Originally published on LeetCopilot Blog
GFG has hidden flaws most don't see until it's too late. Here's where GeeksforGeeks fails for FAANG prep—and what actually works.
GeeksforGeeks (GFG) has been a go-to resource for computer science students and developers for years. But in 2026, with so many alternatives, is it still worth your time?
This honest review covers GeeksforGeeks' free content, paid courses, strengths, weaknesses, and when you should use something else.
TL;DR: Is GeeksforGeeks Worth It?
For a broader framework on how different prep tools serve different stages, see our complete guide to choosing the right interview prep tool.
For learning DSA concepts: Yes—excellent free articles and explanations.
For interview prep: Good foundation, but combine with LeetCode for practice.
Paid courses: Useful for structured learning, but expensive compared to alternatives.
Verdict: GeeksforGeeks is a great free resource for concept explanations, but not sufficient alone for interview prep. Use it alongside practice platforms.
What Is GeeksforGeeks?
GeeksforGeeks is a comprehensive computer science portal offering articles, tutorials, practice problems, and interview preparation resources.
Free Content
- DSA Articles: Explanations for every data structure and algorithm
- Practice Problems: Thousands of coding challenges
- Interview Experiences: Real interview stories from FAANG and other companies
- Company-Specific Problems: Questions tagged by company
- GFG 160 Series: Free DSA problem set for 2025
Paid Courses
- Complete Interview Preparation: Structured course with mock interviews
- DSA Self-Paced: Comprehensive data structures course
- System Design: For senior roles
- Language-Specific Courses: Java, Python, C++
Pricing: Paid courses range from $50-300+
What GeeksforGeeks Does Well
1. Comprehensive Free Articles
GFG has articles on almost every CS topic:
- Data Structures (arrays, trees, graphs, etc.)
- Algorithms (sorting, searching, DP, etc.)
- System Design concepts
- CS fundamentals (OS, DBMS, Networks)
Great for: Quick concept reference, understanding theory.
2. Interview Experiences
The "Interview Experiences" section is gold:
- Real stories from candidates at Google, Amazon, Microsoft, etc.
- Question types, rounds, and tips
- Company-specific preparation insights
Great for: Understanding what to expect at specific companies.
3. Company-Tagged Problems
Problems are tagged by company:
- See what Amazon asks
- Practice company-specific question sets
- Free access to this data (unlike LeetCode Premium)
Great for: Targeted company preparation.
4. Broad CS Coverage
Beyond DSA, GFG covers:
- Operating Systems
- Database Management
- Networking
- Aptitude and reasoning
- Programming languages
Great for: CS students, campus placements.
Where GeeksforGeeks Falls Short
1. Article Quality Varies
Some GFG limitations:
- User-contributed content: Quality inconsistent
- Outdated articles: Some haven't been updated
- No expert validation: Articles may contain errors
- SEO-focused writing: Sometimes verbose
LeetCode Discuss is better for: Curated, community-validated solutions.
2. Practice Interface
GFG's coding environment:
- Less polished than LeetCode
- Fewer test cases visible
- Less intuitive debugging
- Problem quality varies
LeetCode is better for: Actual coding practice.
3. No Structured Roadmap (Free)
Free GFG content lacks:
- Clear learning path
- Progress tracking
- Pattern-based organization
NeetCode/AlgoMonster is better for: Structured learning.
4. Paid Courses Are Expensive
GFG's paid courses:
- $100-300+ for complete courses
- Less value than alternatives like AlgoMonster ($99 lifetime)
- Quality varies by course
GeeksforGeeks vs Alternatives
| Feature | GeeksforGeeks | LeetCode | NeetCode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Content | Extensive articles | Most problems | YouTube videos |
| Practice Quality | Good | Excellent | Via LeetCode |
| Company Tags | Yes (free) | Yes (Premium) | No |
| Interview Experiences | Excellent | Limited | No |
| Structured Path | Paid only | No | Yes (free) |
| Best For | Concept learning | Practice | Guided prep |
When to Use GeeksforGeeks
Use GeeksforGeeks if:
- You need concept explanations (free articles)
- You want interview experiences from specific companies
- You need company-specific questions (free)
- You're preparing for campus placements (India-focused)
- You want CS fundamentals (OS, DBMS, etc.)
Don't use GeeksforGeeks alone if:
- You need structured interview prep → Use NeetCode + LeetCode
- You want high-quality practice environment → Use LeetCode
- You want pattern-based learning → Use AlgoMonster
The Optimal Approach
Combine GFG with other tools:
Recommended Workflow:
- Learn concepts: Read GFG articles for theory
- Follow structure: Use NeetCode 150 or AlgoMonster for roadmap
- Practice: Solve problems on LeetCode
- Get hints: Use LeetCopilot when stuck
- Research companies: Read GFG interview experiences
Paid Courses: Are They Worth It?
Complete Interview Preparation Course
Pros:
- Structured curriculum
- Mock interviews included
- Doubt assistance
- Contest access
Cons:
- Expensive (~$150-300)
- No project guidance
- Similar content available for less elsewhere
Verdict: Worth it if you want all-in-one structure and can afford it. Otherwise, combine free resources.
Real User Reviews
Positive
"GFG articles saved me. Every topic has a good explanation."
"The interview experiences section is underrated. Helped me know what to expect at Google."
"Great for learning concepts, but I practice on LeetCode."
Critical
"Some articles are written by students and have errors. Always verify."
"The coding environment isn't as good as LeetCode."
"Paid courses are overpriced compared to AlgoMonster or NeetCode."
FAQ
Is GeeksforGeeks free?
Mostly yes. Articles, practice problems, and interview experiences are free. Structured courses are paid.
Is GFG good for FAANG prep?
Good for concepts and interview insights. Combine with LeetCode for practice.
Is GFG enough for placements?
For most campus placements, yes. For FAANG, supplement with more challenging practice.
Should I buy GFG courses?
Consider alternatives first. AlgoMonster ($99 lifetime) or NeetCode Pro ($119/yr) may be better value.
Verdict: Is GeeksforGeeks Worth It?
Worth it for:
- ✅ Concept learning — Excellent free articles
- ✅ Interview experiences — Real company insights
- ✅ Company-specific questions — Free access
- ✅ CS fundamentals — OS, DBMS, Networks
Not worth it for:
- ❌ Primary practice platform — LeetCode is better
- ❌ Structured learning (free) — NeetCode is better
- ❌ Pattern-based prep — AlgoMonster is better
- ❌ Paid courses — Alternatives offer better value
Final Answer: GeeksforGeeks is a valuable free supplement—use it for concepts and company research, but rely on LeetCode + LeetCopilot for actual interview preparation.
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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