Kumon vs Huntington vs Brighterly: Which one is better? (2025)
reviewed by Jo-ann Caballes
Updated on June 5, 2025
Choosing a suitable learning platform for your child can be a daunting task, especially when you have so many options. I am a professional math tutor, and today I will help you decide between Brighterly vs Kumon vs Huntington – I’ll compare prices, subjects offered, teaching methodology, and more.
Key points
- Brighterly is an online math tutoring platform, designed to connect the US K-9 students with expert math and reading tutors. Brighterly’s approach focuses on 1:1 gamified learning.
- Kumon is an after-school tutoring program for K-12 students that utilizes the Kumon method. It offers the development of math and reading skills through small-step worksheets and drilling exercises.
- Huntington learning center is an educational provider that offers personalized tutoring for students in Pre-K to 12th grade, focusing on test prep and examination preparation.
💡 So, if you’re wondering, “Which is better, Huntington or Kumon or Brighterly?” I’ll give my unbiased opinion on the platforms’ features, learning approach, user experience, effectiveness, and beyond.
Kumon vs Huntington vs Brighterly: Comparison
The main difference between Huntington vs Kumon vs Brighterly is in their teaching approach and level of personalization – the Brighterly math tutoring platform is highly adaptive to children’s learning needs.
Brighterly |
Kumon |
Huntington |
|
Subjects offered | Math, Reading | Math, Reading | Reading, writing, vocabulary, math, science, study skills, executive function skills, ACT, SAT, PSAT prep, high school entrance exams, and other state and standardized exams |
Teaching methodology | Online 1:1 interactive lessons + a lot of free materials | Self-learning + worksheets | Offline tutoring in company-owned centers and 1:1 online lessons |
Tutor matching process | ❌(assigned professionals) | ❌ (center staff) | Possible – based on assessment |
Customer reviews | ⭐️ 4.7/5 | ⭐️ 3.9-4.2/5 (varies by center) | ⭐️ 4.0-4.3/5 (varies by location) |
Progress Tracking | Yes (detailed reports) | Yes (paper-based) | Yes |
Trial | 1 trial lesson | ❌ (initial assessment only) | ❌ (paid assessment required) |
Some more quick takeaways of Kumon vs Huntington vs Brighterly on the following parameters:
- Kumon follows a worksheet-based, self-paced approach that is best for drilling exercises for independent learners.
- Huntington provides comprehensive test preparation and in-person sessions, while Brighterly is an online platform for math and reading primarily.
Note: Unlike most online educational platforms, Brighterly’s learning program fully adapts to the US Common Core standards. So, if you prioritize matching your child’s school curriculum, Brighterly stands out as the clear choice.
Kumon vs Huntington vs Brighterly cost comparison
Kumon price |
~$165/month (2 subjects) |
Huntington learning center price |
From $40/hour |
Brighterly price |
Brighterly cost starts from $17.40/lesson |
To sum up the Brighterly vs Kumon vs Huntington cost comparison, Brighterly offers 1:1 interactive online lessons for a more affordable price than Kumon and Huntington. In fact, the standard tutoring rate around the United States is between $40 and $80, so Brighterly pricing looks super convenient and cost-effective.
What is Brighterly?
Brighterly is an award-nominated online math tutoring platform, designed to connect the US elementary and middle school students with professional reading and math tutors. Brighterly’s reading and math program focuses on gamified, research-based learning methods to motivate students through fun, personalized lessons.
Why might parents choose Brighterly instead of Kumon or Huntington?
Parents might choose Brighterly over Kumon or Huntington for its personalized lessons, full compliance with the US Common Core standards, and convenient price, perfect for families who look for effective ways to teach their kids math and reading at an affordable price.
Let’s dig deeper into Brighterly features and explore how it helps students sharpen their skills. 👇
Brighterly math tutoring platform: Features
Expert-driven tutors
Brighterly math tutors are experts in engaging, motivating, and inspiring kids to learn math and reading through gamified, interactive approaches. This is why Brighterly became an endpoint resource for over 200K parents, whose satisfaction is shown by the average score of 4.7 on TrustPilot.
