11 Best Algorithms Courses in 2024 [Learn Algorithms ASAP: Beginner and Intermediate]

Today we’re looking at some of the best algorithms courses of this year.

What are algorithms?

Algorithms are recipes or step-by-step mathematical instructions for solving a problem. They’re used to automate solutions.

A good example of an algorithm in action is when YouTube suggests videos it “thinks” you may like based on what you’ve previously watched.

In fact, 81% of YouTube users have watched videos recommended by YouTube’s algorithm.

And if you’re going to be a computer programmer, you won’t get very far without algorithms.

You need to know them if you want to get hired as a professional programmer.

Today we’re showing you the best algorithms courses.

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

TLDR: Best Algorithms Courses

🔥 Best Overall 🔥
AlgoExpert

💥 Best for Newbies 💥
A Visual Introduction to Algorithms: Educative.io

💸 Best Value 💸
Introduction to Algorithms in Python: RealToughCandy.io

Best Algorithms Courses: At A Glance

	Interactive or video learning	Community	Duration	Level	Cost
A Visual Introduction to Algorithms: Educative.io	Interactive	✅	14 hours	Beginner	$59 per month / $199 per year
Introduction to Algorithms in Python: RealToughCandy.io	Video	✅	2 hours	Beginner	FREE
Learn Sorting Algorithms with Python: Codecademy Pro	Both	✅	8 hours	Beginner	$39.99 per month / $239.88 per year
How to Implement Search Algorithms with Python: Codecademy Pro	Both	✅	4 hours	Beginner	$39.99 per month / $239.88 per year
Algorithms and Data Structures: Pluralsight	Video	❌	2.5 hours	Beginner	$29 per month
AlgoExpert	Both	❌	100+ hours	Intermediate	$99 per year
Data Structures and Algorithms in Python: Educative.io	Interactive	See below	19 hours	Intermediate	$59 per month / $199 per year
Master the Coding Interview: Data Structures + Algorithms: Zero to Mastery	Video	✅	19.5 hours	Intermediate	$39 per month / $279 per year
Algorithms, Part I: Coursera	Both	✅	54 hours	Intermediate	Free
Introduction to Algorithms: Treehouse	Video	✅	2.25 hours	Beginner	$25 per month
Algorithms: Sorting and Searching: Treehouse	Video	✅	2 hours	Intermediate	$25 per month

Best Algorithms Courses: Beginner

Now let’s dive into some of the best algorithms courses for beginners.

1. A Visual Introduction to Algorithms: Educative.io

💰 Cost: Free course / $59 per month or $199 per year (16.66/mo) for all courses and Learning Paths
⏲️ Duration: 14 hours
📉 Level: Beginner
🖥️ Format: Interactive learning
🎖️ Certificate: Yes

A Visual Introduction to Algorithms is one of the best algorithms courses for students on a budget.

In this free course, you’ll learn introductory computer science algorithms such as:

✅ searching

✅ sorting

✅ recursion

✅ graph theory

You’ll be able to work on challenges and solve them in Java, Python, C++ or JavaScript.

Course Layout

Educative.io has an interactive layout where you’ll do all work inside the browser.

💡 An interactive learning environment saves you the trouble of setting up your own coding environment on your local machine.

In A Visual Introduction to Algorithms, you’ll find 12 modules where you’ll work on algorithms like:

✅ binary search

✅ selection sort

✅ quick sort

✅ graphs

And beyond.

Read our review to find out: Is Educative Worth It?

Support

You can get help from instructors and other students at the end of each lesson.

---

2. Introduction to Algorithms in Python: RealToughCandy.io

💰 Price: Free
⏲️ Duration: 2 hours
📉 Level: Beginner+
🖥️ Format: Video
🎖️ Certificate: No

Like Educative.io, RealToughCandy.io is a newbie-friendly learning platform.

But RealToughCandy.io’s courses are video-based.

So you’ll do all work on your local computer.

Introduction to Algorithms in Python is a free course taught by Joy Brock, a skillful Pythonista.

Unlike other courses, Joy uses plenty of humor to get you through those otherwise tedious lessons.

