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IXL Reviews: Is It the Right Choice in 2025?

With the overwhelming number of IXL reviews on the Internet, it’s hard to decide whether this tutoring platform is the right choice in 2025. The good news is that you don’t have to search IXL reviews from parents anymore — this comprehensive article has got you covered on all the key aspects of the platform. 

At a Glance

• Range of features: 6/10. IXL offers multi-subject coverage, flexible, self-paced learning, and in-depth progress tracking. 
• Learning approach: 3/10. The program is outdated and unstimulating for most students. 
• User interface and experience: 2/10. The majority of users report usability issues.
• Effectiveness: 4/10. Some students improve their math skills, but the majority get demotivated too fast.
• Customer support: 2/10. The platform offers online support, but users report unsatisfactory issue resolution.
• Pricing model: 8/10. The price-quality ratio might be justified for most users. 

⭐️Based on my research, including Trustpilot and Reddit reviews, an analysis of students’ experiences with this platform, and my insights as a math tutor, the average rating for IXL’s tutoring platform is 4/10. The platform can help with reinforcing some skills, but it shows significant flaws.

IXL review: A complete overview of how it works

IXL is an online tutoring platform that offers self-paced, personalized classes in subjects like math, science, social studies, and languages. It is designed to help students practice and master skills through adaptive learning.

IXL is a platform that allows extensive self-paced learning, which is perfect for students with individualized learning needs.

If you’re a parent looking for an after-school tutoring platform or a student needing extra help with some subjects, IXL aims to provide a personalized learning experience and a comprehensive K-12 curriculum in subjects beyond math and English. 

IXL is a good option for self-paced solo learners thanks to its broader, interactive, self-study format. 

💡 Since this article is a review, I will provide you with my unbiased opinion on the platform’s features, which include learning approach, user experience, effectiveness, customer support, and pricing.

Let’s dive deep into IXL’s features. 👇

How does IXL work? Core features

• Multi-subject coverage
• Flexible, self-paced learning
• In-depth progress tracking

Multi-subject coverage

IXL offers lessons on various subjects: math, languages, science, and social studies. While some parents prefer to focus solely on math as their supplemental learning program, IXL can provide you with more than that.
Here’s an IXL review on Reddit, where a parent shares how helpful this feature is: 

⭐️This feature is great for families looking for an all-in-one tutoring platform that goes beyond math and English. However, it might not suit children who want to acquire a more in-depth knowledge of a given subject. Hence, I’d rate it 8/10 stars. 

Flexible, self-paced learning

IXL emphasizes self-learning and places great importance on encouraging students to focus on the areas they need to improve the most. This is especially beneficial for children who have knowledge gaps and deal with anxiety about learning.

Here’s one of the IXL ratings highlighting this feature:

⭐️Most kids need adaptive learning as part of their academic pursuit, where their educational needs are considered. Even though some children may need a more strict approach, I’d rate this feature 9/10 stars.

In-depth progress tracking 

IXL provides insights on each skill and improvement area through rigorous performance tracking. This progress tracking differentiates from competition in the following way: whereas most platforms allow you to see where your kid needs support, IXL offers additional practice problems and assessments for every unit covered.

Many IXL learning reviews highlight this feature. Here’s one of them:

⭐️Progress tracking is an optimal tool for every learner. However, as I explored numerous IXL reviews from parents, its progress tracking system may be overwhelming and strict, which you will discover later in the article. For now, I’d give it 3/10 stars.

What are the disadvantages of IXL?

Many parents leave good reviews of IXL, emphasizing a positive experience for them and for their children. However, I noticed that most of the IXL student reviews are quite negative. Students report frustration, anxiety, pressure caused by its scoring system, lack of motivation to study, and inability to interact with the platform. 

Let’s go over the disadvantages of the IXL in more detail: 

• Inadequate scoring system 
• Platform usability 
• Fraudulent payments activity

Inadequate scoring system  

IXL’s confusing grading system has been a point of frustration for most students. The platform uses a “SmartScore” system, which adjusts based on correct and incorrect answers, but it can fail to grade students accurately. As a result, it can cause demotivation and confusion both for parents and kids. 

