21 Best Udacity Free Courses (2024 Updated Reviews)

Last Updated on December, 2024

It’s great that you found Udacity in your search for online courses. 

In this in-depth Udacity free courses article, you’ll explore details on registration, available free courses, the quality comparison between free and paid courses, and the possibility of upgrading.

This comprehensive guide aims to provide answers to your questions and assist you in making informed choices.

So let’s get started!

Top 21 Udacity Free Courses

1. AWS Machine Learning Foundations

a screenshot of the AWS Machine Learning Foundations bu udacity learning platform

The first free course on my list is the AWS machine learning foundations, created in collaboration with Amazon web services. Explore advanced areas like computer vision, reinforcement deep learning, and generative AI.

The course is broken up into six lessons: 

  • Welcome to the AWS Machine Learning Foundations Course
  • Introduction to Machine Learning
  • Machine Learning with AWS
  • Software Engineering Practices Part 1
  • Software Engineering Practices Part 2
  • Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming

This course is taught by industry professionals Maryam Rezapoor, Eva Pagneux, Phu Nguyen, Juno Lee, and Andrew Paster. It is designed for beginners to provide foundational knowledge and does not require any experience.

It should take you about four weeks to complete it. No time constraints exist, so you can learn at your own pace. 


2. Introduction to Python Programming

a screenshot of the Introduction to Python Programming by udacity learning platform

Explore this popular Udacity Introduction to Python free course designed for complete beginners (no experience required).

Learn about the fundamentals of Python programming and best practices through instructor videos and interactive exercises by industry experts.

The course is broken up into seven lessons: 

  • Why Python Programming?
  • Data Types And Operators
  • Data Structures
  • Control Flow
  • Functions
  • Scripting
  • Advanced Topics

This Udacity free course, taught by Juno Lee, will take you five weeks to complete and is an excellent starting point for your Python programming journey, providing job-relevant skills applicable across various professions in the technology industry.


3. Microsoft Power Platform By Microsoft

a screenshot of the Microsoft Power Platform by udacity learning platform

The Microsoft Power Platform free course created in partnership with Microsoft is taught by industry professionals. This is a beginner-level course with no prior knowledge needed. You will learn by doing a lot of exercises.

The course is broken up into six lessons: 

  • Welcome to Microsoft Power Platform
  • Introduction to Power Platform
  • Creating Your First App with Power Apps
  • App Development
  • Using Power Automate
  • Using AI Builder

This Udacity-free course, as mentioned, is taught by industry professionals Dona Sarkar, Greg Hurlman, Gomolemo Mohapi, and Joe Camp, andit will take around four weeks to complete.


4. Data Analysis With R

a screenshot of the Data Analysis With R course by udacity learning platform

The Data Analysis with R free course is popular among data enthusiasts interested in getting into fields like data science, data analysis, and data structures. This course is a beginner-level course, so don’t worry about not having in-depth foundational knowledge. 

The course is broken up into ten lessons: 

  • What is EDA?
  • R Basics
  • Explore One Variable
  • Problem Set: Explore One Variable
  • Explore Two Variables
  • Problem Set: Explore Two Variables
  • Explore Many Variables
  • Problem Set: Explore Many Variables
  • Diamonds & Price Predictions
  • Final Project

This Udacity free course is taught by Moira Burke, Chris Saden, Solomon Messing, and Dean Eckles. Learn how to explore and summarize data sets using R, analyze data, and ultimately, gain the skills to conduct your data analysis in just five weeks. 


5. Web Tooling & Automation By Google

a screenshot of the Web Tooling & Automation By Google course by udacity

The Web Tooling & Automation By Google is a free course created by partnering with Google. In this course, you’ll discover how to set up your development environment and save considerable time and effort through automatic optimization techniques. 

The course is broken up into seven lessons: 

  • Introduction
  • Productive Editing
  • Powerful Builds
  • Expressive Live Editing
  • How to Prevent Disasters
  • Awesome Optimizations
  • Conclusion

This Udacity free course is taught by Paul Bakaus and James Williams and is an intermediate level but doesn’t require any prior experience, and it will take three weeks to complete. 


6. Responsive Web Design Fundamentals By Google

a screenshot of the Responsive Web Design Fundamentals By Google course by udacity learning platform

The Responsive Web Design Fundamentals By Google is a free course created by partnering with Google. Acquire and practice strategies for developing websites that exhibit excellent appearance on all devices with guidance from Google’s Pete LePage. 

