Yes. AI tools now handle a lot of lesson prep, worksheet creation and first pass feedback, though you still need to review everything before it reaches students. For most K-12 teachers we recommend starting with MagicSchool, which has a free plan with more than 80 teacher tools. US K-12 teachers should also claim ChatGPT for Teachers, which OpenAI offers free to verified educators through June 2028.
A 2025 Gallup and Walton Family Foundation poll found 60% of US teachers used AI tools in the school year, and weekly users reported saving about 5.9 hours a week.- Our pickMagicSchoolFree; Plus starts at $8.33/month billed yearly or $12.99 monthly
- Best free optionChatGPT for TeachersFree for verified US K-12 educators through June 2028
- Best for feedback inside Google DocsBrisk TeachingFree; Educator Pro and school pricing not published
- Best for differentiated readingsDiffitFree Basic plan; school and teacher plans by quote
- Also greatKhanmigoFree for teachers; learners $4/month or $44/year
MagicSchool
Best for most K-12 teachers who want one place for lesson plans, quizzes, rubrics and differentiated materials.
MagicSchool is built only for schools, and that shows in the plan list. The free plan, which the company calls Forever Free, includes more than 80 teacher tools, the Raina chatbot, quizzes, class writing feedback and basic training MagicSchool pricing ↗. You can export what you make to Google Docs, Slides and similar tools on the free plan MagicSchool pricing ↗. For a teacher who wants to try AI without a credit card, it is the broadest free starting point we found.
Plus costs $8.33 per user a month billed yearly, or $12.99 billed monthly, and has a free trial MagicSchool pricing ↗. It adds unlimited generations, unlimited output history and editing, more than 50 student facing tools and student learning insights MagicSchool pricing ↗. The free plan's usage caps are not published; the pricing page only implies them by listing unlimited use as a Plus feature MagicSchool pricing ↗. District plans add a custom data privacy agreement, single sign on and integrations with Clever, ClassLink, Canvas and Schoology MagicSchool pricing ↗.
On privacy, MagicSchool says it is FERPA, COPPA, SOC 2, GDPR and New York Ed Law 2-D compliant and Common Sense Privacy Certified MagicSchool pricing ↗. Those are the company's own claims, so check your district's approved vendor list before you put student work into any tool. Common Sense Media rated AI teacher assistants, including MagicSchool, as moderate risk in 2025 and warned that they can show bias when writing behavior plans or IEPs Common Sense Media ↗. Hands on testing is in progress; we will update this guide with results.
Why we like it
- Free plan with 80+ teacher tools
- Plus is only $8.33 a month billed yearly
- Student tools and district controls on paid plans
- Exports to Google Docs and Slides
Flaws but not dealbreakers
- Free plan limits are not published
- Student tools need Plus or a district plan
- LMS and SIS integrations are Enterprise only
ChatGPT for Teachers
Best for US K-12 teachers who want a full, unlimited ChatGPT workspace at no cost.
OpenAI launched ChatGPT for Teachers on November 19, 2025, as a secure workspace for K-12 educators with admin controls for schools and districts OpenAI announcement ↗. It is free for verified US K-12 educators through June 2028, after which OpenAI says it may introduce or adjust pricing with advance notice ChatGPT for Teachers FAQ ↗. Verification runs through a third party called SheerID OpenAI announcement ↗.
The plan includes unlimited messages, web search, file uploads, image generation, data analysis, voice mode, memory, custom GPTs and shared workspaces where available OpenAI announcement ↗ ChatGPT for Teachers FAQ ↗. It connects to Canva, Google Drive and Microsoft 365 OpenAI announcement ↗. That makes it a general purpose assistant: you can upload a unit plan and ask for a quiz, a parent letter in Spanish, or a rubric aligned to your standards.
OpenAI says content shared in ChatGPT for Teachers is not used to train its models by default, and the plan includes FERPA aligned protections and a student data privacy agreement ChatGPT for Teachers FAQ ↗. It is not for students; OpenAI says student accounts may come later ChatGPT for Teachers FAQ ↗. Teachers outside the US, and staff at colleges, are not eligible ChatGPT for Teachers FAQ ↗.
