Scrimba Pro vs free: what you keep—and what you unlock
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Quick Answer: Scrimba Free gives you ~17 full courses (Learn React, Learn JavaScript, Learn TypeScript) and 10 challenges total. Pro unlocks all 86+ courses, unlimited challenges, 4 career paths, Discord, and certificates. Check current free courses on Scrimba. Pro is worth it if you want structure and accountability beyond the basics.
Last reviewed: March 2026. Feature counts and pricing may change — see the official pricing page for current details.
If you're deciding between free and Pro
You've probably finished (or skimmed) a free course and you're wondering whether the subscription is the next step—or whether the free catalog is enough for your goal. Use the comparison below to see exactly what stays locked until you upgrade, then match that to whether you need a full path, Discord, or unlimited challenges.
Free users get 10 interactive challenges total; Pro includes unlimited challenges.
| Feature | Scrimba | Free Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Number of courses | All 86+ courses | ~17 courses |
| Career paths | All 4 paths (Frontend, Fullstack, Backend, AI) | None |
| Interactive challenges | Unlimited | 10 total |
| Discord community | Full access + private channels | No access |
| Certificates | Yes, for career paths | No |
| New courses | Immediate access | Only if marked free |
| Code download | Yes | Yes |
| Interactive editor | Yes | Yes |
Notable Free Courses
These popular courses are available without a Pro subscription:
- Learn React — 15.1 hours, 157 lessons with Bob Ziroll (in partnership with MDN)
- Learn JavaScript — 9.4 hours, 140+ challenges (in partnership with MDN)
- Learn HTML and CSS — 5.7 hours, beginner-friendly (in partnership with MDN)
- Learn TypeScript — 4.2 hours, types, interfaces, React & Express
- React 19 Tutorial — 1.1 hours, new React 19 features
- Build Serverless AI Agents (Langbase) — 49 min, serverless AI agents
What Requires Pro?
The major career paths and advanced courses are Pro-only:
- Frontend Developer Path (81.6 hours)
- Fullstack Developer Path (108.4 hours)
- Backend Developer Path (30.1 hours)
- AI Engineer Path (11.4 hours)
- Advanced React, React Challenges, React Router
- All interview prep courses
Choose Pro vs Stay Free
Choose Pro if you:
- Want a structured career path from zero to job-ready
- Need certificates for your resume/LinkedIn
- Want unlimited interactive challenges
- Value community support via Discord
- Plan to learn consistently for 3+ months
Stay Free if you:
- Just want to try Scrimba's format
- Only need React or JavaScript basics
- Are supplementing another learning resource
Location-Based Pricing
Scrimba offers location-based discounts that automatically adjust pricing based on your country. If you're in a lower cost-of-living region, you may see significantly reduced subscription prices — no coupon code needed. This is available on both monthly and annual plans.
Multiple users on Product Hunt have praised this policy as a reason they could afford to subscribe. Check the Scrimba pricing page to see the pricing available in your location.
Long-Term Renewal Value
Many Pro subscribers renew year after year because the value compounds over time:
- Year 1: Work through a career path (Frontend or Fullstack) — this alone justifies the cost
- Year 2+: New courses are added regularly (AI engineering, React 19, TypeScript updates), so there's always something new to learn
- Working developers: Even after getting hired, Scrimba remains useful for learning new technologies on the job
For a deeper look at long-term value, see Why I Keep Renewing Scrimba Pro.
Related Pages
- Scrimba Pricing
- Student Discounts
- Scrimba vs Coding Bootcamps — compare Scrimba to traditional bootcamps
- Is Scrimba Worth It?
- Best Free Scrimba Courses
- Why I Keep Renewing Scrimba Pro — long-term subscriber perspective
No. Your progress is saved even after cancellation. You just lose access to Pro-only courses and Discord channels.
Source: Scrimba Help Centre
No. Scrimba only offers subscription plans. There is no option to purchase individual courses.
Source: Scrimba Help Centre
You keep access to free courses and your saved progress, but Pro-only courses become locked until you re-subscribe.
Source: Scrimba Help Centre
Yes. Scrimba automatically adjusts pricing based on your country. Users in lower cost-of-living regions may see significantly reduced subscription rates. No coupon code is needed — the discount is applied automatically.
Scrimba occasionally adds or changes which courses are free. Some new courses launch as free before moving to Pro. Check the Scrimba site for current free offerings — the free catalog may evolve over time.
Unlock all 86+ courses
Start your Scrimba Pro subscription and get access to every course, path, and community feature.
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