Updated September 30, 2026 · AcademyCue Editorial Team
101 Blockchains vs ACSM
What sets them apart
| Compare | ||
|---|---|---|
| Certification type | It | Fitness |
| Price from | $25Lower | $310 to $410 |
| Course hours | 13 hours | 20 hoursHigher |
| Teaching practicum | YesHas it | No |
| Tutor support | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Job support | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Typical completion time (weeks) | 4 | Not confirmed |
| Recertification period | Not confirmed | 3 years |
| Money-back period | 7 days | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Exam fee included (Yes).
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Key differences
- Price from is lower at 101 Blockchains: $25 vs $310 to $410.
- Course hours is higher at ACSM: 20 hours vs 13 hours.
- Teaching practicum: only 101 Blockchains.
- Support channels: only 101 Blockchains offers Community.
- Support channels: only ACSM offers Phone, Help centre.
- Delivery: only ACSM offers In person.
Our verdict on each
101 Blockchains
101 Blockchains suits self-directed learners who want one cheap subscription across business, coding, data and IT material plus a certification track. Entry is $25 a month, and the platform carries 60 courses, a free tier, assessments and a 7 day money-back period. Budget for support by email and community only.
ACSM
It suits people moving into personal training who want a short, exam-led fitness certificate and no placement on the plan. The ACSM personal trainer certification runs 20 hours of study, includes the exam fee, and asks for renewal every 3 years, which keeps the cost recurring.
Score breakdown
| Area | 101 Blockchains | ACSM |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3HigherEntry at $25 a month ranks 30 of 78; the 7 day refund window is the weak spot. | 8.9Entry cost of $310 to $410 for the personal trainer certification, ranking at 50 of 87, with the exam fee included. |
| Offer | 8.9A free tier, 60 courses, assessments, offline download and a team plan sit inside one subscription. | 9.1HigherStudy of 20 hours with the exam fee included, no practicum to place, and renewal every 3 years. |
| Trust | 8.5Founded 2019 with a 7 day refund and cpd credit recognition, with tutor support on the certification. | Not confirmed |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | 101 Blockchains | ACSM |
|---|---|---|
| Fitness, IT and coaching certifications | 2 of 48 | 12 of 48 |
If neither fits
American Health Care Academy has price from at $14.95, against $25 for 101 Blockchains and $310 to $410 for ACSM.
American Health Care Academy reviewEvery fact side by side
| Fact | 101 Blockchains | ACSM |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery | Online | Online, In personCovers more |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | United States |
| Founded | 2019 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Community, Email | Email, Phone, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | 101 Blockchains | ACSM | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | $25below the median | $310 to $410above the median | $79 |
| Course hours | 13 hoursbelow the median | 20 hoursbelow the median | 60 hours |
| Typical completion time (weeks) | 4below the median | Not confirmed | 6 |
| Recertification period | Not confirmed | 3 yearshighest quarter | 2 years |
| Money-back period | 7 daysbelow the median | Not confirmed | 14 days |
Median across 52 listed providers.
Pros and cons
101 Blockchains
Pros
- A free tier means you can sample material before paying anything.
- Assessments are part of the plan, so course completion is checked rather than self-declared.
- Offline download is included, which matters for 60 courses studied on the move.
Cons
- The money-back period is 7 days, shorter than the site median of 14 days.
- Support runs on community and email only, with no phone or live chat line listed.
- The it certification is short at 13 hours and completes in 4 weeks, so it carries less depth than longer programmes.
ACSM
Pros
- The exam fee is included in the $310 to $410 for the ACSM personal trainer certification, so the test adds no extra cost on the day.
- Study runs 20 hours, well under the 78-hour typical across the site, so candidates can qualify without a long block of study.
- Delivery covers online and in person, letting candidates choose where they sit the course.
Cons
- Practicum is no, so there is no supervised placement to pair the 20 hours of study with.
- Price from ranks at 50 of 87, so the $310 to $410 for the ACSM personal trainer certification sits toward the dearer end of the field.
- Renewal lands every 3 years, so the outlay recurs for anyone who wants to keep the credential current.
Who each suits
101 Blockchains
Who it suits
- Self-taught developers and business analysts who want one subscription rather than per-course purchases.
- Learners targeting a blockchain certificate who can manage a short 13 hour programme with tutor support.
- Teams that need offline downloads and a shared plan, since team plan and offline download both come with the subscription.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone who needs live, one to one teaching, since tutor support sits on the certification track rather than the course subscription.
- Buyers who want a long money-back window, because 7 days is the shortest commitment here.
- Learners wanting a broad general catalogue, as 60 courses is a specialist blockchain and tech library.
ACSM
Who it suits
- People moving into personal training who want a fitness credential they can finish quickly and sit the exam for in the same package.
- Learners who need the option to study online or attend in person without hunting for a placement.
- Anyone budgeting ahead for a certificate that comes back around for renewal.
Who should look elsewhere
- Marisa Peer, whose certificate is coaching and therefore aimed at coaching rather than gym floor work.
- CrackCerts and Testprep Training, whose certifications are it and it, a different market entirely.
- Anyone who needs a placement, since Practicum is no for the ACSM route.
Questions about each
101 Blockchains
How much does 101 Blockchains cost to start?+
Entry is $25 and the plan is billed monthly at $25. There is no separate annual tier in the plan details, so the monthly figure is the number to budget from. The site's subscription prices run €1.99 to €1,401.39, with a median of €71.91.
Is there a free plan or free trial?+
A free tier is included, and the free blockchain course gives a real sample of the material rather than a bare demo. Paid plans are covered by a 7 day money-back period, so the free tier is the safer place to start. That refund window is shorter than the 14 day site median.
ACSM
How much does the ACSM personal trainer certification cost?+
The ACSM personal trainer certification is listed at $310 to $410 for entry, and that figure already carries the exam. On price from, ACSM ranks at 50 of 87 in the comparison, so it sits toward the dearer end of the field rather than the cheap end.
Is the exam fee included in what I pay?+
Yes, the exam fee is included, so the $310 to $410 for the ACSM personal trainer certification covers study and the test together. Worth checking what the package covers at renewal, which comes round every 3 years.
Other options to compare
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- 101 Blockchains vs CrackCerts
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