Three-way compare
Lumi vs Khanmigo vs ChatGPT Study Mode
We recommend SmartScroll. Lumi is the better alternative for always-on guidance, a visible practice report, and a tutor the student cannot switch off.
ChatGPT for Teens vs a tutor a parent can see
Free demo. No signup, no card. Works in the browser.
The SmartScroll difference
Why we recommend Lumi.
SmartScroll is a grades 6–12 learning product. Lumi guides, hands the step back, and stays on. Khanmigo is Socratic tutoring tied to Khan Academy's library. ChatGPT Study Mode is a setting a student can leave.
Side by side
Lumi, Khanmigo, and ChatGPT Study Mode.
| Dimension | Lumi | Khanmigo | ChatGPT Study Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Lumi is the AI tutor inside SmartScroll. Parent-managed for grades 6–12. Students have no email, password, or login. | Socratic tutoring inside Khan Academy's library. | A setting on ChatGPT. A student can leave it. |
| Guidance | Lumi guides, hands the step back, and stays on. | Socratic prompts inside the Khan Academy library. | Study Mode is off by default. Study Hours are optional. |
| Parent-visible practice | A practice report a parent can see. Mastery is recorded skill by skill. | Parent accounts and oversight of a learner. Check their site for the current feature set. | ChatGPT for Teens still cannot show a parent whether the kid learned the problem or got the answer. |
| Library | Six subjects for grades 6–12. Math is the complete ladder; other subjects vary. | Tied to Khan Academy's library. That is a fact about the product, not a reason to leave this page. | No scoped grades 6–12 course. It answers the question in front of it. |
| Price | Free demo, then $19.95 / $49.95 / $99.95. 14-day trial. We cost more than Khanmigo. | $4/mo or $44/yr on khanmigo.ai/pricing as of 25 August 2026. Check their current page. | ChatGPT has a free tier and paid plans. Check their current pricing. |
Library size is a fact. Khanmigo's price is from khanmigo.ai/pricing on 25 August 2026; check their current page. Study Mode is a setting a student can leave.
The verdict
The case for SmartScroll.
If the goal is a grades 6–12 student moving through a course with always-on guidance, a visible practice report, and a tutor the student cannot switch off, we recommend SmartScroll.
Questions about the three
Straight answers.
Why recommend Lumi if Khanmigo costs less?
We cost more than Khanmigo. That is a fact. Khanmigo is $4/mo or $44/yr (khanmigo.ai/pricing, 25 August 2026) and sits on Khan Academy's library. Lumi is always-on guidance, a visible practice report, and a tutor the student cannot switch off.
Is ChatGPT Study Mode a tutor?
Study Mode is a setting a student can leave. A tutor is a product. Lumi stays on.
Do you send families to Khanmigo for the library?
No. Library size is a fact. We recommend SmartScroll. Lumi guides, hands the step back, and stays on.
See how Lumi teaches.
Always-on guidance, a visible practice report, and a tutor the student cannot switch off. Free to try, no signup, no card.
See where they stand, free