Why we like it
- Free for verified US K-12 educators through June 2028
- Unlimited messages, search, uploads and images
- Not used to train models by default
- Connects to Google Drive, Microsoft 365 and Canva
Flaws but not dealbreakers
- US K-12 only; students not eligible
- A general assistant, not a set of classroom templates
- Pricing may change after the promotion
Brisk Teaching
Best for teachers who grade and plan in Google Docs, Slides, Word and their LMS and do not want another website.
Brisk works as a free Chrome and Edge extension plus a web platform Brisk FAQ ↗. Instead of copying work into a chatbot, you open a student essay in Google Docs or a PDF or YouTube video and ask Brisk to give feedback, make a quiz or level the text Brisk ↗ Brisk FAQ ↗. It works in Google Docs, Slides and Forms, Microsoft Word and PowerPoint, and with assignments in Schoology, Canvas, Blackboard and Google Classroom Brisk FAQ ↗.
The Free Forever plan includes more than 20 AI tools, and new sign ups get a 14 day Premium trial Brisk FAQ ↗. Brisk advertises more than 30 tools overall, including a quiz generator, presentation maker, rubric generator, batch feedback and lesson plan generator Brisk ↗. Brisk did not publish a price for its Educator Pro plan on the pages we could read, and its FAQ says it does not offer refunds Brisk FAQ ↗.
Brisk says it is FERPA and COPPA compliant and SOC 2 compliant since October 2025 Brisk FAQ ↗. It says it does not store the student work it processes, but it does store teacher inputs and outputs, including any student names in them Brisk FAQ ↗. Brisk reports a 95% Common Sense privacy rating Brisk ↗.
Why we like it
- Works inside Docs, Slides, Word and your LMS
- Free plan with 20+ tools
- Batch feedback on student writing
- 14 day Premium trial
Flaws but not dealbreakers
- Pro price not published on its site
- No refunds
- Stores student names that appear in your prompts
Diffit
Best for teachers who need the same lesson at several reading levels, for ELL, SPED and intervention groups.
Diffit does one job well: it adapts and extends resources so every student can work on the same topic, with uses called out for ELL, SPED, intervention and MTSS Diffit pricing ↗. The free Basic plan includes classroom ready content and lets you download, print, share and edit what you make Diffit pricing ↗.
The free plan only keeps content made in the last 90 days Diffit pricing ↗. Diffit for Schools is a flat yearly subscription priced by student enrollment, with unlimited premium access for all staff and export to Google, Canva and Microsoft formats Diffit pricing ↗. Individual teacher licenses exist, but prices are not listed on the pricing page Diffit pricing ↗.
Diffit's privacy model is simple. It says it does not collect any student data, students do not need logins and there is no student facing AI Diffit pricing ↗. That makes it one of the easier tools to get approved.
Why we like it
- Fast leveled readings for mixed classes
- No student logins or student data
- Free plan to start
Flaws but not dealbreakers
- Free plan only keeps 90 days of content
- Paid prices not published
- Narrower than an all in one platform
Khanmigo
Best for math and tutoring support tied to Khan Academy content.
Khanmigo is Khan Academy's AI assistant, and its pricing page says it is 100% free for teachers Khanmigo pricing ↗. Free teacher access includes lesson planning, student work summaries and chat history Khanmigo pricing ↗. Teachers must be 18 or older and live in an eligible country Khanmigo ↗.
Students and parents pay $4 a month or $44 a year, and districts request a quote Khanmigo pricing ↗. Common Sense Media included Khanmigo's teacher assistant in its 2025 review of AI teacher tools Common Sense Media ↗.
