Education

Finding online math tutors for yourself or your child can be a difficult task. You want to find someone easy to learn from, teaches well, and doesn’t cost too much money per session. Two of the most popular tutoring centers are Mathnasium and Kumon, with centers across the country. However, which is better? Or is there a better option altogether? 

This guide will compare Mathnasium and Kumon on price, delivery, outcomes, and ease of learning. You’ll learn whether the math-only Mathnasium is worth it and how Kumon transitions between multiple subjects in one learning center. We also discuss the benefits of online tutoring with some of the best online math tutors. 

Quick Facts

Why You Should Consider Online Tutoring

Both Mathnasium and Kumon are largely in-person tutoring centers. While they offer some online sessions, the companies focus on their in-person sessions. Online tutoring might be a good option for those who are still uncomfortable in group settings or want a more private, one-on-one tutoring session. 

Online tutoring from the comfort of your home makes things convenient so you don’t have to worry about quarantine or public health standards. You can work with your schedule and on your timeline, making changes as you need to. 

Mathnasium Overview 

Math is one of the most difficult subjects for kids to learn and the most common need for tutoring. While other tutoring centers spread their resources and offer multiple subjects, Mathnasium focuses on teaching math well and making it fun. 

What is Mathnasium? 

Mathnasium is a math-only tutoring center. Founded in 2002 by education and math experts, the goal was to give children the opportunity to enjoy math, not be intimidated, and work on their weak areas. 

With constant assessments and a personalized learning plan, Mathnasium offers a new way to learn math. Since the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic, they have moved to both online and in-person tutoring sessions. 

Pros: 

• A hands-on learning environment
• Personalized learning plans
• Self-scheduled tutoring sessions
• Offers both in-person and online sessions

Cons: 

• Only math 
• Can be expensive
• Not the same tutor every time
• Not one-on-one tutoring 

Bottom Line: Mathnasium is an excellent option if your child struggles with math but is fine with all other subjects. 

How Does Mathnasium Work? 

When you sign up for Mathnasium, your student will take an initial assessment. You’ll discuss the results and your goals with the center director. Your child will design their binder and be given a personalized learning plan. 

Most centers suggest 2-3 tutoring sessions a week to keep your child learning at the same pace and catching up with homework and test prep. Each session lasts from 30 to 90 minutes, depending on your payment plan, and will lead your student through worksheets and mastery checks. 

After a certain number of master checks, the student receives enough punches on their mastery card to pick out a prize from the Mathnasium prize cabinet. This method keeps every student engaged and offers them ways to track their own progress and see results. 

How Much Does Mathnasium Cost? 

The prices for each center are slightly different, but Mathnasium costs around $200-$300 a month on average. Cost depends on your location and how long your child’s sessions are. If you have a high school student with 90-minute sessions, it will likely be more expensive. 

The base package covers three Mathnasium visits a week with no rollover plan. However, you can add an extra visit at no extra cost in some locations. For specific payment plans and options, contact your local Mathnasium. 

What are Customers Saying About Mathnasium? 

Parents and students have positive reviews about Mathnasium. Most kids who have been afraid of math or hated it end up loving their trips to Mathnasium and parents are encouraged. Overall, tutors are well-trained and friendly, working to keep students engaged and learning the whole time they’re in the center. 

Mathnasium allows students to bring in their math homework from school and prep for tests while at Mathnasium. Homework and test prep sheets count towards mastery stamps and are included in the student’s binder. This practice has been praised by customers and can boost the grades of struggling students in as little as a few months. 

The biggest positive to Mathnasium, according to tutors, students, and parents, is the level of personalization within each center. Students who hate math often feel seen and understood and able to grasp difficult concepts with the help of their tutors. It’s a system that works well and produces results. 

Kumon Overview

Kumon is a dual math and reading program with tutoring centers all over the country. Founded in Japan in the 1950s, Kumon has used the same teaching methods for over 60 years. 

What is Kumon? 

Kumon is a learning system developed in Japan in the 1950s. It has been in business since then and has been popular for drilling the basics of math and reading into children for over sixty years. 

Instead of using personalized learning plans, Kumon focuses on the basics and tests a student to the appropriate level. Once they master a specific skill set, they can move on to the next level in mathematics or reading. 

Pros: 

• Structured curriculum
• Offers reading and math curriculums 
• Less expensive 

Cons: 

• Less individualized 
• Extra homework
• Repetitive learning 

Bottom line: Kumon is great for students who need repetitive learning but not for anyone who needs one-on-one help.

How Does Kumon Work? 

On the surface, Kumon might seem like Mathnasium – both are in-person tutoring centers that offer services from kindergarten through high school. However, the teaching methods are entirely different between the two centers. 

Kumon focuses on repeating the basics of math thousands of times until it is drilled into a student’s head. Once your child takes an assessment test, they will be assigned to a slightly lower class than they tested into. This ensures they have mastered all the basics of Kumon’s curriculum. 

At Kumon, students work through worksheets dedicated to the current issue they are trying to master. They don’t bring in their homework or move on until they have mastered that concept. Kumon also sends homework back to the child’s house for about 30 more minutes of work that evening. 

Kumon’s tutors are often high school and college students. Instead of giving one-on-one advice and mentoring a small group of students, these tutors are in charge of up to a classroom full of children working on the same subject matter. They are available to answer questions if necessary but do much less actual tutoring. 

How Much Does Kumon Cost? 

Kumon costs anywhere from $100-$200 per month, depending on the location and subject matter. High school students and higher levels may cost more, but the sessions are all the same length. 

Kumon students attend twice a week for the duration of their time and have about 30 minutes of extra homework every week. This is included in the cost. The main variant in cost for Kumon students is whether they are enrolled in tutoring for math, reading, or both. 

