are interviewing for senior roles
- Want AI mock interviews
- Need comprehensive coverage beyond DSA
- Prefer personalized learning paths
Recommended Path:
- Grokking the Coding Interview (patterns)
- Grokking System Design (senior roles)
- Practice on LeetCode + LeetCopilot
When to Choose AlgoMonster
Choose AlgoMonster if you:
- Want focused DSA prep only
- Prefer affordable lifetime access
- Want more patterns (48 vs. 26)
- Have limited time (4-8 weeks)
- Are a beginner overwhelmed by LeetCode
Recommended Path:
- Complete AlgoMonster curriculum (4-6 weeks)
- Practice on LeetCode + LeetCopilot
- Add Educative for system design (if senior)
Can You Use Both?
If budget allows, combining both is powerful:
- AlgoMonster for DSA patterns (4-6 weeks)
- Educative for system design (senior roles)
- LeetCode + LeetCopilot for practice
This gives you pattern mastery + system design + volume practice.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Educative | AlgoMonster |
|---|---|---|
| DSA Patterns | 26 | 48 |
| System Design | Excellent | Limited |
| Pricing | $299/yr | $89/yr or $99-150 lifetime |
| AI Features | Mock interviews | Q&A only |
| Best For | Senior roles | DSA focus |
FAQ
Which is better for beginners?
AlgoMonster—more focused, cheaper, excellent for DSA foundations.
Which is better for senior interviews?
Educative—system design is essential, and Grokking SD is the best.
Is Educative worth $299/year?
For senior roles needing system design, yes. For pure DSA, AlgoMonster is better value.
Can I skip system design?
For junior/mid-level DSA-focused roles, yes. For senior roles, no.
Verdict: Which Should You Choose?
Choose AlgoMonster if:
- You want focused DSA patterns
- You're on a budget
- You're a beginner or have limited time
Choose Educative if:
- You need system design
- You're interviewing for senior roles
- You want AI mock interviews
Bottom line: AlgoMonster for DSA patterns. Educative for system design. Use both if targeting senior FAANG roles.
Good luck!
If you're looking for an AI assistant to help you master LeetCode patterns and prepare for coding interviews, check out LeetCopilot.
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