The best Buddy.ai alternatives in 2026

Voice-based AI tutor that teaches young children English words through talk and games. Buddy.ai scores 7.3/10 in our AI learning apps for kids ranking. 5 alternatives score higher. Every app below is scored with the same published rubric.

Buddy.aiFree trial · from $14.99/month · Our review7.3/10

6 alternatives, best first

Full AI learning apps for kids ranking →
  1. 1

    Khan Academy Kids

    Best forFamilies with children aged 2–8 who want a broad, completely free learning app with no ads or upsells

    Free, ad-free reading and maths app for ages 2–8 with a personalised learning path

    Has that Buddy.ai doesn't: Reading or phonics practice · Maths practice

    Free

    Our Khan Academy Kids verdict →Buddy.ai vs Khan Academy Kids

    8.3/10★★★★★Visit ↗
  2. 2

    Read Along by Google

    Best forChildren who know the alphabet and are learning to read, especially in English, Spanish, Portuguese or Indian languages

    Free reading app whose AI reading buddy listens as children read aloud, even offline

    Has that Buddy.ai doesn't: Reading or phonics practice · Works offline

    Free

    Our Read Along by Google verdict →

    8.1/10★★★★★Visit ↗
  3. 3

    Ello

    Best forParents of 5–9-year-olds who want a tutor that actually listens to their child read

    AI reading and maths tutor for ages 5–9 that listens as your child reads aloud

    Has that Buddy.ai doesn't: Reading or phonics practice · Maths practice

    Free plan

    Our Ello verdict →

    7.9/10★★★★★Visit ↗
  4. 4

    Prodigy Math

    Best forKids in grades 1–8 who need motivation to do regular maths practice

    Fantasy maths game for grades 1–8 with an adaptive algorithm that sets each question

    Has that Buddy.ai doesn't: Maths practice · Free plan with ongoing learning, not just a trial

    Free plan · paid from $12.99/month

    Our Prodigy Math verdict →

    7.6/10★★★★★Visit ↗
  5. 5

    SplashLearn

    Best forFamilies wanting one app for both maths and reading across pre-K to grade 5

    Maths and reading games for ages 2–11 with adaptive practice that adjusts to each child

    Has that Buddy.ai doesn't: Reading or phonics practice · Maths practice

    Free trial · from $7.99/month

    Our SplashLearn verdict →

    7.5/10★★★★★Visit ↗
  6. 6

    Synthesis Tutor

    Best forFamilies wanting a structured, tutor-like maths programme for primary-age children

    AI-powered maths tutor for ages 5–11 with hands-on lessons and mastery checks

    Has that Buddy.ai doesn't: Maths practice

    Free trial · from $119/year

    Our Synthesis Tutor verdict →

    7.3/10★★★★★Visit ↗

Quick answers

What is the best alternative to Buddy.ai?

In our AI learning apps for kids ranking, Khan Academy Kids scores highest among the alternatives (8.3/10). Best for: Families with children aged 2–8 who want a broad, completely free learning app with no ads or upsells. Buddy.ai scores 7.3/10.

Is there a free alternative to Buddy.ai?

Yes. Khan Academy Kids is free (Everything is free, with no ads or subscriptions), and scores 8.3/10 in our ranking.

Why look for a Buddy.ai alternative?

Common reasons people switch: Open-ended ChiChat conversation, with no published guardrail policy. CARU found in February 2025 that it had broken COPPA rules on parental notice and consent; it has since changed its app. Teaches vocabulary and early concepts rather than reading or maths in depth.