IXL review

IXL is the most thorough practice tool here for school-age children. A family membership opens more than 20,000 skills across math from Pre-K to calculus, language arts from Pre-K to 12, science, social studies and Spanish. Its Diagnostic estimates a child's level and suggests the skills they are ready for, so a parent does not have to guess where to begin, and questions adapt in difficulty as the child answers. IXL lists more than 1,300 video tutorials and lessons, and every wrong answer comes with a step-by-step explanation. Families can pick a single subject, a Combo plan for math and language arts, or a Core subjects plan that adds science and social studies, and progress carries over between the website and the apps. The trade-off is tone: IXL is structured practice rather than a game world, so younger children may need encouragement. Pricing loaded in zloty for us, so the USD figure is pending. We compared documented features and published prices.

Who it is for

Parents who want skill-by-skill practice that matches school standards from Pre-K through high school.

Price

See vendor pricing (USD check pending).

US price check pending. See the vendor pricing page.

Key features

• More than 20,000 K-12 skills across math, English, science, social studies and Spanish
• Diagnostic that places a child and recommends the skills to learn next
• 1,300+ video tutorials and lessons with real-time feedback
• Step-by-step answer explanations after mistakes
• Progress saved across IXL.com and the IXL apps

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: The widest skill coverage on this list, from Pre-K to calculus
• Strength: Plans for one subject, math plus English, or all core subjects
• Strength: Works as a homeschool curriculum as well as a supplement
• Weakness: Question-based practice can feel like homework to some children
• Weakness: Our location showed prices in zloty, so the USD price is pending
• Weakness: Science and social studies need the larger Core subjects plan

Key facts

• Grades: Pre-K to 12
• Skills: 20,000+
• Plans: Single subject, Combo (math and language arts), Core subjects
• Platforms: Web, iPhone, iPad and other tablets

Where it ranks

IXL is No. 2 in our Best Online Learning for Kids verdict.