Quick answer: Duolingo ABC is the better pick for focused reading practice: the alphabet, phonics and sight words, from preschool to 2nd grade. Khan Academy Kids is the better pick for a broader mix of reading and math for ages 2 to 8. Both are free and have no ads.
Interactive screen time starts young. According to Common Sense Media’s 2025 census, 40% of children have a tablet by age 2, and screen time for kids up to age 8 stays at about 2.5 hours a day. That makes the choice of learning app something you live with every day.
Duolingo ABC and Khan Academy Kids are both free and ad-free, but they teach in different ways. Duolingo ABC focuses on gamified phonics and early literacy. Khan Academy Kids combines foundational reading with early math and social and emotional skills. This Duolingo ABC vs Khan Academy Kids comparison shows which one fits your child. It also shows where Learning App for Kids fits if you want more subjects and grades.
Risks to Check Before You Choose a Learning App
- Paywalls: Check that the full curriculum is free before you download.
- Ads: Choose an ad-free app, so one accidental tap on a banner cannot pull your child out of a lesson.
- Privacy: Read the privacy policy and the App Store privacy label, and check whether the developer says the app follows COPPA, the US law that governs data collected from children under 13.
Duolingo ABC vs Khan Academy Kids at a Glance
| App | Ages | Grades | What it teaches | Content | Cost | Ads and purchases | Offline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Learning App for Kids | 3 to 10 | Playgroup to Grade 5 | 9 subjects, including English, Maths, Science and Urdu | 236 lessons, about 1,590 activities | Free | None | Android app (Little Scholars): yes; web app: lessons already opened |
| Duolingo ABC | App Store label: 0 to 5 | Preschool to 2nd grade | Alphabet, phonics, sight words, vocabulary | 700+ lessons | Free | None | Yes |
| Khan Academy Kids | 2 to 8 | Preschool to 2nd grade | Reading, math, phonics, social and emotional skills | Hundreds of books, videos and creative activities | Free | No ads or subscriptions | Limited: Kodi’s Suitcase library and Create |
Duolingo ABC
Duolingo ABC teaches kids to read. Its App Store listing describes over 700 hands-on lessons covering the alphabet, phonics, sight words and vocabulary. Lessons run from preschool to 2nd grade.
Each lesson is bite-sized, so a young child can finish one quickly. The app is free, with no ads and no in-app purchases. It also works offline, so lessons go wherever you go.
- Best for: Preschool to 2nd-grade children who need focused reading and phonics practice.
- Pricing: Free
- Standout features: 700+ lessons, offline play, and a tight focus on the alphabet, phonics, sight words and vocabulary.
Strengths
- Free, with no ads and no in-app purchases.
- Works offline.
- One clear goal: early reading.
Limitations
- Teaches literacy only, so families who want math lessons need a second app.
- Content ends at 2nd grade.
Khan Academy Kids
Khan Academy Kids is the broader option. It offers hundreds of books, videos and creative activities for kids ages 2 to 8, from preschool to 2nd grade, though its App Store listing says Made for Ages 0 to 5. It mixes reading games, math games, phonics lessons and interactive storybooks.
Apple’s Editors’ Choice note adds language and social and emotional skills to the list. The app is 100% free, with no ads and no subscriptions, and the listing describes it as COPPA-compliant. Its listing says, “No wifi? No problem! Download books and games for learning on the go.” In practice, only Kodi’s Suitcase, a section of the app’s Library, and the Create area work offline, and the app needs wifi the first time it is set up.
- Best for: Children ages 2 to 8 who need a mix of reading and math.
- Pricing: Free
- Standout features: Hundreds of books, videos and creative activities, plus a downloadable offline library.
Strengths
- Reading, math and phonics in one app.
- Free, with no ads and no subscriptions.
- Partly works offline: books and games saved to Kodi’s Suitcase and the Create area work without wifi.
Limitations
- The rest of the app needs a connection, and wifi is needed the first time you set it up.
- Content ends at 2nd grade, so older children need another platform.
Which App Fits Which Child?
Start with your goal. If you want your child to focus on reading, choose Duolingo ABC. It sticks to the alphabet, phonics and sight words, so you know exactly what your child is practicing.
If you want several subjects in one place, choose Khan Academy Kids. It adds math and social and emotional skills to reading, and that variety keeps sessions fresh. To see how it compares with the main Khan Academy platform, read our guide to the differences between Khan Academy and Khan Academy Kids.
Learning App for Kids: Free Lessons Through Grade 5
Learning App for Kids is a free web app and free Android app for children ages 3 to 10. The Android app is published as Little Scholars. It offers 236 lessons across 7 levels, from Playgroup to Grade 5, so it covers the grades after Duolingo ABC and Khan Academy Kids stop.
Lessons cover 9 subjects: English, Maths, Science, Urdu, Islamic Studies, General Knowledge, Art, Health and Pakistan Studies. The app is bilingual in English and Urdu, including Urdu script. Its interactive tools include Picture Match, an AI tutor and a homework photo helper, and those last two need an internet connection. For a closer look at reading apps, see our Learning App for Kids vs Duolingo ABC comparison.
- Best for: Children ages 3 to 10 who need structured lessons across many subjects, up to Grade 5.
- Pricing: Free
- Standout features: 236 lessons, about 1,590 activities, 9 subjects, English and Urdu, and no account needed to start.
Strengths
- Free, with no subscription, no in-app purchases and no ads.
- No account needed: every lesson opens without signing in.
- Once installed, the Little Scholars Android app works with no network.
Limitations
- There is no iPhone app. On iPhone and iPad, it runs in the browser.
- The web app works offline only for lessons you have already opened online.
- The curriculum is aligned to Pakistan’s Single National Curriculum, so families following another curriculum should map lessons to their child’s schoolwork.
Match the App to Your Child’s Grade and Goals
Check five things: your child’s grade, the subjects you want, how you will use the app offline, the language your child learns in, and what the privacy policy says. For reading only, choose Duolingo ABC. For reading plus math up to 2nd grade, choose Khan Academy Kids.
For more subjects through Grade 5, or for lessons in both English and Urdu, add Learning App for Kids. Start with the app that matches your child today, then move up as they grow.
Ready to start? Open a free lesson in your browser with no account, or install the free Little Scholars Android app.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Duolingo ABC better than Khan Academy Kids?
Neither one wins for every child. Duolingo ABC focuses on reading: the alphabet, phonics and sight words. Khan Academy Kids covers reading, math and social and emotional skills for ages 2 to 8.
Is Duolingo ABC free?
Yes. Duolingo ABC is free, with no ads and no in-app purchases.
Does Khan Academy Kids work offline?
Partly. Books and games saved to Kodi’s Suitcase and the Create area work without wifi, but the rest of the app needs a connection, and you need wifi the first time you set it up.
What age is Duolingo ABC for?
Duolingo ABC is best for children from preschool to 2nd grade, according to its App Store listing. The App Store also labels it as made for ages 0 to 5.