fast.ai vs Microsoft Learn
We haven't taken both platforms through a full review cycle yet. The scores below are placeholders.
fast.ai or Microsoft Learn: which should you choose?
Choose fast.ai if
- [TODO: verify]
- [TODO: verify]
- [TODO: verify]
Choose Microsoft Learn if
- [TODO: verify]
- [TODO: verify]
- [TODO: verify]
Side by side
| fast.ai | Microsoft Learn | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 paid tier for the AI curricula. |
| Certificates | None offered | None on the AI for Beginners curriculum |
| Best for | Coders who want to build real models immediately | Developers who like reading structured GitHub-based lessons |
| Weakest at | Newcomers who want theory before practice | Production polish: plainer than a dedicated platform |
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.
- Microsoft Learn: Generative AI for Beginners
Microsoft's open-source course on building apps with large language models, from prompting to retrieval.
Where to go next
- fast.ai: our platform review
The best hands-on option for developers, and there's no upsell to resist.
- Microsoft Learn: our platform review
A solid, unglamorous free option, best for people who prefer reading to watching.
Last checked .
Still torn?
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