Kumon vs Soroban: A Mom's Honest Comparison After Trying Both Methods
My son did Kumon for 18 months before we switched to Soroban. Here's a real comparison of costs, time commitment, results, and which type of learner benefits most from each approach.
Let me save you from the same confusion I went through. My son Tyler did Kumon for 18 months. We drove to the center twice a week, spent $180 a month, and battled through 30-40 minutes of worksheets every single day. He improved—I'll give Kumon credit for that. But when I discovered Soroban and saw what 15 minutes a day could do, I wished someone had written this comparison three years ago. Here's everything I learned the hard way about both methods.
Our Kumon Journey: The Good, Bad, and Exhausting
Tyler was 6 when we enrolled in Kumon. He was struggling with basic addition, counting on his fingers, and had zero confidence in math. The Kumon center near us came highly recommended by three moms at his school.
The first few months were actually great. Tyler tested at a level below his grade (as most kids do at Kumon), and the worksheets were easy enough that he felt successful. The repetition worked—he memorized facts quickly.
Then came the grind.
What Worked About Kumon
- •Comprehensive curriculum: Covered addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, word problems—everything
- •Consistent structure: Same process every day meant Tyler knew exactly what to expect
- •Accountability: Twice-weekly center visits kept us on track when motivation dipped
- •Reading program: We bundled math with reading, which was convenient
- •Long track record: Kumon's been around since 1958—millions of success stories
What Didn't Work
- •Daily battles: By month 6, Tyler fought us every single day about worksheets
- •Time consuming: 30-40 minutes minimum per day, plus 2 weekly center visits (45 min round trip each)
- •Expensive: $180/month for math alone, $340 with reading
- •Repetition overload: Doing 200 similar problems before moving on got soul-crushing
- •No understanding: Tyler could DO the problems but couldn't EXPLAIN his thinking
- •Still counting fingers: After a year, he still reached for his fingers on harder problems
The moment I knew we had a problem: Tyler could complete a subtraction worksheet perfectly, but when I asked 'What's 15 minus 7?' verbally, he'd freeze or count on his fingers. He'd memorized patterns, but hadn't built true number sense.
Discovering Soroban: A Different Philosophy
A friend mentioned her daughter was learning 'Japanese abacus' and could do mental math faster than most adults. I was skeptical—how could moving beads be better than all those Kumon worksheets?
Then I watched a video of a 9-year-old doing flash anzan—adding 10 three-digit numbers in under 3 seconds. In her head. No abacus visible.
I fell down the Soroban rabbit hole that night.
The Fundamental Difference
After researching both extensively, I realized they have completely different philosophies:
Kumon's approach: Repetition builds memorization. Do the same type of problem hundreds of times until it becomes automatic muscle memory. Paper-based, procedural, comprehensive.
Soroban's approach: Visualization builds understanding. Learn to 'see' numbers spatially on an internal abacus. Visual, conceptual, focused on calculation.
Neither is wrong. But they work differently for different kids.
Detailed Comparison: Everything Parents Need to Know
Cost Comparison
| Kumon Center | Soroban Center | Soroban App | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $150-200/subject | $100-150/month | $10-15/month |
| Registration Fee | $50-100 | Varies | None |
| Materials | Included | $20-40 abacus | Virtual abacus included |
| Annual Cost | $1,800-2,400 | $1,200-1,800 | $120-180 |
| Siblings | Full price each | Often discounts | Often family plans |
For our family, switching from Kumon center to Soroban app saved us over $2,000 per year. That's not a typo.
Time Commitment
| Kumon | Soroban | |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Practice | 30-45 minutes | 15-20 minutes |
| Weekly Center/Class | 2 visits (30-45 min each) | 1-2 classes (optional with app) |
| Travel Time | 2 round trips/week | None with app |
| Total Weekly Hours | 6-8 hours | 2-3 hours |
For busy families, this is massive. We got back 4-5 hours per week when we switched.
