Zero to Mastery Platform Review

With 75 courses and over 1,000 learning hours, Zero to Mastery is an online school that triumphs its students’ success. Whether you’re new to a subject or have some knowledge, ZTM ensures that you reach your goals.

ZTM focuses on tech-based subjects such as coding, software development, and machine learning. Partly because of this, its strategy is outcome-based, with each course setting out a clear pathway to leveling up your career.

But is Zero to Mastery worth the hype? What are Zero to Mastery’s best courses? Can I learn for free? And what other features does it have?

In this Zero to Mastery review, I set out to answer these questions and more to help you decide whether ZTM can boost your career. To do this, I’ve explored the site and have taken a range of opinions into account.

But, to begin, here are the basics:

In this Zero to Mastery review, I’ll cover:

• What is Zero to Mastery and who are its instructors?
• How does Zero to Mastery work and how much does it cost?
• Zero to Mastery free trial
• What a Zero to Mastery class is like
• Best Zero to Mastery courses
• What I liked and thought could be improved
• Who Zero to Mastery is for and whether you can buy it as a gift
• How to find the best courses on Zero to Mastery
• Is Zero to Mastery worth it?
• FAQs

So, let’s get started.

What is Zero to Mastery?

With graduates going on to work for Google, Apple, and Tesla, ZTM can help you get ahead in your career. Along with courses and workshops, ZTM also helps you to build a project portfolio that you can showcase to employers.

As well as this, ZTM offers 24/7 support through its online community and prides itself on an outcome-based learning approach. This means that learning is practical, up-to-date, and in line with real-world work.

ZTM hosts 75 courses and 26 workshops, focusing only on the best and most up-to-date tech developments. Emphasizing quality over quantity, ZTM courses are led by real-world experts with 15+ years’ experience in relevant fields.

Along with its courses and community, ZTM even provides free cheat sheets and posts a regular blog with tutorials, tech news, and more.

How does Zero to Mastery work?

At the time of writing, ZTM offers 23 career paths and 75 courses. Through ZTM’s free career quiz, you can also receive a curated pathway that takes you through each step to leveling up your career.

There are many free resources on ZTM’s blog and other sections of the site. But, to take courses, you need to become a member. To begin, click ‘Join Zero to Mastery’ to explore your options.

From here, you can select a lifetime purchase or a monthly/annual subscription. To sign up, you’ll need to provide your email address and card details. Every ZTM membership includes unlimited access to all courses, workshops, and career paths, plus a completion certificate.

As mentioned, ZTM offers two main learning types – career paths and courses. Along with these, you can also take smaller workshops. To summarize these types, I’ve put together the below table:

Option	Goal	Length	Billing	Includes
Career path	Upskill from any level in a range of tech careers	5-8 months average completion	Lifetime payment or monthly/annual subscription	Exact step-by-step teaching to take you from beginner to expert, portfolio projects, community access, and workshops
Course	Level up your career whatever your current skill set	1-3 months average completion	Lifetime payment or monthly/annual subscription	Access to ZTM community, completion certificate, interview practice, career advice, and further resources
Workshop	Fill gaps or explore a subject deeper	1-15 hours	Lifetime payment or monthly/annual subscription	Mini courses in specific topics, video tutorials, and additional resources

Zero to Mastery’s subjects include:

• Development
• A.I. and Machine Learning
• Cyber Security
• Design
• Cloud & DevOps
• Web3 & Blockchain
• Business & Data
• Life Skills

Each course will specify its skill level and will also mention any prerequisites. You can even see the full curriculum breakdown before signing up and preview a few of the videos.

Plus, each course details the projects you’ll be undertaking. This means you can decide upfront whether the course will match your needs, and ensures you’re not wasting time learning unnecessary information.

How much does Zero to Mastery cost?

While Zero to Mastery is costlier than some e-learning sites, it’s significantly cheaper than a bootcamp or degree.

