Khan Academy vs Teaching Textbooks Math

The sharpest difference is faith content: Khan Academy is None, Teaching Textbooks Math is Light. Five more separate them, which puts real distance between the two.

At a glance

Khan Academy

Grades K-12

Owners report it suits

Advanced/gifted

Teaching Textbooks Math

Grades 3-12

Owners report it suits

Math-anxious parents

Both are reported to suit Independent workers.

Skip to who fits

Where they differ

Attribute Khan Academy Teaching Textbooks Math
Parent involvement
?

How much the parent is present and teaching. Where a program lands on the 1 to 5 scale:

  1. 1hands-off
  2. 2light
  3. 3shared
  4. 4leading
  5. 5parent-taught
Read the parent involvement guide
Prep load
?

How much the parent prepares before a lesson. Where a program lands on the 1 to 5 scale:

  1. 1open-and-go
  2. 2minimal
  3. 3moderate
  4. 4involved
  5. 5heavy
Read the prep load guide
Screen time
?

How much daily work is on a device. Where a program lands on the 1 to 5 scale:

  1. 1fully offline
  2. 2mostly offline
  3. 3blended
  4. 4mostly digital
  5. 5fully digital
Read the screen time guide
Independence
?

How much the child can do alone. Where a program lands on the 1 to 5 scale:

  1. 1adult-led
  2. 2guided
  3. 3semi-independent
  4. 4mostly independent
  5. 5fully independent
Read the independence guide
Faith content None Light
Used as Spine or supplement Spine
Best for Tags show where owners consistently report a good fit. They are not exclusions. Advanced/giftedIndependent workers Independent workersMath-anxious parents
Method TraditionalVideo-led/self-pacedAdaptive online Video-led/self-pacedAdaptive online
Grades K-12 3-12

Solid tags are unique to that program. Muted tags are carried by both.

Where they match

How each one plays by grade

Khan Academy

Grades K-12

Khan Academy Kids (ages 2-8) is the free early-grades app. The K-8 grade courses work well from about 3rd up, and the 8th-grade course reaches into Algebra 1 and high school geometry.

Teaching Textbooks Math

Grades 3-12

Cost

Cost item Khan Academy Teaching Textbooks Math
Price Free $50-200/yr
Consumable No No
Per child / year $0 ~$50-70

Where to buy

What parents report

Khan Academy

Consistently praised

  • It is completely free
  • Videos are short and clear
  • Great for catching up or filling gaps
  • Bright kids can race ahead
  • Sequence runs all the way to calculus

Reported as challenges

  • Light on practice and review
  • No built-in schedule or pacing
  • Early grades move too fast for K-1
  • Some kids do not retain without more repetition

Teaching Textbooks Math

Consistently praised

  • Self-grading saves parent time
  • Kids can work independently
  • Clear video lessons
  • Low prep

Reported as challenges

  • Considered light/below grade by some
  • Fewer challenging word problems
  • Subscription cost recurs yearly

Who Khan Academy fits

Self-motivated kids who learn from video, and families who want a free option either as a full spine or as backup explanations alongside another program. Families who need heavy practice, built-in review, or a done-for-you daily plan should look at a spine like Teaching Textbooks or Math Mammoth and lean on Khan for the videos.

Read the full Khan Academy entry Check price Khan Academy

Who Teaching Textbooks Math fits

Independent, screen-comfortable learners whose parents want to step back, and parents who aren't confident in the math themselves. Families who want a parent at the table, paper on the desk, or an accelerated track should keep looking.

Read the full Teaching Textbooks Math entry Check price Teaching Textbooks

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Still deciding?

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.