Cost Comparison of Popular Coding Interview Preparation Courses

Technical interview preparation has become its own industry. Dozens of platforms, courses, and services promise to help you land that dream job at a top tech company. But prices range from completely free to several thousand dollars, and it’s not always clear what you’re getting for your money.

I’ve spent considerable time analyzing these options, and here’s what I’ve learned: expensive doesn’t always mean better, and free doesn’t always mean adequate. The right choice depends on your budget, timeline, learning style, and how much structure you need.

In this guide, I’ll break down the actual costs of popular interview prep resources, what you get at each price point, and how to build an effective preparation strategy regardless of your budget.

Understanding What You’re Paying For

Before comparing prices, let’s understand what interview prep platforms actually offer. Most combine some subset of these features:

Problem databases provide coding challenges similar to what you’ll face in interviews. The value lies in problem quality, variety, and how well they mirror real interview questions.

Video explanations walk through problem solutions and concepts. Quality varies dramatically, from rushed overviews to detailed breakdowns of multiple approaches.

Structured curricula organize content into learning paths rather than overwhelming you with thousands of random problems. This structure helps if you’re unsure where to focus.

Interactive practice lets you write and test code directly in your browser with immediate feedback on correctness and efficiency.

Mock interviews simulate real interview conditions, sometimes with actual humans, sometimes with AI systems.

Community features provide discussion forums, solution sharing, and peer support.

The platforms charging more typically offer more of these features or higher quality implementations. But you might not need everything they offer, which means paying for features you won’t use.

Free Resources: $0

Let’s start with what you can access without spending anything. Free resources have improved dramatically and can absolutely prepare you for interviews if you’re disciplined and self-directed.

LeetCode (Free Tier)

LeetCode offers around 3,000 problems, with a substantial portion accessible for free. You can filter by difficulty, topic, and company tags (though some company-specific features require premium).

The free tier includes the problem database, basic filtering, discussion forums where users share solutions, and the ability to submit code in dozens of languages. You miss out on premium features like company-specific problem sets, video solutions, and the debugger, but the core practice experience remains available.

For many candidates, LeetCode’s free tier provides sufficient practice material. The main limitation is lack of structure. You’re on your own figuring out which problems to solve and in what order.

What you get: Thousands of problems, community solutions, basic filtering What you miss: Company tags, video explanations, premium problems, sorting by frequency

HackerRank (Free Tier)

HackerRank provides free coding challenges across multiple domains including algorithms, data structures, SQL, and language-specific tracks. The platform is widely used by companies for actual screening, so familiarity with the interface has practical value.

The interview preparation kit organizes problems by topic with structured practice paths. Certification tracks let you earn credentials demonstrating proficiency in specific areas.

What you get: Structured problem sets, interview prep kit, certifications, company screening practice What you miss: Premium content is limited; mainly a free platform with optional paid features

NeetCode (Free Content)

NeetCode offers a curated list of 150 problems (the “NeetCode 150”) organized by pattern and difficulty. The accompanying YouTube channel provides video explanations for each problem.

The free roadmap helps you systematically cover essential patterns without getting lost in thousands of problems. This curation is valuable because knowing which problems to solve matters as much as solving them.

What you get: Curated problem list, video explanations, pattern-based organization What you miss: The paid courses and additional features (though the free content is substantial)

Pramp

Pramp offers free peer-to-peer mock interviews. You’re matched with another candidate, take turns interviewing each other, and provide feedback. The experience simulates real interviews better than solo practice.

The platform provides problems and structured feedback forms. You build interviewing skills from both sides of the table, which helps you understand what interviewers look for.

What you get: Unlimited peer mock interviews, structured feedback, interview experience What you miss: Professional interviewers (your partners are fellow candidates with varying skill levels)

freeCodeCamp Interview Prep

freeCodeCamp includes interview preparation sections covering data structures, algorithms, and common interview topics. The content is integrated into their broader curriculum.

