Programming skills open doors to dozens of the best tech jobs, and there’s never been a better or easier time to learn. Just like learning any other language, coding requires regular practice to master.
However, it’s not always easy for people to find time to practice in front of a computer. That’s why coding apps are becoming more popular. In this article, we’ll cover the best coding apps for beginners and the best coding apps for kids. If you want to learn to code, check out these iOS and Android apps.
Key Takeaways
- Coding apps provide an accessible and convenient way for beginners to learn programming.
- The best coding apps for beginners include Enki, CodeHub, Programming Hub, Grasshopper, and Encode.
- Other notable coding apps for beginners are Mimo, Programming Hero, Sololearn, Khan Academy, Codecademy Go, CodeGym, Codemurai, and Udacity.
- For kids, recommended coding apps are SpriteBox, Hopscotch, Tynker, and LightBot.
- Coding apps should be used in conjunction with other learning resources like coding bootcamps for comprehensive skill development.
What Are the Best Coding Apps for Beginners?
There are many coding apps for beginners, but only a few are really worth your time. Below is our selection of the best applications to master programming while having fun no matter your coding knowledge:
- Enki
- CodeHub
- Programming Hub
- Grasshopper
- Encode
- Mimo
- Programming Hero
- Sololearn
- Khan Academy
- Codecademy Go
- CodeGym
- Codemurai
- Udacity
13 Best Coding Apps for Beginners
With so many excellent apps out there, learning coding for beginners is easy. These coding apps can help anyone master programming languages that are fundamental to the web development and mobile development process. Below, we take a close look at the best coding apps for beginners.
Enki
The Enki app offers a variety of coding courses. With Enki, you can study everything from Binary and JavaScript to spreadsheets and Airtable. Enki has one of the most accessible and attractive interfaces out there. Much of the content on Enki is available for free, but the cost of the pro plan might be worth it. You’ll get access to all the content on the learning platform, and it only costs $7.99 a month.
CodeHub
CodeHub is an excellent, simple-to-use coding app available only on Android devices. The free CodeHub app has lessons on web fundamentals, HTML, and CSS. This makes the app a great starting place for those learning web development.
Programming Hub
Programming Hub is a slick, attractive coding app that takes a clever approach to help people learn coding and other technical subjects. Each course presents its lessons in a story format and features comprehension quizzes after each section.
Where Programming Hub really stands out is in the breadth of courses offered. You can take classes to learn programming languages like Java, JavaScript, Python, C++, Scala, Julia, and more. But you can also take courses in subjects like ethical hacking, app development, AI, material design, edge computing, digital marketing, SEO, and more.
An added benefit of Programming Hub’s interface is its text-to-speech functionality. This is a nice touch that makes learning to code accessible to a much larger audience.
Grasshopper
Designed by a team from Code with Google, Grasshopper is ideal to learn JavaScript. The app is completely free and designed for beginners. It features a simple drag-and-drop style code editor perfect for those new to programming.
Grasshopper’s lessons are short and can be completed anywhere, and the interface is user-friendly. Grasshopper teaches programming fundamentals like functions, variables, and methods. It rewards participants with awards and certificates for completing each course.
Encode
Encode is a JavaScript-based Android coding app, and it’s a fantastic tool for beginners. The Encode app’s interactive user interface is easy to use, and it provides thorough and in-depth tips and tutorials to help you out.
The Encode tutorial system starts you off with the essential assignments, so it’s always easy to follow along or go back for a refresher. The short lessons on Encode are great for information retention, and they limit frustration if you don’t have enough time to complete a lesson. Encode’s interactive tutorials come complete with feedback to keep you on track throughout the process.
Mimo
Mimo is a coding app designed with multiple learning paths that focus on what you would like to make with real-world projects. It has a simple and friendly interface as well as small lessons that you can take on the go.
Mimo gamifies learning with streaks and awards, which encourage you to keep at coding. The app boasts several languages and technologies, including Python, JavaScript, Java, HTML, CSS, SQL, Swift, Kotlin, C++, SQL, and PHP.
Programming Hero
The folks behind Programming Hero made it their goal to create a coding app that was both personalized and fun. With the beautifully designed space theme, Programming Hero offers courses in web development currently.
A mobile app development course is in the works. Until then, you can use Programming Hero to learn the basics of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Bootstrap, and DOM manipulation. Programming Hero is available on both iOS and Android devices.
Sololearn
SoloLearn is a coding platform with a series of courses for multiple programming languages. It offers basic and concise tutorials for beginners, including traditional elements such as lessons and quizzes. The social platform of the app allows you to harness your competitive spirit and share your results with other users on the platform.