What are Customers Saying About Kumon? 

Kumon has more mixed reviews than Mathnasium, with a good portion of Kumon’s students and parents saying that there wasn’t enough personal support and Kumon was a lot of work. However, many other customers emphasized that the rigor of Kumon is what produces results – by repeating a formula hundreds of times, a child will never forget it. 

One of Kumon’s main teaching points is that the students are put into lower testing brackets than they may need. This system ensures that every student learns every concept, no matter how simple. However, it can lead to students doing work they already know or redoing work from several grades below them. 

Although Kumon is much more rigorous than Mathnasium, the results are often similar. Children aren’t as positive about their Kumon experience, but they do learn math and reading concepts without forgetting them. 

Mathnasium vs. Kumon Similarities

Mathnasium and Kumon both have the same goal: to get students struggling in academics to a better standard. They both teach math, and both have relatively good results. These tutoring centers have different teaching methods but are set up similarly in several ways. 

Another way Mathnasium and Kumon are similar is that they are cheaper than standard one-on-one tutoring. Because the students are grouped by three or more with a single tutor, they won’t get one-on-one instruction (unless the center is empty that day). 

Mathnasium vs. Kumon Differences

The main difference between Mathnasium and Kumon is their approach to education. While Mathnasium focuses on where the student is and allows them to bring in homework or have input on what they’re working on, Kumon has a rigid curriculum focused on memorization and repetition. 

Kumon is generally less expensive than Mathnasium and offers both reading and mathematics as subjects. However, the students at Mathnasium are given more one-on-one attention and small group instruction. Tutors at Kumon act more as group facilitators. 

The tutors go through extensive training to work at Mathnasium and have a minimum required test score. While Mathnasium does hire some high school students as tutors, anyone working with middle schoolers or above will have graduated college or be in college. Kumon does not have such an extensive hiring process. 

Mathnasium vs. Kumon: Which is Better? 

Between Mathnasium and Kumon, the decision depends largely on what your child needs. Every child learns differently, and some need a more rigorous, repetitive curriculum to drill math or reading into their heads. However, others learn better with the possibility of rewards and visible progress. 

If your child needs help with both math and reading, Kumon is the better option for the two. It’s the only one that offers both at the same location. Kumon is also slightly less expensive and has a more flexible schedule. However, it sends extra homework to the child. 

For a more laid-back, personalized approach to learning math, Mathnasium is the better choice. Your kid will have a more personalized relationship with the tutors at the center and will receive a stronger foundation of math basics. While they might learn math by rote memorization at Kumon, Mathnasium helps them to take control of their knowledge. 

Overall, Mathnasium is the better choice for most students. Kumon has its advantages, but the learning system is more contentious than not, and learning professionals argue that it’s important for a child to take control of their own education to some extent. If you want your kid to like math, put them in Mathnasium! 

Why We Recommend Learner Instead 

While great, in-person math tutors will be more difficult to find and commute to than online tutoring. Learner have all of the benefits of Mathnasium and Kumon, but you can complete every session from the comfort of your home. 

The benefits of Mathnasium are personalized lesson plans, some individual tutoring, and a rewards system. Kumon uses memorization and repetition to teach math. With individualized online tutoring, you can take both of these methods and make the perfect lesson plan for your child. 

Learner is a company that offers a custom-matched math expert for each type of problem you need to solve. The tutors are world-class and experts in their fields, so no matter what level you or your child struggles with, you’ll be able to find someone to help you. 

Instead of sticking to a schedule and going several times a week to a building with other kids, a different tutor every time, and a distracting atmosphere, you can learn at your own pace from the comfort of your home. Learner are especially helpful for kids who struggle with attention or focus in a crowded classroom environment. 

With a free first session and guaranteed results beyond grades, Learner focus on the individual students’ life plans and goals. We will help you get to where you need to be to succeed in class this year and wherever you end up after that. 

Does your child feel as though they don’t get the support they need from school? Are you looking for private math tutors but don’t know where to start? Perhaps you’ve seen ads for companies like Kumon and Sylvan but aren’t sure which one to choose? If you have asked any of those above questions, this article can help you. 

Kumon and Sylvan share some similarities as private touring companies. They both deliver high-quality tutoring for their charges and always prove their worth with quick results that work for students. 

In addition, both companies offer math tutoring with clear, accurate instruction guaranteed every time. Kumon and Sylvan also operate from learning centers in areas near you, with dependable customer support.  

Since they work out of learning centers, Kumon and Sylvan provide instruction to groups of children in a sort of classroom setting. While this approach may pander to more social children, tutoring centers like Kumon and Sylvan miss out on a one-on-one teaching approach: something online tutoring can accomplish.

Why You Should Consider Online Tutoring

Kumon and Sylvan provide accessible tutoring that offers tangible results, but online tutoring can do the same thing. While learning centers in nearby areas provide convenience with being so close, online tutoring offers a unique one-on-one experience that proves to be immensely valuable to children. 

Online tutors can produce the same, if not better, results as in-person tutors. Online tutoring offers more accessibility compared to in-person tutors. Compared to Kumon and Sylvan, online tutors offer that precious one-on-one instruction that has proven to be helpful to young students. 

Online tutoring also takes the stress away from parents and children alike. Parents no longer have to worry about their child falling farther and farther behind, as they can instead relax since they know their child is receiving personalized instruction from a tutor that can get to know their learning style. 

Children also worry less as they get the help they need and can tackle the problems they face in school and build good lifelong study habits. 

One such company that provides the best online math tutors is Learner, which offers the same effective results that companies like Kumon and Sylvan do, but with greater accessibility and one-on-one instruction. 