Here’s an IXL rating from Trustpilot that highlights that disadvantage: 

Some reviews for IXL even reported mental health issues that kids developed after using the platform. 

So if you ever ask yourself, “Is IXL bad for mental health?” the answer would definitely be yes.

An alternative to the IXL platform, Brighterly, offers instant feedback during one-on-one live sessions. Additional learning reports are included in every package with the topics covered, progress made, areas for improvement, and more. These reports are designed to give children and parents clear insights into academic performance during a specific time period.

These progress reports present to be better for parents and students seeking transparent, fair feedback. 

Platform usability

The majority of unsatisfactory IXL reviews from students report serious platform usability issues. Some users have found it too complicated for inexperienced parents and kids. IXL math learning alternatives may offer more user-friendly apps and platforms perfect for any level of tech skills. 

Is IXL a good learning tool? Here’s an IXL math review of the platform’s usability:

Alternatively, the Brighterly math tutoring platform is straightforward and simple in its functionality. The lessons are delivered via a video call, and the built-in application is easy to use for both parents and children. 

Fraudulent payments activity

IXL parent reviews frequently report insecure payments and fraudulent payment activity. Parents have mentioned multiple charges, which is a clear sign that the platform does not prioritize payment security. Some IXL users faced payment vulnerabilities, unclear billing processes, or unexpected charges. Moreover, the platform’s customer support may be unavailable for users who are claiming their payments back.

Brighterly, on the other hand, uses a transparent payment system with no hidden fees. Then again, Brighterly is pretty affordable — a basic three-month plan with two weekly lessons costs $198/month. The unused lessons aren’t forfeited if you plan your sessions accordingly, which makes Brighterly a perfect choice for the price-quality ratio compared to other math tutoring platforms. 

Parents also praise Brighterly’s customer support for quickly resolving issues and questions.

To summarize, IXL can be a good option for some students, especially for those who need multisubject coverage and flexible, self-managed learning. 

However, IXL math reviews report serious drawbacks to the platform functionality, scoring system, and payment security.

IXL reviews: Is the learning approach effective?

IXL’s approach utilizes adaptive learning techniques, where educational content is tailored to each student. The system also adjusts the difficulty of the questions based on the responses, constantly challenging children before moving forward. Overall, IXL aims to help children master the concept while progressing at their own pace.

The second point is how students interact with the program. Unlike Brighterly, where sessions are held in a virtual classroom with a real tutor, IXL only provides you with a series of questions categorized by a specific skill. The platform also provides immediate feedback with a step-by-step explanation of a particular problem.

Lastly, the system provides virtual medals and awards for students who correctly answer the questions. This reward system is supposed to serve as positive reinforcement; however, according to IXL reviews on reddit, this feature falls short for most students.

⭐️ So, based on that, I’d rate IXL’s learning approach 3/10.

Altogether, the learning approach of IXL can be practical for systematic, self-paced, and level-headed students. Yet, the platform may seem outdated and unpleasant due to the strict scoring system, lack of real human interaction, and ineffective instructional methods.

IXL reviews from parents: Is the interface easy to use?

At first glance, the IXL platform looks simple, easy to navigate, and visually appealing. However, when I reviewed its UX, I noticed that it prioritizes visuals over functionality, which can indicate that it’s quite outdated by today’s standards. As I examined IXL reviews, I noticed one common complaint: the platform’s interface is not intuitive, nor is it modern. Users also report that the core functionality can be laggy. This is one of the main reasons why is IXL so bad for some users. 

⭐️Overall, I’d give it a 2/10, as most users report usability issues during their studies.

To sum up, the platform may be visually appealing to kids, but its functionality has significant flaws. 

IXL student reviews: Effectiveness

IXL has been widely used by students looking to improve their math, language, and science skills. The platform’s structured approach aims to help students through drilling exercises with detailed explanations and a rewarding system. Is IXL a good app for kids to learn math? Let’s review its effectiveness. 

IXL’s influence on student learning outcomes presents mixed results. An IXL math review reports an unfair grading system that leads to demotivation and frustration with math subjects. That naturally can lead to unsatisfactory scores in school.

