Best Web Development Classes On-Demand: Reviews, Ratings, and Comparison

Learning web development offers many advantages. Having web development skills opens up a wide array of career opportunities in a diverse range of industries. With the ongoing shift to online platforms, businesses of all sizes need Web Developers to build and maintain their online presence.

Web Developers also help businesses and organizations with areas such as cybersecurity and cloud computing. The versatile skills learned through web development allow you to explore diverse paths for professional growth. Additionally, learning web development hones your problem-solving and critical thinking skills, as well, which is beneficial both personally and professionally. Learning web development can also teach teamwork and communication skills since web development is often a collaborative process. You may also wish to learn web development skills to start your own business, act as a freelance Web Developer part or full-time, or to transition into a fully remote job. 

One of the most affordable and flexible ways to learn web development is through self-paced or on-demand classes. On-demand/self-paced web development classes are online courses that consist of largely static material that you work through at your own pace. Such courses typically consist of pre-recorded videos, automated quizzes, and exercises that do not have a due date. Due to their flexibility, on-demand classes are especially useful for students with busy or irregular schedules. Read on to learn about the best on-demand web development classes. 

The # Best On-Demand Web Development Classes

1. Noble Desktop—Intro to Front-End Web Development
2. Harvard University—CS50's Web Programming with Python and JavaScript
3. Johns Hopkins University—HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for Web Developers
4. Flatiron School—Software Engineering Bootcamp (Part-Time)
5. Mozilla Developer Network—Learn Web Development
6. freeCodeCamp—Front-end Development Libraries
7. Udemy––The Complete 2025 Web Development Bootcamp
8. Meta—Front-End Developer Professional Certificate
9. IBM—Introduction to Web Development with HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript
10. LinkedIn Learning—Succeeding in Web Development: Full Stack and Front-end

#1: Noble Desktop—Intro to Front-End Web Development

If you are considering a web development or web design certificate class, you may be interested in taking a free on-demand class that introduces the subject. This allows you to learn more about web development without a financial commitment to see if pursuing web development might be right for you. Noble Desktop’s Intro to Front-End Web Development seminar is a free, pre-recorded video that you can watch whenever you choose. This recorded seminar introduces HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, explains what each coding language does and how they are used, teaches the differences between Front-End, Back-End, and Full-Stack Developers, and clarifies the difference between coding for emails and coding for the web. You can pause, play, or rewatch this video at any point you wish, making it a helpful resource for learning more about web development skills and careers.

Key Information

This class is a free on-demand seminar that is just under one hour in length. There are no prerequisites for this course.

More Details

While this free seminar makes a good starting point for those interested in web development, it is limited in scope. If, at the end of this course, you are interested in pursuing a web development certificate program, you can follow up by learning more about Noble Desktop’s Front-End Web Development Certificate, Full-Stack Web Development Certificate, and other certificate programs that prepare students for careers in web development. 

#2: Harvard University—CS50's Web Programming with Python and JavaScript

CS50’s Web Programming with Python and JavaScript class from Harvard University teaches you to create and manage web applications using the Python and JavaScript programming languages. The course also covers how to use SQL frameworks such as Django, React, and Bootstrap for web development. Hands-on projects encourage you to practice the skills needed to use APIs, create interactive UIs, and utilize cloud services like GitHub and Heroku. This class is taught on the on-demand learning platform edX and is intended for students who have a foundational understanding of Python. 

Key Information

This class can be audited at no cost. Students have the option to upgrade at any point to access unlimited course materials, a shareable certificate, and to have assignments and exams graded. The cost to upgrade is $199. 

Since this is a self-paced class, students can work through the course at whatever pace they choose. The course takes around 12 weeks on average for students committing to 6-9 hours of class work each week. 

More Details

The option to audit this class for free makes it a highly popular course with students across the globe. One limitation of taking the free version, however, is that your assignments are not graded, so it can be difficult to gauge how well you are grasping the concepts. You will also need to upgrade to the paid course if you intend to count this course toward edX’s Computer Science for Web Programming Professional Certificate Program. 

Students generally rate this class between four and five stars. Feedback from students shows an overall favorable view with students reporting that the class is high quality and engaging.

#3: Johns Hopkins University—HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for Web Developers

Johns Hopkins University’s on-demand HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for Web Developers class teaches the three essential programming languages used to create and manage web pages: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The class starts by teaching HTML5, which is used to structure the layout of a page. CSS3 is then used to style the page by specifying fonts, colors, and more. Finally, students learn about JavaScript’s many uses in web development. By the time the class concludes, students are able to code a webpage using a combination of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. 

