Top Free Courses & Resources to Learn React

Finding the right React course can be tricky. There are dozens of options available. The real challenge is picking the best ones for your goals.

React.js is one of the most in-demand skills today, powering modern websites, mobile apps, and even parts of complex enterprise software.

This guide shows you the best free React course options for 2025. We picked these based on how well they teach, how effective they are, and how they help you develop your career.

Table of Contents

Why React Matters for Your Development Career
Essential Prerequisites
Top Free React Courses & Resources for 2025
1. Mimo React Course
2. Official React Documentation
3. Scrimba React Course
4. The Odin Project React Course
5. freeCodeCamp React Course
6. React Tutorial by Jad Joubran
7. Codecademy React Course
8. YouTube Free React Courses
Choosing the Right Course and Getting Started

Why React Matters for Your Development Career

React is essential for modern web development. Big companies like Facebook, Instagram, Netflix, and Uber all use React. Companies always look for developers who know React. It’s one of the most wanted skills in web development today.

It works differently from other tools. React uses components to build user interfaces. This makes code easier to reuse and maintain. The Virtual DOM makes websites faster and more responsive.

React is also very flexible. You can add it to existing projects or build new apps from scratch. This flexibility makes React the world’s most popular frontend library. Many full stack developers use it for the front end while pairing it with other backend technologies.

Essential Prerequisites

Before you start any React course, you need to know some basics first.

HTML and CSS knowledge is a must. React components turn into HTML in the end. You need strong HTML and CSS skills to build good React apps.

JavaScript knowledge is also crucial. React is built on JavaScript. You need to understand modern JavaScript features like:

• Arrow functions
• Destructuring
• Array methods (map, filter, reduce)
• Promises

Without these JavaScript basics, React will be confusing and hard to learn. You’ll also need them if you plan to work with node.js for server-side coding alongside React.

Top Free React Courses for 2025

1. Mimo React course

• Best for: Mobile learners and busy professionals who want short lessons
• Price: Free basic plan; Pro at $12.49/month ($8.33/month yearly); Max at $39.99/month ($24.99/month yearly)
• Certification: Yes
• Level: Beginner to intermediate

Mimo’s React course is a great way to learn React. The lessons are short and interactive and you can finish each lesson in 10-15 minutes.

What you’ll learn: Mimo React course teaches you React basics like components, state, and props. You’ll learn modern hooks like useState, useEffect, and useContext. The course focuses on building real apps through hands-on projects, including small-scale web applications you can showcase in your portfolio.

You’ll also learn event handling and how components work together. The course covers best practices for building apps that can grow. Advanced topics include connecting to APIs and routing between pages.

How you’ll learn: Mimo uses a “code from day one” approach. You write actual code right away instead of just watching videos. The lessons have interactive challenges built in.

The platform is available as both a mobile app and a desktop version. It tracks your progress and uses game-like features to keep you motivated. You earn points and badges as you complete lessons.

Pros:

• Great way to learn on the go
• Interactive coding stops passive learning
• Build real projects in React
• Clear progress tracking with achievements
• Certificate that adds value to your resume
• AI help when you get stuck

Cons:

• The full course is part of a paid Mimo plan
• Advanced React topics need other resources

2. Official React Documentation (react.dev)

• Best for: Developers who want the most accurate and current React information
• Price: Completely free
• Certification: No
• Level: All levels

The React team maintains the official learning resource. They recently updated it with interactive code examples. This gives you the most accurate and current React information.

What you’ll learn: The documentation covers everything about React. You’ll learn how to create components and how they work together. It teaches JSX syntax and best practices.

The content covers state management and handling user input. Advanced sections explain new React features, performance tips, and how to structure large apps. If you’re exploring front-end development, this is an essential reference.

How you’ll learn: Interactive code examples let you try things right away. You don’t need to set up anything on your computer. The examples run in your browser.

The content goes from basic to advanced step by step. It serves as both a learning material and a reference you can return to later.

