Being an excellent software engineer won’t be enough to get you that coveted role at a top tech company. You need great interview skills, and the best way to improve is to do mock interviews.
Preparing on your own helps you brush up on your fundamentals, but you won’t know how well you perform under pressure unless you practice with peers and experts.
We understand that not everyone has industry connections. That’s where software engineer mock interview platforms come in. To help you find the best platform for your needs, we’ve put together a curated list of the best SWE mock interview platforms you can explore.
Click here to do mock interviews with ex-FAANG interviewers
1. Why are mock interviews important for SWEs?
Applying for an in-demand role like a software engineer, you need to set yourself apart from other candidates with top-notch interview skills.
The good news is, like any other skill, interviewing can be learned. The best and most effective way is to practice with mock interviews.
In a mock interview, you pretend to have a job interview with a coach or another person. A good one should simulate the conditions of a real interview.

In a mock interview, you pretend to have a job interview with a coach or another person. Booking one with an expert can help you:
-
Practice real interviews. Real interviews require thinking on your feet which you can’t simulate by yourself or with an AI bot.
-
Get feedback from real experts. Friends or peers can’t give you the high-quality feedback that gets you to the next level.
-
Increase your confidence. Interviews can be nerve-racking. Practicing with a coach builds confidence.
-
Gain company-specific insights. Pick a coach who’s a calibrated interviewer for the company and role you’re interviewing for.
-
Focus your prep on what matters. Save weeks of unnecessary prep time by creating a study plan that cuts through the noise.
-
Pick the right interview stories to tell. Understand what interviewers really want to hear about.
In short, use mock interviews to prepare so you can do your best during the interview process.
So, where do you even start? Usually, you can split your prep into two stages:
- Solo practice: Answering SWE interview questions on your own until you’re able to clearly explain relevant concepts and show your thought process.
- Mock interviews: Simulating real interviews with another engineer or expert coach, so you can practice explaining your approach and managing the stress of a live interview.
Practicing on your own is useful for researching what questions to expect and how to structure your answers. It’s equally important to learn how to share your thought process clearly and confidently with another person.
Do I need to pay for mock interviews?
Unpaid mock interviews, whether it’s done with industry peers or with friends, are helpful, especially for building confidence.
But for best results, you should combine these free sessions with interviews with an expert in your field, who can give you better and more constructive feedback.
How do I prepare for a mock interview?↑
To prepare for a mock interview, whether it’s your first ever or first after a while, follow these steps:
- For your first mock interview, practice by conducting a self-interview out loud. Act as both the interviewer, asking questions, and the candidate, providing answers. This method may feel odd initially, but it's proven to be effective.
- If you've previously participated in mock interviews, take time to consider past mistakes and feedback. Prepare for your upcoming mock interview by ensuring you don't repeat the same errors.
If you want to find out more about mock interviews, click here to read our deep dive "What is a Mock Interview".
2. Best software engineer mock interview platforms
2.1 Best platforms for technical mock interviews↑
#IGotAnOffer

- Price: 2, 3, 4, 5 credits per 1hr coaching (1 credit=$50 /volume discounts available)
- Average rating: 4.95
- Number of expert coaches available: 100+
- Stands out for: ease of booking, 100% money back guarantee, interviewers from top tech companies
IGotAnOffer has hundreds of ex-interviewer coaches with software engineering experience at Google, Meta, and other top tech companies. Many of them have also coached candidates who have gotten offers at emerging tech companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, and NVIDIA.
To find a coach who fits the bill, you can easily filter our roster based on your requirements: service, role, or company. Click on a coach’s profile, see their credentials and hourly availability, and learn more by reading real reviews from clients.
To book a coaching session, you’ll first need to buy credits. Each credit starts at $50. Coaches cost 2,3, 4, or 5 credits per 1-hour coaching session. If you don’t find your session helpful, you can get a full refund.
When booking a coach, you can tell them what you want to work on: whether it’s answering a coding or system design question with a defined framework, how to talk through your thought process, etc.
#Interviewing.io

- Price: from $225 per hour (for FAANG coach)
- Average rating: not available
- Coach expertise: technical interviews, big tech insights
- Stands out for: offering fully anonymous mock interview session with audio and chat (but no video)
Interviewing.io is unique in that it offers total anonymity for its mock interview sessions. Also, some of their interview guides are superbly written and go into excellent detail.
If you’ve got the budget to spare and you’re focused on getting hired at Amazon, Google, or Meta, their multi-session dedicated coaching might be a good investment. This package pairs you with a senior interviewer from your target company who can tailor a lesson plan for you.
Learn more about Interviewing.io and other good alternative mock interview websites.
#Exponent

- Price: from $200 per hour
- Average rating: 4.8
- Coaching expertise: handpicked and vetted coaches from top tech companies
- Stands out for: extensive interview courses and verified question library, peer mocks section
Exponent mainly focuses on courses, but it does offer mock sessions with expert software engineers starting at $249 per hour (though you’ll also find some of the same coaches at IGotAnOffer for a lower price). It also offers the Ace the Interview Program ($1499) which includes a readiness assessment, 5 mock sessions, 1-year access to courses, and 20% off on other coaching services. If you’re on a budget, join a free scheduled mock interview with other candidates in their peer mocks section or use Pramp, a peer mock interview platform they've acquired.
Check out our article on Exponent to learn more about its services and alternatives.
#DesignGurus

