Preschool App Comparisons
Choosing the right educational app for your preschooler can be overwhelming. With dozens of options—from free games to premium subscriptions—how do you know which one actually delivers?
We’ve put together honest, detailed comparisons of Kokotree against the most popular preschool learning apps. Each comparison covers pricing, features, curriculum, and which families each app serves best.
Free Learning Apps
Apps that offer completely free or primarily free content.
Kokotree vs Khan Academy Kids
The free curriculum champion. Khan Academy Kids offers a comprehensive, 100% free educational experience. We compare their activity-based learning to Kokotree’s video-first approach and help you decide if free is enough or if premium features are worth it.
Kokotree vs PBS Kids Games
Beloved TV characters, educational games. PBS Kids Games brings Daniel Tiger, Curious George, and friends to interactive learning. We compare their character-driven games to Kokotree’s original content and curriculum structure.
Kokotree vs YouTube Kids
The app parents are leaving. YouTube Kids is free but comes with algorithm concerns, ads, and content surprises. We break down the safety differences and why many families switch to curated alternatives like Kokotree.
Kokotree vs Duolingo ABC
Gamified literacy from the language learning giant. Duolingo ABC brings their addictive learning format to reading—completely free. We compare their literacy-focused drills to Kokotree’s all-around curriculum.
Kokotree vs Nick Jr Play
PAW Patrol and friends, free to play. Nick Jr Play offers games featuring favorite Nickelodeon characters at no cost. We compare character-based entertainment to Kokotree’s education-first approach.
Comprehensive Curriculum Apps
Full-featured learning platforms with structured educational content.
Kokotree vs ABCmouse
The 10,000+ activity giant. ABCmouse offers one of the largest libraries in preschool education. We compare their comprehensive (but potentially overwhelming) approach to Kokotree’s curated, video-first experience.
Kokotree vs Homer
Personalized reading journeys. Homer uses assessment to create individualized learning paths focused on literacy. We compare their reading-focused personalization to Kokotree’s broader STEAM curriculum.
Kokotree vs Lingokids
Playlearning™ with ESL roots. Lingokids has grown from language learning to full curriculum, serving 95+ million users. We compare their game-heavy “Playlearning” approach to Kokotree’s video-based learning.
Kokotree vs Kiddopia
3,000+ games and role-play activities. Kiddopia emphasizes imaginative play through games that let kids explore different roles. We compare their game-centric approach to Kokotree’s story-driven videos.
Kokotree vs SplashLearn
Adaptive math and reading drills. SplashLearn uses adaptive technology to adjust difficulty in real-time, covering PreK through 5th grade. We compare their academic focus to Kokotree’s whole-child approach.
Reading & Phonics Specialists
Apps focused specifically on literacy and reading readiness.
Kokotree vs Reading Eggs
Systematic phonics curriculum. Reading Eggs offers a structured, proven approach to teaching reading from ages 2-13. We compare their lesson-based literacy program to Kokotree’s multi-subject learning app.
Kokotree vs Starfall
The nonprofit phonics pioneer. Starfall has been teaching reading online since 2002 with a no-frills, educator-approved approach. We compare their focused phonics to Kokotree’s broader curriculum.
Kokotree vs Teach Your Monster to Read
Charity-backed phonics adventure. Created by the Usborne Foundation, this app gamifies synthetic phonics instruction. We compare their reading-focused game to Kokotree’s comprehensive learning platform.
Kokotree vs Endless Alphabet
Vocabulary puzzles with personality. Endless Alphabet’s monster-filled puzzles teach letter sounds and vocabulary through play. We compare their focused approach to Kokotree’s full-curriculum coverage.
Creative Play & Digital Toys
Apps emphasizing open-ended play and creativity.
Kokotree vs Pok Pok
Apple Design Award-winning digital playroom. Pok Pok offers Montessori-inspired, open-ended toys in a beautifully designed app. We compare their play-based exploration to Kokotree’s curriculum-driven learning.
Kokotree vs Toca Boca World
The creative sandbox phenomenon. Toca Boca World lets kids build worlds with 90+ locations and 500+ characters. We compare their imaginative play approach to Kokotree’s educational content structure.
Digital Libraries
Platforms focused on reading materials and books.
Kokotree vs Epic
40,000+ books in one subscription. Epic offers a massive digital library of children’s books and audiobooks. We compare their reading-focused library to Kokotree’s video-based learning app—they complement each other well.
Teacher-Created Games
Apps built by educators for skill practice.
Kokotree vs ABCya
The classroom favorite. ABCya has been a teacher go-to for 15+ years with hundreds of educational games. We compare their game-arcade approach to Kokotree’s coordinated curriculum.
