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 | Singapore Math | |
|---|---|---|
| Grades | K–12 | PreK–8 |
| Approach | Spiral / incremental | Mastery, conceptual |
| Who teaches | Scripted for the parent | Parent teaches |
| Parent prep | Low (scripted) | Moderate–high |
| Screen time | Mostly offline | Mostly offline |
| Video lessons | Available: official video lessons sold separately (Saxon Teacher) | Available: lesson videos available |
| Faith | No religious content | No religious content |
| Cost | About $152 for a homeschool kit (Saxon 5/4); textbook is reusable | About $103 per grade for textbooks, workbooks and home guides (A and B) |
| 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 consistently credit Singapore with building real number sense: kids learn why a method works, not only how. The newer Dimensions edition adds videos and activities, which helps, but many say the lessons got longer and need more parent prep than the older Primary Mathematics books.
Neither is better for every child. Saxon Math is the stronger fit for reading and working alone; rusty; anxious about it. Singapore Math is the stronger fit for races ahead, loves puzzles; hands-on objects; pictures and diagrams.
Saxon Math is spiral / incremental.
Singapore Math is mastery, conceptual.
Saxon Math: About $152 for a homeschool kit (Saxon 5/4); textbook is reusable. Singapore Math: About $103 per grade for textbooks, workbooks and home guides (A and B).
Summaries are in our own words.