Getting ready to start my CW journey (currently unlicensed but studying for General). I'm hearing great things about both CW Academy and LCWO.net for learning from scratch.

CW Academy seems more structured with mentors, but there's a waiting list. LCWO I can start immediately and it's free.

Has anyone used both? Which would you recommend for going from zero to 20 WPM? I'm pretty self-disciplined but also like having guidance.

CW Academy offers comprehensive mentor-guided learning that's perfect for beginners who thrive in structured environments. The personal coaching is invaluable - having an elmer who can spot your bad habits early is worth the wait. That said, LCWO is one of the most popular and accessible platforms available if you want to start now.

I used LCWO to learn the basics then joined CW Academy Level 2. LCWO at 20 WPM character speed and 5 WPM effective speed using Farnsworth timing got me started quickly. CW Academy is designed to be used with expert coaches to help you - the combination worked great for me!

Both are excellent! LCWO is ideal for flexible, online-based training accessible anywhere and suitable for self-paced learning. I'd suggest starting with LCWO immediately, then applying for CW Academy once you're comfortable with basic characters. No need to wait around when you can be learning now.