If you’ve ever searched for an online course on coding, design, or literally anything from Kubernetes to guitar lessons, you’ve seen Udemy. It’s one of the biggest course marketplaces on the planet, boasting over 200,000+ courses on just about every subject you can think of.
But developers keep asking a simple question (especially when prepping for tech interviews or upskilling for a job): Are Udemy courses worth it?
I’ve been around the block, tried Udemy, Coursera, Pluralsight, YouTube rabbit holes, and eventually landed on platforms that actually helped me grow. So let’s cut the hype and figure out if Udemy is really worth your time and money, or if you’re better off investing in a focused, developer-first platform.
What is Udemy, really?
At its core, Udemy is a marketplace. Anyone can create a course, set a price, and sell it to millions of learners worldwide. This model means:
- Tons of content (literally a course for everything).
- Instructors from all over the globe.
- Frequent discounts (those $200 courses are almost always “on sale” for $12.99).
The sheer variety is staggering. You want to learn Python basics? There are hundreds of courses. Interested in system design interviews? You’ll find plenty of choices, though quality varies a lot.
And that’s the big catch. With such a huge marketplace, the quality spectrum is wild. For every gem, there are dozens of “meh” courses that feel rushed, outdated, or padded with filler.
The appeal of Udemy
Before we discuss whether Udemy courses are worth it, let’s consider why they’re so popular.
Affordability
With constant sales, Udemy is one of the cheapest ways to start learning something new. Paying $10–$20 for a full course feels like a steal.
Huge Variety
You can learn React, AWS, machine learning, or even cooking—all in one place. For the jack-of-all-trades learner, this feels like paradise.
Lifetime Access
Once you buy a course, you keep it forever. No subscriptions, no deadlines.
Beginner-Friendly
Many courses are designed for total beginners, with step-by-step explanations.
Self-Paced Learning
Watch whenever, however. There’s no fixed timeline.
That combination, cheap, broad, and accessible, is why Udemy dominates search results and why so many developers start their journey there.
But are Udemy courses worth it for developers?
Here’s where things get messy. While Udemy works fine for dabbling, career-focused developers often hit roadblocks.
1. Quality is inconsistent
Because anyone can become an instructor, the courses vary wildly in quality. Some are excellent, but others feel like someone stitched together a YouTube playlist and slapped on a price tag.
2. Outdated material
Tech evolves fast. A course recorded in 2018 on AWS or React might already be half obsolete. Unfortunately, many Udemy courses aren’t updated regularly.
3. Passive learning
Most Udemy courses are video-based. You watch, maybe code along, but you’re not actively practicing in an environment that reinforces retention.
4. No structured paths
Sure, you can buy a course here and there. But Udemy doesn’t provide cohesive learning roadmaps for software engineers. It’s like a buffet without a plate; you end up piling on random things without a plan.
5. Not interview-focused
If your goal is to crack coding interviews, system design interviews, or FAANG-level hiring, Udemy’s marketplace isn’t specialized enough. The courses exist, but they’re scattered and inconsistent.
So, are Udemy courses worth it if you’re a developer aiming to grow your career? The answer: they’re a decent start, but not the best long-term bet.
Who benefits most from Udemy?
Udemy shines for:
- Beginners testing the waters – If you’re curious about Python, web development, or SQL, a cheap Udemy course can help you get started without much commitment.
- Casual learners – Want to learn Excel for work? Or dabble in Unity game design? Udemy works great here.
- Budget-constrained learners – If price is your biggest concern, Udemy’s discounts can’t be beat.
But if you’re a serious developer preparing for interviews, advancing your career, or diving into system design, Udemy often falls short.
Why Educative.io is a stronger alternative
This is where developer-focused platforms like Educative.io come in, and why I recommend them over Udemy if you’re serious about interviews or leveling up as an engineer.
1. Interactive learning (not just videos)
Educative ditches the “watch and hope you remember” model. Instead, you learn by doing, like coding directly in the browser, solving problems, and getting instant feedback. That’s active retention, which sticks way better than passively watching videos.
2. Industry-leading interview prep
Educative is home to some of the most trusted interview prep resources out there, including:
- Grokking the System Design Interview (still the gold standard for design prep).
- Grokking the Coding Interview (pattern-based problem solving).
- Behavioral interview prep tailored for developers.
Udemy might have courses on these topics, but Educative built the ones interview coaches and hiring managers actually recommend.
3. Structured roadmaps
Instead of picking random courses, Educative organizes learning paths. Whether you’re learning full-stack development, machine learning, or cracking FAANG interviews, you follow a guided journey instead of piecing it together yourself.
4. Always updated
Because Educative builds its own courses, updates are consistent. You won’t get stuck learning a three-year-old version of React.
5. Long-term growth
Educative isn’t just interview prep. It also covers advanced engineering topics like distributed systems, cloud architecture, and design patterns. That means you can keep learning even after you land the job.
So, are Udemy courses worth it?
The short answer: yes, for beginners or casual learners.
If you’re new to coding, want a cheap entry point, or are just exploring whether you enjoy programming, Udemy’s low-cost courses are absolutely worth it. Spending $12 on a Python course is a no-brainer if it gets you started.
But if your goal is bigger, like acing FAANG interviews, mastering system design, or growing into a senior engineering role, then Udemy alone won’t cut it.
For that, Educative.io is the smarter investment. Its interactive environment, curated interview prep, and structured learning paths make it a far stronger choice for serious developers.
Final thoughts
So, back to the big question: are Udemy courses worth it?
- For beginners testing the waters: absolutely.
- For casual, non-career learners: yes, it’s cheap and accessible.
- For developers serious about interviews and career growth: no, not by itself.
That’s why so many developers start on Udemy but eventually migrate to platforms like Educative.io, which provide the depth, interactivity, and structure needed for long-term success.
Think of Udemy as your first coding textbook—cheap, useful, and a good start. But Educative.io? That’s your mentor, coach, and playbook all rolled into one.
And that makes all the difference when it comes to actually landing the job, building systems, and growing your career.
— Stack Overflowed
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