Resumes might list programming languages and past job titles, but they don’t tell you if a candidate can think through complex problems or write code that actually works in reality. To find developers who can do more than just talk the talk, you need a way to test their skills before they’re on the job.
So how do you cut through the noise and find candidates who can actually code, not just throw around industry jargon? The answer lies in coding assessment platforms.
In this guide, we’ll highlight five platforms designed to help you evaluate real-world coding skills, assess candidates against known benchmarks, speed up your hiring process, and ensure you’re bringing the right people onto your team.
➡️ The basics: What is a coding assessment?
A coding assessment is a structured way to evaluate a candidate’s programming skills through practical, realistic coding challenges. Instead of relying on resumes or lists of skills, these assessments provide objective insights into problem-solving abilities, code efficiency, and technical knowledge. Most cover multiple programming or coding languages to help you get a real read on what candidates can accomplish.
❗Why are coding assessments so valuable?
Coding and technical assessments often equal faster, more accurate hiring decisions at the top level. Identify top talent, save valuable resources, and reduce the risks associated with less-than-ideal hiring situations. Get an accurate picture of on the job skills that you’ll bank on later.
Jump to technical skills platforms
With so many coding assessment tools out there, there’s a lot at stake when it comes to hiring the right people for your team. To make your search a little less stressful, we’ve broken down some of the top platforms and what sets each one apart when measuring technical talent.
1. CodeSignal: Best all-around experience
CodeSignal is a leading platform for companies hiring software engineers at scale. It offers solutions for every stage of the hiring process, from pre-screening to live technical interviews and even onboarding for new hires.
Known for its research-backed Certified Assessments, CodeSignal uses job-relevant simulations to help teams identify top talent choices—all while reducing bias. In addition to technical roles and coding skills, CodeSignal supports soft skills and business role assessments.
Big wins
- Pre-screen candidates: Cast a wider net for top candidates without expending additional resources. CodeSignal’s pre-screen options lets you master high-volume recruiting at scale.
- Conduct live technical interviews: Work directly with candidates in a realistic integrated development environment (IDE) with access to a build tool, package manager, filesystem, interactive preview, and mobile device emulator. Enjoy built-in video and audio to clearly collaborate with candidates in real-time.
- Research-backed Certified Assessments: CodeSignal relies on job-relevant simulations to identify top talent and support skills development. Fair, objective results are the name of the game for delivering high quality results that ensure compliance and reduce testing bias.
- Behavioral and work styles assessment: CodeSignal’s Behavioral Profile Assessment allows teams to evaluate work preferences and behaviors (in addition to core technical skills) to ensure a well-rounded fit—for any role.
- Interview prep courses: Prep new candidates and help developers level up with in-demand skills. CodeSignal includes learning pathways tailored to coding fundamentals, as well as more advanced algorithmic challenges.
- Industry-leading AI tools: Detect candidates’ use of unauthorized resources, including external AI coding assistants, with an advanced Suspicion Score. Or, embrace AI tools and evaluate candidates’ ability to leverage them effectively with help from an advanced, built-in AI coding assistant named Cosmo.
Real results
“Partnering with CodeSignal has helped us to manage a very high volume of interest from candidates in our process, and quickly assess their technical acumen, without using a ton of engineering hours.” —Nadia Abouzad, Head of Diversity Talent Programs at Asana
Go beyond the hiring noise. See how real companies get clarity with CodeSignal.
2. CoderPad
CoderPad includes real-time collaboration features, gamification, and making interactive coding sessions seamless for both interviewers and candidates.
Supporting a wide range of programming languages and frameworks, CoderPad includes advanced features like auto-complete and unit testing. Its drawing mode allows visual system design communication during live sessions.
Big wins
- Collaborative IDE that includes REPL (Read-Eval-Print Loop) and SLP (Straight-Line Program)
- Wide range of programming languages supported, with multi-file environments for testing scenarios
- AI assist feature for candidates
- Webcam proctoring for assessment integrity
Factors to consider
- CoderPad’s pricing model could be expensive for small to midsize teams.
- The platform is mostly limited to coding assessments and live interviews for technical teams, but lacks evaluation for other skills like software engineering or system design.
Real results
“Very interactive platform with questions that are very clearly explained. I love the dark theme and the very wide layout.” —G2 review
3. Codility
Codility serves large organizations and empowers hiring managers to create and manage coding assessments efficiently. The platform’s coding assessments support high-volume events, like campus recruitment and coding hackathons.
Additionally, Codility’s structured technical interviews can help recruiters minimize bias and land on comprehensive candidate evaluations once they enter the hiring pipeline.
Big wins
- Designed for higher-volume recruitment events, with branding options for a seamless candidate experience
- Anti-AI detection tools to prevent the use of generative AI in assessments
- Robust platform for coding events, hackathons, and large-scale technical hiring
- Structured technical interviews with built-in evaluation tools for consistency
Factors to consider
- Compared to other platforms, Codility might feel less user-friendly or intuitive. The larger enterprise-grade options may not suit smaller teams.
- Some users report that Codility is too abstract and focuses more on algorithmic puzzles compared to on-the-job tasks.
Real results
“With Codility, we’re getting the right quality of candidates, engaging with those who have the right skillset.” —Yasar Ahmad, Global Head of Talent Acquisition at Zalando
4. HackerRank
HackerRank offers a solution for technical talent assessment, including peer reviews and real-world coding tasks. Companies that need to recruit and hire at scale can test an array of technical skills, including coding and problem-solving abilities in a single interview experience.
