Mathematics
Khan Academy vs IXL
Both sit in Mathematics on the Edibok index. Here is what each one is, side by side, so you can tell which fits the job you actually have.
| Khan Academy | IXL | |
|---|---|---|
| Tagline | The free tutor that never sleeps: mastery practice, videos, and full courses across every subject. | Adaptive practice with a diagnostic that pinpoints where every learner stands, across 9,000+ skills. |
| Grade bands | K-2 · 3-5 · 6-8 · 9-12 | K-2 · 3-5 · 6-8 · 9-12 |
| Price model | Free | School |
| Platforms | Web · iOS · Android | Web · iOS · Android |
| Notable features | Mastery learning; Teacher dashboard; MAP score integration | Live diagnostic; 9,000+ skills; Granular analytics |
| Privacy and accounts | Nonprofit with school accounts and district rostering. Confirm on your district list. | District contracts with admin controls and SSO. Widely on approved lists. |
Khan Academy
A nonprofit institution at this point. Khan pairs short instructional videos with mastery based practice that adapts to each learner, and its teacher dashboard shows exactly who is stuck and where. Khan Kids covers the early grades with a gentle, ad free world of its own.
Assign a mastery goal for the unit, then use the gap report to pick your small groups for the week.
IXL
IXL is the workhorse: a comprehensive skills ladder for math and ELA with a real time diagnostic that places each student and keeps re-checking as they grow. The SmartScore rewards persistence over guessing, and the analytics are some of the most granular in the category.
Use the diagnostic snapshot in the first week of term to build your intervention groups with actual data.
This is a description of two listings side by side, not a test or a ranking. Neither app was trialled for this page, neither paid to appear, and no link here earns a commission. Check your district's privacy and procurement rules before classroom use.