Compared to other sites that charge by course, ZTM offers a blanket cost that covers all courses, programs, and resources. That being said, there are different purchase types for your needs and budget. I’ve broken these down below:

Lifetime Purchase

If you’re serious about getting ahead in your career and believe you’ll continue to use ZTM, you can opt for a lifetime purchase. This is a one-off payment of $999, which sets you up as a ZTM member for life. If you’re passionate about the tech sector and see yourself staying in the industry long-term, this could turn out to be a valuable investment.

Annual Subscription

The most popular option for ZTM students, the annual subscription saves you 40% vs. its monthly subscription. At $23/month, the annual subscription totals $279/year and is recommended for anyone looking to get hired.

Monthly Subscription

If you’re looking to upskill or advance your career but aren’t ready for a long-term investment, a monthly subscription of $39/month is a great way to test the waters. Besides, if you’re already in the industry and want to gain specific knowledge, a month’s subscription might be a good starting point for your own learning journey.

Zero to Mastery free trial

While ZTM doesn’t offer a free trial, it does operate a 30-day money back guarantee. So, even though the team is sure you’ll love it, its 30-day policy means it’s risk-free.

What a Zero to Mastery lesson is like

Depending on the course type, subject matter, and length, each lesson can look different. But, to give you an idea, you can expect:

• Video-based lessons with screen share, presentations, and tutorials
• Interactive exercises, projects, and quizzes
• Learning streaks and skill badge collection
• Additional resources for offline learning
• Q&A sessions and live streaming on Discord

Best Zero to Mastery courses

With ZTM, you can access single courses, career paths, and/or workshops. Here are my top picks for each type:

• Career path: Become a Software Engineer | Andrei Neagoie, Mo Binni, and Yihua Zhang
• Course: Complete A.I. Machine Learning and Data Science | Andrei Neagoie and Daniel Bourke
• Workshop: Introduction to Networking | Aleksa Tamburkovski

Undoubtedly, the best course for you will depend on your chosen subject and skill level. But, regardless of your subscription, all ZTM courses and projects are available to you, so there’s nothing to stop you mixing and matching!

However, to give you an overview, here are my mini reviews for the top picks:

Career path

Become a Software Engineer | Andrei Neagoie, Mo Binni, and Yihua Zhang

Instructors: ZTM’s Software Engineer career path is led by founder Andrei Neagoie, Full Stack Engineer Mo Binni, and Senior Software Developer Yihua Zhang. 

Learn: The skills needed to become a software engineer and developer through computer science mastery. You’ll also gain insider tips from experts who have worked at top tech companies, as well as how to land and ace a job interview.

Includes: Unlimited access to all courses and resources, 181.5 hours of video content, 28 projects, additional blogs, workshops, and career resources.

Best for: Aspiring software developers at any level who want to pursue a career in software engineering. With a set roadmap from novice to expert, this pathway is a one-stop-shop for a software career.

Become a Frontend Developer | Andrei Neagoie, Daniel Schifano, and Luis Ramirez Jr

Instructors: ZTM’s Frontend Developer course is led by founder Andrei Neagoie, Head of Product Design Daniel Schifano, and Frontend Developer Luis Ramirez Jr. 

Learn: The exact skills needed to become a frontend developer or pursue similar titles such as Web Developer or UI/UX Designer. To do this, you’ll learn to create front-end applications using best modern practices and develop a vast portfolio.

Includes: Unlimited access to all courses and resources, 286 hours of video content, 49 projects, coding challenges, workshops, and additional resources.

Best for: Those wishing to become a front-end/other developer such as those mentioned above. This pathway is designed for beginners looking for a fully exhaustive program that takes them from novice to expert within a few months.

Course

Complete A.I. Machine Learning and Data Science | Andrei Neagoie and Daniel Bourke

Instructors: ZTM’s A.I. Machine Learning and Data Science course is taught by lead instructor Andrei Neagoie and self-taught learning engineer Daniel Bourke.