While less comprehensive than dedicated interview prep platforms, it’s completely free and provides solid foundational practice.

What you get: Basic algorithm practice, data structure lessons, project-based learning What you miss: The depth and breadth of dedicated interview prep platforms

Budget Options: $10 to $50 per Month

This tier offers significant upgrades over free resources while remaining accessible to most budgets. You typically get better structure, more features, and curated content.

LeetCode Premium: $35/month or $159/year

LeetCode Premium unlocks the platform’s full potential. The most valuable additions are company-specific problem lists showing which questions companies actually ask, sorted by frequency.

Premium also includes official video solutions, a built-in debugger, unlimited access to the “Explore” learning cards, and autocomplete features. The company tags alone justify the cost for many candidates targeting specific employers.

Monthly cost: $35/month (or about $13/month if paying annually) Best for: Candidates targeting specific companies who want to see actual interview questions Value assessment: High value if you use company tags; moderate if you just want more problems

AlgoCademy: Affordable with Unique Value

AlgoCademy takes a different approach than most interview prep platforms. Rather than just throwing problems at you and expecting you to figure things out, AlgoCademy focuses on teaching the problem-solving process itself.

The platform uses step-by-step interactive tutorials that guide you through how to think about problems, not just how to code solutions. This addresses the core challenge most candidates face: they can understand solutions when they see them but struggle to develop solutions independently.

What makes AlgoCademy particularly valuable for interview prep is the focus on building transferable problem-solving skills. Instead of memorizing solutions to specific problems (which fails when you encounter variations), you develop systematic approaches that work across problem types.

AlgoCademy offers two tiers:

Starter Plan ($19.99/month or $99.99/year) focuses on learning to code from scratch, perfect for those building foundational programming skills before tackling interview-specific content.

Pro Plan ($49/month or $249/year) unlocks the full interview preparation experience with advanced problem-solving tutorials, algorithmic thinking exercises, and comprehensive coverage of data structures and patterns. A lifetime option at $799.99 provides permanent access for those committed to long-term skill development.

For candidates who find themselves stuck despite practicing hundreds of problems elsewhere, AlgoCademy’s emphasis on the thinking process often provides the breakthrough other platforms don’t.

Monthly cost: $19.99/month (Starter) or $49/month (Pro); annual plans offer significant savings Best for: Candidates who understand syntax but struggle to solve problems independently; those who want to learn the “how to think” behind problem-solving Value assessment: Excellent value for the approach it offers; fills a gap other platforms don’t address

Educative: $59/month or Various Plans

Educative offers text-based interactive courses rather than video content. Their “Grokking the Coding Interview: Patterns for Coding Questions” course has become a go-to resource for pattern-based interview prep.

The Grokking course organizes problems by patterns (sliding window, two pointers, fast and slow pointers, etc.) rather than by data structure. Learning to recognize patterns helps you solve new problems, not just problems you’ve seen before.

Individual courses cost around $79, or unlimited access runs $59/month ($199/year on sale). The text-based format lets you move at your own pace without sitting through videos.

Monthly cost: $59/month unlimited (or ~$17/month annually) Best for: Learners who prefer reading to videos; candidates wanting pattern-based organization Value assessment: High value for the Grokking series; the pattern-based approach is genuinely useful

AlgoExpert: $99/year

AlgoExpert offers a curated set of 200+ handpicked problems with video explanations for each. The curation philosophy is quality over quantity: every problem is selected for interview relevance.

The video explanations are thorough, walking through multiple approaches and explaining tradeoffs. The platform also offers SystemsExpert ($85/year) for system design and other specialized products.

Annual cost: $99/year (about $8/month) Best for: Candidates who prefer curated problems over massive databases; video learners Value assessment: Good value for the curated approach and video quality

Coderbyte: $35/month or $199/year

Coderbyte combines a problem database with video courses and interview prep features. The platform offers starter, interview prep, and career tracks with guided curricula.

