CTCMath vs UnLock Math
The sharpest difference is approach: CTCMath is Mastery, UnLock Math is Blended. Two others separate them as well.
At a glance
CTCMath
Grades K-12
Owners report it suits
Independent workersMulti-age familiesUnLock Math
Grades 6-12
Owners report it suits
Reluctant learners2eBoth are reported to suit Struggling learners and Math-anxious parents.
Skip to who fitsWhere they differ
| Attribute | CTCMath | UnLock Math |
|---|---|---|
Prep load
?How much the parent prepares before a lesson. Where a program lands on the 1 to 5 scale:
|
|
|
Independence
?How much the child can do alone. Where a program lands on the 1 to 5 scale:
|
|
|
| Approach | Mastery | Blended |
| Best for Tags show where owners consistently report a good fit. They are not exclusions. | Struggling learnersIndependent workersMulti-age familiesMath-anxious parents | Struggling learnersMath-anxious parentsReluctant learners2e |
| Method | TraditionalVideo-led/self-pacedAdaptive online | TraditionalVideo-led/self-paced |
| Grades | K-12 | 6-12 |
Solid tags are unique to that program. Muted tags are carried by both.
Where they match
- Rigorboth on grade
- Parent involvementboth hands-off
- Screen timeboth fully digital
- Time commitmentboth 25 to 40 min
- Faith contentboth None
- Formatboth Online
- Used asboth Spine
How each one plays by grade
CTCMath
Grades K-12
The K to 2 levels run thin on paper practice, and owners add a handwriting or manipulative supplement there. Elementary is well attested by long-term users. The high school levels have almost no independent owner reports, and the publisher itself used to recommend CTCMath as a supplement rather than a spine past grade 6.
UnLock Math
Grades 6-12
Foundations targets kids with arithmetic gaps who need to catch up. Pre-Algebra and Algebra 1 draw the most enthusiasm for reversing math dread. Pre-Calculus is the advanced ceiling.
Cost
| Cost item | CTCMath | UnLock Math |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $129-150/yr single, $149-199/yr family (discounted) | $29.90/mo or $299/yr |
| Consumable | No | No |
| Per child / year | ~$130-150 one child, ~$40-50 in a family plan | ~$299/yr |
What parents report
CTCMath
Consistently praised
- Short, no-fluff video lessons
- Very affordable for big families
- Access to every grade at once
- Printable worksheets and worked solutions
- Detailed parent reports
Reported as challenges
- Thin on word problems and mixed practice
- No built-in review, so parents build their own rotation
- Answers are mostly multiple choice
- No bound textbook
UnLock Math
Consistently praised
- Ends the math tears and turns attitudes around
- Kids work it independently, freeing the parent
- Instant feedback and rework-until-right build confidence
- One problem at a time reduces overwhelm
- Constant review keeps skills sharp
Reported as challenges
- Pricier than several online options, and recurring
- No live class or human teacher, just chat
- Auto-grading and drawing tools have a learning curve
- Some advanced kids find it less rigorous
Who CTCMath fits
Best when somebody else needs to teach the math: large families juggling several grade levels, or a parent whose own math anxiety makes lessons tense. A mathy kid who needs problem-solving depth, or a young hands-on learner who still needs manipulatives, won't get enough here.
Read the full CTCMath entry Check price CTCMathWho UnLock Math fits
Fits neurodivergent, math-anxious, or previously frustrated students, and parents who don't want to teach or grade math at all. Families chasing top-tier rigor for a STEM kid, or wanting a live instructor, will do better with Derek Owens or a live class.
Read the full UnLock Math entry Check price UnLock MathSome links on this site are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes how a curriculum is described or scored.
Still deciding?
CTCMath compared with
See all 12 CTCMath comparisonsUnLock Math compared with
Descriptions aggregate what homeschool parents consistently report across public community sources together with each publisher's own materials. Prices and editions change over time. Both entries last reviewed July 2026.