S
Stack Overflowed
Guest
If you’ve spent any time grinding LeetCode, scrolling through Reddit’s coding interview threads, or binge-watching YouTube solutions, you’ve probably come across NeetCode.
What started as a YouTube channel breaking down LeetCode problems step-by-step has quickly become a go-to interview prep resource. NeetCode now has curated problem lists, explanations, and even paid courses for system design and interview prep.
But the question developers keep asking is simple: Is NeetCode worth it?
As someone who’s been through the grind, daily LeetCode streaks, interview bootcamps, and courses that promise “FAANG or bust,” I’ve tested NeetCode alongside other platforms. And in this post, I’ll break down what NeetCode does well, where it falls short, and why so many devs end up gravitating toward the stronger, long-term alternative.
At its heart, NeetCode is a curated roadmap for coding interview prep.
It takes the wild chaos of LeetCode’s thousands of problems and organizes them into a structured list that covers the essential patterns you’ll actually need in interviews.
The platform (and YouTube channel) provides:
The appeal is obvious: instead of drowning in 2,000+ LeetCode problems, you focus on the core 75–150 questions that cover almost every pattern an interviewer will test you on.
Before we dive into whether NeetCode is worth it, let’s be real: NeetCode blew up for a reason.
Clarity and Simplicity
NeetCode explains problems in a way that’s clear, approachable, and free of unnecessary jargon. It’s like having a friend explain a tough LeetCode problem instead of slogging through dense editorial text.
The Power of Curation
The “NeetCode 75” is a godsend. Instead of wasting time wondering which problems matter, you get a roadmap that actually works.
YouTube Accessibility
Free video walkthroughs mean you can dip your toes without committing to a course.
Community Recognition
On r/cscareerquestions, r/leetcode, and countless Discords, “just do NeetCode 75” has become stock advice. That kind of social proof matters.
So the hype is real. But again, the real question is: is NeetCode worth it beyond the hype?
NeetCode does a lot of things well, and it’s only fair to acknowledge those.
1. A Clear Roadmap
If you’re lost in the sea of LeetCode, NeetCode’s structured path feels like oxygen. It tells you: start here, then here, then here. No wasted motion.
2. Accessible Explanations
The walkthroughs are beginner-friendly. NeetCode breaks down complex solutions into digestible steps without assuming you’re already an expert.
3. Affordable Compared to Coaching
The paid premium is relatively cheap compared to platforms like Exponent or one-on-one coaching.
4. Beginner-Friendly Start
For someone new to interviews, it feels like a gentle push into an otherwise overwhelming world.
But here’s where the cracks start to show, and why so many devs quietly ask themselves if NeetCode is enough.
1. Limited Beyond Algorithms
NeetCode is phenomenal for DSA prep. But interviews are more than algorithms. You’ll also face:
NeetCode’s coverage outside of algorithms is relatively thin.
2. System Design is Surface-Level
Yes, NeetCode offers a paid system design course. But let’s be honest: when it comes to system design prep, Educative’s Grokking the System Design Interview is still the industry gold standard. NeetCode simply doesn’t have the same depth.
3. Passive Learning Style
Watching walkthroughs is helpful, but passive learning only gets you so far. Without actually writing and testing code yourself, retention drops off fast.
4. Not a Career-Long Resource
NeetCode is laser-focused on getting you through one interview cycle. After that, it doesn’t offer much for ongoing career growth or advanced engineering learning.
5. Over-Reliance Risk
Some candidates end up memorizing NeetCode explanations instead of building true problem-solving skills. That backfires in real interviews where the problem is slightly twisted.
So, is NeetCode worth it? The answer is: yes for algorithm prep, but not enough as a complete solution.
Who Should Use NeetCode?
NeetCode is most useful for:
But if you’re aiming for FAANG-level interviews or senior roles that test system design, NeetCode won’t get you all the way there. That’s where Educative.io becomes the natural next step.
Whenever devs ask me if NeetCode is worth it, my answer is usually: Yes, but pair it with something deeper, like Educative.
Here’s why.
