Cisco NetAcad
Python Essentials 1
How to get it freeFree self-paced.
Checked 2026-10-15Go to course
Guide · Last updated 2026-10-15 · 27 courses
The best free programming and Python certificates in 2026
You can earn several respected programming credentials without paying: freeCodeCamp's certifications, Harvard's CS50 courses (free CS50 certificate via cs50.harvard.edu), Cisco's Python Essentials 1 and 2, Kaggle's Python course, and Saylor Academy's computer science courses. Popular paid-certificate options like Python for Everybody on Coursera can still be audited free.
| Course | Provider | Credential | Time | How to get it free |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Python Essentials 1 | Cisco NetAcad | Free certificate | 30 h | Free self-paced. |
| JavaScript Essentials 1 | Cisco NetAcad | Free certificate | 35 h | Free self-paced. |
| Python Essentials 2 | Cisco NetAcad | Free certificate | 40 h | Free self-paced. |
| CodeSignal Learn | CodeSignal | Free certificate | varies | Free practice-based courses. |
| Codecademy free courses | Codecademy | Free certificate | varies | Courses free; certificate requires Pro. |
| Google Developers Program badges | Free badge | varies | Earn free profile badges. | |
| CS50 (via edX / cs50.harvard.edu) | Harvard | Free certificate | 100 h | Free CS50 certificate via cs50.harvard.edu (verified edX cert paid). |
| CS50's Introduction to Programming with Python | Harvard | Free certificate | 50 h | Free certificate via cs50.harvard.edu. |
| CS50's Web Programming | Harvard | Free certificate | 100 h | Free certificate via cs50.harvard.edu. |
| CS50's Introduction to Programming with Scratch | Harvard | Free certificate | 20 h | Free certificate via cs50.harvard.edu. |
| Python | Kaggle | Free certificate | 5 h | Free; certificate on completion. |
| GitHub Skills | Microsoft | Free certificate | 1 h each | Free hands-on courses in repos. |
| Introduction to Python (Microsoft Learn) | Microsoft | Free badge | 1 h | Free module; badge on completion. |
| CS101: Introduction to Computer Science I | Saylor Academy | Free certificate | 40 h | Free; pass final exam for certificate. |
| Sololearn | Sololearn | Free certificate | varies | Free courses with certificates. |
| Responsive Web Design | freeCodeCamp | Free certificate | 300 h | Complete all projects; claim cert free. |
| JavaScript Algorithms and Data Structures | freeCodeCamp | Free certificate | 300 h | Complete projects; claim free. |
| Front End Development Libraries | freeCodeCamp | Free certificate | 300 h | Complete projects; claim free. |
| Back End Development and APIs | freeCodeCamp | Free certificate | 300 h | Complete projects; claim free. |
| Scientific Computing with Python | freeCodeCamp | Free certificate | 300 h | Complete projects; claim free. |
| Quality Assurance | freeCodeCamp | Free certificate | 300 h | Complete projects; claim free. |
| College Algebra with Python | freeCodeCamp | Free certificate | 300 h | Complete projects; claim free. |
| Foundational C# with Microsoft | freeCodeCamp | Free certificate | varies | Complete modules on MS Learn + exam on freeCodeCamp; free. |
| Full Stack Developer curriculum | freeCodeCamp | Free certificate | varies | New full-stack certification; free. |
| Python for Everybody (University of Michigan) | Coursera | Free to audit | 60 h | Audit free or apply for financial aid. |
| GitHub Foundations learning path | Microsoft | Free training | 8 h | Training free on Microsoft Learn. |
| W3Schools tutorials | W3Schools | Free to audit | varies | Tutorials free; certificates paid. |
Course details
Cisco NetAcad
JavaScript Essentials 1
How to get it freeFree self-paced.
Checked 2026-10-15Go to course
Cisco NetAcad
Python Essentials 2
How to get it freeFree self-paced.
Checked 2026-10-15Go to course
CodeSignal
CodeSignal Learn
How to get it freeFree practice-based courses.
Checked 2026-10-15Go to course
Codecademy
Codecademy free courses
How to get it freeCourses free; certificate requires Pro.
Checked 2026-10-15Go to course
How to get it freeEarn free profile badges.
Checked 2026-10-15Go to course
How to get it freeFree CS50 certificate via cs50.harvard.edu (verified edX cert paid).
Checked 2026-10-15Go to course
How to get it freeFree certificate via cs50.harvard.edu.
Checked 2026-10-15Go to course
Harvard
CS50's Web Programming
How to get it freeFree certificate via cs50.harvard.edu.
Checked 2026-10-15Go to course
How to get it freeFree certificate via cs50.harvard.edu.
Checked 2026-10-15Go to course
Kaggle
Python
How to get it freeFree; certificate on completion.
Checked 2026-10-15Go to course
Microsoft
GitHub Skills
How to get it freeFree hands-on courses in repos.
Checked 2026-10-15Go to course
How to get it freeFree module; badge on completion.
Checked 2026-10-15Go to course
Saylor Academy
CS101: Introduction to Computer Science I
How to get it freeFree; pass final exam for certificate.
Checked 2026-10-15Go to course
Sololearn
Sololearn
How to get it freeFree courses with certificates.
Checked 2026-10-15Go to course
freeCodeCamp
Responsive Web Design
How to get it freeComplete all projects; claim cert free.
Checked 2026-10-15Go to course
freeCodeCamp
JavaScript Algorithms and Data Structures
How to get it freeComplete projects; claim free.
Checked 2026-10-15Go to course
freeCodeCamp
Front End Development Libraries
How to get it freeComplete projects; claim free.
Checked 2026-10-15Go to course
freeCodeCamp
Back End Development and APIs
How to get it freeComplete projects; claim free.
Checked 2026-10-15Go to course
freeCodeCamp
Scientific Computing with Python
How to get it freeComplete projects; claim free.
Checked 2026-10-15Go to course
freeCodeCamp
Quality Assurance
How to get it freeComplete projects; claim free.
Checked 2026-10-15Go to course
freeCodeCamp
College Algebra with Python
How to get it freeComplete projects; claim free.
Checked 2026-10-15Go to course
freeCodeCamp
Foundational C# with Microsoft
How to get it freeComplete modules on MS Learn + exam on freeCodeCamp; free.
Checked 2026-10-15Go to course
freeCodeCamp
Full Stack Developer curriculum
How to get it freeNew full-stack certification; free.
Checked 2026-10-15Go to course
How to get it freeAudit free or apply for financial aid.
Checked 2026-10-15Go to course
Microsoft
GitHub Foundations learning path
How to get it freeTraining free on Microsoft Learn.
Checked 2026-10-15Go to course
W3Schools
W3Schools tutorials
How to get it freeTutorials free; certificates paid.
Checked 2026-10-15Go to course
FAQ
Are there really free programming and Python certificates in 2026?
Yes. Every course tagged “Free certificate” or “Free badge” below lets you earn the credential at no cost as of 2026-10-15. Courses where only the training is free are labeled separately.
Which free programming and Python certificate should I start with?
Start with a short course from a well-known provider in the table, finish it, and add the credential to LinkedIn before moving on to longer paths.
Do employers value free certificates?
They do not replace degrees or proctored exams, but credentials from recognized providers demonstrate initiative and verified skills, and many can be verified online.
How do you check these courses?
Each course is read on the provider's own site, the cost of the credential is checked, and every link is tested regularly. Each listing shows its last check date.
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