Disney+ Alternatives: Educational Apps for Preschool Learning
Disney+ offers the best family entertainment streaming available—beloved characters, world-class storytelling, and content parents trust. But entertainment, even exceptional entertainment, isn't education. If you're looking for Disney+ alternatives that provide actual curriculum and learning outcomes, this guide covers the best options for families who want screen time that teaches.
Why Parents Look for Disney+ Alternatives
Disney+ delivers outstanding entertainment, but parents explore alternatives for several reasons:
Entertainment, not education — Disney+ has incredible content, but there's no curriculum, no learning objectives, and no skill tracking. Your child is entertained; learning is incidental.
Cost for entertainment alone — At $7.99-13.99/month, Disney+ is a significant subscription. If you're seeking educational value, dedicated learning apps often cost less.
Want curriculum, not curation — There's a difference between "safe entertainment" and "designed to teach." Educational apps create content with learning objectives; Disney+ aggregates entertainment productions.
Screen time allocation — With limited screen time available, some parents want more of it dedicated to structured learning rather than pure entertainment.
Progress visibility — Disney+ shows watch history. Educational apps show skill development. Parents want to see what children learn, not just what they watched.
Quick Comparison: Apps Like Disney+
| App | Price | Best For | Ages | Curriculum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kokotree | $4.99/mo | STEAM video learning | 1-5 | Full curriculum |
| Khan Academy Kids | Free | Interactive learning | 2-8 | Full curriculum |
| PBS Kids | Free | Trusted characters | 2-8 | Partial |
| Netflix Kids | $6.99+/mo | Entertainment variety | 2-12 | No curriculum |
| Amazon Kids+ | $4.99+/mo | Content bundle | 3-12 | Limited |
Best Disney+ Alternatives
Kokotree — Curriculum-Based Video Learning
If what you appreciate about Disney+ is video content children enjoy watching—but you want actual learning outcomes—Kokotree delivers exactly that. Every video is created by educators with specific skills in mind.
Disney+ has Elsa and Buzz Lightyear. Kokotree has curriculum and skill tracking. Same screen time convenience, completely different outcomes.
What makes Kokotree different:
- Education by design — Not entertainment with occasional learning moments, but content created specifically to teach. Every video has learning objectives.
- Full STEAM curriculum — Letters, numbers, phonics, science, social-emotional skills, creativity. Comprehensive preschool preparation.
- Video + interactive — Videos paired with games and 500+ printable worksheets. Learning reinforced through multiple modes.
- Progress tracking — Parent dashboard shows skill development, not just watch history.
- Closed ecosystem — No algorithm drift, no recommendations to random content. Complete content certainty.
Why it beats Disney+ for learning: Same convenience (videos kids watch independently), but with curriculum, progress tracking, and educational design. At $4.99/month, it costs less than Disney+.
See our full Kokotree vs Disney+ comparison →
Khan Academy Kids — Free Comprehensive Learning
Khan Academy Kids proves educational apps can be free, high-quality, and ad-free. It's the best free alternative if you're looking for learning alongside entertainment.
- 100% free — No ads, no subscriptions, no in-app purchases
- Comprehensive curriculum — Reading, math, social-emotional skills
- Interactive engagement — Children tap, trace, and respond—more active than watching
- Positive characters — Kodi, Peck, and friends guide learning
Best for: Families wanting free, comprehensive learning to complement entertainment streaming.
PBS Kids — Free Trusted Content
PBS Kids offers educational shows parents trust—Daniel Tiger, Sesame Street, Numberblocks—without subscription cost.
- Completely free — No subscription required, no ads
- Educational focus — Shows designed with learning objectives
- Trusted programming — Decades of research-backed children's content
- Multiple platforms — App, website, and streaming
Best for: Families who want free educational TV content with proven value.
Netflix Kids — Entertainment Alternative
If your Disney+ alternative search is about entertainment variety rather than education, Netflix Kids offers different content at a similar price point.
