Software Alternatives & Startups

Exercism VS CertPrepNow

Compare Exercism VS CertPrepNow and see what are their differences

Exercism

Download and solve practice problems in over 30 different languages.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
CertPrepNow

Free IT certification practice exams with detailed explanations for AWS, Databricks, CompTIA SecAI+, and IAPP AIGP. No account required.

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Rating
0 reviews
Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Exercism seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 318 times since March 2021.

social mentions
318 vs 0
Online Learning popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 9

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

Exercism
CertPrepNow
Website exercism.org certprepnow.com
Pricing
Open source
—
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Exercism 7 features
CertPrepNow 5 features
  • Free Access
    Exercism provides free access to a wide range of coding exercises and learning resources, making it accessible to everyone regardless of their financial situation.
  • Mentorship
    Offers personalized mentorship from experienced developers who can provide feedback and guidance on your code submissions.
  • Wide Variety of Languages
    Supports numerous programming languages, which allows users to learn and practice coding in multiple languages.
  • Structured Learning Tracks
    Organizes exercises into structured tracks, guiding learners through progressively challenging problems in a logical order.
  • Community Support
    Has an active community forum where users can discuss problems, share insights, and ask for help.
  • Open Source Contributions
    Encourages contributions to the platform itself, offering an opportunity for users to give back and improve the resources available to others.
  • Focus on Clean Code
    Emphasizes writing clean, well-documented code, which is beneficial for developing best practices.

Possible disadvantages

  • Variable Mentorship Quality
    The quality of mentorship can vary, as it depends on the availability and expertise of volunteer mentors.
  • Learning Curve
    There can be a steep learning curve for beginners who may find some exercises too challenging without sufficient initial guidance.
  • Limited Interactivity
    Exercises are primarily text-based without interactive or visual learning aids, which might be less engaging for some users.
  • Dependence on Volunteers
    The platform relies heavily on volunteer mentors, which can lead to delays in getting feedback and may affect the consistency of support.
  • Interface Complexity
    Some users find the interface and workflow somewhat complex and unintuitive, particularly for those new to the platform.
  • No Real-Time Collaboration
    Lacks real-time collaboration features, meaning users cannot code together or get instant feedback.
  • Focus on Individual Learning
    The platform predominantly focuses on individual learning rather than collaborative projects, which can be a downside for those looking to develop team-working skills.
  • Focused PMP/Project Management Content
    CertPrepNow specializes primarily in project management certification prep (like PMP and CAPM), which allows the content to be tailored specifically to the exam objectives set by PMI, potentially offering more depth than generalist platforms.
  • Video-Based Learning
    The platform offers video lectures that break down complex project management concepts, which can be helpful for visual learners who prefer watching explanations over reading text-heavy materials.
  • Practice Exams and Quizzes
    CertPrepNow provides practice tests and quiz questions designed to mimic the style and difficulty of actual certification exams, helping users assess their readiness before sitting for the real test.
  • Structured Study Path
    The course materials are often organized into a structured curriculum that follows the exam content outline, making it easier for students to systematically cover all necessary topics without missing key areas.
  • Affordable Pricing Compared to Bootcamps
    Compared to formal in-person bootcamps or extensive corporate training programs, CertPrepNow tends to be a more budget-friendly option for individuals looking to self-study for their certification exams.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Certification Scope
    Unlike broader platforms that cover IT, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and other certifications, CertPrepNow's offerings are heavily concentrated on project management certifications, limiting its usefulness for users seeking other types of credentials.
  • Dated User Interface
    Some users have noted that the website and course platform interface can feel less modern or polished compared to newer, more heavily funded e-learning competitors, which may affect the overall user experience.
  • Less Interactive Community Support
    Compared to larger platforms with active forums, peer discussion boards, or live cohort-based learning, CertPrepNow may offer more limited opportunities for interactive peer support or instructor engagement.
  • Content Update Frequency
    Certification exams like the PMP periodically update their content outlines; some smaller platforms can lag in updating their materials promptly, so students should verify that the content aligns with the current exam version.
  • Fewer Supplementary Resources
    The platform may offer fewer supplementary materials such as downloadable eBooks, mobile apps, or extensive flashcard libraries compared to larger, more resource-rich certification prep companies.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Exercism
CertPrepNow

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Exercism is considered good for learning and improving programming skills.

Why this product is good

  • Exercism offers free access to a wide variety of exercises in over 50 different programming languages, catering to both beginners and experienced programmers.
  • The platform provides a unique mentorship model where volunteers review submitted solutions, offering personalized feedback and guidance.
  • The exercises are well-structured, facilitating both practice and mastery of language-specific concepts and problem-solving skills.
  • Exercism encourages learning through doing, promoting an active learning environment which can be more effective compared to passive learning styles.
  • The platform allows for self-paced learning, enabling users to progress at their own speed and revisit topics as needed.

Recommended for

  • Beginner programmers seeking practical coding exercises to reinforce their learning.
  • Intermediate and advanced developers looking to hone their skills or learn new programming languages.
  • Individuals who appreciate personalized feedback and mentorship to improve their coding practices.
  • Students and educators searching for supplementary resources to support coursework or syllabus requirements.
  • Professionals aiming to practice coding interview problems and enhance their problem-solving abilities.

Overall verdict

  • CertPrepNow is a solid, budget-friendly option for IT certification exam prep, particularly valued for its straightforward practice tests and study guides covering CompTIA, Cisco, and similar vendor certifications, though it may lack the polish and breadth of larger platforms.

Why this product is good

  • Offers affordable pricing compared to many competing certification prep platforms
  • Provides practice questions that closely mirror real exam formats and difficulty
  • Covers popular IT certifications such as CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, and Cisco CCNA
  • Simple, no-frills interface that focuses on core exam prep without unnecessary distractions
  • Useful for quick review and self-assessment before sitting for an exam

Recommended for

  • IT professionals studying for CompTIA or Cisco certifications on a budget
  • Students who want supplementary practice questions alongside other study materials
  • Self-learners who prefer straightforward, no-frills exam prep tools
  • Individuals needing a quick knowledge refresher before a certification exam
  • Those who already have foundational course material and need extra practice tests

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Exercism 3 videos + Add
CertPrepNow 0 videos + Add

Learn with Exercism.io

More videos

  • - JavaScript Exercise | Learn JavaScript with Exercism | #0 Setup
  • - exercism.io 01 hello-world

No CertPrepNow videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
Exercism
CertPrepNow
100% 100%
0% 0%
100% 100%
0% 0%
95% 95%
5% 5%

User comments

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

Exercism no reviews yet
CertPrepNow no reviews yet

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Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Exercism 318 mentions
CertPrepNow 0 mentions
  • AI made me lazy. I didn’t notice until it was too late.
    Exercism.org structured deliberate practice, no AI required. - Source: dev.to / 5 months ago
  • Free Python Resources
    Providing free coding exercises and mentorship, Exercism helps developers practice and improve their programming skills step by step. Their Python Track offers a series of exercises that guide learners from beginner to more advanced levels. - Source: dev.to / 9 months ago
  • Collaboration Circles for Developers (2026)
    Exercism is a code practice + mentoring platform in 74 languages. Why it can work: although it is not exclusively focused on groups of five, its mentoring and peer review model allows forming mini-circles where participants give each... - Source: dev.to / 11 months ago

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Tracking CertPrepNow since Jun 2026.

Alternatives to Exercism and CertPrepNow

When comparing Exercism and CertPrepNow, you can also consider the following products.