Best Websites to Practice Coding Problems in 2025 (Tested & Ranked)
I’ve been in the coding education space for six years now, running AlgoCademy and watching thousands of developers prepare for technical interviews. In that time, I’ve tested pretty much every coding practice platform out there—some are genuinely useful, others are a waste of time.
This isn’t another generic listicle. I’m going to tell you what each platform actually does well, where it falls short, and who should use it. I’ll also be upfront: AlgoCademy is my platform, so take my comments about it with appropriate skepticism. That said, I’ve included it because I genuinely believe it fills a gap the others don’t.
Quick Comparison: Which Platform Is Right for You?
| Platform | Best For | Price | Difficulty | Interview Prep |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LeetCode | FAANG interviews | Free / $159/yr | Medium-Hard | ★★★★★ |
| AlgoCademy | Learning how to solve problems | $99/yr or $249/yr | Beginner-Medium | ★★★★★ |
| HackerRank | Getting hired + certifications | Free / $119/yr | Easy-Hard | ★★★★☆ |
| NeetCode | Structured interview prep | Free / $99/yr | Medium-Hard | ★★★★★ |
| Codewars | Daily practice habit | Free | Easy-Hard | ★★★☆☆ |
| CodeSignal | Company assessments | Free | Medium | ★★★★☆ |
| Exercism | Learning new languages | Free | Easy-Medium | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Project Euler | Math + algorithms | Free | Hard | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Codeforces | Competitive programming | Free | Hard | ★★★☆☆ |
| GeeksforGeeks | Concept explanations | Free / $30/mo | Easy-Hard | ★★★★☆ |
| CodeChef | Competitions | Free | Medium-Hard | ★★☆☆☆ |
| AlgoExpert | Video explanations | $99/yr | Medium-Hard | ★★★★☆ |
| Coderbyte | Quick prep | Free / $35/mo | Easy-Medium | ★★★☆☆ |
| TopCoder | Prize competitions | Free | Hard | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Edabit | Absolute beginners | Free | Easy | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Now let’s break down each one.
1. LeetCode
LeetCode is the industry standard for technical interview preparation, and for good reason. If you’re targeting FAANG or similar companies, you essentially have to use it—interviewers literally pull questions from here.
What it does well: The problem database is massive (3,000+ problems), and the company tags tell you exactly what Amazon or Google asked in recent interviews. The discussion section is gold—you’ll find multiple solutions with detailed explanations for every problem. The contest system is also excellent for simulating interview pressure.
Where it falls short: LeetCode assumes you already know data structures and algorithms. If you’re staring at a medium-difficulty problem with no idea where to start, LeetCode won’t teach you the underlying concepts. It’s a testing ground, not a classroom. The premium price ($159/year) is also steep, though the company-specific questions are worth it if you’re actively interviewing.
Best for: Developers who already understand DSA fundamentals and need to grind problems before interviews.
Verdict: Essential for serious interview prep, but don’t start here if you’re still learning the basics.
2. AlgoCademy
Full disclosure: this is my platform. I built AlgoCademy specifically because I saw a gap between “learn Python basics” courses and “here’s 500 LeetCode problems, good luck.”
What it does well: Step-by-step problem breakdowns that teach you how to approach problems, not just the solution. The AI tutor gives hints without spoiling the answer, which mimics having a senior developer guide you. The curriculum is structured around the patterns that actually appear in interviews (sliding window, two pointers, BFS/DFS, dynamic programming, etc.).
Where it falls short: The problem library is smaller than LeetCode (300+ vs 3,000+). If you’re an experienced competitive programmer, you’ll find it too easy. It’s designed for people building their foundation, not experts looking for challenge.
Best for: Self-taught developers, bootcamp grads, or anyone who feels stuck on LeetCode and doesn’t know why they can’t solve medium problems.
Verdict: Use it to learn the problem-solving patterns, then graduate to LeetCode for volume.
3. NeetCode
NeetCode started as a YouTube channel and evolved into one of the best-organized interview prep resources available. The “NeetCode 150” is now a standard curriculum that many developers follow.
What it does well: The roadmap is brilliant—problems are organized by pattern, and each one builds on the previous. The video explanations are clear and concise. The free tier is genuinely generous. If you’re the type who learns by watching someone solve problems, NeetCode is perfect.
Where it falls short: It’s heavily video-based, which doesn’t work for everyone. The platform itself is simpler than LeetCode—fewer features, smaller community. And while the curated list is great, it can feel limiting once you’ve completed it.
Best for: Visual learners who want a structured path through interview problems.
Verdict: Excellent complement to LeetCode. Follow the NeetCode 150 roadmap, then expand from there.
4. HackerRank
HackerRank occupies a unique position: it’s both a practice platform and an actual hiring tool. Many companies use HackerRank for their technical assessments, so practicing here means you’re training on the same platform you’ll be tested on.
