# Encode vs Courses by The Institutes

The clearest difference is rating: Encode at 4.8 against Courses by The Institutes's 3.0. Encode also leads on review sentiment (89% vs 50%) and ratings volume (6.4K vs 6). Courses by The Institutes's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ads (none vs shown). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Encode sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Courses by The Institutes asks for nothing beyond the download.

Encode holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Encode has 6.4K ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 89% of Encode's written reviews are positive against 50% of Courses by The Institutes's.

Encode ships an update every 2 weeks, Courses by The Institutes every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Encode | Courses by The Institutes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (6.4K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/encode-learn-to-code/id1198851756/reviews)** | [3.0 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/courses-by-the-institutes/id6753772484/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **6.4K** | 6 |
| Positive reviews | **88.8% of reviews** | 50.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 85 MB | 49 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Upskew Pty. Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1198851755) | [The Institutes](https://appshunter.io/developer/417032355) |

## What reviewers say

### Encode

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/encode-learn-to-code/id1198851756)

Learn to code with interactive, bite-sized lessons designed for busy schedules. Master popular languages like Python, JavaScript, and SQL through hands-on exercises and challenges. Ideal for beginners, this app makes coding accessible and fun, offering certificates upon completion.

**Highlights:** Bite-sized interactive lessons, Hands-on coding exercises, Learn Python, JavaScript, HTML/CSS, SQL, Built-in code playground, Daily motivation streaks and hearts, Certificates of completion

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Encode Plus (Monthly) | $9.99 | per month |
| Encode Plus (Annual) | $39.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to learn and understand
- 🚀 Bite-sized, digestible lessons
- 💡 Engaging and game-like approach
- 🆓 Mostly free with no ads
- 👌 Smooth and intuitive interface

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🕰️ Long wait times after mistakes
- 💰 Restricts content behind paywall
- 🐛 Occasional bugs and glitches
- 🤔 Lacks depth for more advanced learners

**Reported bugs**

- Incorrect grammar/spelling in some lessons
- Inability to input answers in certain lessons
- Lesson content not always matching what's asked

**Requested features**

- Add more coding languages like C++, C#, and Lua
- Implement progress sync across devices
- Provide more interactive coding exercises
- Include audio/voice guidance for lessons


### Courses by The Institutes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/courses-by-the-institutes/id6753772484)

Access audio versions of your enrolled course material and practice exam questions on your mobile device. This companion app extends your learning experience for on-the-go review and AI-powered feedback.

**Highlights:** Audio course content, Exam practice questions, AI-powered explanations, Offline audio downloads, Adjustable playback speed, Progress syncing

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Encode free?

Encode is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Courses by The Institutes free?

Courses by The Institutes is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Encode or Courses by The Institutes?

Encode is rated higher. Encode averages 4.8 out of 5 from 6.4K ratings, while Courses by The Institutes averages 3.0 from 6 ratings.

### Do Encode or Courses by The Institutes have ads?

Encode shows ads; Courses by The Institutes does not.

### Which is updated more often, Encode or Courses by The Institutes?

Encode ships an update every 2 weeks, and Courses by The Institutes every 3 days. Most recently, Encode was updated on October 14, 2026 and Courses by The Institutes on October 1, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*