14 Best Coding Bootcamps To Boost Your Skills [2023 Guide]
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In the past few years, there’s been a surge in online learning bootcamps and tutorials for almost every marketable skill. Coding is no different. Non-degree options in the form of online coding bootcamps and courses have flooded the market.
So if you’re looking for a coding bootcamp that can boost your skills, then how do you know which one to pick? You follow this guide, of course. Below, we’ll rank some of the best coding bootcamps, and help you understand how to make the best out of a coding bootcamp, no matter which one you choose.
What Is a Coding Bootcamp?
Coding bootcamps are more than just courses that a student is supposed to navigate through on their own through self-study with pre-recorded sessions. They push students to complete projects and take on both independent assignments and group collaborations. Immersive programs will give the students a peek into industry practices. This will be through real-world experience or masterclasses with experts in the niche.
A coding bootcamp’s primary aim is not to teach you everything about coding. Rather, its purpose is to prepare you for a tech career with a focus on coding. The approach is more narrow and intensive than a degree in software engineering or certificate courses in coding.
Depending on the industry, the average coder’s salary can hit 6-figures easily, even if they don’t have the relevant degree but can show proficiency through bootcamps and applicable work experience.
Company | Bootcamp | Rank | Price | Details |
---|---|---|---|---|
Software Engineering Bootcamp | 4.64 | $11,610 | Learn More | |
Software Engineering Coding Bootcamp | 4.75 | $17,980 | Learn More | |
Coding Bootcamp | 4.88 | $15,900 | Learn More | |
Software Engineering Bootcamp | 4.62 | $16,900 | Learn More | |
Web Development Immersive Course | 4.47 | $4,900 | Learn More | |
Software Engineering Immersive Remote | 4.36 | $15,950 | Learn More | |
Software Engineering Certification | 4.71 | $12,500 | Learn More | |
Software Engineering Online Course | 4.65 | $22,000 | Learn More | |
Full Stack Web Dev Course | 4.33 | $21,950 | Learn More | |
Full-time Software Engineering Immersive | 4.9 | $19,950 | Learn More | |
Coding Bootcamp | 4.92 | $15,950 | Learn More | |
Coding Bootcamp | 4.59 | $11,700 | Learn More | |
Software Engineering Bootcamp | 4.66 | $16,000 | Learn More | |
Software Engineering Immersive for Intermediate Coders | 4.74 | $18,910 | Learn More |
Best Coding Bootcamps
We have curated the following list of the 14 best coding bootcamps based on a set of parameters that will help you decide whether it’s the right fit for you.
Springboard Software Engineering Bootcamp
Rating
Overview
This coding bootcamp is ideal for someone who wants long-term job support even after the bootcamp is over. Springboard’s career services team is proficient in helping you build a back-end, front-end, or full-stack developer resume, and can also assist with recruitment coaching, and job searching. With an impressive list of instructors who teach in an easy-to-understand manner, this bootcamp has a concise curriculum that will give you hands-on experience which can fill your GitHub portfolio with close to a hundred projects.
Springboard’s coding bootcamp includes renowned coding instructors, including teachers like Colt Steele, who has over ten years of experience and a student base of over one million. Springboard bootcamp graduates work at organizations like Google, Airbnb, and Amazon. To make the best use of this bootcamp, you need to have basic familiarity with JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. As a pre-requisite, you will have to pass an online technical skills survey. Nervous about passing? Don’t worry. If you fail, we will direct you to our Software Engineering Prep Course.
Want to know more about what Springboard’s coding bootcamp is like? Check out this review from Course Report:
Source: Course Report
Best For
Those who want a long-term, flexible bootcamp option that allows them to remotely learn without quitting their jobs. You get 1-1 calls with a dedicated coach who will help you stay on track and train you through your project work and job search.
Location
Remote
Price
$11,610. Springboard offers flexible payment plans with upfront discounts, monthly payments, deferred tuition plans that allow you to pay after you have landed a job, and loan arrangements. They also have a money-return guarantee if you don’t land a job.
Source: Springboard Software Engineering Bootcamp
Hack Reactor
Rating
Overview
Hack Reactor offers several coding bootcamps. They have a 12-week full-time immersive program, and a 36-week part-time program meant for those with prior academic or practical experience. They also have a beginner bootcamp that spans 19 weeks. All three Hack Reactor programs guarantee that you will graduate with expertise as a full-stack development expert or software engineer. They require you to undertake a precourse covering the basics of the various programming languages.
