Khan Academy vs edX
Both Khan Academy and edX 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.
Khan Academy
WinnerFree education for anyone, anywhere
Starting from
$4/mo
edX
University courses from Harvard, MIT, and top institutions
Starting from
$25/mo
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 9.0/10 | 8.9/10 |
| Starting Price | $4/mo | $25/mo |
| User Reviews | ||
| Content | ||
| Courses | 10000+ | 3500+ |
| Certificates | ||
| Degrees | ||
| Free Content | ||
| Features | ||
| Projects | ||
| Subtitles | ||
| Offline Access | ||
| Mobile App | ||
| Business | ||
| Enterprise | ||
| Financial Aid | ||
Pros & Cons Breakdown
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
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+)
Key Difference
The core difference lies in approach: Khan Academy focuses on 100% free core platform, while edX emphasizes courses from harvard, mit, and top universities. Both philosophies have merit depending on your priorities.
Which Should You Choose?
Khan Academy
Choose Khan Academy if you prioritize 100% free core platform, want to start with a free tier, or value personalized learning dashboard.
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.
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. While edX is more affordable, Khan Academy's advantages justify the price difference for most users. 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 Khan Academy better than edX?
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, Khan Academy or edX?
edX is more affordable at $0.00/mo vs $0.00/mo. edX offers NaN% savings.
Khan Academy vs edX: which should I choose?
Choose Khan Academy if you prioritize 100% free core platform. Choose edX if you need courses from harvard, mit, and top universities. Both are solid online learning options.
What's the main difference between Khan Academy and edX?
The main difference is Khan Academy offers free education for anyone, anywhere, while edX focuses on university courses from harvard, mit, and top institutions.