A gentler IXL alternative
If your child is staring at practice questions on a skill nobody taught them yet, you've probably seen the frustration that follows. The real worry is simple: are they learning, or just guessing until something sticks?
The short version
| IXL | Gallop | |
|---|---|---|
| Subjects | Math, language arts, science, social studies, Spanish | Math, English, Science, Social Studies, Spanish |
| Grades | K-12 (math and language arts from Pre-K) | K-12 |
| One child, monthly | $9.95 one subject, $15.95 math + language arts, $19.95 four core subjects, $24.95 with Spanish | $34, all five subjects |
| One child, yearly | $79 to $199 depending on plan | $348 |
| More children | $4/month or $40/year each | Family plan: $54/month or $552/year for up to 4 |
| Free trial | See their site | 7 days, no card needed |
What IXL does well
IXL is big. More than 20,000 topics across five subjects, awards and certificates that keep children going, and real-time analytics for parents. It's also inexpensive. If your child is confident and just needs more reps in math, $9.95 a month is hard to beat, and we'd tell a friend the same thing.
Where Gallop is different
Gallop is built for the child who needs teaching, not just practice.
- Every skill opens with a short guided lesson, so your child sees how it works before anyone tests them.
- When they pick a wrong answer, Gallop says why that answer is wrong, specific to the mistake, and gives them a "second look" to try again.
- If a skill stays stuck, Gallop opens a Skill Drill that re-teaches it.
- A natural voice reads questions and lessons aloud, including a Spanish voice for Spanish.
That's what we mean by gentler. Your child is taught first, and a mistake gets explained the moment it happens.
A plan, not a menu
A big library means someone has to decide what to work on. With Gallop, a placement check finds your child's real level in each subject, which can be below or above their enrolled grade. The grade is then laid out as a course of ordered units and lessons, so your child always knows where they are: "Unit 2 of 7, Lesson 3 of 6."
Each day, Today's Plan sets the session for each child. You don't have to pick skills every morning.
What you see as a parent
A weekly progress report, a dashboard with tutor's notes, and a five-minute tip to do together at home. When your child clears a grade, they get a certificate. There are no ads, we never sell data, and children can't type free text or chat with anyone. Everything is structured questions.
Cost, honestly
IXL costs less at every family size. One child with all five subjects is $24.95 a month on IXL and $34 on Gallop. What you're paying for with Gallop is the teaching before the questions, the explanation after a mistake, and a plan for each day.
FAQ
Does Gallop cover the same subjects as IXL?
Yes. Math, English, Science, Social Studies, and Spanish, for every grade K-12, all included in one price.
My child is behind. Will Gallop start at their grade anyway?
No. The placement check finds their real level in each subject and can seat them below or above their enrolled grade. For struggling readers, there's a Reading Path that works up a decoding ladder one step a day.
Can my child use IXL and Gallop together?
Sure. Some children like extra practice. Gallop's plan will keep its own lessons in order either way.
How do I cancel?
Anytime, from the parent dashboard. The 7-day free trial doesn't need a card.
Try 7 sample questions at learnwithgallop.com/#demo, or start the 7-day free trial.
Sources (checked October 2026)
- IXL home page: https://www.ixl.com/
- IXL family pricing: https://www.ixl.com/membership/family/pricing
- IXL family membership checkout (monthly and yearly price sheet): https://www.ixl.com/membership/family/subscribe/monthly