Want to learn MongoDB and looking for alternatives to MongoDB University? We’ve compiled a list of user-recommended, recently-updated online courses and resources that might be worth your while.
Online courses
MongoDB 101: Getting Started
Author: Studio 3T
Price: FREE
Duration: 2+ hours
If you’re tight on time but want to learn MongoDB basics, the creators of the leading professional tool for MongoDB, Studio 3T, have developed a two-hour absolute beginners’ course that covers how to set up a MongoDB Atlas cluster, connect to a database, run simple CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) queries, import and export in various formats, and work with the mongo shell. The course is free, self-paced, and includes self-test progress quizzes throughout.
Sections covered:
- Introducing MongoDB
- Connecting to MongoDB
- Performing Basic MongoDB CRUD Queries
- Aggregating MongoDB Data
- Importing and Exporting MongoDB Data
- Working with IntelliShell
The Complete Developers Guide to MongoDB
Author: Stephen Grider
Price: €149.99
Duration: 13+ hours
If you’d like to learn MongoDB in the Node.js environment, Stephen Grider’s course might be right up your alley. His popular Udemy course not only covers MongoDB fundamentals, but also employs a test-driven approach and focuses on Mongoose, so that students gain enough knowledge to confidently build apps around MongoDB.
Sections covered:
- OSX Setup
- Windows Setup
- A Quick ES6 Refresher
- Core Fundamentals of MongoDB
- A Test-Driven Experience
- Mongo Operators
- Handling Relational Data
- Thinking About Schema Design
- Mongoose Middleware
- Handling Big Collections with Pagination
- Putting Your Skills to the Test
- Hard Mode Engage
- MongoDB with Node and Express
MongoDB Essentials – Complete MongoDB Guide
Author: Bogdan Stashchuk
Price: €199.99
Duration: 10+ hours
Are you a full-stack developer who wants to master working with the mongo shell? Then you’ve found the MongoDB University alternative. Find in-depth examples of MongoDB query operators like $or, $and, $lt, $gt, $type, and $in, along with sections on CRUD, data types, indexes, aggregation, and more.
Sections covered:
- Introduction to MongoDB
- MongoDB Installation Options
- Installing MongoDB on the local computer and dedicated or VPS server
- Using MongoDB as a Service (Cloud MongoDB)
- Installing GUI Tools for MongoDB Management
- Introduction to the MongoDB Shell
- Primary MongoDB Data Types
- Basic CRUD Operations
- MongoDB Queries
- Updating Documents
- Delete Operations
- Aggregation Framework
- Indexes
- Utilities
Node.js, Express, MongoDB & More: The Complete Bootcamp 2020
Author: Jonas Schmedtmann
Price: €199.99
Duration: 42+ hours
For front-end developers looking to master a modern back-end stack that includes Node.js, Express, and MongoDB, Jonas Schmedtmann’s course is one of the most comprehensive you’ll find on Udemy (that’s also among the highest rated). His bootcamp course promises to take you through building a “complete, beautiful & real-world application from start to finish”.
Sections covered:
- Introduction to Node.js and NPM
- Introduction to Back-End Web Development
- How Node.js Works: A Look Behind the Scenes
- Asynchronous JavaScript: Promises and Async/Await
- Express: Let’s Start Building the Natours API!
- Introduction to MongoDB
- Using MongoDB with Mongoose
- Error Handling with Express
- Authentication, Authorization, and Security
- Modelling Data and Advanced Mongoose
- Server-Side Rendering with Pug Templates
- Advanced Features: Payments, Email, File Uploads
- Setting Up Git and Deployment
Udemy offers many course alternatives to MongoDB University and we’ve listed the full prices at the time of writing. Pro tip: A quick Google search for a discount code – or switching to incognito mode – could save you a few bucks 😎
YouTube videos
MongoDB in 5 Minutes with Eliot Horowitz
Who could better explain MongoDB than the (co-)founder himself? Watch MongoDB CTO Eliot Horowitz walk through MongoDB’s core competencies and how the document database differs from relational databases.
MongoDB Crash Course
An update to the popular MongoDB In 30 Minutes video, the folks at Traversy Media cover basic CRUD queries, working with the mongo shell, and how to connect to a MongoDB Atlas-hosted database in this (slightly-longer) version.
Learn MongoDB with Studio 3T
Take care of core MongoDB tasks like building aggregation queries, viewing embedded fields, creating views, and more with step-by-step tutorials from Studio 3T.
MongoDB Complete Introduction & Summary
In case you don’t have the time (or the funds) for their Udemy course, Academind’s 40-minute introduction to MongoDB covers how to set up a MongoDB Atlas cluster and how to write basic CRUD commands in the terminal – for free.
Books
MongoDB: The Definitive Guide
Authors: Shannon Bradshaw, Eoin Brazil, Kristina Chodorow
Price: $33.49
Publication date: December 2019
Now in its third edition, Shannon (who also leads MongoDB University), Eoin, and Kristina from MongoDB have updated the Definitive Guide to highlight advantages available in the latest version, MongoDB 4.2. The book is geared towards administrators who would like to learn more about advanced topics like database configuration, setup, authentication, and authorization, but it also covers core concepts beginners would find useful.
Mastering MongoDB 4.x: Expert techniques to run high-volume and fault-tolerant database solutions using MongoDB 4.x
Author: Alex Giamas
Price: $34.99
Publication date: March 2019
This updated version, which covers new features supported in MongoDB 4.0 like change streams and multi-document ACID transactions, is rich with examples, best practices, templates, and checklists for running MongoDB that have been well-received by new and mid-level MongoDB developers alike.
Beginning Node.js, Express & MongoDB Development
Author: Greg Lim
Price: $16.99
Publication date: July 2019
Greg’s special emphasis on “learning by doing” should manifest in this beginner’s guide to Node.js, Express & MongoDB development. Written in bite-sized chapters and peppered with clear code explanations, no wonder many users consider it one of the best primers for learning the MEN stack.