Why we like it
- Free for teachers
- Built on Khan Academy content
- Low cost for families at $4 a month
Flaws but not dealbreakers
- Student access costs money outside district deals
- Eligible countries not listed on the pricing page
Compare them
| Tool | Starting price | Free plan | Works in Google/Microsoft | Student data claims | Student tools | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MagicSchoolOur pick | Free; Plus $8.33/mo yearly | Yes, 80+ teacher tools | Exports to Docs and Slides | FERPA, COPPA, SOC 2 | Plus and Enterprise | All in one teacher toolkit |
| ChatGPT for TeachersBest free option | Free through June 2028 | Yes, verified US K-12 | Google Drive, Microsoft 365 | FERPA aligned, student DPA | No | General assistant |
| Brisk TeachingBest for feedback inside Google Docs | Free; Pro not published | Yes, 20+ tools | Docs, Slides, Forms, Word, PowerPoint | FERPA, COPPA, SOC 2 | Not stated | Feedback in Docs and LMS |
| DiffitBest for differentiated readings | Free; schools by quote | Yes, 90 day history | Exports on school plan | No student data collected | No student facing AI | Leveled readings |
| KhanmigoAlso great | Free for teachers | Yes, teachers | Not stated | Not stated | $4/mo for learners | Math and tutoring |
| SchoolAI | Free trial; Pro by quote | 5 Space launches/year | Limited browser extension | FERPA, COPPA, SOC 2 Type 2 | Yes, Spaces | Monitored student chats |
Prices and features from each vendor’s site, checked Oct 9, 2026. Prices change often.
Who this is for
This guide is for K-12 classroom teachers, special education teachers, instructional coaches and small private or charter schools that want AI help with planning and feedback without a big district rollout. If your district already pays for a platform, start there, because it will have a signed data privacy agreement.
The most common jobs are the ones teachers already use AI for. In the 2025 Gallup and Walton Family Foundation poll, the top tasks were lesson preparation (37%), worksheet creation (33%), adapting materials for student needs (28%), administrative work (28%) and assessment creation (25%) Gallup and Walton ↗. Grading and one on one instruction were much less common Gallup and Walton ↗. Our picks follow that order.
Why you should trust us
We read each vendor's pricing page, FAQ and privacy claims and checked every price on October 9, 2026. We used Common Sense Media's 2025 risk assessment of AI teacher assistants as an independent check on safety Common Sense Media ↗, and the Gallup and Walton Family Foundation survey for how teachers actually use these tools Gallup and Walton ↗. Every fact links to its source.
We have not yet tested these tools hands on for this guide. Hands on testing is in progress, and we will update this page with sample lesson plans and feedback. No vendor paid for placement, and our picks were chosen on merit.
How we picked
We started with the tools teachers mention most and the ones Common Sense Media reviewed: Google's Gemini teacher assistant, Khanmigo, Curipod and MagicSchool Common Sense Media ↗. We added general assistants with education plans and narrower tools that do one classroom job well. Then we ranked them on what matters for a teacher paying out of pocket or asking a principal for approval.
- A free plan or free education access that is useful on its own
- Clear published prices for the paid step up
- Student data claims: FERPA, COPPA, a data privacy agreement and no training on student data
- Works where teachers already work: Google, Microsoft and the LMS
- Tools for the top jobs: lesson prep, worksheets, differentiation and assessments
- Independent review where available
What AI teacher tools can and can't do today
AI is good at first drafts. It can turn a standard or a reading into a lesson plan, a quiz, a rubric, a leveled reading or a parent email in a minute or two. Teachers who use AI weekly report saving an average of 5.9 hours a week, and monthly users report 2.9 hours Gallup and Walton ↗. Tools like Brisk can also give first pass feedback on a stack of essays inside Google Docs Brisk ↗.
AI is not reliable enough to use without review. Common Sense Media found that AI teacher assistants can show bias based on perceived student backgrounds when writing IEPs and behavior plans, and it recommends not using AI for those documents Common Sense Media ↗. It also warns that AI material can shape what students learn in ways neither teachers nor students notice, and that it is easy to send unreviewed content to a class Common Sense Media ↗. Treat every output as a draft you are responsible for.
AI also does not replace your curriculum. Common Sense recommends using these tools to strengthen established materials rather than starting from scratch Common Sense Media ↗.
Before you sign up
Check your district's rules first. Many districts keep a list of approved apps with signed data privacy agreements, and some block browser extensions. Paid district plans from MagicSchool and SchoolAI include custom or district wide privacy agreements MagicSchool pricing ↗ SchoolAI pricing ↗, and ChatGPT for Teachers includes a student data privacy agreement ChatGPT for Teachers FAQ ↗.
