AlgoExpert Review

AlgoExpert Review: PROS

Let’s kick off this AlgoExpert review with everything that makes it great. There are many benefits accessible to those who use the platform that we will be discussing further in this review. But first, why not take a moment to learn more about what AlgoExpert is?

Based on the details provided on their website, AlgoExpert is a USA-based company with a small team of experts in the coding field. First developed in 2017 by a Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduate, the platform was inspired by the creator’s experience while preparing for his own job interviews.

According to their introduction that greets you as soon as you open their website, AlgoExpert strives to be the ultimate resource to prepare for coding interviews, providing you with everything you need in one streamlined platform. 

Admittedly, there isn’t a separate “About Us” section you can read to find out more about the company itself, as most information is focused on the content the platform has to offer.

Now that we already are on the topic of material, let’s take a closer look at one of the most important features of any online learning platform - the content. 

So, what exactly can you find on AlgoExpert.io?

Extensive Content

Admittedly, AlgoExpert is quite a niche platform that not that many people have heard of. Because they focus almost exclusively on technical interview prep, it might seem like they can’t have that much content to offer.

Well, as you will soon find out, that is incorrect. 

On AlgoExpert.io you can find two main blocks of information - coding and system. The larger one - AlgoExpert - is oriented at coding questions in a broader sense of the term. 

The smaller block - SystemsExpert - focuses only on system design development, where you can practice creating different large-scale system designs based on the most common interview tasks.

Both sides of AlgoExpert.io have the same types of content, such as possible questions, video explanations, assignments, and so on. The only difference is the amount of learning material available, as AlgoExpert has a lot more to cover.

Many AlgoExpert reviews submitted by users reflect the benefits of having both sides available to them, as it helped them not only prepare for their interviews and ace them but use that knowledge later in their careers as well. 

If you are interested in what content the platform has to offer, all the details are covered in the following section of AlgoExpert review.

Detailed Learning Material

The coding and software engineering fields are growing and evolving at incredible speeds, making the amount of knowledge needed to enter it increase with it. So naturally, preparing for job interviews, especially as a fresh graduate, can seem extremely daunting.

How can you figure out what to expect from an interview? Where to even begin the preparation process?

Don’t worry - AlgoExpert has everything you might need in one spot.

As of the time of writing this article, AlgoExpert has 155 questions that you might encounter during your technical interview. The list is constantly updated with new questions, making sure that you are prepared for every possible scenario. 

To be completely sure you’re not faced with anything unfamiliar on your big day, all questions have answers available in the nine most popular coding languages, including:

• JavaScript;
• TypeScript;
• Python;
• Swift;
• Kotlin;
• C++;
• Java
• C#;
• Go.

AlgoExpert questions are really specific, covering 15 categories ranging from arrays and binary trees to different algorithms and everything in between.

To make the prep process even easier, questions can be categorized in several different ways, depending on your preference. You can choose between grouping the questions by difficulty, category, or completely randomly. 

The questions come in four color-coded levels of difficulty - Easy, Medium, Hard, and Very Hard - so you can easily navigate the levels to suit your needs. 

If you would like to focus on one category of questions at a time, you can select the more refined sorting option. As mentioned before, all questions are color-coded by difficulty level, making it even easier to focus on specific topics and skills.

The quality of content is one of the most praised features of the platform in almost every AlgoExpert review. Many students credit the detailed, easy-to-follow learning material for helping them develop the skills needed to move up in their careers.

And if you feel like you might need more help, each question is accompanied by an explanation.

Explanations and Walkthroughs

Knowing what to expect from a technical interview might not be that helpful if you don’t know how to answer the questions. 

What’s great about AlgoExpert.io is that they don’t just tell you what you need to know and leave you to it. If you ever find yourself stuck and don’t know how to solve a problem, each question has solutions available for you to cross-reference. 

On top of that, you can also find videos of explanations and walkthroughs for you to follow along while studying. And the best part - all explanations have voice-overs, so you don’t have to pause the footage every five seconds!

In total, there are hours of videos available for you to learn from. Understandably, more difficult questions have longer walkthroughs detailing the solutions, so that everything is explained as clearly as possible.

This makes the learning process a lot easier to manage, not needing to click through a million different windows to access what you need. AlgoExpert.io has everything you might need in one place - even a workspace for you to practice in.