Kumon Overview

To begin deciding between Kumon and Sylvan, we’ll delve into who Kumon is, explore what this company stands for, and explain how they help students. 

What Is Kumon?

Kumon operates as a tutoring company committed to helping kids excel in school and beyond, working in 50 countries with millions of students. Developed in 1954 by a Japanese math teacher named Toru Kumon for his own son, Kumon tutors children of any age in any subject. 

Mr. Kumon believed small, incremental assignments would help his son master math. By sixth grade, young Takeshi was solving calculus problems. Kumon learning centers embody this approach with incremental assignments each day at home and allow children to complete assignments twice a week in the learning center. 

Kumon allows parents and children alike to lose the stress and worries they may experience concerning schoolwork and grades. With Kumon, children receive a chance to practice the skills they may need to work on and receive in-person instruction on the problems they may face. 

Pros

• Incremental assignments to develop learning skills
• Allows children to create good study habits
• Makes children ask for help in front of a class full of peers

Cons

• No one-on-one instruction
• Requires accessibility to a learning center
• Repetitive worksheets

Bottomline 

Kumon combines a proven incremental assignment approach with in-person learning to ensure that kids pass exams, reach academic goals, and create lifelong study habits for college and beyond. 

How Does Kumon Work?

Kumon relies on the proven method of giving children incremental assignments each day. The assignments take around thirty minutes to complete and should be worked on at home. Two out of the five days, the students will complete assignments in the Kumon learning center. 

Completing assignments in the Kumon learning center has a two-pronged approach. First, children will have access to an experienced Kumon instructor who can create a personalized lesson plan and set goals for the student in each subject being tutored. Secondly, children will have to ask for help in front of a classroom of sorts.

The second point remains key as many children fall behind in assignments and perform poorly because they are too shy or too proud to ask for help in front of others. Kumon learning centers help create a habit of asking for help the first time. These healthy academic habits will serve children through school and into life beyond.

How Much Does Kumon Tutoring Cost?

The price of Kumon Tutoring depends on the area you live in, as the tutoring will be given in a Kumon learning center and prices vary based on location. Even though prices fluctuate based on your area, you can expect around $50 in registration fees and around $90-$180 per subject tutored. 

What Are Customers Saying About Kumon?

Some people are concerned that Kumon is repetitive, sometimes having children repeat the same worksheet up to six times. Some people also take issue with the fact that parents aren’t always kept informed about their child’s progress. 

Nevertheless, Kumon has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Kumon has yet to apply for accreditation from the BBB, but most reviews from each Kumon learning center remain positive and show that parents are happy with the results from Kumon.  

Remember that each Kumon learning center is a separate entity, so reviews may vary. 

Sylvan Overview

To finish the decision between Kumon and Sylvan, we’ll now discuss Sylvan and explore what this company stands for, how they help students, and how that may differ from Kumon.

What Is Sylvan?

Sylvan provides a “Sylvan Assessment” to get a sense of your child’s needs and creates a personalized lesson plan before the tutoring even begins. Sylvan commits to producing tangible results for you and your family. No wonder Sylvan families see three times the growth in math and reading scores. 

Sylvan also works closely to align with state and provincial standards in the curriculum used so your child will see improvement right in the classroom. Sylvan also prioritizes communication, and both the school and parents are kept in the loop about the child’s progress. 

With Sylvan, parents and children can experience peace of mind. They no longer have to worry about falling behind in school or failing grades. Sylvan helps students tackle their academic problems, as all the while, they develop healthy habits to use in school and beyond. 

Pros

• A personalized assessment and lesson plan
• Offers online tutoring 
• Three times the growth seen in the results

Cons

• Doesn’t necessarily offer one-on-one instruction
• Repetitive worksheets

Bottomline

Sylvan believes education is everything and that great teachers inspire. With a personalized lesson plan and periodic assessments, Sylvan makes sure students have the opportunity to learn and create good study habits for themselves.

How Does Sylvan Work?

Like Kumon, Sylvan combines daily assignments with tutoring. Most daily assignments are completed at home, while two must be completed in a tutoring session: either in-person or online. The daily assignments at home give kids the chance to practice skills and problem-solving on their own, while completing them in person gives them the chance to ask for help should they need it. 

Unlike Kumon, Sylvan provides an online tutoring option, which makes Sylvan more accessible as there’s no need to drive to a physical learning center. You also don’t need to live within driving distance of a Sylvan learning center as long as your child has access to an internet or computer. 

How Much Does Sylvan Tutoring Cost?

The prices of Sylvan Tutoring vary based on the locations of the Sylvan learning centers, much like Kumon. However, even though prices fluctuate based on location, you can expect most in-person tutoring to cost around $49, while the academic coaching programs cost around $199 per month. 

What Are Customers Saying About Sylvan?

This company has not been accredited by the Better Business Bureau and has not been given a rating. However, many complaints have been lodged about the services offered by Sylvan. People claim they pay far too much money and don’t see a bit of improvement. 

It’s important to note that the majority of these complaints have to do with the attention given by the teaching staff at Sylvan. Parents felt as though they paid for nothing as they would arrive to pick their child up after a session, and the tutor had already tossed their child to the side. With a one-on-one tutoring approach, better results could have been achieved.

Remember that each Sylvan learning center is a separate entity apart from the company, so reviews may vary. 

Kumon vs. Sylvan Similarities 

• Learning centers for students to receive instruction
• Teaching teams with licenses
• Similar pricing 

Kumon and Sylvan have a similar tutoring structure by providing learning centers and daily assignments to students. They also have similar pricing, which is based on the various locations of learning centers within your state.

