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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
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IXL

60
Value score / 100 Worth paying? Depends It depends

IXL is a highly effective learning app for various subjects, but its aggressive point system and high cost make it a source of stress and frustration for many users, particularly students.

Free + in-app purchases seen up to $19.99 4.3★ lifetime (202,487) since 2013

IXL is praised for its comprehensive learning content across multiple subjects and grade levels, helping many users improve their academic skills. However, a significant number of reviews highlight extreme frustration with its point system, where incorrect answers lead to substantial progress loss, causing stress and making the app feel like 'ragebait'. The app's cost is also a point of contention for many users.

Free vs paid

The reviews indicate that a paid membership, possibly around $20 monthly, unlocks full access to learning content across subjects like math, reading, science, and social studies R21R54. Free usage seems to be limited, with some users noting they 'don't get much to learn' without paying R279 and others looking for free alternatives due to the cost R261. It's unclear from the reviews what specific features are available in a free tier beyond limited practice.

Value complaints

  • The app is considered expensive, with some users mentioning costs around $100 per month or yearly, and many cannot afford it.R366R412R261R279
  • Users feel they don't get enough value for the money, especially when free alternatives exist or when the app causes frustration.R261R511R586
  • There are complaints about needing to pay to access full content or revise, with guests having limited learning opportunities.R279R412R420

Where it delivers

  • The app is highly effective for learning across multiple subjects, including math, reading, science, social studies, and languages, and is suitable for a wide range of ages.R12R21R42R54
  • It provides an interactive and goal-oriented learning experience, which some users find more engaging than traditional homework or other apps.R12R68R104
  • IXL helps students who need extra help in specific subjects, with some users reporting significant academic improvement.R14R88R289
  • The app adjusts its level based on user performance and offers a wide variety of content.R12R54
Worth paying if

It's worth paying for IXL if you are a parent looking for a comprehensive learning tool for your child across various subjects, and you believe the structured, interactive approach will be beneficial despite the challenging point system R21R54R12. It is also suitable for students who find other math apps less effective and need extra help, and who are motivated by a goal-oriented learning style R14R12.

Skip / stay free if

Skip IXL if you or your child are easily frustrated by punitive grading systems, as incorrect answers significantly reduce progress and can cause anxiety and anger R5R24. Students who prefer learning through videos for all subjects, or who find the explanations unhelpful, should also avoid it R5R8. Additionally, if you are on a tight budget and can find free alternatives for math and English, the high cost of IXL may not be justified R261R412.

Evidence note: Many positive reviews are short and lack specific details, while negative reviews are often very detailed about the point system and emotional impact. There is limited information on the exact differences between free and paid tiers beyond general statements about access.

