Best Platforms for Coding Interview Practice

If you’re preparing for technical interviews, you’ve probably noticed there’s no shortage of platforms promising to help you land your dream job. The problem isn’t finding resources. It’s figuring out which ones are actually worth your time and money when dozens of options compete for your attention.

I’ve spent years watching candidates prepare for interviews, and I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t. The platform that helps one person break into FAANG might leave another spinning their wheels for months. Understanding what each platform does well, and where each falls short, helps you build a preparation strategy that matches your specific situation.

In this guide, I’ll walk through the best platforms for coding interview practice, explain what makes each one unique, and help you figure out which combination fits your goals, budget, and learning style.

What Makes a Good Interview Practice Platform?

Before comparing specific platforms, let’s establish what actually matters for interview preparation:

Problem quality means exercises that mirror real interview questions in difficulty, format, and the skills they test. Platforms with problems sourced from actual interviews or created by experienced interviewers provide better preparation than those with generic algorithm exercises.

Feedback mechanisms help you learn from mistakes rather than just repeating them. The best platforms tell you not just whether you’re right but why you’re wrong and how to improve.

Learning resources support skill building, not just skill testing. Problems alone aren’t enough if you don’t understand the underlying concepts. Platforms that teach as well as test produce better outcomes.

Realistic practice conditions help you perform under pressure. Timed challenges, interview simulations, and environments that match real assessment tools prepare you for actual interview conditions.

Community and support provide help when you’re stuck and motivation to keep going. Discussion forums, solution explanations, and peer connections make the preparation journey less isolating.

The platforms below offer different combinations of these elements. The best choice depends on which factors matter most for your situation.

Comprehensive Practice Platforms

These platforms offer broad coverage of interview preparation, combining problem databases with learning resources and community features.

AlgoCademy

AlgoCademy approaches interview preparation differently than most platforms. Instead of simply providing a database of problems and expecting you to figure things out, AlgoCademy focuses on teaching the problem-solving process that interviews actually test.

The core insight behind AlgoCademy is that most candidates fail interviews not because they lack syntax knowledge but because they struggle to translate problems into solutions. You might understand arrays, hash maps, and recursion perfectly well. But when an interviewer presents an unfamiliar problem, knowing these concepts doesn’t automatically tell you how to combine them into a working solution.

AlgoCademy’s step-by-step interactive tutorials address this gap directly. Rather than showing you a problem and a solution, the platform guides you through the thinking process: how to analyze what the problem is really asking, how to identify which patterns apply, how to build a solution incrementally, and how to verify your approach handles edge cases.

This teaching-focused approach produces different results than pure problem grinding. Candidates who practice on AlgoCademy develop transferable problem-solving skills that work on problems they’ve never seen, not just memorized solutions to problems they’ve practiced. In interviews, where you’re guaranteed to face unfamiliar variations, this adaptability matters enormously.

The platform offers two tiers. The Starter plan ($19.99/month or $99.99/year) covers programming fundamentals for those building foundational skills. The Pro plan ($49/month or $249/year) unlocks comprehensive interview preparation with advanced problem-solving tutorials, algorithmic thinking exercises, and full coverage of data structures and patterns. A lifetime option at $799.99 provides permanent access for serious candidates.

Best for: Candidates who understand programming basics but struggle to solve problems independently. Those who’ve practiced on other platforms without seeing improvement. Anyone who wants to learn how to think through problems rather than memorize solutions.

Strengths: Teaches problem-solving process, not just solutions. Step-by-step guidance builds transferable skills. Addresses the actual reason most candidates fail interviews.

Limitations: Focused on building thinking skills rather than providing thousands of problems. Best used alongside a platform offering volume practice.

LeetCode

LeetCode is the dominant platform in interview preparation, and for good reason. With over 3,000 problems spanning every topic that appears in technical interviews, it offers unmatched breadth. Most candidates preparing for tech interviews use LeetCode at some point.

