I Tried 30+ Spring Boot Courses — Here Are My Top 5 Recommendations for 2026

My favorite online courses to learn Spring Boot in 2026

Hello guys, If you’re a Java developer in today’s world then Spring Boot isn’t optional, instead , it’s essential. It’s definitely the most popular Java framework and also the required skill in most of the Java developer job, barring the high-frequently and electronic trading jobs.

At the same time, its big, vast and not that easy to learn, while you can find hundreads of tutorials, chances are you will not learn much than difference between Service, Component, and Repositoriy annotation.

In order to truly learn you need to combine both theory and practice and there are very few resources which does that. But with hundreds of courses out there, which ones actually deserve your time?

I’ve tested over 30 Spring Boot courses across every major platforms like Udemy, Coursera, Baeldung, Educative, and Frontend Masters.

Some were outdated. Some were too beginner-focused. Some were theoretical without practical applications. But a handful stood out as genuinely excellent.

Here are my top five picks that will make you a proficient Spring Boot developer.

5 Best Spring Boot Courses for Java Developers in 2026

Without any further ado, here are my top 5 recommendations for learning Spring boot from scratch in 2026. These include text-based courses, project-based courses as well as video courses to learn better and combine both theory and practice.

1. Enterprise Java with Spring Boot by Josh Long (Frontend Masters)

Platform: Frontend Masters
Instructor: Josh Long (Spring Developer Advocate)
Best For: Developers who want to learn Spring Boot from someone building it

If you want to learn Spring Boot from someone who actually works on the Spring team, this is it. Enterprise Java with Spring Boot by Josh Long is the masterclass you didn’t know you needed.

Josh Long is a Java Champion and Spring Developer Advocate at the Spring team itself. This isn’t just another tutorial — it’s the way Spring’s creators think about building Java applications.

What You’ll Learn:

Spring framework fundamentals including component scanning, lifecycle management, and best practices
RAII, dependency injection, portable service abstractions, and aspect-oriented programming
Spring Boot essentials with autoconfigurations and useful defaults
Rapid prototyping using start.spring.io
Building production-ready REST APIs that scale
Spring Data for database persistence with best practices
Spring AI integration (cutting edge for 2026!)
Microservices patterns and architectural thinking
Docker containerization for cloud deployment

Why It Works:

Josh doesn’t just teach you how to use Spring Boot — he teaches you why Spring Boot exists and when to use each feature. The course feels like you’re being mentored by someone at the cutting edge of Java development.

Reviewers consistently say: “Josh is the teacher I always wanted to learn Spring from.” The inclusion of Spring AI integration also makes this future-proof for 2026 and beyond.

Worth It? Absolutely. If you’re serious about Spring Boot, learning from someone at Spring HQ is invaluable.

Here is the link to — Join Enterprise Java with Spring Boot

By the way, you would need a Frontend Masters membership to watch this course which would cost around $390 for one year or $39 per month if you opt for monthly plan.

This will give you access to 200+ high-quality and in-depth courses, Learning Paths, & Mobile Apps for “On the Go” Learning.

I am big fan of Frontend Masters courses and I highly recommend you to join them if you want to take your web development and JavaScript skills to next level.

Pricing

2. Spring Boot 3, Spring 6 & Hibernate for Beginners by Chad Darby (Udemy)

Platform: Udemy
Instructor: Chad Darby
Best For: Developers wanting a complete framework deep-dive (Spring + Hibernate + Spring Boot)

When you need to learn Spring, Hibernate, and Spring Boot together — not separately — Spring Boot 3, Spring 6 & Hibernate for Beginners is the gold standard.

This comprehensive 33.5-hour course covers the full ecosystem:

Spring Framework 6 fundamentals
Spring Core, MVC, REST, and Security
Hibernate and JPA for database persistence
Thymeleaf for templating
MySQL database integration
Spring Boot 3 with auto-configuration and best practices

Why It Works:

Chad Darby is a master teacher. His lectures are clear, focused, and deep enough to cover topics thoroughly without boring you. He also responds to student questions in the Q&A section, which is rare among top instructors.

With 346,000+ students and a 4.6/5 rating from 62,000+ reviews, this course has proven its value repeatedly.

Worth It? Yes, especially if you want to understand how Spring components work together, not just how to use Spring Boot in isolation.

Cost: Typically $9.99-$14.99 on Udemy when on sale. Never pay full price.

Here is the link to — Join Spring Boot 3, Spring 6 & Hibernate for Beginners

3. Learn Spring: The Certification Class by Baeldung

Platform: Baeldung
Instructor: Eugen Paraschiv (Spring Framework Expert)
Best For: Developers wanting a modern, certificate-backed Spring Boot education

Learn Spring: The Certification Class by Baeldung is created by Eugen Paraschiv, who’s been teaching Spring for over a decade and runs the most trusted Spring resource on the web.

This course is structured for self-paced learning with a focus on practical, modern Spring development.

What You’ll Learn:

Spring 6 and Spring Boot 3 in a guided, code-focused approach
9 in-depth modules covering the core aspects of the framework today
No XML configuration (finally!) — pure annotation-driven development
Hands-on coding with practical step-by-step lessons
Multiple quizzes to test and reinforce learning
Official certificate of completion upon finishing

Why It Works:

This isn’t an old course rehashed. Baeldung’s course is built for 2025–2026 developers using modern Spring practices. The structure allows you to learn at your own pace while the quizzes ensure real comprehension.