Kumon vs. Sylvan Differences

• Sylvan offers online tutoring, while Kumon does not
• Kumon has an A+ rating with the BBB, while Sylvan does not

Despite a similar tutoring structure, differences exist between these two companies. For example, Kumon has a better rating and better reviews from the general public than Sylvan, but Sylvan offers an online tutoring option. This option allows for greater attention to students, although Sylvan’s reviews, unfortunately, don’t reflect that. 

Kumon vs. Sylvan – Which is Better?

As mentioned before, Kumon and Sylvan both have similar tutoring structures. They both utilize learning centers as their primary source of teaching, and both use worksheets to develop a sort of muscle memory when it comes to problems. 

Sylvan provides an online tutoring option, which gives it an advantage over Kumon since Sylvan can provide a one-on-one experience that Kumon does not. Sometimes, a classroom setting can help children raise their hands and ask questions that may not be normally accustomed to speaking up. However, one-on-one learning has been proven to produce results accurately. 

On the other hand, Sylvan has been a hard hit in reviews. People do not believe they give as much attention to their charges as they claim. These reviews must be read with the consideration that the BBB has not accredited Sylvan and that reviews are based on each specific learning center location, not Sylvan as a whole.

Taking all the information we have discussed into consideration, Sylvan seems the best for parents looking to attain tangible results in tutoring their kids. But don’t limit your options to either Kumon or Sylvan. Learner Tutors provides the online tutoring with results that you need. 

Why We Recommend Learner Tutors Instead 

Learner Tutors provide the same results but in a faster time frame. Basing operations online means students are subject to a one-on-one session which increases their learning capacity and helps them solve problems easier. 

Learner provides the best online math tutors. They offer a custom-matched math expert for everything you need to solve. These math tutors work tirelessly to ensure your child’s support by creating customizable lesson plans and setting goals. Learner Tutors help define trajectories after passing the class, as your child simply isn’t another number with Learner Tutors. 

Learner also takes the burden off of the parent’s shoulders. With Learner, you can ensure that your child will receive all of the help they need. Parents can also check up on their child’s progress with regular performance checks, guaranteeing that their child stays on track. 

World-class tutors who are pedagogy experts and customizable lesson plans to be completed at your own pace and delivered in your learning style are just a few of the guarantees that Learner provide. If your child needs help with math, let go of the stress of taking it on yourself and talk to Learner today!

For many children and their parents, math is a subject of frustration and anxiety. Even with a good teacher, some students can struggle with math classes and homework.

Without help, this problem tends to get worse over time. If a child doesn’t have a strong math foundation, they can become more lost and frustrated as they advance to higher-level classes, such as algebra and calculus.

Fortunately, there are many resources available that can help students understand and even enjoy math. One of the most effective options is online math tutoring. This type of virtual assistance can help even the most frustrated student catch up to their peers, increase their understanding, and improve their math test scores.

What is an online math tutor?

An online math tutor has the knowledge and training to provide one-on-one math instruction through a virtual interface. Tutors are highly trained experts who are passionate about helping students overcome bad experiences and negative feelings related to math.

What does an online math tutor do?

An online math tutor provides math lessons and homework assistance through a remote learning interface. They tailor their teaching style and examples to each individual student. This level of individualized instruction is extremely helpful for students who need more assistance than a traditional classroom setting provides.

What are the benefits of working with an online math tutor?

Here are some of the top benefits that an online math tutor provides.

1. Higher test scores

For many students, math is the subject that gives them the hardest time during homework and tests. While poor testing performance may be stressful in elementary school, it can be a bigger issue in high school when standardized test scores start to affect college applications.

Low math test scores can have a number of different causes. Sometimes learning difficulties are related to mental or emotional disabilities. In many cases, however, students struggle with math tests because they don’t truly understand the material or know how to apply mathematical principles to word problems.

Unfortunately, most math textbooks focus on rote memorization and repetition designed to show students arithmetic techniques. There often isn’t enough time to dive into the reasoning behind the problem-solving methods, which can leave students unable to apply logic and critical thinking to word problems or higher-order math. This leads to poor test scores.

With a dedicated tutor, students can learn how to understand test problems and figure out which method to use to solve them. The individualized instruction a tutor provides can also help students feel more confident during tests, preventing stress-related errors.

2. More comprehension

Poor understanding of mathematical theory doesn’t just affect test scores. It prevents students from enjoying math and understanding its real-world applications. Most students who have trouble with math start to view every lesson with a “when am I ever going to use this” attitude. This feeling makes a student even less likely to try to improve their math skills.

An experienced math tutor can help students truly understand the “why” behind the method. When students can grasp the fundamental concepts behind arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, and statistics, they can use those critical-thinking and problem-solving skills in math class and beyond.

A deep understanding of mathematical principles is essential for every student, even those who will never pursue a math degree. Most adults will go their whole lives without solving a differential equation, but the concepts behind higher-order math have countless applications. By working with a tutor to get a better understanding of math fundamentals, students of any age can be more prepared for everyday situations that require logical thinking.

3. Positive encouragement

When students start to fail math tests and miss homework problems, it often affects their self-esteem and their attitude. It’s hard to look forward to a class that seems incomprehensible.

If students fear they will get most of their math homework wrong, they often stop trying. Peer pressure and embarrassing attention from teachers can cause even more negative feelings about math class.

One of the best advantages of online math tutoring is encouragement for struggling students. Tutors are passionate about math, and they want to help people understand how amazing and applicable it is. They are dedicated to helping students recover from negative experiences with math.

When your child works with a good math tutor, they can expect lessons to be based on positivity and encouragement rather than negativity and shame. A healthy learning environment makes it far easier for students to focus and try. This level of encouragement, combined with expert instruction, can turn a reluctant student into one who tolerates (or even enjoys) math class.