The platform’s greatest strength is its problem database. Questions are tagged by difficulty, topic, and company, making it possible to focus practice on specific areas. The company tags (available with Premium) show which questions companies actually ask, letting you target preparation toward your specific interview targets.

LeetCode’s community features add significant value. Discussion forums for each problem contain multiple solution approaches with explanations. Seeing how others solved a problem you just completed expands your thinking and exposes you to techniques you might not have considered.

The contest system provides timed practice against other users, building the ability to perform under pressure. Weekly and biweekly contests simulate interview time constraints while adding competitive motivation.

The free tier includes most problems and full community access. Premium ($35/month or $159/year) adds company-specific problem lists, official video solutions, a debugger, and sorting problems by frequency. For candidates targeting specific companies, the Premium features often justify the cost.

Best for: Candidates who need extensive practice volume. Those targeting specific companies. Anyone who benefits from community solutions and discussion.

Strengths: Largest problem database. Strong community. Company-specific problem tags. Regular contests.

Limitations: Provides problems, not instruction. Assumes you already know how to approach problems. Can lead to memorization without understanding if used without learning resources.

HackerRank

HackerRank serves dual purposes: interview preparation for candidates and technical assessment for companies. This dual role gives HackerRank a unique advantage: practicing on the platform prepares you for actual assessments that many companies use for screening.

The problem database covers algorithms, data structures, SQL, regex, and language-specific challenges. The Interview Preparation Kit organizes problems into a structured curriculum targeting specific skill areas. Completing these tracks provides systematic coverage rather than random problem selection.

HackerRank’s coding environment closely mirrors what you’ll encounter in real technical screens. Familiarity with the interface, time management within the platform, and comfort with the testing system all transfer directly to actual assessments. This practical benefit complements the skill-building value of the problems themselves.

Certification tracks let you earn credentials in specific areas like Python, SQL, or problem-solving. While these certifications carry less weight than industry credentials, completing them demonstrates commitment and provides structured learning goals.

The platform remains largely free for individual practice, making it accessible regardless of budget.

Best for: Candidates preparing for companies that use HackerRank for screening. Those who want structured preparation tracks. Anyone wanting free access to quality practice.

Strengths: Free access. Structured learning tracks. Direct preparation for HackerRank-based assessments. Multiple skill domains beyond algorithms.

Limitations: Smaller problem database than LeetCode. Community features less developed. Company tags not as comprehensive.

Codewars

Codewars gamifies coding practice with a martial arts theme. Problems are called “kata,” and you progress through ranks (kyu) as you solve them. The gamification elements motivate consistent practice for many learners.

The platform’s distinctive feature is what happens after you solve a problem: you immediately see how others approached the same challenge. This comparative view is incredibly educational. Discovering that your 30-line solution could be a 5-line one-liner using language features you didn’t know teaches you things that solving more problems wouldn’t.

The community creates problems, which leads to tremendous variety but variable quality. Some kata are brilliantly designed. Others have unclear specifications or edge cases. Learning to navigate this variability actually builds useful skills since real-world problems rarely come with perfect specifications.

Codewars supports dozens of programming languages, making it useful for exploring new languages or maintaining fluency across multiple ones. The same problem solved in Python and then in Haskell teaches you different ways of thinking.

Most features are free, with a modest Premium tier ($9.99/month) removing ads and adding minor features.

Best for: Developers who enjoy gamification and competition. Those who learn by comparing approaches. Programmers wanting to explore multiple languages.

Strengths: Strong community. Comparative learning through solution viewing. Gamification motivation. Multi-language support.

Limitations: Problems not specifically designed for interviews. Variable quality. Less structured than interview-focused platforms.

Problem Database Platforms

These platforms focus primarily on providing large collections of practice problems rather than comprehensive learning systems.

AlgoExpert

AlgoExpert takes a curated approach, offering around 200 handpicked problems rather than thousands of random ones. The philosophy is quality over quantity: every problem is selected for interview relevance and educational value.

Each problem includes video explanations walking through the thought process, multiple solution approaches, and complexity analysis. Watching how an expert approaches a problem teaches things that just seeing the final solution doesn’t. The videos make AlgoExpert particularly valuable for visual learners.

