Are you tired of seeing your child struggle with homework? Do you find it difficult to help them with their homework because you can’t understand the concepts yourself? You’re not alone.
Many parents find themselves in this frustrating situation, which is why they turn to tutoring services, like IXL and Khan Academy for help. Both services aims to improve students’ skills using different teaching approaches and methods.
The main difference between IXL and Khan Academy is that IXL is a subscription-based service, while Khan Academy is free.
In this article, we’ll compare IXL vs Khan Academy and help you make an informed decision on which tutoring center is the right fit for your child.
Looking for private tutors? Book a Free Trial Lesson and match with top tutors for concepts, homework help and grade improvement on Wiingy today!
Introduction to the Debate: IXL vs Khan Academy
If you are considering online tutoring, the most important step is to carefully compare all your options fortoponline tutoring servicesand make an informed decision on which tutoring service is the right fit for your child.
We have analyzed the two programs IXL and Khan Academy on the following parameters:
- Subjects offered
- Teaching methodology
- Tutor matching process
- Pricing and plans offered
- Customer reviews
IXL VS Khan Academy: Comparison
The following table can help in easily determining which platform will be a good choice for you based on different parameters.
| Para meters | IXL | Khan Academy |
| Company type | Homeschool program-Short Video Lessons | Short Video Lessons |
| Subjects Offered | IXL is an online, subscription-based learning program for PreK-12 students.IXL offers math, language arts, science, social studies, and Spanish. | Khan Academy covers the entire K-12 curriculum, grammar, science, history, AP, SAT, and more. |
| Mode of teaching | Online video lessons | Web tutorials and Pre-recorded video lessons |
| Cost of tutoring | You have to purchase a minimum package of $9.90 per month for a single subject. | Khan Academy is a nonprofit organization with the mission of providing free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere. Khan Academy includes multiple educational tools including free-of-cost instructional videos. Khan Academy is not a tutoring service. |
| Minimum purchase | You have to purchase a minimum package of $9.90 per month for a single subject. | Not applicable |
| Help in Tutor selection(Tutor Match) | IXL offers multimedia online lessons | Not applicable |
| Offers free trial | No, IXL doesn’t offer a free trial. Although IXL does have a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.If you find that IXL doesn’t meet your needs, you can cancel and receive a full refund. | Khan Academy produces short lessons in the form of videos. Its website also includes supplementary practice exercises and materials for educators. |
| Cancellation policy | If in the first 30 days, IXL doesn’t meet your needs, you can cancel and receive a full refund. | Not applicable |
| Rating | Trustpilot score: 1.3/5 | Trustpilot score: 3.7/5 |
Understanding IXL
What is IXL?
IXL is a subscription-based homeschool learning website for Pre-K – 12 students.IXLuses advanced learning technology for online video lessons. IXL offers analytics and recommendations which help parents to support teaching and learning for their kids with a clear focus on outcomes.
IXLoffers math, language arts, science, social studies, and Spanishwhich is tailored according to the student’s age group. Math and language arts is covered from pre-K right up to 12th grade.
How does IXL work?
IXL is an online video lesson platform.It has built-in step-by-step lessons for each subject that helps students.
IXL offers practice tests for students. One interesting feature is that students earn points when they get a question right. Students are awarded a stamp in their virtual book once they collect 100 points for a subject. Students can earn other virtual rewards as they keep on practicing multiple subjects.
IXL’s SmartScore is a unique scoring system designed to give the best possible information on students’ true understanding of a skill. SmartScore is a flagship feature of IXL and is based on IXL’s proprietary algorithm.
SmartScore is an adaptive platform that tailors the difficulty level of practice questions based on how a student performs. This approach helps students stay focused and reach their learning goals.
Subjects covered by IXL
IXL is aligned with the educational standards, including the Common Core State Standards, the Next Generation Science Standards, and all U.S. state standards.
| Subject | Grade Levels |
|---|---|
| Math | Pre-K to Calculus |
| English Language Arts | Pre-K to 12th Grade |
| Science | 3rd to 8th Grade |
| Social Studies | 4th to 8th Grade |
| Languages | Spanish |
IXL has integrated its standards alignment with its analytics and progress tracking, so parents and teachers can track a student’s progress in relation to state standards across different subjects.
What is the cost of IXL?
The cost of IXL starts from $79 to $159 per year.IXL offers multiple monthly and yearly options for families.
| Package | Single subject package | Combo package | Core subjects package |
| Package Desc | Select from Math: Pre-K to 12 or Language Arts: Prek-K to 12 | IncludesMath: Pre-K to 12 and Language arts: Pre-K to 12 | Includes Math: Pre-K to 12 Language arts: Pre-K to 12 Science: Grade K to 8th Social studies: Grade K to 8th |
| Monthly | $9.95 | $15.95 | $19.95 |
| Yearly | $79 | $129 | $159 |
The prices are for one child. Enrolment for each additional child is charged at $4 more per month or $40 per year.
