fast.ai vs Google
We haven't taken both platforms through a full review cycle yet. The scores below are placeholders.
fast.ai or Google: which should you choose?
Choose fast.ai if
- [TODO: verify]
- [TODO: verify]
- [TODO: verify]
Choose Google if
- [TODO: verify]
- [TODO: verify]
- [TODO: verify]
Side by side
| fast.ai | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cost model | Completely free, no certificate to sell | Completely free |
| What is free | Everything is free. There is no paid tier. | Everything is free. No certificate exists to pay for. |
| Certificates | None offered | None |
| Best for | Coders who want to build real models immediately | Rigorous conceptual grounding with excellent visualisations |
| Weakest at | Newcomers who want theory before practice | Anyone who wants a credential at the end |
What is the best course on each?
- fast.ai: Practical Deep Learning for Coders
Practical Deep Learning for Coders has 9 lessons of about 90 minutes, costs nothing and has no certificate. You deploy your own model by the end of lesson 2.
- Google: Machine Learning Crash Course
Google's Machine Learning Crash Course has 12 modules and takes about 13.5 hours by Google's own timings. It is free, with quiz badges and no certificate.
Where to go next
- fast.ai: our platform review
The best hands-on option for developers, and there's no upsell to resist.
- Google: our platform review
As good as free ML education gets, if a certificate doesn't matter to you.
Last checked .
Still torn?
Skip the platform question. Answer two questions about you and we'll pick the course.