The SystemsExpert add-on ($85/year) extends the approach to system design questions, which appear in senior engineering interviews and require different preparation than coding problems.

The curated set means you can realistically complete all problems, providing a sense of completion that infinite databases don’t offer. For candidates who feel overwhelmed by thousands of problems, this bounded scope can be motivating.

Pricing: $99/year for AlgoExpert (coding), $85/year for SystemsExpert (system design), bundle deals available.

Best for: Candidates who prefer curated quality over overwhelming quantity. Visual learners who benefit from video explanations. Those targeting both coding and system design interviews.

Strengths: High-quality curated problems. Comprehensive video explanations. Bounded scope provides achievable completion.

Limitations: Smaller problem set means less variety. Single subscription model without monthly option.

Interview Cake

Interview Cake distinguishes itself through progressive hints. When you’re stuck, instead of immediately revealing solutions, the platform offers incremental guidance that preserves the learning opportunity.

The hint system recognizes that struggle is where learning happens. Immediately showing answers short-circuits this process. By providing just enough help to get unstuck, Interview Cake keeps you in the productive struggle zone longer.

Each problem includes detailed explanations of the thought process, common mistakes to avoid, and complexity analysis. The writing quality is notably high, with clear explanations that make complex concepts accessible.

The glossary and concept explanations provide reference material beyond just problems. When you encounter an unfamiliar data structure or technique, background explanations help you understand before attempting problems.

Pricing: $249 lifetime access or $39/month subscription.

Best for: Self-directed learners who want guidance without hand-holding. Candidates who frequently get stuck and need hints. Those who value clear, well-written explanations.

Strengths: Progressive hint system. High-quality explanations. Lifetime access option.

Limitations: Smaller problem set. No video content. Single-platform focus.

NeetCode

NeetCode emerged from a YouTube channel and provides a curated problem list with video explanations for each. The NeetCode 150 and NeetCode 250 organize essential problems by pattern, providing structure that random problem-solving lacks.

The roadmap feature helps you progress systematically through topics rather than jumping around randomly. Each pattern category builds on previous ones, creating a coherent learning sequence.

Free content includes the curated lists and YouTube video explanations. The paid tier adds additional features including a practice environment and expanded content.

Pricing: Free tier with curated lists and videos. Pro tier available for additional features.

Best for: Candidates who learn well from video content. Those wanting curated, structured problem lists. Budget-conscious learners.

Strengths: Free curated lists. Pattern-based organization. Video explanations for all problems.

Limitations: Less comprehensive than larger platforms. Relatively new platform.

Interactive Learning Platforms

These platforms emphasize teaching concepts alongside problem practice.

Educative

Educative offers text-based interactive courses rather than video content. The “Grokking the Coding Interview: Patterns for Coding Questions” course has become essential reading for many interview candidates.

The Grokking approach organizes problems by pattern (sliding window, two pointers, fast and slow pointers, etc.) rather than by data structure. This pattern recognition is exactly what interviews test. Learning to see that a new problem follows a familiar pattern is more valuable than memorizing solutions to specific problems.

Embedded code widgets let you practice directly within lessons, providing immediate feedback on your understanding. The tight integration between explanation and practice reinforces concepts effectively.

Text-based content works better for some learners than video. You can read at your own pace, easily re-read confusing sections, and search for specific topics. The format also works better in environments where watching videos isn’t practical.

Pricing: Individual courses around $79. Unlimited access $59/month or approximately $199/year on sale.

Best for: Learners who prefer reading to videos. Candidates wanting pattern-based interview prep. Those who want structured courses, not just problems.

Strengths: Pattern-based organization. Integrated practice. Self-paced text format.

Limitations: No video content. Text-heavy format not ideal for all learners. Subscription required for full access.

Coursera and edX

Coursera and edX offer university-level algorithms and data structures courses that build deep understanding. While not interview-prep platforms specifically, the foundational knowledge they build supports interview performance.

