If you’ve ever tried to learn something new online, like coding, design, cooking, or even “how to play the ukulele in 30 days,” you’ve probably come across Udemy. The platform is everywhere. And it’s tempting, right? Thousands of courses, flashy sales where $199 courses drop to $12.99, and reviews from people swearing it changed their lives.
But here’s the real question: Is Udemy worth it, especially for developers who want to learn coding, prepare for interviews, or improve their craft?
I’ve been around the block with Udemy, hoarding courses during sales, half-finishing them, and occasionally stumbling upon a gem that made me think, “Okay, maybe this was worth it.” So let’s cut through the hype and break this down, developer-to-developer.
What Udemy Offers
Udemy is basically the Amazon marketplace for courses. Anyone can create a course, set a price, and upload it. That means:
- Massive variety: Coding, design, business, photography, you name it.
- Affordable pricing: Courses often go on sale for less than $20.
- Lifetime access: Once you buy, you keep it forever.
For developers, Udemy is especially known for huge bootcamp-style courses that claim to take you from “zero to hero” in Python, JavaScript, or full-stack web development.
The Pros of Udemy
Let’s give credit where it’s due: Udemy does a lot of things well.
1. Affordability
This is the big one. For the price of a pizza, you can grab a 50-hour Python bootcamp. Compared to traditional classes or bootcamps that cost thousands, Udemy feels like a steal.
2. Variety
Want to learn React? There’s a course. Data science? Dozens. DevOps? Yep. Even niche topics like “Learn Web3 Development in Solidity” show up. Whatever you’re curious about, Udemy probably has it.
3. Flexibility
You buy a course once and keep it forever. No deadlines, no expiration. You can binge-watch in a week or come back six months later.
4. Popular Instructors
Some instructors have built legendary reputations. Colt Steele, Angela Yu, and Jose Portilla, for example, consistently produce high-quality courses that developers rave about.
The Cons of Udemy
But is Udemy worth it without caveats? Nope. Let’s be honest.
1. Inconsistent Quality
Because anyone can upload a course, quality control is hit-or-miss. For every excellent course, there are a dozen poorly structured ones. The reviews help, but you’ve got to dig.
2. Passive Learning
Most Udemy courses are video-heavy. You sit, you watch, maybe you code along. But developers learn best by doing, not watching. Watching someone else code can give you false confidence.
3. Overwhelming Choices
Too many options can paralyze you. You end up buying 10 courses during a sale and finishing… none. Trust me, I know this life.
4. Outdated Content
Technology moves fast. A course recorded two years ago might already feel stale. And while good instructors update frequently, many don’t.
My Honest Take: Is Udemy Worth It?
Here’s the truth: Udemy is worth it, only if you use it right.
It’s fantastic for:
- Beginners who want an affordable entry point into coding.
- Developers looking to quickly pick up a specific skill (e.g., Docker basics).
- Anyone who learns well from video lectures and wants flexibility.
But it’s not enough if you want to:
- Become a job-ready developer on Udemy alone.
- Gain deep, hands-on experience solving real coding problems.
- Rely on it as your only prep for technical interviews.
So yes, Udemy is worth it as a tool in your toolbox, but not the entire toolbox.
The Passive Learning Trap
Here’s the elephant in the room. Video courses feel productive. You watch a module, nod along, and think, “Yep, I get it.” Then, when you try to code on your own, you freeze.
That’s the passive learning trap, and it’s why so many developers buy Udemy courses but don’t actually level up. Coding is a skill, and skills only improve with practice.
This is where Udemy, as great as it is for affordability and variety, falls short for developers.
Enter Educative.io: The Hands-On Alternative
If you want to avoid the passive learning trap, that’s where a platform like Educative.io shines.
Unlike Udemy, Educative isn’t video-first. It’s built for interactive, hands-on learning. You’re coding directly in your browser, practicing concepts as you learn them. No setup headaches, no “I’ll just watch one more video before I try.”
Here’s why I recommend it to developers:
- Interactive Coding: You’re actually writing and running code in the lesson itself.
- Structured Paths: From beginner-friendly Python to advanced system design, Educative lays out clear, step-by-step learning journeys.
- Interview Prep: Their Grokking the System Design Interview and Grokking the Coding Interview courses are industry-famous for FAANG prep.
Depth Beyond Interviews: Web dev, machine learning, cloud, DevOps, you name it, they’ve got structured, practical tracks.
Think of it this way: Udemy tells you what push-ups are. Educative makes you do push-ups until you build muscle.
TL;DR: Is Udemy Worth It?
**Yes, if… you want affordable, flexible video courses to explore new topics or quickly learn skills.
No, if… you expect it to single-handedly make you a job-ready developer. It won’t, you need hands-on practice for that.
**
That’s why I suggest pairing Udemy with something interactive like Educative.io. Use Udemy to explore and learn concepts, and Educative to actually practice and master them.
Final Thoughts
So, is Udemy worth it? Absolutely, but only if you treat it as a supplement, not a silver bullet.
If you’re brand new to coding, Udemy is a cheap and accessible way to get started. If you’re a working developer, it’s a great way to upskill quickly. But if you want to build real confidence, especially for coding interviews and actual dev jobs, you need more than video lectures.
That’s why Educative.io deserves a spot in your learning stack. It’s interactive, hands-on, and designed to help you do the work, not just watch someone else do it.
At the end of the day, developers don’t get hired for watching videos. They get hired to solve problems. And solving problems comes from practice.
So yes, Udemy is worth it. Just don’t fall into the trap of thinking watching = learning. Pair it with something like Educative.io, and you’ll not only feel smarter; you’ll actually be smarter.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got about seven unfinished Udemy courses in my library glaring at me. Maybe I’ll open one later. Or maybe I’ll just practice on Educative instead.
— Stack Overflowed
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