The pace of advancement in artificial intelligence tools is breathtaking. Since the public release of ChatGPT in November 2022, multiple platforms have entered the AI arena, all vying to win adherents to their particular flavor of AI. While students may welcome the ability to quickly get answers without much work, educators and education leaders have been deeply uneasy about the potential effects of AI on learning.
With the growth of these platforms comes some desirable changes for education. One of the greatest concerns from the beginning has been its potential to disrupt genuine learning in favor of the nearly-instant answers and solutions provided by AI tools. The good news is that nearly all of the tools here are structured (in theory at least) to support true independent learning and critical thinking rather than serve as answer machines.
To learn more, continue reading — and be sure to read the full Tech & Learning reviews available for most of the listed platforms.
Best AI-Powered Tutors for Education
Gemini’s Guided Learning Mode
Rated highly by Tech & Learning writer and educator Erik Ofgang, Gemini’s Guided Learning Mode is built on the AI model LearnLM, which is designed for education. Erik tested the tool on a variety of topics, including wave equations in quantum mechanics and journalism (a subject he teaches at the post secondary level). While it isn’t perfect, Erik concluded that it’s currently “the best example I’ve seen of what an AI tutor can be.” Free.
Khanmigo
Top-rated by writers from Common Sense Media, the Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post, Khanmigo is the AI-powered tutor from the well respected education nonprofit Khan Academy. It provides test prep, feedback on writing and facilitates deep learning—without giving answers. In addition to its role as a tutor for students, Khanmigo also offers differentiation, lesson plans, quiz questions, student groupings, hooks, rubrics, and more for teachers. The cost is a modest $4 monthly.
StudyFetch
StudyFetch allows students to upload a wide variety of materials—class notes, PowerPoints, PDFs, study sets from Quizlets, video, audio, and more—from which it generates flashcards, quizzes, games and other study aids, while its AI-powered tutor, “Spark E.” guides students through difficult concepts and encourages deep thinking. Teachers can use StudyFetch to help with lesson planning, presentations, quizzes and even train AI tutor models to their specifications. Free basic account, with weekly ($3.92/week), monthly ($7.99/month) and premium plans ($11.99 to $19.99/month).
Tutor AI
Tutor AI allows students to study nearly any topic based on learning goals, current knowledge, and preferred learning style. Unlike many other tools profiled here, Tutor AI also solves homework problems for students, providing step-by-step solutions with detailed explanations—a practice which may not support genuine learning. For educators, the platform offers the ability to create courses, customized, personalized lesson plans, flashcards and more. Free basic account and two premium levels ($13.33/month, $17.50/month).
Flint
Designed specifically for education, Flint supports student learning by answering questions, offering feedback, and providing reminders for deadlines, time limits, and follow-up activities. Teachers can create or upload content using items such as worksheets, rubrics, lessons, or external resources as needed. Best of all, teachers can set the capabilities of AI actions—from guiding to hinting to explaining—thereby ensuring real learning, rather than AI-assisted parroting. Flint’s free plan allows up to 80 users, while premium plans vary based on school size.
MagicSchool AI
Billing itself as “safe secure AI for schools,” MagicSchool AI’S SOC 2-certified and FERPA/COPPA-compliant platform is aligned with district-level privacy standards and aims to promote critical thinking while teaching kids responsible AI use. Among the more than 50 AI-powered tools for students are those created for feedback, scaffolded learning, and specific task support. Most of the customizable tools seem designed to support genuine learning. For example, the “5 questions tool” generates 5 questions on any topic to deepen student thinking, while “Math review” generates review questions to improve math skills and the AI Learning Assistant provides guidance on multiple topics without giving direct answers. The robust free basic account includes more than 50 tools, quizzes, feedback, and more.
Amira Learning Tutoring and Reading Assistant
Research-based and validated Amira Learning offers a personalized Claude AI-powered reading tutor that allows the unusual ability to listen to students reading aloud, recognize problems with fluency and accuracy, and provide real-time suggestions adapted to the student’s struggles. The standards-aligned, FERPA- and COPPA-compliant platform is available on a district-wide basis.
Class Companion
Class Companion provides personalized feedback of student work in nine subject areas, from English through biology, and extends substantial educator control options, a feature cited by Erik Ofgang as being one of its strongest. He also praised the platforms’ support for the mastery model of education, which allows students multiple opportunities to demonstrate their expertise. Free for educators; however, some features such as LMS integration are available only with a school or district subscription plan.
ChatGPT Study Mode
Rather than simply providing answers, ChatGPT’s Study mode acts as a tutor, offering responses that guide students’ learning without spoon feeding them. Aimed at college students, it employs techniques such as the Socratic method, interactive prompts, scaffolded suggestions, and knowledge checks in the form of quizzes and open-ended questions. When tested by Erik Ofgang, it earned a strong, albeit qualified, “thumbs-up.” Free for all logged-in users on the ChatGPT Free Plan, as well as paid tiers like Plus, Pro, and Team.
Microsoft Reading Coach
Reading Coach provides a personalized reading experience for learners by generating a custom story based on the student’s selection of character and setting. As the learner reads aloud, Reading Coach evaluates their speech and gives feedback on their speed and accuracy. Gamified features such as rewards, badges and streaks contribute to kids’ engagement. Fully free with Microsoft account sign in.