Best For
Hack Reactor will be a good fit for young tech professionals from all possible backgrounds: those with an intermediate level of coding skills, novices, those who want fast-paced courses, and those who need more flexible schedules.
Location
Online
Prices Starting From
$17,980, which can be paid in installments, or through income-sharing agreements. They also have lending partners, and they offer scholarships and veteran benefits.
Check out what this student had to say about Hack Reactor on Course Report:
Source: Course Report
Actualize
Rating
Overview
This 12-week live coding bootcamp is for coding novices who want to become entry-level software developers. Since classes are live, you have to attend class as per a set schedule.
Best For
Those looking for in-person programs with no lag time between interactions with the instructor or other bootcamp students. You can interact with them via chat or speaking and get immediate feedback on your work.
Location
Remote, limited to North America
Prices Starting From
$15,900, with monthly payment plans at $450/month
Check out what this student had to say about Actualize on Course Report:
Source: Course Report
Flatiron School
Rating
Overview
Flatiron School offers multiple pacing options for their coding bootcamp. They have a full-time remote coding bootcamp that spans 15 weeks, a full-time in-person (campus is in New York, Denver) option of the same length, and a part-time online program for 40 weeks.
Best For
This is an ideal program for those looking for an immersive college-like environment in a big city, or for working professionals who want a self-paced program of pre-recorded lectures. It is ideal for those who don’t mind going through an admissions assessment and non-technical interview as bootcamp prerequisites.
Location
Remote, New York, Denver
Prices Starting From
$16,900, with monthly installment places, loan partner options, and diversity-in-tech scholarships.
This is what one student had to say about Flatiron School on Course Report:
Source: Course Report
DevMountain
Rating
Overview
DevMountain offers a series of short courses that can cumulatively prepare you for careers in fields such as software engineering, cybersecurity, and web development. Their immersive online programs are live. They offer free housing at their campus for those who are enrolled in full-time in-person bootcamps.
Best For
Those looking for a one-stop shop for a wide range of courses and bootcamps.
Location
Online, Dallas, blended learning options
Prices Starting From
Basic courses for $49 and bootcamps starting at $4,900, with scholarships, income-share agreements, and loan arrangement options.
Here’s what one student had to say about DevMountain:
Source: Course Report
General Assembly
Rating
Overview
The General Assembly coding bootcamp aims not just to equip their students with full-stack developer skills but to also train them in soft skills like effective communication and ensure familiarity with GitHub. They also offer an optional post-course module to help grads explore cloud development and DevOps. You can check out the portfolio of projects of their grads on their website.
Best For
Complete beginners who are prepared for a rigorously packed course schedule.
Location
Online
Prices Starting From
$15,950, with installment plans, loan options, discounts, and income-share agreements.
One student said this about General Assembly:
Source: Course Report
Get To Know Other Software Engineering Students
Abdelkareem ElSharief
Software Engineer at Bread
Julia Ayres
Software Engineer at Northspyre
Dave McConeghy
Software Engineering Career Track Student at Springboard
Kenzie Academy
Rating
Overview
This one-year bootcamp emphasizes backend development, with a certificate program co-developed by the Amazon Technical Academy. Kenzie Academy’s certificate program allows you to apply for a Computer Science degree at Southern New Hampshire University with transferable credits.
Best For
Those who want the option to customize their schedule are beginners or who want to be hired by Amazon.
Location
Online
Prices Starting From
Starting at $12,500 with many financial aid options
One student said this about Kenzie Academy:
Source: Course Report
App Academy
Rating
Overview
App Academy has three pacing options (Online + part-time for 48 weeks, online + full-time for 24 weeks, and on-campus + full-time for 16 weeks). They offer a bootcamp for those with no coding experience through an application process involving non-technical assessments and interviews.
Best For
Those who don’t want to pay till they get a job since App Academy offers one of the more flexible options for income-sharing among the bootcamps on this list.
Location
Online, New York
Prices Starting From
$22,000 as upfront payment or income-share agreements that require zero payment unless you get a job. App Academy is one of the few that offers this.