The course is broken up into five lessons: 

  • Why Responsive?
  • Starting Small
  • Building Up
  • Common Responsive Patterns
  • Optimizations

Pete LePage and Cameron Pittman are the industry professionals who teach this intermediate-level course through interactive quizzes and video lessons.

You don’t need any prior experience; it will only take two weeks to complete this Udacity free course. 


7. Swift for Developers

a screenshot of the Swift for Developers By Google course by udacity learning platform

The Swift For Developers free course provides a swift and practical introduction to the basics of Swift, covering types, variables, constants, and functions. It blends JavaScript exercises with hands-on iOS development in Xcode.

The course is broken up into three lessons: 

  • Swift Basics: Types, Variables, and ConstantsSwift Basics: Types, Variables, and Constants
  • Functions
  • Silly Song Prep: Customize the Lyrics

This intermediate-level Udacity free course doesn’t require any experience to get started, and it will take you three weeks to complete it. 


8. Intro to Artificial Intelligence

a screenshot of the Intro to Artificial Intelligence course by udacity learning platform

The Intro To Artificial Intelligence free course will introduce you to the fundamentals of AI concepts, covering machine learning, probabilistic reasoning, robotics, computer vision, and natural language processing.

The course is broken up into 22 lessons: 

  • Welcome to AI
  • Problem-Solving
  • Problem Set 1
  • Probability in AI
  • Probabilistic Inference
  • Problem Set 2
  • Machine Learning
  • Unsupervised Learning
  • Problem Set 3
  • Representation with Logic
  • Planning
  • Problem Set 4
  • Planning under Uncertainty
  • Reinforcement Learning
  • Problem Set 5
  • HMMs and Filters
  • MDP Review
  • Midterm Exam
  • Games
  • Game Theory
  • Problem Set 6
  • Advanced Planning
  • Computer Vision I
  • Computer Vision II
  • Computer Vision III
  • Problem Set 7
  • Robotics I
  • Robotics II
  • Problem Set 8
  • Natural Language Processing
  • Natural Language Processing II

Taught by industry professionals Peter Norvig, research director of Google and a co-author of artificial intelligence, and Sebastian Thrun, founder of Udacity. It’s an intermediate-level course that will take eight weeks to complete without experience. 


9. Intro to Machine Learning

a screenshot of the Intro to Machine Learning course by udacity learning platform

The Intro To Machine Learning free course guides you through the entire process of examining data from a machine learning perspective, and you’ll apply your knowledge to analyze a real-world data set. 

The course is broken up into seventeen lessons: 

  • Welcome to Machine Learning
  • Naive Bayes
  • SVM
  • Decision Trees
  • Choose Your Own Algorithm
  • Datasets and Questions
  • Regressions
  • Outliers
  • Clustering
  • Feature Scaling
  • Feature Selection
  • Text Learning
  • PCA
  • Validation
  • Evaluation Metrics
  • Tying It All Together
  • Final Project

This intermediate-level course is taught by Sebastian Thrun, founder of Udacity, and Katie Malone. You will come across interactive quizzes to learn machine learning with many video lessons, which will take around six weeks to complete.


10. How to Build a Startup

a screenshot of the How to Build a Startup course by udacity learning platform

From this free How To Build A Startup course, you will discover the essentials of building a successful startup by employing the customer development process, where entrepreneurs actively seek and iterate on feedback by engaging outside the confines of their workspace.

The course is broken up into twelve lessons:

  • Before You Get Started
  • What We Now Know
  • Business Models and Customer Development
  • Business Models and Customer Development
  • Value Proposition
  • Customer Segments
  • Channels
  • Customer Relationships
  • Revenue Model
  • Partners
  • Resources, Activities & Costs
  • Secret Notes for Instructors/Coaches

Steve Blank and Kathleen Mullaney teach this simple beginner-level course and will equip you with all the necessary skills and a practical approach to getting up and running with your venture. As for the completion time, it will take you six weeks.


11. Javascript Design Patterns

a screenshot of the JavaScript Design Patterns course by udacity learning platform

This Javascript Design Patterns free course will help you understand the significance of code organization and learn how to implement it using either plain JavaScript or an organizational library or framework, gaining hands-on experience by doing exercises. 