4. Improved parent-child relationships

If your child is having a hard time with math, you know how challenging it can be to try to help with homework or make them study for a test. Frustration with math has been the source of countless arguments between parents and children.

Even if you have a strong math background, you may not be a good tutor for your child. Parent-child relationships are complicated, especially during the teen years. Even with the best of intentions and lots of patience, you may still end up harming your relationship with your teen if you try to be their math tutor.

Most children will have better results with a non-parent tutor. By outsourcing this task, you can avoid the fights and emotional challenges that come with trying to teach your child math. Removing this source of stress and conflict allows you to take steps to strengthen your relationship with your child and make positive memories together.

5. One-on-one attention

Even the best math teachers are limited by class size. Most classrooms have at least 20 students at any time, and it simply isn’t possible for a teacher to spend too long working with any one student. If your child starts falling behind in math, the teacher may not be able to spend enough time working with them to bring them up to speed with the rest of the class.

Tutoring has been around for centuries, and there’s a reason: One-on-one instruction is extremely effective for many people. This setup allows the tutor to focus entirely on the student and tailor their instruction to address the student’s specific needs.

One-on-one teaching can help students feel more comfortable asking questions without worrying about being embarrassed in front of their peers. They can learn at their own pace, spending more time on confusing concepts and moving forward quickly when they are feeling confident.

6. Efficient homework completion

When students are having trouble in math class, they usually struggle with homework as well. And when they are having a hard time completing their math homework, they can start developing problems in other subjects too. Spending several frustrating hours on math homework every night leaves less time and energy for other homework, projects, and extracurricular activities.

Tutors help with homework in several ways. If a student is having trouble even understanding the homework problems or knowing where to start, a math tutor can work through those problems step-by-step. A tutor can also spend time explaining the concepts behind each word problem so the student can start understanding how to choose which math concept applies to each type of problem.

Of course, the main way that tutors help with homework is by giving students a better understanding of math in general. With this strong foundation, students can go through problems faster and more accurately.

7. Increased responsibility

In elementary school, students are guided through every subject, but that starts to change as they get older. By high school and college, students are expected to take responsibility for most of their learning. Teenage or adult students should be able to manage their own studies.

Students who struggle with math can’t take responsibility for their own learning very effectively. When they try to study and work alone, they often end up more confused and frustrated, which can also make them less likely to embrace self-directed learning in other subjects.

One-on-one instruction from a tutor helps students with self-motivation and personal responsibility. In a tutoring session, a student can’t fade into the background of the rest of the class or pretend they understand a concept just to avoid being singled out.

With a tutor, a student must manage their own education, asking questions when necessary and being honest about what they need help with. This level of responsibility is essential for success as an adult, and a math tutor can help students embrace it from an early age.

8. Customized instruction

While there is not a lot of flexibility in math in terms of getting the right answer, there are many different ways to teach math concepts. Unfortunately, standardized textbooks and tests often present only one method. If that method doesn’t match a student’s natural thought processes, it usually causes that student to decide they just don’t “get” math.

Online tutoring allows students to get individualized instruction designed for their unique needs and learning style. A customized learning plan can help most students thrive, simply because the material is being presented in a way that makes sense to them.

For a younger child, a customized learning plan may involve more work on times tables or mental arithmetic. A high school student may need their tutor to spend more time working through algebra problems, drawing graphs, or explaining calculus theory.

Customized instruction can also help with testing skills. With a better understanding of their learning style, a student can start to develop more effective study habits. This sort of self-awareness is invaluable in college and in any career they choose.

9. Improved study habits

Study skills are essential for any student. They’re important in high school and college, but also in life. Everyone needs to have a basic set of study skills so they can become better at their job, learn how to run a household, and make well-informed decisions.

When a subject is challenging, study skills can suffer. If a student spends hours trying to figure out math homework or studying for a test only to fail, they can develop negative feelings about studying itself. This can lead to poor grades in other subjects.

With help from a math tutor, students can improve their study skills. Online tutors are experts in both their field and educational theory. They can provide new learning methods and memorization tips that can help students feel more confident in their ability to study effectively.

Students with tutors start to understand the material better and get better test scores. These victories can also help with study habits, giving students more confidence that their studying will pay off.

10. Better college preparation

Poor math grades can make college extremely challenging, even for students who aren’t pursuing a degree in math or science. Most college students have to take at least one math class. If they had a bad experience in high school math, they probably won’t be very successful in a college math class with hundreds of students and minimal time for questions.

Working with a tutor in elementary, middle, or high school can help students prepare for college. They can gain a good fundamental understanding of basic math concepts and improve their study skills. With a math tutor, students can figure out their ideal learning style and practice working through hard concepts until they reach a place of understanding.

Of course, even with a strong foundation in high school math, some students may still find calculus, linear algebra, and other high-level math classes difficult. Fortunately, online tutors can help with college math too.

11. More confidence

One of the most important and long-lasting benefits of math tutoring is improved self-confidence. Students who are failing in math class often have poor self-esteem and experience persistent self-doubt. If they can overcome their math struggles, though, they can gain a new sense of self-confidence.

Self-esteem and confidence are essential for success in school and life. Gaining confidence by conquering math can help students make better personal decisions and prepare them for success in college and their careers. It may also reduce the risk of mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression.

Self-confidence issues are common among teens, but they can affect elementary school students as well. If your child is having trouble with math, getting help sooner can help them gain that confidence back before high school and college. A confident student is more likely to succeed and to be able to respond to challenges in a healthy way.

