AI homework helpers that don't give the answers (2026)

By the Research & Editorial Team, Homework AI Guide · Last checked October 2026

Sources checked: the official website and pricing pages, official support documentation, the Apple App Store listing and independent reviews. See sources.

Quick answer

The AI homework helpers built to guide instead of answering are Khanmigo ($4/month, K–12), Synthesis Tutor (ages 5–11, math), and the free study modes in ChatGPT, Gemini, Microsoft Copilot and Claude. Khanmigo and Synthesis have no answer mode at all; the chatbot modes can be switched off, except during Study Hours a parent sets on a ChatGPT teen account.

Most AI homework apps are answer engines: snap a photo, get the solution. A smaller group works like a good tutor. They ask what the student has tried, give one hint at a time and check the reasoning, so the student does the thinking.

The key question for parents is not only whether a tool can tutor, but whether a student can get around it. That splits the list into two groups.

No answer mode at all

These are tutors by design. Khanmigo responds with hints and questions across K–12 subjects and lets parents see the chats. Synthesis Tutor teaches math to ages 5–11 through its own visual lessons and does not solve worksheets.

Tutor Guides, no answers

Khanmigo

Khan Academy's AI tutor, built from the ground up not to hand over answers.

Price: $4/mo to start · For: K–12

Tutor Guides, no answers

Synthesis Tutor

A voice-guided AI math tutor for ages 5–11 with hands-on visual lessons.

Price: $29/mo to start · For: K–5 (ages 5–11)

Tutoring modes inside general chatbots

Each of these is free and tutors well when switched on, but a student can switch back to the regular assistant for direct answers. ChatGPT for Teens is the exception that gives parents some control, through Study Hours. Claude's consumer app is for users 18+.

Tutor Guides, no answers

ChatGPT Study Mode

A free tutoring mode inside ChatGPT that walks students through problems step by step.

Price: Free option · For: Middle school through college (13+)

Tutor Guides, no answers

Gemini Guided Learning

Google's free step-by-step learning mode with diagrams, images and videos built in.

Price: Free option · For: Middle school through college

Tutor Guides, no answers

Microsoft Copilot Study and Learn

Copilot's free tutoring mode, which replaced the retired Microsoft Math Solver app.

Price: Free option · For: Middle school through college

Tutor Guides, no answers

Claude Learning Mode

A Socratic response style in Claude that asks how you would approach a problem before helping.

Price: Free option · For: Adults and college students (18+)

How to make any tool stop giving answers

Use a dedicated tutor for younger children, and for teens set Study Hours in ChatGPT for Teens.
Agree on a house rule: solve first, then use AI only to explain or check.
Ask your child to explain the final solution back in their own words. If they can't, the AI did the work.

FAQ

Which AI will not give my child the homework answers?

Khanmigo and Synthesis Tutor are designed not to give answers and have no answer mode. ChatGPT Study Mode, Gemini Guided Learning, Copilot Study and Learn and Claude Learning mode tutor when switched on but can be switched off.

Is there a free AI tutor that doesn't give answers?

Yes. ChatGPT Study Mode, Gemini Guided Learning and Microsoft Copilot Study and Learn are free. On ChatGPT teen accounts, parents can set Study Hours so new chats start in Study Mode.

Compare all 19 AI homework tools →

Sources

We checked these sources in October 2026. How we research and update pages is described in our editorial policy.