Home › Math › Comparisons
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| Saxon Math | Math Mammoth | |
|---|---|---|
| Grades | K–12 | 1–7 |
| Approach | Spiral / incremental | Mastery, conceptual |
| Who teaches | Scripted for the parent | The program teaches |
| Parent prep | Low (scripted) | Low |
| Screen time | Mostly offline | Mostly offline |
| Video lessons | Available: official video lessons sold separately (Saxon Teacher) | Available: free author videos for many topics |
| Faith | No religious content | No religious content |
| Cost | About $152 for a homeschool kit (Saxon 5/4); textbook is reusable | About $27 per grade as a download (K–4 bundle $133); reprint pages for siblings |
| Placement | Free placement tests | Free placement tests |
| Parents love |
|
|
| Common complaints |
|
|
Parents like that it's clear, well organized, and tells you exactly what to do each day, and the built-in review keeps skills from fading. The most common complaints are that it's dry, with no color or fun, and that the repetition wears on kids who pick things up quickly. Several parents say the younger levels take more of their time than expected.
Parents praise it for building real understanding at a very low price, and many kids can work through it mostly on their own. The most common complaints are that pages look busy and dated, and that it offers little fun or drill for kids who need games to stay engaged.
Neither is better for every child. Saxon Math is the stronger fit for lots of mixed review. Math Mammoth is the stronger fit for races ahead, loves puzzles; pictures and diagrams; minimal.
Saxon Math is spiral / incremental.
Math Mammoth is mastery, conceptual.
Saxon Math: About $152 for a homeschool kit (Saxon 5/4); textbook is reusable. Math Mammoth: About $27 per grade as a download (K–4 bundle $133); reprint pages for siblings.
Summaries are in our own words.