Web developers are among the most in-demand professionals in tech, and a career in the field offers plenty of opportunities—not to mention a competitive salary.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to formalize your skillset, a web developer certification will set you apart as a credible coder and increase your chances of getting hired.
So what which programs are worth considering? How can you make sure you’re training with a reputable provider? If you’re at the very beginning of your journey to becoming a web developer, we recommend you try out this free coding short course, in which you’ll build out your very first website in a matter of hours.
If you’ve already decided web development is the career for you and are now selecting which school is best suited to your needs, then read on—we’ve compared eleven of the best web development certification programs on the market right now. Check them out:
- CareerFoundry
- Thinkful
- Ironhack
- MIT xPRO
- Cornell
- General Assembly
- Springboard
- BrainStation
- Le Wagon
- Flatiron School
- FreeCodeCamp
- Web developer certification FAQs
Our guide to some of the best web developer certification programs
So, without further ado, let’s get into it! Here’s our list of 11 of the top options out there at the moment:
1. CareerFoundry Full-Stack Web Developer Certification Program
The CareerFoundry Full-Stack Web Development Program at a glance:
- Mode of study: Online
- Ideal for: Beginners and career-changers
- Duration: 3.5 months (30 hours per week)–7 months (15 hours per week)
- Price: $8,500 USD
Who is it for?
The CareerFoundry Full-Stack Development Program is ideal for complete beginners looking to start a new career. The course takes place completely online with the support of both an expert mentor and a personal tutor, making it a flexible yet structured option for those who want to study at their own pace.
The CareerFoundry program is also covered by a job guarantee, so it’s a secure investment if you’re set on landing a job in the field.
How does it work?
The CareerFoundry program will see you taking a very hands-on approach to learning all the skills you need to become a certified web developer. Upon enrolment, you’ll be assigned a one-to-one mentor and a tutor—both industry experts who will provide regular guidance and feedback.
The course content is accessed through the online learning platform, and you’ll work your way through practical exercises as well as portfolio projects. You’ll also work with a career advisor who will help you apply for jobs and prepare for interviews. You’ll graduate with a professional coding portfolio and a web developer certification.
Sound interesting? You can find out more in this independent video review by Mark Tiddy, a CareerFoundry graduate.
How long does it take to complete?
The program takes three-and-a-half months to complete at a pace of 30 hours per week, or seven months at a pace of 15 hours per week. You can work at a flexible pace but you will need to stick to certain deadlines in order to stay on track.
How much does it cost?
CareerFoundry’s offering comes in at $8,500 for the entire program, but the cost of the tuition is dependent on your location and is competitively priced. This includes all of the learning materials you’ll need, and the tools you will use are either free-to-use, or free for when and how you’ll use them during the program.
A range of flexible payment options include paying upfront, or getting a small course discount. Contact one of their program advisors to find out your local pricing and if there are any partial scholarships available.
Useful links
2. Thinkful Software Engineering Immersion Program
The Thinkful Engineering Immersion Program at a glance:
- Mode of study: Online
- Ideal for: Beginners and career-changers
- Duration: 5 months (50-60 hours per week)
- Price: $16,000 USD
Who is it for?
As one of the most intensive and expensive options on the market, the Thinkful Engineering Immersion Program is best suited for those who have both the time and money to invest.
The program focuses heavily on getting you job-ready, making it another good option if your goal is to start a career as a developer. If you’re confused about the software engineering label on some courses, we’ve created a handy guide on any differences between it and web development.
How does it work?
As the name suggests, this is a highly immersive web developer certification program that will teach you all the skills and tools you need to succeed in the field. The program consists of online classes, pair programming with your fellow students, guidance from an expert mentor, and practical projects to build up your portfolio.
You’ll also work with a career coach in preparation for your job search after the course. The Thinkful program is offered entirely online.
How long does it take to complete?
The program takes around five months to complete, at a pace of between 50 and 60 hours per week.
How much does it cost?
The full tuition fee comes in at $16,000 USD. Thinkful also offers a range of payment options, such as income share agreements, loans, monthly payment schedules, and scholarships.
Useful links
3. Ironhack Web Development Bootcamp
The Ironhack Web Development Bootcamp at a glance:
- Mode of study: Online and in-person
- Ideal for: Beginners and career-changers
- Duration: 9 weeks full-time or 24 weeks part-time
- Price: $12,500 USD (Hybrid $13,000 USD)
Who is it for?
