IXL’s pricing depends on who’s using it—families, classrooms, or schools—and what subjects you want. It’s a subscription setup, so you’re paying either monthly or yearly. Here’s the rundown based on the latest info floating around as of March 17, 2025.
For Families:
- Single Subject: $9.95/month or $79/year. Pick one subject—like math or language arts—and your kid gets unlimited access to all the skills in that area, across all grade levels. It’s the cheapest way to dip your toe in.
- Combo Package: $15.95/month or $129/year. This gets you two subjects—say, math and language arts. It’s a middle ground if your kid needs help in a couple of areas.
- Core Subjects (All Four): $19.95/month or $159/year. This is the full deal: math, language arts, science, and social studies. Perfect if you want a one-stop shop for everything except Spanish.
- Spanish Add-On: Tack on $4/month or $32/year to any plan. It’s an extra if your kid’s learning Spanish alongside the main subjects.
- Extra Kids: Add another child to any family plan for $4/month or $40/year. So, two kids on the core subjects plan would be $23.95/month or $199/year total.
For Classrooms:
- Base Price: Starts at $299/year for up to 25 students. This covers one subject and includes all the teacher tools—like assigning skills and tracking progress.
- More Subjects: Add extra subjects for a bump in price—think $50-$100 more per subject, depending on the deal. Exact costs vary, so you’d need a quote.
- Bigger Classes: Got more than 25 kids? It scales up—roughly $12-$15 per extra student per year, though discounts kick in for larger groups.
For Schools or Districts:
- This is custom territory. Pricing depends on how many students, subjects, and extras (like training or admin tools) you need. Think site-wide licenses starting in the thousands, with per-student costs dropping as numbers grow—sometimes as low as $5-$10 per kid annually for big districts.
Oh, and there’s a free trial—30 days for classrooms, no credit card needed. Families can also try 10 free questions per subject daily to test the waters.
What You Get for the Price
So, what’s your money buying? For families, it’s unlimited practice across thousands of skills—over 8,500 of them—aligned with state standards.
The platform adapts to your kid’s level, so they’re not stuck on stuff that’s too easy or hard. You also get a parent dashboard with progress reports, plus little rewards like medals to keep kids going.
Classroom plans throw in teacher goodies: real-time analytics, skill assignments, and a “Real-Time Diagnostic” that pinpoints where each student’s at.
Schools get all that plus bulk management tools and sometimes training sessions. It’s all web-based, so no downloads—just a device and internet.
The Good: Where the Price Shines
Let’s talk wins. For $9.95/month on the single-subject plan, you’re getting a ton of bang for your buck if your kid just needs to nail math or reading.
Compared to, say, a $20/hour tutor, it’s a steal—unlimited practice for less than a Starbucks run. The yearly option saves you 20-25% (like $79 vs. $119.40 over 12 months at $9.95), which sweetens the deal.
The classroom price—$299/year—breaks down to about $12 per student for 25 kids. That’s cheaper than a stack of workbooks, and you get live data to see who’s acing it and who’s not. Teachers on sites like EdTech Impact love how it saves time on grading and planning. One said it’s like “having a TA who never sleeps.”
For big schools, the custom pricing can drop crazy low per student. A district with 1,000 kids might pay $5,000-$10,000 total—$5-$10 per head. That’s pennies compared to traditional resources, especially with the analytics thrown in.
The Not-So-Good: Where It Stings
Now, the flip side. That $19.95/month for all core subjects? It adds up—$239.40 yearly if you don’t prepay. For a family on a tight budget, that’s a chunk, especially if your kid only uses it for one or two things.
Some parents on Common Sense Media grumble that it feels steep when freebies like Khan Academy exist. One said, “Why pay $20 a month when YouTube’s got tutorials for free?”
The classroom plan’s $299 base isn’t bad, but pile on subjects and students, and it climbs fast. A teacher on Trustpilot noted their bill hit $500 for 30 kids and two subjects—not outrageous, but not pocket change either. And if your school’s already got a learning system, IXL might feel like an extra expense you don’t need.
Then there’s the vibe. Kids often hate IXL’s grindy feel—its “SmartScore” drops hard for wrong answers, which can tank motivation. If they’re miserable, is $159/year worth it? Some parents say no.
How It Compares to the Competition
Let’s stack it up. Khan Academy’s free—videos, practice, the works. No cost, but no fancy teacher tools either.
Prodigy’s a math game—free basic version, or $8.99/month for premium. It’s flashier but narrower.
Time4Learning’s $24.95/month for PreK-8 covers everything, a bit pricier than IXL’s core plan but less drill-focused.
Tutoring apps like Brighterly start at $20-$30 per session—way more than IXL’s monthly rate, though you get live help. Workbooks?
Maybe $10-$20 each, but they’re static and lack tracking. IXL’s price sits in a sweet spot for breadth and data, but it’s not the cheapest or most exciting.
Who’s It Worth It For?
If you’re a parent who wants structure and progress tracking without breaking the bank, the $9.95-$19.95 range is solid—especially the yearly deal. It’s a no-brainer for homeschoolers needing a full curriculum.
Teachers with small classes can justify $299 if they lean on the analytics to tweak lessons. Big schools? The custom pricing could be a steal if you’re all-in on digital learning.
But if your kid learns better with stories or hands-on stuff—or if free options like Khan do the trick—IXL’s cost might not click. Same for schools with tight budgets or existing tools.
My Verdict: Bang for Your Buck?
IXL’s pricing isn’t dirt cheap, but it’s not a rip-off either. You’re paying for a polished, adaptive platform with killer data—stuff that can save time and boost skills.
The family plans are fair if you use them fully; $79/year for one subject is tough to beat for the depth. Classroom and school plans shine for educators who love stats and structure.
Still, it’s not perfect. The cost can creep up, and if your kid dreads it, no discount makes that fun. I’d say it’s a 7.5/10 on value—great for the right crowd, but shop around if it’s not your vibe. Try the freebie questions or trial first. See if it fits your wallet and your learner.
What’s your take? Eyeing IXL or got another go-to? Let’s chat about it!
