CodeHS

Overview

CodeHS is a K–12 computer science teaching and learning platform that combines course content, coding practice, and classroom tools. It is best suited to teachers and schools that want curriculum and student work management in one place. Individual learners can subscribe to courses, but should not expect school credit or official grades.

Its breadth is the draw: the catalog spans more than 100 customizable, standards-aligned courses, and students can code in a browser. The trade-off is that school integrations generally require a school license, while individual access is a substantial recurring purchase.

For more options, browse our Coding Learning Software guide.

Key features

Curriculum and coding practice

Course topics include computer science, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and digital literacy. Project-based learning is supported, and the browser editor works with more than 10 languages, including Python, Java, JavaScript, and C++. The wider language list also includes SQL, HTML, CSS, and React Native. That range makes CodeHS relevant beyond introductory coding, though the catalog’s classroom orientation is more compelling for educators than for someone seeking a standalone credential.

Classroom tools

Teachers get autograders, in-editor help, code history, and a blocks-to-text experience in the classroom IDE. The LMS adds assignment grading, class progress visibility, and insight into students’ coding process. Together, these tools connect instruction with review rather than leaving teachers to manage coding work separately.

AI and integrations

CodeHS describes AI hints, AI grading, Ask AI, and Vibe Coding; its plan comparison identifies AI hints and grading as Pro features. Integrations include Google Classroom, Canvas, Schoology, Blackboard, Clever, ClassLink, Brightspace by D2L, Buzz, and Moodle. Most integrations require a school license, and automatic rostering over LTI 1.3 requires a district license, which may put the most seamless setup out of reach for smaller or individual users.

Privacy and security

CodeHS provides a channel for reporting security bugs and vulnerabilities and links to its Privacy Center.

Pricing

CodeHS is freemium, with no free trial. The permanent Free teacher plan costs nothing and requires no credit card or per-student fees. It includes 100+ courses, a browser-based editor, and section and roster management; the free-plan description also includes automatic code submission and section management. This is a practical starting point for a teacher who can work within the free offering, rather than a student subscription.

Paid school plans are Starter, School, and District, all at custom pricing. Starter is for one teacher and up to 100 students. School is aimed at schools with multiple teachers or more than 100 students, while District is for district-wide programs. A school license is generally needed for integrations; district licensing adds automatic rostering over LTI 1.3. Pro includes a dedicated Customer Success Manager.

Individual Learner All Access costs $99 a month billed monthly, or $990 a year billed annually. Both provide access to all Individual Learner courses; the annual option includes two months of access for free. All Access is designed for learners paying for course access themselves, but it does not provide official grades or academic credit: CodeHS is not an accredited school or online course provider.

Professional development is a separate option: the annual PD Membership costs $395 per teacher per year and includes mini courses, workshops, and microcredential exams.

Platforms

CodeHS is available on web, Android, and iOS. Its browser-based editor is central to the coding experience, so the platform’s device availability does not change the classroom emphasis of its tools.

Who it's for

CodeHS fits K–12 teachers and schools looking for customizable curriculum alongside coding, grading, and classroom progress tools. Its free teacher plan is especially useful where no per-student charge matters and the included course and roster features are sufficient. Districts that need automatic LTI 1.3 rostering have a clear reason to consider district licensing.

It is a weaker fit for an individual learner seeking accredited instruction, official grades, or academic credit. The individual subscription offers course access, not a recognized school outcome.

Pros and cons

• Broad, adaptable curriculum: More than 100 standards-aligned courses cover four computing-related areas, giving teachers scope to fit content to their program.
• Useful classroom workflow: Autograders, code history, assignment grading, and progress visibility support both reviewing results and following student work.
• No per-student charge on Free: The permanent teacher plan avoids student fees and credit-card requirements, making it an accessible starting point.
• School integrations can raise the bar: Most integrations require a school license, and automatic LTI 1.3 rostering is reserved for district licensing.
• Individual access is costly for a course catalog: The monthly plan is $99 a month; even the annual price of $990 a year buys no official grades or academic credit.

Alternatives

freeCodeCamp is the better fit for readers who prioritize a free, open-source option; it is available on Android, iOS, and web, and its BSD-3 licensing permits incorporation into coursework without special permission.

Mimo is worth considering if a learner wants a freemium option with a free trial and mobile apps; its Basic plan limits course, career-path, and AI Tutor access.

Progate offers introductory lessons free, with its Plus Plan — 12 Month priced at $9.92, paid once and a total of $119.00 paid at registration. Choose it when those introductory lessons or that annual purchase structure suit better than CodeHS’s classroom-centered approach.

Codecademy is another freemium option with a free Basic plan for exploring the service and web, iOS, and Android availability; it may suit learners seeking that entry point instead of CodeHS’s teacher and school tools.

Scrimba has a free tier with introductory courses, limited challenges, and Explainers, and is available on web and as an extension. It is a reasonable alternative for someone who wants to start with those free materials.

MIT App Inventor is a free educational platform for building Android and iOS apps, making it a focused alternative when app creation is the priority.

Scratch provides a free platform for creating and sharing projects. Choose it when that free creation-and-sharing focus is a better match than CodeHS’s school curriculum and management suite.

Tynker is a freemium alternative with a yearly plan at $10 a month billed $120 annually for one year of self-guided courses for up to three children; its quarterly plan costs $12 a month billed $36 quarterly. It is worth comparing for families seeking those child-focused plan terms.

Verdict

CodeHS is a strong choice for K–12 educators and schools that want a substantial computer science catalog paired with browser coding and classroom management. Its permanent no-per-student-fee teacher plan lowers the barrier to adopting the core classroom workflow. Look elsewhere if you need academic credit as an individual learner, or if school-license and district-license requirements make the integrations you need impractical.