Learn: Data Science and Machine Learning from the basics, including the most up-to-date developments in Python and Tensorflow 2.0. This course covers Deep Learning, Transfer Learning, and Neural Networks, as well as guiding you through real life case studies.

Includes: Access to exclusive ZTM community, completion certificate, 45 hours of learning, 2 projects, and extra resources. You’ll also gain insight into data visualization tools and Machine Learning models.

Best for: Like many of ZTM’s courses, this program was created with complete beginners in mind. As per its prerequisites, as long as you have a stable Internet connection and the willingness to learn, you don’t need any prior experience.

AWS Certified Solutions Architect | Amber Israelsen

Instructor: ZTM’s AWS Certified Solutions Architect is taught exclusively by Developer and Trainer Amber Israelsen. 

Learn: Advanced AWS technologies needed to pass the Solutions Architect (SAA C03) exam. In this course, not only will you prepare for the exam, you’ll also gain valuable skills and insights that will help you become a Cloud Architect.

Includes: Full Practice Exam simulation with detailed answers, access to exclusive ZTM community, completion certificate, 65+ exclusive exam questions, quizzes, and additional resources.

Best for: Those preparing for the SAA-C03 exam. While some basic AWS experience is recommended, ZTM’s membership includes the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner course, which will ensure you’re up to speed with this level.

Workshop

Introduction to Networking | Aleksa Tamburkovski

Instructors: This ZTM networking workshop is hosted by Aleksa Tamburkovski – an ethical hacker with 5+ years’ cyber security experience.

Learn: The fundamental principles of networking, what it is, and how it works. You’ll also learn about the different types of networks, LAN vs. WAN, client server vs. peer to peer, and how to understand common networking commands.

Includes: Two hours’ worth of video content exploring computer network functioning, FAQ section, and channel for meeting classmates and instructor.

Best for: Those with little to no experience in the field. This networking workshop is targeted to complete beginners and there are no prerequisites needed. As Tamburkovski avers, this is a foundational course laying the groundwork for further study.

Supercharged Code Editing with Vim and Neovim | Jayson Lennon

Instructors: This coding workshop is taught by Jayson Lennon – a self-taught software developer certified in networking and security.

Learn: To edit codes using Vim and Neovim (and to understand the differences between the two). You’ll also learn productivity-boosting shortcuts, macros, and code-editing techniques.

Includes: Three hours’ worth of video content on Vim and Neovim, FAQ section and channel for meeting classmates and instructor.

Best for: Those with some familiarity with IDEs (Lennon uses VSCode). It’s also recommended that you have average or better typing speed.

Who are Zero to Mastery’s instructors?

What sets Zero to Mastery apart from other sites is its world-class instructors. Unlike some websites that allow anyone to curate a course, ZTM ensures that all of its teachers have real-world experience to impart to their students.

Some of these teachers include:

• Programmers with years of experience working for Fortune 500 companies
• Leading software developers for companies like Amazon, IBM, and Facebook
• Engineers and scientists with their own businesses and publications
• Award-winning web designers, mobile app developers, and more

How I reviewed Zero to Mastery

To write this review, I did my best to gain a well-rounded perspective. This meant trying the platform first-hand, as well as researching other people’s opinions.

I also wanted to see how Zero to Mastery could accommodate different learning goals and backgrounds, such as those with some knowledge of data science vs. those who were newcomers.

What I liked about Zero to Mastery

Learn up-to-date real-world skills

Instead of poring over textbook theory or watching videos, Zero to Mastery is an outcome-driven platform that focuses on delivering real-world knowledge.

Namely, its courses are interactive and taught by experts who are abreast of current developments. As such, ZTM continually updates its courses. This ensures that students are kept up to date with the current job market and are learning the most in-demand skills.

12,600+ lessons and 1,209+ video hours

Because ZTM’s courses are tech-based and program-specific, founder Angrei Neagoie ensures he has the scope of lessons to meet ZTM’s claim of being the top tech learning website.