Stanford’s Algorithms Specialization on Coursera and MIT’s Introduction to Algorithms on edX provide rigorous coverage that surface-level tutorials don’t match. Candidates with weak fundamentals benefit from this depth.

Both platforms allow auditing courses for free, with payment required only for certificates and graded assignments. The educational content itself is accessible without cost.

Best for: Candidates needing to build or strengthen fundamentals. Those with time for comprehensive study. Anyone wanting academic rigor.

Strengths: Deep, rigorous content. University credentials. Free audit option.

Limitations: Not interview-specific. Time-intensive. Academic pace may feel slow for interview prep.

Mock Interview Platforms

Real interviews involve human interaction, time pressure, and communication skills that solo practice doesn’t develop. These platforms address that gap.

Pramp

Pramp provides free peer-to-peer mock interviews. You’re matched with another candidate, take turns interviewing each other, and provide structured feedback afterward.

The experience of being both interviewer and interviewee is uniquely valuable. Evaluating someone else’s solution helps you internalize what good problem-solving looks like. Receiving feedback from a peer reveals blind spots in your own approach.

The platform provides problems and structured feedback forms, ensuring consistency across sessions. You can practice as many interviews as you want at no cost.

The obvious limitation is that your interviewers are fellow candidates, not professionals. Feedback quality varies based on your partner’s experience and insight. But the sheer accessibility of unlimited free practice makes this tradeoff worthwhile for most candidates.

Pricing: Free

Best for: Everyone. Seriously, everyone preparing for interviews should use Pramp. The experience of live interviews is irreplaceable.

Strengths: Free unlimited practice. Experience as both interviewer and candidate. Structured feedback.

Limitations: Peer quality varies. Not a substitute for professional feedback.

Interviewing.io

Interviewing.io connects you with professional interviewers from top tech companies. Unlike peer platforms, your interviewers have conducted real interviews and know exactly what companies look for.

The feedback quality is substantially higher than peer interviews. Professional interviewers identify issues that peers might miss: subtle communication problems, inefficient approaches that technically work, missed opportunities to clarify requirements, and more.

The platform also offers anonymous interviews with actual companies. Strong performance can lead directly to job interviews, bypassing traditional application processes. This pathway is particularly valuable for candidates without traditional credentials who can demonstrate skill through performance.

Pricing: $100 to $225 per mock interview depending on interviewer background.

Best for: Candidates close to real interviews who want professional evaluation. Those who can afford premium feedback. Anyone wanting company introductions through performance.

Strengths: Professional interviewer feedback. Direct pathways to company interviews. High-quality evaluation.

Limitations: Expensive for frequent practice. Best used strategically rather than extensively.

Exponent

Exponent provides comprehensive interview preparation covering coding, system design, behavioral, and product questions. The breadth matters because real interview loops include multiple question types.

Peer mock interviews through the platform address the practice need, while courses cover the knowledge component. The system design content is particularly well-regarded and addresses a gap many coding-focused platforms ignore.

For PM and TPM candidates, Exponent’s product-focused content is especially relevant. Software engineers also benefit from the full-spectrum preparation.

Pricing: $99/month or $299/year

Best for: Candidates preparing for full interview loops. PM and TPM candidates. Those wanting system design preparation alongside coding.

Strengths: Comprehensive interview type coverage. Strong system design content. Peer mock interviews included.

Limitations: Broad coverage means less depth in any single area. Higher price point.

Specialty and Assessment Platforms

CodeSignal

CodeSignal provides both practice problems and actual assessments used by companies for hiring. The General Coding Assessment (GCA) produces a standardized score that some companies accept in lieu of their own screens.

Practicing on CodeSignal prepares you for both the problem types and the specific platform you might encounter in real applications. The GCA score can open doors at companies that accept it, potentially bypassing initial technical screens.

Pricing: Practice is free. GCA available through company processes.

Best for: Candidates targeting companies that use CodeSignal. Those wanting a standardized skill measurement.

StrataScratch

StrataScratch focuses specifically on data science interview preparation with SQL, Python, and statistics problems sourced from real company interviews. For data roles, this specialization provides more relevant practice than general algorithm platforms.