Company-specific challenges and screening assessments add practical value since some employers use Coderbyte for actual hiring. The solution videos explain approaches clearly.

Monthly cost: $35/month (or about $17/month annually) Best for: Candidates wanting a mix of problems and structured courses Value assessment: Moderate; less focused than dedicated interview prep platforms

Interview Cake: $249 One-Time or $39/month

Interview Cake focuses specifically on developing problem-solving intuition. Each problem includes extensive hints that progressively guide you toward solutions, teaching you how to approach problems step by step.

The “hints” feature sets Interview Cake apart. Instead of immediately showing solutions when you’re stuck, it provides incremental guidance that preserves the learning opportunity. This approach builds problem-solving skills rather than just revealing answers.

Cost: $249 lifetime or $39/month Best for: Candidates who want guided learning with progressive hints; self-directed learners who get stuck often Value assessment: Good value for the pedagogical approach; the hint system is genuinely helpful

Premium Options: $100+ per Month

Higher-priced options typically add human interaction, personalized feedback, or intensive coaching. Whether these features justify the cost depends on your specific needs.

Interviewing.io: Pay-Per-Interview

Interviewing.io connects you with engineers from top companies for mock interviews. Unlike peer platforms, your interviewers are actual professionals who’ve conducted real interviews.

Individual mock interviews cost around $100 to $225 depending on the interviewer’s company and experience. The feedback quality is high because interviewers know what they’re looking for and can provide professional-grade evaluation.

The platform also offers anonymous interviewing with real companies, where strong performance can lead to actual job interviews without traditional application processes.

Cost: $100 to $225 per mock interview Best for: Candidates who want professional feedback; those close to real interviews who need realistic practice Value assessment: High value per session but expensive for extensive practice; best used strategically

Exponent: $99/month or $299/year

Exponent covers the full interview spectrum including coding, system design, behavioral, and product questions. The platform is particularly strong for PM roles but includes substantial software engineering content.

Video courses, practice problems, peer mock interviews, and a question database are included. The system design content is especially well-regarded.

Monthly cost: $99/month (or about $25/month annually) Best for: Candidates preparing for multiple interview types; PM and TPM candidates Value assessment: Good value for comprehensive preparation; especially strong on system design

Skilled.dev: $199 One-Time

Skilled.dev offers a one-time payment for lifetime access to their interview prep course. The content covers data structures, algorithms, and common interview patterns with video explanations.

The lifetime model appeals to those who dislike subscriptions and prefer owning content permanently.

Cost: $199 one-time (lifetime access) Best for: Candidates who prefer one-time payment over subscriptions Value assessment: Moderate; the content is solid but less comprehensive than larger platforms

Intensive Programs: $500+

At the highest price tier, you’re paying for personalized coaching, cohort-based programs, and intensive interview preparation designed to dramatically compress timelines.

Formation: $4,000+

Formation offers intensive cohort-based programs with personal mentorship from engineers at top companies. The program includes personalized feedback, mock interviews, and dedicated coaching.

The program targets experienced engineers aiming for senior roles at top-tier companies. The price reflects intensive human involvement and personalized attention.

Cost: $4,000+ depending on program Best for: Experienced engineers targeting senior roles at FAANG; those who need intensive coaching Value assessment: High value if you land a role with significantly higher compensation; expensive gamble otherwise

Outco: $4,000 to $6,000

Outco is a technical interview bootcamp offering structured preparation over several weeks. The program includes coaching, mock interviews, and job search support.

The cohort model provides accountability and community that self-study lacks. Career coaching extends beyond interview prep into job search strategy.

Cost: $4,000 to $6,000 Best for: Career changers or bootcamp grads needing intensive prep; those who benefit from structured programs Value assessment: Significant investment; most valuable for those struggling with self-directed prep

Coaching and Tutoring: $100 to $300/hour

Individual coaching from experienced engineers costs $100 to $300+ per hour depending on the coach’s background. Platforms like Codementor and independent coaches offer personalized interview prep.