*Pricing info retrieved from the IXL website in November 2023
Evaluating IXL: Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| IXL offers multiple packages. Families can purchase a single subject, a combo package, or 4 core subjects. | The IXL online curriculum requires a computer or device with an internet connection. The curriculum cannot be accessed offline. |
| IXL is aligned with the educational standards, including the Common Core State Standards, the Next Generation Science Standards, and all U.S. state standards. | IXL offers online video lessons. It is not suitable for students looking for online 1-on-1 tutoring. |
Understanding Khan Academy
What is Khan Academy?
Khan Academy is a totally free-of-cost educational platform that provides after-school classes to students. This makes Khan Academy totally different from all other learning platforms. Itprovides various instructional videos, practice exercises, and free courses, which include the concepts of math, science, economics, art, humanities, and more.
One of the best things aboutKhan Academy is that it provides a personalized learning dashboard. This means that as a learner at Khan Academy, you can create a customized learning plan by selecting your own courses and learning at your own pace. Khan Academy also offers free educational resources in more than 36 languages and that’s the reason, why it has learners all around the world.
Khan Academy is suitable for learners of all ages as it provides courses and resources for kindergarten students as well as for high school students. It also provides various helpful resources for teachers as using Khan Academy, teachers can prepare practice papers for their students and use them to learn as well.
How does Khan Academy work?
Khan Academy offers a wide range of educational content, including video tutorials, interactive exercises, quizzes, and assessments, across subjects like math, science, economics, history, computer programming, and more, so you can choose the subject you want to learn or improve upon.
After selecting the subject, you can watch various videos based on it as the Khan Academy offers a vast collection of videos covering various topics in the subject you chose. The videos are typically between 5-15 minutes long and are designed to be easily understandable.
After watching the videos, you can practice the concepts you’ve learned through interactive exercises. The exercises are designed to provide immediate feedback, so you know where you stand.
Khan Academy also provides personalized learning experiences, so you can track your progress and see how far you’ve come.You can also earn badges and certificates for completing specific tasks.
If you need help, Khan Academy provides a discussion forum where you can ask questions and get answers from other learners or even Khan Academy staff.
Khan Academy also has its own app, so you can download the Khan Academy app on your phone or you can visit their website. Along with teaching the basic concepts, Khan Academy also prepares its students for various tests like SAT, LSAT, and MCAT for free and makes learning easy and free for everyone.
Subjects covered by Khan Academy
Khan Academy covers a wide range of subjects and skills, including
| Subjects/Skills | Description |
| Math | Cover topics like algebra, geometry, trigonometry, calculus, statistics, and more. |
| Science | Cover topics like physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy, and more. |
| Computing | Cover the topics of computer programming, computer science, and more. |
| Economics and Finance | Cover the topics of microeconomics, macroeconomics, finance, and more. |
| Arts and Humanities | Cover the topics of art history, music, history, civics, and more. |
| Test Preparation | Khan Academy helps students prepare for additional exams, including standardized tests such as the SAT, LSAT, MCAT, GMAT, and more. |
| Grammar and Writing | Khan Academy also helps students to strengthen their grammar and writing skills. |
What is the cost of Khan Academy?
Unlike other educational brands and platforms,Khan Academy is totally free.Learners can access video tutorials, interactive exercises, quizzes, and assessments across a wide range of subjects, without having to pay any fees.
Source:Khan Academy Official Website
Evaluating Khan Academy: Pros vs Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Free:Khan Academy is a non-profit organization that provides free educational resources to anyone, anywhere in the world. This means that students can access high-quality education regardless of their financial situation. | Limited Interaction with Instructors:Since Khan Academy is an online learning platform, students may have limited interaction with instructors. This can make it difficult for students who need more one-on-one support or who have questions that cannot be answered by the learning materials alone. |
| Wide Range of Subjects:Khan Academy offers courses in a wide range of subjects, from math and science to humanities and economics. This allows students to explore different subjects and pursue their interests. | Self-Motivation:Since Khan Academy is self-paced, students need to be self-motivated and self-disciplined to stay on track with their studies. Students who struggle with motivation or who need more structure may find it challenging to complete courses on their own. |
| Self-Paced Learning:Khan Academy allows students to learn at their own pace, with no deadlines or schedules to follow. This can be particularly helpful for students who need more time to understand certain concepts or who want to move ahead quickly. | Limited Feedback on Written Work:Khan Academy is primarily focused on math and science subjects, which are often more formulaic and require less writing. Students who need feedback on their writing or who want to improve their writing skills may need to seek additional resources outside of Khan Academy. |
| Interactive:Khan Academy’s courses are interactive, with videos, quizzes, and other learning materials that engage students and help them retain information. | Health Issues:Khan Academy provides online courses which means students need to invest a lot of time in front of the screen. This may cause various health issues, especially eye problems. |
| Accessible:Khan Academy’s platform is accessible from any device with an internet connection, making it easy for students to learn from anywhere in the world. |
IXL vs Khan Academy: which is right for your child?