Pricing: Free tier available. Premium for full access.

Best for: Data scientists, data analysts, and data engineers. Anyone interviewing for data-focused roles.

Skilled.dev

Skilled.dev offers a one-time payment model for lifetime access to interview prep content. The comprehensive course covers data structures, algorithms, and interview strategies.

Pricing: $199 one-time payment for lifetime access.

Best for: Candidates who prefer one-time purchases over subscriptions. Those wanting permanent resource access.

Choosing the Right Platform Combination

No single platform does everything well. The most effective preparation combines platforms strategically.

For Conceptual Foundation + Practice

Pair AlgoCademy with LeetCode. AlgoCademy teaches you how to think through problems systematically, building the problem-solving skills that interviews test. LeetCode provides the volume practice needed to recognize patterns quickly and perform under time pressure. This combination addresses both the skill-building and pattern-recognition aspects of preparation.

For Structured Learning + Mock Interviews

Combine Educative (specifically Grokking the Coding Interview) with Pramp. Educative’s pattern-based curriculum builds systematic knowledge. Pramp’s free mock interviews develop the live interview skills that solo practice can’t build.

For Curated Quality + Professional Feedback

Use AlgoExpert for focused problem practice with video explanations, then Interviewing.io for professional evaluation when you’re close to real interviews. This combination prioritizes quality over quantity throughout.

For Budget-Conscious Preparation

AlgoCademy Starter ($19.99/month) + LeetCode free tier + Pramp (free) + HackerRank (free) provides comprehensive preparation at minimal cost. Upgrade AlgoCademy to Pro ($49/month or $249/year) when ready for advanced interview content.

For Maximum Preparation

AlgoCademy Pro for problem-solving foundations, LeetCode Premium for company-specific practice, Educative for pattern-based learning, Interviewing.io for professional feedback, and AlgoExpert + SystemsExpert for curated problems and system design. This comprehensive stack covers all aspects of preparation.

Platform Comparison Summary

Platform	Primary Strength	Price Range	Best For
AlgoCademy	Teaching problem-solving process	$19.99-$49/month	Building thinking skills
LeetCode	Largest problem database	Free-$35/month	Volume practice
HackerRank	Free structured practice	Free	Budget-conscious prep
Codewars	Community solutions	Free-$9.99/month	Comparative learning
AlgoExpert	Curated problems + videos	$99/year	Quality over quantity
Educative	Pattern-based courses	$59/month	Structured learning
Interview Cake	Progressive hints	$249 lifetime	Self-directed learners
Pramp	Free mock interviews	Free	Interview experience
Interviewing.io	Professional feedback	$100-225/session	Pre-interview polish
Exponent	Full interview coverage	$99/month	Complete preparation

Final Recommendations

The platform that works best depends on your starting point:

If you struggle to solve problems independently, start with AlgoCademy. The step-by-step approach teaches the thinking process that other platforms assume you already have. Once you can approach problems systematically, add volume practice elsewhere.

If you understand concepts but need practice volume, LeetCode provides unmatched breadth. Use company tags if targeting specific employers. Join the discussion community to learn from others’ approaches.

If you learn best from structured courses, Educative’s Grokking series organizes preparation by pattern, building systematic knowledge rather than random problem exposure.

If you’ve practiced extensively but still struggle in interviews, add mock interview practice through Pramp (free) or Interviewing.io (professional feedback). Live interview skills require live practice.

If budget is your primary constraint, combine free resources (HackerRank, LeetCode free tier, Pramp, NeetCode videos) with AlgoCademy Starter ($19.99/month) for guided skill-building.

Whatever platforms you choose, remember that tools are only as good as how you use them. Consistent daily practice on a free platform beats sporadic use of expensive subscriptions. Choose platforms that match your learning style, commit to regular practice, and trust that preparation produces results.

Your interview success depends on the skills you build, not the platforms you use. These tools just help you build those skills more efficiently. Now pick your combination and get to work.