Python is one of the most in-demand programming languages since it can be used for web development, data analysis, and more. Like any programming language, it can be a challenge to learn without any additional guidance. That’s why we’ve put together this list of the 10 best free Python courses and tutorials you can learn from no matter your budget and learning style.
Our Ranking Criteria
The best free online Python courses provide a mix of high-level concepts and real-world skills. We’ve reviewed nearly 20 courses to find the best free options based on several key ranking criteria. Whether you’re completely new to programming or want to expand on your existing skills, you’ll be able to find a suitable course for you on this list.
Basic Ranking Criteria
Before diving into a course, you’ll want to research to make sure it’s a good fit for you. Key considerations include how long it takes to complete, whether there are any prerequisites, and whether you’ll get a certificate of completion at the end. We’ve focused on these four criteria to narrow down the list.
Time to complete. The courses on our list range from under two hours to around eight months. A short tutorial won’t be able to cover as much material as a complete course but if you’re just getting started or don’t have time for a longer course, then it may be a good option.
Prerequisites required. Most of the courses on our list don’t have any official prerequisites but that doesn’t mean they’re all for beginners. Some courses may assume a passing knowledge of computer programming concepts or prior experience with Python.
Flexible schedule. One of the main reasons people choose to take online Python courses is to study at their own pace and schedule. We’ve focused on courses that don’t require you to attend live sessions or meet deadlines, so you can have the most flexibility.
Certificate of completion. If you’re interested in applying for programming jobs then having a certificate of completion may improve job prospects. This list focuses on free courses but some of them charge a fee if you want a formal certificate at the end to display on your LinkedIn or professional website.
Advanced Ranking Criteria
While some criteria, such as a flexible schedule, are important for any online course, we focused on factors especially relevant to online Python courses. Here are a few of the advanced ranking criteria we used to put together our list of courses.
- The course has a comprehensive syllabus providing a broad overview of Python or focuses on a specific area, such as data analysis.
- The course is presented by university professors or working professionals who have extensive experience with Python.
- The course includes exercises or interactive lessons students can start working with Python right away.
- The course has positive ratings (at least four stars).
- The platform is user-friendly and offers reliable customer support.
- The course was produced recently (within the past five years) to ensure the material is consistent with current practices and trends.
- The course is used by companies to train existing employees or is relevant to job-seekers just getting started in the industry.
- The course includes transcripts and/or subtitles for easier study.
The 10 Best Free Online Python Courses and Tutorials
Coursera
Python for Everybody Specialization by the University of Michigan
Intelligent Award: Top Pick
This course is offered by the University of Michigan and takes eight months to complete, making it the most comprehensive course on this list. It consists of five components, covering topics like Python data structures, Structured Query Language (SQL), and more. You can audit the course for free but you’ll need to pay a fee if you want to complete the whole program and receive a certificate of completion. This course is included with Coursera Plus or costs $49 per month on its own. You can access the course on any device and move at your own pace, although you’ll need to finish a “hands-on project” to receive the certification. Unlike the other courses on this list, this specialization will take you from introductory material to more advanced topics, all with the same instructor.
- Price: Free to audit ($49 per month to enroll)
- Time to complete: Approximately 8 months
- Prerequisites required: No
- Flexible schedule: Yes
Who should take this course? This is a good option for those who want a university-level Python course that can be completed entirely online and audited for free, including beginners with no previous programming experience.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| University-level instructors. | No university credit. |
| Subtitles in multiple languages. | Takes eight months to complete. |
| Financial aid is available. |
Udemy
Introduction to Python Programming
Intelligent Award: Best for Beginners
This “quick and easy intro” is a great tutorial for those who want a basic introduction to Python programming. It’s free and takes less than two hours to complete but it won’t provide you with a certificate of completion. You’ll learn how to write scripts and functions, even if you don’t have any prior experience with programming. The course includes 15 video lectures that run for five to 10 minutes each and is presented by Avinash Jain, a U.C. Berkeley student who founded TheCodex educational platform.