Integrated Training Environment

Following walkthroughs alongside learning the skills yourself can be quite difficult, especially if you need to keep shifting your focus between multiple programs and windows. 

To avoid so much hassle, AlgoExpert provides you with all of the tools you might need during your prep, including an integrated coding interface for you to write and test run your codes.

The code editor supports all nine coding languages to go with the questions and solutions available. It also has a built-in stopwatch to time yourself and keep track of your progress. 

Some AlgoExpert reviews mention the workspace feeling a bit too crowded while you’re getting used to working with it. That being said, many features, such as layout, light or dark mode, and syntax highlighting theme, are customizable, so you can set it to your individual preferences and needs.

This can come in especially handy to those who spend a lot of time in front of the screen, as some settings can put less strain on your eyes.

Mock Interviews, Assessments, and Certification

So, you’ve gone through all questions available on AlgoExpert.io, reviewed every possible solution, run your code multiple times, and made sure it works perfectly…

... Now what?

Well, time to see how much you’ve learned. 

AlgoExpert offers more than just an environment for perfecting your coding skills. Once you feel ready, you can test yourself with mock interviews and assessments, all created to simulate actual scenarios you might encounter while job hunting.

As of October of 2020, AlgoExpert users have an option to participate in a live mock interview with another human being, which can either be with a randomly selected AlgoExpert user or a friend of your choosing.

The two-hour interviews can be scheduled in advance or, if you’re planning on practicing with a friend, a link will be generated for you that can be accessed whenever you want. Being able to freely designate time for the interview is a huge plus, as it allows users to practice as much as they want, whenever they want.

It is important to note that you and your partner will be alternating roles, switching between both interviewer and interviewee for one question each. This might be a bit bothersome if you want to have more practice yourself, however, you can schedule as many mock interviews as you’d like, polishing your skills to perfection.

Once you feel comfortable with mock interviews, it’s time to take it up a notch. 

AlgoExpert has prepared four coding interview assessments, meant to bring you as close as possible to a real day of coding interviews. The assessments are made out of four coding questions, with an hour provided to complete each one. 

It should be mentioned that these assessments are meant to be taken as final tests to check if you’re ready for the real world. AlgoExpert themselves note that the assessment question difficulty is targeted at those who have already successfully completed 75-100 regular prep questions.

Once you’ve completed the assessments, you will be informed whether you've passed them or not and which questions you did not answer correctly.

The good news is that it’s not the end. You can always continue your prep on the website and retake the assessments once you feel ready, giving you as much time to learn as you need. 

“But is that it?” you might ask. “Won’t I be getting anything for completing the prep course?”

Well, it’s your lucky day! Because AlgoExpert is not an education platform, official certificates of qualification are not available. However, due to the difficult and demanding nature of the prep questions, a certificate of preparation is given to users who have successfully completed 100 AlgoExpert questions.

Even though the certificate isn’t something you can list in your LinkedIn account, it is a milestone that shows you’re ready to send your resume to potential employers.

Either way, it’s something you should definitely be proud of!

Soft Skill Tips from Experts

Alright, let’s be honest. Being well prepared for any technical coding interview question might not be enough to land you your dream job. 

It is becoming increasingly more common for employers to be looking for good interpersonal skills, as well as field knowledge. Software engineering is no exception.

In order to prepare you for the behavioral part of the interview, AlgoExpert has curated a series of 15 videos, including the best tips on how to handle different work situations and environments.

The videos range in topics, covering everything from preparing for tricky interview questions, such as about your interest in the company, to handling sudden onboarding and tough feedback.

If you are worried that the tips are only from the employer’s point of view, you can rest assured that all of the advice presented in the videos has been tested and proven to work by the current team of AlgoExpert.

These tips are meant to help you feel more confident during interviews and not to worry about getting lost. This feature makes AlgoExpert perfect for those looking for their first job, as it covers everything you need to know.

Many AlgoExpert user reviews are from new university graduates, thanking the platform for their successful first job interviews.

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AlgoExpert Review: CONS

After reaching this part of our AlgoExpert review you can definitely see how many benefits the platform has to offer. With that being said, there are some things you should be aware of while making your mind up about the site.

So, let’s continue our AlgoExpert review.

