Choosing the Best Math App for Your Child: What I Learned After Testing Dozens
With hundreds of math apps available, how do you choose the right one? I share my 5 evaluation criteria after 2 months of testing with my kids.
It was 8 PM. I'd just finished the dishes and found my older kid on his phone while my younger one cried over math homework. My husband was traveling for work. One kid (3rd grade) needs mental math practice, the other (1st grade) just started addition and subtraction. Tutoring? No budget, no time, no way to drive them there. I slumped into a chair, exhausted and helpless.
Then I thought: 'What about learning apps? Kids love phones anyway.' But Google Play showed hundreds of math apps, all claiming to make kids 'math geniuses.' How do you even choose?
I spent 2 months testing nearly a dozen apps with both kids. Some they played for 2 days then abandoned. Some were great but too advanced. Some had so many ads my kids kept accidentally clicking out. Finally, after all that trial and error, I found what works for both of them.
If you're also struggling to find the right math app for your child, this article shares everything I learned from 2 months of hands-on testing.
Why Use a Math Learning App?
Before diving into selection criteria, let me share why I chose apps over other options.
1. Flexible Scheduling
Tutoring centers have fixed schedules – I'd have to drive the kids there at specific times. Apps are different: my kids can learn anytime – early morning, lunch break, before bed. It fits our busy family schedule perfectly.
2. Lower Cost
Math tutoring runs $50-150/month per child where I live. With two kids, that's $100-300/month. Most apps cost $5-10/month or $30-80/year – a fraction of tutoring costs. The savings are significant over time.
3. Kids Can Learn Independently
Good apps have visual tutorials – kids watch videos or animations and understand on their own. I don't need to sit and explain every problem. I just check progress and encourage them when they struggle.
4. Kids Actually Enjoy It
This is the most important reason. My kids hate opening their workbooks, but they LOVE 'playing games' on the phone. Math apps with gamification – points, stars, levels – make learning feel like play. They don't realize they're studying.
I'm not saying apps can completely replace tutors or teachers. But for busy families with limited budgets, apps are a practical and effective solution.
5 Hard-Learned Lessons from Testing Dozens of Apps
After 2 months of trial and error, I learned 5 crucial lessons. These aren't theoretical – I 'paid' for them with time and money.
1. Must Have a Learning Path – Don't Let Kids Hit Problems Too Hard Too Soon
One app I downloaded threw my 1st grader straight into multiplication. She's never learned multiplication! She burst into tears saying 'I can't do this.' I had to close the app and comfort her for an hour. Lesson learned: good apps have a progression from easy to hard, starting from what kids already know.
What to look for: Apps that have clear levels, or a placement test to determine where to start, then suggest an appropriate learning path.
2. Must Have Gamification – Kids Need to Have Fun
Some apps had great content but were just boring drills. My older son used one for 3 days then said: 'Mom, this is boring. It's just like homework.' Meanwhile, another app with points, stars, and level-ups kept him playing for an hour straight. Kids' brains need immediate rewards. No gamification = kids quit fast.
What to look for: Points or stars after each problem, achievement badges, levels to unlock, leaderboards or daily challenges.
3. Kids Must Be Able to Learn Independently – Parents Don't Have Time to Explain
I'm alone with two kids, cooking and doing laundry at the same time. I can't sit next to them explaining every problem. So apps need visual tutorials – kids watch and understand. One app just showed a red 'X' when kids got answers wrong, no explanation. My daughter kept getting it wrong and got frustrated. Good apps should guide when kids make mistakes, not just 'punish' them.
What to look for: Step-by-step visual instructions, hints or explanations when kids get things wrong, simple language appropriate for children.
4. Must Have Progress Reports – Parents Need to Know What's Happening
One week I was too busy to check on the kids. Weekend came, I asked: 'Did you use the app?' – 'Yes, mom.' But turns out they only opened it to play mini-games, not do lessons. I didn't know because the app had no reports. Since then, I only use apps that let parents see what kids learned, how many they got right, and where they're struggling.
What to look for: Separate parent account, detailed reports (lessons completed, accuracy rate, time spent), notifications when kids need help.
5. Content Must Be Age-Appropriate
I once downloaded a highly-rated foreign app – 4.8 stars! But it was entirely in a different language, and my 1st grader couldn't understand the instructions. My older son complained: 'Why is this different from what we learn at school?' Different countries have different math curricula. Kids learn on the app but still can't do their homework.
What to look for: Language your child understands, content aligned with their school curriculum, problem types similar to what they see in class.
My tip: before paying for any app, use the free trial for at least a week. Watch if your child enjoys it, learns independently, and makes progress.
Types of Math Learning Apps
There are several types of math apps, each suited for different needs. Here's a quick breakdown:
1. Drill Apps
Focus on practice: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division. Lots of problems, timed exercises, building quick reflexes. Best for kids who already understand concepts and need speed practice.
