Gimkit's free Basic plan opens just a few game modes, and unlocking the rest costs $59.88 a year. Here are seven alternatives worth a look.
STSpellingJoy Team
•Last Updated: July 8, 2026
The best Gimkit alternatives are Blooket, Quizizz, and Kahoot. Each keeps the competitive, game-based feel students love while offering a more generous free tier than Gimkit's, where most modes stay locked until you pay.
Gimkit deserves credit for one rare thing: its free Basic plan welcomes unlimited students, so nobody gets shut out of a game. The trade-off is variety. Basic surfaces only about three rotating game modes, and the rest of the catalog, along with the assignment tool, lives behind Gimkit Pro at $59.88 per year or $14.99 monthly. New educators do get a 14-day Pro trial, but once it ends the free experience narrows considerably.
We built this list by comparing each platform's free versus paid features, student limits, game-mode counts, and store availability. The picks range from free-heavy game shows to adaptive learning worlds, so you can replace whichever part of Gimkit you relied on most.
Where Gimkit's Free Plan Falls Short
Limited modes: Only around three game modes rotate on Basic, so the free variety runs thin quickly
Assignments locked: Independent, self-paced practice requires a Pro subscription
Yearly cost: Unlocking everything means $59.88 a year, a real line item for out-of-pocket teachers
Trial expiry: The 14-day Pro trial is short, and the experience shrinks once it lapses
Choosing Your Next Platform
Decide what you value most. If breadth of free game modes matters, Blooket hands you far more without a paywall. If you want review students can tackle on their own time, Quizizz handles self-paced assignments cleanly. And if your real aim is durable subject growth rather than a review game, Prodigy and BrainPOP tie the fun directly to curriculum-aligned learning.
† Pricing note: Prices are checked against each vendor's official website or help center at the time of writing, but vendors change plans and prices at any time. Always confirm current pricing on the vendor's own site before purchasing.
1
Blooket
Best free mode variety
Blooket is a free, browser-based gamified quiz platform where students answer question sets through collectible game modes. The core product is free; Blooket Plus is $4.99/month billed annually ($59.88/yr) or $9.99/month month-to-month, unlocking up to 300 players, detailed reports, and extra creation tools.
Best for:A rotating lineup of themed game modes at no costPrice:Free / $4.99/mo Plus (annual)†Grades:K-12Platforms:Web
Pros
Core platform is completely free to host and create games
Rotating collectible game modes keep review fresh
Blooket Plus raises live games to 300 players (60 on free)
Cons
Web-only, with no native iOS or Android app
Plus monthly Flex billing is a steep $9.99/mo
Larger games and detailed reports are locked behind a subscription
2
Quizizz (now Wayground)
Best self-paced quizzes
Quizizz officially rebranded to Wayground in June 2025 (a rename by the same company, not an acquisition). The Basic teacher plan is free with a 20-activity storage cap and includes AI, lessons, and assessments; the individual Super upgrade is no longer publicly priced, and School/District plans are quote-based. Available on web, iOS, and Android.
Best for:Assignments students finish independently with automatic gradingPrice:Free Basic / School plans by quote†Grades:K-12Platforms:Web, iOS, Android
Pros
Free Basic plan includes AI generation, lessons, and assignments
Large content library plus iOS and Android apps
School plans add unlimited storage and LMS integrations
Cons
Free Basic caps saved activities at 20
Individual paid Super price is no longer publicly listed
Most advanced features require a quote-based School plan
3
Kahoot!
Best live team energy
Kahoot! is a game-based learning platform where teachers create live quizzes that students answer on their devices. Over 9 billion cumulative participants. Free basic plan, paid plans from $48/year.
Best for:Projector-friendly rounds that get the whole room shouting answersPrice:Free / $48-72/yr (teacher)†Grades:K-12Platforms:Web, iOS, Android
Pros
Free basic plan for teachers
Live multiplayer quizzes students love
Huge library of user-created kahoots
Cons
Free plan limited to 10 players
Premium features require paid plans
Can be more game than learning
4
Quizlet
Best study companion
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.