Note: The platform carefully selects each potential candidate and performs rigorous background checks to ensure every tutor is fully qualified and ready to make every reading and math class count.
Common Core-aligned program
Each Brighterly student gets a custom-designed, fully adapted math curriculum that closes their learning gaps and improves problem-solving. What’s more, the platform’s curriculum is constantly being updated by the best educators with research-based study resources, data, and STEM learning techniques.
Brighterly won’t overload your kid with theoretical experiences and drilling exercises. Instead, they will participate in fun games and experiments for hands-on math learning – the best teaching method that will help apply math in real life.
The same goes for the Brighterly reading program, where children receive a personalized curriculum tailored to their reading level, knowledge level, personal pace, and learning style. This is how Brighterly improves elementary and middle school students’ reading:
- Elementary reading programs include five basic reading skills: phonemic awareness, word recognition, phonics, vocabulary building, and reading comprehension.
- Middle schoolers develop critical thinking, main idea identification, text structure analysis, context interpretation, and logical connections.
Free worksheets and additional resources
Brighterly math worksheets are downloadable and printable workbooks that illustrate math concepts in a visually engaging and interesting way. There’s no learning by rote or repetitive sums, and the pages are designed age-appropriately and intuitively.
Designed by the platform’s best educators, Brighterly worksheets provide step-by-step practice problems and real-world examples to make hard mathematical concepts easier. Brighterly worksheets are available by grade and also by types of math operations.
Free math tests are typically included at the end of theoretical sections. They help you review how well your kid has understood a given mathematical concept.
Note: Don’t know how to test your kid’s math and start learning? Let your child take a free diagnostic assessment to discover their weaknesses and strengths and build a personalized learning plan.
Brighterly reviews
- “Since starting with Brighterly, my granddaughter’s grades have consistently ranged from 90 to 100 in her private school math classes. Brighterly is not only flexible and convenient but also affordable, making it a truly valuable resource for families.”
Josephine, TrustPilot
- “My son loves the sessions, and he is always happy to jump into a new class, which is unlike him. The program is cost-effective and flexible. I highly recommend it.”
Francis, TrustPilot
- “I love that I don’t have to drive her and wait outside the center, it’s not draining my bank account, they work on exactly what my daughter needs to work on, at her pace, and best of all, she is having so much fun!”
Rachel, TrustPilot
How much does Brighterly cost?
- 1-month plan: starting at $21 per lesson
- 3-month plan: starting at $20.60 per lesson
- 6-month plan: starting at $19.80 per lesson
- 12-month plan: starting at $17.40 per lesson
All of the plans include:
- Personalized private lessons
- Homework support
- Progress tracking with regular reports
As I’ve already mentioned, Brighterly is the most cost-effective learning option between Huntington learning center vs Kumon vs Brighterly. To put things in perspective, with Brighterly, you will pay as low as $17.40 per lesson, and still enjoy all of the benefits of competitor platforms.
How does Kumon work?
Best for: K-12 (drilling practice)
Kumon is a popular after-school tutoring program that follows the Kumon Method. The platform is designed for K-12 students and offers the development of both math and reading skills through a structured approach and small-step worksheets.
As per my research, Kumon can be a powerful tool for middle schoolers. It allows for personalized learning and promotes academic discipline. However, Kumon’s programs may not cater to younger demographics. After all, it doesn’t enable gamified approaches, detailed explanations, and instant feedback that elementary students need.
Kumon allows students to study both online and offline, with a heavy emphasis on in-person learning, though. It’s important to note that parents should be prepared to pay extra for admission and textbooks.
Wondering what is better between Kumon vs Huntington learning vs Brighterly? Let’s take a deeper dive into Kumon’s features.
Kumon features
- Self-learning focus: Emphasizes self-learning and places great importance on encouraging students to develop independent problem-solving.
- Daily practice routine: Students are assigned daily worksheets, typically taking about 30 minutes per subject, to reinforce learning and develop discipline.
- Small-step worksheets: Children develop skills through completing drilling exercises and worksheets that increase in difficulty through small, incremental steps.
