Best C++ Courses 2024

It’s true — software development is a red-hot career path, and individuals with next-level computer programming skills are in high demand. C++ is a computer language that has dominated the field of computer science since 1979, when it was first unleashed onto the scene via Bjarne Stroustrup.

While there are simpler programming languages to learn, such as Ruby, Python, and JavaScript, low-level programming languages like C++ are still in high demand. Why? Because the nature of the language allows it to take advantage of memory management more efficiently. Therefore, top-of-the-line game engines, such as the Unreal Engine, utilize it. Also, many other products are created with C++, such as Photoshop and many web browsers.

In this article, we’ll go over the best C++ courses on the web today. First, we’ll cover the bare minimum you need to know before purchasing one of these educational courses. Afterward, we’ll go straight into the course reviews. Finally, we’ll provide an extended look at C++ to give you a better idea of the flexibility of this powerful programming language.

Now, let’s see what knowledge you need before considering one of these courses.

Orientation: Understanding C++ Courses

C++ can be a demanding programming language to learn, but it doesn’t have to be. That said, the language has a breadth of uses, and looking for the right course can be a bit of a challenge if you don’t know what you’re looking for. In this section, we’ll show you some key elements to keep in mind when shopping for an online C++ course. We’ll then list all the courses we selected and how they measure up against each other.

Things to Look For in a Full Stack Developer Course

Below are the basics you need to know when on the hunt for a high-quality C++ educational course. Remember that we’ll go into more detail later on in our Extra Credit section, so if you’re looking for more info, stay tuned after our course review section.

The Time Aspect

C++ can be a demanding programming language to learn. If you’re completely new to programming in general, it can take up to three months to learn C++ from the ground up, and that’s taking into consideration several hours of work each day on it. Of course, if you’re not new to programming, you will grasp the language at a much faster rate. We’d guess an intermediate-level programmer would need at least a solid month to settle into C++ properly.

Your Goals

The great thing about online courses is that they allow you to work at your own pace and around your busy schedule, for the most part. If you want to enter the software development industry, C++ is a language that is certainly in high demand. Be sure to look for courses that have a certification or backing. That way, you will have a resume that can stand out from the competition. Alternatively, choose courses that satisfy your niche focus (game development, etc.) that will help you build a solid projects portfolio to land your dream gig.

Platform and Certification Potential

The courses shown here are all provided by well-known and trusted online educational providers. Some of these include Coursera, EdEx, and LinkedIn Learning. If you’re looking for professional certification potential, these three services will usually have niche-specific tracks that you can specialize in.

This isn’t to say that other courses provided on websites such as Udemy or Skillshare are not valuable. Far from it! Professional certification isn’t a necessity to enter the software industry. Your project portfolio and your coding skills matter much more in the long run.

Cheat Sheet

Here’s an overview of the C++ courses we’ve chosen for this article. This will give you an idea of the course you think best would serve your career goals.

Title	Platform	Course Length	Price	Focus	Rating
Beginning C++ Programming - From Beginner to Beyond	Udemy	45 hours, 59 minutes	$99.99	Learn the up-to-date C++ programming techniques	5.0
C++: From Beginner to Expert	Udemy	17 hours, 23 minutes	$99.99	Learn the C++ language	4.5
LinkedIn Learning Path: Become a C++ Developer	LinkedIn	19 hours 4 minutes	$19.99/month annually or $29.99/month monthly	Comprehensive LinkedIn C++ learning path	4.5
Learn Advanced C++ Programming	Udemy	15 hours, 11 minutes	$34.99	Advanced C++ concepts	4.5
C++ Fundamentals: Game Programming For Beginners	Udemy	11 hours	$89.99	Learn C++ via 2D game design	4.5
Unreal Engine C++ Developer: Learn C++ and Make Video Games	Udemy	36 hours, 59 minutes	$109.99	Learn C++ concepts via the Unreal Engine	4.5
Programming in C++: A Hands-on Introduction Specialization	Coursera	4 Months	$59 monthly or $399 annually via Coursera Plus	Automation concepts via C++	4.5
Coding for Everyone: C and C++ Specialization	Coursera	6 Months	$59 monthly or $399 annually via Coursera Plus	C to C++ immersion course.	4.0
Learn C++	Codecademy	25 hours	Basic course is free, pro path learning is $19.99 per month.	Browser-based C++ essentials course	4.0
Practical C++ Programming: Beginner Course	Skillshare	4 hours, 24 minutes	$13.99 per month or $167.88 per year	C++ Basics	3.5

Alright, now it’s time to dive into what you came here for — the course reviews. Below we have compiled what we consider to be the best C++ educational courses on the web today. If you’re looking for a more in-depth look at C++, don’t forget to check out our Extra Credit portion at the end of the course reviews.

Top 10 Best C++ Courses 2024

---

1. Best Overall: Beginning C++ Programming – From Beginner to Beyond

---

Why we like it

Learn the most modern version of the C++ language in this bestselling course hosted by Udemy.

