Struggling to find a learning app that actually works? There are hundreds out there, and most of them are mediocre at best.
We pulled together 19 educational apps that are genuinely worth your time. Some are built for exam prep, others for picking up a new language or teaching your kids to code. A few of these hand out certificates from companies and universities you have actually heard of. Here are our picks for adults and kids alike.
Best FREE educational apps for kids and adults
1. Khan Academy
Khan Academy is the gold standard and nothing else comes close for free K-12 content. Whether you are a student cramming for finals, a teacher looking for supplementary material, or an adult brushing up on algebra you forgot ten years ago, the platform delivers. Their Android and iOS apps let you take courses anywhere, and the depth of material across math, science, economics, and computing is remarkable for something that costs zero dollars.
The Khan Academy Kids app deserves a separate mention. Built for younger learners, it covers everything from English to social studies, mixing in games and quizzes to keep children engaged. Available on Android and iPad.
2. Udemy
Udemy runs on a marketplace model where individual instructors create and sell their own courses. That means quality varies wildly, but the best courses on graphic design, video editing, SEO, programming, and language learning rival anything you would find at a community college. Wait for one of their frequent sales and you can grab premium courses for under $15.
Certificates are available after completing a course and its assignments. These carry less weight than a university credential, but they look fine on a LinkedIn profile and prove you put in the work.
3. YouTube
Calling YouTube an “educational app” feels almost unfair to how much ground it covers. People have taught themselves entire careers from YouTube videos: web development, photography, plumbing, you name it. The sheer volume of free tutorials, lectures, and explainer content on the platform is unmatched by anything else on this list.
Of course, you have to wade through a lot of noise to find the good stuff. But channels like 3Blue1Brown for math, CrashCourse for science and history, and countless language teachers make watching a video on YouTube one of the most accessible ways to learn anything on the planet.
4. edX
If you want an actual degree from Harvard, MIT, or Microsoft-backed programs without relocating your life, edX is where you should look. The platform now offers full master’s and even Ph.D. programs alongside its shorter courses. You can audit many classes for free and only pay when you want a verified certificate.
Download edX from Google Play or the App Store to take courses on your phone or tablet.
5. Coursera
Coursera partners with universities and big tech companies like Google, IBM, and Meta to offer structured courses and professional certificates. The catalog spans business, computer science, art, design, marketing, and entrepreneurship. What sets Coursera apart from Udemy is the institutional backing: when you finish a Google IT Support certificate here, it actually carries weight with employers.
Available on Android, iOS, and the web.
6. SoloLearn
Want to learn Python, C++, HTML, CSS, or PHP for free? SoloLearn has one of the largest collections of beginner-friendly coding content out there. Lessons are bite-sized, so you can squeeze in practice during a lunch break or a commute. Available on both Google Play and the App Store.
7. Photomath
Point your camera at a math problem and Photomath solves it. That alone would be useful, but what makes the app genuinely educational is the step-by-step breakdown it gives you for each solution. You also get animated how-to walkthroughs, interactive graphs, and a scientific calculator built right in.
Available on Google Play and the App Store.
8. Duolingo
Duolingo’s streak system is genuinely addictive, which is probably the point. The app gamifies language learning so effectively that over 300 million people use it regularly. Spanish, French, German, Italian, Arabic, Korean, and dozens of other languages are available, all wrapped in short daily lessons that feel more like a game than homework.
An Editor’s Choice pick on Google Play, Duolingo works on both Android and iOS. The free tier is surprisingly generous.
9. TED
TED talks cover everything from astrophysics to art therapy, delivered by experts who are usually pretty good at keeping your attention. The app gives you access to thousands of these talks, with personalized playlists and offline viewing so you can queue up something worthwhile for your next flight.
10. Lumosity
Lumosity takes a different angle from the other apps on this list. Instead of teaching you a subject, it trains your brain through games targeting memory, attention, flexibility, speed, and problem-solving. Your training program adjusts based on performance, and you can track progress over time.
The games are designed by neuroscientists, and the daily reminders help you stick with it. Whether the “brain training” concept holds up under rigorous scientific scrutiny is debatable, but the exercises themselves are fun and feel like a mental workout.
