Before we dive into the list, let's talk about what we're looking for here. A good math app should:

The deal: It's basically a fantasy RPG where kids battle monsters by solving math problems. Your kid creates a wizard avatar, explores worlds, and progresses through the story—but they can only move forward by getting math questions right.

The catch: There's a free version that's totally usable, but they WILL nag your kid about the premium membership ($9.99/month). The free version has all the curriculum content; premium adds cosmetic stuff and extra pets. Prepare for "but Mom, everyone has the premium version" conversations.

Best for: Kids who love games like Pokémon but need math practice. The adaptive learning is solid, and it covers everything from basic addition to algebra.

Parent dashboard: Actually useful. You can see what topics they're working on and where they're struggling.

The deal: Completely free (no ads, no subscriptions, no catches—seriously). Created by Khan Academy, it covers math, reading, and social-emotional learning through interactive activities.

Why it's great: The characters are adorable without being annoying, the activities are genuinely educational, and it adapts to your kid's pace. For early elementary, this is the gold standard.

Best for: PreK through 2nd grade. Once they hit 3rd grade, move them to regular Khan Academy.

The vibe: Like if PBS Kids made a learning app with an actual budget.

The deal: A collection of apps that teach specific math concepts through puzzle games. DragonBox Numbers teaches counting and arithmetic, DragonBox Algebra teaches (surprise!) algebra, and DragonBox Elements teaches geometry.

Why it's different: These apps teach math concepts almost sneakily. Kids are solving actual algebra equations without realizing they're doing algebra. It's wild.

The catch: Each app costs $7-8, but they're one-time purchases with no subscriptions or ads. Worth it if your kid is struggling with a specific concept.

Best for: Kids who insist they "hate math" but love puzzles.

The deal: This is less of a game and more of a tool—think of it as a calculator that shows its work. Type in a math problem, and it shows you step-by-step how to solve it.

The controversy: Some parents worry this is basically a "do my homework for me" app. Fair concern. But used right, it's actually a fantastic learning tool.

How to use it right: Make it a rule that your kid has to try the problem first, then use Mathway to check their work or understand where they went wrong. It's like having a patient tutor who never gets frustrated.

Best for: Middle school and up, when homework gets real and you can't remember how to factor polynomials either.

The deal: Covers early math concepts (counting, addition, subtraction, shapes) through mini-games and activities. The interface is clean and not overwhelming.

Why parents love it: No ads, no in-app purchases in the free version, and it doesn't require reading—so it works for pre-readers.

Best for: Kindergarten through 2nd grade, especially kids who get overwhelmed by busy, loud apps.

The vibe: Calm, focused, and actually educational. It's like the anti-YouTube Kids.

The deal: Another series of apps, each focusing on different concepts: fractions, multiplication, percentages, word problems. They're all game-based but with actual pedagogical thought behind them.

Standout: Motion Math: Pizza is genuinely fun. Kids run a pizza shop and have to use fractions to fulfill orders. It makes fractions click in a way worksheets never could.

The catch: Each app is $3-5. Not cheap when you're buying multiple apps, but they're quality.

Best for: Kids who need help with specific concepts and respond well to games with clear goals.

The deal: Curriculum-based math activities that align with what kids are learning in school. It's used by schools in 40+ countries, so it's legit educational.

Why it works: The activities are actually engaging—not just digital worksheets. Kids are building, exploring, and problem-solving.

The catch: It's subscription-based ($9.99/month after a free trial), but you get access to everything for multiple kids.

Best for: Parents who want something that actually aligns with school standards and want to see measurable progress.

The deal: From the makers of Art of Challenge (AoC), this is for kids who are ready for more challenging math. It's comic book-style lessons plus puzzle games.

Real talk: This is not for kids who are struggling with grade-level math. This is for kids who finish their math homework and ask "what else you got?"

Why it's awesome: It teaches kids to love problem-solving and think creatively about math. The comic format is genuinely funny and engaging.

Best for: Math-loving kids who need enrichment, or kids who are bored in regular math class.

Cost: $10/month, but there are also physical books if your kid prefers those.

The deal: Comprehensive curriculum covering math and reading, with a game-based approach. Kids earn coins, customize avatars, and unlock new worlds.

