"Free" can mean different things in kids' math apps. Some programs are free to use all the way through; others are free to start, with a paid membership for everything. Here's what your family gets from each, and which might suit your child.
We make Bobby's Math Club, so we're not neutral, and we've tried to be fair to everyone here. Plans change, so check each site for current details (as of October 2026).
What each one offers your family for free
| Program | Cost | Ages | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ⭐ 1. Bobby's Math Club | Unlimited practice is free, with progress emails and printable worksheets | Pre-K–5th grade | A 5-minute habit that builds confidence | Practice rather than video lessons |
| 2. Khan Academy | Free to use (an AI tutor is an optional paid add-on) | Elementary through college | Video lessons and self-paced courses | Younger kids often enjoy a grown-up alongside |
| 3. Khan Academy Kids | Free to use | About ages 2–8 | Play-based early learning across subjects | Covers reading and more as well as math |
| 4. Prodigy Math | Free to start, membership for full access | About 1st–8th grade | Kids who love video games | Math inside a role-playing game; some in-game items need a membership |
| 5. IXL | Free to start, membership for full access | Pre-K–12th grade | School-aligned skill practice | Parents usually choose which skills to practice |
1. Bobby's Math Club: free 5-minute practice for Pre-K–5th
- Cost
- Unlimited practice is free
- Time
- About 5 minutes a day
- Ages
- Pre-K through 5th grade
I built Bobby's Math Club, and I use it with my own kids every week. Your child gets practice at just the right level, every question read aloud, hints a tap away and no timer. "I don't know yet" is always an OK answer, and mistakes come with a short, kind explanation. You get plain-English progress emails.
What it does well
- Unlimited practice, free forever
- Practice at just the right level, with no skills to pick
- Read aloud for pre-readers
- Gentle for kids who feel anxious about math
Good to know
- Made for PK-5
- Practice rather than video lessons
- Mostly multiple choice
Best for: families who want a free, low-stress, five-minute habit, especially for younger kids and kids who get anxious about math.
2. Khan Academy: free video lessons for every topic
- Cost
- Free to use; an AI tutor is an optional paid add-on
- Time
- Flexible
- Ages
- Elementary through college
A nonprofit with excellent video lessons, articles and practice for nearly every math topic. It's a wonderful free place to learn a new concept, and it grows with your child into high school. Younger children often enjoy having a grown-up help choose what to do next. Read Khan Academy vs. Bobby's Math Club.
Best for: older or self-motivated kids, and any child who needs a new topic explained.
3. Khan Academy Kids: a free, playful start for little ones
- Cost
- Free to use
- Time
- Flexible
- Ages
- About 2 to 8
A separate, free app from Khan Academy with stories, songs and activities across early math, reading and more. It's gentle and charming, and math is one part of a bigger mix.
Best for: preschoolers and early elementary kids who are just getting started.
4. Prodigy Math: math inside a game kids love
- Cost
- Free to start; membership for full access
- Time
- Flexible
- Ages
- About 1st–8th grade
Prodigy puts math questions inside a fantasy role-playing game, and many kids love it. The core game is free to play, and some in-game rewards and items come with a membership. Read Prodigy vs. Bobby's Math Club.
Best for: kids who love video games and are happy to practice inside one.
5. IXL: school-aligned skill practice
- Cost
- Free to start; family memberships about $10–$20 a month
- Time
- Flexible
- Ages
- Pre-K–12th grade
IXL has a huge library of skills matched to every grade, and many schools use it. Kids can answer a limited number of questions each day for free, and a membership opens full practice, and there are free alternatives to IXL for elementary math if you'd rather skip it. Read IXL vs. Bobby's Math Club.
Best for: families who want to choose specific school skills to practice.
Which fits your family?
- "I want a free, five-minute habit for my young child." → Bobby's Math Club.
- "My child needs a new topic explained." → Khan Academy's videos.
- "My child is 3 or 4 and just starting." → Khan Academy Kids or Bobby's Math Club, which both read aloud.
- "My child loves video games." → Prodigy.
- "I want to pick exactly which school skills to practice." → IXL.
You can mix and match. Many families use Khan Academy when a new concept needs explaining and Bobby's Math Club as the five-minute habit. Khan Academy is free to use, and unlimited practice on Bobby's Math Club is free.
Questions parents ask
What is the best free math practice for kids?
For Pre-K through 5th grade, Bobby's Math Club offers unlimited, read-aloud practice at each child's level for free. Khan Academy is a great free option for video lessons and older students, and Khan Academy Kids is a free play-based app for ages 2 to 8.
Is IXL free?
IXL lets children answer a limited number of questions each day for free. Full practice comes with a membership, which typically costs about $10 to $20 a month for families.
Is Prodigy Math free?
Prodigy's core math game is free to play. Some in-game rewards and items come with a paid membership.
Is Khan Academy completely free?
Yes. Khan Academy is a nonprofit, and its lessons and practice are free. It offers an optional paid AI tutor, which you don't need to use the site.
Which free math app is best for preschoolers?
For ages 2 to 5, Khan Academy Kids and Bobby's Math Club are both free and read aloud for children who can't read yet. Bobby's Math Club focuses on math, with practice at just the right level for each child.
Are free math apps as good as paid ones?
Often, yes. What matters most is that the practice matches your child's level, explains mistakes kindly and fits a short, regular routine. Several free programs do all three well.
How much time should my child spend on a math app each day?
For elementary-age children, about 5 to 15 minutes a day is plenty. Short, regular sessions build more skill and confidence than long, occasional ones.
Is Bobby's Math Club free?
Yes. Unlimited practice is free forever for Pre-K through 5th grade.
IXL, Khan Academy, Khan Academy Kids and Prodigy are trademarks of their respective owners. Bobby's Math Club is not affiliated with or endorsed by any of them.