What You’ll Learn

This is one of the top-rated courses on the Udemy platform for C++ instruction. We think that’s because it focuses on teaching the most modern programming applications of the newest version of the C++ language to date (C++20). This course covers loops, functions, classes, template libraries, operators, and much more. It doesn’t assume that you have any prior experience with programming — period. This is very much a “just the basics” course, but if you’re new to the language, that’s where you should start no matter what.

Verdict

If you’re looking to make a career change and want to learn the foundational skills necessary in the C++ language — and the most recently updated version of the language to date — you need to take this course. The C++ language isn’t going anywhere due to its relative closeness to machine code, and because of that, it still has many industrial applications. Learning C++ could give you a massive career boost. Let this course help you make that goal a reality!

---

---

2. Best for New and Established Programmers: C++: From Beginner to Expert

---

Why we like it

Learn the modern C++ language in this course with over 100 different exercises to complete in this intense course hosted by Udemy.

What You’ll Learn

For those that want full immersion in C++ and to learn its various nuances in 17 hours, this is the course to take. The instructor goes over the basics of the language, as well as operators, conditions, arrays, loops, functions, and more.

The standards of modern C++ programming are all here, and each section has its quiz at the end, ensuring that you have a firm grasp of the fundamentals. Another great thing about this course is it provides a free Integrated Development Environment (IDE) so that you can get down to business quickly and learn. This helps erase a lot of the hassle that getting started with C++ can give new learners.

Verdict

If you’re on the fence about this course, the instructor offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. We understand that the C++ language is a challenging one for new learners. However, with the level of instruction provided here, along with over 280,000 students previously taught by this course, you can’t go wrong with giving this a go.

---

---

3. Best for New Careers: LinkedIn Learning Path: Become a C++ Developer

---

Why we like it

Go from zero to hero in this comprehensive C++ learning path with eight different courses hosted by LinkedIn.

What You’ll Learn

C++ is still one of the leading programming languages in the world because of how closely it can interact with machine code. Because of this, it is utilized in quite a bit of industrial applications. Quality C++ programmers are always in demand for these various industries.

In this course from LinkedIn Learning, you will go through eight different C++ courses that lead to a professional-grade certificate of completion by the end of the course. One of the best additions to this learning track is the final section, which focuses on acing an interview for a programming job. This can be one of the most challenging aspects of landing a career in coding.

Verdict

At close to twenty hours of content here, there’s a lot to bite off. You won’t complete this entire learning track in just a few months, so be prepared to invest a lot of time. However, LinkedIn is a highly reputable company in the professional world, and this learning track provides world-class instruction at a more-than-reasonable rate. If you’re looking for a way into the professional landscape, consider this learning track.

---

---

4. Best for Advanced Programmers: Learn Advanced C++ Programming

---

Why we like it

Learn advanced concepts in the C++ language and create a fractal image generator in this next-level course hosted by Udemy.

What You’ll Learn

If you’re a novice at the C++ language and are looking for a course that can take you to the next level of mastery, then this course can help you with your goals. You will learn template libraries and their classes/functions, GUI programming, operator overloading, and many more advanced C++ features.

You will create a fractal generator from scratch by the end of this course. This is an effective way of applying everything you learn, as fractals can be a complex subject to dive into. While C++ is a difficult programming language to learn, the instructor provides you with plenty of exercises to give you the skills needed to code with confidence.

Verdict

If you’re new to C++, this isn’t the course for you. However, if you’re a novice to the language and want to deepen your experience to take your skills to the next level, then it could be suitable. C++ is a challenging and in-depth programming language that can take many years to master, and you’ll need all the practice you can get to keep your coding skills extra sharp. This course can take you down that road easily.

---

---

5. Best for Learning in a Fun Way: C++ Fundamentals: Game Programming For Beginners

---

Why we like it

Learn the basics of C++ while designing 2D games in this course provided by Udemy.

What You’ll Learn

2D gaming has long been one of the simplest ways of learning how to code from scratch, especially for the younger generation. If you’re unsure about where to start with C++, this course from Udemy is a great way to get your feet wet in learning programming basics.

You’ll learn the fundamentals of object-oriented programming skills along with other interesting subject matter, such as 2D animation. We think this is a fantastic way for newbies to learn a new programming language, especially one as initially challenging as C++. It’s worth noting that, by the end of this course, you will have a complete 2D side-scrolling game that showcases your new coding skills.

Verdict

This course is a great way to introduce new programmers to the C++ language while creating something entertaining from scratch at the same time. It’s not the best course for individuals wanting to get into more advanced 3D gaming systems. If you’re one of those people, you might want to check out our top Unreal Engine course on this list to suit your needs. But if you’re looking for a fun and instructional way to learn C++, you can’t go wrong here.

---

---

6. Best for 3D Game Design: Unreal Engine C++ Developer: Learn C++ and Make Video Games

---

Why we like it

Learn the basics of developing 3D games with the C++ language via the Unreal Engine in this intensive course by Udemy.

