The Best Apps For Kids in 2026
We researched apps for kids using vendors' official websites, including pricing pages, plan tables, and product documentation. Rankings focus on the category's core job, value for money, and verified features. This guide covers child-focused learning, reading, creativity, and wellbeing apps.
Our top picks
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Top ranked
Khan Academy#1 of 289.3/10A broad free learning platform with optional district administration and AI tools.
Free plan
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Runner-up
PBS KIDS Games#2 of 289.1/10A free, wide-ranging learning game collection for preschool and early elementary children.
Free plan
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Top-ranked free plan
Duolingo#3 of 289.0/10A focused language-learning app with short lessons, review, and speaking practice.
Free plan · 14-day trial
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
The full ranking 28 tools, best first
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Best forFamilies and schools wanting broad free learning
A broad free learning platform with optional district administration and AI tools.
9.3/10★★★★★Visit Khan Academy -
Best forKids wanting free, varied educational games
A free, wide-ranging learning game collection for preschool and early elementary children.
9.1/10★★★★★Visit PBS KIDS -
Best forKids focused on learning languages
A focused language-learning app with short lessons, review, and speaking practice.
Free plan · 14-day trial Our Duolingo verdict → Visit DuolingoFor vendors Sponsor this spot · #3 · $79/mo →9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Duolingo -
Best forEarly learners wanting a broad curriculum
A broad early-learning curriculum with family and classroom tools across web and mobile.
Free plan · 30-day trial Our ABCmouse verdict → Visit ABCmouseFor vendors Sponsor this spot · #4 · $69/mo →8.8/10★★★★☆Visit ABCmouse -
Best forPre-K to Grade 5 math and reading practice
Adaptive math and reading practice with games, reports, and printable worksheets.
Free plan · 7-day trial Our SplashLearn verdict → Visit SplashLearnFor vendors Sponsor this spot · #5 · $59/mo →8.7/10★★★★☆Visit SplashLearn -
Best forKids building reading habits with digital books
A mixed-format children’s library with reading tools for home and school.
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Epic -
Best forStudents in grades 1–8 who enjoy math games
Free core math practice pairs adaptive questions with a fantasy role-playing game.
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Prodigy -
Best forFamilies seeking structured early literacy practice
A free-to-start reading platform with structured phonics and broader learning activities.
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Starfall -
Best forYoung children needing free early math practice
A focused, ad-free introduction to early math for ages 3–7.
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Moose Math -
Best forBeginning readers practicing phonics
A free web reading game with structured phonics practice and comprehension activities.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forFamilies wanting a structured reading program
A structured literacy program with phonics, comprehension practice and 4,000+ digital books.
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Reading Eggs -
Best forChildren learning coding through games
A game-led path from visual coding puzzles to JavaScript, with projects for young learners.
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Kodable -
Best forYoung children making simple stories and games
A free, tablet-based way for ages 5–7 to create simple stories and games.
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit ScratchJr -
Best forFamilies wanting varied, parent-managed activities
A parent-managed learning app with a limited free plan and broader Plus access.
- Parent dashboard
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit Lingokids -
Best forKids focused on playful math and algebra
Playful math apps that progress from number sense and arithmetic to algebra and geometry.
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit DragonBox -
Best forPreschoolers who enjoy open-ended play
A subscription app for preschoolers, with creative activities and offline play.
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit Sago Mini -
Best forFamilies wanting personalized mixed-subject activities
A mixed-subject learning app with adaptive pathways, offline activities, and child profiles.
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit HOMER -
Best forMobile-first families seeking free math activities
A free-to-start mobile math app with offline practice and parent controls.
- Offline use
- Parent dashboard
- Child profiles
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit Todo Math -
Best forYoung learners focused on math and reasoning
Adaptive math games, stories, and tutor guidance for young learners, with a paid plan after trial.
- Parent dashboard
7.0/10★★★★☆Try Funexpected Math -
Best forEarly readers practicing sight words
A focused, self-paced way for early readers to practice sight words.
6.9/10★★★☆☆Visit Endless Reader -
Best forPreschoolers learning letters and vocabulary
A focused, self-paced app for exploring letters and vocabulary through word puzzles.
