← All Comparisons

fast.ai vs MIT OpenCourseWare

Head-to-head comparison: courses, certificates, cost, and who each platform is best for.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Featurefast.aiMIT OpenCourseWare
Free to start
Issues certificates
Course count18
Focus areas
Deep Learning
Practical AI
Neural Networks
Computer Science
Algorithms
Software Engineering

fast.ai

fast.ai was created by Jeremy Howard and Rachel Thomas to make deep learning accessible to practitioners. Their Practical Deep Learning for Coders course is legendary — a top-down, hands-on approach that gets you building real models from day one. Everything is completely free, including the book.

Full fast.ai review →

MIT OpenCourseWare

MIT OpenCourseWare publishes virtually all MIT course content for free online. This includes complete materials from MIT's legendary computer science curriculum — lecture notes, problem sets, exams, and videos. Rigorous university-level content at no cost.

Full MIT OpenCourseWare review →

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, fast.ai or MIT OpenCourseWare?

Both fast.ai and MIT OpenCourseWare offer strong free learning content. The best choice depends on your learning style and goals.

Is fast.ai free to use?

fast.ai offers free course access. Some features such as certificates may require payment. Check fast.ai's website directly for current pricing.

Is MIT OpenCourseWare free to use?

MIT OpenCourseWare offers free course access. Some features such as certificates may require payment. Check MIT OpenCourseWare's website directly for current pricing.