FreeCodeCamp vs. SoloLearn for total beginners?

If I were picking for a total beginner, I'd go with FreeCodeCamp first. It holds your hand through the whole process and actually makes you build things, which is what sticks. SoloLearn is fun for quick bursts, but I've seen people get stuck in "tutorial mode" there -- they answer quizzes but can't write a single line of code on their own. The good thing about FreeCodeCamp is you can do everything on your phone via the browser. Save pages for offline reading when you have WiFi at a cafe or campus library. And once they finish the Responsive Web Design certificate, they'll have a real project to show even before joining campus. For low-data, another option is Mimo. Smaller lessons than FreeCodeCamp, but still project-based and works offline on Android.

Yeah I agree with both of you, FreeCodeCamp is the safer bet for someone fresh from KCSE. The thing about SoloLearn is it feels like you're learning but when you close the app, nothing really sticks because you never actually type code yourself. With FreeCodeCamp, even on a basic phone browser, you're forced to write the actual HTML and CSS - that muscle memory matters. Tell your friends to use the offline PDF trick the comment above mentioned. Also if they're on Safaricom, there's the "Edu" bundle that gives you cheaper access to learning sites like FreeCodeCamp. Saved me a lot back when I was starting out.

Honestly I'd go with FreeCodeCamp too, especially if they're on a budget. The HTML and CSS parts don't need much data once you load the pages - you can even download the lessons as PDFs when you find free WiFi at a local hotspot or a friend's place. My little brother did exactly that after KCSE and built a simple "about my favourite artists" page just from the first few modules. It gave him something to show his mates, which kept him going. If they try SoloLearn first, they might get overwhelmed jumping between topics - FCC keeps it simple and one step at a time.

Honestly I'd stick with FreeCodeCamp too, especially for someone just finishing KCSE. The main thing is it actually makes you type the code yourself, not just tap answers on a quiz. That "about my favourite artists" page idea your friend built is exactly the kind of thing that keeps you going. Tell them to keep a small notebook nearby - write down what each HTML tag or CSS property does as they go. That way even if data runs out, they can still review and practice mentally while waiting for bundles.

Yeah, all good points here. For a fresh KCSE grad I'd also say FreeCodeCamp first - it forces you to actually type code which is the main thing that makes it stick. One thing that helped me when I started was using the browser's "save page" feature when I had WiFi at a friend's place, then I could review the lessons offline later. Tell them to start with the tribute page project, it's simple enough that even on a cheap Tecno or Samsung you can get it done in a day or two and that feeling of seeing something you built on a browser? That's what hooks you.

Yeah, FreeCodeCamp is the way to go for those first steps. One thing that helped me stick with it was joining a small study group on Telegram, we'd share screenshots of our projects and troubleshoot together, which saved data because we'd just send text and pics instead of loading the whole lesson again. Your friends should try searching for ELIMU Africa's learning circles, I know a few started in Kisumu and Nairobi where people share cheap hotspot and help each other through the FCC exercises.

Hey, great question. Since most replies already point to FreeCodeCamp, I'd add one practical tip: use the Edu bundle on Safaricom to cut data costs, and have them join the FreeCodeCamp Telegram groups where folks share saved lesson PDFs - it keeps things going even when bundles run low.