One-on-one attention allows customization impossible with standardized courses. Coaches can identify your specific weaknesses and tailor practice accordingly.

Cost: $100 to $300+ per hour Best for: Candidates with specific weaknesses needing targeted help; those who can afford personalized attention Value assessment: High value per hour if you find a good coach; expensive for comprehensive prep

Books: One-Time Investments

Books remain remarkably cost-effective despite the proliferation of online platforms. The best interview prep books provide comprehensive coverage at a fraction of subscription costs.

Cracking the Coding Interview: ~$35

Cracking the Coding Interview by Gayle McDowell is the classic reference. The book covers 189 problems with solutions, plus extensive guidance on the interview process itself.

The chapters on how to approach problems and what interviewers look for provide value beyond the problems themselves. Nearly every serious interview candidate owns this book.

Cost: About $35 Value assessment: Essential purchase; incredible value for the price

Elements of Programming Interviews: ~$36

Elements of Programming Interviews (available in Java, Python, and C++ editions) offers harder problems than CTCI and targets candidates aiming for top companies.

The problems are more challenging and the explanations more concise. It’s best used after building fundamentals elsewhere.

Cost: About $36 Value assessment: Excellent for advanced prep; complements CTCI well

Grokking Algorithms: ~$40

Grokking Algorithms provides visual, intuitive explanations of fundamental algorithms. The illustrated approach makes concepts accessible to visual learners.

This isn’t an interview prep book specifically, but understanding algorithms deeply helps interview performance.

Cost: About $40 Value assessment: Great for building intuition; not a direct interview prep resource

System Design Interview: ~$30 to $40

System Design Interview by Alex Xu covers the system design questions that appear in senior engineer interviews. The book walks through designing systems like URL shorteners, chat applications, and search engines.

For candidates targeting senior roles, system design preparation is essential and this book is the standard resource.

Cost: About $30 to $40 per volume (two volumes available) Value assessment: Essential for senior roles; skip if targeting junior positions

Building a Cost-Effective Preparation Strategy

Now that we’ve covered the options, let’s build actual strategies at different budget levels.

Minimal Budget: Under $100 Total

If money is tight, you can still prepare effectively:

1. Buy Cracking the Coding Interview ($35). This single purchase provides comprehensive problem coverage and interview guidance.
2. Use LeetCode free tier for additional practice. Filter by difficulty and topic to structure your practice.
3. Use Pramp for free mock interviews. Practice with peers to build interview experience.
4. Watch NeetCode videos on YouTube for problem explanations. The curated list provides structure.

Total cost: $35 for the book; everything else is free.

This approach requires more self-direction but provides the essentials. Consider adding AlgoCademy’s Starter plan ($19.99/month or $99.99/year) for structured guidance on problem-solving approaches, especially if you’re building foundational skills.

Moderate Budget: $100 to $300

With a bit more to invest, you can add structure and quality:

1. Cracking the Coding Interview ($35) for foundational coverage.
2. AlgoCademy Pro subscription ($249/year or $49/month) for interactive, step-by-step problem-solving guidance. The focus on teaching how to think about problems accelerates progress beyond what problem grinding alone achieves.
3. LeetCode Premium annual ($159) if targeting specific companies. The company tags show what questions are actually asked.
4. One or two mock interviews on Interviewing.io ($200 to $400) as you approach real interviews. Professional feedback reveals blind spots.

Total cost: $250 to $450 depending on choices.

This combination covers structured learning (AlgoCademy), extensive practice (LeetCode), reference material (CTCI), and realistic practice (mock interviews).

