To become a software engineer in 2026, learn Python, JavaScript, Git & GitHub, SQL & Databases, LeetCode & DSA, and System Design — in that order. The best free YouTube channels for this path are Build with Akshit, Thapa Technical , and Code With Tomi. Full ranked list of 36 educators below.

The Software Engineer Learning Path

  1. 1
    Python 974 channels teach this
  2. 2
    JavaScript 885 channels teach this
  3. 3
    Git & GitHub 697 channels teach this
  4. 4
    SQL & Databases 1,303 channels teach this
  5. 5
    LeetCode & DSA 388 channels teach this
  6. 6
    System Design 177 channels teach this

Best Channels for Aspiring Software Engineers

Smart Programming
Smart Programming

@smartprogramming

CS

Smart Programming is an Educational and Development organization committed in Building Future Enterprise. We provide : ...

310K Subs
411 Videos
9.3K Avg Views
2.19% Engagement
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Ashok IT
Ashok IT

@ashokit

backend

Ashok IT is the No.1 quality training institute in India for the candidates who want to build their future in Informatio...

130K Subs
1.7K Videos
668 Avg Views
2.4% Engagement
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Shree Learning
Shree Learning

@shreelearning3

backend

This channel is all about teaching you practical web development concepts in a very easy and understandable way.And I be...

1.6K Subs
78 Videos
2.1K Avg Views
2.49% Engagement
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Ali Bouali
Ali Bouali

@boualiali

backend

� قال رسول الله ﷺ: “إذا مات ابن آدم انقطع عمله إلا من ثلاث: صدقة جارية، أو علم يُنتفع به، أو ولد صالح يدعو له.” اللهم ا...

78.1K Subs
300 Videos
530 Avg Views
5.47% Engagement
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Daniel Bourke arXiv
Daniel Bourke arXiv

@danielbourkearxiv2821

Data Science

Reposted (unedited) livestreams from Daniel Bourke's coding streams on Twitch. See them live: https://www.twitch.tv/mrd...

4.5K Subs
52 Videos
7.6K Avg Views
2.47% Engagement
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CBI Analytics
CBI Analytics

@cbianalytics

backend

Welcome to the CBI channel! In my videos I cover topics related to Web Development and Business Intelligence. The emphas...

5K Subs
119 Videos
183 Avg Views
3.28% Engagement
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Coding with David
Coding with David

@codingwith_david

Web Dev

An electrical⚡ engineering student with almost a decade of experience in programming. Langauges i am proficient in are: ...

2.5K Subs
146 Videos
2.6K Avg Views
4.32% Engagement
+18.6% /mo View Profile →
BugBytes
BugBytes

@bugbytes3923

backend

On this channel, we create tutorials and videos primarily about web development, data analytics and data science. We'll ...

55.8K Subs
480 Videos
1.6K Avg Views
6.63% Engagement
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Code with Josh
Code with Josh

@codewithjoshoffical

backend

💥For obvious reasons, I'm Josh... Welcome to Code with Josh! Are you ready to transform your understanding of Program...

50.5K Subs
382 Videos
5K Avg Views
3.9% Engagement
+5.0% /mo View Profile →
Kite
Kite

@kitehq

Web Dev

Kite is an AI-powered coding assistant for Python and JavaScript that integrates with VS Code, IntelliJ, PyCharm, Sublim...

52.1K Subs
54 Videos
86.4K Avg Views
2.64% Engagement
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Code for Interview
Code for Interview

@codeforinterview

CS

Hey coders! 🚀 Welcome to Code For Interview — the place where coding feels as smooth as your morning coffee ☕ Say good...

64.5K Subs
325 Videos
290 Avg Views
9.31% Engagement
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Andrey Ivanov | Python
Andrey Ivanov | Python

@pythononpapyrus

backend

The channel about programming on Python 3 in English. Gmail for business inquires: python.on.papyrus@gmail.com Russian ...

5.5K Subs
194 Videos
920 Avg Views
2.83% Engagement
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TechByAni
TechByAni

@techbyaniofficial

backend

Welcome to TechByAni! 🚀 I’m Aniket, a software engineer passionate about breaking down complex technical concepts into ...

1.9K Subs
52 Videos
569 Avg Views
8.96% Engagement
+21.8% /mo View Profile →
Dennis Ivy
Dennis Ivy

@dennisivy

backend

Sharing what I know about Full Stack Web development with the primary focus being Python, Django & Javascript at the tim...

224K Subs
185 Videos
17.2K Avg Views
3.67% Engagement
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Frequently Asked Questions

What YouTube channels should I watch to become a Software Engineer?

Follow educators covering Python, JavaScript, Git & GitHub, SQL & Databases, LeetCode & DSA, System Design. Top channels include Build with Akshit, Thapa Technical, Code With Tomi. All 36 channels listed teach for free on YouTube.

What do I need to learn to become a Software Engineer?

Software engineers design, build, and ship software across the stack. The foundational path is one strong language (Python or JavaScript), data structures and algorithms, Git, and system design for interviews. A practical order is: Python → JavaScript → Git & GitHub → SQL & Databases → LeetCode & DSA → System Design.

Can I become a Software Engineer using only free YouTube videos?

Yes — every channel and video in this path is free on YouTube. Use the learning-path order above to go from fundamentals to job-ready skills, then explore the AI learning planner for a personalized plan.