DataCamp vs Codecademy is a closer call than most comparison pages suggest, because the two platforms teach in a similar way but aim at different careers. Both run lessons in your browser, both give you instant feedback on your code, and both have a free tier. The real split is what you want to build: DataCamp leans toward data and AI work, while Codecademy covers a wider range of programming.
This guide walks through current prices, what each paid plan includes, how certificates work, what the refund rules say, and which platform suits which learner. Prices and policies were checked on October 6, 2026, and every fact links to its source at the bottom of the page.
The quick answer
- Pick DataCamp if your goal is data analysis, data science, SQL, Python for data, Power BI, Tableau or AI skills, and you want certifications included in the subscription.
- Pick Codecademy if you want to learn web development, software engineering or general programming languages, or you want career paths and interview practice in a single plan.
- Not sure? Take our five-question Platform Picker, or test your own budget in the cost calculator.
We have not completed the same project on both platforms for this article. The comparison relies on each company’s own pages, and we say so wherever a figure comes from a competitor or another third party.
DataCamp vs Codecademy at a glance
| DataCamp | Codecademy | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Data science, analytics, SQL, AI | Web development, software engineering, general coding |
| Free plan | First chapter of every course, cheat sheets, tutorials, skill assessments | Limited assessments, AI learning assistant, mobile learning |
| Cheapest paid plan (annual billing) | Premium, $14 per month | Plus, $14.99 per month |
| Monthly billing | $43 per month (reported by DataCamp in November 2025) | Plus $29.99, Pro $39.99 |
| Higher tier | None for individuals (Teams and Enterprise exist) | Pro $19.99 per month annual, All Access $54.99 per month annual |
| Certificates | Career, Technology and Fundamentals certifications, included in Premium | Certificates of completion on Plus, professional certifications on Pro |
| Refunds | None stated in the support article | None for subscriptions, exceptions by request |
| Owner | DataCamp, Inc. | Skillsoft, since April 2022 |
What each platform teaches
DataCamp focuses on data skills. DataCamp’s own comparison page lists Python, SQL, R and business intelligence tools such as Power BI and Tableau, plus machine learning basics and newer generative AI topics. Its Premium plan includes 790+ courses, skill tracks, career tracks and coding projects. If you read a job ad for a data analyst and recognize most of the tools in it, DataCamp is likely built for you.
Codecademy casts a wider net. Its own materials and DataCamp’s comparison both place it across software engineering, web development, cloud, cybersecurity and data science. Paid plans add skill paths, portfolio projects, and on Pro, career paths and technical interview prep. That breadth helps if you have not decided on a language or a role yet.
Because both companies describe their own catalogs, treat “who has more courses” claims with caution. DataCamp’s about page does not state a total course count, and Codecademy’s does not either. We would rather leave a number out than guess.
How you learn on each platform
Both teach in the browser with short lessons and instant feedback, so you can start without installing anything.
- DataCamp uses in-browser coding exercises with instant feedback, an AI Assistant for guidance, and a tool called DataLab where an AI assistant helps generate code, according to DataCamp’s comparison article (published November 3, 2025).
- Codecademy uses a browser-based coding environment with auto-graded quizzes, projects and practice. Its pricing page lists an AI learning assistant on the free Basic plan too, and “personalized practice” on Plus.
One caution: the DataCamp article is a competitor’s view of Codecademy, so read the teaching-style descriptions as a starting point. A free account on each site lets you judge the lesson style yourself in about ten minutes.
Pricing: what you will really pay
DataCamp
DataCamp’s pricing page (checked October 6, 2026) shows three tiers:
- Basic: free. You get the first chapter of every course, cheat sheets, tutorials, skill assessments and a portfolio profile. You cannot earn certificates.
- Premium: $14 per month, billed annually. You get 790+ courses, certificates, career and skill tracks, and coding projects.
- Teams: $14 per user per month, billed annually, with an admin dashboard and reporting.
The pricing page lists the annual rate. The monthly rate of $43 comes from DataCamp’s own comparison article, dated November 3, 2025, so confirm it at checkout. DataCamp also advertises a student discount that it describes as over 50% off the regular price.
Codecademy
Codecademy’s pricing page (checked October 6, 2026) lists four tiers:
| Plan | Annual billing | Monthly billing | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | Free | Free | Limited assessments, AI learning assistant, community support, mobile learning |
| Plus | $14.99 per month | $29.99 per month | Courses, skill paths, certificates of completion, portfolio projects, personalized practice |
| Pro | $19.99 per month | $39.99 per month | Everything in Plus, plus career paths, certification paths, code challenges, professional certifications, technical interview prep, interview simulator |
| All Access | $54.99 per month | Not listed | Everything in Pro, plus unlimited expert-led bootcamps |
Annual subscribers also get one complimentary workshop with each new or renewed annual plan, per the same page.
Monthly or annual: the break-even
On both sites, annual billing is much cheaper per month, so the real question is whether you will stick around.
| Plan | Monthly price | Annual price per year | Months until annual wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| DataCamp Premium | $43 | $168 | About 4 |
| Codecademy Plus | $29.99 | $179.88 | 6 |
| Codecademy Pro | $39.99 | $239.88 | 6 |
Annual price per year equals the monthly-equivalent rate times 12. “Months until annual wins” is the annual total divided by the monthly price. DataCamp’s monthly figure is from November 2025.
A simple rule: if you are sure you will study for more than about four months (DataCamp) or six months (Codecademy), pay annually. If you are testing the waters, start free first, since both sites let you try lessons without paying. You can plug in your own plan and study length in our cost calculator, and the formula is explained on How we rate.
Which one costs less?
