🎓 Courses and learning platforms
edX
By 2U, LLC. Visit edX
Desk research from the maker's own pages. Not yet tried by us. Checked 2026-10-24.
An online course site run by the company 2U, with university courses in subjects like computer science, math, AI, data and finance. Most open courses can be taken on a free audit track with the course materials; paying adds graded work and a certificate. A capable teen can follow a full college-level course at their own pace on the web or in the edX app.
Our take: A good free option for a capable teen who wants a full college course; not for younger kids or anyone needing hand-holding.
| Ages it suits | about 13+ (built for adults) |
|---|---|
| What its terms say about age | You must be at least 13 to use edX. (terms) |
| Price | Free, with paid extras. Free audit track for most open courses (no graded work or certificate); certificates and programs are priced per course on each course page (Oct 2026). |
| Works on | Web, iPhone and iPad, Android |
| Account | The child's own account |
| Ads | None |
| In-app purchases | Yes |
| The AI in it | No AI tutor described on the pages we read; the terms and privacy pages do not describe AI features for learners. |
What's good
- Free audit of real university courses
- Strong computer science and math catalog
- Self-paced
Watch for
- Under 13 not allowed; made for adults
- Free audit has no graded work or certificate
- Shares data with ad partners for targeted ads
- Little support if a learner gets stuck
Data and privacy
edX says it does not knowingly collect data from children under 13. It uses learner data to market edX and 2U offerings, shares some identifiers with ad partners for targeted ads (which it says may count as a 'sale' under California law), and may use facial recognition for ID checks when a course requires it. Read the privacy policy.
Does it work?
No independent study of the edX platform itself found; the maker's own claims only.
In the Big Index
- On the list 23 best free online courses for teens
Alternatives to edX
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AoPS Online
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Babbel
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A solid choice for a motivated older teen; younger kids are not allowed and are better served by kids' apps.
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Beast Academy
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A great fit for curious or advanced elementary kids and homeschoolers who enjoy a challenge; kids who need gentle catch-up practice should start elsewhere.
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Codecademy
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A good next step for a motivated 16- or 17-year-old; younger kids need a coding tool built for them.
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Connections Academy
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Worth a look for families who need school at home and have an adult free to coach; families expecting it to match a good local school should read the research first.
Where these facts come from
- https://www.edx.org/
- https://www.edx.org/edx-terms-service
- https://www.edx.org/edx-privacy-policy
- Reviews on G2: https://www.g2.com/products/edx/reviews
Prices, terms and features change. Nobody paid to be listed, nothing here is an affiliate link, and Peabody never rates itself. Where we and the maker disagree, the maker's own pages are the ones to trust.