edX is better suited for users seeking accredited certificates, degrees, and professional development, while Khan Academy is ideal for those looking for free educational resources and supplemental learning across a wide range of subjects.
| Attribute | edX | Khan Academy |
|---|---|---|
| Course Variety | Offers an extensive catalog of online courses, programs, and micro-credentials across various subjects, including AI, cybersecurity, data science, STEM, and compliance training. | Offers a wide array of subjects, from basic math to college-level calculus, grammar to storytelling, AP Physics to Art History. Subjects include math, science, arts and humanities, economics, reading and language arts, and life skills. Partners with institutions like NASA and The Museum of Modern Art for specialized content. |
| Pricing and Subscription Options | Free audit options available. Verified certificates ($50-$300). Professional Certificates ($200-$2,500). MicroMasters/MicroBachelors ($600-$1,500). Degree programs ($10,000-$25,000). Business pricing: Annual per-learner pricing starts at $359. No subscription plans offered. | Completely free to use. All courses and lessons are available without any fees. |
| Certificate and Degree Programs | Offers accredited certificates, degrees, and professional development programs, including Professional Certificates, MicroMasters programs, and full online Master's degrees in partnership with top universities. | Not an accredited school and does not offer accredited certificates, degrees, or professional development programs. The only certificates available are teacher training certificates, Learnstorm certificates, and motivational certificate templates. |
| Instructor Quality and Expertise | Courses from world-class academic and industry partners like Harvard, Amazon, Google, and MIT. | Content is created by experts, including software engineers, program managers, and content creators with backgrounds in their respective subject matters. Bill Gates has endorsed the platform. |
| User Interface and Experience | Learner-centric design with a clear, intuitive, and consistent user interface. | Simple, easy to navigate, and minimalistic. User-friendly and intuitive, with a layout reminiscent of late 2000s websites. |
| Mobile App Availability and Features | Free mobile app for Android and iOS. Features: streaming courses, downloading content, completing assignments, participating in discussions. Does not support payments or proctored exams. | Official mobile apps for both iOS and Android devices. The apps offer features such as video lessons, articles, practice exercises, and the ability to bookmark and download content for offline access. |
| Community Support and Interaction | Fosters community through discussion forums, peer reviews, and collaborative projects. | Has a community forum that is heavily based around education and the platform itself. The platform aims to foster collaboration, engagement, and support among learners. |
| Assessment and Grading Methods | Varied assessment techniques, including multiple-choice tests, peer assessments, and project-based evaluations. Instructors can customize grading rubrics. AI is being incorporated to streamline grading. | Uses interactive exercises, quizzes, unit tests, and mastery challenges to evaluate student learning. The platform provides immediate feedback to help students practice and solidify their understanding. |
| Personalized Learning Paths | Offers personalized learning paths and adaptive learning features that tailor content to individual needs. AI can analyze student performance to create customized learning paths. | Offers personalized learning paths that allow learners to track their progress, set goals, and get recommendations on what to study next. It uses adaptive technology to identify strengths and learning gaps, tailoring content to individual needs. |
| Accessibility Features | WCAG compliance, screen reader compatibility, keyboard navigation, adjustable text sizes, captions, and support for assistive technologies. | Provides several accessibility features to support learners with disabilities. These include screen reader compatibility, keyboard navigation, transcripts and subtitles for videos, a reduce-motion feature, and the ability to hide visually-dependent content. |
| Integration with Other Tools | Integrates with other tools through LTI and XBlocks, including Google Drive, H5P, Zoom, and Turnitin. Supports LTI versions 1.1 and 1.3. REST APIs are available. | Can be integrated into existing math curricula, offering supplemental resources that align with classroom teachings. It also integrates with Microsoft 365, allowing for efficient management of student accounts and data. |
| Data Analytics and Reporting | Provides analytics and reporting features to track student progress and identify areas for improvement. AI-driven analytics can provide deeper insights into student engagement and learning outcomes. | Offers tools for parents and teachers to monitor student progress, identify areas for improvement, and tailor the learning experience to individual needs. Teachers can view student progress to make learning more individualized. |