UCMAS vs Soroban App – Detailed Comparison of Cost, Time, and Results
Complete comparison of UCMAS vs Soroban online: $100-200/month vs $10-15/month, driving to centers vs learning at home, certificates vs flexibility. Comparison table and 5 questions to help you decide.
I heard about UCMAS first. Saw videos of kids calculating 10 numbers in 5 seconds – I was amazed. About to sign up when I discovered Soroban online apps – same method but through an app, 5-10x cheaper. I spent 2 weeks comparing in detail. The results surprised me.
What is UCMAS?
UCMAS (Universal Concept of Mental Arithmetic System) is a proprietary mental math program using the abacus, originating from Malaysia in 1993. Currently present in 80+ countries.
How UCMAS Works
- •Learn at centers: 2 sessions/week, 2 hours each
- •Teachers trained and certified by UCMAS
- •Globally standardized materials
- •Regular level exams (with international certificates)
- •Homework practice with paper worksheets at home
Strengths of UCMAS
- •Standardized curriculum: Clear pathway from Level 1 to Level 10
- •International certificates: Recognized in 80+ countries
- •In-person teachers: Someone to guide and correct immediately
- •Learning environment: Friends, competition, motivation
- •International competitions: Opportunity to join mental arithmetic contests
What is Soroban Online?
Soroban online also teaches mental math using the Soroban abacus, but through APP or website. Kids learn at home, anytime, with guidance from software.
How It Works
- •Learn through app on phone/tablet/computer
- •Video tutorials + interactive exercises
- •Choose your own learning time (10-20 minutes/day)
- •Automatic progress tracking system
- •Gamification: points, levels, virtual rewards
Strengths of Soroban Online
- •Time flexibility: Learn anytime, anywhere
- •Low cost: 5-10x cheaper than centers
- •No commuting: Save parents' time
- •Self-paced: Kids learn at their own rhythm, no pressure
- •Gamification: Kids enjoy learning because it feels like gaming
Detailed Comparison: UCMAS vs Soroban Online
| Criteria | UCMAS | Soroban Online |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $100-200/month | $10-15/month |
| Total cost (2 years) | $2,400-4,800 | $240-360 |
| Learning time | 2 sessions × 2 hours/week | 10-20 min/day, flexible |
| Commuting | Required (2×/week) | Not needed |
| Instructor | In-person | Video + AI |
| Certificates | International | None/internal |
| Environment | Classroom, peers | Self-study at home |
| Exam pressure | Yes (level exams) | None/minimal |
| Flexibility | Fixed schedule | Learn anytime |
| Best for | Parents with time, want certificates | Busy parents, want savings |
5 Questions to Help You Decide
1. Can you drive to class 2 times per week?
YES → UCMAS works. NO → Soroban online is more convenient.
2. What's your budget?
$100-200/month is OK → UCMAS. Want under $15/month → Soroban online.
3. Do you need international certificates?
Need certificates for college apps, scholarships → UCMAS. Just need the skill → Both work.
4. Does your child prefer group or self-learning?
Likes having friends, competition → UCMAS. Prefers self-learning, no pressure → Soroban online.
5. Is your child self-motivated?
Needs someone supervising → UCMAS. Self-motivated → Both work.
My biggest worry with online was: without a teacher, can they learn on their own? But after trying, I found my kids prefer learning through the app – because it feels like playing a game.
My Decision
After comparing, I chose Soroban online with Sorokid. Reasons:
- •Our situation: Both my wife and I work full-time, can't drive to class 2× per week
- •Cost: $15/month is easier to maintain than $200. For us, $15 × 24 months = $360 (vs $4,800 for UCMAS)
- •Kids liked it: My kids focus better with the app – games, points, 'leveling up'
- •Don't need certificates: I just want them to do mental math, no credentials needed
Results After 5 Months
- •They can mentally calculate 2-digit numbers (34 + 57, 82 - 45)
- •Not as fast as UCMAS promotional videos, but clear progress compared to before
- •They OPEN the app themselves every evening, no reminders needed
- •Evenings are lighter – no rushing to pick up/drop off
I don't regret my choice. If later they want advanced training or international competitions, I can consider UCMAS. But for now, Soroban online is enough.
UCMAS and Soroban online teach THE SAME SKILL – mental math with abacus. Choose based on your family situation. Neither is absolutely 'better.'
Want to try Soroban online for your kids? Sorokid has a 7-day free trial. Try first, then decide.
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