Best Apps for Kids to Learn Math in 2026: 9 Apps Compared

Khan Academy Kids is the app we recommend first for young children, because it is entirely free, with no ads and no in-app purchases. It covers early math through thousands of lessons, games, and books for ages 2 to 8, with cheerful characters that guide children through counting, shapes, and early addition.

Its limit is age: the content ends around second grade, so older children will outgrow it. It is also gentler and less game-driven than Prodigy, which some children may find less exciting. But for a safe, free, high-quality start, nothing here beats Khan Academy Kids.

Prodigy Math turns math practice into a role-playing game where children answer questions to cast spells and progress through a fantasy world. The questions adapt to grade level and curriculum, covering grades 1 to 8, and the core educational content is free, with all practice questions available without paying.

Premium memberships from around 4.91 dollars a month add pets, rewards, and game perks, but not extra learning, so they are optional. Some parents find the game layer distracting. But if your child resists practice, Prodigy's game world is the most reliable motivator in this list.

DreamBox is the teaching app in this list, not just a practice app. It adapts moment by moment, noticing when a child struggles and re-teaching the concept with visual lessons before moving on. That gap-filling approach is why studies have linked regular DreamBox use to measurable score gains, and it suits children who need concepts explained, not just drilled.

At 12.95 dollars a month, it costs more than most rivals, and its world is calmer and less game-like than Prodigy's. But for a child who finds math hard, DreamBox's patient, adaptive teaching is the best investment here.

Zearn offers a free, structured math curriculum for kindergarten through eighth grade, with lessons that mirror classroom teaching: a short video, guided practice, and independent work. That structure helps children who need a clear path rather than open-ended games, and teachers use the same platform in classrooms.

It is less playful than Prodigy or SplashLearn, and some school features require a paid plan. But for families who want a real curriculum for free, Zearn is the strongest option here, and it pairs well with a game app for motivation.

IXL covers math from pre-K through twelfth grade with thousands of skills, each broken into small, trackable steps. Its diagnostics pinpoint exactly where a child's gaps sit, and its progress reports show parents and teachers what is improving. For families who want comprehensive coverage in one subscription, IXL is unmatched.

The style is drill-heavy and can feel dry next to game apps, so motivation may need outside help. Pricing starts at 9.95 dollars a month for one subject and rises with more subjects. If breadth and diagnostics matter most, IXL is the pick.

SplashLearn mixes games, lessons, and practice for ages 4 to 11, adapting difficulty as children progress. It covers math and reading, aligns with school curricula, and gives parents a dashboard showing skills mastered and time spent. Family plans start around 7.99 dollars a month, and schools use it free.

The free family tier is limited, and some children may find content repetitive over time. But for elementary ages, SplashLearn balances fun and structure well, sitting between Prodigy's game world and Zearn's classroom style.

Moose Math, from Duck Duck Moose, is a free early math adventure where children help build a city by completing mini-games on counting, addition, subtraction, and shapes. It is designed for ages 2 to 7, with a parent section tracking progress, and it costs nothing with no ads.

Its range ends at early math, so children beyond first or second grade will need another app. But for preschool and kindergarten, Moose Math is a delightful, safe, and free introduction to numbers.

DragonBox Numbers teaches number sense without relying on reading or symbols at first. Children manipulate colorful blocks called Nooms, learning how numbers relate, add, and break apart through play. That visual, Montessori-style approach suits young children who struggle with abstract numerals.

It is subscription-based at around 5.99 dollars a month, and its focus is narrow: number sense rather than a full curriculum. As a foundation builder before formal arithmetic, though, DragonBox Numbers is one of the most thoughtfully designed apps here.

Funexpected Math is designed for ages 3 to 7, with thousands of interactive tasks across hundreds of lessons, guided by a digital tutor that adjusts to each child's pace. It covers early math plus logic, spatial skills, and early coding, which broadens it beyond counting and addition.

At 10.99 dollars a month, it is pricey for its age range, and older children will outgrow it. But for families who want a guided, tutor-led path for a young child, Funexpected Math offers the most complete early curriculum here.