What it does well: The skill certifications are genuinely useful—some recruiters filter for them. The domain variety is excellent (SQL, regex, AI, not just algorithms). The interface is clean, and problems are well-explained with solid test cases. If a company sends you a HackerRank assessment, you won’t have any surprises about the platform.
Where it falls short: The problem quality is inconsistent. Some challenges are excellent; others feel like they were written by interns. The community isn’t as active as LeetCode’s, so finding alternative solutions or explanations can be harder.
Best for: Anyone actively job hunting who might face HackerRank assessments, or developers who want certifications to add to their LinkedIn.
Verdict: Worth using alongside LeetCode, especially for the certifications and SQL practice.
5. Codewars
Codewars gamifies coding practice in a way that actually works. The “kata” system (martial arts–inspired challenges) and ranking progression make it addictive in the best way.
What it does well: The community-created problems are creative and varied—you’ll encounter challenges here you won’t find anywhere else. Seeing other solutions after you solve a problem is incredibly educational; you’ll learn tricks and language features you never knew existed. The language support is exceptional (50+ languages). It’s also completely free.
Where it falls short: Problems aren’t organized for interview prep. You’ll improve as a programmer, but not necessarily at the specific patterns companies test. Some community-created problems have unclear instructions or weak test cases. There’s no structured learning path.
Best for: Developers who want to code daily and enjoy gamification. Great for learning a new language or improving general programming skills.
Verdict: Excellent for building a practice habit, less useful for targeted interview prep.
6. CodeSignal
CodeSignal (formerly CodeFights) is heavily used by companies for pre-interview assessments. Their “General Coding Assessment” score is accepted by hundreds of companies, which means one test can open multiple doors.
What it does well: The GCA is a legitimate shortcut—a good score can bypass initial coding screens at many companies. The practice environment matches the actual assessment format. The arcade mode is a fun way to warm up. Company-specific practice tests help you know exactly what to expect.
Where it falls short: The platform is clearly designed more for companies than candidates. Free content is limited. If you’re not actively applying to companies that use CodeSignal, there’s less reason to be here.
Best for: Job seekers at companies that use CodeSignal assessments (Uber, Dropbox, and many others).
Verdict: Take the GCA if you’re job hunting—it’s an efficient way to get past initial screens.
7. Exercism
Exercism is completely free, open-source, and takes a radically different approach: human mentorship. You submit solutions, and volunteer mentors review your code and suggest improvements.
What it does well: Learning idiomatic code in a new language is where Exercism shines. The mentors teach you to write Python like a Pythonista, not like someone translating from Java. The 70+ language tracks mean you can learn almost anything. The exercises focus on clean code and best practices rather than algorithm tricks.
Where it falls short: This isn’t interview prep. You won’t find classic DSA problems here. Mentor availability varies—sometimes feedback is quick, sometimes you wait days. The problems trend toward easier difficulty.
Best for: Developers learning a new language who want to write idiomatic, professional code.
Verdict: Perfect for what it does, but don’t expect it to prepare you for technical interviews.
8. GeeksforGeeks
GeeksforGeeks is less a practice platform and more an encyclopedia of computer science. If you need to understand how a red-black tree works before solving a problem, GFG probably has the clearest explanation.
What it does well: The explanations are thorough and include code in multiple languages. Company-specific interview archives are huge. The practice platform has improved significantly and now offers a decent problem set. For students, the structured courses cover fundamentals well.
Where it falls short: The website is cluttered with ads (unless you pay). Content quality varies—some articles are excellent, others are poorly written. The practice platform’s UI isn’t as polished as LeetCode’s. Navigation can be confusing.
Best for: Developers who need to learn or review DSA concepts with detailed explanations.
Verdict: Excellent reference resource. Use it to learn concepts, then practice elsewhere.
9. Project Euler
Project Euler is the grandfather of coding challenge sites, running since 2001. The problems blend mathematics and programming in ways that will stretch your brain.
What it does well: The problems are beautifully crafted. Solving them requires both mathematical insight and programming skill—brute force usually won’t work. The difficulty curve is well-designed. There’s something deeply satisfying about cracking these puzzles.
Where it falls short: This isn’t interview prep at all. You won’t see these problems in coding interviews (they’re too mathematical). The site is deliberately minimal—no hints, no editorial solutions. If you’re not mathematically inclined, you’ll hit a wall quickly.
Best for: Developers who enjoy math, want to improve algorithmic thinking, or just like intellectual puzzles.
Verdict: Pure recreational programming. Fun and educational, but won’t directly help you get hired.
10. Codeforces
Codeforces is where competitive programmers live. If you’ve ever heard someone referred to as a “red coder,” this is where that ranking comes from.