Key Information

This is a beginner-friendly course offered through the online learning platform Coursera. You have the option of auditing the class for free or paying $79 for the paid version of the class, which grants a certificate of completion. You can start with the free version and opt to upgrade to the paid version at any point. Coursera also offers financial aid for qualifying students. To see if you may qualify, you must submit an application through Coursera’s website. 

This course does not have any prerequisites. 

More Details

This class has an average rating of 4.7 stars and has been rated and reviewed by more than 15,000 students. Recent reviews say the class is a good choice for students new to coding who wish to learn web development fundamentals. One thing to consider is that this course does not offer any instructor feedback or support even with the paid version of the class. Some reviews mention that some of the course content is outdated, but not significantly as the class continues to provide excellent learning resources at no cost. 

#4: Flatiron School—Software Engineering Bootcamp (Part-Time)

Flatiron School’s Software Engineering Bootcamp offers a part-time enrollment option that uses self-paced learning to teach you web development skills. This on-demand bootcamp is designed to be completed in 40 weeks. Unlike many asynchronous learning methods, this class does offer access to classmates and instructors. You can communicate with classmates and instructors through Slack and attend optional office hours and live lectures. 

The Software Engineering Bootcamp prepares students to become Full-Stack Web Developers by teaching front-end and back-end web development skills. Each student completes a cumulative project that showcases their skills. This project, along with other assignments, provides you with valuable hands-on experience to reinforce what you learn and help you build a professional portfolio. 

Key Information

The part-time enrollment option consists of pre-recorded (on-demand) lessons with instructors available through office hours and Slack. 

The tuition for this bootcamp is around $18,000. Flatiron School requires a $99 deposit and allows tuition to be paid upfront, through a loan, or with a 12-installment payment plan. 

You do not need any prior web development or coding experience to participate in this class. To be admitted, you must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or its equivalent, and be proficient in English. Students also complete 40 hours of prep work prior to class, in which they learn the foundations of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. 

More Details

Flatiron School’s Software Engineering Bootcamp teaches students how to become a Full-Stack Web Developer, meaning that they can work on both the front and back-end. The curriculum covers HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Flask, React, and Python. Career counseling is available during and after the course and students gain access to Flatiron School’s employer partnership team. The school reports that 90% of graduates find work in the tech industry. 

Recent reviews by students reflect a positive view of this bootcamp. Students say that the school offers valuable support and that the community of students and instructors is encouraging. Some students have mixed views regarding the program’s job support, with some reporting it took several months to make the switch to a new career. However, the overall impression from recent reviews is that this is a worthwhile class for those looking to start a career in web development.

#5: Mozilla Developer Network—Learn Web Development

Mozilla Developer Network (MDN)’s Learn Web Development course is a free, on-demand class designed to help beginner students refine their web development skills. Although not as robust as other courses, this free class is highly rated by those who have completed it and considered a good resource for those who want to further their skills without committing to a paid or more intensive class. The class covers web development skills that use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. If you are brand new to web development, MDN recommends starting with their Getting Started with the Web module. 

The Learn Web Development class covers how to get started with web development, structure web pages using HTML, style pages using CSS, and use JavaScript for scripting. You will also learn how to make websites accessible and usable to many different types of users, regardless of disability. The class also covers how to optimize web performance, test sites, and work with web forms. 

Key Information

This self-paced course is available for free. MDN states clearly that this course is not intended to fully prepare students to become a web developer, but rather to help familiarize them with key skills essential to web development. 

More Details

There are no prerequisites for this class, but you will be required to install Git to follow along with the class. 

Online reviews state that this class provides thorough content that is helpful and engaging. 

#6: FreeCodeCamp—Front-end Development Libraries

FreeCodeCamps Front-end Development Libraries teaches students already experienced with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript how to take their skills further using Bootstrap. Additional topics covered include Sass, jQuery, React, and Redux. The class also includes hands-on experience building web applications. By the end of this class, you will know how to create responsive designs with Bootstrap Fluid Containers, make images with mobile devices in mind, work with Bootstrap buttons, work with Bootstrap Rows, and much more.

Key Information

This free, on-demand class is intended for students familiar with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript basics. 

More Details

Reviews on freeCodeCamp’s website indicate that students recommend this course, giving an average of 4.8 stars. 

#7: Udemy––The Complete 2025 Web Development Bootcamp

The Complete 2025 Web Development Bootcamp is a paid on-demand class offered on Udemy. This class covers all the skills necessary to become a Full-Stack Web Developer. The class includes 16 projects that help you put what you learn into practice. These projects also contribute to your professional portfolio. The curriculum covers JavaScript, Node, React, Web3 development, MongoDB and more. The class includes varying skill levels including introductory, intermediate, and advanced sections for HTML and CSS. You will also learn about Flexbox and Grid. Dr. Angela Yu, lead instructor at the London App Brewery, guides you through more than 65 hours of on-demand video and an updated curriculum that was four years in the making. 

