Malaysia
Pandai
SPM/KSSM-aligned gamified learning
4/4
19 tools · 16 Global-South-built
The best exam-prep apps, by country
The heartland of system-native EdTech — platforms built for the exam a country actually sits, in its languages, at its prices. This is where the Global-South tools no other list covers live.
We build learning products too, so we never rank by ad spend or our own interest. System-native tools are listed first; each is read through the Four Mismatches Test.
Scored for fit
| Tool | Curriculum | Language | Price | Infra | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PandaiMalaysiascored: home market | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Free tier + Premium ~RM30–96/month |
| GeniebookSingaporescored: home market | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | ✓ | Subscription (~S$150–370/subject/month by tier — verify current) |
| RuangguruIndonesiascored: home market | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ruangbelajar ~Rp83,250/month (~US$5); Brain Academy Online from ~Rp400,000/month |
| EmbibeIndiascored: home market | ✓ | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | Freemium + government/institutional deals |
| Physics WallahIndiascored: home market | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Courses from ~₹2,999; founder-pledged under ₹5,000 |
| VedantuIndiascored: home market | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | ✓ | — |
| UnacademyIndiascored: home market | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Freemium; Unacademy Plus / Iconic subscriptions (India-priced) |
| DoubtnutIndiascored: home market | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| uLessonNigeriascored: home market | ✓ | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | Subscription (halved fees in 2024); ~₦12,000/3 months, ~US$60–90/year international |
| FoondaMateSouth Africascored: home market | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Free |
| M-ShuleKenyascored: home market | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Eneza EducationKenyascored: home market | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | KES 10/week (~US$0.08) or KES 1.43/day off airtime, via Safaricom |
| Noon AcademySaudi Arabiascored: home market | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Free core live classes; paid premium |
Fit scored through the Four Mismatches Test: ✓ pass · ~ partial · ✕ fail · – not exam-assessed. Verdicts are framed per each tool’s home market or, for imports, a Commonwealth buyer.
The full field
Singapore
Geniebook
Adaptive question bank with the GenieAsk Q&A tutor
3/4
Hong KongLegacy
Snapask
On-demand tutoring across Asian markets
Indonesia
Ruangguru
Courses, tutoring, and exam prep at scale
4/4
Philippines / Indonesia
Quipper
Curriculum-aligned learning across Southeast Asia
India
Embibe
AI exam prep for JEE, NEET, and boards
3/4
India
Physics Wallah
Affordable exam prep for JEE and NEET
4/4
India
Vedantu
Live interactive tutoring
3/4
India
Unacademy
Competitive-exam and skills learning
4/4
India
Doubtnut
Video doubt-solving from a photo of the question
4/4
Nigeria
uLesson
Curriculum video lessons and practice for West Africa
3/4
Nigeria
Gradely
Personalised practice and assessment
South Africa
FoondaMate
WhatsApp study bot, no separate app needed
4/4
Kenya
M-Shule
SMS-based adaptive learning for basic phones
4/4
Kenya
Eneza Education
SMS and USSD learning for feature phones
4/4
Saudi Arabia
Noon Academy
Social learning and exam prep across MENA and South Asia
4/4
China
Yuanfudao
Tutoring and AI study hardware
China
Zuoyebang
Homework help and AI study devices
South Korea
Riiid (Santa)
AI test prep, best known for TOEIC
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best exam-prep app?
- There isn't one — the best is the one built for your exam. Pandai for Malaysia's SPM, Physics Wallah or Embibe for India's JEE/NEET, Ruangguru for Indonesia's UTBK, uLesson for Nigeria's WASSCE. Fit beats brand.