Before you take this algorithms course, you should have a grasp of Python basics like:

📌 functions

📌 variables

📌 loops

And more.

While it can be beneficial for new software developers, this course may also appeal to aspiring machine learning engineers.

It could even be used for “pre-FAANG” prep.

You’ll discover five core components:

✅ data structures

✅ divide & conquer

✅ greedy algorithms

✅ recursive algorithms

✅ dynamic programming

No previous algorithms experience is required.

Course Layout

Introduction to Algorithms in Python has about 2 hours of videos.

And while the course is fast-paced, there’s tons of useful information.

For example, you’ll work on more than 15 coding challenges such as:

✅ fractional knapsack problem

✅ traveling salesman problem

✅ permutations

✅ factorials

And more.

Problems range from “Easy” to the more difficult “Mindbreaker.”

There are over 60 multiple choice, true/false and fill-in-the-blank quiz questions.

Support

RealToughCandy.io has a Discord with 24/7 support.

---

3. Learn Sorting Algorithms with Python: Codecademy Pro

💰 Cost: $39.99 per month or $239.88 per year ($19.99/mo) for all courses and Learning Paths
⏲️ Duration: 8 HOURS
📉 Level: Beginner with Python 3 experience
🖥️ Format: Interactive learning and video
🎖️ Certificate: Yes

Learn Sorting Algorithms with Python is a bit of a mix of the first two courses offered in our list of best algorithms courses.

Here you’ll find interactive learning and videos.

Course Layout

In this exercise-heavy course, you’ll learn about four types of algorithms:

✅ merge sort

✅ bubble sort

✅ quicksort

✅ radix sort

Projects

Unlike other the other courses featured on this list, you’ll work on a project.

In A Sorted Tale, you’ll help a fictitious bookshop owner sort books using various methods such as title and author name.

You’ll also work on plenty of mini-projects throughout the course.

Want to know what we think of Codecademy Pro? Read our Codecademy Pro Review.

Support

Codecademy Pro has a robust community where you can get help from other students, share projects and more.

---

4. How to Implement Search Algorithms with Python: Codecademy Pro

💰 Cost: $39.99 per month or $239.88 per year ($19.99/mo) for all courses and Learning Paths
⏲️ Duration: 4 hours
📉 Level: Beginner with Python 3 experience
🖥️ Format: Interactive learning and video
🎖️ Certificate: Yes

How to Implement Search Algorithms with Python is one of the best algorithms courses on Codecademy Pro.

Often times you’ll find courses combine search and sort algorithms. But for some reason, Codecademy Pro chose to make 2 separate courses instead. 🤷

However, the price for Codecademy Pro is all-inclusive, so it won’t cost you extra when you sign up for a second course (or 20th, even).

Course Layout

Codecademy Pro has an interactive learning environment where you’ll do all work within the browser. You’ll also find occasional videos.

In How to Implement Search Algorithms with Python, there are two modules. First you’ll learn about linear and binary search.

In the second module, you’ll work on a project.

Projects

You’ll work on the project Searchcademy where you’ll create an algorithm that searches through a sparsely sorted list.

Support

Codecademy Pro has an active community where you can get help, share projects and chat with other students.

---

5. Algorithms and Data Structures: Pluralsight

💰 Cost: $29 per month for video courses and Learning Paths / $45 per month for interactive and advanced courses
⏲️ Duration: 2.5 hours
📉 Level: Beginner
🖥️ Format: Video
🎖️ Certificate: Yes

Pluralsight is different from our other best algorithms courses for beginners because it is strictly video-based.

You won’t find any on-platform exercises, readings or quizzes.

It’s also a shorter course, clocking in at just under 2.5 hours. So this is another course that’s ideal for students with a shorter attention span.

Course Layout

Algorithms and Data Structures has 5 modules:

• Storing and Accessing Data
• Linked Lists
• Stacks and Queues
• Binary Search Trees
• Hash Tables

Learn what we think of Pluralsight in our article What is Pluralsight? Is Pluralsight Good for Beginners?