The Ironhack Web Development Bootcamp is for anyone who wants to learn the fundamentals of programming from scratch and potentially start a new career in the field.
Unlike many remote programs, the Ironhack bootcamp will see you studying at certain times Monday through Friday, making it ideal if you prefer a more structured approach to learning, similar to regular school. You can also study in a range of languages, from English to Spanish.
How does it work?
The Ironhack web developer certification program is broken down into four components: the pre-work module, which takes you through the fundamentals of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, followed by three modules which focus on responsive design, backend programming, and frontend technologies respectively.
You’ll study hybrid or remotely from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Each day, your schedule will consist of four 45-minute instructor-led sessions and three independent study sessions.
How long does it take to complete?
The course takes nine weeks to complete on a full-time basis. There is also a part-time option which takes 24 weeks to complete.
How much does it cost?
Studying with Ironhack will cost you up to $12,500 USD.
Useful links
4. MIT xPRO Professional Certificate in Coding: Full Stack Development
The MIT xPRO Full-Stack Development Certification at a glance:
- Mode of study: Online
- Ideal for: Beginners and professionals with a technical background looking to get certified
- Duration: Full-time 16 weeks (35-45 hours per week) or part-time 32 weeks (15-20 hours per week)
- Price: $6,705-8,075 USD
Who is it for?
The MIT xPRO Professional Certificate in Coding: Full Stack Development gives you a certification in both front- and backend development from one of the world’s most prestigious universities. To deliver this course, they have teamed up with the online education platform Emeritus, offering the course in full- and part-time, as well as in Spanish or a women’s-only cohort if you prefer.
How does it work?
The program is split logically into three separate courses—Web Development with JavaScript, Frontend Development with React, and Backend Development.
Throughout the program you’ll work with the MERN stack, which is comprised of MongoDB, Express JS, React.js, and Node.js. As well as carrying out coding assignments where you’ll build real-world apps and APIs, you’ll also received mentoring and training in soft skills such as Agile.
How long does it take to complete?
The full-time course takes sixteen weeks to complete, with around 40 hours of study per week.
How much does it cost?
At $7,450 USD, the MIT xPRO Professional Certificate in Coding is in the mid-range of the market, without the 1:1 support and guidance that other schools offer.
Useful links
5. Cornell Web Design and Development Certificate Program
The Cornell Web Design and Developer Certificate Program at a glance:
- Mode of study: Online
- Ideal for: Those interested in frontend development
- Duration: 3 months (7-10 hours per week)
- Price: $3,750 USD
Who is it for?
The Cornell Certificate Program combines both web design and frontend development. It is geared towards aspiring web developers and web designers, backend programmers who want to master the frontend, as well as self-taught programmers who want a professional certification.
How does it work?
This program takes a “design first, code second” approach, so you’ll learn to structure website content and make informed design decisions based on the needs of your audience before delving into any code. This is an online, instructor-led course, giving you both the flexibility of remote learning and the support of an industry expert.
You’ll come away with hands-on knowledge of HTML, CSS, responsive design, interactivity, and forms—as well as a professional certificate from Cornell Computing and Information Science.
How long does it take to complete?
The course takes around three months to complete, at a pace of seven-ten hours per week.
How much does it cost?
The Cornell Web Design and Development Certificate Program costs $3,600 USD, putting it towards the lower end of the market, but it doesn’t come with the mentor or tutor support or career advice that can be crucial in helping students change career successfully.
Useful links
6. General Assembly Software Engineering Immersive
The General Assembly Software Engineering Immersive at a glance:
- Mode of study: Online
- Ideal for: Beginners
- Duration: 12 weeks (40 hours per week)
- Price: $15,950 USD
Who is it for?
General Assembly offers a beginner-friendly web developer certification with no prerequisites. Whether you’re brand new to the field or looking to formalize any coding skills you’ve already acquired, the Software Engineering Immersive will equip you with all the skills you need to work as a web developer—albeit at a rather high price-point.
How does it work?
The course is taught entirely online through interactive classroom sessions and regular check-ins with an instructor. You’ll start with the pre-work component, covering the fundamentals of software engineering, before moving on to front-end frameworks, APIs, and full-stack development.
In preparation for your new career, you’ll also work on a project for your portfolio. Upon graduation, you’ll receive a signed certificate of completion.
How long does it take to complete?
The program takes 12 weeks to complete, with around 40 hours of study each week.
How much does it cost?
At $15,950 USD, this is one of the more expensive programs available.
