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Best Khanmigo Alternatives in 2025

Looking for free or cheaper alternatives to Khan Academy's AI tutor? Here are your best options.

SpellingJoy TeamSpellingJoy Team
•Last Updated: December 13, 2025
Student using AI tutor

Khanmigo is Khan Academy's impressive AI tutor—but at $44/year, you might be looking for free or cheaper alternatives. The good news: there are several solid options, though none quite replicate Khanmigo's Socratic teaching approach.

Here are the best alternatives depending on what you need: free homework help,math-specific AI, or structured learning without the AI bells and whistles.

Our Top Picks:

1

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.

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Best for - Free homework help from Google
Price - Free
Grades - 6-College
Platforms - iOS, Android

Pros

  • ✓ Completely free
  • ✓ Camera scans homework questions
  • ✓ Step-by-step explanations

Cons

  • ✗ Can give direct answers (less pedagogical)
  • ✗ Better for older students
  • ✗ No parent dashboard
2

Photomath

Photomath lets students scan handwritten or printed math problems and get instant solutions with step-by-step breakdowns. Ideal for homework help.

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Best for - Free camera-based math solving
Price - Free / $9.99/mo Plus
Grades - 6-College
Platforms - iOS, Android

Pros

  • ✓ Instantly solves problems with camera
  • ✓ Offers step-by-step explanations
  • ✓ Covers algebra to calculus

Cons

  • ✗ Encourages over-reliance on answer tools
  • ✗ Limited conceptual teaching
3

Brainly

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.

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Best for - AI + human answers
Price - Free / $24-48/yr Plus
Grades - 4-College
Platforms - Web, iOS, Android

Pros

  • ✓ Free tier available
  • ✓ Combines AI with community answers
  • ✓ 350+ million users

Cons

  • ✗ Ads in free version
  • ✗ Answer quality varies
  • ✗ Can encourage answer-copying
4

Quizlet

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.

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Best for - AI-powered flashcards
Price - Free / $36-48/yr Plus
Grades - 6-College
Platforms - 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

Zearn

Zearn is a standards-aligned digital math platform offering comprehensive instruction, practice, and remediation. Free for families, premium for schools.

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Best for - Free K-8 math instruction
Price - Free (core)
Grades - K-8
Platforms - Web

Pros

  • ✓ Full curriculum for grades K–8
  • ✓ Free access for individuals
  • ✓ Embedded instruction and practice

Cons

  • ✗ Requires stable internet
  • ✗ Interface can feel clinical
6

Khan Academy Kids

Khan Academy Kids offers free, comprehensive early learning content covering reading, math, and more for children ages 2-8.

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Best for - Free learning ages 2-8
Price - Free
Grades - Ages 2-8
Platforms - iOS, Android, Amazon

Pros

  • ✓ Completely free
  • ✓ Comprehensive curriculum
  • ✓ No ads

Cons

  • ✗ Only goes to age 8
  • ✗ Not specialized for spelling
  • ✗ No web version
7

Wolfram Alpha

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.

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Best for - Complex math and science
Price - Free / $5-7/mo Pro
Grades - 8-College
Platforms - Web, iOS, Android

Pros

  • ✓ Solves complex math step-by-step
  • ✓ Covers physics, chemistry, engineering
  • ✓ Shows work (Pro version)

Cons

  • ✗ Step-by-step requires Pro ($5-7/mo)
  • ✗ Overkill for elementary students
  • ✗ Interface not kid-friendly

Frequently Asked Questions

Socratic by Google is the best free AI homework helper—it covers all subjects and provides step-by-step explanations. For math specifically, Photomath is excellent. Neither uses Socratic questioning like Khanmigo, but they're free and effective.

Our Verdict

For free homework help: Socratic by Google is your best bet—free, covers all subjects, and provides explanations.

For math specifically: Photomath's free tier handles most math problems with step-by-step solutions.

For young kids: Khan Academy Kids is 100% free and doesn't need AI features—it's already excellent.

Honest take: If you want AI that TEACHES (not just answers), Khanmigo is worth $44/year. Free alternatives give answers; Khanmigo guides learning. That's the tradeoff.

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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.

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