Key Information

This class is intended for beginners and does not require previous experience. There is also no paid software required. 

You can access this course as part of a Udemy subscription plan or purchase the course for around $150. 

How long it takes to complete this course will vary. The class contains more than 65 hours of video content and several hundred hands-on exercises. 

More Details

One bonus to this on-demand class is that unlike some self-paced classes which go unchanged and may feature outdated content, this class is continuously updated, so you can keep pace with changing technologies and practices even after you’ve completed the course. 

With nearly 300,000 ratings and an average of 4.7 stars, this is a popular and well-liked class. Nearly 1 million students have taken this self-paced course. Recent reviews praise Dr. Yu’s teaching style and methodology. A few reviews mention they wish this class included one more project that ties all the skills learned together, but overall reviews are highly positive.

#8: Meta—Front-End Developer Professional Certificate

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, offers a Front-End Developer Professional Certificate program that includes several front-end web development classes. These classes are completed using the on-demand learning platform Coursera. In this program, students learn how to create responsive websites by structuring pages with HTML, styling pages with CSS, and using JavaScript to create interactive experiences. This program also covers how to use React with JavaScript frameworks and libraries, use Bootstrap CSS Framework, manage repositories and version control with GitHub, and how to prepare for a career in web development. Upon completing the course, students can gain access to career services such as mock interview tools, resume reviews, and Coursera’s job search guide. 

This program consists of nine courses. First, students are introduced to front-end web development fundamentals, then progress to learning JavaScript. After this comes a course on version control, then one on advanced HTML and CSS. After this, students learn basic and advanced React, principles of UX and UI design, then finally a capstone course and coding interview preparation course. 

Key Information

This program takes anywhere from around three to six months to complete depending on how many hours you have to dedicate each week. If you put six hours of work into the program each week, it is estimated you will complete the program in around seven months. 

You can start the course for free with a free trial of Coursera Plus. The total cost after this depends on how many months it takes you to complete the program. Coursera Plus costs around $50 per month, so your total for this program would be around $50 multiplied by the number of months you are subscribed to the platform. Coursera offers some financial aid for those eligible. An application for financial aid can be submitted on their website. Students earn a certificate upon completion of the program. 

There are no prerequisites for taking this class. It is intended for beginners, including those with no prior coding experience.

More Details

Nearly 150,000 students have enrolled in this self-paced course. It has a 4.7 star average rating and has been rated and reviewed by nearly 9,000 students.

#9: IBM—Introduction to Web Development with HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript

IBM’s Introduction to Web Development with HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript class is a free on-demand course offered on the edX learning platform. The curriculum covers HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, and GitHub. The class is intended for students interested in becoming a Cloud Developer. Students interested in learning front-end, back-end, and full-stack web development also benefit from this class. 

The first module introduces programming for the cloud. The second module provides an overview of HTML and CSS. JavaScript for web applications is covered next, followed by a module about GitHub. The class concludes with a final assignment. 

Key Information

This class is available to audit for free. Students can also opt to pay $49 to join the verified track. The verified track provides unlimited access to course materials, a shareable certificate upon completion, and graded exams and assignments. 

This class takes approximately two weeks to complete when two to four hours of work are put into the class each week. This means the class requires around eight hours of work in total. Students can complete this class in less than two weeks depending on their pace.

Students do not need previous coding experience, but should have basic computer literacy and understand cloud computing terminology and concepts. 

More Details

This class is part of the Introduction to Web Development with HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript certificate program. This program takes eight months to complete with just four to six hours of work required each week, making it a good option to consider for those with busy schedules. The program is entirely self-paced and consists of twelve courses. 

#10: LinkedIn Learning—Succeeding in Web Development: Full Stack and Front-end

Before committing to a web development course or program, you may wish to learn more about the daily life of a Web Developer. The Succeeding in Web Developer: Full Stack and Front-end class is a quick, one-hour class on LinkedIn Learning that details what you can expect in a Web Developer role. The class discusses different types of Web Developers, typical responsibilities of the job, average salaries, core technologies and concepts, supporting technologies, the skills and education required, and how to find a web development job. 

Key Information

This class is approximately one hour in length. You can take it for free with a free trial of LinkedIn Learning, access it through a LinkedIn Learning subscription, or purchase the course for around $35. 

This class is intended for beginners, specifically people interested in starting a career in web development. There are no prerequisites to the course. 

More Details

This class has more than 4,000 ratings and has a 4.7 star average. Recent reviews state that the class is insightful and simple to understand. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an On-demand Web Development Class Worth It?