Support

Pluralsight does not have an official community. Instead, it encourages students to form guilds. ⚔️

---

Best Algorithms Courses: Intermediate

6. AlgoExpert

💰 Cost: $99 per year / $139 for AlgoExpert & SystemsExpert
⏲️ Duration: 100+ hours
📉 Level: Intermediate
🖥️ Format: Interactive learning and video
🎖️ Certificate: Yes

💡 Creator and instructor Clément Mihailescu left his job at Facebook to create AlgoExpert.

AlgoExpert is arguably one of the best algorithms courses on our list.

But there’s a catch: it’s not actually a course. It’s got a bunch of different features:

📌 160+ hand-picked algorithms problems

📌 data structures crash course

📌 mock coding interviews

📌 curated assessments

But our main focus is the algorithms problems.

Course Layout

AlgoExpert has a killer 4-pane integrated workspace where you’ll do all work in the same browser. It’s got unique features where you can choose light/dark mode, syntax, font size and more.

The layout for each problem includes:

✅ prompt

✅ scratchpad

✅ AlgoExpert solutions

✅ video explanation

The problems on AlgoExpert span 15 categories and range from Easy to Very Hard. Some categories include:

arrays	graphs	greedy algorithms
linked lists	strings	dynamic programming
tries	recursion	binary search trees

You can solve problems in 9 programming languages:

JavaScript	Swift	C++
TypeScript	Kotlin	C#
Python	Java	Go

You’ll also find solutions available in all of the above languages.

Want to know what we really think of AlgoExpert? Check out our AlgoExpert.io Review.

Support

AlgoExpert doesn’t have an official community.

So AlgoExpert is one of the best algorithms courses for students who learn best independently.

🔥 Geena’s Hot Take

If the name of your game is algorithms, sign up for AlgoExpert.

But beware: it’s not all fun and games. You’re going to put a lot of hard work into AlgoExpert.

We know, we’ve done it.

But we think the potential payoff is worth the effort.

Use code realtoughcandy at checkout and SAVE 10%

---

7. Data Structures and Algorithms in Python: Educative.io

💰 Cost: $59 per year for the course // $59 per month or $199 per year (16.66/mo) for all courses and Learning Paths
⏲️ Duration: 19 hours
📉 Level: Intermediate
🖥️ Format: Interactive learning
🎖️ Certificate: Yes

As we mentioned earlier, we think Educative.io is one of the best platforms with the best algorithms courses.

Now Data Structures and Algorithms in Python is a bit different than AlgoExpert. Rather than work on practically every algorithm under the sun, you’ll focus on data structures and algorithms that are most commonly found in a typical workday.

Course Layout

Similar to AlgoExpert, Educative.io has an interactive learning environment where you’ll do all work in the same browser. But you won’t find any videos here.

With 11 modules, you’ll learn about all kinds of data structures and algorithms:

✅ singly and circular linked lists

✅ arrays

✅ binary trees

✅ recursion

And beyond.

Support

Educative.io doesn’t have a formal community. Instead, there are forums at the end of each lesson where you can interact with instructors and other students.

---

8. Master the Coding Interview: Data Structures + Algorithms: Zero to Mastery

💰 Cost: $39 per month or $279 per year ($23/mo) for all courses
⏲️ Duration: 19.5 hours
📉 Level: Intermediate
🖥️ Format: Video
🎖️ Certificate: Yes

Zero to Mastery is a unique platform because, like Pluralsight, it is video-based. But in this course, you will find a few redirects to Leetcode exercises. You’ll also find 55 downloadable resources.

We believe Master the Coding Interview is one of the best algorithms courses for students who want to ace the interview.

Check it out…

Course Layout

As we mentioned, Zero to Mastery is a video-based learning platform. So you’ll do all work on your local machine. But instructor Andrei Neagoie does an excellent job walking you through the steps to get set up.

Master the Coding Interview starts with advice on getting more interviews. Then there’s extensive coverage of big O notation.

After that you’ll get into the meat of the course: how to solve problems, data structures and algorithms.

💡As a bonus, there’s a section of questions asked at actual FAANG interviews.