Get help from an online math tutor

Hiring an online math tutor offers countless benefits. Some of the most important advantages are a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts, improved study habits, and higher test scores. If you want to help your child (or yourself) get a better handle on math, hiring an online tutor is an excellent solution.

Receiving customized, one-on-one instruction from online math tutoring is the best way to help you or your child improve in the subject.

For many students, complex subjects such as algebra can be a dreaded source of stress, frustration, and anxiety. Even if you already have an excellent teacher guiding you through the subject, certain students struggle to keep up with homework and perform well on exams. Rather than wait for the problem to get worse with time, there’s an easy solution to all of your algebra woes: working with an online algebra tutor. Whether your child needs help with elementary algebra or college algebra, there are online algebra tutors and math tutors who are available to lend their services.

Receiving one-on-one instruction outside of the classroom can help students improve their academic performance, build confidence, improve study habits, and even help change their attitude toward school and academics. The trickiest part about the online tutoring process is finding the right online math tutoring service for you. To make things easy for you, we’ve reviewed ten of the best algebra tutoring services available and provided a breakdown of each service. Let’s get started!

Learner

With high-quality tutors, an excellent tutor matching process, and standout virtual learning tools, Learner is one of the best online algebra tutoring services on the market. Fully dedicated to virtual learning, this innovative math tutoring provider has a very streamlined process for students to get started with online learning. First, students are matched with online tutors through a proprietary screening process. Students of all ages and grade levels can then choose to opt for either one-on-one sessions or a small group session. 

Regardless of whether you are taking a middle school algebra course or a college-level algebra class, there will be a math teacher who specializes in your subject area and syllabus. Learner only hires highly qualified tutors and has cutthroat qualifications that each employee must meet to apply to this network, some of which include a four-year college degree and several years of previous tutoring experience

After every session, a math tutor will provide students and parents feedback on their progress, which includes both current struggles and successes. One of the most beneficial features that Learner includes in its tutoring sessions is its recording feature. Students will receive recordings of all of their sessions, which allows them to go back and review anything that they need to. Learner also offers a full satisfaction guarantee and every first tutoring session is free for clients. Pricing starts at $40 per hour. 

Pros:

• Affordable pricing
• Founded by experienced educators
• Full satisfaction guarantee 
• Excellent tutor matching
• Records each online lesson
• Includes feedback sessions after each lesson
• High-quality tutors

Cons:

• No in-person tutoring option

Bottom Line: With high-quality tutors, affordable hourly rates, a full satisfaction guarantee, an excellent tutoring matching process, and standout virtual tutoring features, Learner is one of the best online algebra tutoring services on the market.

Wyzant

Wyzant can be best described as a connection platform for students and teachers. To begin your tutoring journey, interested parties must go through a four-step process. First, you will answer several personal questions, then you will select an instructor. After a brief chat with your math tutor, you will then book your first lesson. Wyzant has a good fit guarantee, meaning that tutees get the first hour of their session free if they are not satisfied with their tutor. 

One of the major downsides of this online tutoring site is that clients have to do the heavy lifting of searching for their own tutor. However, if you want complete control over the tutor selection process, then this may be a good option for you. Wyzant has 80,000 tutors available in more than 300 subjects. Each tutor sets their own price rate, which ranges between $10 and $700 an hour. If you are looking for a more budget-friendly algebra tutor, you will most likely match with a university student majoring in STEM at an accredited institution. More expensive tutors will often be professional educators. 

Wyzant also includes a resource library with more than 1 million interactive lessons and videos created by private tutors. While this platform does not provide 24/7 access to tutors, customers can usually be connected with a tutor within one hour. 

Pros:

• Library of free resources
• Students can search for tutors based on hourly rates and skill level
• Good fit guarantee 

Cons:

• Tutees must match with a tutor themselves
• Does not have 24/7 access to tutors
• Relatively expensive

Bottom Line: Wyzant has 80,000 tutors available in more than 300 subjects, along with a resource library with interactive lessons and videos. This connection platform is catered towards individuals who want to select the tutor themselves, as they will not do the heavy lifting of finding a tutor best suited for you. 

Varsity Tutors

Varsity Tutors’ mission is to help students who are balancing a busy schedule packed with sports, school, and part-time jobs. The company’s Instant Tutoring feature is designed to provide students with help whenever they have a free moment in their day. This feature is especially helpful for a subject like algebra, when a student may simply be stumped by one particular problem. Fully integrated with mobile phones and other devices, students can use this platform on the way to school, in the locker room after sports practice, or even when they have a moment to spare at their after-school job. 

While its most popular feature may be its Instant Tutoring feature, this platform is better suited for students seeking out long-term instruction rather than occasional one-off homework help. This service matches students with a tutor who will then create a customized lesson plan for this student. Students must provide personal information, including their full address and zip code, in order to receive information about pricing and hourly rates. Varsity Tutors also as an abundance of free resources including practice problems, flashcards, and complete practice tests. 

Pros:

• Instant Tutoring feature
• Library of resources available
• Customized lesson plans are provided for each student

Cons:

• Hourly rates only available upon request
• Previous customers have disclaimed that the quality of tutors differs vastly across the board

Bottom Line: Varsity Tutors‘ platform is especially helpful for students who are juggling a busy schedule and only have short time slots available for tutoring. 

Skooli

Skooli prides itself on offering high-quality tutors at budget-friendly costs. The majority of online teachers in Skooli’s network are either former or current teachers who have taught kindergarten through high school level courses. Other tutors are certified with degrees in subjects such as algebra, high school algebra, linear algebra, and other specialized subjects. Students have the opportunity to search within the platform for a tutor based on hourly rates and area of expertise. Students can also read previous reviews for the tutor left by other students. Students also have the option to upload a certain question and get immediately matched with a tutor. 