The course is broken up into five lessons:

  • Changing Expectations
  • Refactoring with Separation of Concerns
  • Using an Organization Library
  • Learning a New Codebase
  • Final Project

It is taught by an industry professional, Ben Jaffe, and designed for advanced skill-level users. This course is a part of many Android Basics nano degrees, and it’s structured to be completed in six weeks. 


12. Product Design

a screenshot of the Product Design course by udacity learning platform

This Product Design free course is a short program for beginners passionate about UI/UX designing. Acquire knowledge in product validation, UI/UX practices, Google’s Design Sprint, and the process of establishing and monitoring actionable metrics. 

The course is broken up into four lessons:

  • Ideation & Validation
  • UX and UI
  • Design Sprint
  • Key Metrics

Taught by Chris Saden and Amir Shevat, this course should take you around three weeks to complete. Follow the steps to validate your ideas and create product mockups. 


13. Uikit Fundamentals

a screenshot of the UIKit Fundamentals course by udacity learning platform

Master the iOS UIKit framework, which is essential for crafting user interfaces in all iOS apps and a crucial skill for any iOS Developer. This Uikit Fundamentals free course is filled with interactive quizzes and is taught by industry professionals.

The course is broken up into seven lessons:

  • Outlets and Actions
  • View Presentations and Segues
  • The Delegate Pattern
  • Build V1.0 of the MemeMe App
  • Table Views
  • Navigation
  • Complete the MemeMe App

Discover how to present views modally using key UIKit classes: UIImagePickerController, UIAlertController, and UIActivityViewController. Taught by Gabrielle Miller-Messner and is geared towards intermediate skill levels, this course will take eight weeks to complete.


14. Intro to Data Analysis

a screenshot of the Intro to Data Analysis course by udacity learning platform

This Intro to Data Analysis free course is for students with intermediate skill levels; experience is an added advantage. Dive into diverse datasets, formulating and answering your questions using Python libraries like NumPy, Pandas, and Matplotlib. 

The course is broken up into four lessons:

  • Data Analysis Process
  • NumPy and Pandas for 1D Data
  • NumPy and Pandas for 2D Data
  • Final Project: Investigate a Dataset

In just two weeks, acquire the skills to write clean, concise, and efficient data analysis codes for 1D and 2D data using NumPy and Pandas. This course is taught by Caroline Buckey. 


15. Intro to JavaScript

a screenshot of the Intro to JavaScript course by udacity learning platform

Master the basics of Java Syntax from this Intro To JavaScript free course. Delve into fundamental concepts like defining variables and employing data types to represent information in your code. 

The course is broken up into seven lessons:

  • What is JavaScript?
  • Data Types & Variables
  • Conditionals
  • Loops
  • Functions
  • Arrays
  • Objects

This course is taught by Julia Van Cleve and James Parkes for beginners. It spans four weeks, offering abundant online content, self-paced learning, and interactive quizzes to facilitate an easier understanding of JavaScript.


16. Xcode Debugging

a screenshot of the Xcode Debugging course by udacity learning platform

In this course, gain proficiency in debugging software through standard methodologies and learn how to leverage Xcode’s Debugging tools to locate and eliminate bugs. 

The course is broken up into four lessons:

  • Debugging, Printing, and Logging
  • Stepping Through Code
  • LLDB and Breakpoint Actions
  • Breakpoints and Visual Tools

This course is one of the best online courses for advanced skill levels. It is instructed by industry professional Jarrod Parkers and is structured to be completed in three weeks.


17. Intro to HTML and CSS

a screenshot of the Intro to HTML and CSS course by udacity learning platform

Dive into the basics of HTML and CSS syntax to add style to your websites. Establish your development environment from the Intro to HTML and CSS free HTML coding course and grasp the tags and syntax fundamentals. 

The course is broken up into four lessons:

  • HTML Syntax
  • HTML Syntax Problem Set
  • CSS Syntax
  • CSS Syntax Problem Set

Enhance your HTML skills by tackling a series of enjoyable challenges focused on creating documents and writing tags. This course is taught by Cameron Pittman and James Parkes and it focuses on beginners and should take three weeks to complete. 


18. Javascript Promises

a screenshot of the JavaScript Promises course by udacity learning platform

Discover the art of streamlining asynchronous tasks that are readable and easy to write and debug using Native JavaScript Promises, a collaboration with Google.

The course is broken up into two lessons:

  • Creating Promises
  • Chaining Promises

Tailored for advanced skill levels, this course, led by industry professional Cameron Pittman, is structured to be completed in three weeks. 