Want to know why we love Zero to Mastery? Read our Zero to Mastery Review: Is Zero to Mastery by Andrei Neagoie Worth It?

Support

Zero to Mastery has a busy community where you can interact with instructors and other students on LinkedIn and Discord.

You can also contribute to open source projects, work on coding challenges and more.

Use FRIENDS10 at checkout and SAVE 10%

9. Algorithms, Part I: Coursera

💰 Cost: Free
⏲️ Duration: 54 hours
📉 Level: Intermediate
🖥️ Format: Video
🎖️ Certificate: No

Note: The courses Algorithms, Part I and Algorithms, Part II have a companion book, Algorithms, 4th Edition.

Algorithms, Part I is one of the best algorithms books for students who learn best with courses and books.

Like Treehouse and Zero to Mastery, Coursera is a video-based platform. You’ll do all work outside of the platform in your own coding environment.

There are sections where you can submit your work for review.

Course Layout

In Algorithms, Part I, you’ll learn about elementary data structures and sorting and searching algorithms implemented in Java.

Then you’ll work on 4 programming assignments throughout the course that you can submit for review.

Support

There are forums within courses on Coursera where you can get help from instructors (for a fee), mentors and other students.

---

10. Introduction to Algorithms: Treehouse

🚨 ALERT 🚨

As of September 2021, Treehouse has laid off 90% of its staff. The future of Treehouse is unknown.

💰 Cost: $25 per month for all courses and Learning Paths
⏲️ Duration: 2.25 hours
📉 Level: Beginner
🖥️ Format: Video
🎖️ Certificate: No

Introduction to Algorithms is quite a bit different that A Visual Introduction to Algorithms. Instead of interactive learning, you’ll learn almost entirely by video-based lessons.

💡 Video-based lessons mean you’ll watch videos and work on problems in your own coding environment.

The course is only 2.5 hours, a far cry from the 14 in A Visual Introduction to Algorithms.

So if you have a shorter attention span, this may be one of the best algorithms courses for you.

Let’s take a closer look.

Course Layout

There are 4 key takeaways in this course:

✅ algorithmic thinking

✅ time and space complexity

✅ big O notation

✅ linear and binary search

Support

Treehouse has a forum where you can get help from other students.

---

---

11. Algorithms: Sorting and Searching: Treehouse

🚨 ALERT 🚨

As of September 2021, Treehouse has laid off 90% of its staff. The future of Treehouse is unknown.

💰 Cost: $25 per month for all courses and Learning Paths
⏲️ Duration: 2 hours
📉 Level: Intermediate
🖥️ Format: Video
🎖️ Certificate: No

Treehouse has one of the best algorithms courses for students who learn best with videos.

In Algorithms: Sorting and Searching, you’ll learn how to implement popular sorting and searching algorithms.

You’ll also learn about recursion and big O notation.

Treehouse is similar to Zero to Mastery because it’s a video-based platform. But you will find code for algorithms like bogosort and selection sort that you can copy and paste.

Course Layout

Algorithms: Sorting and Searching is separated into two modules: Sorting Algorithms and Searching Names. Each covers a set of common algorithms.

Support

Treehouse has a forum where you can get help from other students.

---

Best Algorithms Courses: Conclusion

Let’s take a final look at what we showed you today.

We showed you some of the best algorithms courses including:

🔥 Best Overall 🔥
AlgoExpert

💥 Best for Newbies 💥
A Visual Introduction to Algorithms: Educative.io

💸 Best Value 💸
Master the Coding Interview: Data Structures + Algorithms: Zero to Mastery

So whether you need value, newbie-friendliness or want the cream of the crop, the best algorithms courses are right under your bubble sort. 🙃

So get algorithming!

---

Up Next:

• 8 Best Deep Learning Courses This Year [Learn Deep Learning ASAP]
• 12 Best Data Science Books for Beginners [Learn Data Science ASAP]
• 7 Best PowerShell Books This Year [Learn PowerShell ASAP]
• 10 Shell Scripting Books You Need [Learn Shell Scripting ASAP]
• NEW Stephen Grider Course on Zero to Mastery Review [Typescript: The Complete Developer’s Guide]

---