Here are some pros and cons, as told by one student of App Academy:
Source: Course Report
Bloom Insitute of Technology (Formerly Known As Lambda School)
Rating
Overview
Bloom or the Lambda School offers a combination of live classes and pre-recorded sessions that add up to 960 hours, along with personalized career services and annual salary negotiation support. Like many other bootcamps, they require you to pass an assessment before you begin the course. The bootcamp covers the basics before diving into advanced web development.
Best For
Those who want to do a “trial,” which you can access before enrolling in the course.
Location
Remote
Prices Starting From
$21,950, with an option to pay in three installments or through an income-share agreement with a money refund option if you don’t get a job within 365 days.
One student said this about the Bloom Institute of Technology:
Source: Course Report
Codesmith
Rating
Overview
Codesmith offers two remote programs—one is a 12-week full-time immersive remote program, and another is a remote, 38-week, part-time immersive. They also have a 12-week in-person immersive program.
Best For
Those looking to directly land mid/senior developer roles, and are looking for a machine learning component.
Location
Remote (Central Time, Eastern Time, Pacific Time), New York
Prices Starting From
$19,950 with scholarships for those displaying an exemplary passion for coding, women, minorities in tech, the LGBTQIA+ community, former bootcamp grads, and veterans. They also have monthly installment options.
Here’s what one student said about Codesmith:
Source: Course Report
Tech Elevator
Rating
Overview
Tech Elevator offers full-time and part-time programs, both with remote and in-person options.
Best For
Tech Elevator is suitable for those looking to establish foundational programming skills first, before moving on to a project for a full-stack developer portfolio, with assistance in personal branding and mixers for networking. The part-time course is 30 weeks, whereas the full-time bootcamp (whether live or remote) spans 14 weeks.
Location
Multiple locations across the USA, including Cleveland, Pittsburg, Philadelphia, and Detroit.
Prices Starting From
$15,950 with grant assistance, scholarships, and other flexible financing options.
One Tech Elevator student said this about the program:
Source: Course Report
Epicodus
Rating
Overview
This 800-hour bootcamp has an additional 150 hours dedicated to internship training. It offers full-time (20 weeks) and part-time (40 weeks) options and has a pair programming component. This involves every class beginning with two people working on codes together, a model used by companies like Facebook and Square.
Best For
Those looking for internship opportunities embedded into the course.
Location
Online, Portland, Seattle
Prices Starting From
$11,700, with income-share agreements, discount for early or upfront payment, and loan plans. Non-flexible refund options.
An Epicodus student had this to say about the program:
Source: Course Report
Thinkful
Rating
Overview
Thinkful offers programs of 5-6 months long duration, with both full-time and part-time schedules. They offer live video mentor sessions, teaching assistants, and life-long technical interview guidance.
Best For
Those looking for a personal mentor who works in the industry and is available for detailed sessions.
Location
Remote
Prices Starting From
$9,500 (part-time) and $16K (full-time), with deferred tuition options and stipends for living expenses for the full-time program.
Curious what a course with Thinkful would be like? One student had this to say:
Source: Course Report
FullStack Academy
Rating
Overview
FullStack Academy offers full-time and part-time online bootcamps in web development and coding. They also have pair programming projects and emphasize helping students master full-stack JavaScript.
Best For
FullStack Academy is ideal for those interested in developing a portfolio of web applications highlighting mobile development expertise since three of their four projects involve app development. You can view capstone presentations of former students on their website.
Location
Remote with some months in NYC, Chicago
Prices Starting From
$17,480-$18,910, with scholarships and veteran benefits.
Check out what this student said about FullStack Academy:
Source: Course Report
How Do You Choose a Coding Bootcamp?
Prioritizing your requirements will help you further shortlist from the above list. Here are a few parameters you can consider:
Syllabus
Are you a complete beginner or have some coding background but need a refresher? Are you looking for coding bootcamps that jump straight to technical skill-building? Do you know what a coder does? Asking yourself these questions will help you choose from the list of best coding bootcamps. Remember, you are investing considerable time and money in the process, so go for a bootcamp with a syllabus that matches your goals.
Career Guidance
If you are looking to transition to coding career paths immediately, you need to look for a bootcamp with robust career guidance. You will need help meeting others in the same boat as you and experts to create a network, developing your portfolio, passing technical rounds covering full-stack developer interview questions, sessions with career advisors, and much more. Pick a bootcamp that provides these services.
