Best Maths Tutoring Apps in Australia (2026)

If your child is struggling with maths, you have probably already started Googling. The number of apps and platforms out there is overwhelming, and most of the "best of" lists are written by people trying to sell you something.

This is an honest look at what is available in Australia in 2026. We will cover what each platform does well, what it does not, and who it is best suited for. Yes, we make imSteyn, so we have a bias. We will be upfront about that.

What to look for in a maths tutoring app

Before comparing specific apps, here is what actually matters:

• Curriculum alignment. Does it follow the Australian Curriculum? If your child is using Cambridge or Jacaranda textbooks at school, the app should match what they are learning, not some generic international syllabus.
• Teaching method. Does it teach understanding or just drill answers? Apps that only offer multiple-choice practice can help with speed but do not build the deep understanding needed for harder topics.
• Parent visibility. Can you see what your child is doing and where they are struggling? If the app is a black box, you are flying blind.
• Age appropriateness and safety. For younger students especially, the platform should be designed with child safety in mind.
• Cost. Tutoring app pricing ranges from free to over $100 per month. More expensive does not always mean better.

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The main options

Khan Academy (Free)

Khan Academy is the most well-known free option, and for good reason. The video library is enormous and the practice exercises are solid.

Pros: Completely free. Huge library of content. Well-explained video lessons. Covers maths from primary school through to university.

Cons: Not aligned to the Australian Curriculum. Your child has to figure out which US-based course matches what they are learning at school. No parent dashboard beyond basic activity tracking. The experience can feel impersonal.

Best for: Self-motivated older students who can navigate the content independently and do not need Australian curriculum alignment.

Mathletics ($20/month)

Mathletics is widely used in Australian schools. Many students will already have access through their school licence.

Pros: Aligned to the Australian Curriculum. Gamified interface that younger students enjoy. Schools often provide free access. Live competitions add a social element.

Cons: Heavy on repetitive drills. Does not teach concepts deeply. The gamification can mean students focus on earning points rather than understanding maths. Limited parent reporting.

Best for: Primary school students who need extra practice and respond well to gamification. Less suitable for high school students who need to build deeper understanding.

Mathspace ($20-30/month)

Mathspace is an Australian-made platform that shows step-by-step solutions and provides hints as students work through problems.

Pros: Australian Curriculum aligned. Step-by-step working is a good approach. Adaptive difficulty. Reasonable parent reporting.

Cons: Can be expensive for families. The step-by-step hints can become a crutch if students lean on them too heavily. Interface can feel cluttered.

Best for: Students who need structured practice with guidance, particularly in Years 7 to 10.

ChatGPT / General AI chatbots (Free-$20/month)

Some parents are turning to general AI chatbots like ChatGPT for maths help. It is understandable, but there are real limitations.

Pros: Available immediately. Can explain concepts in plain language. Free tier available.

Cons: Not designed for education. Will happily give your child the answer outright, teaching them nothing. No curriculum alignment. No progress tracking. No safety features designed for children. Occasionally gives wrong answers with complete confidence.

Best for: Quick one-off explanations for older students who already have some understanding and just need a concept clarified. Not suitable as a primary learning tool.

imSteyn ($15/month)

imSteyn is an AI-powered Socratic tutor built specifically for Australian students. Full disclosure: this is our product.

Pros: Aligned chapter-by-chapter to the Cambridge textbook used in Australian schools. Uses a 4-phase learning system (Learn, Examples, Assess, Challenge) that builds genuine understanding. Never gives away answers. Detailed parent dashboard with weekly AI-written progress reports and gap analysis. Child-safe by design. Covers Years 7 to 12. Includes drawing canvas for working and voice input.

Cons: Newer platform, so the community is smaller. Text-based interaction may not suit students who strongly prefer video content. Currently focused on maths only.

Best for: Students in Years 7 to 12 who need more than drills. Parents who want to see exactly where their child is struggling and track real improvement over time.

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So which one should you choose?

It depends on your child and your situation:

• If your child is in primary school and you want practice drills, Mathletics (especially if the school provides access) is a reasonable choice.
• If your child is self-motivated and you want a free option, Khan Academy is hard to beat for sheer volume of content.
• If your child needs to build real understanding (not just practise what they already know) and you want visibility into their progress, imSteyn is purpose-built for that.

The best app is the one your child will actually use consistently. Most platforms offer free trials, so try a couple and see what clicks.

You can start a free 7-day trial of imSteyn here. No credit card required.