20 Best YouTube Channels for Back-end and Front-end Engineers
This time, we went on a digital pilgrimage of the hidden gems of tech YouTube.
With over 113 million channels, even if boiled down, there are at least 320,000 channels with 100k subscribers – so, which ones should you watch to improve your code? Or keep up with the hungry tech industry? Which framework is the new go-to? The reality is, you don’t have the time to spend hours searching.
Before you start to worry, we’ve got you — we asked our trusted engineers and cherry-picked the best channels that are educational, opinionated, and help you grow in the tech community.
Back-end list:
- Better Stack
- Hussein Nasser
- Nick Chapsas
- The coding train
- Corey Schafer
- Alex Hyett
- conaticus
- ThePrimeTime & ThePrimeagen
- TechwithTim
- Fireship
Front-end list:
- Forrest Knight
- Learn with Jason
- Programming with Mosh
- Andrew Burgess
- WebDevSimplified
- ThePrimeTime & ThePrimeagen
- ColorCode
- CodeGrid
- Matt Pocock
- Coder Coder
Top 10 Back-end Youtube channels
1. Better Stack
Topics: AI Tools, DevOps, Logging, Monitoring, Web Development, Python, PHP, Golang,
Posting frequency: almost daily (9-10 videos per week)
Subscribers: 58.9k
Level of engineering: beginner-advanced
We have to admit, yes, this one is a little bit of a self-promo, but we're not just handing out the golden ticket. We've built a community around our tech guides with over 300k+ dev readers every month, and now we're doing videos of the most popular content on scaling apps, logging, monitoring, AI coding tools, and cutting-edge development practices.
The channel has exploded in activity with almost daily uploads covering everything from the latest AI coding assistants to infrastructure tutorials. With walkthrough videos and shorts of popular example setups based on Better Stack's written guides, which also have handy copy-paste code snippets, you can always keep one eye on the written project while following along.
Popular videos to explore:
- Docker Image BEST Practices - From 1.2GB to 10MB
- Amazon's NEW AI IDE is Actually Different (in a good way!) – Kiro
- Build a HackerNews Clone: Hono, Tanstack Router, Drizzle, React Query, Lucia & more)
2. Hussein Nasser
Topics: databases, JavaScript, SQL, networking, system architecture, kernel-level programming
Posting frequency: 1-2 times per month (irregular schedule)
Subscribers: 469k
Level of engineering: advanced
Reddit folks simply adore this guy!
Hussein's channel sets the scene for engineers who want to boost their skills in the backend and network engineering. He offers incredible insight with real-life examples and the inner workings of hardware and software coordination, diving deep into kernel-level optimizations, database internals, and network protocols.
His channel features in-depth technical discussions on databases, internet protocols, system architectures, and exclusive member-only content on databases.
Popular videos to explore:
- I like this backend
- How to Become a Good Backend Engineer (Fundamentals)
- Google Patches Linux kernel with 40% TCP performance
3. Nick Chapsas
Topics: C#, .NET, JavaScript, networking, software architecture
Posting frequency: 1-2 times a week
Subscribers: 366k
Level of engineering: beginner-advanced
Nick Chapsas, is our maestro for all things C#, .NET, and JavaScript.
We are particularly fond of Nick's Code Cop videos where you can see Nick debunk clean code or best practices tips and tricks from LinkedIn, and go through the problem and solution with him. What's also worth mentioning, are his videos on new .NET feature releases and version comparisons that will give you a glimpse of changes coming to your ecosystem.
Safe to say, you can find all kinds of gems, so we would definitely have Nick's channel bookmarked to keep up with the new updates!
Popular videos to explore:
- My .NET Developer Roadmap for 2023
- The weirdest way to loop in C# is also the fastest
- "Stop Using Automapper in .NET" - Code Cop #001
4. The coding train
Topics: JavaScript to algorithmic art, machine learning, simulation, generative poetry
Posting frequency: infrequent
Subscribers: 1.75M
Level of engineering: beginner-friendly
The coding train is not your usual coding channel. Algorithmic art, machine learning, simulation, or generative poetry - that's what you can expect to see here.
