What is the best coding interview prep course Reddit?

When it comes to finding the best coding interview prep course, Reddit users on communities like r/cscareerquestions, r/leetcode, and r/programming frequently share their experiences and recommendations. Based on discussions from these communities, here are some of the top coding interview prep courses and resources that Reddit users often consider the best:

1. Grokking the Coding Interview (DesignGurus.io)

Overview:
This course is highly recommended on Reddit, particularly for those struggling with identifying patterns in coding problems. Grokking the Coding Interview focuses on 16 coding patterns like Sliding Window, Two Pointers, and Merge Intervals. It helps you recognize these patterns and apply them to new problems, making it easier to solve coding challenges in interviews.

Why Reddit Loves It:

• The course breaks down problems into easy-to-understand patterns, making it beginner-friendly.
• It’s often cited as more accessible compared to Cracking the Coding Interview for people who find pattern recognition difficult.

Key Points:

• Great for those focusing on pattern-based learning.
• Strong for system design and behavioral interview sections as well.

2. LeetCode Premium

Overview:
LeetCode Premium offers an extensive collection of coding problems categorized by difficulty and topics (Arrays, Strings, Trees, etc.). LeetCode is considered one of the best platforms for practicing coding problems and is frequently mentioned by Reddit users as a must-have tool for interview preparation. The Premium subscription unlocks additional content such as company-specific questions and mock interview simulations.

Why Reddit Loves It:

• LeetCode is known for its vast collection of real interview questions from top tech companies like Google, Amazon, Facebook, and Microsoft.
• Many successful candidates on Reddit recommend LeetCode Premium because it allows targeted preparation based on the company you're applying to.

Key Points:

• Excellent for a vast range of problems from easy to hard.
• Company-specific questions allow you to prepare based on your target employers.

3. Cracking the Coding Interview (Book by Gayle Laakmann McDowell)

Overview:
Cracking the Coding Interview (CTCI) is a widely recommended resource and is frequently discussed on Reddit as a comprehensive guide to coding interviews. This book includes 189 programming questions with detailed solutions and covers topics like data structures, algorithms, and system design. While it is not an online course, many Redditors suggest pairing it with online platforms like LeetCode for practice.

Why Reddit Loves It:

• Known for its detailed explanations and focus on both technical and behavioral aspects of interviews.
• CTCI is seen as the “bible” for coding interview prep by many Reddit users due to its thorough coverage of important concepts.

Key Points:

• Excellent for comprehensive understanding but works best with additional practice platforms.
• Includes system design and soft skills sections.

4. AlgoExpert

Overview:
AlgoExpert is a popular paid platform designed by engineers from Google and Facebook, offering 160+ coding problems and interview tips. It focuses on a range of topics like data structures, dynamic programming, and system design. The platform includes video explanations of solutions and offers mock interviews and coding challenges in various languages.

Why Reddit Loves It:

• Reddit users appreciate the combination of video explanations, clear coding solutions, and mock interview features.
• It’s praised for having a sleek, user-friendly interface and detailed explanations.

Key Points:

• Highly visual approach with clean explanations.
• Good for candidates looking for video solutions and structured learning.

5. InterviewBit

Overview:
InterviewBit is a free coding interview prep platform with a structured approach to help you master data structures and algorithms. It provides coding problems, mock interviews, and company-specific challenges, which help you get ready for technical interviews in a short time frame.

Why Reddit Loves It:

• Reddit users frequently mention its focus on competitive programming and structured learning paths, which makes it easier to track progress.
• It’s also appreciated for being free and offering useful practice problems.

Key Points:

• Free resource with a structured problem-solving approach.
• Good for short, intensive preparation.

6. Exponent

Overview:
Exponent is a paid platform that focuses on technical and behavioral interview preparation for roles at top tech companies. It offers in-depth system design interviews and mock interview practice, and its video explanations are often praised by Reddit users. This platform is widely used for product management, software engineering, and data science interview prep.

Why Reddit Loves It:

• System design questions are considered to be a strong point for Exponent, making it especially valuable for senior engineers.
• Mock interviews and behavioral interview content are popular features mentioned on Reddit.

Key Points:

• Focuses not just on coding but also system design and behavioral aspects.
• Ideal for mid-level and senior positions.

7. HackerRank

Overview:
HackerRank is a coding platform with hundreds of coding challenges that span various difficulty levels and topics. It offers certifications, coding contests, and company-specific assessments, which makes it useful for job seekers who want to showcase their skills directly to recruiters.

Why Reddit Loves It:

• The challenge-based approach keeps users motivated and helps simulate real interview environments.
• Reddit users like HackerRank for preparing coding challenges but note that it's not as focused on system design as other platforms.

Key Points:

• Good for coding contests and practice.
• Less focus on system design.

8. System Design Primer (GitHub Repository)

Overview:
The System Design Primer on GitHub is a free resource that offers an in-depth guide to system design interviews. It covers a wide range of topics like load balancing, caching, and distributed systems. Reddit users frequently recommend it for engineers preparing for mid-to-senior level technical roles.

Why Reddit Loves It:

• The Primer is free and highly comprehensive, making it a go-to resource for understanding large-scale system design.
• It’s often paired with platforms like Grokking the System Design Interview for a more detailed understanding.

Key Points:

• Best for system design interview prep.
• Completely free and highly detailed.

9. Design Gurus' Grokking the System Design Interview

Overview:
Grokking the System Design Interview is a highly recommended course, especially for those preparing for system design interviews at tech companies. The course offers a structured approach to solving system design problems with various examples like designing a URL shortener, Facebook messenger, and more.

Why Reddit Loves It:

• Reddit users recommend it for breaking down complex system design problems into digestible chunks.
• It's considered particularly useful for senior-level interviews and technical roles involving architecture and large-scale system planning.

Key Points:

• Best for system design interview prep.
• Highly structured and beginner-friendly for system design.

Conclusion

Reddit users recommend a variety of coding interview prep courses and resources, each with its strengths depending on your goals. Grokking the Coding Interview (DesignGurus.io) and LeetCode Premium are among the most frequently suggested for problem-solving and pattern-based learning. For system design, Grokking the System Design Interview and System Design Primer stand out. Meanwhile, AlgoExpert and Cracking the Coding Interview are popular all-around choices. It’s best to combine multiple resources based on your specific needs—whether you're focusing on coding problems, system design, or behavioral interviews.