In 2025, preparing for technical interviews is no longer about memorizing algorithms — it’s about practicing smarter. Among all coding platforms, LeetCode stands out as a top choice for students, freshers, and professionals aiming for roles at companies like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft.
However, many aspirants struggle with one key question:
Should I use the Free version of LeetCode or invest in LeetCode Premium?
Let’s explore both options in depth, comparing their features, benefits, and actual value — so you can decide what works best for your coding journey this year.
1. What is LeetCode and Why Is It So Popular?
LeetCode is an online platform designed to help developers improve their problem-solving and coding skills. It features thousands of questions across data structures, algorithms, databases, and system design.
The main reason LeetCode is so popular among students is that its problems closely resemble actual interview questions asked at product-based and FAANG companies. Over time, it’s become not just a practice site but a complete interview preparation ecosystem.
2. Understanding the Two Versions: Free vs Premium
Before deciding whether to upgrade, it’s important to know what each version offers.
Free Version Features
LeetCode’s free plan provides access to:
- A vast collection of coding problems (mostly Easy and Medium difficulty).
- Submissions and feedback on time/memory performance.
- Community discussions and user-submitted solutions.
- Weekly and biweekly coding contests.
- Topic and difficulty filters (like Arrays, Strings, and Graphs).
These are excellent for students who are just starting to learn Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA) or want to practice consistently.
Premium Version Features
LeetCode Premium unlocks exclusive tools and resources designed for serious interview preparation, including:
- Company-specific questions (Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Adobe, and others).
- Exclusive premium-only problems not visible to free users.
- Official editorial solutions and video explanations for every question.
- Mock interview simulator with timed sessions and feedback.
- Question frequency analysis, showing which problems are most asked.
- “Recently asked” filter to focus on the latest interview trends.
- Advanced progress analytics with topic-wise breakdowns.
- Priority access to new problems and features.
Together, these make Premium far more than a problem bank — it becomes a full-fledged interview preparation toolkit.
3. Free vs Premium LeetCode: Feature Comparison Table
| Feature | Free Version | Premium Version |
|---|---|---|
| Problem Library | Limited (mainly Easy/Medium) | Full Access (including Hard) |
| Company-Specific Lists | No | Yes |
| Exclusive Problems | No | Yes |
| Official Editorials | Partial | Yes |
| Video Explanations | No | Yes |
| Mock Interview Simulator | No | Yes |
| Interview Frequency Data | No | Yes |
| “Recently Asked” Filter | No | Yes |
| Advanced Analytics | Basic | Yes |
| Priority Support | No | Yes |
4. How Premium Gives You a Competitive Edge
Let’s look at why many students and developers decide to upgrade.
A. Company-Specific Preparation
With Premium, you can filter problems by company — for example, “Top Amazon Interview Questions.”
This helps you focus directly on the patterns and topics those companies emphasize, saving hours of guesswork.
For instance:
- Google often asks graph and tree problems.
- Amazon focuses heavily on dynamic programming and arrays.
- Microsoft may emphasize recursion and bit manipulation.
By targeting these, you prepare smarter — not harder.
B. Access to Editorials and Explanations
In the free version, you rely mostly on community discussions for solutions, which vary in quality.
Premium offers official, editorial-quality explanations and video tutorials, which clarify multiple approaches to a single problem.
This is crucial for understanding:
- Why certain algorithms are more efficient.
- How to optimize space/time complexity.
- How to discuss your solution clearly in an interview.
You can explore LeetCode’s editorials here: LeetCode Solutions & Editorials.
C. Mock Interviews and Realistic Practice
Premium’s mock interview feature simulates the pressure of actual interviews.
You can select problem difficulty, topics, and time limits — just like in a coding round.
After each mock test, you receive detailed feedback, helping you identify:
- Which topics you’re consistently weak in.
- How your problem-solving speed compares.
- Whether you’re ready for actual interviews.
For additional practice, you can also use InterviewBit’s Mock Interview Tool.
D. Analytics and Progress Tracking
Unlike the free version, Premium lets you track your performance across multiple dimensions — difficulty, topics, and accuracy rate.
This feature is particularly valuable for long-term learners who want to measure improvement or identify recurring mistakes.
5. When Is the Free Version Enough?
Not everyone needs Premium immediately.
The free version is ideal if:
- You’re still learning the basics of DSA.
- You’re solving beginner-level problems.
- You want to understand the platform and coding environment first.
- You prefer using free resources like GeeksforGeeks or HackerRank alongside.
You can always upgrade to Premium once you start preparing seriously for placements or technical interviews.
6. Is LeetCode Premium Worth the Cost in 2025?
As of 2025, LeetCode Premium costs around $35 per month or $159 per year (approx. ₹1,400/month or ₹13,000/year in India).
Many students question whether this investment is justified.
Here’s why it can be worth it:
- Return on Investment (ROI): Cracking one interview at a top company can yield a salary far exceeding the cost.
- Time Efficiency: Company-specific filters and editorials save months of random preparation.
- Up-to-Date Questions: Premium is constantly updated with the latest questions from real candidates.
For serious candidates, the ROI of Premium is significant, especially if your goal is a product-based or FAANG-level role.
7. Tips to Use LeetCode Premium Effectively
If you decide to subscribe, here’s how to make the most of it:
- Plan 3–4 months ahead of your interview season before subscribing.
- Start with company-wise lists — focus on your target companies.
- Analyze editorials deeply instead of memorizing answers.
- Take mock interviews weekly to test time management.
- Track your weak areas and revisit old problems.
- Combine resources — use LeetCode Premium alongside YouTube tutorials or GeeksforGeeks articles for conceptual clarity.
8. Free vs Premium: Which Should You Choose in 2025?
Here’s a simple guideline:
- Go with Free LeetCode if you’re in 1st or 2nd year of college, learning fundamentals, or practicing casually.
- Choose LeetCode Premium if you’re in final year, preparing for placements, or applying to top tech firms where question patterns matter.
Free is great for building habits. Premium is designed for results.
Both Free and Premium LeetCode serve a purpose.
If you’re consistent and curious, you can learn a lot using just the free plan. But if your goal is to crack interviews efficiently and target specific companies, LeetCode Premium is a worthwhile investment in 2025.
The choice ultimately depends on your stage of learning, goals, and commitment — but one thing is certain: mastering LeetCode, free or paid, is one of the smartest steps toward landing your dream tech job.