Is Build It With Phoenix - Real-time Chat (full course) worth it if you’re shopping in Software Development?
If you have spent the last few months watching Phoenix tutorials that stop right before the database connection, you know the specific frustration of “almost there.” You can spin up a server, but the moment you need to handle presence, real-time typing indicators, or persistent data with Ecto, the documentation feels like a maze. Build It With Phoenix - Real-time Chat (full course) by Geoffrey Lessel is built to close that gap. It is not a “hello world” intro; it is a full-stack build of a chat application that forces you to confront the architectural decisions real projects demand. At $99, you are paying for a structured path through LiveView, Channels, and Ecto that assumes you want to ship something that actually works, not just a demo that crashes on the second user.
Quick answer
| Best for | Developers who know the basics of Elixir but need a guided, end-to-end project to master Phoenix LiveView, Presence, and Ecto. |
| Skip if | You are looking for a zero-to-hero Python/JS tutorial, or if you need a course that covers deployment to Kubernetes (this focuses on the application logic and architecture). |
| Price | $99 |
| Format | Video course with transcripts and full source code downloads. |
| One-line take | A rigorous, three-phase deep dive that turns Phoenix concepts into a functional, real-time chat app. |
What you’re actually buying
You are not just buying a playlist of videos; you are buying a working codebase that evolves alongside the lessons. The course is structured into three distinct phases, each targeting a specific slice of the Phoenix stack that usually trips up developers. In Phase 1, you get Phoenix running and build the core chat room interface. This is where the foundation is laid, ensuring you understand the flow of data before you add complexity. (Build It With Phoenix - Real-time Chat)
Phase 2 is where the “real-time” promise gets real. You will implement Phoenix Presence and Channels to handle users joining, leaving, and typing in real-time. This is the part of Phoenix that makes it unique, and the course walks you through the architectural decisions required to keep that state synchronized without melting your CPU. You are not just copying code; you are learning why the architecture looks the way it does. (Build It With Phoenix - Real-time Chat)
Finally, Phase 3 brings in Ecto. This is the phase that separates a toy project from a production-ready application. You will persist data to a database, handle errors, and implement validation with Changesets. The inclusion of full source code downloads means you can pause the video, break the code, and see exactly how the pieces fit together. It is a rare $99 investment that gives you both the conceptual map and the literal map of the territory. (Build It With Phoenix - Real-time Chat)
One buyer noted the depth of the material, saying, “It was amazing tutorial, will probably go over from start one more time, and more notes this time.” Gumroad reviews
Why it’s on our radar
This course stands out because it refuses to skip the hard parts. Most Phoenix tutorials stop at “here is how to send a message.” Build It With Phoenix pushes you into the weeds of refactoring and pivoting when assumptions break. The fact that it covers debugging and architectural decisions alongside the coding makes it a valuable resource for developers who are ready to move from “I can follow a tutorial” to “I can build a system.” The specificity of the deliverables—transcripts, source code, and a focus on LiveView/Presence/Ecto—makes it a strong choice for anyone serious about the Elixir ecosystem.
What actually matters
Before you buy, check if you are comfortable with the Elixir syntax. The course explains the basics, but it moves quickly into application logic. If you are brand new to functional programming, you might want to spend a week with the Elixir docs first. (Build It With Phoenix - Real-time Chat)
Verify that the course covers the version of Phoenix you are currently using. The listing mentions a main product page at builditwithphoenix.com where you can find the latest details on version compatibility. Since Phoenix evolves rapidly, ensuring the course aligns with your current stack will save you from version mismatch headaches.
Look at the source code structure. The course emphasizes refactoring, so the final codebase should be clean and modular. If you are using this to learn best practices, the quality of the final code is just as important as the video content. (Build It With Phoenix - Real-time Chat)
Mid-check
If you are ready to build a real-time application that handles presence and persistence, this is a solid investment. (Build It With Phoenix - Real-time Chat)
FAQ
Is this course suitable for complete beginners to Elixir? The course covers the basics and explains most concepts along the way, but it is designed for those who have some familiarity with the language. If you are starting from absolute zero, you might want to supplement with introductory Elixir resources. View the course details
Do I get the source code? Yes, the course includes source code downloads. This allows you to follow along, break the code, and experiment with the architecture. Check the download options
What technologies are covered? You will learn Phoenix LiveView, Phoenix Presence, Channels, and Ecto. The course focuses on building a chat application, so these are the core tools you will master. Learn more about the stack
Bottom line
If you want to move beyond “hello world” and build a real-time application that handles the complexities of user presence and data persistence, Build It With Phoenix is a strong choice. It provides the structure, the code, and the architectural insights you need to build with confidence.