Learn R

The best way to learn R, ranked by what employers ask for

128 of 7,771 live roles ask for R. 3 courses and certificates compared: paid, free with a certificate, free, and trusted videos. The best free start is R Programming Tutorial - Learn the Basics of Statistical Computing (freeCodeCamp.org).

Live roles ask

128

2% of the board

Options compared

3

courses & certificates

Four ways to learn it

R, from certified programme to free video

The best option of each kind, ranked on how well-regarded it is, what it costs to finish with a certificate, and how squarely it teaches this. The ringed one is where most people should start. Sponsorship plays no part.

Certified programme2 comparedFree certificatenone yetFree coursenone yetTrusted video1 compared

R

128 live roles ask for it

Our pickCertified programmeGoogle Data Analytics Professional Certificate

Coursera

Free to auditCertificate~36 weeks

One of the strongest ways to learn R

Take itStart
Free certificate

None yet

Free course

None yet

Trusted videoR Programming Tutorial - Learn the Basics of Statistical Computing

freeCodeCamp.org

Free2 h5.1M views

One of the strongest ways to learn R

Take itWatch

Who asks for it

Where R is asked for

  • Software engineering52 roles
  • Data36 roles
  • Security7 roles
  • Operations6 roles

Roles

Jobs that list it

Solutions ArchitectSolutions EngineerData ScientistSecurity EngineerCredit Risk Strategy and AnalyticsSoftware EngineerAdvanced AnalyticsArchitectRegional Research EconomistResearch Economist

Everything else

More ways to learn R

Best first, with the verdict and what each costs.

Often asked for together

Skills that come with R

Questions

Learning R

Is R worth learning?

128 of the 7,771 live roles on insiderOne ask for it (2%), most often in software engineering roles (52).

Can I learn R for free?

Yes. R Programming Tutorial - Learn the Basics of Statistical Computing from freeCodeCamp.org is free. Of the options compared here, it is the best one that costs nothing.

What is the best way to learn R?

For most people, Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate (Coursera, free to audit). It is ranked on how well-regarded it is, what it costs to finish with a certificate, and how squarely it teaches R. Sponsorship plays no part.

Your own plan

R is one skill. Which ones is your next role missing?

Tell insiderOne where you're headed and it reads the live board for the gaps between you and it, then ranks a way to learn each one for your budget. Free to start.

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Counts from 7,771 live roles, updated 14 September 2026.