1. Interactive Learning > Passive Watching
On Educative, you’re not just watching someone solve problems. You’re coding directly in the browser, debugging, and learning actively, which is a massive retention booster.
2. The Grokking Series
Educative is home to the legendary Grokking System Design Interview. If you’re serious about FAANG or senior interviews, this course alone puts it miles ahead of NeetCode in system design prep.
3. Breadth of Topics
Educative isn’t just interview prep; it’s also:
This means you don’t outgrow Educative after your first interview cycle.
4. Cost-Effective Subscription
One Educative subscription unlocks the entire library, including Grokking, coding interview prep, and career-growth courses. That’s less than the cost of assembling multiple smaller platforms.
5. Career Growth Beyond Interviews
Educative is about thriving once you’re in it. Want to brush up on cloud architecture? Need a refresher on design patterns? It’s all there.
The short answer: yes, but only for algorithms.
If your only goal is to crush coding rounds in the next 3 months, NeetCode is absolutely worth it. It’s clear, structured, and efficient.
But if you want a complete prep solution that covers system design, behavioral, coding, and long-term engineering growth, Educative.io is the better investment.
Think of NeetCode as your training wheels. It gets you moving, keeps you balanced, and gives you a path. But sooner or later, you’ll need something sturdier to actually finish the ride. That’s where Educative comes in.
So, back to the big question: is NeetCode worth it?
That’s why the smart move for most developers is to pair NeetCode with Educative.io. Use NeetCode’s structure to cover the essential LeetCode problems, then deepen your knowledge with Educative’s interactive courses, especially the Grokking series.
In other words: NeetCode is the appetizer. Educative.io is the full meal.
— Stack Overflowed
Continue reading...
What started as a YouTube channel breaking down LeetCode problems step-by-step has quickly become a go-to interview prep resource. NeetCode now has curated problem lists, explanations, and even paid courses for system design and interview prep.
But the question developers keep asking is simple: Is NeetCode worth it?
As someone who’s been through the grind, daily LeetCode streaks, interview bootcamps, and courses that promise “FAANG or bust,” I’ve tested NeetCode alongside other platforms. And in this post, I’ll break down what NeetCode does well, where it falls short, and why so many devs end up gravitating toward the stronger, long-term alternative.
What is NeetCode?
At its heart, NeetCode is a curated roadmap for coding interview prep.
It takes the wild chaos of LeetCode’s thousands of problems and organizes them into a structured list that covers the essential patterns you’ll actually need in interviews.
The platform (and YouTube channel) provides:
- Curated LeetCode problem lists (e.g., NeetCode 75, 150, etc.)
- Step-by-step problem walkthroughs on YouTube
- Paid courses on coding interviews and system design
- Practice environments and explanations
The appeal is obvious: instead of drowning in 2,000+ LeetCode problems, you focus on the core 75–150 questions that cover almost every pattern an interviewer will test you on.
Why NeetCode Took Off
Before we dive into whether NeetCode is worth it, let’s be real: NeetCode blew up for a reason.
Clarity and Simplicity
NeetCode explains problems in a way that’s clear, approachable, and free of unnecessary jargon. It’s like having a friend explain a tough LeetCode problem instead of slogging through dense editorial text.
The Power of Curation
The “NeetCode 75” is a godsend. Instead of wasting time wondering which problems matter, you get a roadmap that actually works.
YouTube Accessibility
Free video walkthroughs mean you can dip your toes without committing to a course.
Community Recognition
On r/cscareerquestions, r/leetcode, and countless Discords, “just do NeetCode 75” has become stock advice. That kind of social proof matters.
So the hype is real. But again, the real question is: is NeetCode worth it beyond the hype?
The Pros of NeetCode
NeetCode does a lot of things well, and it’s only fair to acknowledge those.
1. A Clear Roadmap
If you’re lost in the sea of LeetCode, NeetCode’s structured path feels like oxygen. It tells you: start here, then here, then here. No wasted motion.
2. Accessible Explanations
The walkthroughs are beginner-friendly. NeetCode breaks down complex solutions into digestible steps without assuming you’re already an expert.