Pros: Simple, lots of practice, good for building reflexes. Cons: Can be boring, doesn't teach new concepts.
2. Concept Apps
Explain math concepts through visuals, videos, animations. Help kids understand 'why' not just 'how.' Best for kids learning new topics or filling knowledge gaps.
Pros: Helps deep understanding, better retention. Cons: Less practice, may not be enough for mastery.
3. Math Game Apps
Math embedded into games: puzzles, adventures, building... Kids play games while learning math. Best for kids who hate studying but love gaming.
Pros: Kids love it, learn willingly. Cons: May not go deep into concepts, easy to get distracted by the game part.
4. Special Method Apps (Soroban, Singapore Math...)
Teach math through specific methods like Soroban (Japanese abacus), Singapore Math, Kumon... Help kids develop different mathematical thinking, often calculating faster and more flexibly.
Pros: Develops thinking skills, faster mental math. Cons: Takes time to get used to, early stages may feel slower than traditional methods.
My Experience Testing Different Apps
Let me share what happened when I tried various apps with my kids. I'm not calling any app 'bad' – just sharing what worked or didn't work for MY family.
Khan Academy Kids
Free, diverse content (not just math). My younger one loved the cute animated characters. However, it's primarily in English and doesn't have a detailed math roadmap aligned with our local curriculum.
Popular Drill Apps (Math Games, Quick Math Jr...)
I tried several popular drill apps. Good practice, lots of problems, timed challenges. But no clear learning path, and kids got bored after a few days because it felt like endless homework.
Sorokid
This is the app I eventually chose for both kids. Here's why:
- •Clear learning path from basic to advanced, suitable for both my 1st and 3rd grader
- •Teaches Soroban (Japanese abacus) – kids don't just get answers right, they calculate FAST
- •Great gamification – my kids love chasing stars, leveling up, unlocking achievements
- •Detailed parent reports – I can see exactly where each kid is and what they're struggling with
- •Kids can learn independently – visual tutorials guide them step by step
My older son (3rd grade) has been using it for 4 months. Now he can do 2-digit mental math pretty quickly. My younger daughter (1st grade) started 2 months ago and is still getting used to the abacus but is very enthusiastic. What makes me happiest: both kids now open the app to learn WITHOUT being asked. One day I even caught my son teaching his sister: 'Move the beads like this!' I almost cried watching them.
I'm not saying Sorokid is the only good app or the best app. Every family has different needs. But for our family – busy mom, limited budget, needing one app that works for both kids – Sorokid was the best fit.
Tips for Using Math Learning Apps Effectively
Apps are great tools, but you need to use them right for best results.
1. Don't Just Hand Over the Device
I used to think I could just give my kids the phone and be done. Wrong. Kids need to know parents care and are watching. I now spend 5-10 minutes a day sitting with them, watching them practice, praising their effort. The difference is dramatic.
2. Set Reasonable Time Limits
Apps with games can be 'addictive' – kids want to play non-stop. I limit each child to 15-20 minutes per day. Enough to learn without hurting their eyes or affecting other activities.
3. Connect to Real Life
After app practice, I have kids apply math to real life: calculating grocery bills, dividing snacks among family members, counting toys... This helps them see math as useful, not just exercises on a screen.
4. Be Patient – Results Take Time
First week, kids might just play around. First month, progress might not be visible. It takes at least 2-3 months of consistent use to see real results. Don't give up too soon.
Tip: Set a fixed daily reminder (like 7 PM) for app learning. Kids' brains love routines – once it becomes a habit, they'll be more self-motivated.
Apps vs. Traditional Tutoring: A Comparison
Here's a quick comparison to help you decide:
- •Cost: Apps are usually cheaper ($30-80/year vs $50-150/month for tutoring)
- •Schedule: Apps are flexible, learn anytime. Tutoring has fixed schedules.
- •Teaching quality: Tutoring has live teachers who can answer questions immediately. Apps are self-study, may need parent support.
- •Best for: Apps suit busy families with limited budgets. Tutoring suits kids needing intensive support.
- •Combination: Ideally, use both – apps for daily practice, tutoring for learning new concepts or answering difficult questions.
Conclusion: Finding the Right App for Your Child
After 2 months of testing, here's my checklist for choosing a math app:
- •Clear learning progression from easy to hard
- •Good gamification to keep kids engaged
- •Visual tutorials so kids can learn independently
- •Parent reports to track progress
- •Content appropriate for your child's level
No app is perfect for everyone. But with these criteria, you can find one that works for your family. Start with free trials, watch how your child responds, and don't be afraid to try a few before settling on one.
Sorokid helps kids learn math like playing a game – with points, stars, levels, and teaches super-fast mental math using the Soroban method.
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