Skooli is catered to those who are looking for occasional homework help or test preparation guidance. This platform is not designed for individuals who are looking for long-term tutoring. Skooli charges a flat, pay-as-you-go rate that costs around $0.82 per minute. Every lesson a student signs up for must be a minimum of 15 minutes. 

All tutoring sessions occur in an online classroom, equipped with a whiteboard, video, and text chat. If you want to go back and rewatch your lesson, you have the opportunity to do so. All of Skooli’s lessons are recorded. 

Pros:

• 24/7 access to tutors
• High-quality tutors at budget-friendly costs
• All sessions are recorded

Cons:

• No customized lesson plans
• Platform does not cater to students interested in long-term tutoring

Bottom Line: With high-quality tutors and a pay-as-you-go payment plan, Skooli is a great online tutoring option for students in need of occasional homework help and test preparation guidance. 

Chegg

When it comes to budget-friendly tutoring options, Chegg is a great go-to. Students have the option to pay $6.95 for a one-off private tutoring lesson or $14.95 per month for unlimited tutoring services. For those who are specifically focused on algebra tutoring and improving their math skills, students can also pay an extra $9.95 for Chegg Math Solver, a feature that provides special assistance on how to use a graphing calculator. Chegg Math Solver also allows students to ask for help by uploading a photo of a homework problem. By doing so, the student should receive help on the problem within 30 minutes or so. With a Chegg membership, students also have the opportunity to search through Chegg’s library of over 21 million homework solutions. 

All tutors must pass a subject proficiency test in order to be admitted into Chegg’s network. While their specialty is helping guide students through the college admissions process, Chegg offers tutoring in hundreds of different subjects including algebra, AP classes, and standardized test preparations. 

Pros:

• Very budget-friendly
• An extensive library filled with homework solutions
• 24/7 access to tutors

Cons:

• No customized lesson plans
• Not ideal for long-term tutoring 

Bottom Line: When it comes to budget-friendly tutoring options, Chegg is a great go-to. For approximately $25 a month, students can receive unlimited tutoring services and specialized math assistance. Not only can students search through an extensive library of homework solutions, but they can also upload a specific homework problem and receive help within 30 minutes. 

SpecialEdTutoring

If your child has special needs, sometimes a run-of-the-mill tutoring company with general lesson plans isn’t going to cut it. That’s where SpecialEdTutoring comes in. With every tutor having at least a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education, SpecialEdTutoring operates on the understanding that students with special needs work best when they’re in a familiar environment: home. 

The first step to getting started with SpecialEdTutoring is signing up for a free consultation. During this consultation, parents will discuss their child’s learning style, needs, and what they think a good tutoring fit would be. Pricing will be another factor that is discussed in the initial consultation, as plans very much vary from student to student. An added bonus? If you are a parent who is homeschooling a child with special needs, then SpecialEdTutoring can even help you design a curriculum best suited for your child. SpecialEdTutoring is best suited for individuals who are seeking long-term tutoring rather than students who need one-off homework help. 

Pros:

• Every tutor has a Special Education degree
• Will help homeschooling parents design a curriculum for their child

Cons:

• Pricing plans are not provided upfront 
• Tutoring services are only geared toward students with special needs

Bottom Line: With every tutor having at least a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education, SpecialEdTutoring will help you find a long-term tutor that suits your child’s learning style and overall needs. 

Club Z

All online math tutoring services have a focus and Club Z’s is holistic tutoring. This tutoring service aims to help students not just with subject-specific skills, but also help improve students studying habits and classroom confidence. To get started with Club Z, students must complete a short survey that outlines the subject they need assistance with and the tutoring schedule they are hoping to abide by. Every tutoring session will occur in a virtual classroom, equipped with a whiteboard and video features. Students will also have the ability to download each recorded session and review the lesson as needed. All Club Z tutors hold an educational degree and have relevant and previous tutoring experience. Some tutors are also certified to work with students who have special needs.

Club Z’s three available tutoring packages are four hours per week ($231), eight hours per week ($415.80), or twelve hours per week ($554.40). If none of those packages suit your needs, you also have the option to create a customized package. Students also have the option to peruse Club Z’s various math-related articles in their spare time. Access to these articles is included in the tutoring packages and a few of these articles are algebra-related. 

Pros:

• Lessons are recorded
• Highly qualified tutors
• Focus on “holistic tutoring”

Cons:

• Expensive

Bottom Line: If you are willing to invest a pretty penny, Club Z offers high-quality tutoring sessions that help students improve upon subject-specific skills, as well as study habits and classroom confidence. 

Learn to Be

If the high cost of online tutoring has been an obstacle for you, Learn to Be might just make all of your dreams come true. This non-profit’s “choose if you can pay” model aims to help low-income families by offering free or low-cost services. Since the non-profit was launched in 2012, Learn to Be has helped more than 2,000 families in need.

That said, not just anyone can benefit from Learn to Be’s budget-friendly platform. Students must fill out an extensive application that includes sections for parents, school teachers, and others. Once you have been approved, Learn to Be will then match you with a tutor and create a customized lesson plan for you. This platform offers tutoring for students in kindergarten through high school in core subjects such as math, English, science, and history. 

Pros:

• Mission helps low-income families afford tutoring services
• “Choose if you can pay” model

Cons:

• Lengthy application process
• Only assists with core school subjects

Bottom Line: If you come from a low-income background, Learn to Be is a non-profit that can help make online math tutoring an affordable option for you. If your application is approved, you can then receive assistance in various core subjects including algebra and pre-algebra. 

