Top-rated Kotlin programming courses on YouTube for beginners

Looking for the “best” Kotlin course on YouTube in 2026 means you’re looking for content that is not only high-quality but also up-to-date with the modern Kotlin ecosystem (like Compose Multiplatform, latest language features, etc.).

While I can’t see the future, I can provide you with a definitive list of the best and most-likely-to-stay-relevant channels and courses on YouTube, along with a strategy for finding the newest content in 2026.

Table of Contents

Top Tier, Always-Relevant Kotlin YouTube Channels

These channels are run by Google, recognized experts, and dedicated educators. They are your best bet for having high-quality, current content in 2026.

1. Google for Developers (and Android Developers)

This is the official source. They consistently release new content that reflects the latest best practices.

Why it’s great for 2026: They are at the forefront of Kotlin’s development, especially for Android and Compose. Any “course” or playlist they release will be the gold standard for modern development.
What to look for: Search for their “Kotlin Bootcamp” or playlists on “Android Basics in Kotlin.” They also have deep dives into Jetpack Compose.
Channel Link: Google for Developers

2. Philipp Lackner

Philipp is one of the most popular and clear instructors for modern Android development with Kotlin.

Why it’s great for 2026: He is extremely active and constantly updates his content to match the latest trends (Compose, Clean Architecture, MVVM). His teaching style is very practical and project-based.
What to look for: His “Complete Kotlin Course” playlists and any project-based tutorials (e.g., “Build a [App Name] with Jetpack Compose”).
Channel Link: Philipp Lackner

3. Stevdza-San

Another excellent educator who focuses on clean, modern Android development with Kotlin and Jetpack Compose.

Why it’s great for 2026: His content is very well-structured and easy to follow. He excels at explaining concepts in a simple way and is great for beginners and intermediates looking to build modern apps.
What to look for: Look for his “Kotlin Course for Beginners” and any Compose-related tutorials.
Channel Link: Stevdza-San

4. Kotlin by JetBrains

The official channel of the company that created Kotlin. This is the source for deep technical talks and announcements.

Why it’s great for 2026: This is where you’ll hear about new language features, K2 compiler updates, and Kotlin Multiplatform directly from the engineers. It’s less of a “beginner course” and more of a “masterclass” resource.
What to look for: Keynotes from KotlinConf, deep dives into specific features, and Multiplatform tutorials.
Channel Link: Kotlin by JetBrains

5. Coding with Mitch

A seasoned instructor known for his clear and professional teaching style. He has comprehensive courses on Kotlin Coroutines and clean architecture.

Why it’s great for 2026: He focuses heavily on the difficult, essential topics that don’t change as rapidly (like Coroutines, Flow, Architecture). This foundational knowledge will be critical in 2026.
What to look for: His playlists on “Kotlin Coroutines” and “Clean Architecture.”
Channel Link: Coding with Mitch

How to Find the Best 2026 Course When the Time Comes

Since you’re planning for the future, here is your action plan for 2026:

Use YouTube’s Search Filters:
- Go to YouTube and search for “Kotlin course.”
- Click the “Filter” button.
- Select “Upload date” and choose “This year” or “This month” to see the most recently published courses.
Search with Specific, Modern Keywords:
- Don’t just search “Kotlin course.” Be specific.
- Try these searches in 2026:
  - "Learn Kotlin 2026"
  - "Jetpack Compose Course 2026"
  - "Kotlin Multiplatform Course 2026"
  - "Kotlin for Beginners 2026"
Check the Channels Listed Above:
- Go directly to the channels of Philipp Lackner, Stevdza-San, and Google Developers. Sort their videos by “Most recent” and look for new course playlists they’ve released.
Evaluate the Course Content:
- Publication Date: Is it clearly from 2025 or 2026?
- Tools Used: Does it use the latest stable version of Android Studio, Kotlin, and Jetpack Compose? Avoid courses still using XML for UI if you want to learn modern Android.
- Comments Section: Are the comments recent and positive? Do people point out if something is outdated?

Summary & Recommendation for 2026

For Absolute Beginners in 2026: Start with the latest “Kotlin for Beginners” playlist from Philipp Lackner or Stevdza-San.
For Modern Android Development (Compose): The Google Developers channel and Philipp Lackner will be your most reliable sources.
For Advanced Topics & Kotlin’s Future: The official Kotlin by JetBrains channel is unmatched.

By focusing on these active, high-quality channels and using the search strategy above, you will have no problem finding the best and most up-to-date Kotlin course on YouTube in 2026. Happy learning.