Freemote Review (2023): Scam or Legit?

Freemote is a seven-week self-teaching course designed for those interested in learning coding and becoming a web developer simultaneously. Created by Aaron Jack and Jan Frey, this program serves as a bootcamp and offers over 200 coding lessons through videos. The primary focus is on applying these coding skills to platforms like Shopify and other eCommerce platforms.

Springboard reports that eCommerce coders can earn an estimated annual salary of $107,433, with the potential for increased earnings with experience and completion of bootcamps like Freemote. 

Having participated in other coding bootcamps, Freemote caught my attention. After extensive research, I’m here to share my findings in this Freemote review, covering various aspects of the course.

By the end of this review, I’ll also share with you how I’ve made a full-time income from home. 

How Does Freemote Help You Make Money?

Freemote is a specialized course designed as a coding bootcamp specifically tailored for people aiming to make money from home as freelance developers.

This seven-week program caters to everyone, from beginners with minimal coding knowledge to those already well-versed in advanced coding. It provides the essential tools to navigate the more lucrative realms of the industry, especially in eCommerce and Shopify. You’ll learn crucial software like CSS, HTML, JavaScript, and Web Development. Check out the next section for a detailed breakdown of the course topics.

Participants in Freemote gain the ability to bid effectively in their chosen market for freelance projects. This “learn and earn” aspect enables students to develop their skills while earning. The program also includes a professional portfolio setup, essential for today’s competitive market.

Freemote’s method involves fully remote learning with pre-recorded lessons organized into modules and hands-on projects. While it’s a self-paced course, the recommended completion time is eight weeks, dedicating 17-40 hours per week to the coursework.

In the following video, the founders explain how Freemote has evolved over time:

Who are Aaron Jack and Jan Frey?

Freemote was created by Aaron Jack and Jan Frey. Below is an overview of their backgrounds:

Aaron Jack

Aaron Jack is an American software engineer and YouTuber recognized for his videos on technology, business, and money-making tips. As the founder and CEO of Freemote, he began his career at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.

Initially a teacher in Vietnam, Jack later entered the coding industry. Before teaching, he worked as an engineer for Uber in Silicon Valley. Jack then shifted to freelance software development. Currently, he resides in the San Francisco Bay Area, California, United States.

Aaron’s YouTube channel has over 396k subscribers. If you want to get a taste of Aaron’s teaching style, you can watch the video below:

Jan Frey

Jan Frey, co-founder of Freemote, earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany. He continued his education at the same institution, obtaining a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering.

Starting as a self-taught freelance web developer in 2017, Frey gained experience. In 2019, he worked as a frontend web developer at Eshop Guide.

By 2020, Frey took on two crucial roles: content creator at Coding With Jan GmbH and co-founder of Freemote, the former of which he continues to do.

Compared to Aaron Jack, who has extensive knowledge of programming, Jan is more of a specialist with Shopify. He calls himself a Shopify developer. His YouTube channel, “Coding with Jan – Shopify Developer,” has over 45k subscribers.

Most of his videos focus on optimizing a Shopify store. Here’s an example:

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

What’s Inside the Freemote Course?

The Freemote course covers a range of topics, including:

1. Shopify development with Liquid, Sections, ThemeKit, etc.
2. Setting up Shopify stores.
3. Front-end Development covering CSS, HTML, and JavaScript.
4. eCommerce Development.
5. Web Development.
6. Skills development and freelancing tactics.

Below is a week-by-week breakdown:

First Week: HTML and CSS

The initial week focuses on beginner and advanced lessons in CSS and HTML.

In just five hours, students learn foundational skills crucial for web design and development.

Second Week: Shopify Platform

This week centers on mastering Shopify, the leading eCommerce platform. You’ll learn about effective navigation and earning strategies.

Third Week: Basic Shopify Development

The basics of Shopify development are explored, guiding students on creating their eCommerce websites and introducing theme development for customization.

Fourth Week: Freelancing Skills and Strategies

Transitioning from coding, this week emphasizes effective freelancing.

Topics include building a standout portfolio, landing gigs on platforms like Upwork, successful networking, and client communication.

Fifth Week: Mechanics on JavaScript

JavaScript takes the spotlight, delving into tactics covered in previous weeks.

Sixth Week: Advanced JavaScript and Web Development

Participants delve into advanced JavaScript tools and web development strategies.

Seventh Week: Advanced Shopify Development

The final week covers contemporary lessons on building a successful Shopify store in 2023 and beyond.

Additional Features:

1. Online Community: Access to a platform for communication and interaction with fellow enthusiasts through discussion forums on coding projects, freelancing stories, and opportunities.

2. Review Materials: Standout review materials, including trackers, checklists, and cheat sheets, enhance retention. Students can download these materials for reference.

Who is the Freemote Course for?

The Freemote course is designed for various people, including:

1. Quick Entry into Tech: Ideal for those eager to enter the tech field swiftly and start earning.

2. Cost-Conscious Learners: Suited for those looking for a more affordable alternative to traditional college degrees.

3. Self-Paced Learners: Perfect for those who prefer learning at their own pace or individuals with part-time jobs seeking a flexible study option.

4. Aspiring Shopify and eCommerce Enthusiasts: Tailored for those aspiring to conquer the world of Shopify and eCommerce while excelling in the process.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

What Sets Freemote Apart in Coding Courses?

If you’re looking to learn programming and website creation, Freemote might be the answer.

