TL;DR: IXL offers a digital worksheet-style approach, covering a wide range of math and English topics, ideal for older kids and focused practice. It provides detailed progress tracking and is best suited for kids who prefer a structured, straightforward learning method. Monster Math focuses on building a strong foundation in math fact fluency and is perfect for younger kids (K-3). It’s gamified, with math integrated into the gameplay, making it more fun and encouraging kids to stay engaged with math longer.

When it comes to helping children improve their math skills, parents often find themselves choosing between different tools and methods. 

Two popular choices are IXL and Monster Math, but which one is the right fit for your child’s Math learning needs?


IXL Overview
​IXL  is a subscription-based learning platform that offers math and English practice. It uses a traditional worksheet-style approach with interactive exercises that can be selected either grade-wise or topic-wise, helping your child learn at their own pace. It also provides detailed progress reports and personalized recommendations.

Monster Math Overview

​Monster Math uses games to help kids visualize and practice math. With its puzzle-style gameplay, kids in Kindergarten through 3rd grade work through fun challenges to master foundational skills like addition, subtraction, and multiplication. It’s a fun, engaging way for younger children to understand math concepts that become stepping stones for higher-level math.

Key Features Comparison

1. Learning Approach

​IXL:

IXL follows a traditional approach, with math problems presented in the same way they would appear in a textbook. Parents can select their child’s grade level or specific topics they want to work on. Once selected, the child is presented with questions to answer one by one. If they’re unsure about a problem, they can click on “Learn with an example” for help. If the answer is incorrect, IXL provides a clear explanation of how to solve the problem. It’s a straightforward way to practice math skills and build confidence, with immediate feedback and guidance along the way.

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Monster Math:

Monster Math makes learning math fun by helping kids understand math operations, not just memorize them. For true math fact fluency, learning strategies are key—and Monster Math does this perfectly. It presents math like a puzzle, so kids can visually grasp how math works before moving on to more abstract concepts. By teaching strategies that simplify difficult problems, it helps kids build math fluency in a way that connects directly to what they'll see in school, all while keeping the learning process engaging and fun.


2. Game Mechanics and Engagement

IXL:

The IXL platform uses a straightforward, skill-based system where kids complete individual practice exercises. While this approach is effective for many students, IXL doesn’t include elements like storylines, characters, or rewards. Instead, it focuses on structured, gamified worksheets, which are great for focused practice and reinforcing specific skills at the child’s own pace.


Monster Math:

Monster Math uses a fun puzzle-style gameplay that’s perfect for single-player action. Some games are platformer-style, while others are inspired by popular mechanics like bubble shooter. The mechanics embed math concepts into the game, so as kids solve puzzles, they visually see how math works. A light storyline motivates kids to progress through different worlds, while fun characters and interactive gameplay keep them engaged. Rewards like badges and streaks encourage kids to keep learning, making math practice feel more like a game than a chore.

3. Perfect For Which Grades and Skills?

IXL:

​IXL covers a wide range of grade levels, from Pre-K to high school, making it suitable for kids of all ages. With the ability to select specific topics, IXL allows children to focus on areas they may be struggling with, ensuring targeted practice. The platform acts like an interactive digital textbook, offering a comprehensive set of topics clearly divided into sections, so kids can easily choose what they want to work on, whether it’s a specific skill or a broader math concept.

​Monster Math:

Monster Math is designed for kids in Grades 1-3, focusing on building math fact fluency with skills like addition, subtraction, and multiplication. It aligns with Common Core and other international standards, covering arithmetic and number sense through fun, progressive levels. However, it doesn’t cover advanced topics like Algebra or Geometry, limiting its scope to foundational math concepts for younger children.

4. Progress Tracking and Reports

IXL:

IXL excels in tracking progress, providing detailed analytics for students, parents, and teachers. It shows which skills have been mastered and highlights areas that need improvement. Extensively used in schools, IXL is an excellent tool for parents and teachers alike to monitor a child’s progress over time and ensure they are advancing in their math journey.

Monster Math:

While Monster Math offers tracking through visual progress indicators like streaks, badges, and leaderboards, it’s more game-focused. It provides enough feedback for parents to track their child’s progress and more detailed reports are coming soon. 

