ChatGPT Study Mode vs Khanmigo: which is better for homework?

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

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

Quick answer

Khanmigo is the better choice for most K–12 kids: it is built never to hand over answers, costs $4 a month or $44 a year for up to 10 children, and shows parents the chat history. ChatGPT Study Mode is free and covers every subject, but it is for ages 13+ and a student can switch back to regular ChatGPT unless a parent sets Study Hours on a teen account.

Side by side

	ChatGPT Study Mode	Khanmigo
Type	AI tutor	AI tutor
Gives answers?	No (in Study Mode)	No
Free option	Study Mode is included on the Free plan.	Free for verified US teachers. Khan Academy's lessons and practice stay free for everyone; the AI tutor itself is paid for families.
Paid plans (US)	Free: $0; Plus: About $20/month	Learner / Parent: $4/month or $44/year; Teachers (US): Free; Districts: Quote
Best for	Middle school through college (13+)	K–12
Subjects	All subjects	Math, science, humanities, writing, test prep, coding
Works on	Web, iOS, Android, desktop	Web (inside Khan Academy)
Parent visibility	Teen accounts: parental controls, Study Hours	Yes: chat history and alerts
Made by	OpenAI	Khan Academy (nonprofit)

US prices checked in October 2026. Confirm on each official site before subscribing.

The core difference

Both tools tutor instead of answering, but they get there differently. Khanmigo is a dedicated tutor: refusing to give the final answer is the product itself, and there is no other mode to switch to.

Study Mode is a setting inside ChatGPT, a general assistant that answers anything. When Study Mode is on, ChatGPT asks guiding questions, gives hints and checks understanding. When it is off, the same app writes the finished answer.

Price

Khanmigo costs $4 per month or $44 per year for learners and parents, and one parent subscription covers up to 10 children. Verified US teachers get the teacher tools free. Consumer subscriptions currently require a US billing address.

ChatGPT Study Mode is included on the Free plan. ChatGPT Plus, at about $20 a month, raises usage limits but is not required for Study Mode.

Age and parent controls

Khanmigo is managed through a parent account, which works for younger children, and parents can review chat history and receive safety alerts.

ChatGPT is for users 13 and older. Accounts identified as under 18 automatically get ChatGPT for Teens, which adds Study Hours: a linked parent can choose times when new chats start in Study Mode by default. It does not block regular ChatGPT outside those hours.

Subjects and depth

Khanmigo covers math, science, humanities, writing, test prep and coding, and is strongest in math, where it plugs into Khan Academy's free exercises. Its humanities help is broader but shallower.

ChatGPT Study Mode works in any subject and can teach from an uploaded worksheet, syllabus or PDF, which makes it more flexible for high school and beyond.

Which should you choose?

Choose ChatGPT Study Mode if

Your child is 13 or older and you want a free option
They need help across many subjects, including from uploaded class materials
You will set Study Hours on a teen account and agree on house rules

Choose Khanmigo if

Your child is under 13, or you want a tool with no answer mode at all
You have several kids: one $44 yearly plan covers up to 10
You want to see the conversations

FAQ

Is Khanmigo better than ChatGPT for kids?

For most K–12 children, yes. Khanmigo is designed never to give the final answer, is managed through a parent account and shows parents the chat history. ChatGPT Study Mode is a good free alternative for teens 13 and older.

Is ChatGPT Study Mode free?

Yes. Study Mode is available on ChatGPT's Free plan.

Can my child turn off Study Mode?

Yes, outside Study Hours. On teen accounts a linked parent can set Study Hours so new chats during those times start in Study Mode by default.

Full reviews

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

Khanmigo

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

Price: $4/mo to start · For: K–12

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.