FrontendCheck vs Frontend Masters: Expert Videos vs Hands-On Architecture

Frontend Masters is the gold standard for expert-led video courses. FrontendCheck takes a completely different approach with hands-on architecture challenges. Understanding both helps you build a complete learning strategy.

Two Different Learning Philosophies

Frontend Masters brings world-renowned developers to teach you directly. Kyle Simpson on JavaScript, Brian Holt on React, Sarah Drasner on Vue—these are people who've shaped the industry. You're learning from the source.

FrontendCheck doesn't have famous instructors because there are no instructors at all. Instead, you get realistic project scenarios with stakeholder emails, and you figure out how to architect the solutions yourself. The learning comes from doing, not watching.

Content Depth

Frontend Masters goes incredibly deep on specific topics. Want to understand JavaScript engines at a fundamental level? There's a course for that. Want to learn advanced TypeScript patterns? Multiple courses. The depth of knowledge available is unmatched.

FrontendCheck goes deep on application architecture. Each challenge teaches patterns like state machines, optimistic updates, real-time sync, and complex form handling—but through building, not watching. You won't find theoretical deep dives, but you will get hands-on practice with enterprise patterns.

The Practice Gap

Here's something Frontend Masters subscribers often experience: you watch an incredible course, understand everything, feel motivated... and then struggle to apply it. The knowledge is there, but the practice isn't.

That's exactly what FrontendCheck addresses. It's not trying to teach you new concepts—it assumes you've already learned them somewhere (maybe on Frontend Masters!). Instead, it gives you realistic projects to practice applying those concepts.

Frontend Masters Strengths

• Expert instructors: Learn from people who created the tools you use
• Comprehensive courses: Deep coverage of JavaScript, TypeScript, frameworks, and more
• Learning paths: Structured progressions from beginner to advanced
• Always current: Regular updates as technologies evolve

FrontendCheck Strengths

• Hands-on practice: Build complete features, not just follow along
• Realistic scenarios: Stakeholder emails simulate real work
• Domain diversity: Same patterns, different industries (healthcare, fintech, etc.)
• Architecture focus: Learn to structure applications that scale

The Perfect Combination

These platforms work remarkably well together. Here's a learning path that leverages both:

1. Watch Frontend Masters courses to deeply understand the technology—React, TypeScript, state management libraries.
2. Apply on FrontendCheck with challenges that use those technologies in realistic project contexts.
3. Go back to Frontend Masters when you hit knowledge gaps during FrontendCheck challenges.
4. Repeat—this cycle of learning and applying is how expertise develops.

Cost Comparison

Frontend Masters uses a subscription model ($39/month or $390/year) with unlimited access to all courses. It's excellent value given the quality and breadth of content.

FrontendCheck uses one-time purchases ($39 per challenge) with no recurring fees. You own the challenges forever and can revisit them anytime. One free challenge is available to start.

Which Should You Choose?

Prioritize Frontend Masters if:

• You're learning new technologies
• You want to understand concepts deeply
• You prefer video-based learning
• You want to learn from industry experts

Prioritize FrontendCheck if:

• You already know the basics and want to practice
• You want realistic project experience
• You're preparing for senior roles
• You learn best by building