Frequently asked

Is IXL good for learning?
Yes, many users find IXL good for learning, with some reporting that it has helped them become smarter and improve in subjects like math, reading, science, and social studies R1R12R14R20.
Why does IXL take so many points away?
IXL takes away a significant number of points for incorrect answers, often 5-15 points, while only awarding 1-4 points for correct answers, especially in higher 'challenge zones' or smart scores R3R4R8R17.
Does IXL cause anxiety?
Yes, numerous users report that IXL causes anxiety, stress, frustration, and even makes children cry due to its punitive point system and the difficulty of advancing R5R16R22R24.
What subjects does IXL cover?
IXL covers a range of subjects including math, English (language arts), science, social studies, and Spanish R12R21R42R54.
Are there technical issues with IXL?
Some users report technical issues such as glitches where the app thinks an answer is wrong when it's correct, problems with the keyboard not disappearing, loading screen freezes, and lost progress R13R31R66R150.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R366] 3/5 · GB It’s a good app in some areas, but… 😕: First of all, let’s start with the PRICE. Not much people can really spend their money 💸 on an app that costs £100 (more or less) per month! But aside that, it’s an okay app that has many learning concepts and features, even fun maths games too! It has English and Maths, and also breaks down all topics into year groups, eg. Year 1 - Year 13! But a main downsi
  2. [R412] 3/5 · GB It’s fine: You have to pay so much money!!! 100 yearly. And I hate how you have to ask to sign in and make a account why can’t I !
  3. [R261] 3/5 · GB Good but Not impressed: This is a good app but I don’t wanna pay cuz I’m looking forward to studying for Sats but it pays to go allll the way! I understand that this is how you guys make money but just not the money for me as I can use different apps for free ＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚ I hope you understand 😉˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊
  4. [R279] 3/5 · GB It only has maths and English: I had a history test but I thought this might help cuz it’s a learning app but when I tried it doesn’t have it and it’s soo expensive like guests don’t get much to learn and it says it has Spanish resources but try searching it up and they say they can’t find what we’re looking for so it u want math and English only download it but other than that don’t . :(
  5. [R511] 3/5 · CA very Infuriating: spending money to make myself angry
  6. [R586] 3/5 · CA IXL review: This app is great for learning however sometimes this app can lag and cause the answers to mix up! It also costs a lot of money(too much) and I think for the results the price is too high!
  7. [R420] 3/5 · GB Why: It would be good but a daily limit also I don’t know how to make an account also why do u have to pay yearly to revise
  8. [R12] 5/5 · US IXL is W: IXL is such a great app! It’s interactive and gives you a goal you wanna reach, not just a page of a homework. It’s one of the best learning apps I have ever encountered because it’s fun and it teaches you everything from all the subjects. And also it’s suitable for kids from pre-k all the way to 12th grade! It adjusts its level according to how you did in the recent past and what you a
  9. [R21] 5/5 · US PERFECT FOR LEARNING: This app helped my 11 year old son to learn math, reading, science, and social studies. We paid him the 20 dollar monthly learning and he was able to learn a lot, if you have a son or daughter you should get them this app today
  10. [R42] 5/5 · US Kerri-Ann will talking about IXL: IXL is really fun. It helps other people learn it even helps me learn it’s the best learning app ever and I want everyone to try it cause it’s good. It could help people if they’re struggling in math Spanish and stuff reading language arts but all you need is IXL learn everything over and over again and then you can make some progress. This is why you want to try
  11. [R54] 5/5 · US IXL is a must-get.: Amazing for doing a wide variety of stuff. From Math to Science to Social Studies to English. If you are getting this for your kid, with parental experience, IXL will not be a waste of your money.
  12. [R68] 5/5 · US Why do love ixl app: I really like ixl because it’s fun to learn and have fun and you can play games with it the whole time you play, learn,have fun with it
  13. [R104] 5/5 · US Found enjoyment: I found enjoyment in this app because it makes learning fun.
  14. [R14] 5/5 · US AMAZING APP: I’m going into seventh grade needing extra math help. THIS IS THE ONLY APP THAT COULD HELP ME! I have tried so many apps, but this is the perfect one! Highly recommend!!!
  15. [R88] 5/5 · US IXL: IXL is helping me learn like crazy
  16. [R289] 3/5 · GB Very good,: My daughter is learning a lot from this app and her results in a paper is very promising just because of this app
  17. [R1] 5/5 · US The Skye: You guys are doing great keep it up and I am smarter now thanks to you
  18. [R20] 5/5 · US Good learning: Good learning Also Awsome at teaching
  19. [R3] 1/5 · US WORST APP EVER: U ONLY GET 2 POINTS WHEN U GET A ANSWER RIGHT AND LOOSE 10 POINTS WHEN U GET ONE WRONG
  20. [R4] 4/5 · US Very fun, docks more point in the challenge zone then necessary: This app is way more fun than Khan Academy or any other math app I have tried. Although, once you get past 90 points, you get less points per question and when you get a question wrong, it docks you 8-12 points instead of before that where they dock you 2-4.
  21. [R8] 5/5 · US 5 stars for recognition: DO NOT DOWNLOAD THIS APP FOR YOUR STUDENTS OR KIDS!! It is super stressful and does almost nothing toward kids learning. Whenever I get a question right I earn maybe 2 or 3 points, but when I get a question wrong, im down 5 or 6. Teachers need to learn they have to TEACH their kids instead of technology doing their job. Their videos explain only 1 way to do it and that’s i
  22. [R17] 1/5 · US Ixhell: If you dare get one question wrong, it takes like 24 points away, get one question right, 3 points, never download
  23. [R5] 2/5 · US Hate: Ok so I don’t understand how people can write good reviews about this app. I’ve had to use this app literally since I’ve been born and I hate it. It doesn’t even like teach anything and when you get something wrong, there is an explanation, but it’s like not very helpful. Also, this app can give people anxiety and it can make kids cry like me and it’s just like if you get something wrong it
  24. [R16] 1/5 · US I only gave this five stars so you could see this: IXL is so frustrating and annoying because whenever you get something wrong it makes you start all over again and it makes me want to cry. I would never recommend this app to anyone not even my worst enemy. It is absolutely awful.
  25. [R22] 1/5 · US total ragebait: this app is the 2nd most annoying form of ragebait even the games and the graphs and the skills My parents make me do this a million times a day and learning is not fun and you cannot learn anything Unpurposeful app = this +2 and -10 so unfair Ragebait app = this It also let me pass a skill in 8 questions on iPad, but on Mac, I have to answer 25 questions to pass a skill. Hdhuatk
  26. [R24] 1/5 · US 😭😭😭😭: Guys why are we putting our self through this mess. My mental health is down the drain and I’ve sat at my counter in TEARS Because of this. If you like feeling distraught this get this app otherwise RUNNNN.. I’ve spent to much time on this app we need to get rid of this
  27. [R13] 1/5 · US frustrating: It’s so hard to type this review. Plus I say the same thing as them and still the same thing. I type in the answer Netherlands and IXL says wrong just because i did not write the Netherlands. So frosting and at least don,t say answers like gemmini
  28. [R31] 3/5 · US Glitching Problems: This is good for learning, but sometimes when I go to this app and I do sixth grade math the thing latterly glitches and thinks I’m wrong. But, it’s still a good App for math. Honestly I think it’s just me.
  29. [R66] 1/5 · US Someone needs to hire a hit man: When I put a correct answer it says it is incorrect and proceeds to show me the same exact answer as I put. I have been working on this code for the past 6 hours.
  30. [R150] 3/5 · US Why I don’t like ixl but also why it ok: I hate ixl because my mom forces me to do it and I hate it also I HATE how if you get something right it goes up by like 2 but if you get it wrong it goes down by 8 like what also it lost my ixl process because o finished two and it said that o never did them it is a ok app but like it mostly just makes me crash out and to me it doesn’t really help it does

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store