The 4 Best Educational Apps for Kids in 2026
The test for a children's app is not how entertaining it is but what sits behind it: whether it carries ads, whether it pushes purchases, and whether the content was designed by someone who understands teaching or someone who understands retention. Apply that filter and the list shrinks fast. In this guide we compare the 4 best educational apps for kids in 2026.
Apps that let children learn through play
Children's educational apps with age-appropriate content, learning through play, environments free of ads and in-app purchases, and progress reports for families.
Top pick
Khan Academy Kids
Free · 10M+
The Best, and Free On Top
4.5
56K reviews
TopApps analysis
Khan Academy Kids has no ads, no purchases and no subscription because a non-profit keeps it running, and its teaching quality is the highest of the group.
Khan Academy Kids is probably the best free option out there for two- to eight-year-olds: reading, writing, maths and emotional development through stories, songs and activities, with no ads, no in-app purchases and no subscription, because it is run by a non-profit organisation.
Pros
- Completely free, no ads or purchases
- Genuinely strong educational content
- Covers reading, maths and emotional development
Cons
- Most of the content is in English
- Aimed at very young ages
- Needs a fairly large download to get started
Lingokids: Inglés para Niños
Lingokids - Games, Shows & Songs for Kids · Free (with purchases) · 50M+
Best for English
4.3
216K reviews
TopApps analysis
Lingokids is Spanish and teaches English to children aged two to eight with games and songs, with no tests or grades, and also covers basic math.
Lingokids is a Spanish company that teaches English to children aged two to eight through games, songs and videos, with no tests and no grades. The approach is learning through play, and the content also covers basic maths and social skills.
Pros
- Spanish company specialised in young children
- Learning through play, no tests or pressure
- Also covers maths and social skills
Cons
- A subscription is needed for the full content
- Falls short once children turn eight
- Needs supervision to keep screen time in check
Last updated: 2026-07-30
Duolingo ABC: Aprender a Leer
Free · 10M+
Best for Learning to Read
3.9
23K reviews
TopApps analysis
Duolingo ABC takes children from recognizing letters to reading full sentences in very short lessons, free and without a single ad.
Duolingo ABC applies the Duolingo method to children's reading: very short lessons that go from recognising letters to reading full sentences, with the same streaks-and-rewards mechanics. It is free and ad-free, although the content focuses on reading in English.
Pros
- Completely free and ad-free
- Very short lessons suited to a child's attention span
- Clear progression from letters to full sentences
Cons
- Focused on reading in English
- More limited content than Khan Academy Kids
- Uneven user ratings
ChessKid: Ajedrez para Niños
Chess.com · Free (with purchases) · 1M+
Best for Chess
4.5
22K reviews
TopApps analysis
ChessKid teaches chess in a closed, moderated environment, with no chat with strangers and opponents the same age as the child.
ChessKid is Chess.com's version for under-age players: a closed, moderated environment with no open chat, video lessons, age-appropriate puzzles and opponents their own age. It is the safe way for a child to learn chess online without being exposed to strangers.
Pros
- Safe, moderated environment for children
- No open chat with strangers
- Video lessons made for kids
Cons
- Limited content on the free plan
- Falls short once the child improves
- Interface largely in English
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best free educational app for kids?
Khan Academy Kids, by some distance: completely free, with no ads and no in-app purchases, and its content is built on sound teaching principles. Duolingo ABC is also free and ad-free. Lingokids and ChessKid have a more limited free version and run on a subscription.
How much screen time is right for a child?
The recommendations of the Spanish Association of Paediatrics are restrictive: no screens before the age of two, very limited and always supervised use between two and five, and agreed limits after that. An app being educational does not turn it into unlimited time; adult involvement matters more than the specific content.
How do I know whether a children's app is safe?
Three quick signals: no third-party advertising, no in-app purchases, and no open chat with strangers. All four in this guide pass. It is also worth checking the permissions it asks for on installation and switching off purchases in the store on your child's phone.
Are these apps available in Spanish?
Lingokids is developed in Spain and its interface for families is in Spanish, although the content teaches English. A good part of ChessKid's content is in English. Khan Academy Kids and Duolingo ABC are mostly in English, which makes them useful as language support but calls for an adult alongside if the child does not understand it yet.
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