Khanmigo is Khan Academy's AI-powered tutoring assistant that uses Socratic questioning to guide students through problems rather than giving direct answers, available for $4/month or $44/year.
What is Khanmigo?
Khanmigo is an AI tutor built by Khan Academy using GPT-4 technology, designed specifically for education rather than general conversation. Unlike ChatGPT, which might simply provide answers, Khanmigo is programmed to teach using the Socratic method—asking guiding questions that help students discover solutions themselves. The AI integrates directly with Khan Academy's content library, providing personalized tutoring on any exercise, video, or article within the platform. It's available 24/7, infinitely patient, and designed with safety guardrails appropriate for student use.
Key Takeaways
- Costs $4/month or $44/year for families (covers up to 10 children)
- Free for U.S. teachers through Microsoft partnership
- Uses Socratic method—guides rather than gives answers
- Includes writing feedback, coding help, and career coaching
- Parents can view all student conversations and receive moderation alerts
How Khanmigo Differs from ChatGPT
When a student asks ChatGPT to solve a math problem, it typically provides the answer with an explanation. When that same student asks Khanmigo, the AI responds with questions: "What do you notice about this problem? What have you tried so far?" This Socratic approach prevents the shortcut of copying answers and genuinely develops problem-solving skills. Khanmigo also connects to Khan Academy's content, so it understands exactly what lesson a student is working on and can provide context-appropriate guidance.
Features Beyond Tutoring
Khanmigo extends beyond math help into creative learning experiences. Students can debate with historical figures, get writing feedback that improves rather than rewrites their work, receive coding assistance, and explore career paths. For parents, Khanmigo offers tools to generate quizzes based on what their child is learning, create custom assignments, and receive recommendations for next steps. All of these features work within Khan Academy's educational framework.
Is Khanmigo Worth It for Homeschoolers?
At $4/month covering up to 10 children, Khanmigo offers remarkable value for families who already use Khan Academy regularly. Parent testimonials describe it as "revolutionary" for households that ask constant follow-up questions—Khanmigo never tires of explaining concepts in new ways. The AI works best as a supplement, not a replacement for parent involvement. It excels when students hit a roadblock at 9 PM after parents are exhausted, or when a concept needs explaining seventeen different ways before it clicks.
The Bottom Line
Khanmigo represents what educational AI should look like—designed to teach rather than shortcut learning, with appropriate safety measures for student use. For families already invested in Khan Academy, the $4/month subscription adds 24/7 tutoring support that genuinely understands the curriculum. The Socratic approach may frustrate students initially expecting quick answers, but that friction is the point. Learning to work through problems with guided support develops lasting skills that simply receiving answers never would.
