Sumdog offers variety with 39 mini-games but shallow integration. MathCraft offers depth with one persistent RPG world where maths has real consequences. Sumdog covers maths + spelling; MathCraft goes deeper on maths with AI tutoring and better parent tools.
| Feature | MathCraft | Sumdog |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | Free (beta) → £4.99 | £5.99 |
| Annual price | TBC | ~£72 |
| Free tier | Yes — free during beta | Yes (limited) |
| Age range | 5–14 (Y1–Y9) | 5–14 (KS1–KS3) |
| Curriculum | UK National / White Rose Maths | Full primary maths + spelling (National Curriculum, Scottish CfE, Welsh, White Rose) |
| Adaptive engine | ✓ Spaced repetition + mastery tracking | Adaptive engine with 39 mini-games where maths questions appear as discrete events |
| Platforms | Web (PWA — any device) | Web, iOS, Android, Kindle |
| Offline mode | ✗ No (internet required) | ✗ No |
| AI tutoring | ✓ Merlin (Socratic, logged) | ✗ No |
| Parent dashboard | ✓ Curriculum heatmap + AI logs | Basic adaptive reporting. Automated progress reports. Teacher tools are stronger than parent-facing features. |
| Ads / dark patterns | ✗ None | ✗ None |
Sumdog has genuine strengths that are worth acknowledging:
No app is perfect. These are the most common complaints from parents and reviews:
Sumdog uses a "question-then-play" model — maths interrupts games rather than being woven into them. The virtual house is decorative, not functional (nothing depends on maths performance). MathCraft creates emotional stakes where maths serves meaningful in-game purposes. MathCraft's single deep RPG sustains engagement better than Sumdog's 39 shallow mini-games.
Children who enjoy variety — 39 games prevents boredom. Families wanting maths + spelling in one subscription.
Your child resists anything that feels like homework and needs genuine game engagement. You want UK curriculum alignment, adaptive practice, AI tutoring, and full parent visibility — all in a game they’ll actually ask to play.
Sumdog's efficacy study showed 30 minutes weekly nearly doubled fluency progress. MathCraft offers deeper engagement through its RPG format and AI tutoring. Sumdog is better for variety-seeking children; MathCraft is better for children who engage deeply with narrative and world-building.
Yes, Sumdog covers the National Curriculum, Scottish CfE, Welsh Curriculum, and White Rose Maths. It also includes spelling. MathCraft aligns to White Rose Maths progression across Years 1-9.
Sumdog has a 2.1/5 Trustpilot rating, primarily driven by billing complaints after free trials, popular games being removed in updates, and technical issues (freezing, black screens). The learning content itself is generally well-regarded by teachers.
Sumdog costs £5.99/month for up to 3 children. MathCraft is free during beta, with a planned price of £4.99/month. Sumdog includes spelling alongside maths; MathCraft focuses purely on maths with AI tutoring.
Looking at more options? See our Best Alternatives to Mathletics guide.
Step-by-step lessons, worked examples, and adaptive practice — all wrapped in an adventure game your child will love.
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