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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

IXL vs Elevate

IXL 4.3★ · Free + IAP 65
Winner Elevate
Elevate 4.8★ · Free + IAP 80

Elevate is the better choice for general brain training and cognitive skill improvement, offering a wider variety of engaging games, while IXL is more suited for structured academic learning, particularly in math and English, despite its frustrating scoring system.

Full reviews: IXL · Elevate

Elevate excels in engaging users with diverse brain training games and is praised for improving focus and memory, though its free tier is limited. IXL is effective for academic subjects like math and English, but its aggressive point system and perceived lack of fun often lead to user frustration.

Head to head

Features & Content Variety edge: ElevateR11R17R23R30
IXL IXL offers a wide variety of subjects including Math, Science, Social Studies, English, Reading, and Language Arts, with some users finding it comprehensive for learning across different grades R11R23. However, some users note a limitation to primarily Math and English, wishing for more subjects like History R30R39. There are also reports of games being available R17.
Elevate Elevate provides a broad range of brain training games covering grammar, reading, comprehension, memory, math calculations, and speaking skills . Users appreciate the multiple types of puzzles and the daily challenges . However, some find the content repetitive after a while and desire updates .
Ease of Use & Engagement edge: ElevateR3R4R6R7
IXL Many IXL users, particularly students, find the app boring and frustrating due to its point system R4R6R7. The system often takes away many points for incorrect answers while giving few for correct ones, leading to discouragement and long completion times R6R9. Some users also report glitches and keyboard issues R3.
Elevate Elevate is generally described as fun, engaging, and challenging, helping users think faster and keep their minds active . Users enjoy the daily habit and challenges . However, some users experience login issues and bugs , and the scoring system can be inconsistent and demotivating .
Effectiveness & Learning Impact edge: ElevateR3R5R8R11
IXL IXL is considered good for learning and helps with subjects like math, Spanish, reading, and language arts R3R5R8R11. Parents find it useful for their children's learning and see promising results R23. However, some students feel it doesn't genuinely help them learn and can be unpurposeful .
Elevate Elevate is praised for improving memory skills, math calculations, speaking, writing, vocabulary, and overall cognitive function . Users report learning a lot and finding it effective for brain training . However, one user with dyscalculia found it focused too much on language arts rather than math and memory .
Price & Value tieR27R48R51R61
IXL IXL is a Free + IAP app, but many users, especially those on the free tier, find it expensive and that the free content is very limited R27R48R51. Some feel the app's value doesn't justify its cost, particularly when free alternatives exist R27R48.
Elevate Elevate is also a Free + IAP app, but many users criticize its 'free' claims as misleading, stating that most content is behind a paywall after a very short trial R61R66R82. Some regret paying for the subscription due to repetitiveness or feeling it's a 'money grab' . There are also complaints about unexpected charges after canceling free trials R73R75R94R103.
Reliability & Support tieR3R6R9R13
IXL Some IXL users report glitches, such as the app thinking answers are wrong when they are correct, and issues with content loading R3. There are also complaints about the point system being unfair and causing frustration R6R9R13.
Elevate Elevate users report various technical issues, including login errors, the app becoming buggy on iPads, and the keyboard not working correctly . There are also complaints about incorrect answers in math questions and sound issues . Billing problems, such as being charged after canceling free trials and difficulty contacting support for refunds, are also frequently mentioned R73R75R94R103.
Pick IXL if

You are a student or parent looking for a structured learning app primarily for academic subjects like math and English, and you are willing to tolerate a challenging (and often frustrating) point system R3R11R23.

Pick Elevate if

You want an engaging brain training app to improve cognitive skills like memory, focus, vocabulary, and math, and you are willing to pay for a premium subscription to access all features .

Evidence note: Both apps have a significant number of negative reviews related to their free-to-paid model, with users feeling misled by 'free' claims. IXL's negative reviews are heavily skewed by student frustration with its point system, which is a core part of its learning methodology, while Elevate's negative reviews often highlight billing issues and the limited free content.

Frequently asked

Is IXL truly free?
IXL offers a free version, but many users find the free content very limited and feel pressured to pay for a subscription to access all features and make meaningful progress R27R48R51.
Does Elevate offer a good free experience?
Elevate's free version is generally considered very limited, offering only a few daily games or exercises, with the majority of its content and features locked behind a premium subscription R61R66R82R90.
What subjects does IXL cover?
IXL covers a wide range of academic subjects including Math, Science, Social Studies, English, Reading, and Language Arts, though some users primarily associate it with Math and English R11R23R30R39.
Are there common complaints about Elevate's billing?
Yes, many Elevate users report significant billing problems, including being charged unexpectedly after canceling free trials, difficulty finding options to end subscriptions, and issues with refunds R73R75R94R103.