Pros and Cons

IXL Pros

  • IXL offers an extensive question bank that covers the entire math and ELA curriculum from Pre-K to Grade 12, leaving no topic out that is likely to be part of your child’s textbook. It provides a comprehensive and structured approach, ensuring kids can practice and master skills across a wide range of subjects and grade levels.
  • IXL gives detailed progress tracking and real-time data, so you can easily see how your child is doing. Whether you're a parent or teacher, it helps you keep track of progress, spot areas that need a little extra focus, and adjust learning plans to make sure they’re on the right path.
  • IXL is perfect for practice with questions that are just like the ones your child will see on school tests. It’s a great way for them to get used to the format and make sure they’re ready when it’s test time.

IXL Cons

  • IXL lacks the game aspect that kids often enjoy. It’s more focused on straightforward practice, which can be effective for older kids, but might not keep younger ones as excited to keep going like some more interactive options would.
  • It can feel repetitive and like a digital worksheet for kids, especially if they’re looking for something more fun and interactive.
  • It’s more focused on practice than actual learning. While it’s great for brushing up on skills or preparing for assessments, it’s not the best for building a strong foundation.

Monster Math Pros

  • The best part about Monster Math is how it makes learning math feel like a game. The math concepts are built right into the gameplay, so kids are having fun without even realizing they’re learning. It’s a great fit for kids who have math anxiety (or just dislike math in general) because it keeps things light and stress-free while helping them build confidence.
  • Monster Math religiously focuses on building math fact fluency, which is the foundation for all future math skills. By emphasizing math strategies over rote memorization, kids develop a positive relationship with math by actually understanding how math works.
  • Monster Math is designed with neuroinclusion in mind, especially for kids with ADHD or Autism. It keeps things calm and stress-free by leaving out timers and creating a more relaxed learning environment, making it way easier for them to focus and enjoy learning.

Monster Math Cons

  • Monster Math focuses solely on math facts and number sense. It doesn’t cover topics like Algebra or Geometry, and therefore might not cover the entire curriculum.
  • Monster Math doesn’t cover higher grade levels or English Language Arts, but it’s still great for older kids who need to brush up on math fact fluency.
  • Monster Math has a limited parent or teacher interface—at least for now. It doesn’t provide detailed reports or in-depth tracking, so if you're looking for extensive monitoring, Monster Math might not be able to help at the moment. However, we are working on more detailed reporting in Monster Math as well.

Which one to choose for your child?

If your child is in Grade 4 or above and you’re looking for a tool that offers more traditional, worksheet-style practice with a digital twist, IXL might be the better fit. It’s great for focused practice in math and English, and the detailed progress tracking is perfect if you want to monitor your child’s performance over time. It’s also an excellent tool for preparing for school tests and assessments.

​If your child likes straightforward questions but also wants some game time, we’d recommend trying Prodigy. It’s perfect if they enjoy worksheet-style practice but need more of a fun, gamified experience to keep them engaged.

If you want a more engaging experience that feels less like traditional worksheets, Monster Math is a good choice, especially for younger kids (K-3) or those struggling with basic math facts. It’s gamified, fun, and helps kids visualize math concepts, and is especially designed to be neuroinclusive, so it is ideal for kids who may have math anxiety, ADHD, Autism or Dyscalculia. 

Ready to Try Monster Math?

Start your free trial of Monster Math today and see how game-based learning can transform your child’s confidence and love for math.

​Frequently asked Questions

Is Monster Math better than IXL?

If your child is in grades K-3 and needs a fun, engaging way to build a strong math foundation, Monster Math is the better fit. It uses gamified learning to help kids understand math concepts in a playful, stress-free way.

For older kids or those who need focused practice across a wide range of math and English topics, IXL is the ideal choice. It provides a structured approach with comprehensive coverage, and its detailed progress tracking ensures kids stay on track and succeed academically.

Can both apps be used together?

Yes. Use Monster Math to engage kids and build fluency, while IXL provides structured practice and detailed progress tracking to reinforce learning.

Which app is better for children with ADHD?

Monster Math is more engaging for kids with ADHD, thanks to its game-based learning, visual feedback, and fun, less repetitive gameplay.

Does Monster Math follow a curriculum?

Yes. Monster Math aligns with Common Core and other international standards, covering arithmetic, number sense, and more through progressive levels.

Which app is best for what ages?

Monster Math: ages 5–9 (grades K–3). IXL: ages 4–18 (grades pre K–12).