So, You Want to Be a Math Tutor?
Have you been on the hunt for ways that you can utilize your math teaching degree to make some extra money?...
Read More
Last Updated on March 28, 2025
Many parents come across Kumon as a popular option when searching for a math tutoring program. However, while Kumon has helped many students improve their math skills, it may not be the best fit for every child. If you’re looking for a Kumon alternative that offers more personalized learning, flexibility, and engagement, other options exist. One standout math tutoring platform is Thinkster Math.
Kumon follows a worksheet-based learning approach to help students develop strong math skills through repetitive practice. Kumon learning centers play a crucial role in this approach by providing a classroom-like environment that encourages students to engage and seek help when needed.
Students visit a Kumon center several times a week or work on worksheets at home, progressing through levels at their own pace. While this structure has benefits, some parents find it lacks direct tutor engagement, personalized feedback, or real-time support tailored to their child’s unique learning style.
Kumon’s math program is specifically designed to build a robust understanding of math concepts. Kumon math emphasizes an independent learning approach, allowing students to develop confidence and self-reliance in their mathematical abilities.
Kumon is a private learning company that has been helping students excel academically since its founding in Japan in 1954 by Toru Kumon. With a mission to build strong foundations in math and reading, Kumon aims to develop skills and boost self-confidence in students of all ages. The company has become one of the largest and most recognized tutoring franchises globally.
Kumon operates on a self-learning model where students work through worksheets at their own pace. This approach is designed to help students master math problems and build skills through repetition and gradual improvement.
By focusing on independent learning, Kumon encourages students to take charge of their education and solve problems independently, fostering a sense of responsibility and self-discipline. While Kumon tutors are available to provide guidance and support, the primary emphasis is on the student’s ability to learn and progress independently.
It is important to note that Kumon offers both math and a reading program. Our review and suggested competitors to check out will focus specifically on the math tutoring services and learning programs.
Kumon’s math program is meticulously structured to help students build a robust understanding of math concepts, ranging from basic skills and arithmetic to advanced calculus.
Tailored to accommodate learners from age 3, elementary school to high school students, Kumon’s math program adapts to each student’s skill level, helping them achieve academic success and confidence in their math performance. The goal is that once your child is a college student, they should confidently approach advanced math concepts and excel in their academic pursuits.
Kumon’s learning centers are individually owned and operated, providing a supportive and interactive environment for students worldwide. These centers offer various services, including math tutoring, test preparation, and academic support.
Students work on their worksheets in a comfortable and welcoming space, receiving guidance from Kumon tutors as needed. The learning centers are designed to foster a positive learning experience, helping students grow academically and develop essential skills for their educational journey.
If you’re looking for a Kumon alternative, finding a program that aligns with your child’s learning style is important.
Here are some key factors to evaluate:
Thinkster Math is an innovative online tutoring program designed to provide a more tailored learning experience than Kumon Math’s approach. It offers comprehensive online tutoring services, providing convenience and a variety of subjects for personalized learning.
Unlike other programs, Thinkster Math focuses on building math skills and fostering critical thinking skills. Through personalized tutoring and adaptive learning, Thinkster encourages students to approach math problems from different angles, helping them develop a deeper understanding of concepts. By incorporating problem-solving techniques and real-world applications,
Thinkster ensures that students excel in their current grade level and develop the cognitive skills necessary for success in higher education and beyond.
Here’s more on how Thinkster compares:
| Feature | Kumon | Thinkster |
|---|---|---|
| Learning Approach | Worksheet-based repetition | AI-driven worksheets + interactive tutoring. Thinkster Math’s math tutoring platform offers a gamified and interactive approach tailored for students in Kindergarten to High School. |
| Personalization | Standardized progression | Adaptive learning with customized plans |
| Tutor Support | Limited interaction | One-on-one coaching from expert tutors. Thinkster Math emphasizes the benefits of one-on-one tutoring, providing personalized feedback and focused attention. |
| Flexibility | Center visits or home worksheets | 100% online, anytime access |
| Progress Tracking | Manual review by instructors | AI-driven insights + tutor feedback |
Some parents start with Kumon but later explore alternatives when they seek a personalized, convenient, and engaging learning experience for their child.
Thinkster Math has become a top Kumon alternative for families looking for flexibility, affordability, and one-on-one tutoring support from expert math tutors.
Here’s what some parents have shared about their transition from Kumon to Thinkster:
“Overall, I have been happy with the level of tutoring my daughter has received with Thinkster. She is above grade level and the questions are inline with the school curriculum so it keeps her ahead. Hopefully she can get into higher math etc and continue to excel in math. I am one of those original Kumon parents who realized my kid was just memorizing math facts without being taught and it limited my daughter in different areas which is the reason I switched to Thinkster around 2 years ago. It’s been great for us and Ashley and our previous tutors have accommodated our schedule and also always been on time and available during tutoring hours. Never had an issue which I’ve had with other online programs. Overall, it’s been great and I just signed my son up.”
