20 Best Online Coding Courses for Non-Programmers in 2020

Website and app coding is very popular these days. Many graduates and UX/UI designers consider learning coding, but give up quickly when they encounter difficulty. Sometimes, even after making up their mind to learn, they may not know where to get started, making them falter in their quest.

However, the fact is that learning code is not as hard as you may think. With the right guide, you can learn both coding and programming quickly on your own. The right online coding course, which is more flexible and easy-to-follow than coding books, is often a good start and really worth trying.  

So, Mockplus gathered 20 of the best online coding and programming courses for non-programmers - like you - to learn everything from scratch and establish a coding career quickly.

Both paid and free courses are included. Some of the best online course websites are introduced at the end of this article to help you find the right coding classes as well.

How can you learn code for free? Here is a collection of the best free online coding courses for non-programmers or beginners to learn coding step by step.

Best online courses to learn coding basics

1. Introduction to Computer Programming  from the University of London

Rating: ★★★★☆

Program duration: 3 weeks

Instructor: Dr Edward Anstead

Learners: 14K

Price: 7-day free trial; $38/month

Introduction to Computer Programming is from the University of London. You can find it on Coursera.

With this course, you can learn how to write interactive, graphical computer programs in an introductory level quickly. As an online course created for beginners, it will help you learn about coding and programming in three steps: first, learn the basics of editing and running programs; then learn how to create 2D graphics using shapes and coordinates simply; last, learn how to create interactive graphics.

To make everything easy to follow, the instructor also uses Sleuth games to help you learn and practice your coding skills. The course also teaches JavaScript.

2. Programming Foundations with JavaScript, HTML and CSS from Duke University

Rating: ★★★★☆

Program duration: 5 weeks

Instructor: Susan H. Rodger

Learners: 210K

Price: $79

As its name suggests, Programming Foundations introduces web development basics using HTML, CSS, JavaScript languages, and fundamental programming concepts such as functions, for loops, and conditional statements. There are also four instructors available to help you solve any learning problems or answer coding questions.

After completing this course, you will be able to write a web page using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and solve possible programming problems like a “real” programmer.

If you want to learn web development and start your career quickly, this course is a good choice.

3. HTML, CSS, JavaScript Codes from W3school

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Price: Free

If you want to be a great front-end engineer, HTML, CSS, JavaScript Codes, which is dedicated to coding and web development, is a perfect option for you to get started quickly.

It offers simple, easy-to-follow HTML, CSS, and JavaScript coding tutorials for everyone. Each chapter is introduced with examples and exercises. Without a time limitation, you can learn at your own pace. The most important part is that it is completely free.

4. Python Programming Essentials from Rice University

Rating: ★★★★☆

Program duration: 4 weeks

Instructor: Scott Rixner

Learners: 28K

Price: $79

Which coding language should you learn first? Python is undoubtedly the right answer. It is widely accepted as the best programming language to learn first. So, if you want to become a skilled web developer, Python is a coding language you should master.

Python Programming Essentials is provided by Rice University and will help you learn the essential elements of programming and how to construct basic Python programs. After completing this course, you will not only have a good understanding of basic programming elements such as expressions, variables, functions, logic, and conditionals; but you will also be able to write short Python programs.

To give learners a headstart, Python 3, which is regarded as the future of Python programming language, is used during the course period.

5.Software Engineering from Kenzie Academy

Rating: ★★★★☆
Program duration: 9 months
Price: $20k

In Kenzie's full-time Software Engineering program, you’ll learn how to work in the MERN stack. The curriculum is project-based so you’ll be empowered to use the concepts you’ve learned from day one. Career readiness training teaches students the soft skills needed to land and thrive in a tech role. Kenzie’s program comes with a job guarantee which means if you don’t land a job within 6 months of graduating, you’ll get your tuition refunded (terms and conditions apply). Students graduate with a full-stack certification backed by Kenzie and Southern New Hampshire University and a portfolio of projects to show off to potential employers. The school’s Placement team will support you as you work towards landing a development job.

6.Java Programming and Software Engineering Fundamentals from Duke University

Rating: ★★★★☆

Instructor: Owen Astrachan

Learners: 320K

JavaScript is another important coding language that all website developers should learn. From Java Programming and Software Engineering Fundamentals, you can learn the basics of programming and software development with JavaScript programming, as well as gain fundamental skills, from designing algorithms to testing and debugging your programs.