3. Affordable Compared to Coaching
The paid premium is relatively cheap compared to platforms like Exponent or one-on-one coaching.
4. Beginner-Friendly Start
For someone new to interviews, it feels like a gentle push into an otherwise overwhelming world.
The Cons of NeetCode
But here’s where the cracks start to show, and why so many devs quietly ask themselves if NeetCode is enough.
1. Limited Beyond Algorithms
NeetCode is phenomenal for DSA prep. But interviews are more than algorithms. You’ll also face:
- System design interviews
- Behavioral rounds
- Language-specific deep dives
NeetCode’s coverage outside of algorithms is relatively thin.
2. System Design is Surface-Level
Yes, NeetCode offers a paid system design course. But let’s be honest: when it comes to system design prep, Educative’s Grokking the System Design Interview is still the industry gold standard. NeetCode simply doesn’t have the same depth.
3. Passive Learning Style
Watching walkthroughs is helpful, but passive learning only gets you so far. Without actually writing and testing code yourself, retention drops off fast.
4. Not a Career-Long Resource
NeetCode is laser-focused on getting you through one interview cycle. After that, it doesn’t offer much for ongoing career growth or advanced engineering learning.
5. Over-Reliance Risk
Some candidates end up memorizing NeetCode explanations instead of building true problem-solving skills. That backfires in real interviews where the problem is slightly twisted.
So, is NeetCode worth it? The answer is: yes for algorithm prep, but not enough as a complete solution.
Who Should Use NeetCode?
NeetCode is most useful for:
- Beginners who feel lost on LeetCode
- Mid-level candidates who need structured practice
- People with limited prep time who want the essential 75–150 questions covered
But if you’re aiming for FAANG-level interviews or senior roles that test system design, NeetCode won’t get you all the way there. That’s where Educative.io becomes the natural next step.
Why Educative.io is the Better Long-Term Bet
Whenever devs ask me if NeetCode is worth it, my answer is usually: Yes, but pair it with something deeper, like Educative.
Here’s why.
1. Interactive Learning > Passive Watching
On Educative, you’re not just watching someone solve problems. You’re coding directly in the browser, debugging, and learning actively, which is a massive retention booster.
2. The Grokking Series
Educative is home to the legendary Grokking System Design Interview. If you’re serious about FAANG or senior interviews, this course alone puts it miles ahead of NeetCode in system design prep.
3. Breadth of Topics
Educative isn’t just interview prep; it’s also:
- Algorithm practice
- System design deep dives
- Behavioral prep
- Language-specific interview tracks (Python, Java, C++, etc.)
- Advanced topics (cloud, distributed systems, microservices)
This means you don’t outgrow Educative after your first interview cycle.
4. Cost-Effective Subscription
One Educative subscription unlocks the entire library, including Grokking, coding interview prep, and career-growth courses. That’s less than the cost of assembling multiple smaller platforms.
5. Career Growth Beyond Interviews
Educative is about thriving once you’re in it. Want to brush up on cloud architecture? Need a refresher on design patterns? It’s all there.
So, Is NeetCode Worth It?
The short answer: yes, but only for algorithms.
If your only goal is to crush coding rounds in the next 3 months, NeetCode is absolutely worth it. It’s clear, structured, and efficient.
But if you want a complete prep solution that covers system design, behavioral, coding, and long-term engineering growth, Educative.io is the better investment.
Think of NeetCode as your training wheels. It gets you moving, keeps you balanced, and gives you a path. But sooner or later, you’ll need something sturdier to actually finish the ride. That’s where Educative comes in.
Final Thoughts
So, back to the big question: is NeetCode worth it?
- For algorithm prep and curated problem-solving: yes, it’s fantastic.
- For system design, behavioral interviews, and long-term growth: no, it falls short.
That’s why the smart move for most developers is to pair NeetCode with Educative.io. Use NeetCode’s structure to cover the essential LeetCode problems, then deepen your knowledge with Educative’s interactive courses, especially the Grokking series.
In other words: NeetCode is the appetizer. Educative.io is the full meal.
— Stack Overflowed
Continue reading...
