Blog Post 19: EaseLearn AI vs Byju's — Why Free Beats Expensive in 2026

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EaseLearn AI vs Byju's: Why Free AI Tutoring is Winning in 2026

Byju's was once India's most valuable startup. Then came the financial controversies, the layoffs, the lawsuits, and the trust collapse.

But the question students and parents are asking isn't "what happened to Byju's?" It's "what should I use instead?"

Here's an honest comparison between EaseLearn AI (free, AI-native) and Byju's (paid, content-based) — and why the edtech model is fundamentally shifting.

The Core Difference

Byju's model: Pay ₹1,500-3,000/month for access to pre-recorded video courses. A sales team calls your parents. EMI options available. Content is comprehensive but static.

EaseLearn's model: Free. Point your camera at any question. Get an instant AI-generated solution. No sales team. No EMI. No phone calls to your parents.

These aren't just different products. They're different philosophies about education.

Feature Comparison

Why Students Are Switching

1. Trust

Byju's reputation took a massive hit. Stories of aggressive sales tactics, difficult refund processes, and misleading promises made parents wary. EaseLearn has no sales team, no payment, and no promises — just a product you can try in 3 seconds.

2. Cost

For a family earning ₹30,000-50,000/month, Byju's subscription (₹1,500-3,000/month) is a significant expense. EaseLearn is free. The math is simple.

3. Speed

When you're stuck on a problem at 11 PM, you don't want to search through a video library for the right lecture. You want the answer NOW. EaseLearn's camera solver gives it to you in 3 seconds.

4. AI vs Content

Byju's is a content company that added some AI features. EaseLearn is an AI company that happens to be in education. The difference shows in how the product works — EaseLearn generates personalized solutions in real-time, while Byju's shows the same video to every student.

When Byju's Might Still Be Better

Let's be fair:

1. Structured learning: If you need a complete, structured course from Chapter 1 to the end, Byju's video courses provide that. EaseLearn is on-demand (you ask, it answers) rather than structured.

2. Visual learning: Some students learn better from watching a teacher explain on video. Byju's has high-production-quality video content.

3. Younger students: For Class 1-5, Byju's gamified learning app (Byju's Learning App) is well-designed for younger children. EaseLearn is better suited for Class 6 and above.

The Bigger Picture: Edtech is Changing

Byju's represented Edtech 1.0: expensive content, aggressive sales, venture-capital-funded growth.

EaseLearn represents Edtech 2.0: free AI, product-led growth, sustainable model.

The shift is happening across the industry:

• Physics Wallah proved you can build a massive edtech company with affordable pricing
• Doubtnut proved camera-based doubt solving works at scale
• EaseLearn is proving that AI-native, completely free tutoring is viable

The future of Indian edtech isn't about who has the most expensive content. It's about who solves the student's problem fastest, most accurately, and most affordably.

What Parents Should Know

If you're a parent reading this:

1. You don't need to spend ₹1,500-3,000/month on edtech. Free tools like EaseLearn cover doubt-solving, practice, and revision effectively.

2. Be wary of EMI-based education products. If a company needs to offer EMI to sell their product, the price is probably too high.

3. Let your child try free tools first. If they need more structured learning after that, consider affordable options (Physics Wallah courses, free YouTube channels) before expensive subscriptions.

4. The best investment is a good internet connection and a smartphone. With these two things, your child has access to more educational resources than any coaching institute can provide.

FAQ

Q: Is EaseLearn really as good as Byju's for exam preparation?
A: For doubt-solving and practice, EaseLearn is faster and more personalized. For structured, chapter-by-chapter video courses, Byju's has more content. Many students use EaseLearn for daily doubt-solving and free YouTube channels for structured learning — getting the best of both worlds at zero cost.

Q: My parents already bought a Byju's subscription. Should I cancel?
A: If you're finding value in the video courses, keep using them. But supplement with EaseLearn for instant doubt-solving — it's free and works alongside any other tool. If you're NOT using the Byju's subscription, consider requesting a cancellation and switching to free alternatives.

Q: Is Byju's going to shut down?
A: As of 2026, Byju's is still operating but has undergone significant restructuring. The company's future is uncertain. This is another reason to not depend on a single paid platform — free tools like EaseLearn will always be available regardless of any company's financial situation.

Q: Can free tools really replace paid coaching/courses?
A: For many students, yes. The combination of NCERT (free), YouTube lectures (free), EaseLearn AI for doubt-solving (free), and PYQ practice (free) covers 90%+ of what you need for board exams and competitive exams. The remaining 10% — motivation, accountability, and mentorship — can come from study groups, school teachers, and online communities.

Q: What if I need structured courses, not just doubt-solving?
A: Try Physics Wallah (affordable courses), Khan Academy (free), or YouTube channels like Mohit Tyagi and Vedantu. You don't need to pay Byju's prices for structured learning in 2026.

EaseLearn AI — the free alternative that 79,000+ students chose over paid edtech. Point your camera at any doubt. Get the answer in 3 seconds. Try it at easelearn.ai.

Originally published on EaseLearn AI. 100,000+ students use our free AI doubt solver and Immersive Classroom — AI-generated live visual lessons, available 24/7.