The parent angle: Really solid parent dashboard that shows you exactly what skills your kid is working on and where they need help. It aligns with Common Core standards if that matters to you.

The catch: Free version is limited. Full access is $10/month or $60/year.

Best for: Elementary-aged kids who need well-rounded practice and parents who want detailed progress reports.

The deal: Completely free app from the makers of ABCmouse. Kids help build a city by completing math activities—counting, addition, subtraction, sorting, geometry.

Why it's on this list: It's actually free (with occasional ads), it's well-designed, and young kids genuinely enjoy it.

Best for: Preschool through 1st grade. It's a solid introduction to math concepts without being overwhelming.

The vibe: Cheerful, encouraging, and age-appropriate. Your 5-year-old will probably ask to play it.

PreK-Kindergarten (Ages 4-6): Start with Khan Academy Kids, Todo Math, or Moose Math. At this age, you want apps that teach foundational concepts without requiring reading skills. Keep sessions short (15-20 minutes) and sit with them occasionally to see what they're learning.

Early Elementary (Ages 6-8): Prodigy, SplashLearn, and the DragonBox Numbers app work well here. Kids this age can handle more independent practice, but they still need encouragement and check-ins. This is a good age to establish that "math practice time" is just part of the routine, like brushing teeth.

Upper Elementary (Ages 8-11): Prodigy, Matific, Motion Math, and Beast Academy (for advanced kids) are all solid choices. Kids this age can start to self-direct their learning, but they still benefit from you showing interest in what they're doing. Ask them to show you a level they completed or explain a concept they learned.

Middle School (Ages 11-14): Prodigy still works for younger middle schoolers, but you might also want Mathway as a homework helper and Beast Academy for enrichment. At this age, the goal is helping them build confidence and problem-solving skills, not just drilling facts.

Yes, these are apps. Yes, that means screen time. But there's a real difference between 30 minutes of adaptive math practice and 30 minutes of YouTube shorts. If you're worried about total screen time, learn more about how educational screen time fits into overall limits.

Context matters. Math app time is not the same as TikTok time, and it's okay to treat them differently in your family's rules.

Most of these apps adapt to your kid's level, but sometimes they get it wrong initially. Don't give up after one session. Let the app learn your kid's level over a few days. If it's still way off, check the settings—most apps let you manually adjust the difficulty.

Even the best app won't work if your kid won't use it. Some strategies that actually work:

Should these apps replace homework? No. Should they supplement homework or provide extra practice? Absolutely. Should they be a tool for understanding concepts your kid is struggling with? Yes.

Think of these apps as practice, not curriculum. They're most effective when they reinforce what's being taught in school.

The free apps (Khan Academy Kids, Moose Math) are legitimately good. You don't need to spend money to give your kid quality math practice. But if you have the budget, the paid apps often have better adaptive learning, more content, and no ads.

A $10/month subscription is roughly the cost of one tutoring session. If it helps your kid build confidence and skills, that's pretty good value.

The best math app is the one your kid will actually use. Start with one of the free options (Khan Academy Kids for younger kids, Prodigy for elementary), see if your kid engages with it, and go from there.

Don't expect miracles. No app is going to transform a struggling math student into a prodigy overnight. But the right app can make practice feel less like a battle and help concepts click in a way traditional worksheets sometimes can't.

And honestly? If you can find an app that makes your kid voluntarily practice math facts without you nagging them about it, that's a parenting win worth celebrating.

If you're just starting out: Download Khan Academy Kids (ages 2-8) or Prodigy (ages 6-14). Both are free, both are quality, and you can start tonight.

If your kid is struggling with a specific concept: Check out the DragonBox series or Motion Math apps. They're designed to make specific concepts (fractions, algebra, geometry) click.

If your kid loves math and needs a challenge: Beast Academy is where it's at.

If you want to understand what your kid is learning in math class: Read through this guide on Common Core math (yes, the "new math" that confuses parents).

And remember: the goal isn't to make your kid love math (though that would be cool). The goal is to help them build skills and confidence so math doesn't feel like an impossible mountain to climb. These apps? They're just tools in the toolbox.