At the entry level they are almost identical: $14 versus $14.99 per month on annual billing. The gap opens when you need more:
- DataCamp Premium already includes certifications and career tracks, so $168 per year covers most of what it offers.
- Codecademy needs Pro ($239.88 per year) for career paths, professional certifications and interview prep. That is about $72 more per year than DataCamp Premium.
If you only want to learn to code and a certificate of completion is enough, Codecademy Plus is the better-priced match. If you want job-focused extras, compare DataCamp Premium with Codecademy Pro.
Certificates: what you actually earn
DataCamp offers three kinds of certification, according to its certification page:
- Career certifications for roles such as Data Analyst, Data Scientist, Data Engineer, AI Engineer and Python Developer.
- Technology certifications for tools such as SQL Associate, Power BI, Tableau, Azure, AWS, Snowflake and Google Cloud.
- Fundamentals certifications such as AI Fundamentals and Data Literacy.
They are earned by passing timed, scenario-based exams, you have 30 days from registration to finish, and DataCamp says there is no extra cost on Premium. Career and Technology certifications stay valid for two years, while Fundamentals ones do not expire.
Codecademy gives certificates of completion on Plus. Professional certifications for select career paths, such as Full-Stack Engineer and Data Scientist as named in DataCamp’s comparison, sit on the Pro plan.
Neither guarantees a job. A certificate shows that you finished something, so a portfolio of real projects will usually do more for you in an interview. Ask whether your target employer cares about any certificate before you pay for one. Our research page tracks which platforms offer free, paid or no certificates.
What Are The Refunds and Cancellation Policy?
Neither platform makes this easy to love.
- DataCamp: the support article says DataCamp does not refund or prorate unused portions of a subscription. If you cancel, access continues until the period ends. Monthly subscribers can pause, but yearly subscribers cannot, per the pricing page.
- Codecademy: the refund policy (last updated June 24, 2026) says it does not grant refunds, prorated or full, for subscriptions. You can ask support to consider an exception. Cancellation takes effect at the end of the billing cycle.
The practical lesson: with both platforms, a yearly purchase is a commitment. Use the free tier thoroughly before you buy, and set a calendar reminder before renewal.
Who owns them, and does it matter?
Codecademy has been part of Skillsoft since the acquisition closed on April 5, 2022. DataCamp is an independent company; its about page cites 21 million learners and says 5,000+ companies use it (the page carries a 2026 copyright, with no stat date).
Ownership does not change what you pay today. It is worth knowing because company plans can shift prices or bundles over time, which is one more reason we re-check prices every month on this site.
Which should you choose?
| Your situation | Better fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Want to become a data analyst or data scientist | DataCamp | Data-focused tracks, SQL, Python, Power BI and Tableau, certifications included |
| Want to build websites or apps | Codecademy | Web development and software engineering paths |
| Want one plan with interview prep | Codecademy Pro | Career paths, interview simulator, code challenges |
| Want certifications without paying extra | DataCamp Premium | Certification exams included in the subscription |
| Tight budget, still exploring | Either free plan | Start with the free tier, then decide |
| Need a refund safety net | Neither | Both state no subscription refunds |
| Want the cheapest paid plan with a certificate of completion | Either (annual) | $14 vs $14.99 per month on annual billing |
Still undecided? Our Platform Picker scores both against your goal, budget, certificate needs and learning style.
Frequently asked questions
Is DataCamp or Codecademy better for beginners?
Both work for beginners. DataCamp suits you if you already know you want data work, and Codecademy suits you if you are still choosing a language or a career direction. Try the free tier of each before you pay.
Is DataCamp cheaper than Codecademy?
At the entry level, nearly the same: $14 per month versus $14.99 per month on annual billing. DataCamp Premium bundles certifications and career tracks, while Codecademy needs Pro at $19.99 per month for similar extras.
Are DataCamp certificates worth it?
They are included in Premium and are earned through timed, scenario-based exams, so they carry more effort than a simple completion badge. They do not promise a job, and Career and Technology certifications are valid for two years.
Can I get a refund on DataCamp or Codecademy?
Both companies state they do not refund subscriptions. Codecademy says you can contact support to request an exception. Test the free plan first.
Do I need Codecademy Pro?
Only if you want career paths, certification paths, code challenges, professional certifications or interview prep. For learning to code with certificates of completion, Plus is enough.
Can I switch between monthly and annual billing?
Check your account settings and the platform’s help pages before you buy. We did not verify switching rules for this article.
Our verdict
If your goal sits in data, analytics or AI, DataCamp Premium gives you a focused catalog and certifications for $14 per month on an annual plan. If your goal is broader coding or web development, Codecademy gives you more range, and its Pro plan adds the career tools.
Since neither refunds subscriptions, start with the free tiers and commit to an annual plan only once you know you will keep studying.
Prices and policies were checked on October 6, 2026. Platforms change prices and rules without notice, so confirm the final price on the platform before you buy. Our rankings come from the published method on How we rate.
Sources
- DataCamp, Pricing: plans, annual prices, free plan, teams, pause policy, student discount (checked October 6, 2026).
- Codecademy, Pricing: plans, monthly and annual prices, plan features (checked October 6, 2026).
- DataCamp, DataCamp vs Codecademy, November 3, 2025: DataCamp monthly price, topic focus, teaching approach, Codecademy certifications. This is a competitor’s article.
- DataCamp, Certifications: certification types, exam format, 30-day window, validity.
- DataCamp, Refund support article.
- Codecademy, Refund Policy, last updated June 24, 2026.
- Codecademy, Skillsoft acquisition announcement: completion on April 5, 2022.
- DataCamp, About: learner and company figures.