Expert Instructors
Before you enroll in a coding bootcamp, make sure to check out the roster of instructors. Ask yourself—does this faculty member have experience working with your dream company? Has this instructor worked on projects that you find interesting? If the bootcamp seems to have professors or instructors who are all new to the field, it might be best to go for another option unless these instructors provide a super-niche module.
Pricing and Payment Options
Since these coding bootcamps cater to young professionals and those pivoting into a tech career, they provide a range of pricing packages and flexible payment options. Be on the lookout for discounts and early-bird offers for the coding bootcamp you want to enroll in. If the discount for upfront payment is not much, go for installment payment plans. Regarding pricing, maintain a sheet to compare all your options to see which coding bootcamp proves to be the most value-for-money. Check if your employer is willing to finance the bootcamp.
Schedule
Don’t worry about going slow if you have too much on your plate. As long as the coding bootcamp’s value meets what you aim for, it doesn’t matter if it spans over months. If you can give time to upskilling only on weekends, go for part-time bootcamps or in-person bootcamps with weekend classes.
Projects
If you want to develop your portfolio simultaneously during the learning process, go for a coding bootcamp with a hands-on projects component. You will be able to show real-world projects to potential recruiters and also get hands-on experience.
Reviews and Ratings
Talk to as many bootcamp graduates as possible, and comb through online reviews. Did the graduates you spoke to find it easy to land a job? Did they feel supported during the entire process? Do they think the bootcamp was worth the investment? These are just some of the questions you can ask while getting reviews.
Making the Most Out of Your Coding Bootcamp
Here are some questions to consider to make the most of your bootcamp experience:
How Do Coding Bootcamps Work?
A coding bootcamp differs vastly from a regular college degree in software engineering or related fields. Whether you have chosen a part-time or full-time bootcamp, prepare to be intellectually challenged during each hour of class time. Be open to interacting with other incoming/prospective students and those in your cohort, especially since you will have to work with them during projects.
What Should You Expect to Learn During a Coding Bootcamp?
While no two bootcamps will be identical, you can expect the following as part of the learning process:
- Intensive or quick recap of the fundamentals of programming and coding
- Comprehensive coverage of the various technical tools to achieve deliverables as a front-end, back-end, or full-stack developer. The projects will include designing web pages and apps or writing codes for data extraction and synthesis
- Experimental modules relating to new trends in coding and software programming
What Will Your Schedule Look Like?
Intensive programs are shorter but require a heavier commitment for those few weeks, which full-time professionals might want to consider only if they have enough time after work or on the weekends.
FAQs About Coding Bootcamps
Still confused about whether a coding bootcamp is right for you? Here are some more questions that professionals looking for coding bootcamps ask:
Are Coding Bootcamps Still Worth It?
Yes. Coding bootcamps can provide a shorter path to coveted jobs in tech with six-figure salaries without needing a formal degree. Most coding bootcamps won’t last more than a year, and in that time, you can successfully transition to a job you are passionate about. You can start with these free online coding classes to gauge your interest before committing to a bootcamp.
Are There Any Prerequisites for a Coding Bootcamp?
Depending on the bootcamp you choose, some level of coding might be required. Many coding bootcamps are open to beginners with no previous computer programming language experience. Some might have suggested readings or free coding courses that you will be advised to complete before starting the bootcamp so that you don’t feel like you have been thrown into the deep end.
What Jobs Can You Get After Taking a Coding Bootcamp?
Careers after bootcamps include entry-level or mid-level jobs in the software field. Apart from traditional options such as software developer or engineer, coding bootcamp grads can also get product management roles or any other role that is tech-heavy.
Does Google Hire Bootcamp Graduates?
Google does, in fact, hire software engineers who don’t have a degree. So, if you do well during the bootcamp, amass a lot of practical experience, network, and prepare for your interview, then Google may hire you—even with just a bootcamp under your belt.
Since you’re here…
No one wakes up knowing how to code – they learn how to code. Tens of thousands of students have successfully learned with our courses, like our Software Engineering Bootcamp. If you’re a total newbie, our Software Engineering Career Track Prep Course will be a perfect fit. Let’s do this!