Best for:Turning any word or term list into flashcards and review gamesPrice:Free / $36-48/yr Plus†Grades:6-CollegePlatforms:Web, iOS, Android
Pros
Free basic version
AI explains concepts (Q-Chat)
Millions of pre-made flashcard sets
Cons
AI features require Plus subscription
Primarily for memorization
Less helpful for math problem-solving
5
Prodigy
Best adaptive math game
Prodigy uses game-based learning to teach math, with a newer English/ELA component.
Best for:Free curriculum-aligned math practice inside a role-playing worldPrice:$59-180/yr†Grades:Grades 1-8Platforms:Web, iOS, Android
Pros
Engaging game format
Free basic version
Curriculum aligned
Cons
In-game purchase prompts
Premium expensive
Primarily math-focused
6
BrainPOP
Best teaching content
BrainPOP uses animated videos to teach concepts across all subjects for K-8 students.
Best for:Short animated lessons that pair with quizzes across subjectsPrice:$119-159/yr†Grades:K-8Platforms:Web
Pros
Engaging animated videos
Covers all subjects
Quiz assessments
Cons
Expensive
Not spelling-specific
7
ABCya
Best for early grades
ABCya offers educational games for Pre-K through 6th grade across all subjects. Free with ads, or pay for ad-free premium access.
Best for:A large free library of quick games sorted by grade levelPrice:$70/yr (ad-free)†Grades:Pre-K-6Platforms:Web, iOS, Android
Pros
Large game library
Free tier with ads
Covers all subjects
Cons
Free version has ads
Games vary in educational value
Not a structured curriculum
Frequently asked questions
Is Gimkit free?
Gimkit offers a free Basic plan that supports unlimited students, which is unusually generous, but it only opens about three rotating game modes at a time. The rest of the library and features like assignments sit behind Gimkit Pro, priced at $59.88 per year or $14.99 per month. New educators can trial Pro free for 14 days.
What is the best free alternative to Gimkit?
Blooket is the top free pick because it hands you a wide range of themed game modes without locking most of them behind a subscription. Quizizz is the runner-up when you would rather assign review as self-paced work. Both let unlimited students join a session using a simple code.
Is Blooket better than Gimkit?
For teachers on a tight budget, Blooket often wins because more of its game modes stay free, whereas Gimkit reserves much of its variety for Pro. Gimkit counters with a deeper strategy layer, since students earn and reinvest virtual money as they answer. Try both free tiers and let your class reaction decide.
How much does Gimkit Pro cost?
Gimkit Pro runs $59.88 billed once per year, or $14.99 if you pay month to month. The upgrade unlocks every game mode plus the assignment feature for independent practice. New educators get a 14-day Pro trial, which is enough time to test whether the paid modes justify the yearly cost for your classroom.
Does Gimkit work without student devices?
Not really. Gimkit is a browser-based platform where each player answers on their own screen, so students generally need individual Chromebooks, laptops, or tablets. If a shared projector setup is what you have, Kahoot and Blooket both support team play where small groups cluster around a single device to compete together.
Can I use a Gimkit alternative for spelling drills?
These quiz platforms are built around picking a correct choice, so they check spelling recognition more than the ability to write a word from memory. When you want students spelling terms out loud or by keyboard with audio support, a focused spelling tool works better. Our free spelling apps guide highlights options designed for that hands-on drill.
Our Verdict
Gimkit's unlimited-student free plan is a genuine perk, yet the thin mode selection nudges many teachers to look further. For the widest free variety, Blooketis the standout — its themed modes stay open without demanding a yearly fee.
When you want review to double as homework, Quizizz (now Wayground) is built for self-paced assignments, and Kahootstill owns the loud, projector-driven live round.
Our recommendation: Lead with Blooket for free game-mode breadth, add Quizizz for independent practice, and turn to Prodigy or BrainPOP when the priority shifts from quick review to steady mastery of the material.
ST
About the Author
SpellingJoy Team
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.