Whether you opt for a single course or a full career path, ZTM’s curricula will take you from beginner to expert in as little as two months. Plus, because of the ever-changing nature of the industry, ZTM are constantly adding content to ensure you get the most out of your membership.

Supportive community that allows you to connect with experts

While some websites have an FAQ section or forum page, ZTM makes the most of Discord to operate channels for its members. This means you can connect to a 24/7 support network through a familiar and informal program.

Free cheat sheets created by world class instructors

Even for a college-level student, grasping multiple programs, languages, and technical jargon can be tricky. That’s why ZTM’s expert team has put together free cheat sheets covering a range of topics.

For example, you can download a cheat sheet in Python, React, TypeScript, and SQL. Helpfully, these range from beginner to advanced and even come with a contents page.

What could be improved

Not all experts are great teachers

Zero to Mastery hosts an impressive group of instructors from data scientists, software engineers, and even meditation guides. It’s also true that many of these experts are proficient in public speaking.

That being said, ZTM brings these experts to deliver real-world learning amassed from years of industry experience. So, while they undoubtedly have the knowledge, not every teacher has an engaging teaching style.

While this might be off-putting for some, this is just as true within a college setting! Plus, being able to preview courses and get a feel for a teacher’s style is a great way to avoid disappointment.

Costlier than other options

As a ‘mid-range’ site, Zero to Mastery sits neatly between free-to-cheap e-learning websites and the costly bootcamp or degree-level courses elsewhere.

While ZTM’s slightly steeper costs are reasonable to some, the notion of a monthly/annual ZTM subscription is still out of budget for many. 

That being said, if you are in a position to subscribe and use the resources, you’ll clearly get great value for money. This is even more so when you consider that you’re working toward furthering or changing your career – so this will likely generate more value in the long run!

Who is Zero to Mastery for?

With its tech focus, Zero to Mastery is designed for anyone interested in getting into careers like data science, software development, and the like. It’s also made with active learners in mind and features a range of content to accommodate this.

But, to break it down, ZTM is best for:

• Students or graduates looking to get ahead of the competition
• Working professionals wanting to advance or specialize in a subject
• Anyone who is self-taught or curious about learning any of the above topics
• Those coming from an unrelated field who are looking to change careers

Can I buy Zero to Mastery as a gift?

Yes! You can buy a ZTM gift card here (12-month or lifetime purchase).

Tips on finding the best Zero to Mastery courses

With fewer than 100 courses, Zero to Mastery is easier to navigate than some other sites. Plus, with the career path option, all relevant courses are broken down for you on one convenient landing page.

That being said, if you’re looking for individual or multiple courses, there are some options to make life a little easier, including:

• Exploring courses by subject area
• Filtering by course level
• Sorting by most popular courses or most recent

Is Zero to Mastery legit?

In short, Zero to Mastery is a legit e-learning website that will equip you with the skills needed to get ahead. Graduates have gone on to work for top companies like Shopify, Peloton, X, and more.

That being said, there are a few things that ZTM isn’t. Namely, it isn’t an accredited school or recognized like a college degree. This is because its completion certificate is unique to the academy and the merit is shown in the skills and portfolio you leave with.

So, if your goal is to attain a formal degree or other qualification, ZTM might not be the best option for you. However, there are plenty of courses that offer exam prep (led by experts in the field and in line with standard curricula).

Zero to Mastery refund

Regardless of your subscription, ZTM operates a 30-day money back guarantee. You can also find more information in ZTM’s ‘Terms of Use’ here.

Zero to Mastery alternatives

While ZTM is widely recognized by the tech community, it’s by no means the only option out there. In fact, there are plenty of tech-specific websites emerging – so it can be hard to know which ones are worth the hype.

One alternative to ZTM is Turing College. This option is more expensive than ZTM, but it does offer an EU-accredited Master’s degree and even uses AI simulation to mimic real workplace experiences. Despite its price tag, it still works out cheaper than most in-person degrees.