Nick Jr. Alternatives
For families who used Nickelodeon’s educational content.
Kokotree vs Noggin
The service that was. Noggin was discontinued in July 2024. For families seeking a replacement, we compare what Noggin offered to what Kokotree provides—and other alternatives worth considering.
For Older Kids
Comparisons for families planning ahead or with multiple children.
Kokotree vs Adventure Academy
The big-kid sibling to ABCmouse. Adventure Academy serves ages 8-13 with an educational MMO format. We explain how it differs from Kokotree (they serve different ages) and how families with multiple kids can use both.
YouTube Shows & Channels
Popular YouTube content parents are researching—and what to know about each.
Kokotree vs Cocomelon
The most-watched children’s content on YouTube. With 170M+ subscribers, Cocomelon is everywhere—but parents have concerns about overstimulation and passive viewing. We break down what’s actually educational vs. what’s just engaging.
Kokotree vs Blippi
High-energy entertainment meets calm curriculum. Blippi’s loud, chaotic style captivates millions of toddlers. We compare his personality-driven entertainment to Kokotree’s educator-designed learning content.
Kokotree vs Little Baby Bum
Nursery rhymes on repeat. Little Baby Bum offers calmer pacing than Cocomelon, but songs on repeat aren’t the same as structured learning. We explain the difference between passive entertainment and active education.
Kokotree vs Baby Shark (Pinkfong)
Viral doesn’t mean educational. Baby Shark has 14B+ views, but catchy songs designed for virality serve different purposes than curriculum-based learning. We compare entertainment empire to education app.
Kokotree vs Super Simple Songs
The calmer nursery rhyme alternative. Super Simple Songs offers gentler pacing than Cocomelon—a genuine improvement. But calmer entertainment is still entertainment. We explain what you gain and what’s still missing.
Kokotree vs Ryan’s World
Toy commercials disguised as content. Ryan’s World started with toy unboxings and remains merchandise-focused. We compare content designed to sell products vs. content designed to teach skills.
Kokotree vs Diana and Roma
Lifestyle fantasy vs. real learning. With 120M+ subscribers, Diana and Roma shows children living extraordinary lives. We discuss what this content teaches and what it doesn’t.
Kokotree vs Vlad and Niki
Chaotic entertainment meets calm education. Parents search “Vlad and Niki inappropriate” for a reason. We compare high-energy pranks and chaos to structured, positive learning content.
TV Shows & Streaming Content
How popular children’s shows compare to dedicated learning apps.
Kokotree vs Peppa Pig
Beloved entertainment, not academic curriculum. Peppa Pig is charming and gentle, but it’s designed to entertain, not teach letters and numbers. We explain how entertainment and education can complement each other.
Kokotree vs PAW Patrol
Action entertainment vs. academic learning. PAW Patrol has positive teamwork messages, but rescue missions aren’t reading lessons. We compare what each provides for your preschooler.
Kokotree vs Bluey
Exceptional entertainment meets structured education. Bluey is genuinely excellent—possibly the best children’s show being made. We explain why smart families use both Bluey for entertainment AND Kokotree for academics.
Kokotree vs Sesame Street
Classic TV education meets modern app learning. Sesame Street pioneered educational television and remains valuable. We compare the legendary show to app-based learning—both have genuine merit.
Kokotree vs Daniel Tiger
Social-emotional excellence meets STEAM curriculum. Daniel Tiger’s strategy songs genuinely help with emotional regulation. We explain how Daniel Tiger’s SEL strength complements Kokotree’s academic focus.
Kokotree vs Netflix Kids
Curated entertainment vs. curriculum-based learning. Netflix Kids offers safe, filtered streaming—but entertainment isn’t education. We compare what each provides and when to use each.
Kokotree vs Disney+
World-class entertainment vs. curriculum-based learning. Disney+ has Bluey, Pixar, and beloved characters. We explain why smart families use both—Disney+ for entertainment, Kokotree for education.
Educational YouTube Channels
Quality educational content on YouTube that complements app-based learning.
Kokotree vs Ms. Rachel
Language development for the youngest learners. Ms. Rachel’s speech pathologist background shows in her excellent content for babies and toddlers. We explain how she complements Kokotree as children grow.
Kokotree vs Numberblocks
Math excellence meets comprehensive curriculum. Numberblocks teaches number concepts brilliantly—it’s genuinely educational. We explain how math-focused content works alongside full STEAM curriculum.
Kokotree vs Hey Bear Sensory
Baby sensory vs. preschool learning. Hey Bear Sensory serves babies during tummy time—a different purpose than preschool education. We explain the developmental progression from sensory content to learning apps.
