Free Educational Apps for Kids: The Genuinely Free Ones, by Age and Subject
Updated · By Edulist · 14 sources
How we picked these apps
Every app here is genuinely free for a family to use at home, as of October 2026, based on each developer's published pricing. We note the catch when there is one: ads, a device limit, or a paid tier. We left out apps that are only free through a school account, like Epic, and apps whose free version is too limited to be useful.
Our ranked, deeper reviews live in best learning apps for kids and best free reading apps for kids. This guide is the quick map of what's free.
The best free educational apps for kids at a glance
| App | Ages | Subjects | Devices | The catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khan Academy Kids | 2–8 | Reading, math, social-emotional | iOS, Android | None: no ads or purchases |
| PBS KIDS | 2–8 | Early learning across subjects | Web, iOS, Android, Chromebook | A few show-specific apps cost money |
| Duolingo ABC | Pre-K–2 | Letters, phonics, early reading | iOS, Android | None: no ads or purchases |
| Khan Academy | K–12 | Math, science, ELA, test prep | Web, iOS, Android | Khanmigo AI tutor is $4/month |
| Code.org | K–12 | Coding, computer science | Web | None |
| Scratch and ScratchJr | 5–16 | Creative coding | Web, apps | None |
| Zearn | K–8 | Math | Web | None for families |
| XtraMath | Grades 1–6 | Math facts | Web, Chromebook | Optional $6/year family plan |
| TypingClub | 4 and up | Typing | Web | Ads; ad-free is $35/year |
| Teach Your Monster to Read | 3–6 | Phonics | Web (free); app $8.99 | Free only in a computer's browser |
| Bedtime Math | 3–9 | Everyday math | iOS, web | None |
| Swift Playgrounds | 8 and up | Coding (Swift) | iPad, Mac | Apple devices only |
Free learning apps for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 2–5)
- Khan Academy Kids is the best all-around free app for this age. It mixes stories, letters, numbers and drawing in a guided path, with no ads, subscriptions or in-app purchases.
- PBS KIDS games and videos feature familiar characters. The website, PBS KIDS Games app and Video app are free.
- Duolingo ABC teaches letter sounds and early reading in short lessons, free with no ads.
- ScratchJr, part of Scratch, lets 5- to 7-year-olds snap together picture blocks to make characters move. It's a gentle first step into coding.
- Teach Your Monster to Read is free to play in a web browser on a computer. The phone and tablet app is a one-time $8.99 in the US.
More picks for little ones are in best apps for toddlers.
Free learning apps for elementary kids (ages 5–10)
Reading
- Duolingo ABC and Khan Academy Kids cover early reading through about age 8.
- Starfall has some free reading and math activities on starfall.com. A home membership unlocks the rest for $35 a year.
- For older readers, your library's Libby app offers free ebooks and audiobooks with a library card.
Math
- Zearn gives K–8 students free digital math lessons with on-screen teachers.
- XtraMath builds math fact fluency in a few minutes a day for grades 1–6.
- Khan Academy covers every grade with mastery practice.
- Bedtime Math offers free daily math problems for ages 3–9, funded by a nonprofit.
- Prodigy is free to play, but memberships ($9.95 to $19.95 a month) unlock much of the game. Kids notice.
See more in best math apps for kids and free math programs.
Coding
- Code.org has free self-paced courses for every grade, with no ads.
- Scratch lets kids 8 and up build games and animations and share them.
Typing
- TypingClub has a full free typing course with ads.
- Dance Mat Typing from BBC Bitesize is a free, playful intro for grades 2–5.
Free learning apps for tweens and teens (ages 10+)
- Khan Academy: free middle and high school math through calculus, sciences, grammar, and SAT prep.
- Code.org: free middle and high school computer science courses.
- Swift Playgrounds: Apple's free app teaches real Swift coding on iPad or Mac.
- Mathigon: free interactive math courses for ages 11 to 18 and the Polypad manipulatives tool.
- Duolingo: free language lessons with ads; Super Duolingo is paid.
- Typing.com: the core typing course is free with ads.
