When a child is behind, or just worn out by math, a patient adult who can explain things a new way can change how the whole subject feels. That's what Sylvan offers, in a center near you or online.
Here's how it compares with a short habit at home, so you can choose what your child needs right now.
A quick note: we make Bobby's Math Club, and we've done our best to be fair. What we say about Sylvan comes from its own website at the time of writing (October 2026). Prices, fees and schedules are set by each center and change, so ask your local Sylvan for a quote.
How they compare, at a glance
| Feature | Sylvan Learning | ⭐ Bobby's Math Club |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 What you'll pay | About $50 or more per session, set by each center, plus a one-time registration fee at many centers | Free: unlimited practice |
| ⏱️ Time it takes | Sessions of about an hour; Sylvan suggests 2–3 a week to catch up, or 1–2 for extra support | About 5 minutes a day, at home |
| 📚 What your child does | Works with a tutor on a plan based on an assessment, in a center or online | Short practice at just the right level, with every question read aloud, hints a tap away and a kind explanation after mistakes |
| 👪 What it asks of you | Booking and getting to sessions, or setting your child up online | A few minutes a day; plain-English progress emails come to you |
| 😊 What keeps kids going | Personal attention from a tutor | Badges, level-ups and celebrations, with no timer |
| 🎯 Grades | Kindergarten through 12th grade, in math and other subjects | PK-5 |
Where Sylvan shines
Sylvan starts with an assessment, then builds a personal plan for your child. A real person guides each session, which matters most when a child needs a new explanation, not just more practice. Many centers also offer live online sessions, and Sylvan covers more than math if your child needs help elsewhere too.
What it does well
- A personal plan based on an assessment
- A tutor who can re-explain in a new way
- In a center or online
- Help with other subjects, too
Good to know
- Priced per session, so it adds up over a school year
- Prices and fees vary by center
- Sylvan suggests more than one session a week for catching up
- Many centers add a one-time registration fee
What your child gets with Bobby's Math Club
I built Bobby's Math Club, and I use it with my own kids every week. It isn't a tutor: it's the regular habit that keeps skills fresh and confidence up between lessons.
What it does well
- About 5 minutes a day, at home, at just the right level for your child
- Every question read aloud, with hints a tap away
- No timer, and "I don't know yet" is always an OK answer
- Badges and celebrations, plus plain-English progress emails for you
- Unlimited practice, free forever
Good to know
- It's short practice, not a tutor or a full course
- Made for PK-5
- Practice happens on a phone, tablet or computer, with printable worksheets too
Which fits your family?
- "My child is a grade or more behind." → Sylvan or another tutor, ideally with a few minutes of practice at home.
- "My child is a little behind, or anxious." → Start with Bobby's Math Club and see how far a five-minute habit gets you.
- "We can't add more driving." → Bobby's Math Club at home, or a tutor online.
- "We're watching the budget." → Bobby's Math Club: unlimited practice is free.
You don't have to choose just one. Many families pair a tutor with a few minutes of practice at home, so what's learned in a session sticks between visits.
Questions parents ask
Is Sylvan Learning worth it for math?
It can be, for a child who is meaningfully behind and benefits from a tutor explaining things in a new way, if the cost and schedule work for your family. For a child who is only a little behind, short practice at home, about five minutes at a time, may be enough to start.
How much does Sylvan cost?
At the time of writing, Sylvan says personal tutoring starts at $50 or more per session, and each center sets its own prices. Many centers also charge a one-time registration fee, so ask for a full quote.
How often do kids go to Sylvan?
Sylvan says sessions run about an hour, and suggests two or three a week for a child who needs to catch up, or once or twice a week for extra support.
Is Sylvan online or in person?
Both. Many Sylvan centers offer sessions in the center and live online, so ask your local center what it has.
What is a free alternative to Sylvan?
Bobby's Math Club is free for Pre-K through 5th grade. It offers about five minutes of practice a day at home, at just the right level, with every question read aloud and plain-English progress emails for parents.
Can my child use Bobby's Math Club alongside Sylvan?
Yes. A few minutes of practice at home helps keep skills fresh between sessions.
Is Bobby's Math Club a tutor?
No. Bobby's Math Club is short practice with hints and kind explanations, not live teaching. If your child needs a person to re-teach a topic, it pairs well with a tutor.
Sylvan Learning is a trademark of its owner. Bobby's Math Club is not affiliated with or endorsed by it.