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Numbio vs Khan Academy: which is better for mental math?

For fast, automatic mental math, Numbio is the specialist: every session trains calculation speed, with 48 tricks and timed tests. Khan Academy teaches concepts across many subjects, from arithmetic to calculus, with videos and practice. The two work well together.

Key takeaways

Numbio builds mental math speed for kids and adults.
Khan Academy explains math concepts from arithmetic to calculus.
Learn a concept in Khan Academy, then make it fast in Numbio.

What is Numbio? Numbio is a mental math trainer for iPhone and iPad that helps kids and adults calculate faster in their head, with drills, 48 step-by-step tricks, timed tests and number games.

A tilted grid of app tiles with simple learning icons, with the Numbio app icon raised among them.

Numbio vs Khan Academy at a glance

Numbio trains calculation speed for kids and adults. Khan Academy teaches concepts across many subjects, from arithmetic to calculus, with videos and practice.

Feature	Numbio	Khan Academy
Math-only appKhan Academy also teaches science, economics and the humanities.	Yes	No
Answer by voice or handwritingKhan Academy’s voice input is for its Khanmigo tutor chat.	Yes	No
Exercises read aloudKhan Academy reads aloud only through Khanmigo.	Yes	Partly
Build your own exercise setsIn Khan Academy, teachers assign the practice.	Yes	Partly
Daily streaks and goalsKhan Academy tracks weekly streaks.	Yes	Partly
Leaderboards and friend challengesKhan Academy’s Gem Jam is a teacher-run classroom game.	Yes	Partly
Math from arithmetic to calculusKhan Academy covers the whole curriculum and beyond.	No	Yes
Video lessonsKhan Academy explains concepts with videos.	No	Yes

We compared Numbio with Khan Academy using Khan Academy’s own website, help center and App Store listing, checked on October 31, 2026.

What you get with Numbio

Understand it with Khan Academy, then make it fast with Numbio.

Learn tricks step by step, then drill them

Every one of the 48 tricks is explained with a worked example, then drilled until the shortcut is automatic.

Numbio trick screen on iPhone: Multiply by 11, with the example 17 × 11 = 187, numbered steps and a Practice button.

Numbio drill screen on iPhone: the exercise 6 × 12 with the answer typed on the number keypad, a 0 of 10 progress counter and a timer.

Short, focused drills at four levels

Pick an operation and a number type, choose one of 4 difficulty levels, and train in sessions of a few minutes.

Train by time, by number of exercises or at your own pace

Set a time limit, a number of exercises or a pace, and have exercises read aloud if you like.

Numbio options on iPhone: training by number of exercises, time or pace, 10 exercises, the input mode and a switch to have exercises read aloud.

Need a Khan Academy alternative?

If you already understand the concepts and want to calculate faster, Numbio is the better tool. It drills one skill at a time, like times tables up to 20×20, percentages or square roots, and its 60-second tests show how much faster you get.

Choose Numbio if

you understand the math and want to be faster

you want tricks for mental calculation

you prefer short daily sessions

you want to answer by voice or handwriting

Choose Khan Academy if

you need to learn new concepts, up to calculus

you learn best from videos

you want math alongside other subjects

Numbio vs Khan Academy: FAQ

For speed practice, Numbio is a strong alternative. Khan Academy teaches concepts. Numbio drills calculations until they’re automatic, with 8 operations, 8 number types, times tables up to 20×20, 48 tricks and timed tests. Keep Khan for concepts and add Numbio for speed.

Khan Academy explains the arithmetic behind mental math very well, and its exercises build understanding. To get fast, you need focused repetition on one skill at a time, which is what a dedicated trainer like Numbio adds.

Use Khan Academy to understand a topic, then Numbio to make it automatic. Watch the lesson on percentages, then drill percentages in Numbio until you can do them in your head. It’s a quick way to refresh your skills before going back to school.

Yes. Returning students may need to refresh basic calculations before algebra or calculus. Numbio’s short sessions rebuild speed with percentages, fractions, decimals and times tables, so the new material is easier to follow.

Yes. Kids start with easy addition and times tables and move up through four levels. Games like Sudoku and Magic Square add variety, and the same app grows with them.

Yes. The tests, all four games and the tricks library are free, with no account needed. Numbio Pro unlocks the full trainer and trick practice.

Ian0047
Jun 5, 2024
•
United States
“I’m getting back in college and need to take calculus. … This has been a great companion to Khan Academy to shake off some of the cobwebs.”
ReviewByEliW
Feb 27, 2025
•
United States
“I decided to go back to school a year ago… I wanted to brush up on my mental math abilities and this app is perfect.”
Zenning out
Oct 29, 2024
•
United States
“Time to dust off elementary arithmetic! I like this app a lot. I can set a daily goal, build a streak of daily practice, and set difficulty level.”
LilTooth18
Dec 16, 2025
•
United States
“I am an almost 30 year old… Practicing these sets 5 times a day for 2 weeks has already improved my ability!”
Smithie jr
Dec 10, 2025
•
United States
“I just wanted to find an app to strengthen my mental math abilities and this app is by far the best one I’ve found.”
Imawalker220
Jun 1, 2024
•
United States
“As I get older I like to keep up with mental math. … It’s great for kids to get extra practice but useful for everyone!”

Try the tests and games free, no account needed.

For iPhone and iPad.