Duke University also offers a series of online courses on Java Programming. They all are available online at different prices and involve different learning times. You can choose any of them based on your own level and needs.

7. C for Everyone: Programming Fundamentals from University of California

Rating: ★★★★☆

Program duration: 5 weeks

Instructor: Santa Cruz

Learners: 2.5K

Price: $49

The C language, which is regarded as an introduction to coding, is another basic skill that you should master to become a great web developer.

C for Everyone is about programming fundamentals and created for anyone who wants to learn how to program. From this course, you will not only learn the history and basics  of the C language, but you will also have the opportunity to practice your skills with programming activities and tests.

In short, no matter whether you have a good coding knowledge base or not, it is a perfect option for you to learn C programming quickly.

8. Web Design for Everybody: Basics of Web Development & Coding from University of Michigan

Rating: ★★★★★

Instructor: Colleen van Lent, Ph.D.

Learners: 210K

Web Design for Everybody is also created for anyone who wants to learn website design. It consists of 5 shorter online courses with different prices and learning periods, such as "Introduction to HTML5/CSS3/JavaScript", "Advanced Styling with Responsive Design", and "Web Design for Everybody Capstone".

From this small course collection, everyone can learn the basic coding languages, master how to create interactive web experiences, and acquire a wide range of skills to develop high-quality websites from scratch.

To date, this course is the most comprehensive tutorial for you to learn coding.

9. Lean Python - Full Course for Beginners

Rating: ★★★★☆

Instructor: Mike Dane

Views: 11,669,009

Price: Free

Lean Python is the hottest video course for learning Python on YouTube. It gives you a full introduction to the core concepts of Python. You can freely watch the videos to learn Python basics at your own pace. 

10. C++ Tutorial Full Courses for Beginners

Rating: ★★★★☆

Instructor: Mike Dane

Views: 2,639,559

Price: Free

C++ is another basic skill that a website/app developer should learn and master. This YouTube video tutorial fully introduces the core concepts of C++ and is very good for beginners to learn C++ coding language from scratch.

11. Ruby Programming Language - Full Courses for Beginners

Rating: ★★★★☆

Instructor: Mike Dane

Views: 295,862

Price: Free

Ruby Programming Language is another hot Youtube video tutorial for you to learn Ruby online based on your own schedule. It is specially designed for new programmers and introduces the common programming elements of Ruby, such as variables, data types, arrays, methods for loops, etc.

If you are interested in the Ruby programming language, this video tutorial course is an ideal option.

Best online coding courses to improve your coding skills

After learning the ng basics, you should strive to improve your coding skills and broaden your knowledge base. Here is a small connection of the best free online coding courses to help you achieve this.

12. Functional Programming Principles in Scala from École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Rating: ★★★★☆

Program duration: 6 weeks

Instructor: Martin Odersky

Learners: 210K

Functional Programming Principles in Scala teaches you how to write elegant code and provide a hands-on introduction to functional programming by using well-known programming language, Scala. After completing this course, you will not only know how to write website code, but also master how to make them as elegant and functional as possible.

Moreover, you can buy a relevant coding book with the same name online for better learning and understanding.

13. Responsive Web Design from University of London

Rating: ★★★★☆

Program duration: 4 weeks

Instructor: Dr Matthew Yee-King

Learners: 58K

Responsive Web Design requires 5 hours a week for 4 weeks. From this course, you will learn how to apply basic knowledge from interaction design and human-computer interaction to design and build an interactive, responsive website. It will focus on teaching you how to use responsive grid layouts to make your website page adapt to different screen sizes automatically. 

With mobile-first designs being very trendy, this coding course will help you catch up with the fast-changing coding landscape easily.

14. Using Python for Research - from Harvard University

Rating: ★★★★☆

Program duration: 12 weeks

Price: $99

Website/app coding also involves research work, including user research and backend-data research. So, we've selected this course, Using Python for Research, to take your Python programming knowledge to a higher level and learn how to use Python 3 for your research.

It is much deeper than all the Python courses introduced above, but not as deep as other advanced Python courses online. It allows you to practice your new Python skills with various case studies. It is a good option if you plan to learn about research using the Python coding language.

15. Data Structures from the University of California

Rating: ★★★★☆

Program duration: 6 weeks

Leaners: 230K

A good data structure allows the algorithm to manipulate data efficiently, helping collect website/app user data accurately and effortlessly. So, to learn website/app coding, you should also learn about data structure.

