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AlgoMonster Review [Is AlgoMonster Worth It in 2024?]

AlgoMonster Review

In today’s AlgoMonster review, you’ll discover the AlgoMonster platform, including its features, pros and cons, pricing and more.

This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation if you buy something. Read my disclosure for more details.

🧮👾 TLDR: AlgoMonster Review 🧮👹

AlgoMonster is a platform that helps you pass FAANG technical interviews.

Its hyper-efficient layout and real-world data structures & algorithms content is geared exclusively towards FAANG software engineer candidates.

Plus, you’ll dive into top patterns to conquer nearly any problem your FAANG interviewers throw at you.

➡️ Explore AlgoMonster ⬅️

Want to pass that FAANG interview? You must prepare, prepare, prepare.

And that’s where AlgoMonster comes in.

(Later in this AlgoMonster review, I’ll also show you how AlgoMonster compares to competitor platforms like AlgoExpert, LeetCode and HackerRank.)

AlgoMonster Review: What is AlgoMonster?

💰 Cost: $99+ for lifetime access
🖥️ Format:
Interactive
💪 Support:
Yes
🎖️ Certificate:
No

AlgoMonster is a coding interview prep site that helps you crush the technical interview.

You’ll do this by learning some of the core patterns needed to solve almost any FAANG interview question they can think to throw at you.

AlgoMonster review: overview including pie chart of patterns frequently used in interviews

AlgoMonster was designed by a group of Google engineers who had something in common: they all used LeetCode to prep for coding interviews.

Not satisfied with the features of LeetCode, they decided to create their own platform. Thus, AlgoMonster was born.


If you’re familiar with other FAANG prep platforms, AlgoMonster is like a mashup of AlgoExpert and Grokking the Coding Interview.

In other words, AlgoMonster contains some of the most commonly found coding patterns at FAANG interviews (Grokking) while providing you a fully integrated workspace for hundreds of specific coding challenges (AlgoExpert).

But one huge differentiator? AlgoMonster guarantees you’ll receive an offer from at least one tech company after completing their curriculum.

Now, let’s take a closer look at what AlgoMonster has to offer.


AlgoMonster Review: Vital Stats

48 Patterns
231 Lessons and Problems
679 Illustrations
Object-Oriented Design and System Design Questions
Company-Specific Questions

AlgoMonster Review: Interactivity

All of the problems found on AlgoMonster are interactive. That means you’ll work directly in the browser with their interactive code editors.

These advanced editors allow you to see the solution code in real time so you’re not left wondering what you did wrong.

AlgoMonster review: Binary Search question

You’ll also find nearly 700 illustrations.

You won’t find any videos on AlgoMonster. The creators believe videos to be counterintuitive to learning.

That’s because you tend to think less when watching videos as opposed to hands-on learning. Don’t expect to Netflix and chill on AlgoMonster.

Watch our complete AlgoMonster review:

AlgoMonster Review: Programming Languages

AlgoMonster supports the following programming languages:

✅ Python

✅ Java

✅ JavaScript

✅ C++

Racket

✅ Go

✅ Haskell

AlgoMonster Review: Inside AlgoMonster

Now, let’s take a look inside this algorithm powerhouse.

You’ll start off with a blank slate. As you progress through the platform, your personal skills analysis chart will show your strengths and weaknesses.

So whether you’re flying through system design or need some binary search training, this chart can be a very helpful companion.

Skills analysis graph

Then you’ll find a refresher on basic data structures. You’ll also find an intro to sorting algorithms.

To top it off, you’ll warm up with some practice problems on group anagrams, isomorphic strings, and valid parenthesis.

Then, you’ll dive into the meat of AlgoMonster.

AlgoMonster contains 48 patterns covering:

Binary SearchDepth First SearchBacktracking
Breadth First SearchGraphTwo Pointers
Priority Queue/HeapDynamic ProgrammingDivide and Conquer
Advanced Data StructuresObject-Oriented DesignSystem Design

You’ll also find a few miscellaneous questions related to greedy algorithms, intervals, composite patterns and beyond.

AlgoMonster review: System design question

Each of these questions contains a set of instructions paired with illustrations, expectations and a code editor where you can work on the problem.

