7 Best LeetCode Alternatives For Interview Preparation

A LeetCode alternative for interview preparation refers to an online platform or resource designed to help software engineering candidates prepare for technical interviews, particularly focusing on coding challenges and algorithmic problems. These alternatives often provide a curated collection of coding questions that cover essential topics like data structures, algorithms, and problem-solving techniques commonly encountered in technical interviews. In addition to coding challenges, many such platforms may offer supplementary features like video explanations, mock interviews, and community forums.

While varying in structure and specific offerings, these alternatives aim to offer a comprehensive environment for skill development and practice, serving both novice and experienced coders looking to excel in coding interviews.

In this article, we’ll discuss the 7 best LeetCode alternatives that you can use to prepare for software engineer coding interviews. For each of the LeetCode alternatives we list, we’ll define what the LeetCode alternative is, what the LeetCode alternative is useful for, and how the LeetCode alternative applies to coding interview preparation. At the end of the article, we’ll discuss additional tips on how you can pass coding interviews.

1. HackerRank

HackerRank is a coding interview platform that was founded in 2009 with the goal of helping software engineering candidates practice interviewing and help employers facilitate coding interviews. For candidates, it offers coding challenges (in multiple popular programming languages like Python, JavaScript, Java, and C++) that cover essential coding interview data structures, algorithms, and patterns. HackerRank is also known for its interview preparation kits that provide a collection of problems you can use to practice for technical interviews within a specific timebound window.

2. Codecademy

Codecademy is an online educational platform founded in 2011, aimed at providing coding and programming instruction. It offers interactive courses covering a wide range of programming languages, frameworks, and libraries, such as Python, JavaScript, and HTML/CSS. Codecademy’s content is structured into modules and lessons, enabling users to acquire skills in a step-by-step manner. In addition to its basic free courses, it also offers a paid “Pro” subscription that includes features like real-world projects and quizzes for better skill assessment. 

Codecademy caters to a diverse audience, ranging from beginners with no prior coding experience to seasoned developers looking to expand their skill set.

3. AlgoExpert

AlgoExpert is an online platform and course (with the same name) established in 2017 that focuses on preparing software engineering candidates for algorithmic coding interviews. The AlgoExpert course provides a curated selection of coding challenges designed to cover essential topics such as data structures, algorithms, and problem-solving techniques frequently encountered in technical interviews. The AlgoExpert course also offers video explanations and a code execution environment to aid candidates in understanding and solving challenges effectively. 

The platform includes additional features like mock interviews and other courses “SystemsExpert,” a section focused on system design questions, to provide a comprehensive interview preparation experience. The content is tailored to meet the needs of both novice programmers and experienced developers aiming to excel in technical interviews.

4. CodeForces

Codeforces, founded in 2010, is a competitive programming platform that is frequently used for enhancing algorithmic and coding skills pertinent to technical interviews. Although not explicitly designed for coding interview preparation, the platform offers a wide range of algorithmic challenges that align with common topics found in technical interviews, including data structures, algorithms, and problem-solving techniques. 

Codeforces hosts regular timed coding contests that serve as rigorous practice environments for both novice and experienced coders. Additionally, its problem archive allows users to continue practicing outside of contest settings, further honing skills valuable for technical interviews. 

While it does not offer specialized interview preparation kits, the platform’s focus on algorithmic challenges makes it a valuable resource for candidates preparing for coding interviews.

5. Khan Academy

Khan Academy, while primarily an educational platform with a broader scope, also provides resources aimed at fundamental computer science and programming concepts. Founded in 2008, the platform offers courses in subjects such as JavaScript and SQL, which form the building blocks for software engineering skills. 

Although not explicitly designed for coding interview preparation, its modular courses feature video lectures, exercises, and quizzes that cover essential topics like algorithms, data structures, and problem-solving techniques. These foundational materials can serve as supplementary resources for candidates preparing for technical interviews.

However, it is worth noting that Khan Academy does not offer specialized coding interview challenges or interview preparation resources akin to platforms explicitly focused on coding interviews.

6. Codewars

Codewars is an online platform founded in 2012 that offers coding challenges, known as “kata,” designed to improve programming and problem-solving skills. While not explicitly geared towards coding interview preparation, Codewars provides a multitude of challenges that cover topics commonly encountered in technical interviews, such as data structures, algorithms, and programming patterns. The platform employs a ranking system that allows users to progress through increasingly difficult challenges, thereby facilitating a structured learning experience. 

Although Codewars does not offer dedicated interview preparation kits, the wide range of algorithmic problems available on the platform serves as a valuable resource for candidates looking to enhance their skills for technical interviews.

7. Project Euler

Project Euler, launched in 2001, is an online platform providing a large collection of computational problems designed to require creative problem-solving and programming skills. Though not explicitly focused on coding interview preparation, Project Euler offers problems that often involve algorithms, data structures, and mathematical reasoning, topics that are relevant to technical interviews. The platform’s challenges are generally more mathematically oriented and may require users to research and apply advanced algorithms and mathematical concepts. 

While Project Euler does not offer specialized interview preparation kits or features, its challenging problem set can serve as an additional resource for candidates looking to deepen their analytical thinking and programming skills in preparation for technical interviews.

How Do You Pass A Coding Interview?

Listed below are ways you can learn to pass a coding interview.

• Understand the job role and the technical skills required.
• Study common data structures and algorithms.
• Practice coding challenges and mock interviews.
• Review past interview experiences and questions if possible.
• Attend the interview well-prepared and well-rested.

As you can see, learning to pass a coding interview requires you to understand a breadth of information across the entire software engineering interview process. 

Is LeetCode All You Need To Pass Interviews?

LeetCode is not all you need to pass coding interviews. You’ll need to be able to understand other aspects of preparation for a coding interview like behavior interviews, expectations of a coding interview, and pacing of a coding interview, in order to pass a coding interview.

However, learning about LeetCode and learning about how to solve LeetCode questions is a significant part of passing a coding interview for the vast majority of people who get job offers as software engineers after passing these interviews.