Alternatives to Kognity for IGCSE schools depend on what you need Kognity to do. Kognity is an interactive digital textbook for 14 Cambridge IGCSE subjects and IB, with built-in assignments. Schools wanting exam-style practice, marking and mock data across Cambridge and Pearson Edexcel, including A Level, might look at AI Buddy, exam-mate or Seneca.
Disclosure: AI Buddy is Tutopiya’s own platform. Kognity details come from its own website, checked on 24 September 2026.
How do Kognity and AI Buddy compare?
| Kognity | AI Buddy | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Interactive digital textbook with built-in assessment | Practice, marking and analytics platform |
| Cambridge IGCSE subjects | 14, including Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Business, Economics, Computer Science and First Language English | Part of 26 IGCSE and A Level subjects |
| Other programmes | IB DP, IB MYP, NGSS; no A Level or Pearson Edexcel listed | Cambridge and Pearson Edexcel, IGCSE and A Level |
| Questions | ”Over 10,000 expertly-curated questions”; “exam-style” practice | 200,000+ auto-marked past-paper-style questions |
| Assignments | ”Differentiated, auto-correcting assignments” | Test builder, auto-marked tests and mock exams |
| Analytics | ”Real-time data on student progress”; leaders “monitor usage” | Individual and cohort dashboards; intervention alerts; predicted-grade insights |
| Integrations | Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams, Canvas, Schoology, Clever, Classlink; no extra cost | Ask us for current integrations |
| Pricing | ”Charged per student, per year. Teacher access is always free”; quote-based; 30-day trial | School plans on request |
| Data | Swedish company; platform data hosted “in AWS and Heroku data centers, located in the US”; published subprocessor list | Tutopiya states “GDPR compliance”; public privacy policy written under Singapore’s PDPA |
Sources: Kognity IGCSE, Kognity IGCSE subjects, integrations, privacy and security, data security plan, AI Buddy, Tutopiya privacy policy.
Where is Kognity strongest?
As a textbook replacement for IGCSE and IB schools. Kognity describes itself as “more than a textbook” and says “all of Kognity’s Cambridge IGCSE subjects are endorsed by Cambridge International Education”. It adds that Business, Economics and First Language English “are endorsed … to support the latest syllabuses for examination from 2027”. It integrates with the main learning platforms at no extra cost, and it publishes the most detailed data documentation of the platforms we compared, including hosting location and a subprocessor list. On AI, Kognity says it uses AI to create content that “is still going through a rigid review by human subject experts”. It also commits it will “never … use AI to make fully automated grading decisions without human oversight”.
Where is AI Buddy strongest?
Exam practice and assessment data across both boards and into A Level. AI Buddy is built around past-paper-style questions marked instantly, mock exams and cohort analytics. It covers Cambridge and Pearson Edexcel, and IGCSE and A Level, which Kognity does not list. It is not a textbook: schools using AI Buddy still need core teaching content, which Kognity provides.
Which should an IGCSE school choose?
Choose by the gap in your teaching model:
- You need a digital textbook for Cambridge IGCSE or IB, with assignments built in: Kognity.
- You need exam-style practice, instant marking and mock data across Cambridge and Edexcel IGCSE and A Level: AI Buddy.
- You teach IB and IGCSE only: Kognity covers both. You teach A Level or Edexcel: check coverage carefully, because Kognity lists neither.
Some schools could reasonably use both: a textbook for teaching and a practice platform for assessment. If so, compare the combined cost per active student. See EdTech ROI for schools and the 2026 platform comparison.
What should schools check on data?
Where data is hosted, who processes it, and under which law. Kognity publishes US hosting and its subprocessors. Tutopiya’s For Schools page states “GDPR compliance”, and its public privacy policy is written under Singapore’s Personal Data Protection Act. For any platform, ask for the data processing agreement and hosting details in writing before signing. See the EdTech procurement checklist.
How schools do this with AI Buddy
A typical start is one IGCSE department and one mock. Teachers set past-paper-style questions, AI Buddy marks them instantly with feedback, and the department reviews cohort gaps by topic on the dashboard. Schools that already use a digital textbook can run AI Buddy alongside it for practice and assessment.
Frequently asked questions
What are the alternatives to Kognity for IGCSE schools?
For exam-style practice and marking: AI Buddy, exam-mate and Seneca. For revision content across many boards: Save My Exams. Kognity remains distinctive as a digital textbook.
Which Kognity IGCSE subjects are available?
Kognity lists 14 Cambridge IGCSE subjects, including Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Co-ordinated and Combined Science, Mathematics and International Mathematics, English, Business, Economics, Computer Science, ICT and Geography.
Does Kognity cover A Level or Edexcel?
Kognity’s site lists IB, Cambridge IGCSE and NGSS. It does not list A Level or Pearson Edexcel.
How is Kognity priced?
Per student, per year, by quote; teacher access is free, according to Kognity.
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Sources
- Kognity, Cambridge IGCSE, IGCSE subjects, Integrations, Privacy and security, Data security and privacy plan and AI white paper
- Tutopiya, AI Buddy for schools and Privacy policy