- Price: starts at $149 for general interviews; starts at $215 for mocks with experts from target company
- Average rating: not available
- Coach expertise: coaches for candidates with advanced software engineering knowledge
- Stands out for: designed for advanced practice
DesignGurus is designed for those who have already covered the basics and want something more advanced for their interview preparation, especially in system design.
They do have a budget-friendly option, but if you want a coach from your target company, you’ll have to shell out more. But with its reputation for advanced system design practice, it’s a platform worth checking out if you don’t mind the price.
Check out our lists of the best coding interview sites and best system design interview platforms for more options.
2.2 Best platforms for behavioral mock interviews
#IGotAnOffer

- Price: 2, 3, 4, 5 credits per 1hr coaching (1 credit=$50 /volume discounts available)
- Average rating: 4.9 on own website
- Coach expertise: technical interviews, big tech insights
- Stands out for: ease of booking, 100% money back guarantee, ex-FAANG interviewers
IGotAnOffer has hundreds of ex-interviewer coaches who have done behavioral interviews at all the top tech companies. You can easily find one to help you tailor your answers to your target companies.
To find a coach who fits the bill, you can easily filter our roster based on your requirements: service, role, or company. You can learn more about the coach by clicking on their profile.
To book a coaching session, you’ll first need to buy credits. Each credit starts at $50. Coaches cost 2,3, 4, or 5 credits per 1-hour coaching session. If you don’t find your session helpful, you can get a full refund.
#Hello Interview

- Price: from $170 for general mock interview/from $289 for target company mock interview (pricing varies according to seniority)
- Average rating: not available
- Coach expertise: vetted FAANG+ interviewers from top tech companies like Meta, Google, and Amazon
- Stands out for: focused on engineering mock interviews, excellent free and premium resources, 100% money back guarantee
Hello Interview is a popular tech interview prep platform for candidates who want to land a job at FAANG and other top tech companies.
If you don't mind paying a premium, it’s a decent choice for booking a mock interview, career coaching with an expert, and other exclusive learning resources. Do note that the website does the coach matching for you, so you won’t be able to choose your own coach like at IGotAnOffer.
Learn more about Hello Interview and other alternatives.
#The Muse

- Price: from $155 to $659 (depending on the tier)
- Average rating: 4.8 stars on Featured Customers
- Coach expertise: vetted coaches categorized into three levels: Mentor, Coach, and Master Coach
- Stands out for: a range of options for different coaching needs and budgets
The Muse is a highly rated career website offering a range of services, including behavioral mock interviews with a roster of high-quality coaches. It has 3 pricing tiers determined based on coaches’ experience level. You can filter out your options based on these tiers.
#Tech Mock Interview

- Price: from $120 per hour (for recommended US coaches)
- Average rating: not available
- Number of expert coaches available: 30+
- Stands out for: Different rates per coach
Tech Mock Interview offers mock interviews with experts in tech, along with mentoring, salary negotiation consultation, and resume reviews for tech candidates. Its interview coaches offer different rates based on their years of experience, expertise, and session duration.
2.3 Best platforms for budget-friendly mock interviews
#Pramp

- Price: Free with an Exponent account
- Average rating: not available
- Coaching expertise: Free peer mock interviews
- Stands out for: Free practice, partner matching system, good customer service
Pramp is a peer-to-peer mock interview platform hosted on Exponent. It lets you pair with other users for live interview practice in tech roles like software engineering.
Many candidates start off doing free mock interviews on here, then move on to paid interview coaching to get to the next level.
It’s a great platform to use if you have plenty of prep time left before your interview, or if you’re already confident in your interviewing skills and just want extra practice. The downside? You’re practicing with peers, not vetted professionals with training experience.
Click here to read our comprehensive review of Pramp.
#MeetAPro

- Price: starts at $40 per session
- Average rating: not available
- Coaching expertise: verified coaches from Google, Meta, or Amazon with extensive experience
- Stands out for: affordable pricing, built-in session recording
MeetAPro is a mock interview platform designed for people preparing for technical roles at companies like Google, Meta, Amazon, and other top tech employers. If you want transparency, control, and the ability to speak with coaches before committing, MeetAPro is an affordable option. That said, the platform just launched in 2022, so it doesn't have the extensive user base or long-term reputation of competitors like IGotAnOffer.
Learn more about MeetAPro’s services in our comprehensive review.
Are you ready for your software engineer interviews?
There’s no perfect roadmap, but if you keep practicing deliberately and learning from feedback through mock interviews, you’ll be well on your way to acing your SWE interview.
If you’re interested in other online coaching or mentoring services, check out our list of recommendations:
- Best coding interview practice sites
- Best system design mock interview platforms
- Best resume review services
- Best interview coaching services
- Best job search coaching services
- Best job interview training services
- Best career coaching services
- Best tech career coaching services
- Best online coaching platforms
- Best leadership and executive coaching services
- Best career transition coaching services
- Best salary negotiation coaching services
- Best online mentoring platforms
As we’ve seen, practicing interviews can significantly boost your odds of landing your desired software engineer role. And truthfully, landing a job at a big tech company often results in a $50,000 per year or more increase in total compensation. In our experience, three or four coaching sessions worth ~$500 make a significant difference in your ability to land the job. That’s an ROI of 100x!
Use our mock interview service to connect with skilled SWE interviewers from FAANG+, top AI labs, and many other top companies.