- Different library — Netflix originals, licensed content Disney doesn't have
- Parental controls — Profiles, PIN protection, content filtering
- Curated content — No user uploads, no algorithm concerns
- Lower entry price — Basic plan at $6.99/month
Best for: Families seeking entertainment variety beyond Disney content. Note: Netflix Kids is not educational—it's a different entertainment option.
Amazon Kids+ — Content Bundle
Amazon Kids+ bundles videos, apps, books, and games for families in the Amazon ecosystem.
- Bundled content — Videos, apps, books, games in one subscription
- Parental controls — Time limits, educational goals, content filtering
- Device integration — Works with Fire tablets and Echo devices
- Family pricing — Discounts for Prime members
Best for: Amazon-device families wanting bundled content across multiple formats.
Free Disney+ Alternatives
If cost is driving your search, these options provide quality without subscription:
- Khan Academy Kids — Complete free curriculum, no ads
- PBS Kids — Free app and website with trusted shows
- Kokotree Free Tier — Sample educational content
- YouTube Kids — Free but with ads and algorithm concerns
- Local library apps — Many libraries offer free educational content
How to Choose a Disney+ Alternative
Finding the right alternative depends on what you're actually seeking:
Choose Kokotree if: You want video content children can watch independently AND actual curriculum with progress tracking. You want education, not just safer entertainment.
Choose Khan Academy Kids if: You want free, comprehensive learning with interactive engagement.
Choose PBS Kids if: You want free access to trusted educational shows without subscription cost.
Choose Netflix Kids if: You want different entertainment variety and are comparing streaming services, not seeking education.
Choose Amazon Kids+ if: You use Amazon devices and want bundled content across multiple formats.
The Complementary Approach
Many families find the best solution is using multiple apps for different purposes:
| Need | Best Option |
|---|---|
| Educational screen time | Kokotree |
| Free learning | Khan Academy Kids |
| Family movie night | Disney+ |
| Trusted show characters | PBS Kids |
| Complete solution | Keep Disney+ + add Kokotree |
The math: Kokotree ($4.99) + Khan Academy Kids (free) + PBS Kids (free) = comprehensive education for less than Disney+ alone.
Or: Keep Disney+ ($7.99) + add Kokotree ($4.99) = $12.98/month for both world-class entertainment AND curriculum-based learning.
Disney+ Alternatives FAQ
What is the best alternative to Disney+?
For educational content, Kokotree provides curriculum-based video learning designed by educators. For free learning, Khan Academy Kids offers comprehensive curriculum. For different entertainment, Netflix Kids provides alternative streaming. The "best" depends on what you're seeking—education or different entertainment.
Is there a free version of Disney+?
No. Disney+ doesn't offer a free tier. For free alternatives, PBS Kids provides trusted children's content, Khan Academy Kids offers comprehensive learning, and some library apps provide free educational content.
What's more educational: Disney+ or Kokotree?
Kokotree is designed as an educational platform with curriculum, learning objectives, and progress tracking. Disney+ is an entertainment platform—some content has educational value (Bluey, nature documentaries), but the platform itself isn't designed for learning outcomes.
Can I use Disney+ and Kokotree together?
Yes, and many families do. Use Disney+ for entertainment (movie nights, Bluey, reward viewing) and Kokotree for educational screen time. Combined cost is around $13/month for both purposes served well.
Why leave Disney+ for educational apps?
Most families don't leave Disney+—they add educational apps alongside it. Disney+ serves entertainment; educational apps serve learning. Both have value; they just serve different purposes.
Does Disney+ have educational shows?
Some Disney+ content has educational elements. Bluey teaches emotional intelligence and imaginative play. Nature documentaries inform. Some preschool shows include learning concepts. But Disney+ is entertainment-first—learning is incidental, not the design purpose.
Ready for Educational Screen Time?
Keep Disney+ for entertainment. Add curriculum-based learning. Get both beloved characters AND real skill development.
More Alternatives Guides
Looking for alternatives to other streaming content? These guides might help:
- Netflix Kids Alternatives — Educational apps for learning
- YouTube Kids Alternatives — Safe learning apps
- Cocomelon Alternatives — Calm educational videos
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