- Price: Free
- Time to complete: 1 hour and 39 minutes
- Prerequisites required: No
- Flexible schedule: Yes
Who should take this course? This course is great for beginners who want to get familiar with the basics of Python, without diving too deep into more complex material.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Suitable for beginners. | No quizzes or certificate of completion. |
| Easy to follow. |
Udemy
Learn Python 3.6 for Total Beginners
Intelligent Award: Best Instructor
This course focuses on Python 3.6 and features 39 video lectures that can be viewed in just under seven hours. You’ll learn how to install the Jupyter Notebook, then move on to topics including data structures, loops, functions, and more. There are seven interactive exercises along the way to ensure you comprehend the material. It has a four-point-four star rating based on over 4,000 reviews and is taught by an experienced instructor with a master’s degree in financial mathematics. There are no prerequisites other than a computer with internet access and a willingness to learn the material, making this a great option for beginners or novice coders.
- Price: Free
- Time to complete: 6 hours and 42 minutes
- Prerequisites required: No
- Flexible schedule: Yes
Who should take this course? This course is aimed at beginners who are new to Python but is also suitable for those who have experience with another programming language.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Experienced instructor. | A few coding and transcription errors. |
| Suitable for beginners. | Some parts move too quickly. |
| Subtitles available. |
Udemy
Python From Beginner to Intermediate in 30 min
Intelligent Award: Shortest Course
Even after you’ve completed a Python course that’s designed for beginners, you may not know enough to keep up with a more advanced course. Udemy’s “Python from Beginner to Intermediate in 30 min” program can help quickly fill in the knowledge gaps between basic and advanced Python coding. The 30 video lessons in this course review topics such as modules and functions, sequences and slicing, conditional statements, loop statements, object-oriented programming, and file handling.
- Price: Free
- Time to complete: 1 hour and 32 minutes
- Prerequisites required: No
- Flexible schedule: Yes
Who should take this course? This course is ideal for those who understand the core concepts of the Python programming language but don’t know much about it beyond that.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Helps Python learners prepare for advanced courses. | No instructor to engage with. |
Udemy
Deep Learning Prerequisites: The Numpy Stack in Python (V2+)
Intelligent Award: Most Advanced
This course isn’t for total Python beginners as it assumes some coding experience and is intended to prepare you to study deep learning and data science. It specifically focuses on the Numpy Stack, which you’ll need to be familiar with before taking more advanced courses. Other topics covered include Pandas, Scipy, and Matplotlib. The prerequisites for this course include matrix arithmetic and basic Python coding, and if you aren’t sure you’re ready for it, you can view the “Machine Learning and AI Prerequisite Roadmap” to find out which order to take the courses in. This course is included with Udemy for Business, which brands like Lyft and Adidas use to train their employees.
- Price: $19.99 (Included with Udemy for Business)
- Time to complete: 5 hours and 54 minutes
- Prerequisites required: Yes
- Flexible schedule: Yes
Who should take this course? This course is recommended for professionals who already have some Python experience but want to learn more about the Numpy Stack so they can move on to more advanced machine learning and data science courses.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Helpful FAQ section. | Too advanced for some users. |
| Bonus exercises. |
Udacity
Introduction to Python Programming
Intelligent Award: Most Interactive
This course will teach you how to “solve practical problems” using Python, and covers topics such as data storage, conditionals, and loops. You’ll also get an introduction to the Python Standard Library and other libraries where you can find third-party modules. The course is designed for beginners and takes around five weeks to complete. You can work through it at your own pace, with interactive quizzes to keep you engaged. It prepares you for follow-up courses, such as the Data Analyst Nanodegree program. Although there are no formal prerequisites, some programming knowledge or completing Udacity’s Learn to Code program first is recommended. You can get to work on Python scripts right away making this the most interactive course on our list and ideal for hands-on problem-solvers.