Another user shared that IXL’s platform does not provide an enjoyable learning experience.

Another one of the IXL bad reviews shares that the platform does a bad job explaining math concepts, which prevents children from the opportunity to learn and grow. 

⭐️ All together, I’d give it a 4/10. Some children can improve their skills thanks to a flexible, self-paced approach, but most of them report ineffectiveness of the platform.

So, if you ask me, “Is IXL good?”, I would recommend you to look for alternatives based on reviews on IXL. The platform does not live up to its popularity due to ineffective teaching techniques and a bad scoring system.

IXL reviews: Connect support

IXL offers various plans for families, schools, and classrooms. If you have a family membership, IXL provides customer support through phone and email. 

However, various reviews of IXL in 2025 are complaining about how bad the provided customer service is. 

Although user feedback on the customer service is limited, the following conclusion can be made: IXL customer support is functional but may not provide actual support to customers. 

⭐️ Rating: 2/10.

The educational platform offers some level of online service, which is included in the IXL pricing plan. However, according to IXL bad reviews, you don’t get much of the feedback and support needed.

IXL pricing: Does it provide a good value for money?

IXL offers various plans for families, schools, and classrooms.

With these plans, you can access unlimited topics and practice across all levels of skills, detailed explanations, and a reward system. Also, IXL does not offer a free plan. However, you do get a 30-day money-back guarantee. However, as I mentioned before, customer feedback reports fraudulent activity via multiple charges, which can indicate that your funds aren’t safe. 

How much does IXL cost?

Considering we have to examine family membership plans, let’s go over the pricing:

Single Subject Plan: You can access a single subject with this plan:

• Monthly Subscription: $9.95 per month.
• Annual Subscription: $129 per year.

Combined Subjects Plan: Two subjects are offered.

• Monthly Subscription:  $15.95 per month.
• Annual Subscription:  $129 per year.

Core Subjects Package: You can access all core subjects (Math, Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies).

• Monthly Subscription: $19.95 per month.
• Annual Subscription: $159 per year.

⭐️ Overall, the price-quality ratio is justified, so I’d give it an 8/10, considering the unsafe payments. 

To summarize, you can expect to pay a lower price for IXL than you would’ve paid for the competitor’s services. Yet, you have to keep in mind the pros and cons of IXL.

	IXL	Brighterly	Russian Math	Mathnasium	Khan Academy
Trustpilot rating	1.8/5	4.6/5	Not available.	3.8/5	3.8/5
Best for	K-12	K-9	K-12	K-12	K-12
Focus	Math, language studies, special studies, science.	Math	Math	Math	Math, Science, etc.
Standout feature	Reward system	Math lessons Award-winning curriculum Free worksheets Assessment test Research-backed methods Common Core-aligned curriculum	Advanced curriculum Strong foundation in STEM	Flexible attendance Assessment test	Interactive exercises and quizzes Progress tracking Free
Personalization	✅	✅	❌	✅	❌
Student pays	The minimum monthly charge is $9.95.	From $19.5/hour	Kindergarten + 1st grade: $1872 yearly. Grades 2-6: $2298 yearly. Grades 7-12: $3708 yearly.	From $250 to $400 + enrollment and assessment fees	Free

As you can see, Brighterly has some distinct benefits for math learners, such as research-backed teaching methods, a Common Core-aligned curriculum, a top user rating, and an excellent price-quality ratio!

IXL learning reviews: What users really think about the platform

If you have questions like “Is IXL good for you?”, “What are the IXL pros and cons?”, and “What is IXL rated for?”, let’s explore it together. 

Key Points: IXL is praised for its multi-subject coverage, flexible, self-paced learning, and in-depth progress tracking that helps students build strong foundational skills through repetition and discipline.

However, some users find that their grading system, lack of direct instruction, and the heavy emphasis on a “question-answer” learning approach can make it less engaging and challenging for children who need a more interactive or flexible approach.