Useful links
7. Springboard Software Engineering Career Track
The Springboard Software Engineering Career Track at a glance:
- Mode of study: Online
- Ideal for: Career-changers with some knowledge of JavaScript
- Duration: 36 weeks (20 hours per week)
- Price: $16,200 USD
Who is it for?
The Springboard Software Engineering Certification is designed for those who have basic skills in JavaScript, an aptitude for problem solving, and strong communication and collaboration skills. It’s also recommended that those enrolling on the course are already familiar with the fundamentals of HTML and CSS.
This is a fully online, mentored course that offers both flexibility and a job guarantee—ideal if you’ve already got some industry know-how but want to switch to a career in the field.
How does it work?
The Springboard program takes place entirely online. When you enroll, you’ll be matched with a mentor who you’ll connect with via weekly video calls. You’ll have access to over 800 hours’ worth of course content, an active online student community, unlimited calls with a career coach, resumé and portfolio reviews, mock interviews, and a job guarantee.
Upon graduation, you’ll also receive a certificate of completion which you can display on your LinkedIn profile.
How long does it take to complete?
The program takes around nine months to complete, requiring 20 hours of study per week.
How much does it cost?
The Springboard certification program costs $16,200 USD, another price jump from 2022.
Useful links
8. BrainStation Software Engineering Bootcamp
The BrainStation Online Web Development Diploma at a glance:
- Mode of study: Online
- Ideal for: Beginners with some knowledge of HTML and CSS
- Duration: 12 weeks (full-time)
- Price: $15,000 USD
Who is it for?
This is an intensive, project-based web developer certification program made for those who want to launch a new career in web development. It is recommended that students bring some basic knowledge of HTML and CSS, and applicants will be required to complete the Prep Course prior to acceptance.
How does it work?
Previously known as the Web Development Diploma, BrainStation rebranded their degree. Over the course of 12 weeks, you’ll learn through a mixture of live online lectures and hands-on projects. You’ll learn how to build a complete software solution for the modern web, focusing on JavaScript, receiving feedback from industry experts along the way.
The program also focuses heavily on building your portfolio and preparing you for the world of work, with extensive career coaching and interview prep included in the syllabus.
How long does it take to complete?
The BrainStation Software Engineering Program takes 12 weeks to complete on a full-time basis. Students are expected to dedicate around 40 hours a week.
How much does it cost?
The program costs $15,000 USD.
Useful links
9. Le Wagon Web Development Course
The Le Wagon Web Development Course at a glance:
- Mode of study: Online or over 40 locations worldwide
- Ideal for: Beginners with some knowledge of coding (prepwork course required)
- Duration: Full-time 9 weeks (400 hours total) Part-time 6 months
- Price: Approx $7,270 USD full-time, $8,350 USD part-time
Who is it for?
With its French roots, Le Wagon have become a thoroughly global provider of bootcamps in data science and web development. Giving students the option to study either online or in one of roughly 45 locations worldwide means that they have assembled a large network.
Their web developer certification is designed for beginners looking to learn the ropes as quick as possible to give themselves a start in the industry. Bear in mind that you can’t be an absolute beginner—to gain admission you will have to be able to pass a test of basic coding knowledge, and be ready to do some prepwork before the course properly starts.
How does it work?
The program is split into eight teaching weeks, concentrating mostly on frontend technologies such as HTML/CSS and JavaScript. However, you’ll also be working with the Ruby on Rails language/framework combination as well as an introduction to database work with SQL.
Your learning day is divided up between lectures in the morning, coding challenges for most of the day, and live coding sessions and events in the evening. All-in-all, it’s an intense routine!
How long does it take to complete?
The full-time course takes nine weeks to complete, with well over 40 hours of study per week, as well as a Careers Week at the end. It’s a classic bootcamp format, promising to be intensive and send you out the other side with the basic skills learned to make it as a professional coder.
A longer (but more expensive) part-time option is also available, for those who might want to take the course while working.
How much does it cost?
Prices for this certification program can vary, depending on a number of factors. These include where in the world you are taking it, the duration you’re studying for, payment plan, as well as whether you apply for any of their scholarship options.
Useful links
10. Flatiron School Software Engineering Bootcamp
The Flatiron School Software Engineering Bootcamp at a glance:
- Mode of study: Online or New York, or Denver
- Ideal for: Complete beginners or those with a little knowledge of coding
- Duration: Full-time 15 weeks Part-time 40 weeks
- Price: $17,900
Who is it for?
