TL;DR: Both Beast Academy and Monster Math use cute Monster-like theme for making Math practice fun. However both have very different approaches to pedagogy - Beast Academy has a broader approach, covering more topics and focussed only on practice via worksheets. Learning mainly happens via few pre-recorded videos. (also more expensive at $100/year or more) Monster Math focusses only on Math fact fluency which is a foundational Math skills and helps with both learning and practice for this with interactive gameplay. Cheaper at $60/year. 

Beast Academy is (per their website) an "engaging, rigorous math curriculum for elementary kids". Started by a USA Math Olympiad winner, Richard Rusczyk, there's a lot to like - fun characters, a rigorous curriculum, learning in form of pre-recorded videos and also comic books that provide stories around math and bring the characters to life. How does it compare with Monster Math, which is a game-based, Math learning program that focusses mainly on foundational math for Elementary kids? 

Beast Academy Overview

​Beast Academy has 3 different offerings - an interactive online website which focusses on worksheet-type practice made fun using characters. 

They also have physical books that can be purchased as an add-on, which augment this practice. And then online tutoring, which is a much more expensive though comprehensive Math help, featuring live tutors. 

These get progressively more expensive - 

Monster Math

Monster Math is a focussed, foundational Math program, primarily aimed at improving your child's Math fact fluency. It goes much deeper into building Math fact fluency and Number sense, using pedagogically sound, strategy-based instruction married to really fun game design. Kids play a fun puzzler game and while they do so, they get better at Math facts. 


Different Approaches

While both are digital Math programs, there's a few differences between them - 
Beast Academy
Monster Math
Focus
Helping kids with mid-math confidence to do better
Helping all kids with Math fact fluency, but especially those who are neurodivergent. 
Learning
Explicit Videos
Embedded in gameplay
Practice
Digital worksheets
Embedded in gameplay
Topic Coverage
High - covers most K-5 Math topics
Focussed on foundational Math - Math fact fluency and Number Sense
Primary motivator for kids
Gamification of worksheets, comics to bring characters alive
Fun gameplay + storyline - the interaction itself is designed to be fun


Advantages of Beast Academy

There are several advantages with the Beast Academy approach - 
  • Covers more curriculum, so Math practice for lots of different topics. 
  • Uses different visuals similar to what is used in the classroom, such as hundred's chart. 
  • Explicit video instruction for kids who need more learning is useful - though it might depend no your child's taste whether they like the instruction style. 
  • Exploratory interface - you can jump between different topics or stick to their recommended flow, provides more flexibility in a classroom environment. 

Disadvantages of Beast Academy

  • While the coverage is broad, it doesn't go deep into any of the topics. If the child already knows the topic, it's good for practice, but for kids with low confidence who need help, this might not be a great option. 
  • The interface is not very differentiated from something like Prodigy or IXL. Indeed Prodigy fun elements could be more attractive to kids. The only difference could be it intentionally tries to be "harder" when presenting the problems - which might work for some kids but not others. 
  • Expensive - $100/year at minimum, and $160/year if you want to get the books that complete the program. 
  • To some extent, their base product seems like an upselling funnel to their more expensive tutoring programs (the included pre-recorded videos acting like a sampler for their tutoring option). 

Advantages of Monster Math

  • Focussed on doing one thing well - helping your child develop Math fact fluency, Number sense and thereby Math confidence. 
    There is strong evidence that once the child has better Math confidence, their Math outcomes improves as well. So though Monster Math focusses on foundational Math skills, it sets them up for much longer-term Math success as well. 
  • Well suited for a wide range of kids - Neuroinclusive, so kids with ADHD, Autism and Dyscalculia can particularly benefit. 
  • Designed like a real game - so much more engaging for kids than a digital worksheet. 
  • Much more affordable - $59.99/year or $8.99/month to start with. 

Disadvantages of Monster Math

  • Does not cover full curriculum, including topics such as Measurement or Fractions. If you are looking for something that covers everything, Monster Math is not for you. 
  • The interface is a bit different than worksheets. If your child likes worksheets and is more used to products like IXL - then again this might be some adjustment to get used to. 
  • The reporting for parents is not as detailed as in Beast Academy or Prodigy (yet - we are working on it!)
  • There is no explicit videos explaining concepts - as the product is more designed for "aha" moments within gameplay. For someone looking for video content, this is not a good fit. 

Conclusion: Which App is best for your child? 

Both are popular Math products, so it depends on what your child needs - 

  • If your child is already bored of worksheet type interface or has any neurodivergence - and is still working on their Math fact fluency - Monster Math could be a better product for them.
  • If your child is already good at Math and just needs practice, and you are looking for something that covers more Math topics within K-5 - then something like Beast Academy (or even Prodigy) could be better for them.

You can try both the products before deciding. Monster Math has a free option with daily limits, and also a 7-day free trial for the paid option. Beast Academy doesn't offer a free tier or a trial, but they do have a Demo that you can try out. 

FAQs

Q: Is Beast Academy a game? 

No, Beast Academy is more of a digital-worksheet, gamified with fun characters and a comic book supplement. It's fun, but not "game-fun". 

Q: Is Beast Academy better than Monster Math? 

At some things like topic coverage, Beast Academy is superior. At other things like engagement and pedagogy depth - Monster Math is superior. 

Q: Which app - Beast Academy or Monster Math - is better for Kids with ADHD?

If your child has ADHD and is still improving their Math facts, Monster Math is a great fit. Beast Academy could be frustrating for kids with ADHD. For example if you get a wrong answer, Beast academy does allow moving past it but there are no contextual hints or learning opportunities. The learning happens via a separate video that comes after the worksheet session. 

Q: Can I use both products for free? 

Monster Math has a free tier as well as a free trial for the paid option. Beast Academy only has a demo, but you have to start a paid subscription to create an account.