What You’ll Learn

If you want to get your feet wet in 3D gaming, then the Unreal Engine is the perfect choice for you to pursue. C++ also happens to be the programming language of choice for the Unreal Engine, so you can effectively kill two birds with one stone in this course. However, the course assumes you have no prior programming experience whatsoever.

This course is great for people that like to see real-time results in an eye-popping and creative way while learning a new programming language. By the end of this course, you’ll have four fully playable 3D games under your belt. This will give you the inspiration you need to continue down the path of game development and sharpen your C++ skills even further.

Verdict

This is the most popular Unreal Engine course on Udemy, and with good reason. The downside of the course is that it’s got a fairly limited scope when it comes to teaching C++. That said, if you are a total beginner to the C++ programming language, then you really can’t go wrong with this course. It teaches programming fundamentals along with basic game design at the same time. This is especially true if your focus is on 3D game design, as the Unreal Engine is the cream of the crop when it comes to building advanced game worlds.

---

---

7. Best for Learning Automation: Programming in C++: A Hands-On Introduction Specialization

---

Why we like it

Learn the practical applications of automation via C++ in this beginner’s course hosted by Coursera.

What You’ll Learn

C++ programming skills are in high demand, but a lot of people don’t know where to begin. In this course, you will learn valuable programming skills that apply to any language, not just C++. You will also learn coding fundamentals that carry over to more advanced subjects, such as data science and machine learning.

One of the ways this course teaches programming is it shows the student the possibilities of automating everyday tasks via coding. We think this is an effective way of showing the power and scope of programming.

Verdict

There’s a large investment of time for this course, at least four months’ worth. In other words, this isn’t a course that you pick up and complete on a weekend. It takes a lot of time and effort for the student to apply the concepts shown here. If you’re interested in learning the basics of C++ to acquire higher-level coding skills for a career, this automation course might be the foundation you’ve been looking for.

---

---

8. Best for Learning the C Language: Coding for Everyone: C and C++ Specialization

---

Why we like it

Learn the C language and then transition over to C++ in this instructional course hosted by Coursera and provided by the University of Santa Cruz.

What You’ll Learn

C++ is a superset of the C language. This course gives students a broad understanding of C++ by focusing on the C language in the first two modules. The final two modules teach C++ after a suitable foundation in the C language has been established in the lessons prior.

The methodology here is that you can have a richer understanding of the C++ programming language by learning the fundamentals of C, the language that came before it. Each module comes with lots of different coding practice problems, so you’ll grasp the basics in no time. While this seems like an advanced course, it is for all levels of coding competency, from beginners to seasoned veterans.

Verdict

The only real downside to this course is that it is not explicitly focused on teaching C++. Two of the four modules concern the ins and outs of the C language. That said, we think this approach is highly practical and can ease the student into the more complex nature of the C++ language slowly yet surely.

If you are interested in the nuts and bolts of the C language and want a deep immersion into how it all started, this course is for you. If you’re looking for something a bit more intensive when it comes to C++, however, it’s best to look elsewhere.

---

---

9. Best Browser-Based Course: Learn C++

---

Why we like it

Learn the essentials of the C++ language completely within your browser with this in-depth course hosted by Codecademy.

What You’ll Learn

Codecademy has been a top-quality source of information for years, especially when it comes to getting people of all ages interested in programming. In this free browser-based course, you will learn the basics of the C++ language from the ground up. No prior experience with programming is required. By the end of the course, you will create a Harry Potter Sorting Hat program.

Codecademy is a fantastic teaching platform. Not only do they provide the development environment necessary to start coding as soon as possible, but they also provide creative projects for the student to take part in designing as well.

Verdict

The downside to this course is it’s extremely basic in what is being taught. However, if you’re considering C++ and want to test the waters a bit before choosing with your hard-earned cash, then Codecademy’s short C++ course might just be what you need if you want to take that next step.

Once you’re finished this course, we would recommend choosing our top course pick for a more in-depth dive into the world of C++ coding.

---

---

10. Best for C++ Basics: Practical C++ Programming: Beginner Course

---

Why we like it

Get a feel for the C++ language in this “just the basics” course hosted by Skillshare.

What You’ll Learn

If you’re in the market for a down and dirty, no-frills beginner course on C++ that gives just the facts, look no further than this one provided by Skillshare. This course anticipates that you have zero knowledge of programming at all, so it’s great for novices.

You’ll learn variables, data types, operators, if/then statements, and you’ll create a simple output statement program by the end of the course. And the best part? All of this is done in under four and a half hours!

Verdict

This course is truly lean and mean, but because of that, it’s missing some things that make other courses pop out more, such as a strong class project. Also, while this is a perfectly acceptable introduction to C++, the language is far more complex than this course showcases.

That said, if you want a quick and easy crash course to get some of the syntaxes of the language down, you could do much worse.

---

---

FAQ

---

---