What happened to Grasshopper
9to5Google reported on March 13, 2023 that Grasshopper, described as one of the most popular products from Area 120, Google's experimental app team, showed a banner reading that it was shutting down on June 15, 2023, linking to an announcement on its official forums. The same report noted more than 1.6 million downloads within a year of launch.
Grasshopper taught beginners to code in JavaScript through bite-size lessons with quizzes and goal tracking, and its web version had instructions, a code editor and a live preview side by side. The app is no longer available, so the practical question is where its kind of learner should go next.
What Grasshopper learners should look for now
Grasshopper was an Android and iOS app built around short JavaScript lessons. Few replacements match all of that, so decide which part matters most to you.
- Phone-first practice: does it have a mobile app, or does real work require a laptop?
- Same language: JavaScript keeps your Grasshopper progress useful.
- A path past puzzles: projects that are checked by tests or that you build from requirements.
- Cost and commitment: free, or a subscription you can finish within a billing period.
Free and paid options compared
MDN expects you to know basic HTML and CSS before its JavaScript module. If you only used Grasshopper, spend a week on MDN's HTML and CSS basics first, or start with a free course that needs no setup.
| Option | Cost | On a phone | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| freeCodeCamp JavaScript Certification | Free, including the certification | Lessons work in a browser; the exam needs a laptop or desktop | Modules with lessons, workshops, labs and quizzes; five required projects and a 50-question exam |
| MDN: Dynamic scripting with JavaScript | Free to read, Creative Commons content | Web pages; MDN suggests CodePen or JSFiddle if you cannot create files on your device | Variables through functions, events, objects, DOM, network requests and JSON; three build challenges |
| Educative: Introduction to JavaScript: First Steps | Free | Browser-based; code runs in the lessons with no installation | 27 lessons, about 8 hours, 13 challenges and 11 quizzes |
| Codecademy | Basic $0; Plus $14.99 a month billed annually or $29.99 monthly; Pro $19.99 a month billed annually or $39.99 monthly | iOS and Android app included on all plans | Basic has limited courses; paths, projects, assessments and certificates need a paid plan |
| Educative Unlimited | Price not shown on the pages we checked; 21-day free trial advertised | Browser-based lessons | Paid courses beyond the free tier; no refund if you cancel mid-period |
Who each option fits
If you learned almost entirely on your phone and want to keep that habit, a paid app with mobile practice is the closest match, but check what the free tier excludes before paying: Codecademy's pricing page says paths, projects, assessments and certificates are not in Basic.
If cost matters most, freeCodeCamp is the strongest free route because it adds projects and a verified certification at no charge. Its December 2025 announcement says you need a laptop or desktop to download the exam environment, so plan for computer time near the end.
If you want text explanations with code you can run inside the lesson, Educative's free First Steps course covers variables, functions, arrays, objects and loops in about 8 hours. Its paid subscription only makes sense if you will finish a longer course within the period you pay for, because the pricing page says it will not issue a refund on cancellation.
A four-week starter plan after Grasshopper
Aim for 30 to 45 minutes on most days rather than a single long weekend session; Grasshopper's short-session habit is worth keeping. After week 4, decide whether a free certification path or a paid subscription suits your schedule.
| Week | Goal | Free resource |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Refresh variables, conditionals and loops by typing code, not tapping blocks | Educative First Steps or the first freeCodeCamp JavaScript modules |
| 2 | Functions, arrays and objects with short challenges | Continue the same course; add MDN Test your skills pages |
| 3 | DOM and events: make a page respond to clicks | MDN events and DOM scripting articles |
| 4 | Build one small project from requirements | MDN Silly story generator or a freeCodeCamp lab |
Checklist before you pick a replacement
- Confirm the course teaches JavaScript if you want to build on what you learned.
- Check whether certificates, projects or exams require a laptop.
- Read what the free tier leaves out before starting a trial.
- Check the refund and cancellation terms of any subscription.
- Set a calendar reminder before a free trial converts to paid.
Questions before you decide
When did the Grasshopper coding app shut down?
Grasshopper shut down on June 15, 2023. 9to5Google reported on March 13, 2023 that the app showed a banner announcing the shutdown date and linking to a notice on its official forums.
Who made Grasshopper?
Grasshopper was built by Area 120, Google's experimental app development team, according to 9to5Google's report on its shutdown.
What is a free alternative to Grasshopper?
freeCodeCamp's JavaScript Certification is free, including the certification, and adds five required projects and a 50-question exam. MDN's JavaScript module and Educative's free First Steps course are also free starting points.
Is there a Grasshopper-style coding app for phones?
Codecademy says its iOS and Android app is included on all plans, including the free Basic plan, though paths, projects and certificates require Plus or Pro. freeCodeCamp's certification exam needs a laptop or desktop.
Sources & verification
Product details and prices can change. Check the linked provider before buying.
- 9to5Google: Area 120 code-coaching app Grasshopper to shut down June 2023 (March 13, 2023) Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Wikipedia: Grasshopper (mobile app) Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- freeCodeCamp News: freeCodeCamp's new JavaScript Certification is now live (December 8, 2025) Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- MDN: Dynamic scripting with JavaScript Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Educative: Introduction to JavaScript: First Steps Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Educative: pricing and cancellation terms Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Educative: 21-day free trial page Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Codecademy: pricing Accessed 30 Oct 2026
Sources link directly to providers. Product buttons may use separately labeled affiliate links. Read our disclosure.