19. Responsive Images

a screenshot of the Responsive Images course by udacity learning platform

Enroll in this Responsive Images free course, a collaboration with Google, and move beyond image tags and discover how to integrate images seamlessly into your responsive design workflow. 

The course is broken up into four lessons:

  • Getting Up and Running
  • Units, Formats, Environments
  • Images with Markup
  • Full Responsiveness

Designed for intermediate skill levels. This course is structured to be completed in two weeks, led by industry professionals Cameron Pittman and Sam Dutton. 


20. Build Native Mobile Apps With Flutter

a screenshot of the Build Native Mobile Apps with Flutter course by udacity learning platform

Enroll in the Build Native Mobile Apps with Flutter free course presented by Google experts. Acquire the skills to create high-quality native interfaces for iOS and Android devices.

The course is broken up into two lessons:

  • The Flutter Framework
  • Building Interactive Apps

Structured for intermediate skill levels, this course, instructed by industry professionals Mary Xia, Matt Sullivan, and James Williams, is designed to be completed in two weeks.


21. Client-Server Communication

a screenshot of the Client-Server Communication course by udacity learning platform

Engage with the Client-Server Communication free course in collaboration with Google. Navigate through the intricacies of how a client communicates with a server, exploring security best practices and optimizing the performance of your web apps. 

The course is broken up into five lessons:

  • HTTP’s Request/Response Cycle
  • HTTP/1
  • HTTPS
  • HTTP/2
  • Security

Tailored for advanced skill levels, this course, instructed by industry professionals Surma and Richard Kalehoff, is designed to be completed in approximately five weeks.


How to Open a Udacity Account?

You can open an account on Udacity for free. The interface is very straightforward, so getting registered only takes a few clicks. 

join for free option in udacity
a screenshot of the sign up options in udacity

Just follow these steps:

  • Visit Udacity and click “Join for free” on the top left.
  • Then, you will have to enter a valid email address, or you can choose to register using your Google or Facebook account.
  • Upon entering a valid email address, you will receive a verification email from Udacity. You simply have to click the link in the email to verify your account. 

You are now a registered student on Udacity. You can now browse Udacity’s course catalog, free or paid, and start your learning journey. 

Free Online Courses on Udacity 

Okay, you have now opened an account on Udacity. What’s next?

You can now skim through Udacity’s course catalog and decide whether to subscribe and enjoy all the premium perks. (I will be talking about it in the next heading) 

Or, if you’re not ready to commit to a paid course yet, you can choose to start learning for free. They have it all: free data science courses, advanced machine learning techniques, or even if you want to learn a programming language like Python. 

You can easily filter out paid courses and surf through the free courses. These online courses will give you a glimpse into the online learning platform and are typically components of paid Udacity nanodegrees.

a screenshot of the paid Udacity nanodegrees by udacity learning platform

If you decide to complete the whole nanodegree, you can choose to upgrade to the paid version. 

Udacity Free Courses Vs. Paid Courses

Now I know you hopped on to this article to learn about “FREE” courses on Udacity. But this is for those who may feel like upgrading to the paid version after getting a taste of the free version. (Trust me, it’s very tempting to do so)

You might ask yourself, “What can I get from the paid version that I cannot get from the free version?” fair shout. 

And that’s precisely why I decided to add this section to this article. Below, I will discuss the main perks of being a paid student. 

  • Career Services

Beyond nanodegrees, Udacity’s career services extend comprehensive support after program completion.

Providing a range of services like resume support, GitHub portfolio review, and LinkedIn profile optimization, positioning you for your ideal role to kickstart your career journey.

  • Udacity Certificate

Upon successfully finishing a nanodegree with Udacity, you earn a certificate. Certificates are exclusively awarded when completing specific nanodegree programs such as web development or app development. 

Numerous programs collaborate with major companies like Google and Microsoft, increasing the chances of being recognized by potential employers. 

  • Full Access

The free version limits your access to 200 courses, but investing in the paid version opens up a broader range of topics for students from all skill levels to learn a popular programming language without any programming experience. 

Udacity continuously introduces new paid courses, expanding the range for those who invest in their learning. 

  • Real World Projects

You will be working on real-world projects guided by industry experts. The courses are structured to provide practical, employable skills through real-world projects, allowing for flexible learning and technical mentor assistance around the clock. 