Mathnasium

Mathnasium is best known as a neighborhood math-based learning center, with over 1,000 locations across the country. In recent years, Mathnasium has also built an online platform that offers customized one-on-one math tutoring programs taught by high-quality teachers. Whether you are a struggling math student, someone trying to pass intermediate algebra, or a mathlete who wants to advance your skills even further through prodigy math tutoring, Mathnasium will be able to cater to your needs. 

This program begins with an assessment of each student’s current understanding of relevant math topics, including algebra. After reviewing your assessment, a private tutor will design a personalized curriculum that caters to your general strengths and weaknesses. Homework help and test preparation will also be incorporated into each lesson plan, along with frequent assessments which are used to measure and evaluate each student’s progress. Online programs vary from zip code to zip code, but typical packages range between $200 and $300. 

Pros:

• Math specific tutoring platform
• Customized lesson plans taught by experts
• Regular evaluations and feedback sessions

Cons:

• Payment packages are not designed for on-demand homework help or one-off sessions
• Relatively pricey

Bottom Line: Whether you are learning algebra for the first time or an advanced mathlete who wants to advance their skills even further, Mathnasium will be able to cater to your needs. While participating in this program may be a financial investment, it is a great option for those interested in long-term math tutoring. 

Tutor.com 

Acquired by the Princeton Review in 2014, Tutor.com is a very well-rounded online tutoring service. Each one of the tutors in their network is available either online or through the mobile app and can assist students in more than 250 subject areas. Some of these subjects include core curriculum courses such as math, science, and the humanities, as well as standardized test preparation. If you or your child are struggling with other essential skills such as note-taking, organization, or time management, Tutor.com can also help students improve in those areas, as well. 

Prices vary depending on the package you select. Students can opt for an hourly or a monthly pay rate. Hourly rates start at $40 per hour. If you come from a military family, this online tutoring company offers complimentary services. 

Pros:

• Assists with school subjects as well as study skills
• Relatively affordable rates
• Tutors are available 24/7

Cons:

• Not catered towards those looking for quick homework help

Bottom Line: With 24/7 access to tutors, relatively affordable rates, and a wide range of tutoring subjects available, Tutor.com is a comprehensive and well-rounded online tutoring service. 

How to find the right online algebra tutor for your needs

With so many top-notch online algebra tutoring services available, the question becomes, which is the best one for you? While all of the online tutoring services listed above are certainly top-notch services, not all of them are going to cater to your specific needs. The first factor to consider when selecting the right online algebra for you is: what are your academic goals and priorities? If you are only looking for occasional homework help, you may want to select a tutoring service that has tutors available 24/7 and a pay-as-you-go plan. On the other hand, if you are looking for long-term tutoring, you may want to select a company that has great tutor matching and offers personalized lesson plans that cater to your strengths and weaknesses. 

Hourly rates and payment plans will also be a factor to take into consideration. Sit down and calculate how frequently you want to meet with a tutor and how much you can afford to spend on a tutor per month. This will easily help you eliminate services that are outside your price range.

How we chose the best algebra tutoring services

All of the online tutoring services included in this round-up are established and accredited companies with high-quality tutors and standout online learning tools. More importantly, this round-up includes a wide variety of tutoring services that cater to students of all backgrounds and learning needs. 

We made sure to include tutoring companies that cater to both younger students and college students looking for both long-term instruction and one-off homework help. Additionally, regardless of what your financial background is, one of these tutoring services will also suit your needs. While some of these tutoring companies appeal to the average student, others specifically cater to military families, low-income families, and students with special needs. 

Benefits of online algebra tutoring

There are numerous benefits to online algebra tutoring. Like in-person tutoring, online tutoring doesn’t just help students with math courses and exam preparation, but one-on-one tutoring also helps elementary and high school students build confidence in the classroom and good study habits. Even if you already have a top-notch algebra teacher at school, no learning experience can compare to receiving one-on-one lessons that cater specifically to your algebra skills. 

To top that off, online tutoring is often more affordable and convenient than in-person tutoring. Many online tutoring platforms have thousands of tutors in their networks, meaning that there is a one-of-a-kind tutor out there that will especially appeal to your schedule, learning style, and skill level. Not to mention, students can often receive assistance at a moment’s notice, easily fit tutoring into their busy schedules, and save time and money on commuting. 

FAQs

What are online algebra tutoring services

Online algebra tutoring services provide an alternative to in-person tutoring. These tutoring services use online teaching methods such as virtual classrooms, video, and interactive whiteboards to replicate an in-person learning experience. 

Who should use online algebra tutoring services

Whether you are struggling with algebra or you are a math whiz trying to build upon your already strong foundation, anyone can use and benefit from online algebra tutoring services. There are also online algebra tutoring services that are geared towards low-income families and students with special needs. 

How much do online algebra tutoring services cost

The cost for online algebra tutoring services varies across the board. Some services charge by the minute or the hour, while other services offer membership fees or monthly packages. 

What should you look for in online algebra tutoring services

There are a few factors that you should keep in mind when selecting an online algebra tutoring service. Pay attention to the quality of the tutors, the tutor matching process, and the learning tools that the service utilizes in each lesson. Some services cater more towards off-hand lessons and quick homework help, while other services are geared towards long-term tutoring. 

What are the pros of using online algebra tutoring services

Online algebra tutoring services are typically more affordable and more convenient than in-person tutoring options. To top that off, many online services have become adept at replicating the experience of in-person tutoring. With interactive whiteboards, instant messaging features, 24/7 access to tutors, and the ability to record and download lessons, online algebra tutoring services are superior to in-person tutoring services in many ways. 

What are the cons of using online algebra tutoring services

For some students, nothing can replace the experience of hands-on learning. If your child has a short attention span, learning disabilities, or special needs, then online algebra tutoring may not be the best tutoring style for them.