What it does well: The contests are excellent—regular, well-organized, and genuinely challenging. The problem archive is enormous and high-quality. The community is active and includes some of the best programmers in the world. The editorial solutions are detailed.
Where it falls short: The difficulty level is brutal for newcomers. The community can be unwelcoming to beginners. The contest timing (often late at night for US users, since it’s based in Russia) is inconvenient. The problems often require mathematical insights beyond typical interview questions.
Best for: Competitive programmers, CS students interested in olympiad-style problems, or very strong developers who want a challenge.
Verdict: If you want to become a better competitive programmer, this is the place. For interview prep, it’s overkill.
11. CodeChef
CodeChef is similar to Codeforces but with a friendlier learning curve. The monthly contests and rating system give you concrete goals to work toward.
What it does well: The difficulty ratings are accurate—you can find problems at your exact level. The editorial solutions are educational. The learning section and certifications provide structure for beginners. The contests are less intimidating than Codeforces.
Where it falls short: The UI feels dated compared to LeetCode. Server issues during contests are common. The problem quality doesn’t quite match Codeforces at the high end.
Best for: Developers interested in competitive programming who find Codeforces too intense.
Verdict: Good gateway to competitive programming. Limited value for interview prep.
12. AlgoExpert
AlgoExpert positions itself as the premium, curated alternative to LeetCode. Instead of thousands of problems, you get 220 carefully selected ones with video explanations.
What it does well: The video explanations are high-quality—you’re essentially getting a course bundled with practice problems. The curated list removes decision fatigue. The coding workspace is clean. Additional products (SystemsExpert, MLExpert) make it a one-stop shop for multiple interview types.
Where it falls short: The $99/year price feels steep for 220 problems when LeetCode has 3,000+. The video-first approach doesn’t work for everyone. The founder’s marketing style is aggressive, which turns some people off.
Best for: Developers who prefer video explanations and want a curated, “course-like” experience.
Verdict: Good option if you’ll actually watch the videos. Otherwise, NeetCode offers similar curation for free.
13. Coderbyte
Coderbyte targets early-career developers with a mix of challenges and prep courses. It’s less intense than LeetCode but more structured.
What it does well: The difficulty curve is gentler for beginners. The interview prep section includes mock interviews. The challenges cover a good range of topics. The company interview kits are helpful if you’re applying to specific employers.
Where it falls short: The problem library is smaller. The community is less active. Premium features feel overpriced for what you get. Some challenges feel dated.
Best for: Junior developers who find LeetCode overwhelming.
Verdict: Solid starting point for beginners, but you’ll outgrow it quickly.
14. TopCoder
TopCoder was pioneering competitive programming before LeetCode existed. It’s still around, though less relevant for interview prep.
What it does well: The SRM (Single Round Match) contests are legendary. The problem archive contains classic challenges. The community includes some historically significant competitive programmers.
Where it falls short: The platform feels dated. The focus has shifted toward design and development challenges for clients, not algorithm practice. The community has shrunk as users migrated to LeetCode and Codeforces.
Best for: Competitive programming veterans or developers interested in freelance challenges.
Verdict: Historical significance, but there are better options for most purposes today.
15. Edabit
Edabit is coding practice for absolute beginners. The challenges are bite-sized and approachable.
What it does well: Zero intimidation factor. The gamification keeps beginners motivated. You can start with near-zero programming knowledge. The explanations assume nothing.
Where it falls short: You’ll outgrow it within weeks if you practice regularly. No interview relevance whatsoever. Problems can feel trivial once you have any experience.
Best for: Complete beginners who’ve never written code before.
Verdict: Good for the first few weeks of learning, then move on.
My Recommended Learning Path
If I were starting from scratch today, here’s the sequence I’d follow:
Phase 1: Build Foundations (4-8 weeks)
- Learn DSA concepts with GeeksforGeeks articles
- Practice fundamentals on AlgoCademy with the guided tutorials
- Build a daily coding habit with Codewars
Phase 2: Interview Prep (8-12 weeks)
- Follow the NeetCode 150 roadmap
- Grind LeetCode mediums, focusing on pattern recognition
- Take HackerRank certifications for resume boost
Phase 3: Active Job Hunt
- Get your CodeSignal GCA score
- Do company-specific LeetCode problems
- Practice on HackerRank (many companies use it for assessments)
Final Thoughts
There’s no single “best” platform—it depends on where you are in your journey and what you’re optimizing for. A complete beginner wasting time on Codeforces is just as inefficient as an experienced developer doing Edabit challenges.
Be honest about your current level, pick the appropriate platform, and actually practice. Consistency beats platform choice every time.
If you’re stuck in the “I can solve easy problems but freeze on mediums” zone, that’s exactly the gap I built AlgoCademy to address. But whatever platform you choose, the key is showing up daily. The people who get FAANG offers aren’t necessarily smarter—they just practiced more.
Good luck.