Daniel Shiffman, a passionate Mathematician, runs a dedicated site to create the best beginner-friendly tutorials and creative projects for the community of beginner engineers and code-curious alike. Since 2015, he's been sharing his passion through tutorials and live streams, covering topics that made people fall in love with code, such as the Nature of Code series. The series is based on his book, and dives deep into how can your code capture the properties of nature – and guess what! It's at 45 videos right now and new videos are still being added.
While Daniel has shifted to a much less frequent posting schedule, focusing on quality over quantity, each new video remains a masterclass in creative coding. The choo-choo train also has a Discord with over 10k members who are ready to offer a helping hand with your projects and share some relatable memes with you while you're in there.
Popular videos to explore:
- Coding Challenge 180: Falling Sand
- What was Coding like 40 years ago?
- Cloning Repo and Push/Pull - Git and GitHub for Poets
5. Corey Schafer
Topics: Python, Git, Frameworks, SublimeText, SQL, Terminal tutorials, JavaScript
Posting frequency: about once per month
Subscribers: 1.46M
Level of engineering: beginner-advanced
A channel that brings tutorials to another level has got to be Corey Schafer. With 1.46 million subscribers, Corey is known for his in-depth Python tutorials, covering everything from basic syntax to topics like web development and data analysis.
Being the Master of Python, his channel has detailed explanations of coding concepts with best practices that will take you from beginner to intermediate in less than 30 videos. In addition to Python, Corey also covers other essential topics for backend engineers, including Git, SQL, Pandas, Django, Flask, and more. While his posting schedule is relatively infrequent, each video is a comprehensive deep-dive that often becomes a go-to resource in the community.
Popular videos to explore:
- 10 Python Tips and Tricks for Writing Better Code
- How to Use ChatGPT as a Powerful Tool for Programming
- Python Django Tutorial: Full-Featured Web App Part 1 - Getting Started
6. Alex Hyett
Topics: JavaScript, C++, C#, Ruby on Rails, Python, Software Architecture, DevOps
Posting frequency: Infrequent
Subscribers: 64.9k
Level of engineering: intermediate
With passionate devs swooping left and right, a channel like Alex's really stands out.
Sharing his insights into software engineering processes, Alex has us on our toes with new tech stress testing, where he focuses on testing the functionality with k6 to showcase how to get your application production-ready. While his posting schedule has become quite infrequent in recent years, his existing library of content remains highly valuable.
Alex's channel isn't limited to mere technical talks. As a bonus to dissecting code, he also talks about project management and productivity, with book recommendations and knowledge systems. His videos on software architecture, design patterns, and engineering best practices have garnered significant attention in the developer community.
Popular videos to explore:
- Stack vs Heap Memory - Simple Explanation
- 5 Design Patterns That Are ACTUALLY Used By Developers
- SOLID Principles: Do You Really Understand Them?
7. conaticus
Topics: Rust, JavaScript, C++, C#, Python, Ruby on Rails, Go
Posting frequency: about once per month (irregular schedule)
Subscribers: 61k
Level of engineering: intermediate
Rust is where the hype is right now and with conaticus you can get right to the nitty gritty.
Conaticus' videos cover Rust ecosystems in the form of no mere tutorials but walkthroughs with reflective commentary. Otherwise, he can indulge you with game development and occasional throwbacks of his previous projects with retrospectives and lessons learned. His content has a unique British humor and self-deprecating style that makes complex programming concepts more approachable.
While his posting schedule has become less frequent recently, when he does upload, it's usually substantial projects like building search engines, package managers, or diving deep into systems programming. Similarly to previous channels, there is a dedicated community Discord server with over 1,4k members who actively help each other with coding challenges or simply networking. Definitely worth a look!
Popular videos to explore:
8. ThePrimeTime & ThePrimeagen
Topics: Golang, Rust, JavaScript, Kotlin, Mojo, libraries, AI/ML, Software Engineering
Posting frequency: almost daily (6+ videos per week)
Subscribers: ThePrimeTime: 869k, ThePrimeagen: 504k
Level of engineering: intermediate
A little unconventional and chaotic, Prime is the epicenter of tech YouTube.
If you are into live stream coding, captivating style of presentation, Vim or Rust, ThePrimeTime might be your cup of tea. Well-known for his time at Netflix, he is an experienced full-stack developer turned YouTuber focusing mainly on programming reactions, "The Standup" series covering tech industry news, and discussions about the challenges of being an ADHD software engineer.
