Saxon Math vs Teaching Textbooks Math
The sharpest difference is screen time: Saxon Math is fully offline, Teaching Textbooks Math is mostly digital. Seven more separate them, which makes these close to opposite choices.
At a glance
Saxon Math
Grades K-12
Teaching Textbooks Math
Grades 3-12
Owners report it suits
Math-anxious parentsBoth are reported to suit Independent workers.
Skip to who fitsWhere they differ
| Attribute | Saxon Math | Teaching Textbooks Math |
|---|---|---|
Rigor
?How demanding the material is versus grade level. Where a program lands on the 1 to 5 scale:
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Parent involvement
?How much the parent is present and teaching. Where a program lands on the 1 to 5 scale:
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Prep load
?How much the parent prepares before a lesson. Where a program lands on the 1 to 5 scale:
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Screen time
?How much daily work is on a device. Where a program lands on the 1 to 5 scale:
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Independence
?How much the child can do alone. Where a program lands on the 1 to 5 scale:
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Time commitment
?How long a daily lesson takes the child. Where a program lands on the 1 to 5 scale:
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| Faith content | None | Light |
| Format | Textbook | Online |
| Best for Tags show where owners consistently report a good fit. They are not exclusions. | Independent workers | Independent workersMath-anxious parents |
| Method | TraditionalTraditional textbook | 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
- Approachboth Spiral
- Used asboth Spine
How each one plays by grade
Saxon Math
Grades K-12
Parent-led and scripted in K-3, mostly independent from 5/4 up.
Teaching Textbooks Math
Grades 3-12
Cost
| Cost item | Saxon Math | Teaching Textbooks Math |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $90-140/kit | $50-200/yr |
| Consumable | Partial | No |
| Per child / year | ~$100 | ~$50-70 |
What parents report
Saxon Math
Consistently praised
- Thorough review builds retention
- Strong for computation and test prep
- Upper levels work independently
- Incremental steps rarely leave gaps
Reported as challenges
- Lessons run long
- Repetitive daily mixed review
- Topic-jumping spiral frustrates some kids
- Layout looks dated
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 Saxon Math fits
Built for kids who do well with daily review and repetition, in families that want a thorough offline program with a long runway. Short lessons, a mastery track that stays on one topic, and a colorful open-and-go page are three things Saxon doesn't offer.
Read the full Saxon Math entry Check price Rainbow ResourceWho 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 TextbooksSome 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?
Saxon Math compared with
See all 17 Saxon Math comparisonsTeaching Textbooks Math compared with
See all 17 Teaching Textbooks Math comparisonsDescriptions 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 August 2026.