Aside from this, Udacity has quickly become a leading e-learning platform. Along with 200+ expert-led free courses, Udacity also offers unique ‘Nanodegree’ programs. These are 3-4 month skills-based programs designed to increase your subject proficiency.

Many of these alternatives differ in price, specialties, and unique selling points. So, it’s worth researching your options before committing.

Zero to Mastery reviews: what others have said

In this review, I want to present the fairest ZTM assessment out there. So, I’ve scoured the Internet to see what students thought of the site. I even checked out forums like Reddit and TrustPilot to get a well-rounded view of the platform.

As with most e-learning sites, there were mixed reviews. Many of these stemmed from the amount of free/cheaper content out there:

‘I’ve taken the data science courses and they are pretty good, but not better than other courses available, and certainly not worth any ZTM subscription. You get access to Discord, learning paths, ZTM blog, challenges, etc. (which are all great) from his [Andrei Neagoie’s] Udemy courses anyway’ – Comment from Reddit

It’s true that many of ZTM’s courses have been available on Udemy at some point – though founder Andrei Neagoie has been stepping away from the platform in recent years. That being said, ZTM’s layout is arguably cleaner and its subscription grants access to all ZTM courses and resources.

But, for those who have followed Neagoie’s content for some time, the newer ZTM courses don’t live up to the original teaching caliber:

‘In ZTM he [Andrei Neagoie] stopped making new courses and instead is running the company, particularly the new marketing team and the new courses are taught by others, which unfortunately are instructors of lesser caliber’ – Comment from Reddit

Despite this, many users found the website easy to navigate and the content both relevant and digestible:

‘The courses are great, dive in and advance your career. They make complex and annoying topics simple’ – Comment from Reddit

ZTM also has a huge showcase of testimonials from students who have gone on to get hired by major companies such as Google:

‘Honestly, ZTM had all the courses I needed to get hired. But I have still taken more courses from ZTM and other sources, just because it’s so important to keep learning and I enjoy it!’ – Comment from Zero to Mastery

‘Thanks to this course I was able to learn the Python language fundamentals, to write my own Programs and have fun while doing it. On top of that, I got a clear overview of all the different possibilities available with Python and I actually want to learn some more’ – Comment from TrustPilot

Evaluating Zero to Mastery

Features: 12,600+ lessons with 1,209+ video hours, tech career quiz and career path plan, world-class instructors from leading companies, projects and workshops, 24/7 online community.

Content quality: Varied course content from video lessons, exercises, community chats, projects, and quizzes.

Content breadth: Tech-based courses including data analysis, cyber security, development, and design.

Teachers: Founded by senior software developer, Andrei Neagoie, ZTM hosts 75 courses all led by world-class instructors. Everyone who teaches for ZTM has years of valuable real-world experience.

Supporting materials: Along with a 24/7 Discord community, you’ll also receive supporting PDFs, further links, and downloadable resources.

Payments and refunds: ZTM costs between $23 and $39 a month depending on your subscription type. There’s also the option of a $999 one-time payment for lifetime access. Plus, ZTM operates a 30-day money back guarantee policy, making it 100% risk-free.

Support: Aside from its Discord community, ZTM also has a contact email and community page available here.

How to open a Zero to Mastery account

Because ZTM is subscription-based, you purchase your package before opening an account. To do this, click the ‘Join’ button in the top right corner of the website, followed by your subscription choice:

From here, you’ll be prompted to enter your card details and email address. Once confirmed, you’ll receive a welcome letter to verify your account and get learning.

Is Zero to Mastery worth it?

In my opinion, Zero to Mastery is worth it if you have a specific goal in mind, such as preparing for an exam (like the SAA C03) or gaining a promotion.

But, whatever your background, the subscription means you get unlimited access to all courses both in and beyond your chosen field. This means you can expand your skill set and keep abreast of industry changes.

Looking at their graduate job success, ZTM clearly has its place in the e-learning world. Besides, with a 30-day money back guarantee, there’s nothing to stop you from previewing some of its content and resources for yourself.

Zero to Mastery frequently asked questions