Note: According to Wikipedia, the Kumon method was created by Toru Kumon, a Japanese mathematics educator, in the 1950s. All Kumon programs are pencil-and-worksheet-based, with a digital program that started as recently as 2023.
Subjects covered by Kumon
Kumon primarily offers programs in mathematics and reading. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of what Kumon teaches:
Math:
- From counting and number recognition to calculus
- Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and advanced math concepts
- Focus on mental calculation and problem-solving through daily worksheets
Reading:
- Phonics, vocabulary, sentence structure, comprehension, and literary analysis
- Critical reading and writing skills
- Builds fluency, independent reading, and understanding of complex texts
Is Kumon good for kids? Reviews
Let’s list the top pros and cons of Kumon based on parental review. 👇
Kumon benefits |
What are the disadvantages of Kumon? |
✅Parents praise skills building through everyday practice. “Kumon method helps develop the routine for everyday learning from very early in life; once everyday learning is vital to achieve goals.” TC, TrustPilot |
❌Small-step worksheets may not be challenging enough for many students “My daughter finished all her work in half the expected time, getting 100% on most tasks. When I made a complaint about the level and asked her to increase it, the lead tutor said no because she would have gaps in her knowledge.” Miriam, TrustPilot |
✅Kumon supports children’s learning in school “Laila finds maths much less stressful; she’s getting faster with making number links, and she even finds the work at school easier.” Laila, TrustPilot |
❌Kumon’s tutors may lack professionalism and experience “The instructor, Alia, showed a lack of responsibility and professionalism throughout. Our kids were kept at the same level for far too long, doing repeated worksheets repeatedly, which caused boredom and frustration. There was no clear strategy to help them progress, and no proper tracking of their improvement.” HonestReviewer, TrustPilot |
❌Lack of personalization “We found that the teachers didn’t have a personalised approach to children, they very much get in and get out. Also, we found time pressure very unhelpful for younger children, i.e., getting your math done within the shortest time possible.” Sandra, TrustPilot |
The pros and cons of Kumon are typically opinion-driven points. Naturally, I want to give you a complete overview of whether the platform is worth your time, but if you need more in-depth info on “What are the disadvantages of Kumon?”, you can always refer to this article.
How much are Kumon classes?
Kumon classes typically cost ~$165 per month for two subjects. The platform also entails additional costs: $80 as the registration fee and a small $30 fee for materials.
However, this is not a standard price for all Kumon centers, as they are individually owned and operated, and tuition can vary based on location, local demand, and additional services offered.
Need more info on Kumon’s tuition? Get it in this comprehensive overview of the Kumon learning center cost.
Huntington benefits
Best for: K-12 (personalized tutoring)
Huntington learning center is an American educational provider that offers personalized tutoring and test prep for students in Pre-K to 12th grade. Founded in 1977, it is the oldest national provider of supplemental education services.
Based on my research, Huntington’s program covers a wide range of subjects, including math, reading, writing, science, and various test preparations, which can be a big plus for students looking to expand their learning beyond reading and math. However, the platform offers limited online tutoring, a significant drawback for families looking for a flexible schedule and parents prioritizing work-life balance.
Is Huntington learning center worth it? Let’s explore this through an overview of its features, pricing, and reviews. 👇
Evaluating Huntington learning center: Features
- Wide range of subjects: Huntington offers a wide range of subjects + standardized tests preparation.
- Certified tutors: Huntington trains tutors to obtain their proprietary teaching methods.
- Proven results: Students show an increase in their ACT and SAT scores (according to Huntington’s website).
Yet, the last claim should be taken with a grain of caution, as individual outcomes may vary.
Subjects covered by Huntington learning center
Huntington offers tutoring in the following subjects: reading, writing, vocabulary, math, science, study skills, executive function skills, ACT, SAT, PSAT prep, high school entrance exams, and other state and standardized exams.
Huntington reading program provides personalized, age-appropriate instruction for elementary students with a strong basis in phonics, spelling, vocabulary, and transitioning from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.”