Comfortable Budget: $500 to $1,000

With more resources, you can optimize for efficiency:

1. Core resources from moderate budget (book, AlgoCademy Pro at $249/year, LeetCode Premium at $159/year).
2. Educative Grokking courses ($199/year) for pattern-based learning that complements problem-by-problem practice.
3. AlgoExpert ($99) for curated problems with video explanations.
4. Multiple mock interviews through Interviewing.io throughout your preparation.
5. System Design Interview books if targeting senior roles.

Total cost: $500 to $900.

This combination provides multiple learning modalities (text, video, interactive), extensive practice material, and professional feedback.

All-In Budget: $2,000+

If maximizing chances regardless of cost:

1. All resources from comfortable budget (consider AlgoCademy’s $799.99 lifetime access for permanent value).
2. Intensive coaching program like Formation or Outco if you qualify and need structured accountability.
3. Regular mock interviews with professional interviewers.
4. One-on-one coaching sessions for personalized feedback on weak areas.

Total cost: $2,000 to $6,000+.

This level of investment only makes sense if the potential salary increase justifies it and if you’ve determined that self-study isn’t working for you.

Platform Comparison Table

Platform	Cost	Best Feature	Main Limitation
LeetCode Free	$0	Huge problem database	No structure
LeetCode Premium	$159/year	Company-specific questions	Still requires self-direction
AlgoCademy	$19.99-$49/month; $99.99-$249/year	Teaches problem-solving process	Focused on fundamentals over breadth
Educative	$199/year	Pattern-based Grokking courses	Text-only (no video)
AlgoExpert	$99/year	Curated problems with videos	Smaller problem set
Interview Cake	$249 lifetime	Progressive hint system	One-time purchase model
Interviewing.io	$100 to $225/session	Professional interviewers	Expensive for frequent use
Pramp	$0	Free mock interviews	Peer quality varies
Exponent	$299/year	Full interview coverage	Broad rather than deep
CTCI Book	$35	Comprehensive reference	Static content

Making Your Decision

The right investment depends on several factors:

Your timeline matters. If you’re interviewing in two weeks, skip comprehensive courses and focus on targeted practice. If you have three months, structured learning pays dividends.

Your learning style matters. Video learners get more from AlgoExpert. Reading-preferred learners benefit from Educative. Those who need guided, interactive practice thrive with AlgoCademy (starting at $19.99/month). Know yourself.

Your starting point matters. Complete beginners need more structure and instruction. Experienced programmers might just need practice problems and mock interviews.

Your target companies matter. FAANG candidates benefit from LeetCode Premium company tags. Startup candidates might not need that specificity.

Your budget constraints are real. Don’t go into debt for interview prep. Free and budget options can absolutely work with sufficient discipline.

The Hidden Cost: Time

Money isn’t the only investment. Time spent preparing is time not spent on other things. Consider the time efficiency of different approaches, not just dollar costs.

A $200 course that structures your learning efficiently might save dozens of hours compared to free resources that require you to figure out what to study. If your time has monetary value (and it does), factor that into your calculations.

Conversely, expensive programs don’t guarantee faster results. A $5,000 bootcamp still requires you to put in the work. No amount of money substitutes for actual practice.

Conclusion

Interview preparation costs range from $0 to several thousand dollars, with options at every price point that can work for the right candidate. Free resources like LeetCode and Pramp provide the essentials. Budget options like AlgoCademy, LeetCode Premium, and books add structure and depth. Premium services add human feedback and personalized coaching.

The best investment is the one you’ll actually use consistently. An expensive platform you abandon after a week provides less value than a free resource you use daily for months. Start with resources matching your current budget and commitment level. You can always upgrade as preparation intensifies.

Remember that platforms are tools, not magic solutions. Every successful candidate, regardless of which platforms they used, put in substantial practice time. The resources just make that practice more efficient.

Choose your tools, commit to consistent practice, and trust that the preparation will pay off. Your future offer letter won’t mention which platforms you used. It will reflect the skills you built through dedicated practice, however you chose to build them.