Monkeytype vs TypingGamesKids
Monkeytype is where many teenagers go to test their speed. It measures typing; it does not teach it.
Compiled by Bryant.P, 8th-grade student and founder of TypingGamesKids
Facts checked against each site's own pages on
The Short Answer
Monkeytype is a free, open-source, highly customizable typing test with many languages and layouts, optional ads and no lessons, multiplayer or teacher tools; its terms state no minimum age. TypingGamesKids is built for kids still learning the keyboard: 34 games from single letters to sentences, a grade-level 1 or 3 minute typing test, private Class Races and a free teacher dashboard, with no ads. Monkeytype for measuring a fluent typist; TypingGamesKids for learning and class practice.
Monkeytype vs TypingGamesKids at a Glance
| Monkeytype | TypingGamesKids | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free; supported by donations, Patreon and merch. No premium tier. | Free. No paid tier, no trial, no upsell. |
| Ads | Optional ads via Playwire; one ad on the results page by default, and users can switch them off. | None on any page. |
| Student account | No account needed; an account saves speed history. | No student accounts at all. Teachers can make an optional adult account to save Class Race results. |
| Ages | No minimum age stated in its terms or privacy policy. | Pre-K to middle school; games are tagged by grade. |
| Format | A minimalist, customizable typing test (time, words, quote, zen, custom modes). No lessons. | 34 typing games. Every activity is a game, from single letters to full sentences, plus a 12-stage Dance Mat Typing path and a WPM typing test. |
| Live racing | None found; public leaderboards. | Class Race: a teacher opens a room with a 6-digit code and the whole class races live in any of the games, or in a typing test with a live race track. |
| Teacher tools | None found. | Free teacher dashboard: Class Race hosting, race history, seat-number progress (no student names), practice assignments, CSV export and printable certificates. No Clever or Google Classroom roster sync. |
| Layouts | Many languages and layouts including Dvorak and Colemak. | US QWERTY; French AZERTY in the French version. Site in English, Spanish, Portuguese and French. |
| Made by | Monkeytype, Inc. (open-source project created by Miodec) | Bryant.P, a student (about) |
Where Monkeytype Is Stronger
Monkeytype is excellent for fluent typists. Its pages list:
- Deep customization of test modes and themes.
- Many languages and keyboard layouts.
- Open source, with ads you can switch off.
Where TypingGamesKids Is Stronger
Teaches, not only tests
Monkeytype is a test with no lessons. TypingGamesKids walks a child from letters to the home row to words and sentences, with a 12-stage dance mat path along the way.
Grade-level test text
Monkeytype tests on word lists and quotes. The TypingGamesKids typing test uses text matched to the student's grade, so a 2nd grader is not typing adult vocabulary.
Classroom features
We found no class features on Monkeytype. TypingGamesKids has Class Race, practice assignments, seat-number progress and certificates, all free.
No ads at all
Monkeytype's ads are optional and shown on the results page by default. TypingGamesKids has none.
Which Should You Choose?
| If... | Choose |
|---|---|
| A fluent teen wants detailed speed stats | Monkeytype |
| You need Colemak, Dvorak or another language | Monkeytype |
| A child is still learning where the keys are | TypingGamesKids |
| You need anything for a class | TypingGamesKids |
Using both
Once a student types comfortably above 40 WPM, Monkeytype's modes are a good way to keep pushing. Before that, games hold a kid's attention longer than a blank test.
A Note From the Founder
Lots of older students use Monkeytype, and it is a great test. Our site is for the step before that, when a kid still needs a reason to keep practicing.
— Bryant.P, 8th grade · why I built TypingGamesKids
How This Comparison Was Checked
Every fact about another site comes from that site's own pages (homepage, pricing, help center, privacy policy or terms), read on September 29, 2026. Review sites, search snippets and memory don't count. When a site's own pages disagree with each other, we say so or quote the specific page. When a site does not publish a price, we write "quote-based" and don't guess.
"Ads" means the free version shows advertising, either stated in the site's own policy or seen as ad scripts in its page code. "Account" means what a student needs before practicing. Prices and plans change, so check the source before you buy.
Sources
- Monkeytype: Monkeytype about
- Monkeytype: Monkeytype privacy policy
- Monkeytype: Monkeytype terms
- TypingGamesKids: privacy policy, about the founder, teacher guide
Spotted something out of date? Tell us on the contact page and we'll recheck it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Monkeytype good for kids?
Monkeytype is a typing test, not a course: it has no lessons, class features or kids' content, and its terms state no minimum age. It works well for fluent older students. Younger kids learning the keys usually need games and grade-level text.
Does Monkeytype have ads?
Ads are optional. By default one ad shows on the results page, and users can turn ads off in settings. TypingGamesKids shows no ads.
Is Monkeytype free?
Yes. It has no premium tier and is supported by donations, Patreon and merch. It is open source.
What is a kid-friendly alternative to Monkeytype?
TypingGamesKids has a 1 or 3 minute typing test with grade-level text and live WPM and accuracy, plus 34 typing games, all free with no ads and no sign-up.
See all 18 sites in one table on the kids typing websites comparison.
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