  • Technical Support

Udacity’s paid programs allow you to be guided by experienced mentors to help you smoothly complete your course. These mentors can answer your questions, motivate you, and assist you in keeping you on track throughout your learning journey.

Udacity Pricing and Refund Policy

Recently, Udacity changed its pricing structure from a product-based model to a subscription-based one. And what’s the difference?

a screenshot of the udacity pricing plans

Back then, you select one course or nanodegree program and pay for it individually. You only get access to that specific program.

But now, you pay a monthly/annual subscription and get access to the whole course catalog. You can’t enroll in one specific course or nanodegree program. Think of it like Netflix: you pay a subscription fee to watch any movie you choose.

How much does it cost? You can pay $249 for a monthly subscription or $846 for a four-month subscription and save 15% by paying upfront. 

You can cancel your subscription and get a full refund within the first fourteen days of subscription (seven days for non-EU students).

cancellation of a udacity subscription

Note that this only applies in the first month of your subscription, and one student only gets one refund. 

Read more about Udacity pricing here.

Alternative Platforms That Provide Free Online Courses

If you can’t find a free online course on Udacity under the niche you’re looking for, you can explore other online learning platforms offering free courses from various niches. 

Coursera

Coursera partners with prominent universities to create advanced-level courses and serves a wide range of niches, with over four thousand courses and over fifty million students providing bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. 

Like Udacity, Coursera’s pricing structure is the same: subscription-based. However, Coursera also provides the option of paying for a course individually. 

If you pick the “audit the course” option, you can learn for free on most courses, but you won’t get an official certificate when you finish. 

coursera learning platform logo

Once you’ve selected the free audit course, you can upgrade to the paid option anytime during the audit period.

edX

Similar to Coursera, edX provides a free course audit option.

Teaming up with renowned universities and companies such as Harvard and Berkeley, edX lets you access all course materials for free with the audit option.

While certificates aren’t provided upon course completion, and access to the course isn’t retained, the focus remains on the valuable knowledge gained throughout the learning experience. 

And if you want to upgrade to a verified certificate, you can do so. 

edx learning platform

Customer Testimonials for Udacity Free Courses

After analyzing many positive customer reviews, I picked a few of my favorites, which I thought would reassure you of the Udacity course quality.

Mohamed says that the educational material was clearly interpreted through videos and articles. He also talks about how Udacity helps in establishing new skills and that too at your own pace.

And Chinenye mentions that it was a great learning experience and that the video lessons felt like a real-time interactive session and it was easy to understand.

Udacity has helped Vismaya find her way around Google’s products, such as workspace. She says it was understandably interpreted to her.

Reading what other people have to say about a product you wish to try in the future is by far the greatest level of reassurance you can get. It makes you wanna get started. Word of mouth is everything. 

Pros and Cons of Udacity Free Courses

Pros

Udacity offers more than 200+ free courses partnering with tech giants. 
An interactive interface that gives you access to what you want quickly. 
Udacity’s instructor panel is made up of industry experts who possess real-world experience in the tech industry. 
Udacity courses are available for offline viewing.
Access to carefully curated, up-to-date learning material. 
Interactive quizzes to enhance your knowledge.

Cons

Udacity doesn’t provide certificates for free courses.
Some free courses are not beginner-friendly. 
Udacity doesn’t have a mobile app; it’s entirely web-based. 

Final Thoughts: Udacity Free Courses

Udacity offers a wide selection of nearly 200 high-quality free courses in technology and business-related skills, with many partnerships with leading companies like Google and Microsoft.

So, if technology and business are your bread and butter, then Udacity is the perfect platform for you. No second thoughts. 

And the best part? If you like the free course and you want to try out the Udacity nanodegree, you can simply upgrade and continue your learning journey. 

If you find the right Udacity course, trust me, there’s no turning back. 

FAQs 

Yes, certificates provided by Udacity are valuable and useful. They showcase your tech skills and are accepted by prominent companies. It’s important to note that free courses do not offer certificates.

Yes, Udacity offers lifetime access to courses through their nanodegree programs, allowing students to complete them at their preferred pace.

Yes, Udacity courses are available for download. You can easily download any course from the Udacity website to watch offline at your convenience.

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Carlos Eduardo
Hey there, I’m Carlos Eduardo, the Founder and Author of Scorebeyond. Delving deep into 20+ years of education transformation through innovative e-learning, I’ve poured my expertise into this platform. My enduring legacy continues to drive the path towards a future empowered by knowledge!

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