Why Compare Preschool Apps?
No single preschool app is best for every family. Your child’s age, learning style, and attention span matter. So does your budget, your tolerance for screen time, and whether you need hands-off viewing or prefer interactive co-learning.
The preschool app market has exploded—ABCmouse alone claims 10,000+ activities. But more content doesn’t mean better learning. Many apps prioritize engagement metrics (time in app, sessions per week) over actual educational outcomes. Others excel at one subject while ignoring the rest.
Comparing apps helps you cut through marketing claims and find what actually works for your family.
How to Compare Preschool Apps
When evaluating preschool learning apps, consider these factors:
Curriculum Coverage
Most preschool apps specialize. Reading Eggs focuses on phonics. SplashLearn emphasizes math. Toca Boca prioritizes creative play. If you want comprehensive learning, you’ll either need multiple apps or one that covers the full curriculum.
- Literacy-only apps: Homer, Reading Eggs, Duolingo ABC, Endless Alphabet, Teach Your Monster
- Math-focused apps: SplashLearn, Moose Math
- Full STEAM curriculum: Kokotree, ABCmouse, Khan Academy Kids, Lingokids
Content Type
Different apps deliver learning differently:
- Video-based (hands-off): Kokotree, YouTube Kids, Netflix Kids
- Interactive games (hands-on): ABCmouse, Khan Academy Kids, SplashLearn
- Digital books: Epic, Vooks
- Open-ended play: Toca Boca, Pok Pok, Sago Mini
If you need 15 minutes to make dinner, an interactive-only app won’t help. If your child learns best by doing, video-only might not engage them. Many families use a combination.
Price and Value
Preschool app pricing ranges from free to $15/month:
| Price Point | Examples | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Khan Academy Kids, PBS Kids, Duolingo ABC | May require more parent involvement, limited features |
| $5-7/month | Kokotree, Teach Your Monster | Focused content, premium features |
| $10-15/month | ABCmouse, Lingokids, SplashLearn | Large libraries, can be overwhelming |
| One-time purchase | Endless Alphabet, Pok Pok | No subscription, but finite content |
Parent Involvement Required
Some apps require constant supervision. Others are designed for independent use. Be honest about your availability:
- High involvement: Most interactive games, PBS Kids Games
- Moderate involvement: ABCmouse, Khan Academy Kids
- Low involvement: Kokotree, YouTube Kids (with content concerns)
Safety and Ads
Free apps monetize somehow. YouTube Kids shows ads. Some apps collect data. Others have in-app purchases that children can accidentally trigger.
Questions to ask:
- Is it completely ad-free?
- Are there in-app purchases?
- Is there a closed ecosystem (no external links)?
- Is it COPPA compliant?
Do All Preschool Apps Cover Every Subject?
No. Most preschool apps specialize in one or two areas:
| App | Literacy | Math | Science | Social-Emotional | Creative Arts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kokotree | âś“ | âś“ | âś“ | âś“ | âś“ |
| Khan Academy Kids | âś“ | âś“ | âś“ | âś“ | âś“ |
| ABCmouse | âś“ | âś“ | âś“ | âś“ | âś“ |
| Homer | ✓ | Limited | — | — | — |
| Reading Eggs | ✓ | — | — | — | — |
| SplashLearn | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | — |
| Endless Alphabet | ✓ | — | — | — | — |
| Toca Boca | — | — | — | — | ✓ |
A full STEAM curriculum (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) plus literacy and social-emotional learning prepares preschoolers for kindergarten across all developmental domains—not just academics.
Kokotree covers all six areas in a single subscription: language and literacy, mathematics, science and nature, social-emotional learning, creativity and arts, and school readiness skills.
About Kokotree
Kokotree is an award-winning preschool learning app for ages 2-6. Every video, game, and activity is created in-house by certified early childhood educators—not aggregated from random sources or designed by marketing teams.
What makes Kokotree different:
- Video content kids can watch independently — Parents get 15-20 minutes of peace while children actually learn
- Full STEAM curriculum — Literacy, math, science, social-emotional, creativity, and school readiness
- Original content with beloved characters — Story-driven learning that builds on previous episodes
- Ad-free, algorithm-free — No surprises, no supervision anxiety
- 500+ worksheets included — Screen time extends to hands-on learning
- $4.99/month — Quality over quantity at a reasonable price
Awards: EduTech Best Mobile App 2025, NYT Parent Approved 2024, COPPA 100% Kid Safe certified.
Ready to Compare?
Browse our detailed comparisons above, or try Kokotree free and see how it fits your family.