SoloLearn is an excellent choice for motivated beginners or those looking for something more advanced than just the basics. With SoloLearn, you can study just about every relevant technology you can think of. Here’s a list of some of the courses offered on the app:
- JavaScript
- Python
- SQL
- HTML
- CSS
- Swift
- Java
- C++
- PHP
- Ruby
Khan Academy
Khan Academy has long been known for its flexible education programs, and its app is no exception. While Khan Academy offers courses in a variety of subjects, it also has courses on computer programming, including JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and SQL. These courses are free and available to everyone through Khan Academy’s iOS and Android apps.
Codecademy Go
Codecademy Go is the mobile app version of Codecademy’s popular online coding courses. Codecademy Go doesn’t have quite the same features as the full Codecademy web platform. However, it still provides a great opportunity to practice coding while you’re away from your computer.
CodeGym
CodeGym is the right learning tool for those looking to acquire Java skills. This is an interactive online Java course where the student benefits from both theory and practice but where the emphasis is on learning by doing and having fun.
CodeGym also involves several projects that will put your Java skills to the test, such as building a Sokoban game or an ATM emulator. All in all, this is one of the best coding apps for beginners interested in Java.
Codemurai
Codemurai is another great coding app for beginners, especially those that want to learn on the go. With hundred of pocket-size lessons, the students will learn the ins and outs of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, which are some of the easiest programming languages to learn. Codemurai allows you to learn coding for web development and mobile development from scratch.
Udacity
This massively popular online learning platform is also available as an app for those that want to learn from anywhere. Udacity boasts great coding programs for beginners, such as the Learn to Code nanodegree, where the student is introduced to web and app development, machine learning, and data science.
The 4 Best Coding Apps for Kids
If you’re a parent of a tech-savvy kid, you’ve probably already heard about coding apps. You may have even heard about some popular coding apps for kids, like Hopscotch and Tynker. As a parent, you always want to challenge your kids and prepare them for a bright future.
Below, we show you some family-friendly coding apps that can get your kids started in coding. The apps below are widely considered to be some of the best coding apps for children and will help your kids master skills that will be in great demand for the foreseeable future.
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SpriteBox
From the makers of LightBot, the SpriteBox app is a coding adventure game. SpriteBox starts kids out programming with simple icons and works them up to using real Java and Swift syntax. Like LightBot, you’ll have to pay to play SpriteBox, but at a cost of only $4.99, it’s a great value.
Hopscotch
The popular Hopscotch app is in the kid’s section here, but that doesn’t mean adults can’t enjoy and learn from the app too. Designed for ages nine and up, the Hopscotch app for iOS is the ultimate coding playground.
Users learn programming fundamentals by coding games that are available for everyone to play. Hopscotch also features competitions and participates in the Hour of Code. The Hopscotch app is currently not available for Android users.
Tynker
Tynker is one of the most popular coding apps for kids, with over 60 million users. Like Hopscotch, Tynker users learn programming and development skills through coding games, camps, challenges, and other learning activities.
Individual plans on Tynker cost either $60 quarterly, $120 annually, or $180 for a lifetime plan. Tynker is also well-known for its resources for learning Minecraft. Tynker is currently unavailable to Android users.
LightBot
From the same developers as SpriteBox, the LightBot app teaches coding to kids through learning games. LightBot users solve puzzles that teach kids programming logic. The LightBot app is available on both iOS and Android with a one-time cost of $2.99.
What Is the Best Coding App for Beginners?
Coding apps are excellent educational tools, and there are plenty of great options out there for beginners and even more advanced learners. If you’re just getting started, you should consider downloading a coding app to keep your skills sharp on the go.
Coding apps are an invaluable tool when you want to learn to code, but they shouldn’t be used alone. You can advance your skills further by checking out one of the best coding bootcamps or other training programs.
Best Coding Apps for Beginners FAQ
The easiest language to learn is HyperText Markup Language, more commonly known as HTML. This coding language is one of the pillars of web development, and it is used to structure pages. Some of the other easiest programming languages to learn include CSS and JavaScript, which are also essential to web development.
No, you don’t need to have a laptop to learn coding. Nowadays, there are many apps that allow you to master coding skills from your mobile phone. Some of the best coding apps to learn coding from your phone include Enki, CodeHub, and Codemurai.
Yes, learning coding on a mobile device is absolutely possible these days. There are hundreds of useful apps on Android and iOS where beginners can take their first steps in coding. An excellent coding app for beginners is Mimo, which allows you to work on real-life projects of your choice.
The best way to learn coding for beginners is to find an app with tons of exercises to practice your skills daily. There are other efficient ways to learn to code for beginners, such as enrolling in an online course or signing up for one of the best online coding bootcamps. For example, Galvanize has two excellent beginner bootcamps that have garnered overwhelmingly positive reviews.
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