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. [R11] IXL 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
  2. [R17] IXL 5/5 · US We love IXL!: The one thing that I like about this app is that it allows you to see the entire search and there is GAMES!
  3. [R23] IXL 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.
  4. [R30] IXL 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. [R3] IXL 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.
  6. [R4] IXL 1/5 · US It’s freaking boring: It is the most boring, boring, boring thing ever
  7. [R6] IXL 3/5 · US Takes away too many points: I’ve been studying with my dad every day. I like this app. i’ve been learning a lot, but the thing that I don’t like is that it takes a way too many points. Sometimes it takes away 5,10 or even 15 please fix this and I agree in AaronYol it is NOT FUN thanks for the app. That’s a learning education. But please make it less more points If you do it wrong, like at least do
  8. [R7] IXL 1/5 · US I feel bad for whoever made this app: This app punishes you it’s a bad example and it sucks whoever made this It’s so dumb and stupid. I hate them.
  9. [R5] IXL 5/5 · US It is great.: Vary useful over the summer
  10. [R8] IXL 4/5 · US A good world: I try every time you get it wrong you go back why can’t you just keep it at where it is but I understand because you need to learn as a kid it helps me it’s great for helping with subjects
  11. [R27] IXL 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 😉˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊
  12. [R48] IXL 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
  13. [R51] IXL 3/5 · GB Ixl: When I need to constant practice Ixl is used when I need additional time to get it the tasks that is done so I can step into the diagnostics and complete some more on there Ixl offers free memberships and also it helps me to get better at math and English in the class that I am also getting stronger and ether answer quickly or at your pace . If you are at your standard level. It motivated me
  14. [R61] Elevate 1/5 · US Not free like the ads claim: Yeah, it's free to download but you can't do anything unless you pay. You can play about five minutes worth of games and everything else is behind a pay wall. I only downloaded this app because the ad said that it was completely free. False advertising! Too bad because it did seem like it could have potential.
  15. [R9] IXL 3/5 · US It works well, but it has some things that need to be better: First, yes all the material is very helpful but if you want someone to actually keep going and not cheat maybe you should fix how it takes way more points when we get a question wrong than when we get it right.
  16. [R13] IXL 1/5 · US Rahhh: Fix ur point system
  17. [R66] Elevate 3/5 · US nice, but you need premium.: Theres only 1 game available if you dont have premium, which is the DAILY game that you can only play ONCE a day. How lame.
  18. [R82] Elevate 1/5 · US all paid content: everything shown in ads is paid content, free version of the app is just bombardment with pop ups asking you to pay them on a subscription basis in order to access 95% of the app
  19. [R90] Elevate 3/5 · US Good..... But just one thing: This is an amazing app and it does help my vocabulary. But it limits you soo much if you don't pay money. Its like you do the lesson and after that everything is locked down exept one thing that is nothing compared to all the others. It says 40 plus games but you have to pay for all of them. So basically please unlock more things and I will be happier.
  20. [R39] IXL 3/5 · GB Only 3 subjects: Need more subjects only maths and English and science 😤😤😤😭😭😭😞🙂‍↔️🙂‍↔️🙂‍↔️😞😞😞
  21. [R73] Elevate 1/5 · US Subscription: Still tried to take out 39.99 after I canceled the free trial way before the 7 days was up.
  22. [R75] Elevate 3/5 · US Cannot contact: I received a free trial and started to play a couple games. The games that I played were pretty fun. I just didn’t like it enough to pay the full price. So I decided after a day to delete the app. Usually I can delete an app and then go to my apple settings and opt out of the free trial. But I couldn’t find it in my settings for some reason. Then after a couple weeks, my card was c
  23. [R94] Elevate 2/5 · US Don’t get free trial unless you know how to end it: I can’t end my free trial and it keeps charging me money but it never gave me a option to end it
  24. [R103] Elevate 1/5 · US Complete scam: They charged me twice and won’t refund my money. Apple isn’t helping. The app is redundant and not challenging. This is a waste of time and they don’t care about their consumers, just the one-and-done (excuse me, two-and-done) profit. DON’T DO IT.

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