11. Let’s Read
A wonderful little app for kids who love books. Let’s Read promotes early reading skills and is great for storytime with parents or grandparents, since many of the books include a read-aloud feature. Available on Android and iPad.
12. Sago Mini Apartment
Sago Mini Apartment is playful and imaginative. Kids explore rooms, interact with characters, and learn through open-ended play rather than structured lessons. Think of it less as a classroom and more as a creative sandbox. Available on Android and iPad.
13. Improve English: Word Games
Focused entirely on English language skills, this Android app bundles games, quizzes, a dictionary, thesaurus, grammar exercises, and writing practice into one package. Suitable for teenagers and adults who want to sharpen their vocabulary or tighten their grammar. The interface is straightforward and easy to navigate.
14. HelloTalk Language Exchange
HelloTalk pairs you with native speakers so you can practice real conversations instead of just memorizing vocabulary lists. The app includes translation tools, transliteration, pronunciation help, and group chats organized by language. If Duolingo teaches you the theory of a language, HelloTalk is where you go to actually use it with real people.
Available on Android and iPad. Best suited for teenagers and adults.
15. Quizlet
Quizlet’s flashcard system works better than it has any right to. Over 13 million people use it for exam prep, and for good reason: the combination of flashcards, practice tests, and games makes memorizing material less painful than staring at a textbook. High school and college students get the most out of it, though anyone studying for a certification or license will find it useful too. Download on Android or iPad.
16. Kahoot!
Kahoot! turns quizzes into live competitions, and it works equally well in classrooms, corporate training sessions, and family game nights. Teachers and trainers create quiz games on any topic, and participants join using a code on their phone or tablet. The competitive element keeps people engaged in a way that traditional quizzes never could. All ages, Android and iPad.
17. Rosetta Stone
Rosetta Stone has been around since the CD-ROM era, and the app version carries forward that same immersive approach to language learning. Over 20 languages are supported, and the method leans heavily on visual and audio cues rather than translation. You build vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation skills at your own pace, with instant feedback on your speaking through voice recognition technology.
An online community lets you practice with other learners, which helps bridge the gap between structured lessons and real-world conversation.
18. BrainPOP
BrainPOP uses animated videos, quizzes, and interactive games to teach K-12 students about science, social studies, English, math, and the arts. The animations are short and well-produced, making complex topics accessible to younger learners. Teachers can track student progress through built-in assessments.
19. Tynker
Tynker teaches coding to kids ages 5 through 17 by letting them build their own games, animations, and interactive stories. The curriculum covers loops, variables, and functions through visual block-based coding that gradually introduces real programming concepts. Coding challenges disguised as puzzles reinforce problem-solving along the way.
All content aligns with national education standards, so parents can feel confident about the quality. A solid choice for any child curious about how apps and games are actually built.
The right app depends on what you are trying to learn. For exam prep, Khan Academy and Coursera give you structured content backed by real institutions. Language learners should start with Duolingo for the basics and move to HelloTalk or Rosetta Stone for deeper practice. Younger kids will get the most from Tynker and BrainPOP. Nearly all of these apps are free to download with optional paid upgrades, so try a few and see which ones stick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the benefits of using educational apps?
A: They let you learn on your own schedule, give you instant feedback on what you got wrong, and make dry subjects more engaging through games and interactive exercises. For people without easy access to good schools or tutors, these apps can fill real gaps.
Q: What are the best educational apps for adults?
A: It depends on what you want to learn. For career-focused skills and certificates, go with Coursera or edX. For picking up a new language, Duolingo is hard to beat as a starting point. Khan Academy covers a wide range of academic subjects for free, and TED is great if you just want to learn something interesting during your commute.
Q: What are the best educational apps for children?
A: Khan Academy Kids, Tynker, and BrainPOP are the standouts.
Q: Are these educational apps free or paid?
A: Most offer a free version that covers the basics. Some, like Khan Academy, are completely free. Others like Coursera and Rosetta Stone have a freemium model where you can audit courses or access limited content without paying, but full features and certificates require a subscription or one-time purchase.
Q: Can educational apps replace traditional education?
A: Not entirely. You lose the back-and-forth with a live teacher, the accountability of showing up to class, and the social skills that come from learning alongside other people. But as a supplement? They are excellent. Use them for self-paced review, exploring subjects your school does not cover, or getting a head start on material before a semester begins.
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