The channel has exploded with activity, featuring almost daily uploads including reaction videos to programming content, deep dives into performance optimization, discussions about AI's impact on software development, and his signature "vibe coding" philosophy. We recommend both of his channels, simply because his second channel, ThePrimeagen, takes a more educational spin with tutorials and deeper technical content.
Popular videos to explore:
- How Much Memory for 1,000,000 Threads in 7 Languages | Go, Rust, C#, Elixir, Java, Node, Python
- How to -10x Engineer Correctly
- Why I Quit Netflix
- This Algorithm is 1,606,240% FASTER
9. TechwithTim
Topics: Python, Rust, Golang, JavaScript, C++, libraries, AI/ML, career guidance
Posting frequency: 3-4 times a week
Subscribers: 1.83M
Level of engineering: beginner-intermediate
With over 200 Python projects, Tim is a back-end powerhouse that continues to break down complex topics into easy-to-understand series. His channel is a mother lode for those of you interested in game development, machine learning, AI development, and modern full-stack applications covering Python, JS, C++, and more.
Tim has significantly ramped up his content production, now focusing heavily on AI development, "vibe coding" tutorials, and practical career advice for developers. His recent content includes comprehensive tutorials on building AI agents, voice assistants, web scraping with AI, and full-stack applications. Here's the kicker though, you can also expect engaging live streams, or join his Discord server to feel the true coding camaraderie with weekly challenges and a community that shares progress on their projects.
Popular videos to explore:
- Python Website Full Tutorial - Flask, Authentication, Databases & More
- Learn Python With This ONE Project!
- Python 101: Learn the 5 Must-Know Concepts
10. Fireship
Topics: JavaScript, TypeScript, Dart, Python, databases, AI/ML, tech news
Posting frequency: 1-2 times per week
Subscribers: 3.97M
Level of engineering: beginner-advanced
We're busted.
Jeff Delaney's Fireship is a classic one that cannot be missing on our list. Most know Fireship because of the 100-second mini-series about code, language, and databases. But that's not the only thing in his repertoire.
In The Code Report, he gives cheeky commentary on what's happening in the industry or takes a sneak peek at the new releases and puts them to the test. His recent content has heavily focused on AI developments, major tech company moves, security vulnerabilities, and the rapidly evolving landscape of programming tools and frameworks. We don't even have to mention the obvious talks about Web3 or developer productivity, right?
If there was only one channel we could subscribe to it would definitely be this one!
Popular videos to explore:
- God-Tier Developer Roadmap
- AI influencers are getting filthy rich… let's build one
- I tried 10 code editors
Top 10 Front-end Youtube channels
1. Forrest Knight
Topics: Software Architecture, AI Tools, Java, Python, Kotlin, Career Development
Posting frequency: 2-3 times per month
Subscribers: 660k
Level of engineering: advanced
Forrest Knight is a name you could've come across on the YouTube scene whether you're a front-end or back-end engineer. From 2016 he gathered a loyal fanbase within the programming community and has continued to gain momentum.
What made him so popular, you ask? Sharing his journey. He began documenting his engineering journey from his student days in computer science with each video tackling more complex problems as he gained popularity. His recent content heavily focuses on AI's impact on software development, practical software architecture patterns, and real-world coding experiences.
You can expect videos where Forrest takes you through projects like explaining software architecture through button implementations, reviewing AI coding tools like Claude, and discussing industry trends. His content has evolved to cover more advanced topics like tech debt management, Docker fundamentals, and design patterns that developers actually use. Whether you're a seasoned coder or just starting, Forrest's channel provides practical insights into modern software development.
Popular videos to explore:
- My Visual Studio Code Setup for Web Development
- Why I code on Linux Instead of Windows
- Learn Code Faster with the Feynman Technique
2. CodeTV
Topics: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, libraries, web development
Posting frequency: 2-3 times per month
Subscribers: 103k
Level of engineering: beginner-intermediate
Jason Lengstorf has evolved his content from the original "Learn with Jason" live-streamed pair programming show into CodeTV, creating what he calls "reality TV for developers." His channel now features original programming shows including "Web Dev Challenge" (where developers build custom apps in 4 hours), "Leet Heat" (a spicy game show for web developers with hot sauce penalties for wrong answers), and "Unspoken Tech" (career-focused discussions).