IXL and Khan Academy are both excellent online learning platforms that can help you improve your skills in a variety of subjects. However, there are some key differences between the two platforms that may make one a better fit for you than the other.
IXL is a good option if you are looking for:
- A personalized learning platform with comprehensive assessments
- A variety of activities to keep you engaged and motivated
- Parental controls to track your progress and set limits on screen time
Khan Academy is a good option if you are looking for:
- A free platform with a variety of educational content
- A strong community of users to get help or collaborate with
- Videos, articles, and practice exercises to suit your learning style
IXL vs Khan Academy- the best platform for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. If you are not sure which platform is right for you, you may want to try both of them out and see which one you prefer.
Here are some additional tips for choosing IXL vs Khan Academy:
- Take a look at the content:Both platforms offer a variety of content, but they focus on different subjects. IXL has a strong focus on math and language arts, while Khan Academy offers a wider range of subjects.
- Consider your learning style:If your child is a visual learner, then you may prefer Khan Academy’s videos and articles. If your child is an auditory learner, then you may prefer IXL’s games and quizzes.
IXL vs Khan Academy cost
Although the pricing of both the programs varies by location but here is an overview of the IXL vs Khan Academy cost comparison.
| IXL | Khan Academy |
| Single subject – $9.95 per month Combo subject – $15.95 per month Package -$19.95 per month | Free of cost. |
| Single subject – $79 per year Combo subject – $129 per year Package – $159n per year |
Why you should consider Wiingy for 1-on-1 online tutoring instead?
So far, we have compared Wyzant and Superprof and explored their unique tutoring programs. However, before deciding on a tutoring service for yourself or your child, there is anotherbetter and affordable option to considerWiingy.
The Wiingy platform offers 1-on-1 online tutoring to school, college, and adult students through its network of 1,000+ expert-vetted tutors for coding, math, science, computer science, AP, and 100+ subjects.
Over 20,000 students have used Wiingy for private tutoring, homework help, assignment help, language learning, homeschool tutoring, and test prep. Students and parents have consistently rated the Wiingy experience as 4.8 out of 5.
Unlike tutor marketplaces, each Wiingy tutor is vetted individually and undergoes an extensive assessment that includes interviews, mock lessons, and coding tests.
Less than 3% of applicants are selected to become tutors on Wiingy’s platform. This means that you work only with top verified, qualified, and experienced tutors.
An experienced tutor will be able to create a structured lesson plan customized to your pace and learning style. You will also get access to study materials, notes, practice materials, and exam strategies to help accelerate your learning.
We know that sometimes you don’t want to pay for private tutoring because it is too expensive. Tutoring costs anywhere from $100 to $150 per hour which isn’t reasonable at all.
However, Wiingy’s rates are affordable, starting from just $28 per hour, much lower than the average tutoring offered by other platforms.
We don’t require you to sign up for packages or subscriptions, so you can pay for lessons as you need them. We also offer a free trial lesson so you can try out our service before you commit.
While we try to match you with the perfect tutor per your needs, we understand that sometimes, even the best tutors might not be the right fit for you.
This is why we offer you the Perfect Match Guarantee. If you are not satisfied with your tutor for any reason, you can request a replacement tutor at no additional cost.
Lastly, if you do not wish to continue our services, we offer you a no-questions-asked full refund for your unused lessons with us.
In addition, we have 24/7 instant support from a personal student success advisor. You can contact your advisor via chat or phone if you have any questions, whether it’s about your lessons, your tutor, payments, or if you are looking to explore any other subject.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can you cancel IXL at any time?
You may cancel your IXL membership at any time, and cancellation will be effective immediately. You will continue to have access to the program until the current billing period ends. IXL does not provide refunds or credits for any partially used membership periods.
Does IXL automatically renew?
Your IXL membership will automatically renew until you cancel it again.
Is Khan Academy free?
Yes.
Created by experts, Khan Academy’s library of trusted, standards-aligned practice and lessons covers math K-12 through early college, grammar, science, history, AP, SAT, and more.
How many subjects are in Khan Academy?
Khan Academy is an online resource withover 20 courses per category.
Khan Academy covers a wide range of subjects, including math, science, computer programming, history, art history, economics, and more.
Additional comparisons
- IXLvs Kumon
- IXLvs Time4learning
- IXL vs Russian Math
- Kumon vs Khan academy
- Kumon vs Huntington Learning Center
- Kumon vs Time4learning