Big wins
- Skills testing across algorithms, databases, and real-world coding challenges
- Scalable platform suited for both small teams and large enterprise hiring needs
- Peer review features for collaborative evaluation and better hiring decisions
- Real-world coding tasks that assess practical problem-solving abilities
Factors to consider
- HackerRank’s inconsistent IDE experience can be confusing to candidates.
- Its lengthy assessments might intimidate less experienced candidates or increase test anxiety.
Real results
“HackerRank does a good job recommending questions, and making sure questions aren’t leaked or copied in today’s modern world.” —Scott Leach, Technical recruiting at SoFi
5. TestGorilla
TestGorilla offers predictive performance metrics to assess a candidate’s potential for job success, which informs hiring decisions. TestGorilla offers coding assessments as well as a broad wide range of skills beyond technical abilities.
Big wins
- Effective predictive performance capabilities to help identify top talent
- Coding tests available in 12+ programming languages
- Predictive performance metrics for more informed hiring decisions
Factors to consider
- TestGorilla’s coding test customization options are less advanced compared to other platforms. Additionally, the platform’s assessments are not entirely specific to software engineering or technical roles.
- Some candidates find the strict time limits and automated proctoring features stressful, impacting their test experience.
Real results
“We need to test for specific skills that can’t be demonstrated in a resume, like coding. Someone can claim they’ve been coding for ten years, but the technology changes extremely fast. The biggest thing has to be confidence in the hire, right? For the other roles that we do assessments, TestGorilla increases confidence in our hiring decisions.” —Jonas Atil, Nexus HR
At a glance: Coding assessment platform comparison
| Platform | Best for | Top features | User Rating (G2/Capterra) | Free Trial? |
| CodeSignal | Best all-around, standardized coding assessments and interview practice | – Pre-screen candidates at scale – Live technical interviews with a built-in IDE – Research-backed Certified Assessments for objective hiring – Behavioral & work styles assessment – Interview prep courses for candidates – AI tools for cheating detection & AI coding evaluation | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.7/5) | ✅ Yes |
| CoderPad | Live, interactive coding interviews | – Collaborative IDE with REPL & SLP – Supports multiple programming languages – AI assist feature for candidates – Webcam proctoring for assessment integrity | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5/5) | ✅ Yes |
| Codility | Large-scale hiring and coding events | – Designed for high-volume recruitment events – Branding options for a seamless candidate experience – Anti-AI detection tools – Structured technical interviews for consistency | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.6/5) | ❌ No |
| HackerRank | Technical talent assessment | – Skills testing across algorithms, databases & real-world coding challenges – Scalable for small teams & enterprises – Peer review features for collaborative hiring – Real-world coding tasks for practical problem-solving | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5/5) | ✅ Yes |
| TestGorilla | Predictive hiring insights across multiple skills | – Predictive performance metrics to identify top talent – Coding tests available in 12+ programming languages – Broad skill assessments beyond technical roles | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5/5) | ✅ Yes |
How to choose the right coding assessment platform
Selecting the right coding assessment platform is key to streamlining your technical hiring process. Here’s how to make the best choice for your team:
- Know your standards: Start with a clear picture of what you need (or simply want) to assess—technical skills, soft skills, or a combination. This will help narrow down the platforms that align with your hiring needs.
- Automate: Explore platforms with automated scoring for objective questions to reduce errors and save time. Real-time analytics and detailed reports will also help you evaluate candidate performance and make decisions based on actionable insights.
- Evaluate the experience: A cumbersome interface can make the experience stressful for both you and your top candidates. Instead, look for platforms with responsive support and clear onboarding resources to avoid common frustrations.
- ATS integration: A coding assessment platform that integrates seamlessly with your existing Applicant Tracking System (ATS) usually results in better data management and faster, more efficient workflows. Plus, this makes sharing information about candidates safe and secure.
By weighing your needs against each platform’s capabilities, you’ll make the right choice for your hiring process, your budget, and your long-range culture goals.
Meet your next top-tier candidate
Choosing the right coding assessment platform is a game-changer for your technical hiring process. With the right tools, you can quickly identify top talent and make smarter hiring decisions.
Make hiring faster, more efficient, and ultimately more successful with CodeSignal. Get started today.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
How can I ensure a good candidate experience in coding assessments?
To ensure a good candidate experience, focus on creating a user-friendly application process and offer clear communication throughout. Engaging candidates with real-time feedback can really make a difference too!
How do I choose the right coding assessment platform?
To choose the right coding assessment platform, start by defining your assessment goals and look for critical features like automated scoring and analytics. Don’t forget to check the level of user support each platform offers to find the best fit for your needs.
What types of coding challenges should I use in assessments?
When selecting coding challenges, consider the specific skills you’re looking to evaluate, such as problem-solving, algorithms, or language proficiency. It’s helpful to include a mix of difficulty levels and real-world scenarios to get a well-rounded view of a candidate’s abilities.
What coding languages or problems should I include?
The coding languages you include should align with the technologies your team uses. Focus on commonly used languages like Python, JavaScript, or Java, but don’t forget to consider niche languages if they’re relevant. As for problems, choose a mix of algorithmic, data structure, and practical challenges that mirror the tasks candidates will face on the job.