Keep student personal information out of prompts unless the tool is approved for it. Brisk, for example, says it stores teacher inputs and outputs, including student names in them Brisk FAQ ↗. Diffit avoids the issue by not collecting student data at all Diffit pricing ↗.
- Ask whether the tool is on your district's approved list
- Read whether your data trains the vendor's models
- Strip names and IDs from student work unless the tool is approved
- Review every AI output before students see it
- Do not use AI to write IEPs or behavior plans
- Note when free promotions end, such as June 2028 for ChatGPT for Teachers
What to look forward to
Student facing AI is the next step. MagicSchool and SchoolAI already sell student tools and monitored student spaces on paid plans MagicSchool pricing ↗ SchoolAI pricing ↗, and OpenAI says student accounts for ChatGPT for Teachers may come later ChatGPT for Teachers FAQ ↗. Google bundles Gemini for Education and a notebook tool into its free Workspace for Education Fundamentals edition, with a paid AI add-on for more Google for Education ↗. Expect districts to choose one or two platforms and teachers to have fewer, better approved tools. We will update this guide as prices and policies change.
The competition
SchoolAIFree trial; Pro and Scale pricing by demo
SchoolAI focuses on monitored student AI chats it calls Spaces, and claims FERPA, COPPA and SOC 2 Type 2 compliance SchoolAI pricing ↗. The free trial allows only 5 Space launches a year and Pro and Scale prices are not published SchoolAI pricing ↗, so it fits a school purchase better than a single teacher.
Gemini for EducationIncluded in Workspace for Education Fundamentals; AI Pro for Education add-on $20/user/month on 1 year term
Google includes Gemini for Education and a notebook tool in the free Workspace for Education Fundamentals edition and says that data is not reviewed by anyone or used to train AI models Google for Education ↗. If your school runs on Google, it is worth using, but full Gemini inside Docs and Slides needs the Google AI Pro for Education add-on at $20 per user a month on a yearly commitment Google for Education ↗.
CanvaPro $144/year for one person
Canva Education is free for K-12 teachers and their students, includes most premium features and classroom safe AI, and Canva says it never uses student data to train AI models Canva Education ↗. It is a design tool first, so we see it as a companion to a planning tool rather than a replacement.
CuripodNot stated
Curipod builds interactive lessons and was one of four tools in Common Sense Media's 2025 review of AI teacher assistants Common Sense Media ↗. We could not confirm its current prices, so we left it out of the picks for now.
Questions people ask
What is the best free AI tool for teachers?
For US K-12 teachers, ChatGPT for Teachers is free with unlimited messages through June 2028 ChatGPT for Teachers FAQ ↗. For a free set of classroom templates, MagicSchool's free plan includes more than 80 teacher tools MagicSchool pricing ↗.
Is MagicSchool free?
Yes. MagicSchool has a Forever Free plan for individual teachers. Plus costs $8.33 a month billed yearly or $12.99 monthly and adds unlimited generations and student tools MagicSchool pricing ↗.
Is ChatGPT for Teachers really free?
Yes, for verified US K-12 teachers, staff and administrators through June 2028. OpenAI says it may change pricing after that with advance notice ChatGPT for Teachers FAQ ↗.
Are AI teacher tools FERPA compliant?
Several vendors say so. MagicSchool and Brisk claim FERPA and COPPA compliance MagicSchool pricing ↗ Brisk FAQ ↗, and ChatGPT for Teachers says it includes FERPA aligned protections ChatGPT for Teachers FAQ ↗. Compliance also depends on how your school signs and uses the tool, so check your district's data privacy agreement.
Can AI grade student work?
AI can give first pass feedback, and Brisk offers batch feedback inside Google Docs and LMS assignments Brisk ↗ Brisk FAQ ↗. Grading was one of the least common uses in the Gallup survey at 16% Gallup and Walton ↗, and you should review any score before it goes to a student.
Should I use AI to write IEPs?
Common Sense Media recommends against it, because AI teacher assistants showed bias based on perceived student backgrounds when generating IEPs and behavior plans Common Sense Media ↗.
Where this comes from
Checked Oct 9, 2026. Vendor pages describe their own products; independent sources add outside views.
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