Flatiron school claims to welcome all-comers, from those with almost no coding experience, those who’ve been teaching themselves, to those who have taken some classes or a course already. There is a 60-80 hour-long prep work class for students and prospective students to complete online.
For those taking the synchronous full-time course, the pace is intense (something mentioned by grads in reviews)—you’ll be in classes and projects 8 hours a day, Monday to Friday, for over 3 months.
How does it work?
The program is split into eight teaching weeks, concentrating mostly on frontend technologies such as HTML/CSS and JavaScript. However, you’ll also be working with the Ruby on Rails language/framework combination as well as an introduction to database work with SQL.
Your learning day is divided up between lectures in the morning, coding challenges for most of the day, and live coding sessions and events in the evening. All-in-all, it’s an intense routine!
How long does it take to complete?
The course is split into four phases: Frontend Development, Frontend Web Applications, Backend Development, and Backend Web APIs. After that you’ll have what Flatiron call a “cumulative project”. This will be a complicated web app which shows off several of the technologies they learn in the program.
How much does it cost?
Flatiron is at the top tier of web developer certification program prices, coming in at $17,900.
Useful links
11. Codesmith Software Engineering Immersive Certification Program
The Codesmith Software Engineering Immersive at a glance:
- Mode of study: Online or New York City
- Ideal for: Those with coding knowledge but lacking experience
- Duration: 13 weeks full time
- Price: $20,925
Who is it for?
As shown by the rigorous application and interview process, this certification is not for absolute beginners. Instead it’s for those who have a knowledge of web development already, in particular JavaScript. Perhaps they’ve even worked as a junior web developer or equivalent and are looking to take things to the next level.
How does it work?
Featuring a project-based curriculum like almost every coding bootcamp out there these days, the cool thing about Codesmith is that its final project is a large open-source project. Getting developers and engineers actively involved in open-source projects from the start is a great habit to get into, and to the benefit of the community at large.
How long does it take to complete?
You can take this web developer certification full- or part-time, remote or in-person. The immersive program takes just three months, six days a week. Learning part-time remotely can take up to 9 months (38 weeks), at five days per week.
How much does it cost?
Due to the depth of learning as well as its promises to create software engineers looking to enter medium and senior roles instead of more junior ones, it follows then that the Codesmith Software Engineering Immersive Certification Program is more expensive at $20,925.
The school offers a range of payment plans and loans, as well as some scholarships.
Useful links
Web developer certification FAQs
Now that we’ve gone through the top options out there, let’s try and answer some of the most popular questions on the topic:
What certification should I get to be a web developer?
Which certification program you choose depends on which kind of developer you want to be. Interested in designing and beautiful interfaces? Then focus on a frontend web design web developer certification program. Want to be able to build whole web apps on your own? Then a full-stack web development program is for you!
If you’re not sure yet, focus on a broader certification program, and then add certificates of aptitude later on in your career as you find your niche.
Is it worth getting a web developer certification?
In short, yes. A certification is a great way of instantly communicating to prospective employers (and clients if you choose to go freelance) that you know your stuff. If it’s from a school with a good reputation, then they’ll know instantly that you’ve learned your coding skills to a dependable standard, with a formidable portfolio to prove it.
Can I become a web developer in 6 months?
It will take a lot of work, but if you push yourself it’s possible to complete a web development program and get hired as a junior developer in six months.
There are many different kinds of entry-level programming jobs out there, so if you focus with your goal in mind, learn and practice your skills, build and fill out an impressive portfolio website, prepare for and ace any interviews, there’s no reason you can’t bag yourself a coding role.
The long answer is in this guide: How to get your first web developer job.
What next?
In this post, we’ve covered 11 of the best web developer certification programs available on the market. Hopefully you found one that fits both your budget and your preferred mode of study!
Now it’s time to research your chosen program(s) in more detail; read through reviews, request to view the curriculum, and speak to an advisor to ask any questions you might have.
If you’re sure that learning web development remotely is for you, then take a look at our guide specifically for online full-stack developer certification courses for even more specific options.
If you’re still not sure whether to pursue a web development certification, it’s worth exploring the field further before making a decision. That’s where CareerFoundry’s free 5-day coding short course comes in. Easy to begin and with no commitment involved, you’ll quickly get to grips with building a website using the languages HTML/CSS and JavaScript.
If you’d rather read some more, then check out these articles for more industry insights: