AlgoExpert vs Educative: Which Platform Is Better for 2025?

When comparing premium interview prep platforms, two names frequently come up: AlgoExpert and Educative. Both are paid, both promise to help you land a job, but they take fundamentally different approaches to learning.

AlgoExpert is a focused, video-first platform built around ~200 curated coding interview problems.
Educative is a broad, text-first platform offering 700+ interactive courses, including the famous "Grokking" series.

The question isn't "which is better globally"—it's "which one matches your learning style and prep needs?" This guide provides a comprehensive comparison to help you decide.

TL;DR: Quick Comparison

The Short Answer: AlgoExpert for focused, video-driven coding prep. Educative for broad learning and world-class System Design content.

What Is AlgoExpert?

AlgoExpert is a curated interview prep platform created by Clément Mihailescu (ex-Google, ex-Facebook). It is laser-focused on helping you pass coding interviews.

Core Features

• ~200 Curated Problems: Hand-picked to cover the most important patterns for FAANG interviews.
• Video Explanations: Each problem has a detailed video walkthrough (often 20-45+ minutes) explaining the thought process.
• Solutions in 9 Languages: JavaScript, Python, Java, C++, Swift, Kotlin, Go, C#, TypeScript.
• Data Structures Crash Course: Foundational videos on Arrays, Trees, Graphs, etc.
• Mock Interviews: Peer-to-peer practice with a shared code editor.
• SystemsExpert Add-on: Video-based system design content (25 fundamental topics + 13 practice questions).

Pros

• High-Quality Video Explanations: Clément's teaching style is clear and digestible.
• Curated, Not Overwhelming: 200 problems is enough to cover core patterns without drowning in LeetCode's 3,000+.
• Bundled Pricing: AlgoExpert alone is $199/yr, but the bundle with SystemsExpert is often $99-129/year.

Cons

• Video-Only Format: If you prefer reading over watching, you'll find it slow.
• Smaller Problem Set: 200 problems may not be enough for candidates targeting specific companies with unusual question pools.
• SystemsExpert Criticized: Some users find it too surface-level for Senior+ roles, especially compared to Educative's Grokking courses.

What Is Educative?

Educative is a broad online learning platform that covers everything from coding interviews to cloud engineering to machine learning. It's known for its interactive, text-based format.

Core Features

• 700+ Courses: Covers DSA, System Design, ML, DevOps, specific languages (Rust, Go), and more.
• Text-Based Learning: Courses are written, not video-based. You read, then code directly in the browser.
• In-Browser Coding Environment: No IDE setup needed. You practice in an embedded editor.
• Grokking Series: The famous "Grokking the Coding Interview" (patterns for DSA) and "Grokking Modern System Design Interview" (25+ real-world design problems).
• AI Mock Interviews: Practice coding, system design, and behavioral questions with AI feedback.
• Learning Paths: Curated roadmaps for goals like "Ace the Front-End Interview" or "Become a DevOps Engineer."

Pros

• Text-Based Format: Faster to consume than video. Easy to skim, re-read, and reference.
• Grokking System Design: Widely considered the gold standard for system design interview prep. Covers 16+ real-world design problems (Design YouTube, Design Uber, etc.).
• Broad Content: If you want to learn Kubernetes, GraphQL, or Rust alongside interview prep, Educative has it.
• Free Courses & Trial: You can try several courses for free before committing.

Cons

• Subscription Cost: $299/year is more expensive than AlgoExpert's $99 bundle (though you get more content).
• No Video Explanations: If you're a visual learner who needs to see code being written slowly, you may struggle.
• Content Variability: With 700+ courses, quality can vary. The "Grokking" series is excellent; other courses may be hit-or-miss.

Key Differences: Deep Dive

1. Learning Style: Video vs Text

AlgoExpert: Watch a 30-minute video where Clément walks through the problem, explains the brute-force approach, then optimizes to the optimal solution. Great if you learn by watching.

Educative: Read a text-based lesson, follow interactive diagrams, then write code in an embedded editor. Great if you learn by reading and doing.

Verdict: This is the single biggest differentiator. Know your learning style before you buy.

2. Coding Interview Content

AlgoExpert gives you more problems; Educative's Grokking series is more explicitly pattern-focused (which is arguably better for long-term retention).

3. System Design Content

This is where the platforms diverge significantly.

AlgoExpert (SystemsExpert):

• 25 fundamental topic videos (Load Balancers, Caching, Databases).
• 13 practice problems with video solutions.
• Criticism: Often described as "too high-level" for L5/L6 candidates. Good for beginners; may not be enough for Senior+.

Educative (Grokking Modern System Design Interview):

• 40+ chapters covering fundamentals AND 16 complete design problems.
• Includes Design YouTube, Design Uber, Design Twitter, Design WhatsApp, and more.
• Teaches the RESHADED framework for approaching design problems.
• Praise: Widely considered the best System Design resource available. Referenced by countless candidates who landed FAANG offers.

Verdict: If System Design is a priority (especially for L5+), Educative wins decisively.

4. Pricing Breakdown

AlgoExpert is cheaper, but Educative offers far more content. If you only need coding interview prep, AlgoExpert is more cost-effective. If you want System Design + general tech learning, Educative's value proposition is stronger.

When to Use AlgoExpert

Use AlgoExpert If:

1. You are a visual learner: You prefer watching someone code over reading explanations.
2. You want focused prep: You need ~200 quality problems, not 3,000 random ones.
3. You are on a budget: The $99-129 bundle is hard to beat.
4. You are an early-career candidate: The Data Structures Crash Course is great for building fundamentals.

AlgoExpert Workflow

1. Complete the Data Structures Crash Course.
2. Work through problems by category (Arrays, Trees, Graphs, DP).
3. Watch the video explanation after attempting each problem.
4. Use mock interviews to practice communication.

When to Use Educative

Use Educative If:

1. You are a reader, not a watcher: You prefer text-based, self-paced learning.
2. System Design is a priority: You are preparing for L5+ roles where System Design is heavily weighted.
3. You want multi-topic learning: You also want to learn Kubernetes, GraphQL, or another tech skill.
4. You like hands-on practice: The in-browser coding environment lets you practice immediately.

Educative Workflow

1. Start with "Grokking the Coding Interview" for DSA patterns.
2. Move to "Grokking Modern System Design Interview" for design rounds.
3. Use AI Mock Interviews for timed practice.
4. Explore additional courses (e.g., "Grokking Dynamic Programming Patterns") for weak areas.

The Optimal Approach: Choose Based on Your Needs

Real Talk: Do You Even Need to Pay?

Before buying either, consider free alternatives:

• NeetCode 150 + YouTube: Free video explanations for 150 curated problems.
• LeetCode Free Tier: Access to most problems and discussion solutions.
• LeetCopilot: Free AI hints when you're stuck on problems.
• System Design Primer (GitHub): Free text-based system design resource.

When to Pay:

• AlgoExpert: If you specifically want Clément's video teaching style.
• Educative: If you want comprehensive, interactive System Design prep (Grokking is worth the subscription cost for L5+ candidates).

FAQ

Is AlgoExpert worth it if I already use LeetCode?
Maybe. AlgoExpert's value is in the curated problem set and video explanations. If you learn well from NeetCode videos (free) and prefer LeetCode's larger problem bank, you may not need AlgoExpert.

Is Educative's Grokking System Design worth $299/year?
For L5+ candidates, yes. It's the most comprehensive, well-organized system design resource available. The ROI is significant if it helps you pass a Senior+ design round.

Can I get a refund?
AlgoExpert offers a 7-day refund policy. Educative offers a 7-day free trial and refund policy. Test them before committing.

Which has better mock interviews?
Both have mock interview features, but neither is a substitute for real human mock interviews (use Pramp or Interviewing.io for that).

Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Choosing Based on Price Alone

The Trap: Picking AlgoExpert because it's $99 instead of $299, even though you desperately need System Design prep.
The Fix: Match the platform to your actual weakness. For System Design, Educative's extra cost is justified.

Mistake 2: Passive Video Watching

The Trap: Watching all of AlgoExpert's videos without coding the solutions yourself.
The Fix: Attempt every problem before watching the explanation. Active recall is how you learn.

Mistake 3: Skipping the Fundamentals

The Trap: Jumping straight into hard problems without understanding Big O, basic data structures, or recursion.
The Fix: Use AlgoExpert's Crash Course or Educative's "Ace the Data Structures" course first.

Mistake 4: Overloading on Courses

The Trap: Buying Educative and trying to take 10 courses at once.
The Fix: Focus on 1-2 courses at a time. Finish "Grokking Coding Interview" fully before starting System Design.

Conclusion: Final Verdict

AlgoExpert is the right choice if you want a focused, affordable, video-driven prep experience for coding interviews.

Educative is the right choice if you prioritize System Design, prefer text-based learning, or want access to a broad library of tech courses.

Choose the platform that matches your learning style and prep goals. And remember—consistency matters more than which platform you pick. Pick one, stick with it, and do the work.