Basic Coding Knowledge is Needed

There’s no denying that AlgoExpert has a lot of detailed, high-quality content to offer to those willing to learn and develop their skills. 

But is it suitable for coding beginners?

Unfortunately, no. The platform is not the best choice for those looking to learn coding from scratch.

AlgoExpert was developed as a prep tool for those looking for a job in the coding field. Because of this, the material is prepared with those users in mind who already have a basic understanding of coding.

Because of the skill level AlgoExpert is targeted to and developed for, beginners can very easily feel overwhelmed and lost in the content.

That being said, AlgoExpert can definitely be used as a training tool for those who have already learned the basics of coding and want to continue developing their skills.

Walkthroughs Only Filmed in Python

One of AlgoExpert’s biggest advantages is its content being prepared in nine different coding languages. It’s undeniable that this makes the platform appealing to many users.

As mentioned previously in our AlgoExpert review, the platform offers video solutions and walkthroughs for all questions available. However, it is important to note that the explanations are only filmed in Python. This is because Python is the easiest to visualize and write down compared to other languages, according to AlgoExpert specialists. 

This can make the platform a little bit more difficult to use to some. Even though experts’ solutions to all questions are available in all coding languages, video explanations can make the learning process a lot easier.

This is an important point to make in order to avoid possible disappointment. Those unfamiliar with Python wouldn’t be able to use some of the learning material, limiting the benefits of the platform.

No Community/Forum

Imagine this scenario. You’re working hard, learning on AlgoExpert, flying through questions… and then you get stuck on one.

You’ve checked all solutions, watched the walkthrough, ran your code many times, but you’re still stumped. You could really use some third-party input on the matter at hand right now.

Unfortunately, as of right now you would need to look for additional help outside of the platform. Currently, AlgoExpert does not have a forum available for the students to ask the user community their burning questions. 

According to the platform’s FAQ section, AlgoExpert is designed to provide you with all the information needed to solve each question. Unfortunately, I could not find anything about this feature being developed.

This can be a little disappointing. Not having a community to lean on can make the platform seem somewhat isolating, as students look for additional help outside of AlgoExpert.io.

AlgoExpert Review: Pricing

After reading this much of our AlgoExpert review you already have a clear understanding of what the platform has to offer. The only question left to answer is quite simple - how much does it cost?

Everything you need to know about the pricing, up next in our AlgoExpert.io review.

The great thing about AlgoExpert is that you don't have to immediately commit to the purchase. 

For those curious to try the platform out, AlgoExpert offers access to a few free questions and tip videos. That includes one question of each difficulty level, the introductory prep videos, and a few data structure videos as well.

This is a great way to see what AlgoExpert is all about and decide if the platform is for you without any financial investments. And you would know exactly what you would be paying for if you decide to purchase the service.

AlgoExpert pricing is very simple. Users have the option of purchasing AlgoExpert and SystemsExpert separately or as a bundle with appropriate pricing offers:

• AlgoExpert - $74 annually
• SystemsExpert - $59 annually
• AlgoExpert and SystemsExpert bundle - $99 annually

I must say, these prices might seem a little steep at first glance. But there’s no need to start cinching your belts if you are interested. The quoted amounts are for annual memberships, making AlgoExpert incredibly affordable.

On top of that, there are no additional fees to access “premium” content. Because of that, you don’t need to worry about having to pay extra to get what you were promised.

Because AlgoExpert is a great learning tool to develop coding skills, the platform offers an opportunity to buy bulk memberships for groups of students. 

Once your membership expires, you can renew it with a repeated payment. It is important to note that AlgoExpert does not renew any memberships automatically. You have full control over the payments that go through.

In addition to that, if you decide to renew your AlgoExpert membership, you will receive a 30% loyalty discount. The offer will be automatically reflected in the product’s price on the purchase page and will be applied to all future purchases.

Even though AlgoExpert offers a loyalty discount, there are no lifetime memberships available. As of right now, all memberships have to be renewed annually.

One of the most important points to note, however, is that AlgoExpert does not offer any refunds. According to their FAQ section, refunds cannot be issued under any circumstances and that’s the reason that free features are offered to try out the platform before purchasing.

With all things considered, AlgoExpert offers are incredible for the price. The available content is extensive and of high quality, making the platform a great and affordable investment.

