Software Alternatives & Startups

Exercism VS SideProjects

Compare Exercism VS SideProjects and see what are their differences

Exercism

Download and solve practice problems in over 30 different languages.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
SideProjects

A platform to share side projects you're working on

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 133

Base details

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

Exercism
SideProjects
Website exercism.org sideprojects.net
Pricing
Open source
—
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Exercism 7 features
SideProjects 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.
  • Networking Opportunities
    SideProjects provides a platform where users can connect with like-minded individuals, fostering potential collaborations and expanding one's professional network.
  • Skill Enhancement
    Working on side projects allows users to practice and develop new skills outside of their regular job duties, enhancing their overall proficiency and expertise.
  • Portfolio Building
    The projects completed through SideProjects can be showcased in a professional portfolio, making it easier for users to demonstrate their abilities to potential employers or clients.
  • Flexibility
    Users have the freedom to choose projects that interest them and work at their own pace, which can be especially appealing for those with tight schedules or specific creative aspirations.
  • Resource Access
    The platform may provide access to various resources such as tutorials, tools, and community feedback, which can be valuable for project development.

Possible disadvantages

  • Time Management
    Balancing side projects with other commitments, such as full-time work or personal life, can be challenging and may lead to stress or burnout if not managed properly.
  • Quality Control
    The quality of side projects may vary widely, and there may not be a stringent review process, which can sometimes result in subpar project outcomes.
  • Limited Visibility
    Despite the platform's offerings, projects shared on SideProjects may not receive as much exposure as they would on larger, more established platforms, potentially limiting the audience reach.
  • Resource Availability
    Access to certain premium tools or resources may be limited or require a paid subscription, which could be a barrier for some users.
  • Collaborative Challenges
    Working with collaborators found through the platform may present challenges such as differences in working styles, commitment levels, and communication issues.

Analysis

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

Exercism
SideProjects

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

  • Yes, SideProjects is a good platform.

Why this product is good

  • It provides a community of like-minded individuals who are interested in creating and collaborating on diverse projects.
  • Users can share their projects, gather feedback, and receive support from a network of developers, designers, and entrepreneurs.
  • The platform fosters innovation by allowing members to showcase their work and potentially attract investment or new team members.
  • There are opportunities for learning and growth as users interact with various projects and gain insights from others' expertise.

Recommended for

  • Aspiring entrepreneurs looking to validate their project ideas.
  • Developers and designers seeking collaborative opportunities or to expand their portfolios.
  • Investors and mentors interested in discovering promising new projects.
  • Anyone interested in tech and startup environments who wants to be part of a supportive and creative community.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Exercism 3 videos + Add
SideProjects 0 videos + Add

Learn with Exercism.io

More videos

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

No SideProjects 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
SideProjects
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using Exercism and SideProjects. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Reviews and articles

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

Exercism no reviews yet
SideProjects 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
SideProjects 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 / 6 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 SideProjects since Mar 2021.

Alternatives to Exercism and SideProjects

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