Pros:

• Most accurate React information available
• Interactive examples give hands-on practice
• Covers all React features completely
• Always updated with new React versions
• Completely free with no limits
• Great long-term reference

Cons:

• Lots of text might feel boring
• No guided projects for your portfolio
• No certificates or progress tracking
• Might overwhelm beginners

3. Scrimba React course

• Best for: Interactive learners who want hands-on coding practice
• Price: Good amount of free content; some paid features
• Certification: Yes
• Level: Beginner

This Scrimba course allows you to pause videos and edit the teacher’s code directly. This creates immediate hands-on practice.

What you’ll learn: Bob Ziroll teaches React basics like components, JSX, state, and props. You’ll learn modern hooks, including useState, useEffect, and useContext.

The course focuses on building real projects. You’ll create a Meme Generator, Travel Journal, and Tenzies game. These projects teach you how to handle events, manage forms, and connect components.

How you’ll learn: The special “scrim” format lets you pause videos and change code directly. You can experiment in the same environment that the teacher uses.

Pros:

• Interactive coding stops “tutorial hell”
• No setup needed – works in browser
• Strong focus on building real projects
• Good free content

Cons:

• Some advanced features cost money
• Limited coverage of complex patterns
• Projects are somewhat guided

4. The Odin Project React Course

• Best for: Self-motivated learners who want to build job-ready portfolios
• Price: Completely free
• Certification: No formal certificate
• Level: Beginner to intermediate

The Odin Project React course focuses on building projects with minimal help. This builds strong problem-solving skills.

What you’ll learn: You’ll learn React components, JSX, and how to render content. The course covers state and effects with real examples. You’ll learn testing with React Testing Library.

React Router teaches you to build single-page apps. You’ll learn to connect to APIs and manage real data. Advanced topics include making apps faster and deploying them.

How you’ll learn: You build real projects like a CV Application, Memory Card game, and Shopping Cart. The course makes you research and solve problems on your own.

The GitHub and Discord communities help when needed. The curriculum gets updated regularly to stay current.

Pros:

• Builds strong practical skills through projects
• Active community with regular updates
• Completely free with no restrictions
• Mirrors real development work

Cons:

• Needs high self-discipline
• Less guidance might overwhelm some people
• Focuses more on doing than understanding theory
• Updates can reset your progress

5. freeCodeCamp

• Best for: Beginners who want structured challenges with community support
• Price: Completely free
• Certification: Yes
• Level: Beginner

freeCodeCamp is a non-profit that offers free coding education. Their React curriculum includes hooks, state management, and testing methods.

What you’ll learn: The course covers React components and how to manage data with state and props. You’ll learn Redux for complex state management. Modern React patterns and best practices are included.

How you’ll learn: You complete coding challenges in your browser with instant feedback. The curriculum gets harder gradually with built-in practice. Strong community forums provide support and collaboration. 

Pros:

• Completely free with a certificate included
• Clear learning path with milestones
• Strong community for help and collaboration
• Hands-on challenges test your skills

Cons:

• Some content might be behind the latest React updates
• The interface is less polished than newer platforms
• Limited depth in advanced topics
• Some exercises might feel repetitive

6. React Tutorial by Jad Joubran

• Best for: Developers who want deep understanding of how React works
• Price: Good free trial; full course costs about $95 for lifetime access
• Certification: Yes
• Level: Intermediate

This course focuses on understanding how React works, not just how to build with React. The free trial includes 67 lessons before you need to pay.

What you’ll learn: The course covers React.createElement and advanced JSX concepts. You’ll learn hooks, closures, and immutability principles. Accessibility and form handling prepare you for professional work.

Advanced topics include Context API, React Router, Virtual DOM concepts, and performance optimization. 

How you’ll learn: Interactive text-based lessons provide immediate coding practice. You build a complete shopping app that includes API connections, routing, and user authentication. Flashcards help you remember key concepts over time.

Pros:

• Deep focus on understanding React fundamentals
• Good for people who prefer reading over videos
• Comprehensive free trial before purchase
• Updated for the latest React versions
• Lifetime access provides good value
• Flashcard system improves memory

Cons:

• Full course costs money after the trial
• It might be too advanced for complete beginners
• Less visual than video courses
• Smaller community than other platforms

7. Codecademy React Course

• Best for: Beginners who prefer structured, interactive lessons
• Price: Free basic access; Pro plans available
• Certification: Yes (with paid plans)
• Level: Beginner to intermediate

Codecademy provides comprehensive React training through interactive exercises, projects, and quizzes. The course builds real applications using industry-standard practices.