- Price: Free
- Time to complete: Approximately 5 weeks
- Prerequisites required: Yes
- Flexible schedule: Yes
Who should take this course? This course is intended for students who are learning Python for the first time but have some other programming experience.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Professional instructors. | Some programming experience is required. |
| Engaging lessons and exercises. |
Codecademy
Analyze Data with Python
Intelligent Award: Best for Data Nerds
Codecademy is known for “gamifying” the process of learning to code, just like Duolingo does for learning languages. This means you’ll move through interactive exercises and projects instead of just watching video lectures. This course focuses on data analysis and will help you apply Python programming to visualize and interpret data sets, such as statistics. You’ll also learn how to run A/B tests on real-world business examples, including a food startup and a shoe store. Other topics include Python libraries like NumPy and Pandas, as well as data visualization with Matplotlib. You can try out Codecademy for free, but you’ll need a Pro account to access some materials and receive a certification of completion. This course is best for data nerds who want to learn how to apply Python scripts to solve mathematical problems.
- Price: Basic: Free (No Certificate), Pro: $15.99 per month
- Time to complete: 10 weeks
- Prerequisites required: No
- Flexible schedule: Yes
Who should take this course? This course is designed for people who want to “move beyond Excel” to write more complex Python codes for data analysis and statistical testing.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Interactive exercises. | Some content requires a subscription. |
| Real-world examples. | Lacks a traditional class structure. |
| User-friendly platform. |
Codecademy
Learn Python 3
Intelligent Award: Best for Your Portfolio
This Codecademy course covers all of the basics of Python 3, including Python syntax, control flow, boolean variables, and logical operators. Along the way you can take two optional code challenges to see how well you’re learning the material. If you sign up for a Pro account, you’ll also have access to several portfolio projects, such as ASCII art and a Magic 8-Ball project you can use to show off your skills to your friends or prospective employers. This course takes around 30 hours to complete and has been taken by employees at companies like IBM and NASA. Pro subscribers will get a certificate of completion they can add to their resume or LinkedIn profile, making this the best choice for self-promotion and portfolio-building.
- Price: Basic: Free (No Certificate), Pro: $15.99 per month
- Time to complete: 30 hours
- Prerequisites required: No
- Flexible schedule: Yes
Who should take this course? This course is best for beginners who learn best by doing and want to develop practical skills that they can add to their resume.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Includes code challenges and portfolio projects. | No certificate for free users. |
| User-friendly platform. | No instructor to engage with. |
DataCamp
Introduction to Python
Intelligent Award: Most Fun
This course focuses on data analysis and includes four sections made up of 11 videos and 57 exercises. The first section, Python Basics, is free, while the following sections require a DataCamp subscription. You’ll work with datasets from MLB baseball and FIFA soccer to help you engage with the material in a fun and relatable way. You’ll also learn to use the NumPy Python library to perform advanced data analysis. The course takes around four hours to complete and is taught by a professional data scientist who performs stand-up comedy and hosts the DataCamp podcast. This makes it the most fun online Python course on our list that still provides a solid introduction to the material.
- Price: Free
- Time to complete: 4 hours
- Prerequisites required: No
- Flexible schedule: Yes
Who should take this course? This course is for users who want to learn Python in a fun and engaging way that isn’t as formal and structured as a traditional classroom lecture.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Extensive course library. | Only the first section is free. |
| Gamified learning structure. | Not challenging enough. |
| Access to Slack community. |
edX
Introduction to Python Programming by the Georgia Institute of Technology
Intelligent Award: Most Academic
This course is offered by the Georgia Institute of Technology, making it one of the most academic options on our list. The full program includes four courses that cover Python fundamentals, control and data structures, algorithms, and more. You’ll be taught by professional instructors through video lessons and exercises. There are no official prerequisites, but basic math and high school algebra are recommended. The course takes five months to complete, and you’ll need to pick a session start date to enroll. You can take the class for free, but you’ll have to pay if you want to receive a certificate of completion you can add to your resume or LinkedIn profile.