AlgoExpert Alternatives

After reading through our AlgoExpert review and learning more about the platform, chances are that you might not want to purchase their content.

And that’s ok!

There are many AlgoExpert alternatives to choose from, however, some are better than others. Your very best option would be to go with a platform such as Udemy - here, you'll find a wide selection of different courses, ranging in topics and skill levels, too. Alternatively, here are our other picks.

DataCamp

If you are looking for online courses covering everything there is to know about coding, then DataCamp is the place for you!

Since its launching in 2013, DataCamp has released over 350 online courses on everything from introductions to several coding languages to detailed classes on how data science can be used in various fields.

What makes DataCamp slightly different from AlgoExpert is the format of its content. DataCamp is a MOOC platform allowing you to actually learn to code, while AlgoExpert is where you can practice and hone your skills.

For that exact reason, DataCamp is a great choice for beginners, as you don't need any preexisting experience to take their courses. In addition, DataCamp offers recognized certificates to those who successfully complete the courses that can be used to help your CV shine.

The platform offers several different payment plan options, ranging from free to special offers for businesses.

As you can see, DataCamp has many pricing options to choose from, and the quality of content makes the platform definitely worth considering.

Udacity

Founded in 2011, Udacity is one of the top online learning platforms offering high-quality computer science courses on any topic you could imagine.

Similarly to DataCamp, on Udacity you can find specific courses and develop new skills you might need while preparing for a career in the coding field. What helps Udacity consistently stay at the top of many MOOC platform lists is the quality of its content. At the moment, there are over 200 field specialists creating content for the site.

That being said, Udacity also offers its students help to find a job in the specific fields they are interested in. Users can access the latest job postings from computer science giants, such as Google and IBM, as well as have their resumes reviewed by professionals to assure the best chances of getting the position of their dreams.

These features make Udacity a great alternative to AlgoExpert, as the platform's top-notch content allows students to prepare for their future careers.

It is important to note that Udacity is one of the more expensive platforms, with some courses being priced at over $1000. However, there are over 200 free courses for you to choose from, as well as 10 scholarship programs available in 48 countries worldwide.

Needless to say, with accredited certificates recognized all over the world, Udacity can be a great investment in your career in the software engineering field.

edX

If you are interested in university-level courses you can take from home, then edX is one of the best options you could have.

Just like the other AlgoExpert alternatives mentioned, edX offers a wide selection of programming courses but does not offer an interface to practice your coding skills. However, it still is a great option for those interested in working in the software engineering field and looking to learn the necessary skills.

Since being founded in 2012, the platform has quickly climbed to the top of the charts and has remained one of the best online learning providers till now. This is due to its partnering with world-famous universities, such as Harvard, MIT, and Berkeley, and making their diplomas available to anyone in the world.

whether you're a beginner or already have some coding experience under your belt, edX has the perfect course to suit your needs.

edX users can choose between two pricing options. All courses can be audited and taken for free, however, this would not make graduates eligible for university certification. Those interested in receiving a certificate upon completing a course would need to pay anywhere between $50 and $300, as each course is priced individually.

Needless to say, edX is unmatched when it comes to affordable university online courses.

If you are still looking for more options, don’t worry. You can check out our list of the best online programming courses and find the perfect one for you.

Conclusions

You did it! You made it to the end of our AlgoExpert review!

At this point, you should know everything we liked and disliked about AlgoExpert, as well as possible alternatives to the platform. Now, hopefully, only one question remains unanswered. And the answer is really simple.

Yes, AlgoExpert is totally worth it!

Because the platform works in quite a niche field, its name isn’t as well known as other online education giants. However, that absolutely does not take away from the fact that AlgoExpert has a lot of great content to offer!

It's important to note that AlgoExpert is not the best choice for those who are looking to learn how to code, as the content is created for those who already are comfortable with programming. If you want to start from the beginning, you'll need to look at MOOC providers such as Udemy as your next best alternative. Also, if you would like to learn how to code, check out these hand-picked programming courses!

Between the tens of practice questions, an integrated workspace, and useful advice from professionals, AlgoExpert is a great learning tool. Anyone who is interested in honing in on their coding skills and getting their dream job should definitely consider looking into AlgoExpert!