And as I mentioned before, you can easily access the solution to every problem on AlgoMonster.

Company-Specific Online Assessment Questions

There’s a section on company-specific online assessment questions for:

✅ Amazon

✅ Microsoft

✅ Google

✅ Twitter

For example, here is Twitter Online Assessment Questions for 2021 that’s administered on HackerRank:

AlgoMonster review: Twitter assessment questions

This includes a list of problems commonly asked at these companies as well as what to expect during the interview.

For example, to advance with the interview process with Twitter, you first have to pass the online assessment.

It typically contains two to three questions which you’re expected to complete within the given time frame.

Ultimately, it’ll determine whether they decide to advance you to on-site interviews.


AlgoMonster Review: AlgoMonster vs AlgoExpert

💰 Cost: $99 per year
🖥️ Format:
Interactive and video
💪 Support:
Yes
🎖️ Certificate:
Yes

AlgoExpert control panel with video explanation of Nth Fibonacci
Video explanation of a problem in AlgoExpert

I’m not gonna lie: AlgoMonster has some pretty stiff competition with AlgoExpert.

Don’t believe me? Check out our full AlgoExpert review.

For starters, AlgoExpert was created by the one and only Clement Mihailescu. After a grueling interview with Google, he decided to create AlgoExpert to help him prepare for his Facebook interview — and passed.

How does AlgoExpert compare to AlgoMonster?

AlgoExpertAlgoMonster
Number of Questions160231
Interactive Workspace
Video Explanations
Cost$99/year$99+/lifetime

Compared to AlgoMonster, AlgoExpert has a bit more of a structured layout. For example, you’ll start your journey with a video crash course on data structures.

Solutions are in 9 languages.

Unlike AlgoMonster, there are over 100 hours of video explanations on AlgoExpert.

4-pane integrated workstation environment in AlgoExpert
Workspace on AlgoExpert

You’ll find a few features in AlgoExpert that you won’t find with AlgoMonster such as curated assessments and mock coding interviews.

The Verdict:

Honestly, I like them both. However, in the case of AlgoExpert, not everyone has the time for over 100 hours of video content.

In this case AlgoMonster SMOKES AlgoExpert.

But if you decide to go with AlgoExpert, use code realtoughcandy at checkout and save 10%.


In my opinion…

LeetCode and HackerRank are similar to 🔥 tutorial hell because software engineers will just work on problem after problem after problem after problem…

AlgoExpert can leave you stuck in practicing purgatory with its over 100 hours of videos.

But AlgoMonster hits that sweet spot of practice and preparation. It’s efficient, comprehensive and created by people who have been there, done that.

AlgoMonster Review: AlgoMonster vs LeetCode

💰 Cost: Free or $35/mo to $159/yr for Premium
🖥️ Format:
Interactive
💪 Support:
Yes
🎖️ Certificate:
No

Ok. LeetCode, LeetCode, LeetCode.

There are many people who believe that LeetCode is the gateway FAANG drug leading them to untold riches and fame.

In reality, it can be a big FAANG hamster wheel: LeetCode has over 2100 questions.

Another problem is that many of these questions are user submitted. And they aren’t always right.

But like AlgoMonster, they do have interview questions found at FAANG companies. There are just so many of them.

LeetCode’s interactive workspace is spartan.

There’s a white screen with simple syntax. You won’t find any videos.

AlgoMonster is similar, but it’s got numerous illustrations, diagrams along with other multimedia and interactive components.

And that can make all the difference.

leetcode problem with code editor
LeetCode’s workspace

That said, LeetCode does support a few more languages than AlgoMonster:

C++JavaPythonPHP
Python3CC#Scala
JavaScriptTypeScriptRubyKotlin
SwiftGoBashRust

LeetCode Premium

If you want to invest in LeetCode Premium, you’ll get some added features such as:

✅ interview questions

✅ premium articles

✅ additional questions

And more.

AlgoMonster vs LeetCode Verdict:

For serious FAANG candidates, stick with AlgoMonster. With AlgoMonster, you can count on practicing the right patterns for the right coding interview.