- CK-12: free STEM textbooks and the Flexi AI tutor.
Free educational websites that work like apps
Some of the best free learning tools are websites. These run on a laptop or Chromebook with no download:
- National Geographic Kids: free animal and science reading for ages 3–12.
- Crash Course Kids: free science videos for ages 8–11.
- Math Antics: free math videos for ages 8–14.
- Art for Kids Hub: free drawing lessons.
Our best educational websites for kids covers more.
How to tell if a "free" app is really free
Before you download, check five things:
- In-app purchases. App stores show "In-App Purchases" near the Get button.
- Ads. Ads in kids' apps can be distracting and sometimes inappropriate. Ad-free is worth a lot.
- School-only access. Some apps are free for teachers but paid for families.
- Trials. "Free for 7 days" means a subscription. Set a reminder to cancel.
- Data. Read the privacy policy, especially for apps that let kids chat or share.
Every listing on Edulist shows the current pricing and free version, so you can compare quickly in free apps.
Making free apps work
Free apps are best as a supplement, not a whole education. A few habits help:
- Pick one app per skill. Three math apps rarely beat one used well.
- Set a routine. Fifteen minutes of Zearn before lunch works better than open-ended screen time.
- Look at the parent dashboard. Khan Academy Kids, Khan Academy and Zearn show progress.
- Balance screens. Our guide to screen time and learning apps has age-by-age suggestions.
A sample free week for a 6-year-old
| Day | App time (about 15 minutes) | Off-screen follow-up |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Khan Academy Kids reading path | Read a library picture book together |
| Tuesday | Duolingo ABC lesson | Write three words with letter tiles |
| Wednesday | Zearn math lesson | Count and sort coins |
| Thursday | ScratchJr project | Tell the story the project acts out |
| Friday | PBS KIDS Games, child's choice | Nature walk or art |
The whole week costs nothing, and each screen session leads to something hands-on.
When a paid app is worth it, and how to fund it
Sometimes a paid program fills a real gap, like a complete phonics path or a tutor-style math app. If you live in a state with an ESA, apps and software are often allowed expenses, sometimes within a technology cap (Texas caps technology at 10% of the yearly award). See what ESA funds can be used for.
Save the apps you'd pay for to your wishlist. Edulist shows how scholarships typically treat each one and helps you apply once to programs that may cover them.
Programs that help
- Khan Academy Kids: the best completely free app for ages 2–8.
- Duolingo ABC: free, ad-free early reading.
- Code.org: free coding for every grade.
- Zearn: free K–8 math lessons.
- TypingClub: a full free typing course.
Programs that help
Sources
Questions
What is the best completely free learning app for kids?
For ages 2 to 8, Khan Academy Kids is the standout: it covers reading, math and social-emotional skills with no ads, subscriptions or in-app purchases. For older kids, Khan Academy covers K–12 math, science and more for free.
Are there free educational apps without ads?
Yes. Khan Academy Kids, Khan Academy, Duolingo ABC, Code.org, Scratch and Zearn are free with no ads. TypingClub's free version and the GoNoodle app show ads. PBS KIDS apps are free and built for kids.
What free apps are good for a 4-year-old?
Khan Academy Kids, PBS KIDS Games, Duolingo ABC and ScratchJr all work for preschoolers. Teach Your Monster to Read is free on a computer's web browser for ages 3 to 6. Keep sessions short and sit with your child when you can.
What free apps are good for a 7-year-old?
Khan Academy Kids still fits through age 8. Many 7-year-olds are ready for Zearn math, XtraMath facts practice, Code.org's early courses, ScratchJr or Scratch, and TypingClub. Duolingo ABC suits kids still building early reading.
Why do some 'free' apps ask for payment later?
Many apps are freemium: a few levels are free and the rest need a subscription. Starfall, Prodigy, ABCya and Todo Math work this way. Others are free only with a school login. Check the pricing note on each app's listing before your child gets attached.
Keep exploring
Save the apps that fit your kids
Save products free, then apply once for the scholarships that can pay.