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Two popular homeschool math programs, compared on what actually decides the fit: how your child learns, how much you'll teach, and how each one handles review.
Updated September 2026 · based on parent reviews and publisher information
Still torn? Answer a few questions and see how both rank for your child, side by side.
Compare for my child| Beast Academy | Art of Problem Solving | |
|---|---|---|
| Grades | ~Grades 1–5 | 6–12 (Prealgebra+) |
| Approach | Problem solving | Problem solving |
| Who teaches | The program teaches | The program teaches |
| Parent prep | Low | Low (student-directed) |
| Screen time | Mix of screen and paper | Mix of screen and paper |
| Video lessons | Available: videos come with Beast Academy Online | Available: free videos for some books |
| Faith | No religious content | No religious content |
| Cost | $100 a year online, or about $120 for a level of books ($160 for both) | About $59 for the Prealgebra text and solutions; reusable |
| Placement | Free placement tests | Free readiness pretests |
| Parents love |
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| Common complaints |
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Math-loving kids tend to adore it, and parents describe real growth in persistence and reasoning. Nearly every review warns that it's hard on purpose. Kids who need drill, or who get discouraged easily, often struggle, and some families don't finish a full level in a year.
Parents of strong math students say it teaches kids to think like mathematicians and prepares them well for contests. Reviewers warn it's text-heavy, deliberately hard, and a poor fit for kids who need visual support or who get upset when they can't get everything right.
Neither is better for every child. Beast Academy is the stronger fit for pictures and diagrams; stories and fun. Art of Problem Solving is the stronger fit for reading and working alone.
Beast Academy is problem solving.
Art of Problem Solving is problem solving.
Beast Academy: $100 a year online, or about $120 for a level of books ($160 for both). Art of Problem Solving: About $59 for the Prealgebra text and solutions; reusable.
Summaries are in our own words.