What Each Method Covers
Kumon covers:
- •Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division
- •Fractions and decimals
- •Word problems
- •Algebra (in later levels)
- •Some geometry concepts
Soroban covers:
- •Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division
- •Mental calculation (anzan)
- •Number sense and visualization
- •Focus and concentration training
- •Working memory development
Key difference: Kumon is broader (covers more topics). Soroban is deeper (builds stronger foundational calculation skills). Your choice depends on what your child needs most.
Learning Style Fit
Kumon works better for kids who:
- •Don't mind repetitive paper worksheets
- •Need structure and external accountability
- •Want to advance in all math topics (not just calculation)
- •Are fairly self-motivated
- •Learn well through reading and writing
Soroban works better for kids who:
- •Are visual or kinesthetic learners
- •Struggle with abstract math concepts
- •Get bored with repetitive worksheets
- •Need to build calculation speed and confidence first
- •Respond well to gamification and interactive learning
- •Have shorter attention spans
Tyler's Results: Before and After the Switch
After 18 months of Kumon, Tyler could:
- •Complete worksheet problems correctly
- •Follow procedures for multi-digit addition/subtraction
- •Recall most multiplication facts (with some hesitation)
But he still:
- •Counted on fingers for mental math
- •Panicked when problems were asked verbally
- •Had no real 'number sense'—couldn't estimate or check reasonableness
- •Dreaded math time every single day
After 8 months of Soroban (via Sorokid app):
- •Does two-digit addition/subtraction mentally in seconds
- •Never reaches for fingers anymore
- •Can estimate answers before calculating
- •Actually asks to practice (I know, I couldn't believe it either)
- •Math grades went from B's to consistent A's
- •Says 'math is kind of fun now'
The biggest change wasn't in test scores—it was in confidence. Tyler went from 'I'm bad at math' to 'I'm actually pretty fast at this.' That mental shift has been worth more than any grade improvement.
When I'd Still Recommend Kumon
I'm not anti-Kumon. It works for many families. I'd recommend it if:
- •Your child doesn't strongly dislike worksheets
- •You want one program covering ALL math topics
- •Your child needs reading help too (Kumon's reading program is solid)
- •You need in-person accountability and structure
- •Your child is already decent at calculation but struggles with concepts like fractions
- •Budget isn't a major constraint
When Soroban Is the Better Choice
Soroban is likely better if:
- •Your child's core problem is slow/inaccurate calculation
- •They're visual learners who struggle with abstract concepts
- •Worksheets create daily battles
- •You're on a tighter budget
- •Time is limited (15 min vs 45 min daily)
- •You want something more engaging and game-like
- •Building mental math specifically is your goal
Can You Do Both?
Some parents ask about doing both simultaneously. Technically possible, but I'd caution against it:
- •Combined time: 45-60+ minutes of math daily is a lot for elementary kids
- •Risk of burnout is high
- •Different methods may confuse some children
- •Expensive ($200+ per month combined)
A better approach: Start with one, commit for 6-12 months, evaluate results. If it's not working, switch. Consistency with one method beats half-hearted attempts at both.
The Question to Ask Yourself
Forget what other parents recommend. Think about YOUR child specifically:
- •What's their biggest math struggle right now? (Calculation speed? Understanding concepts? All topics?)
- •How do they learn best? (Visual? Reading? Hands-on?)
- •How do they respond to worksheets?
- •How much time do you realistically have each day?
- •What's your budget?
- •Do you need external accountability or can you be consistent at home?
Your honest answers will point you toward the right choice.
What We'd Do Differently
Looking back, I wish I'd:
- •Started with Soroban first to build calculation foundation and confidence
- •Understood that worksheets weren't the only path to math improvement
- •Tried a free trial before committing 18 months and $3,000+ to Kumon
- •Paid more attention to Tyler's learning style instead of following peer recommendations
- •Realized that 15 focused minutes could outperform 45 reluctant minutes
You can learn from my expensive mistake. Try the lower-risk option first.
There's no single 'best' method for every child. Both Kumon and Soroban have helped millions of kids. What matters is picking the one that fits YOUR child's learning style, your family's schedule, and your budget—then committing consistently.
Thinking Soroban might be right for your family? Try Sorokid free for 7 days. In 15 minutes a day, you'll see if your child responds to visual math learning—with zero risk and no commitment.
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