Updated September 30, 2026 · AcademyCue Editorial Team
Alpha Academy vs Upgrad knowledgehut
Alpha Academy
Higher score in this comparison
Upgrad knowledgehut
Alpha Academy vs Upgrad knowledgehut: the differences
| Compare | Alpha AcademyReviewVisitVisit | Upgrad knowledgehutReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | £19.99 | €305 |
| Free tier | No | YesHas it |
| Money-back period | 14 daysHigher | 7 days |
| Platform type | Subscription | Bootcamp |
| Number of courses | 2,500Higher | 250 |
| Price per year | £49 | Not confirmed |
| Certificate fee | £11.99 to £24 | Not confirmed |
| Access period | 12 months | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Graded assessments (Yes), Team plan (Yes).
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Key differences
- Alpha Academy scores higher overall: 9.1 vs 9.0.
- Free tier: only Upgrad knowledgehut.
- Money-back period is higher at Alpha Academy: 14 days vs 7 days.
- Number of courses is higher at Alpha Academy: 2,500 vs 250.
- Support channels: only Alpha Academy offers Help centre.
- Support channels: only Upgrad knowledgehut offers Chat.
- Subjects: only Alpha Academy offers Design, Creative, Languages.
- Certificate types: only Upgrad knowledgehut offers Professional.
Our verdict on each
Alpha Academy
Alpha Academy suits UK learners who want a single subscription across many subjects and can commit to a full year. The yearly plan at £49 is the strong point, while the certificate at £11.99 to £24 and the absent free tier mean the real cost depends on how many courses you finish.
Upgrad knowledgehut
Upgrad Knowledgehut suits people who want an IT certificate with tutor support, a practicum and the exam fee folded into one payment rather than added later. IT certification fees start at €305, and the 7 days refund window gives a short way out if the training is not the right fit.
Score breakdown
| Area | Alpha Academy | Upgrad knowledgehut |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.2HigherYearly plan £49 sits against an entry price of £19.99, with certificate costs at £11.99 to £24 on top. | 8.8The entry price of €305 is listed once, the exam fee is included, and the 7 days refund window limits the downside. |
| Offer | 9.1Catalogue of 2,500 courses across coding, data and it, access for 12 months, assessments yes, and a team plan. | 9.1Tutor support, a practicum, job support and delivery across online and in person formats, with free courses alongside paid programmes. |
| Trust | 8.8Money back for 14 days, run by Adams Academy Inc. Ltd. in GB, with email, phone and help centre support. | Not confirmed |
How they place
| Ranking | Alpha Academy | Upgrad knowledgehut |
|---|---|---|
| Online course platforms | 35 of 349 | 15 of 349 |
| Coding and data courses | 13 of 117 | 7 of 117 |
A third option
Alison has number of courses at 6,000, against 2,500 for Alpha Academy and 250 for Upgrad knowledgehut.
Alison reviewEvery fact side by side
| Fact | Alpha Academy | Upgrad knowledgehut |
|---|---|---|
| Subjects | Coding, Data, It, Business, Design, Creative, LanguagesCovers more | Coding, Data, It, Business |
| Certificate types | Completion | Completion, ProfessionalCovers more |
| Credit recognition | Cpd | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | Adams Academy Inc. Ltd. | upGrad Education Private Limited |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Email, Phone, Help centre | Email, Chat, Phone |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Alpha Academy | Upgrad knowledgehut | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price per year | £49lowest quarter | Not confirmed | £59.99 |
| Certificate fee | £11.99 to £24highest quarter | Not confirmed | £0 |
| Money-back period | 14 daysat the median | 7 dayslowest quarter | 14 days |
| Number of courses | 2,500highest quarter | 250at the median | 250 |
| Access period | 12 monthsat the median | Not confirmed | 12 months |
Median across 172 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Alpha Academy
Pros
- The annual plan at £49 ranks 11 of 78 on yearly price, well ahead of its own entry price.
- A catalogue of 2,500 courses spreads across coding, data and it, so a single payment covers a lot of ground.
- Assessments are included, which is what most platforms in this ranking also offer, at 98.9% of the group.
Cons
- There is no free tier, so every course sits behind a paid plan.
- Certificates cost extra at £11.99 to £24, on top of the subscription.
- The entry price of £19.99 is higher than the annual figure, so short stints cost more per month.
Upgrad knowledgehut
Pros
- The exam fee is included in the programme price, so the certificate does not add a second charge on the day of the test.
- Tutor support, a practicum and job support sit inside the same package, which covers more ground than a practice-test bundle such as CrackCerts at $9.99.
- Delivery spans online and in person formats, so the same IT programme works for a remote candidate and for an employer booking a room.
Cons
- The money-back period of 7 days is short, so a change of mind after the first week of a 16 hour course costs the fee.
- The listed certification type is it and the subjects are coding, data and it, so coaching, language and first aid certificates fall outside what this provider sells.
- Support runs on email, chat and phone channels, which leaves learners who prefer a written help centre or a community forum without one.
Who each suits
Alpha Academy
Who it suits
- UK learners who want coding, data and IT covered under a single payment
- Anyone prepared to pay for a certificate at the end of a course
- Households or small teams buying a single plan together
Who should look elsewhere
- Learners who want to sample a platform before paying, since there is no free tier
- People needing a professional or regulated certificate rather than a completion record
Upgrad knowledgehut
Who it suits
- IT candidates who want the exam fee, a practicum and tutor support settled in one payment.
- Learners who need job support alongside the certificate, since job support is part of the training.
- Employers sending several staff through the same certification, since a team plan is offered and delivery includes in-person training.
Who should look elsewhere
- Testprep Training at $12.99 fits candidates who only need exam practice and no tutor support.
- CrackCerts at $9.99 is the cheaper pick for self-study learners who want practice tests alone.
- Marisa Peer, whose listed certification type is coaching, serves coaching candidates rather than the IT track.
Questions about each
Alpha Academy
How much does Alpha Academy cost?+
The subscription opens at £19.99, and the annual plan is priced at £49. Because it is a subscription, courses cannot be bought separately. Committing for the full year is what brings the cost down, so the entry figure and the yearly figure are worth comparing side by side before you commit.
What does the certificate cost?+
A certificate is not included in the subscription. You pay £11.99 to £24 for it separately, and the certificate type on offer is completion only, listed under completion. Anyone wanting a professionally accredited certificate rather than a completion record should weigh that gap before starting a course.
Upgrad knowledgehut
What does an Upgrad Knowledgehut IT certification cost to start?+
The listed starting price is €305 for an IT certification programme, and the exam fee is included in that figure rather than charged later. Tutor support and a practicum come in the same package, which is where the money goes compared with a bare practice-test product.
Is tutor support included, or is it self-study?+
Tutor support is part of the training rather than an upsell, so a learner has someone to ask during the 16 hours of study. The programme also carries assessments and a practicum, which means the work is marked and practised rather than only watched. Job support is offered as well.
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