LeetCode can be valuable, but it’s easy to lose focus. It has a dizzying amount of questions and some that may not be reliable. There’s a good possibility you’ll spend hours working on problems that aren’t guaranteed to be asked at FAANG interviews.

AlgoMonster Review: AlgoMonster vs HackerRank

💰 Cost: Free
🖥️ Format:
Interactive
💪 Support:
Yes
🎖️ Certificate:
Yes

HackerRank anagrams problem with function description when considering AlgoExpert vs LeetCode vs HackerRank

Finally, let’s look at AlgoMonster vs HackerRank.

Many of HackerRank’s questions are user-submitted. So the quality isn’t guaranteed.

I have no idea how many questions are on HackerRank. All I know it’s that it’s approximately a metric crap ton. Like, in the thousands.

Compared to AlgoMonster, HackerRank supports more programming languages (approximately 45).

But let’s be realistic. If you’re applying for a FAANG job, you’re probably not going to be required to answer questions in Brainf**k or LOLCODE.

AlgoMonster vs HackerRank Verdict:

Again, if you want to land a FAANG job, I recommend going with AlgoMonster.

HackerRank is more beneficial for developers who are trying to prove themselves to specific companies that take part in HackerRank assessments.

And if that’s the case, consider waiting for them to ask you to sign up. By then, you’ll have the patterns down from AlgoMonster and will be able to dominate the interview. 🤓

AlgoMonster Review: Is AlgoMonster Worth It? Conclusion

Today you looked at the FAANG coding platform AlgoMonster.

You also peeped some of its competition with platforms like AlgoExpert, LeetCode and HackerRank.

But which platform is the best for FAANG interview prep?

In our opinion AlgoMonster is ideal for software engineer candidates who want an efficient, realistic FAANG interview prep platform.

I also really like AlgoExpert and think it’s best for software engineers who learn best with videos.

But if you’re just testing the waters, I recommend sticking with LeetCode or HackerRank.


FAANG interview candidates interested in this AlgoMonster review are also reading:


  1. What is AlgoMonster?

    AlgoMonster is a coding interview prep site that aims to help you crush the technical interview. You’ll do this by learning some of the core patterns needed to solve almost any interview question they can think to throw at you. It contains some of the most commonly found patterns at interviews from the biggest FAANG companies like Facebook, Google, Amazon and Twitter. To learn more about AlgoMonster, be sure to check out today’s post where we look at AlgoMonster, AlgoExpert, LeetCode and HackerRank.

  2. AlgoMonster vs AlgoExpert: Which platform is better?

    AlgoMonster vs AlgoExpert… Honestly, we like them both. However, in the case of AlgoExpert, not everyone has the time for over 100 hours of video content. If you prefer sticking to interactive learning, go with AlgoMonster. But if you’re also looking for hours of video explanations on top of that interactivity, you can’t go wrong with AlgoExpert. To learn more about these platforms, check out today’s post where we compare AlgoMonster to AlgoExpert, LeetCode and HackerRank.

  3. AlgoMonster vs LeetCode: Which platform is better?

    AlgoMonster vs LeetCode… Stick with AlgoMonster. With AlgoMonster, you can count on practicing the right patterns for the right coding interview. LeetCode has a dizzying amount of questions that are questionably reliable. You’ll spend countless hours working on problems that aren’t even guaranteed to be asked at FAANG interviews. Learn more about these platforms and more in today’s article.

  4. AlgoMonster vs HackerRank: Which platform is better?

    AlgoMonster vs HackerRank: we think you should stick with AlgoMonster. HackerRank is more beneficial for developers who are trying to prove themselves to specific companies that take part in HackerRank assessments. And if that’s the case, wait for them to ask you to sign up. By then, you’ll have the patterns down from AlgoMonster and will be able to dominate the interview. To learn more about how these two platforms compare, be sure to check out today’s post.

  5. Is AlgoMonster worth it?

    Yes, we think AlgoMonster is worth it. It’s developed by Google engineers who understand the challenges presented when applying for FAANG interview jobs. Within AlgoMonster you’ll find interactive work spaces, illustrations, diagrams and more. Be sure to check out today’s article where we take a deep dive into the features of AlgoMonster alongside other popular platforms such as AlgoExpert, LeetCode and HackerRank.