Google vs Harvard CS50
We haven't taken both platforms through a full review cycle yet. The scores below are placeholders.
Google or Harvard CS50: which should you choose?
Choose Google if
- [TODO: verify]
- [TODO: verify]
- [TODO: verify]
Choose Harvard CS50 if
- [TODO: verify]
- [TODO: verify]
- [TODO: verify]
Side by side
| Harvard CS50 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cost model | Completely free | Completely free to take and to get CS50's own certificate |
| What is free | Everything is free. No certificate exists to pay for. | CS50 offers its own free certificate. A separate, paid verified credential also exists via edX. |
| Certificates | None | Free (CS50's own) or paid (edX verified) |
| Best for | Rigorous conceptual grounding with excellent visualisations | Developers who want rigorous, from-scratch understanding |
| Weakest at | Anyone who wants a credential at the end | Complete beginners: do a Python primer first |
What is the best course on each?
- 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.
- Harvard CS50: CS50's Introduction to AI with Python
CS50's Introduction to AI with Python runs 7 weeks with 12 projects, costs nothing and gives a free CS50 Certificate if you score 70% on every project.
Where to go next
- Google: our platform review
As good as free ML education gets, if a certificate doesn't matter to you.
- Harvard CS50: our platform review
Harvard CS50 sets the standard for free computer science teaching, and CS50 AI keeps that standard for AI.
Last checked .
Still torn?
Skip the platform question. Answer two questions about you and we'll pick the course.