Coursera is not the only platform for quality Python certification courses. Plenty of others provide the same, if not better, quality resources but with different teaching methods and price points.
But it can be difficult to pick one if you do not know what to look for and what is important.
This blog will help you choose among the many Coursera alternatives for Python certification, considering the most important aspects when choosing a certification course: learning preferences and hands-on experience.
We had to make a few considerations so as not to make this a generic list. They are:
Focus on learning approach
Since learning approach is the most important when learning programming, we listed out platforms focusing on how they teach programming instead of focusing on how similar/different they are to Coursera.
Removal of similar platforms
We excluded platforms with similar offerings because they only make decision-making more complex. We want you to spend less time choosing between platforms and more time actually learning.
Reader's search intent
Not everyone who looks for alternatives to Coursera will be looking for a similar platform. They could also be searching for alternative approaches to learning or simply exploring new methods and platforms.
Industry acceptance and reputation
We have considered the chosen platforms' industry acceptance and reputation. This allows you to make decisions based solely on your preferences without worrying about the platform's quality.
Best for: building a great Python programming foundation and getting certified — interactively
The whole point of having a Python certification is to say that you know what you are talking about and have put in the reps. This is exactly what Programiz PRO's Master Python learning path focuses on.
With Programiz PRO, you unlock a Python certification after completing a curated Python learning path. It includes six courses with quizzes, coding challenges, and projects that you have to build to get the certification.
There's no skipping any of it — we force you to write code to help you grasp the fundamentals as well as possible.
Among the six courses are a detailed course about Data Structures and Algorithms and an interview preparation course, all of which add to your certification's value.
Best for: getting a standardized Python certification
OpenEDG Python Institute is known for its fairly standardized Python programming certifications.
Their certifications are arranged in a roadmap of sorts — they include a general-purpose Python programming certification and other particular ones for fields like data science, security, web development, and network programming.
Among these Python certifications, PCEP and PCAP are the most popular. If you are a beginner, we recommend you start with the PCEP - Certified Entry-Level Python Programming certification and work your way up.
Since these are simply certification tests and not courses, these are not suitable for people who want to learn Python first. Also, the test pricing is quite steep.
Best for: those looking for a reputed, free Python certification
CS50's Introduction to Programming with Python, taught by Professor David J. Malan, is one of the best Python courses offered by Harvard OpenCourseWare. It provides a solid foundation in Python programming and other computer science concepts like data structures and algorithms.
You have two certification choices, depending on whether you want to spend money.
If you score at least 70% marks on each of the course's problems and its final project, you get a free completion certificate from CS50, signed by Malan himself.
However, if you want a verified or professional certificate, you have the option to enroll in the course through edX. It is a platform like Coursera but with slightly different payment options.
But remember, this course might not be great for those who do not like college lectures or prefer an interactive learning environment.
Best for: getting a data science-specific certification
If you want a Python certification that is specific to data science, DataCamp is a great alternative to Coursera for this purpose.
DataCamp is one of the leaders in courses about data science, artificial intelligence, machine learning, etc. It also provides an interactive learning environment and a fairly well-recognized certification.
If you are a beginner looking to get into data science, you should start with the Data Analyst Associate certification. It prepares you for your first data-related job and sets a path for upward mobility in your career.
However, since DataCamp's certifications are specifically about careers in data science, they are not for those who are searching for a general Python certification. Other options on this list will be a better fit for non-specific learners.
Coursera, despite being an industry go-to for Python certifications and courses, has a lot of good competition when we look a bit deeper. There are many other platforms that give you the same, if not better, quality learning materials and certifications, and cater to different learning approaches and styles.
When deciding, consider these questions:
If you can answer these questions, picking among the options should be simple.
