Choosing a learning path is one of the most critical decisions you make as a beginner. When I set out to learn web development, I knew exactly what I needed: resources that were thorough, accessible 24/7, and completely free—both online and in print.
Before settling on my 2026 learning path, I experimented with a few popular options. Here is a look at what I tried, why they didn’t quite stick, and where I ultimately landed.
What Didn’t Work for Me
Scrimba
Scrimba offers highly interactive introductory courses in web development. However, I realized a bit too late that the platform isn't entirely free; a paywall kicks in shortly after you begin the core HTML and CSS sections. Because I was looking for fully open resources, I had to move on.
