Ultimate Free Courses & To Learn & Learning Roadmap To Master Web Development
Full-stack, frontend, backend, responsive design, real-world projects β all free. No fluff.
Tier 1: Full-Stack & Career Path Courses
1. FullStackOpen
https://fullstackopen.com/en/
Master React, Redux, Node.js, TypeScript, and CI/CD. Ideal for devs aiming for modern scalable apps.
2. The Odin Project
https://www.theodinproject.com/
Beginner to job-ready. Covers Git, JavaScript, backend, databases, and full-stack projects.
3. CS50βs Web Programming
https://cs50.harvard.edu/web/
Advanced course teaching Flask, SQL, APIs, and front-end tools. From Harvard.
4. MIT xPro β Web Development (Intro)
https://openlearninglibrary.mit.edu/courses/course-v1:MITx+6.148+1T2020/about
Learn HTML, CSS, JS, and interactivity with MIT-level insights. Great intro before diving deep.
5. Codecademy β Full-Stack Engineer Path (Free Tier)
https://www.codecademy.com/learn/full-stack-engineer-career-path
Free modules include HTML, CSS, Git, APIs, React. Project-based.
Tier 2: Frontend-Focused Courses
6. Scrimba β Responsive Web Design
https://scrimba.com/learn/responsivedesign
Interactive lessons with code-along. Great for beginners mastering layout and design.
7. Web.dev by Google β Learn HTML, CSS, JS
https://web.dev/learn/
Official Google-led tutorials. Covers performance, accessibility, and best modern practices.
8. Shay Howe β Learn to Code HTML & CSS
https://learn.shayhowe.com/
Beginner to intermediate tutorial thatβs text-based and extremely readable.
9. Mozilla Developer Network (MDN) β Web Docs
https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Learn
Comprehensive and trustworthy resource to learn every core web tech, with tutorials and examples.
10. Kevin Powell β CSS for Beginners (YouTube Series)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4-IK0AVhVjNmpu1n0gJqygcV2pF5GFdZ
Trusted by designers/devs alike. Deep CSS focus including Flexbox, Grid, and responsive tips.
Tier 3: Backend & Advanced Dev Tools
11. Node.js Crash Course β Traversy Media
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBNz5xF-Kx4
Solid crash course to learn backend APIs, routing, and server setup with Node.js.
12. Python Django Web App Dev β Harvard CS50 Beyond
https://cs50.harvard.edu/extension/web/
Great for Python fans. Teaches Django apps, admin panel, and user auth from scratch.
13. Database Foundations β Khan Academy
https://www.khanacademy.org/computing/computer-programming/sql
SQL and relational databases made simple. Ideal for full-stack devs.
14. API Development & JSON β FreeCodeCamp
https://www.freecodecamp.org/learn/
Learn to build and consume APIs, use JSON, handle dataβcore skill for any modern dev.
15. MongoDB University β MongoDB for JavaScript Devs
https://learn.mongodb.com/
Free courses to integrate MongoDB into Node.js and full-stack workflows.
Web Development Learning Roadmap (Free Courses Only)
Full-stack Focus |
Project-Based |
100% Free
Phase 1: Foundations (Weeks 1β3)
Goal: Understand HTML, CSS, Git, and the fundamentals of the web.
Task | Resource | Link | Status |
---|---|---|---|
Learn how the web works | MDN Web Docs | Link | β |
HTML5 & CSS Basics | The Odin Project | Link | β |
Practice with code-along | Scrimba | Link | β |
Learn Flexbox/Grid | Kevin Powell YT | Link | β |
Basic Git + GitHub | Codecademy (free) | Link | β |
Phase 2: Core Frontend (Weeks 4β6)
Goal: Build strong UI/UX & JavaScript foundation.
Task | Resource | Link | Status |
---|---|---|---|
JavaScript Basics | JavaScript.info | Link | β |
DOM Manipulation | The Odin Project | Link | β |
Responsive Layouts | Shay Howe | Link | β |
Frontend Project 1 (Portfolio Site) | FreeCodeCamp | Link | β |
Phase 3: Frontend Projects + Frameworks (Weeks 7β9)
Goal: Apply frontend skills using React and modern tools.
Task | Resource | Link | Status |
---|---|---|---|
Learn React Basics | FullStackOpen | Link | β |
Intermediate React + Hooks | Scrimba React | Link | β |
Frontend Project 2 (To-Do App, Blog, Weather App) | Build from scratch | β | β |
Phase 4: Backend & APIs (Weeks 10β13)
Goal: Understand server-side logic, REST APIs, databases.
Task | Resource | Link | Status |
---|---|---|---|
Node.js Fundamentals | Traversy Media YT | Link | β |
Express & MongoDB | The Odin Project | Link | β |
REST API Project | Your own | β | β |
SQL Basics | Khan Academy | Link | β |
Phase 5: Full Stack Integration (Weeks 14β17)
Goal: Build and deploy a complete full-stack application.
Task | Resource | Link | Status |
---|---|---|---|
Full-Stack App (React + Node) | FullStackOpen | Link | β |
Deploy with Vercel/Render | Guides & Docs | Vercel, Render | β |
Final Capstone Project (Blog, Notes App, SaaS MVP) | Your own idea | β | β |
Phase 6: Polish & Portfolio (Weeks 18β20)
Goal: Prepare for real-world jobs, freelance or open source.
Task | Resource | Link | Status |
---|---|---|---|
Build Portfolio Page | Custom or Templates | β | β |
Add GitHub Projects | GitHub | β | β |
Learn CI/CD Basics | FullStackOpen | Link | β |
Contribute to Open Source | GitHub Explore | Link | β |
Bonus Resources
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CS50 Web Programming β Harvard Course
-
MongoDB for JS Devs β MongoDB University
-
Google Web.dev β Modern HTML, CSS, JS
Summary
This curated toolkit includes rarely-talked-about, high-quality free web dev resources. Ideal for:
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Beginners building a strong foundation
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Freelancers launching real-world projects
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Aspiring full-stack engineers transitioning into tech
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Designers turning into front-end developers
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Backend tinkerers mastering server-side logic
These arenβt just tutorialsβtheyβre full learning tracks with certificates, interactive projects, and real-world outcomes.