What Reviewers Say

IXL is a widely-used adaptive practice platform covering 17,000+ skills across math, language arts, science, and social studies. Cathy Duffy calls the flexibility 'one of my favorites' and includes it in Top Picks. Parents appreciate detailed diagnostics and progress tracking. However, IXL generates significant criticism for its 'Smart Score' system, which harshly penalizes mistakes. Common Sense Media documents numerous instances of children crying and feeling demotivated. The platform is explicitly not a teaching program - works best as a supplement.

How It Works

A child typically logs into the IXL website or app for 15 to 30 minutes a day to practice specific skills that support their main lessons. Because IXL does not provide formal teaching up front, the parent usually explains a concept first and then assigns a corresponding 'skill code' for the child to practice until they reach a 'Smart Score' of 80 or 100. The child answers interactive questions and, if they get one wrong, they must read a brief text-based explanation of the correct answer before moving on. Parents spend a few minutes each week checking the 'Analytics' dashboard, which uses heat maps to show exactly where the child is stalling or which specific questions they missed. No physical materials are required, as children can use the digital 'scratchpad' on the screen to work out math problems with their finger or a mouse.

Switching to This?

IXL features a 'Real-Time Diagnostic' that children should use for about 45 to 60 minutes when first starting to accurately map their current knowledge levels in math and language arts. Rather than choosing a grade level and working linearly, most families have their child answer a few diagnostic questions every week to keep their 'Action Plan' of recommended skills up to date. Because the platform is a collection of individual skills rather than a chronological course, families can start mid-year without missing any foundational content. If you are switching from a program that uses mastery-based progression, expect your child to feel some frustration with the 'Smart Score' system, which deducts points for incorrect answers and requires a string of correct responses to finish a level.

Curriculum Details

Price

$9 - $19

Single subject $9.95/month; Combo (Math + LA) $15.95/month; Core Subjects $19.95/month. Additional children $2-4/month. Annual ~$79-129/year. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Grades

PRE-K - 12

Available As

Digital Internet required

Coverage

Supplement

Subjects

Reading/Language Arts Math Science

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Pacing

Self-paced

Parent Time

0-15 min/day

Parent Involvement

None

Student Independence

Fully independent

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Academic Level

Grade level

Worldview

Secular

Teach Multiple Ages

Yes

Videos

Reviews We Consulted

Updated: March 2026

How This Compares

Compared to Khan Academy, IXL offers a significantly larger volume of practice problems and more detailed parent reporting, though it lacks the extensive video library that Khan uses to teach new concepts. When weighed against Beast Academy, IXL is much more aligned with standard classroom drills, whereas Beast Academy uses a comic-book format and focuses on high-level logic puzzles that are often more difficult than grade-level standards. Parents choosing between IXL and CTCMath often prefer IXL for its comprehensive coverage of Science and Social Studies, while CTCMath is better for students who need a short video tutorial for every single math problem. Unlike Time4Learning, which is a full 'all-in-one' curriculum that provides the primary instruction, IXL is designed to be a supplemental tool used alongside other teaching materials. Finally, compared to specialized apps like Synthesis Tutor, IXL provides broad coverage of thousands of basic skills rather than a deep, narrow dive into complex mental models.

Getting Started