Khan Academy Kids vs Alison: Best Free Education Apps for Kids & Adults

Khan Academy Kids is designed for young children (ages 2-8) with interactive reading, math, and phonics games, ideal for parents seeking educational screen time. Alison targets older teens and adults with over 6,000 free courses in business, tech, health, and more, perfect for career advancement. Both apps are free with high ratings, but serve very different age groups and learning goals.

Khan Academy Kids Android app icon

Khan Academy Kids

Recommended
Rating
★ 4.61
Downloads
10,000,000+
Developer
Khan Academy
View on Play Store
Alison: Online Learning App Android app icon

Alison: Online Learning App

Rating
★ 4.69
Downloads
10,000,000+
Developer
Alison eLearning
View on Play Store

Make screen time more meaningful with Khan Academy Kids—the award-winning, educational app for kids ages 2–8. Packed with fun, standards-aligned reading games, math games, phonics lessons, and interactive storybooks, the app has helped over 21 million preschool and elementary…

Pros

  • Award-winning educational content for ages 2-8
  • Standards-aligned reading, math, and phonics games
  • Interactive storybooks and fun characters like Kodi the Bear
  • Completely free with no ads or in-app purchases
  • Offline access to activities once downloaded

Cons

  • Only suitable for young children (ages 2-8)
  • Limited advanced topics beyond elementary level
  • Requires account creation for progress tracking

Learn Anything, Anywhere, Anytime With Alison’s Free Online Courses. Alison is a free online learning app for education, career development, and job-ready skills. Join 50+ million learners across 195+ countries using Alison to learn online and earn globally recognised, CPD-accr…

Pros

  • Over 6,000 free courses across diverse fields
  • CPD-accredited diplomas and certificates available
  • Self-paced learning with lifetime access to course materials
  • Available in multiple languages, global community of 50M+ learners
  • No ads or subscription fees for basic courses

Cons

  • Not designed for young children; interface for older teens/adults
  • Some advanced courses may have limited interactivity
  • Certificate verification may require payment

Final Verdict

Our pick: Khan Academy Kids

For early childhood education, Khan Academy Kids is the clear winner with its engaging, standards-aligned content and kid-safe design. Alison excels for adult learners seeking free, accredited courses and certificates. However, if you need an app for a child, choose Khan Academy Kids; for self-paced professional development, choose Alison. Neither app is suitable for the other’s audience. Overall, Khan Academy Kids gets the recommendation for its unique focus on young learners and award-winning quality.

Khan Academy Kids Android app icon

Khan Academy Kids Screenshots

Official app screenshots from the Google Play Store.

Khan Academy Kids Android app screenshot 1
Khan Academy Kids Android app screenshot 1
Khan Academy Kids Android app screenshot 2
Khan Academy Kids Android app screenshot 2
Khan Academy Kids Android app screenshot 3
Khan Academy Kids Android app screenshot 3
Khan Academy Kids Android app screenshot 4
Khan Academy Kids Android app screenshot 4
Khan Academy Kids Android app screenshot 5
Khan Academy Kids Android app screenshot 5
Alison: Online Learning App Android app icon

Alison: Online Learning App Screenshots

Official app screenshots from the Google Play Store.

Alison: Online Learning App Android app screenshot 1
Alison: Online Learning App Android app screenshot 1
Alison: Online Learning App Android app screenshot 2
Alison: Online Learning App Android app screenshot 2
Alison: Online Learning App Android app screenshot 3
Alison: Online Learning App Android app screenshot 3
Alison: Online Learning App Android app screenshot 4
Alison: Online Learning App Android app screenshot 4
Alison: Online Learning App Android app screenshot 5
Alison: Online Learning App Android app screenshot 5

Frequently Asked Questions

Which app has a higher rating?

Alison has a slightly higher rating (4.68) compared to Khan Academy Kids (4.61), but both are highly rated.

Can I use these apps offline?

Khan Academy Kids allows offline access to downloaded activities. Alison requires internet for streaming courses, but some materials can be saved offline.

Do these apps contain ads?

Neither app contains third-party ads. Both are free and ad-free.

What are the device requirements?

Both apps require Android 5.0 or higher. Khan Academy Kids is optimized for tablets, while Alison works on phones and tablets.

Which app should I choose for my child?

Choose Khan Academy Kids for children ages 2-8. Alison is intended for adult learners and is not suitable for young kids.