Interaction Design Foundation Alternative: DesignPath vs IxDF
Interaction Design Foundation alternative or the real thing? IxDF is one of the oldest online design schools. Here is how it compares with DesignPath, checked on 27 October 2026.
Interaction Design Foundation Alternative: The Short Answer
The Interaction Design Foundation (IxDF) is a paid membership with 43 evidence-based courses, 163 one-hour master classes and industry-recognised certificates, running since 2002, with a 14-day money-back guarantee. DesignPath's 103+ courses are free; it starts from a skills assessment against your target role and orders what you learn by your widest gaps.
DesignPath vs Interaction Design Foundation (IxDF), Side by Side
| What we compared | DesignPath | Interaction Design Foundation (IxDF) |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A career growth system for product and UX/UI designers: skills assessment, personalised learning path, free courses with practice, and mentor feedback on real work. | An online design school with a membership that includes courses, master classes, templates and a local community network. |
| Price | Free plan. Premium $9.99 a month or $99 a year (7-day free trial on yearly). Written mentor reviews from $25 each. | Paid membership; the current price is on ixdf.org (not shown on its homepage). |
| Free to use | Designer archetype test, skills assessments graded Junior to Lead, competence matrix, personalised growth plan, 103+ free courses with unlimited practice tasks. | A 14-day money-back guarantee on membership. |
| Skills assessment | Yes: 51 skills in 9 categories, scored against targets for 6 design roles at 4 levels. | No skills assessment shown. |
| Learning path | Yes: your widest gaps against your target role decide which themes come first. | 10 structured career programs. |
| Practice | Yes: every course has practice tasks. | Course exercises and templates. |
| Mentor feedback | Written feedback on your real work within 48 hours (paid per review). | Local community groups; no structured mentor reviews described. |
| Certificates | Shareable certificates on Premium. | Industry-recognised course certificates. |
| Best for | Junior and mid-level designers who want to know their level, close the right gaps first and get feedback on real work. | Designers who want deep, academic courses and certificates from a long-standing school. |
Sources and dates are listed at the end of the page. Prices change: check each site before you pay.
Where Interaction Design Foundation Is Stronger
- Depth: 43 courses and 163 master classes from 211+ industry leaders.
- Industry-recognised certificates you can add to LinkedIn.
- A local community in many cities.
Where DesignPath Is Different
- All 103+ DesignPath courses are free, with practice tasks.
- A skills assessment tells you which course you need first for your target role.
- Written mentor feedback on your real work.
Using Interaction Design Foundation and DesignPath Together
Use DesignPath to find your widest gaps for the role you want, then go deep on that topic with an IxDF course if you want a certificate in it.
Try the Free UI/UX Skills Assessment and More
Free UI/UX Skills Assessment
Score 51 skills against your target role and level.
Free UI/UX skills assessmentPersonalised UX Design Learning Path
Your widest gaps decide what you learn first.
Personalised UX design learning pathInteraction Design Foundation Alternative: Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Interaction Design Foundation Free?
No. Full courses require a paid membership; IxDF offers a 14-day money-back guarantee. Check ixdf.org for the current price.
Is There a Free Alternative to IxDF?
Yes. DesignPath has 103+ free UX design courses with practice tasks, a free skills assessment and a free personalised learning path.
How Many Courses Does IxDF Have?
IxDF lists 43 courses and 163 one-hour master classes (checked 27 October 2026).
Sources
- Interaction Design Foundation, homepage (checked 27.10.2026). ixdf.org/