Is Huntington learning center worth it? Pros & Cons
As I have researched many Kumon vs Huntington vs Brighterly Reddit reviews, let’s go over the main pros and cons of Huntington learning center. 👇
Huntington pros |
Huntington cons |
✅The program is structured enough “Some of the parts, like having an assessment and structured plan, were very helpful in the beginning. We also got reports that gave us a good look at how to help our kids improve.” Lori, TrustPilot |
❌Tutors aren’t professional “Useless. All they think is how much they can get out of you. Teachers are clueless teenagers. Stay away, run don’t walk.” Savas, TrustPilot |
✅Children’s scores do improve “My daughter took 30 hours of training for the SAT. After the training, she got an offer from Overlake and Bear Creek.” Donald, YELP |
❌ Uclear return policy “They are scammers. They make you sign a contract for thousands and thousands of dollars; they don’t explain it well. They want you to give a lot of money up front. They make everything look nice, and then when you want to leave, you can’t.” John, Bestcompany |
❌Not cost-effective “The Huntington Learning Center in Fort Collins is good for SAT/ACT prep, but is very overpriced. In many cases, you can do just as well, if not better, with a private tutor at a fraction of the cost.” Emily, Bestcompany |
Overall, parents often report unclear pricing and return policy, unjustified price of Huntington, and unprofessional personnel. They do like SAT prep, as I’ve seen several good comments about SAT scores. This might justify the highly expensive Huntington learning center price.
How much is Huntington learning center?
Huntington learning center’s private tutoring typically costs $40 to $75+ per hour in reading, math, study skills, writing, phonics, and vocabulary.
For ACT and SAT Prep, prices start at $1,220 per subject for 14 hours and $2,645 for 32 hours of tutoring. Initial assessment fee: $150-200.
Note. Huntington learning center provides users with an estimated price (cost structure, competitive hourly rates, and flexible payment options) after the academic evaluation during an initial conference.
Is Huntington learning center better than Kumon and Brighterly?
In short, it depends. Let’s go over the pros and cons of each platform again to understand which platform can fit the bill in your case.
Brighterly – Best for K-9 learners, who need 1:1 personalized learning to close knowledge gaps and improve math & reading skills.
Pros:
- Personalized Common Core-aligned curriculum
- Fun, interactive lessons
- Free worksheets
- Transparent pricing
- Starts at just $17.40/lesson
Cons:
- Only offers math and reading
- Only offers online learning
Kumon – Best for independent middle and high school learners and building skills through drilling exercises.
Pros:
- Develops discipline
- Supports study habits
- Doesn’t suit younger kids
Cons:
- Less personalized
- Minimal instruction
- Only offers math and reading
Huntington learning center – Best for test prep
Pros:
- Offers a wide variety of subjects
- Strong track record with SAT/ACT score improvements (not verified)
Cons:
- Expensive cost
- Doesn’t suit younger kids
- Strong emphasis on test prep
Kumon vs Huntington vs Brighterly: Which one is better for your child?
To sum up, the choice of a perfect learning platform for your kid depends on several key factors: your child’s needs, learning style, and your family’s priorities.
Ultimately, after examining Kumon vs Huntington vs Brighterly reviews, I can confidently say that all three platforms offer something valuable: Huntington is perfect for SAT prep, Kumon can help improve skills through a structured approach, and Brighterly is a great all-arounder.
However, if you want a platform that:
- Helps build solid skills in both math and reading
- Suits elementary and middle school children
- Helps kids fall in love with math through a gamified approach and instant feedback
Choosing the Brighterly math tutoring platform is a no-brainer!
Still unsure? Try a free trial to see how Brighterly can be a game changer in your kid’s education!
Other platforms comparison
I understand that selecting the right platform may be a difficult task, especially when your kid has unique learning needs and you’re juggling time, budget, and academic goals. This is why we have a variety of great comparison articles to help you decide on the right learning platforms for your requirements:
- Which One Is Better in 2025: Eye Level vs Kumon vs Brighterly
- Kumon Reviews in 2025: Is It Worth Your Time?
- Which One Is Better: Kumon vs Sylvan vs Brighterly? (2025)
- Which to Choose In 2025: IXL vs Kumon vs Brighterly?