Knoword vs. Kahoot!

The definitive comparison

When it comes to creating fun educational games for students, Kahoot has long been a popular choice. But while its live, competitive quizzes have been a go-to activity for countless classrooms, many educators find themselves looking for a tool that is more streamlined, more focused on learning outcomes, and provides better value.

This page breaks down the key differences between Knoword and Kahoot, helping you decide which platform is the best fit for your classroom, department, or school.

Contents

• At a glance: Key differences
• A simpler, smarter way to create content
• A better value for your classroom
• Gameplay philosophy: Fixed vs. flexible
• The verdict: Knoword is the clear choice for critical learning

At a glance: Key differences

A simpler, smarter way to create content

Knoword and Kahoot both offer a library of user-created games, but the real test is in how easy it is to make your own. For teachers who are short on time, this is the most significant difference.

With Knoword, you can create a complete custom game in seconds using AI. Just paste text from a document or website, and Knoword will instantly generate a playable word pack. This feature is free and unlimited for all users. In contrast, Kahoot’s AI tools are locked behind a paid subscription, meaning you’re forced to build your game manually unless you upgrade.

When creating a Kahoot, you must choose the game mode for each question. Knoword’s creation process is focused on building a “pack” of terms and clues, which can then be played in multiple game modes. Knoword’s streamlined approach means you can create content once and use it for a variety of different activities.

A better value for your classroom

Kahoot is known for its confusing, multi-tiered pricing, which can be a major pain point for teachers and school administrators. Its different plans offer varying player limits and question types, and many features that a teacher might expect to be free are actually restricted to paying users, including popular question types like “Type Answer,” “Puzzle,” and “Slider.” Assignments, a critical feature for progress tracking, are also limited on Kahoot’s free plan.

Knoword, on the other hand, offers a simple, transparent pricing model. The free tier gives you access to core features like AI tools, printable worksheet downloads, and unlimited submissions on up to two assignments. Our paid tier provides unlimited everything, including assignments and the ability to add images and audio to your packs. We believe that a single paid plan should give you access to all of our features, without the confusion of complex tiers and feature matrices.

Gameplay philosophy: Fixed vs. flexible

At a glance, both Knoword and Kahoot are used for building quizzes, but the fundamental gameplay philosophy is different.

In Kahoot, the person who creates the quiz also determines the format of each question, i.e., multiple-choice, true/false, or typing the answer. This means the learning experience is fixed by the creator.

In contrast, Knoword’s design separates the content from the game mode. You create a “pack” of terms and clues, and then the person playing chooses the game mode each time they play. This gives the player the power to decide how they want to engage with the material, whether through a typing game, multiple choice quiz, or a drag-and-drop matching mode. This flexibility makes Knoword a versatile tool for different learning styles and classroom activities.

The verdict: Knoword is the clear choice for critical learning

Kahoot excels at creating a live, competitive atmosphere for quick review. However, if your goal is to build long-term vocabulary, encourage critical thinking, and provide a streamlined learning experience, Knoword is the way to go.

Knoword offers:

• The fastest, most streamlined content creation available, thanks to free AI tools.
• A clear and honest pricing model that provides more value for teachers.
• A distraction-free, ad-free environment where students can focus on learning.

While both platforms are great for classroom engagement, Knoword provides a more robust, simple, and valuable experience that supports a wider range of teaching and learning goals.