6.8/10★★★☆☆Visit Originator -
Best forChildren practicing memory, attention, and logic
Gamified cognitive practice with adaptive exercises, reports, and family profiles.
- Parent dashboard
- Child profiles
6.7/10★★★☆☆Visit MentalUP -
Best forChildren seeking free mindfulness activities
Free mindfulness, guided activities and progress tracking for children and families.
6.6/10★★★☆☆Visit Smiling Mind -
Best forChildren aged 4+ exploring science through play
A mobile app portfolio pairing playful science models with open-ended creative tools.
- Parent dashboard
- Child profiles
6.5/10★★★☆☆Visit Tinybop -
Best forChildren who enjoy offline imaginative roleplay
Open-ended, ad-free roleplay for children who prefer imaginative offline play.
- Offline use
6.4/10★★★☆☆Open Toca Boca -
Best forFamilies seeking bedtime stories and mindfulness
A bedtime and wellbeing app with stories, sleep audio, meditations and simple games.
- Offline use
- Child profiles
6.3/10★★★☆☆Visit Moshi -
Best foriOS families wanting puzzles and STEM play
A focused iOS subscription app combining adaptive puzzles, STEM activities, and offline play.
- Offline use
- Child profiles
6.2/10★★★☆☆Visit Thinkrolls -
Best forFamilies preferring open-ended digital toys
An open-ended digital playroom with creative toys, offline access and family controls.
6.1/10★★★☆☆Visit Pok Pok
No tools match those filters.
Compare at a glance
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Khan Academy | Yes | $10/yr | 9.3 |
| 2 | PBS KIDS Games | Yes | Free | 9.1 |
| 3 | Duolingo | Yes | 9.0 | |
| 4 | ABCmouse | Yes | 8.8 | |
| 5 | SplashLearn | Yes | 8.7 | |
| 6 | Epic | Yes | 8.6 | |
| 7 | Prodigy Math | Yes | $58.95/user/yr | 8.5 |
| 8 | Starfall | Yes | $35/yr | 8.4 |
| 9 | Moose Math | Yes | Free | 8.2 |
| 10 | Teach Your Monster to Read | Yes | 7.9 | |
| 11 | Reading Eggs | No | $99.99/yr | 7.8 |
| 12 | Kodable | Yes | $119.99/yr | 7.7 |
| 13 | ScratchJr | Yes | Free | 7.6 |
| 14 | Lingokids | Yes | 7.5 | |
| 15 | DragonBox | No | 7.4 | |
| 16 | Sago Mini World | Yes | 7.3 | |
| 17 | HOMER | No | 7.2 | |
| 18 | Todo Math | Yes | 7.1 | |
| 19 | Funexpected Math | No | $29.99/mo | 7.0 |
| 20 | Endless Reader | Yes | 6.9 | |
| 21 | Endless Alphabet | Yes | 6.8 | |
| 22 | MentalUP | Yes | 6.7 | |
| 23 | Smiling Mind | Yes | Free | 6.6 |
| 24 | Tinybop | No | 6.5 | |
| 25 | Toca Boca World | Yes | 6.4 | |
| 26 | Moshi | Yes | $49.99/yr | 6.3 |
| 27 | Thinkrolls | No | 6.2 | |
| 28 | Pok Pok | No | 6.1 |
Head-to-head All 23 comparisons →
- Khan Academy vs PBS KIDS Games
- Khan Academy vs Duolingo
- Khan Academy vs ABCmouse
- Khan Academy vs SplashLearn
- Khan Academy vs Epic
- Khan Academy vs Prodigy Math
- PBS KIDS Games vs Duolingo
- PBS KIDS Games vs ABCmouse
- PBS KIDS Games vs SplashLearn
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How we rank apps for kids
Every tool on this page was researched by iTechGuides Editors from its official website — pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. We rank on how well each one does this category's core job, what the free or entry plan includes, and where it falls short. Where we have enough verified facts, the score out of 10 is a rubric — job fit, value and how much we could verify — shown with its breakdown on every tool's page; a tool we have not verified enough to score yet shows its rank without a number. Scores are re-checked when a product changes its plans. Read the full editorial policy, or submit a tool we missed.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update