What you’ll learn: The structured curriculum covers JSX, components, state, props, and hooks fundamentals. You’ll learn event handling and form management techniques.

Component lifecycle and effects help you build dynamic interfaces. Advanced sections include testing with React Testing Library, performance optimization, and deployment.

How you’ll learn: Interactive coding exercises give immediate feedback on your code. AI assistance helps debug issues and explains complex concepts when you’re stuck.

The structured curriculum mixes theory with hands-on projects and quizzes. The platform tracks your progress and gives personalized recommendations.

Pros:

• Interactive learning with instant feedback
• AI assistance for debugging and explanations
• Well-structured balance of theory and practice
• Engaging design keeps you motivated

Cons:

• Certificates and advanced features cost money
• Limited advanced topics in the free version
• Projects are somewhat guided
• Less focus on independent research

8. YouTube Free Courses

• Best for: Visual learners who prefer video instruction
• Price: Completely free
• Certification: No
• Level: Beginner to intermediate

Several high-quality React courses exist on YouTube. They offer different teaching styles and projects with no cost.

Traversy Media React Crash Course

Brad Traversy’s comprehensive course teaches React by building a task tracker app. The curriculum includes components, props, state, hooks, and API integration.

Advanced topics cover deployment strategies, performance optimization, and connecting to backend services.

Programming with Mosh React Tutorial

Mosh Hamedani offers a 1.5-hour React fundamentals course. The clear explanations focus on practical understanding and real-world scenarios. Advanced sections cover testing, state management patterns, and professional workflows.

What you’ll learn: Complete React fundamentals through practical project development. Modern React patterns and industry best practices. Integration with APIs and external services.

Testing, debugging, and deployment strategies. TypeScript integration for type-safe React development. Performance optimization and advanced state management.

How you’ll learn: Follow along with project-based video tutorials that show real development processes. Code examples and repositories provide reference materials for continued practice.

Pros:

• Completely free with no restrictions
• High-quality video instruction from experienced developers
• Multiple teaching styles available
• No registration required

Cons:

• No formal certificates from these channels
• No interactive exercises or immediate feedback
• Limited community interaction
• Content might become outdated
• No structured curriculum or progress tracking

Choosing the Right Course and Getting Started

The best free React course depends on how you like to learn, your schedule, and career goals:

For mobile learners and busy professionals: Mimo offers the most flexible, bite-sized learning experience that works on both mobile and desktop devices.

For interactive hands-on practice: Mimo excels with interactive coding challenges built into every lesson, while Scrimba provides the best coding-while-learning environment with immediate feedback.

For building job-ready portfolios: Mimo helps you build portfolio projects with guided hands-on development, and The Odin Project develops strong practical skills through challenging, real-world projects.

For comprehensive reference material: The official React documentation serves as the most authoritative and current resource.

For structured progression: Mimo provides excellent structured progression through gamified milestones and achievements, while freeCodeCamp and Codecademy offer clear learning paths with built-in assessments and community support.

For deep theoretical understanding: Jad Joubran’s tutorial explains the “why” behind React concepts with excellent depth.

For video-based learning: YouTube courses provide engaging visual instruction with practical project builds, often using popular JavaScript library tools like React in combination with other frameworks.

Your Action Plan

1. Learn JavaScript fundamentals first – Modern ES6+ knowledge is essential for React success
2. Pick your main course based on your learning style, available time, and budget
3. Use official documentation for accurate, up-to-date information and ongoing reference
4. Join React communities on Discord, Reddit, and GitHub for support and networking
5. Build personal projects beyond course assignments to practice and create portfolio pieces
6. Use multiple resources – most successful learners use 2-3 different approaches

The React ecosystem changes continuously. Ongoing learning is essential. Start with solid fundamentals through these carefully selected free resources. Then expand your skills through consistent practice, community engagement, and real-world projects.

Your React expertise will open doors to exciting career opportunities in modern web development.Ready to start learning React today? Try Mimo’s interactive React course for free and begin coding from day one with bite-sized lessons that fit your schedule.