Comparison

Forge Learning Academy vs GradeKey

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Forge Learning Academy

This comprehensive K-12 homeschool platform offers an AI tutor, a complete curriculum aligned to state standards, and tools for parental control. Families can choose between Faith-Forward or Standard Academic modes for all subjects, with options for financial literacy, character development, and vocational trades.

Highlights
  • AI tutor with step-by-step explanations
  • K-12 curriculum aligned to state standards
  • Faith-Forward and Standard Academic modes
  • Financial literacy and character development
  • College and career prep
  • Parent dashboard for progress tracking
Features
Read full description

Forge Learning Academy is the most in-depth K-12 homeschool platform for modern families. Built by a homeschooling family, Forge combines a patient AI tutor, a complete K-12 curriculum, and tools that keep you in control. One plan covers your whole family, every grade, every subject. A tutor that actually teaches The Forge Tutor guides your student through any subject with clear, step-by-step explanations. It asks questions, builds understanding, and never just hands over answers. Every conversation is visible to you. Aligned to your state, all 50 Forge maps your curriculum to your state's specific standards and surfaces the courses your state requires for graduation and grade promotion. Move to a new state and everything updates automatically. Choose your path Every subject comes in two fully developed modes: Faith-Forward, with a biblical worldview woven throughout, or Standard Academic, fully secular. Same excellence, your family's values. Far beyond the basics Core academics for every grade, plus financial literacy, character development, world languages aligned to graduation credits, college and career prep, and hands-on trades like electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and more. You stay in control Track every student from one parent dashboard. Review chat history, generate progress reports, and access a state compliance helper and printable worksheets. The Forge Trio Every student grows across academics, financial literacy, and character, the three things that build capable, prepared young people. Start forging the next generation of leaders today. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://forgelearningacademy.com/privacy

About

GradeKey

Features
Read full description

GradeKey turns any assignment's point value into a complete grade conversion table — instantly. Stop doing mental math at the grading table. Enter the total points once, and GradeKey generates every possible score, percentage, and letter grade in a single scrollable table. Built by a teacher, for teachers. INSTANT GRADE TABLES Type in the total points and GradeKey does the rest. Every row shows points off, points earned, the exact percentage, and the letter grade — color-coded so an A is green and an F is red at a glance. Choose your step size to match how you actually grade: • Whole points — fast for quizzes • Half points — the classroom standard • Quarter points — for detailed rubrics FIND ANY SCORE IN SECONDS Three ways to look up a grade, and GradeKey jumps straight to the matching row and highlights it: • Points Off — “they lost 4 points, what's that?” • Points Earned — “36 out of 40 is what percent?” • Grade % — “what do they need for an 85?” No scrolling, no scanning. Type a number, land on the answer. GRADING SCALES THAT MATCH YOUR SCHOOL Eight built-in presets, and GradeKey suggests the right one based on your region: • US Standard (90/80/70/60) • US Plus / Minus (A+, A, A-, B+ …) • US Strict (93/83/73/63) • Pass / Fail • Canada • UK / Europe • Australia • Latin America Or build your own. Rename any tier, add or delete tiers, set any percentage cutoff, and choose exactly where the passing line falls. Hide scales you do not use and arrange the picker in your preferred order. EXTRA CREDIT, HANDLED Add bonus points and GradeKey extends the table above 100%, marking those rows “EC” in purple. SAVE EVERY ASSESSMENT Store all your quizzes, exams, labs, and projects. Search them by name, drag to reorder, duplicate a setup, and group related work into folders. GRADEKEY PRO — ONE PURCHASE, FOREVER The free version saves one assessment with full access to the table, lookup, and every grading scale. Upgrade once to unlock: • Unlimited saved assessments • Export to PDF or CSV • Folders for classes, periods, or terms • Configurable Home Screen widgets for assessments and folders • Every future feature One-time purchase. No subscription. No account. No ads. DESIGNED FOR TEACHERS • iCloud sync is free for everyone • Works on iPhone and iPad • Full dark mode • No sign-up, no login, no tracking • Your data stays on your device and in your private iCloud Grading is hard enough. The math shouldn't be.

Screenshots

Forge Learning Academy4 screens
GradeKey4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Forge Learning Academy at every 4 days against GradeKey's monthly. Forge Learning Academy also leads on iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Forge Learning Academy sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per month and GradeKey sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Forge Learning Academy ships an update every 4 days, GradeKey monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Forge Learning Academy versus GradeKey: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterForge Learning AcademyGradeKey
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (5 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings5 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 days — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.1 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size47 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCARLOS SETH BOLTONHernan Rosario

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Forge Learning Academy

Subscriptions10
  • AI Unlimited$8.991 Month
  • 1 Extra Student Seat$8.991 Month
  • 2 Extra Student Seats$17.991 Month
Show 7 more
  • forge_seat_3$26.991 Month
  • Single Student7 Days trial$29.991 Month
  • 4 Extra Student Seats$35.991 Month
  • 5 Extra Student Seats$44.991 Month
  • Family Plan7 Days trial$49.991 Month
  • Single Student (Annual)$299.991 Year
  • Annual Family Plan$499.991 Year
1 purchases

GradeKey

One-time1
  • GradeKey Pro$7.99

Questions

Is Forge Learning Academy free?
Forge Learning Academy is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is GradeKey free?
GradeKey is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Forge Learning Academy or GradeKey have ads?
Neither Forge Learning Academy nor GradeKey shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Forge Learning Academy or GradeKey?
Forge Learning Academy ships an update every 4 days, and GradeKey monthly. Most recently, Forge Learning Academy was updated on October 31, 2026 and GradeKey on November 6, 2026.

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