Data Structures from the University of California will help you understand what is going on inside a certain built-in implementation of a data structure and what to expect from it. You will also learn typical use cases.

16. Design Patterns from University of Alberta

Rating: ★★★★☆

Program duration: 4 weeks

Instructor: Kenny Wong

Leaners: 23K

Design Patterns extends object-oriented analysis and design by incorporating design patterns to create interactive applications. The design patterns will help you lay a solid foundation for coding more complex software applications.

After completing this course, you will master many useful skills, such as how to use design patterns to process UI issues, how to choose the most suitable design pattern to process an application design problem, how to apply design principles, and so on.

Best online coding courses to take your skills to the next level

Now, it is time to try some of the best free online coding courses to elevate your coding skills.

17. Machine Learning from Stanford University

Rating: ★★★★☆

Program duration: 11 weeks

Instructor: Andrew Ng

Leaners: 2.8K

Website/app learning does not only involve coding. To broaden your horizons and improve your coding skills, you should also acquire some computer science knowledge. Machine learning is the science of getting computers to act without being explicitly programmed.  

Machine Learning gives you a full introduction to machine learning, data mining, and statistical pattern recognition. A variety of cases are included to help you understand the information thoroughly.

18. AI for Everyone: Master the Basics from IBM

Rating: ★★★★☆

Program duration: 4 weeks

Instructor: Andrew Ng

Leaners: 230K

Price: $49

AI is a very popular topic these days. To become a great website/app developer, you should learn about AI basics and try to code your website/app using AI technologies.

If you are looking for online courses to learn AI basics, AI for Everyone from IBM is a good resource. From this online course, you will learn what AI is, how to understand AI applications, and how to incorporate AI technologies into your websites.

19. Introduction to Artificial Intelligence from Stanford University

Rating: ★★★★☆

Program duration: 16 weeks

Instructor: Peter Norvig

Price: Free

In case the previous course is not your cup of tea, we have another AI online course for you to consider.

Introduction to Artificial Intelligence requires 1-2 hours a week for 16 weeks. It introduces both the basics and the representative applications of AI, giving you a better understanding of AI.

20. Interactive 3D Graphics by Autodesk

Rating: ★★★★☆

Program duration: 8 weeks

Instructor: Eric Haines

Price: Free

3D effects help improve the visual appeal of a website/app and is also one of the most important skills that web/app developers should have.

Interactive 3D Graphics introduces the basic principles of 3D computer graphics, such as meshes, transforms, cameras and materials, lighting and animations, etc. It is a perfect choice for you to learn and create animated 3D demo website programs.

These are the best free online coding courses that we've found for you. We hope they will help you learn website/app coding quickly.

Best Websites to Learn Coding

If the above online courses are still not enough for you, here are 5 of the best online course websites to find a coding class online that’s most suitable for you.

1. coursera.org

Coursera.org is the most popular online learning platform that offers professional courses covering almost anything you can think of. It includes a variety of free online coding courses for different levels of learners. It provides a 7-day free trial for every new registration. Once the free trial expires, you will pay $38 per month.

2. Freecodecamp.org

Freecodecamp.org is a free, interactive online code learning platform. It offers 300-hours of coding courses with different aspects, such as responsive web design, JavaScript Algorithms,and data structures, data visualization, information security, and so on. All courses focus on basics and have certification.

3. Codecademy.com

Codecademy.com is another professional code learning platform that offers almost all types of coding courses, such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Ruby, SQL, Python, Machine Learning, etc. Everyone who registers gets a 7-day free trial. The regular price of the Pro version is $19.9 per month.

4. Skillshare.com

Skillshare.com is an online learning website with thousands of online courses, such as illustration, photography, design, and coding courses. All these courses are created by the best practitioners from all over the world. It is a good place for you to get world-class courses and knowledge.

Once registered, you will get a 2-month free trial. The regular price of a Pro version is $7 per month.

5. Udemy.com

Udemy.com is a comprehensive online learning platform with over 100,000 courses and 24 million students. It offers easy-to-follow online courses about programming, marketing, data science, web development, etc. Simply do a search for free coding courses to get started.

Wrap Up

Web or app coding requires you to learn many complex things. But, that doesn't mean you cannot learn online on your own. What you need to do is to choose the right online coding or programming course and keep working hard. 

We hope these free online coding courses and websites can help you learn coding and programming easily.