It’s time. You’ve made up your mind about taking the first big steps to get into coding, but given the variety of coding schools out there, you need some help making next moves! 

Deciding on the right online coding bootcamp is tough, and with several options available, it’s essential to consider several factors, such as class sizes, curriculum intensity, instructor expertise, and support systems to help streamline your decision.

But, making an accurate comparison of online coding bootcamps is tough. We’re here to make your life that little bit easier by comparing the three most prominent online coding schools out there, Rithm School, Codesmith, and App Academy, so you don’t have to. 

Sound good? Let’s dive in!

Rithm School

Great for personalized, small classes and thorough tech stack

Rithm School is a 16-week coding program that teaches full-stack web development with Python, JavaScript, React, Flask, and PostgreSQL. 

The bootcamp is best known for helping people change careers into the tech and software engineering space. Completing Rithm School’s bootcamp will help gear you for success as a software engineer at start-ups and bigger companies. 

The pros and cons of Rithm School are as follows:

Pros

• Rithm School teachers are not only software engineers, but trained educators as well
• The Rithm School curriculum is geared towards career changers, not just tech workers
• Rithm School offers considerably smaller class sizes than other online coding bootcamps (20 people max with a 1:5 teacher to student ratio), enabling a more close knit learning community
• The 2-week prep school is completely free
• Rithm School’s program includes 2 weeks of interview prep and 3 weeks of real-world project experience, enabling course graduates to add significant value to their resume before graduation
• Rithm School has a deferred tuition program, meaning you don’t have to pay towards your tuition until you make at least $60,000 per year

Cons

• There is no part-time option available
• The cost of the Rithm School bootcamp is towards the top range of what you will find, though tuition can be paid in deferred installments
• There is no in-person program currently available
• Acceptance into Rithm School is difficult, with aspiring students being required to pass a technical assessment and both technical and behavioral interviews before being enrolled in the bootcamp.

Read the full reviews on Course Report here.

Codesmith

Great for fast-paced, expedited curriculum

Codesmith offers a 13-week full-time and 38-week part-time online coding bootcamp that teaches full-stack JavaScript and software engineering, including HTML, JQuery, and CSS. The program is mainly tailored for CS graduates and tech workers, and it intends to prepare said individuals for roles as software engineers for leading tech companies. 

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of Codesmoth below:

Pros

• Fast-paced curriculum; you may complete your studies faster than in other programs
• Large class sizes, which can be a positive thing if that is what you are looking for
• Codesmith offers a Minorities in Tech Mentorship Program tailored to those from underprivileged groups.
• Codesmith has a supportive community of mentors, instructors, and peers who provide feedback and guidance throughout the program.

Cons

• Codesmith has very large class sizes 
• Every cohort is all-intensive, with 70-80+ hour weeks expected
• Weekend work is expected
• The Codesmith prep course is not free, costing $925. 
• Codesmith coding programs are better suited for those with a Computer Science degree and existing tech workers 

Read the full reviews on Course Report here.

App Academy

Great for intensive workers

App Academy is a 16-week in-house and online program that teaches full-stack development with Ruby on Rails, JavaScript, React, PostgreSQL, and MongoDB. Completing the App Academy bootcamp will help get you ready for work at leading software engineering companies. Though like Rithm School and Codesmith, App Academy too has its own pros and cons which we’ll get into below!

Pros

• App Academy has pioneered an Income Share Agreement whereby you pay back your tuition fees only after you secure a role with a salary of $50,000 or greater.
• The App Academy curriculum is comprehensive, covering both front and back-end development as well as computer science fundamentals.
• App Academy has a large network of alumni who provide referrals and employment opportunities for new graduates.

Cons

• The App Academy bootcamp is one of the most intensive coding courses out there, expecting its students to pursue up to 100 hours of work per week, followed by frequent assessments which can lead to dismissal if not passed.
• Acceptance into App Academy is difficult, with aspiring students being required to pass 2 exams and an interview before being enrolled in the bootcamp.
• The App Academy bootcamp costs $20,000 but has a 12% APR for those wanting to pay back in installments. 

Read the full reviews on Course Report here.

Rithm School vs Codesmith

We get it. The above comparisons demonstrate just how tough it can be to choose the right online coding bootcamp for you. So why won’t we dig deeper, and find out just how Rithm School compares to both of its competitors?

Both Rithm School and Codesmith have high hiring rates following graduation, and both offer a comprehensive curriculum. However, there are some key differences between them which you should consider before making a choice.

Rithm School has smaller class sizes than Codesmith, offering you a greater opportunity to meet your fellow peers and get the support you need through your entire learning experience. Despite Rithm School’s bootcamp being 4 weeks longer than Codesmith’s, the added weeks go a long way in ensuring your workload is balanced, and the emphasis on life after graduation holds promise in allowing you to find the right role for you. The 4 weeks include both professional projects, an opportunity to work on real life code, and job search readiness, ensuring that you hit the ground running upon graduation. 

Though the Codesmith online coding bootcamp offers support, it’s structured to foster self-teaching and problem-solving skills, which can be appealing for some. Rithm School prides itself on placing a strong emphasis on a hands-on approach, providing interactive learning opportunities with more robust support systems in place.

If you already have a lot of experience in coding and are looking to enhance your skills further, then Codesmith may be the right coding bootcamp for you. On the other hand, Rithm School is a platform designed to bridge the gap between your existing skills and the requirements of a software engineer, enabling you to transition your career more smoothly, graduating with fundamental coding skills solidly under your belt. 

Lastly, if you prefer to attend an in-person or part-time bootcamp, Codesmith is most likely the better option. 

Rithm School vs App Academy

Both App Academy and Rithm School are prominent online coding bootcamps that offer comprehensive programs for aspiring software engineers. While they share the common goal of preparing students for a future in tech, there are notable differences between the two.

Rithm School’s smaller classes enable its hands-on approach, allowing students to partner up and learn from one another. The added inclusion of free weekends in Rithm School’s course helps balance the workload and reduce the likelihood of burnout, because let’s face it, as much as we love coding, we also need to rest!

App Academy’s course is immersive, coming with varied class sizes that focus on intensive training to equip its students with practical skills suited for the industry. The teaching style offered by App Academy is more strict and is, therefore, better tailored to those with a strong desire to fast-track their learning.

Ultimately, it’s up to you!

At the end of the day, deciding on which coding academy to go with falls entirely with your motive, budget, and time allocation. 

All three coding schools, Rithm School, Codesmith, and App Academy excel in their own way. 

We strongly recommend attending as many info sessions, alumni sessions, and events as you can to get a feel for how each bootcamp works. 

You can even enroll in Rithm School’s free 2-week prep course to see if the program is right for you. Codesmith and App Academy offer prep courses as well, however, you may have to pay to attend. 

We’re excited for you no matter whichever bootcamp you decide. It’s a great first step in beginning your software engineering career. 

Happy coding!