Eugen’s teaching is precise and practical — no fluff, no theory without application.

Worth It? Yes. If you value learning from Spring experts and want a certificate to prove it, this is worth the investment.

Cost: Course pricing varies; check the site for current rates and promotions. You can also join their All access subscription to get all courses.

Here is the link to — Join Learn Spring: The Certification Class

4. [NEW] Master Spring Boot 3 & Spring Framework 6 with Java by Ranga Karnam (Udemy)

Platform: Udemy
Instructor: Ranga Karnam (in28Minutes)
Best For: Learners who appreciate step-by-step, systematic teaching

Master Spring Boot 3 & Spring Framework 6 with Java is Ranga Karnam’s focused, hands-on approach to Spring Boot education.

Ranga is known for his systematic, step-by-step teaching style. This course covers:

Spring Initializr and project setup
Spring Boot Actuator for monitoring
Profiles and dynamic configuration
RESTful web services with Spring Boot
Testing Spring applications
Database connectivity with Spring Data
Day-to-day practical skills used in real jobs

Why It Works:

Ranga doesn’t overwhelm you. He breaks down complex concepts into manageable chunks. The course feels like you have a mentor walking you through each step.

Worth It? Yes, if you learn best through methodical, beginner-friendly instruction.

Cost: Typically $9.99-$14.99 on Udemy.

Here is the link to — Join Master Spring Boot 3 & Spring Framework 6 with Java

5. Developing Microservices with Spring Boot (Educative)

Platform: Educative
Best For: Interactive, hands-on learners who want to build microservices

Developing Microservices with Spring Boot on Educative is an interactive, text-based, AI-powered course created by Spring Boot experts.

This course goes beyond basic Spring Boot and teaches you microservices architecture:

What You’ll Learn:

Model-View-Controller (MVC) architecture
Microservices architecture patterns
Spring Boot framework fundamentals
Database integration and configuration
Web UI development with Thymeleaf
Error handling techniques
Production-grade application development
Building your first microservices application

Why It Works:

Educative’s interactive format lets you write and test code directly in the browser. You’re not just watching — you’re doing. The course teaches you to think in terms of microservices, not just monolithic Spring Boot apps.

The inclusion of AI-powered features also makes this modern and future-ready.

Worth It? Yes, especially if you’re tired of passive learning and want to actively build applications.

Here is the link to — Join Developing Microservices with Spring Boot

By the way, you don’t need to join these course individually, you can just get an Educative Unlimited Subscription and you are all set. This single subscription gives access to more than 1200+ AI powered, high-quality, interactive courses for coding interview and learning in-demand tech skills.

Educative Unlimited: Excel with AI-Powered Learning

They are also offering 50% discount now on their 2 year plan which provides best value.

How I Chose These Courses?

To ensure this list stays relevant and valuable, I evaluated each course based on these criteria:

Content Quality & Depth — Does it cover Spring fundamentals, Spring Boot autoconfigurations, REST APIs, data persistence, and modern practices?
Real-World Applications — Are there examples and projects that mirror what you’ll build on the job?
Practical Learning — Does it include hands-on exercises, code walkthroughs, and the ability to practice immediately?
Instructor Expertise — Are the instructors experienced developers or architects with proven Spring knowledge?
Community & Support — Can you ask questions and get feedback?
Platform Features — Does the platform offer additional resources like quizzes, certificates, or interactive coding?
Currency — Are the concepts updated for 2026 with modern Spring Boot 3 and Spring 6 practices?

Important Notes:

Frontend Masters (Josh Long) is the most authoritative but requires a subscription. Best for serious developers investing in their career.
Udemy courses offer excellent value at low prices but vary in depth. The ones I recommended are among the top-rated. Never pay full price.
Baeldung is ideal if you want modern teaching from a trusted expert with a certificate.
Educative excels at interactive learning but has a smaller community than Udemy or Coursera.

My Recommendation on How to Combine These:

If you want the best overall education: Start with Josh Long’s Frontend Masters course for comprehensive mastery, then supplement with Chad Darby’s Udemy course for hands-on practice.
If you want structured learning: Take Baeldung’s certification class first to build a solid foundation, then move to Educative’s microservices course for advanced practice.
If you learn best through step-by-step guidance: Start with Ranga’s course on Udemy, then move to Josh Long’s Frontend Masters course for expert insights.

Final Thoughts

That’s all about the best online courses to learn Spring Boot in 2026. As I have said before, Spring Boot has become the de facto standard for building Java applications. It’s not just a framework — it’s a philosophical shift toward developer productivity and pragmatism.

The courses I’ve recommended will take you from “I know Spring Boot exists” to “I can build production-grade microservices with Spring Boot.” That’s a significant jump in capability.

The investment is small relative to the career boost. Pick one course this month and commit to finishing it. Your future self will be grateful.

Happy learning, and welcome to the Spring Boot revolution in 2026!

P. S. — If you love reading books and learn better from books then you can also start with Spring Start Here: Learn what you need and learn it well by Laurentiu Spilca. It’s a comprehensive and hands-on guide designed to help Java developers quickly master the expansive Spring ecosystem.

Spring Start Here: Learn what you need and learn it well

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