Learning to code is a significant opportunity to level up your skills in your current career. Your coding knowledge becomes your greatest superpower—transforming you from a tech novice into a builder. It’s an important step toward investing in yourself.

Now, the only decision left to make is how you will learn to code. You’re probably searching for classes that will adapt to your learning style and help you achieve your specific professional goals. With this in mind, let’s dig into the key differences between Codecademy and the traditional coding bootcamps.

Access From Anywhere

As a professional, you probably balance several responsibilities—from work tasks to family chores. It’s impossible for you to be in two places at once. So, to fulfill your dream of learning to code, the classroom may have to be wherever you are.

However, most coding bootcamps require your physical presence in a room. Some students find this taxing on the learning experience because it may mean commuting long hours. Rather than learning, you focus on everything but your classes.

Curatti reports that 90% of students think online learning is the same or better than the traditional classroom experience.

With Codecademy, you get to learn where you feel most comfortable. Whether you’re at your local coffee shop or vacationing in Aspen, you have access to course content. The only requirement is a reliable Internet connection.

Fits Within Your Budget

According to Course Report, coding bootcamp tuition can range anywhere from $9,000 to $21,000. These fees don’t include the costs associated with traveling to out-of-state programs or purchasing additional learning material. Moreover, if the bootcamp requires a full-time commitment, you’re foregoing any income while you study.

Learning to code doesn’t have to place a strain on your bank account. Codecademy teaches techincal skills for only a fraction of a coding bootcamp’s tuition. Codecademy Pro is a monthly subscription, making it flexible enough for anyone’s budget and circumstances.

Choose a Learning Path

Making a conscious decision to learn to code is only the beginning of your educational journey. The next step is choosing which programming languages to study, and what you want to accomplish with your technical skills.

Most coding bootcamps engage students into a regimental curriculum, teaching coding like a to-do list, when in fact, programming demands that students envision the big picture.

Codecademy starts with helping determine your goals for wanting to code and what specific projects you want to build. Then, you’ll follow a dedicated learning path tailored to your interest.

For example, if you’re an up-and-coming front-end engineer, you can learn the languages of the web, like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, on the Web Development Path. Projects within each path will also help you build a portfolio of work to demonstrate your skills to employers.

Don’t Quit Your Day Job, Get Better at It

Employers value job candidates and employees who can bring a diverse skill set to the workplace. In our tech-run society, in just about any field, workers with technical talent quickly catch the attention of hiring managers.

Passion and patience drive lifelong learners. You get a thrill from honing your craft and discovering something new. It also doesn’t hurt that more relevant skills can equal a larger paycheck.

In our latest survey, almost 30% of Codecademy learners said learning to code helped them make more money in their professions. Among these respondents, 99% had only participated in our free courses.

Codecademy learner Jonathan Garcia is learning to code because he believes it’s an essential skill. Here’s his perspective:

After doing much research online…I found learning HTML, SQL and CSS is vital for digital marketing. As society advances in technology, I have no doubt in 10-15 years everyone will know how to code as if it was their first language. It’s definitely something I think will help me advance in my career!

With technical skills, you become a valuable asset to your current team. You can solve more work problems without relying on your tech-savvy coworkers.

Work Within Your Schedule

Learning is an ongoing process. It’s a personal quest demanding customization based on the student’s learning style and schedule. So, it makes sense to enroll in coding classes that fit your lifestyle and individual timetable.

Yet, the nature of coding bootcamps restricts students from learning at their own pace. These immersive programs expect full-time dedication from you for 10 to 12 weeks. With a rigid course schedule, it’s hard for some students to master each concept in a short period of time.

Because you can take Codecademy courses at any time, you control your own learning schedule. If you prefer weekdays at 9 am, you can do it. Or maybe you prefer studying after you put the kids to bed. That’s also an option.

With on-demand learning at your fingertips, learning to code adjusts to your schedule. Codecademy learner Jacob Robinson agrees:

I like Codecademy in a way that everything feels really well-paced. All of the lessons are bite-sized and so you can do as many or as few as time allows for in one sitting. The main reason I would say it’s better than coding bootcamps is due to flexibility.

No one likes to rush through course material when learning a new skill. Codecademy makes it easy for you to learn at your own pace.

Gain Extra Practice

Whether you’re learning to cook or code, it’s always good to have access to extra practice. It’s your chance to elevate your knowledge from novice to master.

Coding bootcamps offer plenty of practice in the form of the existing jam-packed program, but less flexibility to focus on specific areas of need. Then, there’s the issue of convincing instructors to review any supplemental work.

You deserve the freedom to learn on your own terms. Codecademy Pro provides learners with flexible practice options. You can test your progress with quizzes at the end of each unit, and then apply what you’ve learned with projects and code challenges.

These experiences sharpen your technical skills and prepare you for real-life scenarios, so you’ll feel comfortable and confident taking those skills into the real world.

Join a Global Community

Learning is better when you’re part of a community. You get to connect with like-minded people who are equally driven to better themselves.

Social learning opportunities keep self-guided adult learners engaged. That way, students don’t feel isolated and disconnected from the curriculum.

Social learning adds a different perspective to your educational experience. For instance, if you get stuck on a problem, someone in the community can share how they reached a solution. It’s the camaraderie that motivates you to continue learning.

While coding bootcamps may bring diverse groups of students together, you are limited to the participants in your cohort and your instructors.

Your learning experience should reflect the global economy and provide oppportunities to meet people from around the world. At Codecademy, you can talk to a global community of fellow learners via our forums and in Pro Intensive Slack channels. These are among the many other safe spaces that exist to supplement your Codecademy journey.

Learn to Code Your Way

There’s no better time than the present to learn how to code. You can apply your new skills to help with your current job or move you into a different profession. While full-time, in-person coding bootcamps can be effective, they don’t work for everyone. With Codecademy, you get to learn on your own schedule. Sign up now to begin your coding journey.