“My kid has been on Kumon for last 3 years (since Kindergarten) and she got bored doing same questions multiple time. As a parent we did not know if she did the question correctly or not in the worksheet and feedback was dependent on us taking the kid to one of the Kumaon centers. Moreover she was not able to comprehend and apply the mathematical learning to the real life question. That is how I moved to Thinkster Math as a trial and really loved the product over last 6 months. Ability to track the answers, alternative solution, tracking progress of your kid, the overall product is simply amazing. And they are adding more features to make it easy for parent to track and course correct. Most imp they have amazing teachers who not only teach math concepts but challenge the kids on different concept with varying level of problems on similar area. My kid is a fan of her teacher and looks forward to connect on a weekly basis to clarify doubts.”
“Thinkster has been so amazing. The focus is on math but our son has improved in all subjects because he has gained so much confidence from figuring out how to study properly. It’s also so convenient to do the worksheets on an ipad at home and to do the tutoring sessions on our own time rather than the store hours of a tutoring place like Kumon.”
“My children have all been attending Kumon over the last 3 years. I looked for an alternative, as I have come to realise, that although Kumon states that my daughter is doing work 3 years above her grade level, this is not really the case. Kumon fails to teach geometry, measurement and time, among other important topics. I found Thinkster and trialed my daughter on it. She loved it. It is interactive, which is great for children who have grown up with technology. The tutorials are fantastic and I don’t have to constantly nag my children to get the worksheets done. As an added bonus, Thinkster is much cheaper than Kumon and provides a wider spectrum of the math curriculum.”
For parents searching for a Kumon alternative that provides a highly personalized approach to math tutoring, Thinkster Math stands out as an excellent option. Unlike the Kumon method, which relies heavily on repetitive worksheets, Thinkster offers a personalized learning plan with assigned tutors, one-on-one tutoring sessions, and AI-powered skills assessment. This online tutoring platform aligns with your child’s school curriculum while encouraging independent learning and problem-solving skills.
With Thinkster’s academic tutoring and test prep options, including SAT prep and ACT prep, students develop a deep understanding of math concepts at their own pace. Plus, parents can track their child’s progress with the Parent Insights app, ensuring continuous improvements in math performance.
Explore Thinkster Math today and discover how personalized instruction and expert tutoring services can boost your child’s confidence and success!
If you’re exploring the best math tutoring options for your child, it’s helpful to compare Thinkster to other popular tutoring programs. In our in-depth blog posts, we provide a comprehensive comparison between Thinkster and some of the most well-known Kumon competitors, including Sylvan Learning, Huntington Learning Center, Russian School of Math, and Mathnasium.
One key difference between Sylvan Learning and Thinkster is the personalized learning experience. While Sylvan Learning offers a more traditional in-person model, Thinkster provides a flexible, online tutoring environment with one-on-one support and AI-powered learning tools. This means your child can access expert tutoring anytime, anywhere. Sylvan Learning does offer great options, but Thinkster’s interactive math tutoring platform and personalized math programs make it a standout choice for many parents.
Huntington Learning Center focuses heavily on test preparation and remediation in what may feel like a tutoring center. Unlike Huntington Learning Center, Thinkster ensures that students progress at their own pace and are constantly engaged with interactive tools that make learning fun. Whether you’re looking for help with homework or striving for higher math scores, Thinkster offers an approach that emphasizes critical thinking and problem-solving.
Both Russian School of Math and Thinkster are recognized for their rigorous academic excellence, but Thinkster stands out with its flexibility. While Russian School of Math often requires in-person attendance and a fixed schedule, Thinkster’s online and private tutoring sessions allow your child to access one on one tutoring at their convenience. This means less disruption to your family’s busy schedule. Additionally, Thinkster’s real-time tutor support provides immediate feedback and guidance, which is a great complement to the more independent approach of the Russian School of Math.
When compared to Mathnasium, Thinkster offers a more tech-forward, personalized approach. Mathnasium is known for its in-person, center-based learning, but Thinkster delivers a fully online, self-paced experience, combining tutor support with AI technology for constant learning progression. Thinkster’s adaptability and flexibility allow students to work through math concepts at their own pace, whereas Mathnasium follows a fixed curriculum. Both programs have their merits, but for families seeking more convenience and personalized attention, Thinkster may be the better choice.
Each of these Kumon competitors has its strengths, but Thinkster’s personalized learning experience, expert tutor support, and flexibility make it a top choice for many parents. Take a look at our full blog series to see how Thinkster compares to Sylvan Learning, Russian School of Math, Huntington Learning Center, and Mathnasium, and find the best fit for your child’s math education!