Whether an on-demand web development course is worthwhile depends largely on the quality of the course, your personal learning and professional goals, your learning style, and your current skills. 

One of the main benefits of a self-paced class is its flexibility. You can choose what you learn, when, where, and for how long. You can advance through the class at a steady pace or choose to vary the number of hours you put in depending on your schedule, though consistent study is generally more favorable as this will ensure you retain knowledge, continuously build skills, and stay motivated to complete the course. Those with busy schedules or schedules that make it difficult to meet at times typically offered with live online classes benefit most from asynchronous learning. 

Another advantage of on-demand classes is their affordability. There are many free classes available for introductory topics and paid classes tend to cost a few hundred dollars or less. You can often choose to buy a class outright or access it as part of a paid subscription. Learning platforms with such subscriptions typically cost around $30 to $50 per month.

On-demand classes often serve as a good way to gain foundational skills in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, and other web development languages and tools. However, the more advanced the subject matter becomes, the bigger the challenges. This is where an on-demand’s primary drawback becomes most evident. Most self-paced classes do not have access to an instructor, meaning that you are left to figure out things on your own. Some classes do offer office hours and email support, which can allow an expert to answer your questions. However, the asynchronous nature of on-demand classes means you will have to wait until your instructor responds, typically over a messaging system or through email. 

Many students choose to begin learning web development skills with on-demand classes and follow up with live online classes or in-person classes. This allows you to explore web development in a free or affordable way before committing to a more expensive or time-consuming class or program. You can use on-demand classes to build a solid foundation, to explore different types of web development languages and professions, and to get a better idea of what kinds of certificate programs you wish to pursue. 

One other drawback to consider with on-demand classes is that you must be highly disciplined to complete the work. Having a fixed schedule will help to prevent you from procrastinating or giving up. 

You will also want to research on-demand courses to see if the information and skills covered are up-to-date. Looking at recent reviews can give you a good idea of the content and quality.

What Will I Need for an On-demand Web Development Class?

To participate in any online course, you will need access to a computer and a stable internet connection. Most web development classes also require tools like GitHub and Visual Coder Studio, both of which you can access for free.

Can I Learn Web Development On-demand for Free?

You can learn some introductory web development on-demand for free through Youtube videos and free online classes. It is imported to note that most of these classes, while great for getting started, are limited in scope. These classes typically cover foundational web development skills or, for advanced or intermediate classes, one very specific skill. The biggest drawback to most on-demand courses is you will have either no access or limited access to an instructor. Working with an instructor provides personalized feedback and a resource to have your questions answered. 

Many students choose to start their web development journey with an on-demand class and follow up with a live online or in-person class. Starting with self-paced classes allows you to explore different web development topics and skills before committing to a more expensive learning option. Once you know your professional goals and the skills you wish to focus on, you can review different options for instructor-led courses.

Is It Better to Learn Web Development in a Live or Self-paced Class?

If you are researching both on-demand and live classes, you may wonder which is better for learning web development. There are advantages and disadvantages with each class type, so researching your options can help you choose the right class for you. You also do not have to choose between on-demand and live classes. Many students choose a combination of classes to customize their learning plan. 

Self-paced classes offer the following benefits: they are generally free or low cost, provide maximum flexibility in letting you learn when and where you choose, and introduce you to valuable web development skills. These classes typically consist of pre-recorded video which can be played at a slower or faster speed, rewatched, paused, and listened to. Video content makes such classes a good option for those who are visual and auditory learners. A few disadvantages to on-demand classes is that due to their largely static nature, content may be outdated. You also do not generally receive feedback with such courses, although some have the option to receive graded quizzes and assignments and to communicate with instructors through messages or designated office hours. You also do not enjoy the same community found with instructor-led courses.

Instructor-led courses such as in-person classes and live online, offer their own benefits and drawbacks. The biggest advantage of an in-person or live online class is that you receive real-time feedback and guidance from your instructor. This allows you to learn best practices, have your questions answered right away, and makes participating in hands-on projects easier and more engaging. You can also collaborate with classmates and become part of a web development community through your class. If you join an in-person or live online web development certificate program, you can also access additional benefits such as one-on-one mentoring, free retakes, and career services. Instructor-led classes also offer a traditional learning experience which enables students to learn through a combination of lectures, collaboration, and hands-on experiences.

One drawback is that tuition for such classes ranges from several hundred to several thousand dollars depending on the length and depth of the course and whether you take a single course or join a certificate program. In-person classes are also limited to your local offerings and require you to commute to the learning location. Live online classes offer many of the same benefits of in-person classes, but allow you to learn from home. You can also explore live online classes from schools around the world, making it easier to find a real-time class that works for your goals and schedule.