What users love about IXL:

• Detailed explanation 
• Adaptive curriculum 
• Boosted confidence 

“If an answer goes wrong – it shows a detailed explanation, we experienced no problem understanding it. No unnecessary information; it explains what’s needed.” – Trustpilot review

“What I love: 1. Ability to tailor it to follow the national curriculum. 2. Recommended questions based on areas for improvement.” – Trustpilot review. 

“This is a great tool. It has really helped us to focus on the few areas my daughter was struggling on; this has boosted her confidence in other areas of her maths.” – Trustpilot review.

Common complaints about IXL:

• The platform is unethical – it can result in an anxious state in children. 
• Fraudulent payment activity 
• Platform usability 

“This app is emotional torture. It has been causing great stress and anxiety, and now my 6-year-old son is becoming fearful of going to school because of this program’s point system.” – Trustpilor Review.

“Scammers, there was a fraudulent charge on my account from this company.” – Trustpilot Review.

“Writing this on Christmas day – can’t update my nephew’s new tablet because cannot reset the password. This is driven by IXL greed – it’s way too complicated for regular parents.”- Trustpilot Review.

Verdict: Is IXL really worth it?

So far, I’ve rated IXL:

• Range of features: 6/10.
• Learning approach: 3/10. 
• User interface and experience: 2/10. 
• Effectiveness: 4/10. 
• Customer support: 2/10. 
• Pricing model: 8/10. 

Which gives the IXL platform an average rating of 4/10 for me.

To summarize:

IXL is the ideal choice if you:

✅ Prefer self-paced learning.
✅ Look for multi-subject coverage.
✅ Instant progress tracking and a reward system.

IXL isn’t the best option if you:

❌ If you value safe payments.
❌ Need personalized support from instructors.
❌ Prioritize mental health.

Looking for an IXL alternative?

Despite IXL’s benefits, like flexible learning, multi-subject coverage, and solid progress tracking, many parents and students are still finding the following disadvantages:

❌ Stressful grading system.

❌ Lack of engagement. 

❌ Fraudulent payment activity 

Across the IXL alternatives, Brighterly is one of the most engaging, personalized, and interactive platforms:

✅ Live 1:1 tutoring with expert-driven math teachers.

✅ Personalized learning tailored to each student.

✅ Gamified approach based on the Common Core curriculum.

✅ Free Brighterly math worksheets. 

Let’s look at some more of these key features that make Brighterly math program the best IXL alternative: 👇

Professional math tutors

Brighterly math tutors for elementary and middle school students specialize in one-on-one, interactive online math sessions emphasizing a personalized STEM-focused program. 

They use gamified learning and interactive methods to make sessions engaging, fun, and accessible for every student, especially for students who need extra encouragement. This expertise fosters problem-solving skills and a deeper understanding of math concepts that children can relate to real-life experiences.

Personalized award-winning STEM-focused curriculum

Brighterly math program is interactive and engaging, and helps students develop a genuine interest in math and STEM-related fields. 

The platform’s best learning experts have developed Brighterly’s math program to create the perfect Common Core-aligned online math programs for kids and teens.

Free worksheets & math resources

Brighterly offers math worksheets that are also great for self-learning. They focus on math skills like addition, division, geometry, money management, etc. 

You can also enjoy Brighterly’s free math tests, which will help you easily track your kid’s math progress and knowledge gaps. These tests are part of a math knowledge base with articles on algebra, fractions, geometry, number sense, measurement, money, times tables, and numbers to words.

Next steps: Help your child excel in math with Brighterly

To sum up, IXL may be a great platform for independent, self-directed learners who don’t need much direction in math. However, parents report many downsides, which include a lack of motivation to study due to a cruel grading system and stress inflicted on children.

All in all, is IXL good for students? This is where I would suggest looking into the Brighterly math tutoring platform as an alternative. 

Here’s how Brighterly is different:

• Provides one-on-one ethical math tutoring, concentrating on strengths and weaknesses of the child
• Offers STEM-focused Common Core-aligned curriculum 
• Has transparent pricing with no hidden costs
• Gives you access to free self-study resources

Try Brighterly for free! Book a trial lesson now and discover a perfect after-school math program.