AI tutors are transforming education—but which ones actually help kids learn vs. just give answers? We tested them all.
SpellingJoy Team
•Last Updated: December 13, 2025
AI tutoring apps are the fastest-growing category in educational technology. From Khanmigo (Khan Academy's AI tutor) to Socratic by Google, these apps promise 24/7 homework help and personalized instruction.
But here's the critical question: Do they help kids learn, or just give them answers? We tested the leading AI tutoring apps to find which ones actually promote learning—and which are glorified answer machines.
⚠️ Important for Parents
Not all AI is equal. Khanmigo uses Socratic questioning to guide students—it won't just give answers. Apps like Photomath and Socratic give direct solutions. Choose based on whether you want your child to LEARN or just GET ANSWERS.
Khanmigo is Khan Academy's AI tutor powered by GPT-4. Unlike ChatGPT, it's designed to guide students through problems using Socratic questioning rather than giving direct answers. Safe, educational, and parent-friendly.
✓ Guides students to answers (doesn't just give them)
✓ Socratic questioning method
Cons
✗ Requires Khan Academy subscription
✗ Web only (no mobile app yet)
✗ Still in development (new features rolling out)
2
Synthesis Tutor
Synthesis Tutor is an AI math tutor from the team behind the experimental school Elon Musk started at SpaceX. Covers K-5 math with a warm, patient, multisensory approach. Especially effective for neurodiverse learners. 7-day free trial, no credit card required.
Best for - K-5 math, great for neurodiverse learners
Price - $300/yr or $95/yr family
Grades - K-5
Platforms - Web, iOS
Pros
✓ Born from SpaceX experimental school
✓ Multisensory, hands-on learning
✓ Adapts to child's ability in real-time
Cons
✗ K-5 math only (ages 5-11)
✗ No Android app yet
✗ Relatively new product
3
Socratic by Google
Socratic by Google uses AI to help students with homework. Snap a photo of a question and get step-by-step explanations. Free and from Google, but designed more for quick answers than guided learning.
Brainly combines AI answers with a community of students and experts. Students can snap photos of homework questions and get explanations. Large user base but quality varies.
Quizlet's Q-Chat is an AI study buddy that helps explain concepts and quiz students. Combined with millions of flashcard sets, it's a powerful study tool for vocabulary, history, science, and more.
Wolfram Alpha is a computational knowledge engine that can solve complex math, physics, and chemistry problems. Pro version shows step-by-step solutions. Best for older students and STEM subjects.
Duolingo Max adds AI features to the popular language app: Roleplay (practice conversations with AI) and Explain My Answer (get grammar explanations). Premium price for premium AI features.
Purpose-built educational AI apps like Khanmigo and Socratic are designed with safety in mind—they're filtered, focused on learning, and don't have the risks of general chatbots. Khanmigo specifically guides students rather than giving direct answers. Avoid letting young kids use general AI chatbots (ChatGPT, Claude) unsupervised.
Our Verdict
For actual learning: Khanmigo is excellent for K-12—it uses Socratic questioning to teach, not just answer. Worth $44/year.
For young kids (K-5): Synthesis Tutor stands out with its multisensory approach and is especially good for neurodiverse learners. Family plan covers up to 7 kids for just $95/year.
For free homework help: Socratic by Google is excellent and completely free. Just be aware it gives direct answers.
Our recommendation: Khanmigo or Synthesis for learning new concepts, Photomath/Socratic for checking work.
The SpellingJoy team is dedicated to creating free, high-quality spelling resources for K-6 students and their families. We test every app we review and provide honest assessments to help parents make informed decisions.
