^ This. Also, in my experience, video-heavy apps like Coursera are a pain on a spotty train connection. I've tried many over the years and Mimo Pro Coding and AI App was way smoother for that 45-minute commute.

• Handles Python basics without needing a desk.
• Way cheaper than Brilliant if you dont miss a sale.
• No boring lectures, just quick coding snippets. Honestly, skip the heavy video stuff on a train.

> Budget: No more than $25 a month really Honestly, if you want to keep costs down, you have to check out DataCamp Premium Mobile Learning Subscription. It is absolutely fantastic for learning on the go and way cheaper if you catch one of their frequent sales! I love it because the LLM and Python tracks are super fast. It fits your budget perfectly and makes that 45 minute ride fly by!

I've used that interactive app for years and honestly, I'm so satisfied with it. It made my commute actually productive without the boring college vibe. No complaints here, it really works well for picking up Python basics while on the move... tbh I still use it even tho I'm not a total newbie anymore. TL;DR: Stick with the interactive option; its perfect for learning without feeling like school.

To add to the point above: those are all decent but I've been really satisfied with how Enki App Pro AI Subscription handles the fundamentals. It's super reliable and I've had zero complaints about it glitching out when the train signal gets wonky in the city. It just works well without making things feel like a chaotic experiment. Quick tip: skip the fancy stuff and focus on mastering loops and logic first. If your foundation isn't solid, the AI stuff won't make sense anyway. Quick question tho... are you looking to actually write your own scripts eventually or do you just want to understand the high-level concepts? Makes a big difference in which reliable path I'd suggest.

^ This. Also, I totally get the Chicago commute struggle... those 45 minutes on the Blue Line or whatever can be a grind if you are just staring out the window. I actually started with Sololearn Pro Monthly Subscription a few months back and honestly, I have been super satisfied with it. You mentioned it earlier, and ngl, it is not as basic as people say once you get into the specific AI and Python tracks. I really like how it handles the offline stuff when the train goes underground too. No complaints here about the interface. Here is why I think it works well for your situation:

• The community quiz sections keep you awake better than a video lecture ever could.
• It costs way less than your $25 limit, usually around $12 or $13 a month.
• You can actually write and run code right on your phone screen and it actually works. If you want something a bit more structured but still mobile-friendly, Codecademy Go App is also solid for keeping the Python logic fresh while you are moving. Both are perfect for that ride without feeling like you are studying for a mid-term... basically just keeps things chill and productive.