Free curriculum vs premium adaptive learning—which math program is right for your child?
SpellingJoy Team
Zearn and DreamBox are two of the most respected math programs available—but they take very different approaches. Zearn is completely free with structured video lessons. DreamBox costs $12.95/month but offers deeper adaptive personalization.
Which is right for your child? Let's break down the differences.
Zearn is a standards-aligned digital math platform offering comprehensive instruction, practice, and remediation. Free for families, premium for schools.
Visit ZearnDreamBox is an adaptive K–8 math program that provides rigorous and personalized instruction using interactive visuals and intelligent scaffolding. Widely used in schools and homes.
Visit DreamBoxChoose Zearn if: You want excellent, structured math instruction at no cost. It's curriculum-aligned and used in thousands of schools.
Choose DreamBox if: You want the deepest adaptive personalization and can invest $12.95/month. Its visual approach is particularly strong for conceptual understanding.
Our take: Start with Zearn (it's free!). If your child needs more personalized support or you want richer visual instruction, consider adding DreamBox.
Try SpellingJoy FreeAbout the Author
SpellingJoy Team
The SpellingJoy team is dedicated to creating free, high-quality spelling resources for K-6 students and their families. We test every app we review and provide honest assessments to help parents make informed decisions.
