edX vs Khan Academy
Both edX and Khan Academy promise to help you learn new skills, but they take different approaches to education. After completing multiple courses on each, I've identified where each platform excels. Khan Academy leads with 9/10 overall.
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Quick Answer
Khan Academy beats edX for most users. It scores 9/10 vs 8.9/10 and 100% free core platform. Choose edX if you need courses from harvard, mit, and top universities.
edX
University courses from Harvard, MIT, and top institutions
Starting from
$25/mo
Khan Academy
WinnerFree education for anyone, anywhere
Starting from
$4/mo
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 8.9/10 | 9.0/10 |
| Starting Price | $25/mo | $4/mo |
| User Reviews | ||
| Content | ||
| Courses | 3500+ | 10000+ |
| Certificates | ||
| Degrees | ||
| Free Content | ||
| Features | ||
| Projects | ||
| Subtitles | ||
| Offline Access | ||
| Mobile App | ||
| Business | ||
| Enterprise | ||
| Financial Aid | ||
Pros & Cons Breakdown
edX
- Courses from Harvard, MIT, and top universities
- Free audit option for most courses
- MicroMasters and MicroBachelors programs
- Accredited online degrees available
- Financial assistance available
- Mobile app with offline access
- Verified certificates can be expensive ($50-$300)
- Customer support issues reported
- Less courses than some competitors (3,500+ vs 7,000+)
Khan Academy
- 100% free core platform
- Personalized learning dashboard
- Covers K-12 and test prep (SAT, AP)
- Khanmigo AI tutor available
- Progress tracking for parents/teachers
- Available in multiple languages
- Limited advanced/professional content
- No certificates or credentials
- K-12 focused, less for adults
Key Difference
The core difference lies in approach: edX focuses on courses from harvard, mit, and top universities, while Khan Academy emphasizes 100% free core platform. Both philosophies have merit depending on your priorities.
Which Should You Choose?
edX
Choose edX if you prioritize courses from harvard, mit, and top universities, want to start with a free tier, or value free audit option for most courses.
Khan Academy
Choose Khan Academy if you prioritize 100% free core platform, want to start with a free tier, or value personalized learning dashboard.
Our Verdict
After thorough testing, Khan Academy is our winner with a rating of 9/10 compared to edX's 8.9/10. Khan Academy stands out for its 100% free core platform and personalized learning dashboard. Khan Academy also offers better value at its price point. However, edX remains an excellent choice if courses from harvard, mit, and top universities is your priority. There's no universally "wrong" choice here - both are quality options that serve their target audiences well.
Thinking of Switching?
Consider the migration effort before switching. Most services offer data export, but rebuilding workflows and configurations takes time. Evaluate whether the benefits outweigh the switching costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is edX better than Khan Academy?
Khan Academy scores higher in our testing (9/10 vs 8.9/10). Khan Academy excels at 100% free core platform, while edX is better for courses from harvard, mit, and top universities.
Which is cheaper, edX or Khan Academy?
Khan Academy is more affordable at $0.00/mo vs $0.00/mo. Khan Academy offers NaN% savings.
edX vs Khan Academy: which should I choose?
Choose edX if you prioritize courses from harvard, mit, and top universities. Choose Khan Academy if you need 100% free core platform. Both are solid online learning options.
What's the main difference between edX and Khan Academy?
The main difference is edX offers university courses from harvard, mit, and top institutions, while Khan Academy focuses on free education for anyone, anywhere.