The content has shifted from traditional tutorials to entertainment-focused programming that still delivers valuable web development education. Jason's background as a musician and his experience in developer relations brings a unique entertainment value to technical education. The shows feature real developers working under time constraints, solving practical problems, and sharing career insights in an engaging format.
More than 600 web developers of all levels are part of his Discord community, which extends beyond his YouTube channel and provides ongoing support for developers learning web technologies.
Popular videos to explore:
- Why I'll choose Astro (almost) every time in 2024
- Build a real-time, multiplayer web app
- All About React Query (with Tanner Linsley)
3. Programming with Mosh
Topics: Python, JavaScript, C#, SQL, libraries, Spring Boot, career development
Posting frequency: about once per month
Subscribers: 4.71M
Level of engineering: beginner-friendly
Programming with Mosh is a channel that does not need much introduction.
From our list, it's one of the most popular ones out there – no wonder why. Mosh is great at covering the very basics as well as advanced Python and JavaScript topics in his comprehensive tutorials. He does not shy away from demonstrating frameworks such as Django, Spring Boot, or Docker on real-life projects, with pragmatic approaches you also can get inspired by.
His recent content focuses heavily on career guidance with complete roadmaps for various tech specializations (cybersecurity, blockchain development, DevOps, etc.), comprehensive beginner courses for popular languages, and insights into the evolving job market. Each tutorial is typically 1-2 hours long, providing thorough coverage of topics without fluff.
And the best thing! Each year you can look forward to updated takes on learning tutorials – his 2025 Python and Spring Boot courses show his commitment to keeping content current with industry standards.
Popular videos to explore:
- Python Tutorial - Python Full Course for Beginners
- How to build a REST API with Node js & Express
- JavaScript Tutorial for Beginners: Learn JavaScript in 1 Hour
4. Andrew Burgess
Topics: TypeScript, JavaScript, Git, developer productivity
Posting frequency: about once per month (irregular schedule)
Subscribers: 21.9k
Level of engineering: beginner-advanced
Even though we have channels with more subscribers on the list, Andrew's videos always feel like opening a Christmas present earlier than you're supposed to.
Reflecting on real-life TypeScript challenges he comes in contact with, Andrew will hold your hand, and take you through the entire solving process. He dives deeper into the different parts of TypeScript such as unions, functions, generics, and advanced patterns like builder patterns and fluent interfaces, which can fill the gaps you might have in the advanced concepts.
His recent content has focused heavily on practical TypeScript patterns, Git productivity techniques (like Git worktrees), and JavaScript fundamentals including generators and async patterns. You can also come across his productivity recommendations, neat open-source tools, and some tips about writing shell scripts and developer tooling. His videos on topics like "Rust for TypeScript Developers" show his ability to bridge concepts between different programming paradigms.
Definitely one of the hard-to-skip channels!
Popular videos to explore:
- Rust for TypeScript Developers
- Dotfiles! Here's how I organize them.
- Interfaces vs Type Aliases: what's the difference
5. WebDevSimplified
Topics: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, libraries, React, Next.js, TypeScript
Posting frequency: 1-2 times per week
Subscribers: 1.72M
Level of engineering: beginner-intermediate
If you're starting your web development journey, Kyle Cook will mold you into a web dev wizard.
He is the one behind the Web Dev Simplified where he breaks down complex topics into easy-to-understand chunks with practical applications. With close to 800 videos he covers a variety of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript themes, but also popular frameworks and libraries like React, Vue, Angular, and Node.js. His recent content heavily focuses on cutting-edge CSS features, Next.js 15 updates, TypeScript advanced patterns, and full-stack project tutorials.
Kyle's videos range from quick tips about new CSS properties to comprehensive 8+ hour courses building complete applications from scratch. His "senior developer" series provides practical advice on handling complex scenarios like permissions, internationalization, and feature flags. On top of his YouTube channel, Kyle also built a web development community on his Discord server where you can chat and find other talented developers to collaborate with, share your latest projects, or get help when you're stuck.
