PBS KIDS Games vs ABCmouse: Best Educational App for Kids in 2025

PBS KIDS Games offers 280+ free educational games featuring beloved characters like Daniel Tiger and Wild Kratts, making it ideal for preschoolers and early elementary kids who enjoy ad-free, safe play. ABCmouse, a 2025 Google Play Best App, provides a comprehensive curriculum for ages 2–8 with thousands of activities across subjects, perfect for parents seeking a structured learning path. Both apps are top-rated in the kids category, but cater to different needs: PBS KIDS is best for free, character-driven fun, while ABCmouse excels in depth and breadth of learning.

PBS KIDS Games Android app icon

PBS KIDS Games

Rating
★ 4.31
Downloads
10,000,000+
Developer
PBS KIDS
View on Play Store
ABCmouse: Kids Learning Games Android app icon

ABCmouse: Kids Learning Games

Recommended
Rating
★ 4.64
Downloads
1,000,000+
Developer
Age of Learning, Inc.
View on Play Store

The PBS KIDS Games app makes learning fun and safe with educational games for kids with favorites like Daniel Tiger, Wild Kratts, Lyla in the Loop, Weather Hunters, Carl the Collector, and more! Your child can play and learn with 280+ free educational games that are kid tested an…

Pros

  • 100% free with no ads or in-app purchases
  • Over 280 educational games featuring popular PBS characters
  • Bilingual: supports English and Spanish gameplay
  • Kid-tested and designed for safe, independent play
  • Regularly updated with new content aligned to PBS shows

Cons

  • Limited to preschool and early elementary age (2–8 roughly)
  • No structured curriculum or progress tracking
  • Some games require internet connection; offline play limited

Experience the all-new ABCmouse! Kids ages 2–8, including preschool and kindergarten, can enjoy brand-new kids’ learning games, creative play areas, and more—backed by the same award-winning curriculum chosen by over 50 million families worldwide and used in 650,000 US clas…

Pros

  • Award-winning curriculum used by over 50 million families
  • Comprehensive content for ages 2–8 covering reading, math, science, art
  • Interactive learning path with step-by-step progression
  • Includes creative play areas, puzzles, songs, and books
  • Parent dashboard to track child's progress and customize learning

Cons

  • Requires a paid subscription after free trial
  • Large app size (~200 MB) may require significant storage
  • Some parents report occasional difficulty with navigation for younger kids

Final Verdict

Our pick: ABCmouse: Kids Learning Games

For most families, ABCmouse is the superior choice due to its award-winning curriculum, wider age range, and structured progression across subjects. Its 2025 Google Play Best App award and 4.6-star rating reflect its quality and parent approval. However, PBS KIDS Games is an excellent free alternative for younger children who love PBS characters and need a safe, ad-free environment. If budget allows and you want a comprehensive learning tool, choose ABCmouse. For casual, no-cost educational play, PBS KIDS Games delivers exceptional value.

PBS KIDS Games Android app icon

PBS KIDS Games Screenshots

Official app screenshots from the Google Play Store.

PBS KIDS Games Android app screenshot 1
PBS KIDS Games Android app screenshot 1
PBS KIDS Games Android app screenshot 2
PBS KIDS Games Android app screenshot 2
PBS KIDS Games Android app screenshot 3
PBS KIDS Games Android app screenshot 3
PBS KIDS Games Android app screenshot 4
PBS KIDS Games Android app screenshot 4
PBS KIDS Games Android app screenshot 5
PBS KIDS Games Android app screenshot 5
ABCmouse: Kids Learning Games Android app icon

ABCmouse: Kids Learning Games Screenshots

Official app screenshots from the Google Play Store.

ABCmouse: Kids Learning Games Android app screenshot 1
ABCmouse: Kids Learning Games Android app screenshot 1
ABCmouse: Kids Learning Games Android app screenshot 2
ABCmouse: Kids Learning Games Android app screenshot 2
ABCmouse: Kids Learning Games Android app screenshot 3
ABCmouse: Kids Learning Games Android app screenshot 3
ABCmouse: Kids Learning Games Android app screenshot 4
ABCmouse: Kids Learning Games Android app screenshot 4
ABCmouse: Kids Learning Games Android app screenshot 5
ABCmouse: Kids Learning Games Android app screenshot 5

Frequently Asked Questions

Which app has higher ratings?

ABCmouse has a higher rating of 4.63 compared to PBS KIDS Games' 4.31, based on Google Play reviews. Both are well-regarded, but ABCmouse edges ahead in user satisfaction.

Can my child play offline?

PBS KIDS Games allows some games to be downloaded for offline play, but not all. ABCmouse requires an internet connection for most activities, though some content can be accessed offline after download.

Are there ads or in-app purchases?

PBS KIDS Games is completely free with no ads or in-app purchases. ABCmouse is subscription-based (after a free trial) and contains no third-party ads, but the subscription is required for full access.

What are the device requirements?

Both apps require Android 5.0 or later. ABCmouse needs about 200 MB of free space, while PBS KIDS Games is smaller (around 50 MB). Both work on phones and tablets.

Which app should I choose for my 4-year-old?

For a 4-year-old who loves characters like Daniel Tiger or Wild Kratts, PBS KIDS Games is a fantastic free option. If you want a structured learning curriculum covering multiple subjects, ABCmouse is better suited for age 4 and up.