Aaron and Jan have chosen to specialize in Shopify, the leading platform for online businesses.

Their focus on Shopify makes sense given the thriving e-commerce landscape, and they see it as the quickest path to financial independence.

Here are two key reasons:

1. Abundance of Shopify and eCommerce Jobs on Upwork: There are more opportunities in this niche compared to other coding areas.

2. Career Focus: Specializing in one area enhances your career prospects.

While programming skills are valuable for job hunting, the idea of landing a six-figure job while working from home in your pajamas is often a myth. It might be a nice side hustle, but achieving it for the majority is doubtful in my opinion.

How Much Does Freemote Cost?

Freemote is priced at $1,987, along with a monthly fee of $187 for mentoring and coaching membership.

Upon completing the course, students receive a certificate of completion.

Refund Policy

Freemote provides a 30-day money-back guarantee, and they have a clear refund policy on their official website:

We offer a 30 day money back guarantee on the original tuition price. No questions asked. Beyond this, you can cancel your membership for mentorship and coaching ($187 per month w/ first month free) at any time, and will not be billed going forward.

If you wish to request a refund, just email [email protected] OR use the form on the contact page.

Are Students Getting Results with Freemote?

On their official website, you can find a lot of video testimonials from their students. Most of them have no prior coding experience but successfully made a living after completing the Freemote course.

Here’re some examples of success stories:

Despite the rosy pictures on their sales page, when I checked out Reddit, I found quite a number of complaints, and some even called Freemote a waste of money.

For example, this student said Freemote is too basic and feels like a cheap version of a Udemy coding course.

Another students pointed out that you need a number of years of experience to really make money as a full-time freelance developer. 

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

Praise for Freemote

• Specialized Training: Focuses on coding for Shopify and eCommerce, rather than general coding.

• Fair Refund Policy: Offers a reasonable 30-day window for refunds.

Criticism of Freemote

• Experience Needed: To secure lucrative jobs, more training and experience beyond the Freemote course may be required. Programming is a skill that demands serious study and practice for mastery.

• High Price Tag: The course is relatively expensive compared to similar ones on Udemy.

• Basic Content: Course content is too basic, and similar information can be found for free on platforms like Codecademy and freeCodeCamp.

• Doubts About Success Stories: Some success stories seem questionable, as achieving a full-time income as a freelance developer immediately after a coding bootcamp may be unrealistic. Building a profile on platforms like Fiverr and Upwork takes time and a proven track record.

Is Freemote a Scam?

The Freemote course is definitely not a scam. It’s a serious program created by two developers who are experts in the coding industry, and it’s possible to make money with freelance coding.

On Trustpilot, Freemote has a 4.9 rating from 206 reviews.

In fact, students are calling it a legit program and real deal…

Most of the comments on Trustpilot are positive. I could only find one complaint about Freemote’s certification. The student mentioned that Freemote didn’t provide feedback on the work she submitted.

I don’t understand why she’s so concerned about the certification. After all, few people would recognize a bootcamp qualification from Freemote.

To secure a good programming job, you typically need a degree from a top college.

In reality, making money through programming online is challenging. It takes a considerable amount of time to learn.

If you want to earn money without relying on certifications, you should consider starting an online business.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

Alternatives to Freemote

If you’re not considering Freemote, there are various other bootcamps and courses to help aspiring web developers kickstart their careers.

1. CodeX Academy

• A self-paced coding bootcamp with a web development track.
• Offers career assistance and 1-on-1 mentorship opportunities.

2. Codecademy

• Popular online coding program offering free courses on various programming languages.

3. Springboard

• An online educational resource for launching a career in various tech fields, including software development.
• Students build over 14 portfolio projects with weekly mentorship meetings.
• Full refund if graduates don’t secure a tech job within 6 months.

4. Thinkful

• A remote tech bootcamp with web development courses.
• Features a largely self-paced curriculum with hands-on projects.

5. General Assembly

• Popular bootcamp teaching full-time, part-time, and 1-day courses on various topics, including web development.
• Hands-on curriculum, 19,000+ hiring partners, and a 91.4% job placement rate.

6. BrainStation

• Courses in full-stack web development and various tech topics.
• Project-based learning, 1-on-1 support, and hiring partners like Facebook and Google.

7. Flatiron School

• Full-time software program with a hands-on curriculum, career coaching, and an 86%+ job placement rate.
• Online and in-person learning options with full-time and part-time schedules.

8. Bloc

• Offers self-paced courses for aspiring designers and web developers.

9. Udacity

• An affordable self-paced course with mentoring.
• Offers free intro courses and paid “nanodegree” programs with 1-on-1 technical mentorship and career coaching.

10. edX

• Massive online learning platform hosting courses from top universities and big tech companies.

Is There A Better Way to Make Money Online?

If you want to make a full-time passive income, I’d suggest you to start an affiliate marketing business online.

However, I’d recommend you to get started with the most reputable platform: Wealthy Affiliate instead.

Wealthy Affiliate is an all-in-one platform for building your affiliate marketing business from scratch. It offers you a free account (including a free website) with comprehensive training on SEO (free traffic methods), which enables you to get started with affiliate marketing right away without paying a penny.

But How Much Can You Earn with Wealthy Affiliate?

A 21-year old student from Wealthy Affiliate was able to earn $7,395 in just 1 week, which means he made more than $1k a day…all while using free traffic methods.

For more information, you can check out our full review of Wealthy Affiliate.