Popular videos to explore:
- Learn JSON in 10 Minutes
- Why I Don't Use Else When Programming
- Build Real-Time Face Detection With JavaScript
6. ThePrimeTime
Topics: JavaScript, Vim, Rust, TypeScript, libraries, AI/ML, Software Engineering
Posting frequency: almost daily (6+ videos per week)
Subscribers: 869k
Level of engineering: intermediate
Since we mentioned Prime in the previous section, we'll skip to the main point.
For you, as a front-end engineer, Prime can offer a different perspective whether it is about the choice of your text editor or code formatting. What you can see from glancing at his channel, are tips on how to make your code go "blazingly fast" or choose your logging library without regretting it later.
The channel has exploded with activity, featuring almost daily uploads including reaction videos to programming content, deep dives into performance optimization, discussions about AI's impact on software development, and his signature "vibe coding" philosophy. His content ranges from "The Standup" series covering tech industry news to reaction videos analyzing programming practices and industry trends.
As it goes, his videos are well known for their advanced coding tips and discussions of the latest viral news in the software industry, each time offering a spicy twist on the situation. Primeagen is also sitting on 272k followers on Twitch where he goes live for interactive coding sessions, so if you have any questions for him, this might be the right place to ask. And don't forget about his second channel - ThePrimeagen.
Popular videos to explore:
- Every programming language explained in 15 minutes
- FULL Introduction to HTMX Using Golang
- Vim As Your Editor - Introduction
7. ColorCode
Topics: HTML, CSS, JavaScript
Posting frequency: very infrequent (less than once per month)
Subscribers: 96.3k
Level of engineering: beginner-intermediate
ColorCode might not be as well known as some of our other contenders on this list, however, his delivery makes him stand out from the crowd and grab our attention every time.
With an arsenal of web development and design tutorials, he secured a spot on our list for his way of JavaScript breakdowns, and simple way how to put the problem into perspective. His recent content has focused on advanced JavaScript concepts like defensive programming, immutability, and the event loop, showing a shift toward more sophisticated topics.
Besides JavaScript, you can find videos of him tackling HTML, CSS, and a variety of JS frameworks in short (1 minute) or long (30+ minutes) videos. While his posting schedule has become quite infrequent in recent years, his existing content library provides solid foundational knowledge in web development fundamentals. Just the bread and butter of the front-end.
Popular videos to explore:
- Inheritance in JavaScript - Prototypal Inheritance tutorial
- What is THIS keyword in JavaScript? - Tutorial for beginners
- Fetch API - JavaScript Tutorial for beginners
8. CodeGrid
Topics: JavaScript, CSS, HTML, GSAP, Three.js, advanced animations
Posting frequency: 3 times per week
Subscribers: 136k
Level of engineering: beginner-intermediate
Awwwards tend to inspire many designers and Front-end engineers alike each year– including CodeGrid, who dedicated an entire Youtube channel to recreating award-winning designs.
As the first designer engineer here, he puts a lot of emphasis on advanced CSS animations, GSAP ScrollTrigger effects, and Three.js 3D implementations in practical projects. His recent content has exploded with activity, focusing heavily on recreating "Site of the Day" animations, scroll-triggered effects, and interactive elements that make websites feel alive. So in case that is what makes your heart skip a beat, he gets 10 out of 10 from us.
His video titles are incredibly engaging and descriptive, like "ScrollTrigger Hijacked My Video Playback" or "This Logo Melts Into Fluid Particles When You Hover," showing his focus on cutting-edge web animation techniques. Just like previous YouTubers on the list, he also established a community on Discord where other web developers share their designs and give suggestions for his upcoming videos.
Popular videos to explore:
- Pure CSS Parallax Scrolling | No JavaScript | HTML & CSS
- Sticky NavBar With JQery | HTML, CSS & JavaScript
- Image Hover Liquid Distortion Effect Using HoverEffect (ThreeJS + TweenMax)
9. Matt Pocock
Topics: TypeScript
Posting frequency: 1-2 times per month
Subscribers: 128k
Level of engineering: beginner-advanced
Watching this ex-Vercel TypeScript guru delivers all things TypeScript which will make you dream, think, and eat in TypeScript only.