- Price: Free to audit ($536 to enroll)
- Time to complete: 5 months
- Prerequisites required: No
- Flexible schedule: Yes
Who should take this course? This course is suitable for beginners and is best for those who want to follow a university-level syllabus and learn from professional instructors.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Backed by Georgia Tech. | Certificate costs extra. |
| Comprehensive syllabus. | Limited enrollment dates. |
Online Course Comparison Chart
| Course | Price | Features |
| Coursera — Python for Everybody Specialization by the University of Michigan — Top Pick | Free to audit ($49 per month to enroll) | ✓ No prerequisites required✓ Flexible schedule✓Verified certificate |
| Udemy — Introduction to Python Programming — Best for Beginners | Free | ✓ No prerequisites required✓ Flexible scheduleX Verified certificate |
| Udemy — Learn Python 3.6 for Total Beginners — Best Instructor | Free | ✓ No prerequisites required✓ Flexible scheduleX Verified certificate |
| Udemy — Python From Beginner to Intermediate in 30 min — Shortest Course | Free | X No prerequisites required✓ Flexible scheduleX Verified certificate |
| Udemy — Deep Learning Prerequisites: The Numpy Stack in Python (V2+) — Most Advanced | $19.99 (Included with Udemy for Business) | X No prerequisites required✓ Flexible scheduleX Verified certificate |
| Udacity — Introduction to Python Programming — Most Interactive | Free | X No prerequisites required✓ Flexible scheduleX Verified certificate |
| Codecademy — Analyze Data with Python — Best for Data Nerds | Basic: Free (No Certificate) Pro: $15.99 per month | ✓ No prerequisites required✓ Flexible scheduleX Verified certificate |
| Codecademy — Learn Python 3 — Best For Your Portfolio | Basic: Free (No Certificate) Pro: $15.99 per month | ✓ No prerequisites required✓ Flexible scheduleX Verified certificate |
| DataCamp — Introduction to Python — Most Fun | Free: Limited accessStandard: $12.42 per month Premium: $33.25 per month | ✓ No prerequisites required✓ Flexible scheduleX Verified certificate |
| edX — Introduction to Python Programming by the Georgia Institute of Technology — Most Academic | Free to audit ($536 to enroll) | ✓ No prerequisites required✓ Flexible schedule✓ Verified certificate |
Tips for succeeding in an Online Python Course
1. Consider the cost
How much do online Python classes cost?
Most of the Python courses on our list are free to access but may charge a flat fee or a monthly membership if you want a formal certificate of completion. The most expensive certificate is $536, while the cheapest membership is $12.42 per month. An in-person Python class, on the other hand, could cost thousands of dollars, so studying online is likely to be a more affordable option. You’ll need to decide whether a certificate is important to you, or whether you just want access to the online course material.
Will my employer pay for me to take the course?
It’s common for employers to cover the cost of professional development courses and more and more companies are looking for employees with Python experience. Several of the courses on this are included with Udemy for Business, which is used by major brands to provide ongoing employee training. Be sure to ask your boss or HR department in advance if they can cover the cost of your course or certificate.
2. Get your tech squared away
Before starting the course, make sure you have all the equipment you’ll need to participate. Most courses are delivered via streaming video, so you’ll need a computer with a reliable Internet connection that can stream online video. You may also need an Integrated Developed Environment (IDE) if you plan to write and run scripts yourself.
3. Use the right study resources
Your course may recommend a textbook or provide a reading list. If not, or you want to supplement with additional resources, try Head First Python: A Brain-Friendly Guide or Automate the Boring Stuff with Python: Practical Programming for Total Beginners. Both of these books provide a practical, easy-to-follow introduction to Python