Matt sits on a gold mine of knowledge about this language and shares it dedicatedly with everyone. You can find quick tip videos, deep dive videos, libraries, resources, and new TypeScript releases and that is still not the end! His recent content has expanded to cover emerging libraries like Effect, Zod 4 updates, and even AI development tools like Vercel's AI SDK, showing his ability to stay current with the TypeScript ecosystem.
His content ranges from practical tips like "6 TypeScript tips to turn you into a WIZARD" to deep dives into advanced concepts and new language features. Matt also covers emerging tools in the TypeScript ecosystem, including Model Context Protocol (MCP) and various validation libraries.
He is actively engaging with his community through Twitter, where he also huddles ideas for his next videos based on the challenges others talk about when working with TypeScript. Truly a great channel where beginners or advanced engineers can learn a lot.
Popular videos to explore:
- Var, const, let… now 'using'?
- Enums considered harmful
- Generics: The most intimidating TypeScript feature
10. Coder Coder
Topics: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, libraries, career advice
Posting frequency: about once per month
Subscribers: 534k
Level of engineering: beginner-intermediate
To finish our front-end list, the last high-five goes to Coder Coder.
She delivers tutorial videos and career advice to aspiring front-end developers at the beginning of their journey. Her beginner-friendly tutorials showcase real-life web pages and application projects from start to finish, with recent content focusing on practical freelancing advice, modern CSS techniques, and responsive design principles.
What you can find on her channel are HTML, CSS, and JavaScript tutorials, developer essential tools including Git, code editors like VSCode, and a variety of debugging techniques. Her recent videos include comprehensive guides on web hosting for freelancers, Sass project setup, and building responsive websites. Her videos will get you through the basics of web development with ease especially if you're starting out, with her signature ASMR coding sessions providing a calming learning experience.
Popular videos to explore:
- Full timelapse + walkthrough of building my website
- Git, GitHub, & GitHub Desktop for beginners
- Code faster with these VS Code shortcuts
A few more for the hungry ones
Rahul Pandey
Topics: tech journey, tech interviews, developer skills, Kotlin, Android development, AI in software
Posting frequency: 1-2 times per month
Subscribers: 121k
Level of engineering: intermediate
If you've ever been interested in becoming the 100x times engineer (and haven't read our article), tips from a former Meta Staff engineer Rahul might be right up your alley. His channel has gems like skills engineers should improve on including soft skills like communication, interviews with different levels of engineers, why your code sucks, and FAANG discussions.
His recent content has expanded to cover the impact of AI on the programming job market, practical productivity tips like using clipboard history, and insider perspectives on working at major tech companies through his "What is [Company] actually like as an engineer?" series. He also provides deep dives into career development, negotiation strategies, and the realities of working at different tiers of tech companies.
Rahul's unique perspective comes from his experience as a Staff Engineer at Meta and his work with Taro, a platform for software engineer career development, giving him insights into both high-level engineering and career advancement strategies.
Popular videos to explore:
- How Working at FAANG Makes Your Life Harder (From A Staff Engineer at Meta)
- Breaking Down The Tech Company Mark Of Death: The PIP
- 7 Levels Of Engineers Describe Software's Most Important Skill
Theo. - t3.gg
Topics: Golang, JavaScript, SQL, libraries, AI
Posting frequency: every second day
Subscribers: 467K
Level of engineering: intermediate-expert
With a little bit of over-the-top thumbnails, Theo might seem like a wild card, but his videos are not what you’d expect them to be - under the clickbait, you’d find content of a golden standard.
Watching this ex-Twitch engineer will get you into the loop of what’s behind the corner with new product releases and software update drill-downs. With somewhat strong opinions on the topics, Theo brings about his point with excellent use cases that will tickle your brain.
He’s great with frameworks, Golang, Adobe products, and anything that might be worth knowing within your sphere as a software engineer. A thumbs up from our team!
Popular videos to explore:
Final thoughts
That’s a wrap! Since there is no shortage of tech YouTube channels this list could continue until the end of all days. However, our list should give you a good overview of the variety of what’s out there. Your seniority, front-end focus, or back-end focus will influence which channels and communities you find helpful during your journey, so don't feel pressured to watch them all.
Did we miss your favorite? Let us know at community@betterstack.com!
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