Is Synthesis Tutor any good?
Yes, for the right child. Synthesis Tutor is a conversational, hands-on AI maths tutor for ages 5 to 11, with weekly parent reports and support for neurodiverse learners.
It's priced in US dollars, follows a US curriculum and makes no 11+ or SATs claim, so for exam practice in Years 3 to 6 a UK-focused app such as Pip suits better.
- Our rating: 4 out of 5 (editorial)
- Price: USD 45 a month or USD 348 a year (individual)
- Best for: patient, explanation-led maths help, ages 5 to 11
- Consider instead: 7 Synthesis Tutor alternatives
Our connection: Pip publishes this review and competes with Synthesis Tutor for some families. We've tried to be fair: Synthesis Tutor's strengths are real, and Pip is a different kind of product.
This review is based on Synthesis's own pages checked on 6 October 2026, not a hands-on test. Features and prices change.
Synthesis Tutor and its logo belong to their owners.
What is Synthesis Tutor and what does it cover?
Synthesis Tutor is an AI-assisted maths tutor for children aged 5 to 11. It says it adapts to your child and was developed by educators and neuroscientists, with multi-sensory, hands-on lessons and real-time micro-assessments.
It covers standard US K-5 maths: counting, addition and subtraction, multiplication and division, fractions and algebraic thinking. Parents get progress reports, and its own site says it offers text-to-speech and supports neurodiverse learners.
How much does Synthesis Tutor cost?
Synthesis Tutor costs USD 45 a month for one child, and its plans are listed in US dollars (checked 6 October 2026):
The Family plan is also listed at USD 400 a year, and Lifetime plans are USD 999 for an individual and USD 1,499 for a family. A 20% holiday promotion was showing when we checked.
We found no UK price in pounds, so a UK card will be converted from dollars. The 7-day free trial needs no credit card, and we found no ongoing free tier.
What does Synthesis Tutor do well?
- Conversational, hands-on teaching. It explains ideas step by step and lets children work with them, rather than only testing.
- Low-pressure for neurodiverse learners. Its own site says it supports them, and it offers text-to-speech.
- Weekly parent reports. You can see progress without sitting alongside.
- Family plan for up to 10 students. Useful if several children share one account.
What should UK parents know before buying Synthesis Tutor?
- Maths only. There is no English, Verbal Reasoning or Non-Verbal Reasoning.
- US curriculum. Content follows US K-5 standards. How it maps to UK Year 1 to Year 6 is our estimate and is unverified.
- No 11+ or SATs claim. We found none on its site, so it is not exam preparation for UK tests.
- Dollar pricing. We found no pound price, and some parents report the cost as high. Third-party reports of support and microphone issues are unverified.
Who is Synthesis Tutor best for?
Synthesis Tutor suits children aged 5 to 11 who need explanation-led, low-pressure maths help rather than exam practice.
For a UK-curriculum maths routine in pounds, look at DoodleMaths. For the 11+ or KS2 SATs, look at Pip or Atom Learning.
The full list is in our 7 best Synthesis Tutor alternatives.
How does Synthesis Tutor compare with Pip?
They do different jobs.
Synthesis Tutor is a conversational maths tutor for ages 5 to 11. Pip is a focused adaptive app for Years 3 to 6 preparing for the 11+ and KS2 SATs.
| Synthesis Tutor | Pip 11+ Practice | |
|---|---|---|
| Age range | Ages 5 to 11 | Years 3 to 6 |
| Subjects | Maths only (US K-5) | 11+ Maths, English, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning; KS2 SATs track |
| How practice is chosen | AI tutor adapts to the child, with micro-assessments | Adaptive engine picks level, next skill and review time |
| Teaching | Conversational, hands-on lessons | Pip Teaches interactive lessons (Pro), coach hints, Ask Pip |
| Motivation | Not stated on its site | Pip Score, boss battles, coins, Pip's Den, Learning Grove |
| Price (checked 6 Oct 2026) | USD 45 a month or USD 348 a year; no UK price | Free; Pro £9.99 a month or £69.99 a year |
| Works on | Desktop, Chromebook, iPad, Android tablets | iOS, Android, Amazon (no desktop or web yet) |
Pip adapts the question level inside each skill, chooses the next skill from gaps, brings skills back for review, and offers to go back a step to a building block when a child is stuck.
Pip's coach hints teach the method without giving the answer, and it has no ads. Its one downside is that it runs only on iPhone, iPad, Android and Amazon Fire tablets, with no desktop or web version yet.
Is Synthesis Tutor worth it? Our verdict
Synthesis Tutor earns 4 out of 5 from us as a patient, hands-on maths tutor for young children. It's a good choice for explanation-led help with core maths if the dollar price and US curriculum suit you.
Pick Pip instead, or alongside it, when the goal is the 11+ or KS2 SATs in Years 3 to 6 and your child uses a phone or tablet.
Synthesis Tutor review: questions parents ask
Is Synthesis Tutor worth it for UK families?
Yes, if your child is aged 5 to 11, needs patient, explanation-led maths help and you're fine with US-style K-5 content and dollar pricing. It isn't aimed at the 11+ or KS2 SATs, and it covers maths only.
For exam practice, a UK-focused app such as Pip may suit better.
How much does Synthesis Tutor cost?
Synthesis Tutor lists Individual at USD 45 a month or USD 348 a year, and Family (up to 10 students) at USD 70 a month or USD 400 a year. Lifetime plans are USD 999 for an individual and USD 1,499 for a family (checked 6 Oct 2026).
We found no UK price in pounds, so a UK card will be converted from dollars.
Is there a Synthesis Tutor free trial?
Yes. Synthesis Tutor advertises a 7-day free trial with no credit card needed.
We found no ongoing free tier after the trial.
Is Synthesis Tutor good for the 11+?
Synthesis Tutor makes no 11+ claim on its site, and it covers maths only, with no English, Verbal Reasoning or Non-Verbal Reasoning. Families preparing for the 11+ usually add a dedicated resource such as Pip, Atom Learning or CENTURY.
Is Synthesis Tutor good for KS2 SATs?
Its content follows a US K-5 curriculum, and we didn't find a SATs track. Mapping it to UK year groups is our estimate and is unverified.
Pip has a separate KS2 SATs route (the full track is in Pip Pro).
What devices does Synthesis Tutor work on?
Its site lists desktop, Chromebooks, iPad and Android tablets. We couldn't verify phone support.
What is the best alternative to Synthesis Tutor?
Pip is our pick for KS2 SATs and the 11+ in Years 3 to 6, and DoodleMaths is the closest UK maths swap. See our 7 best Synthesis Tutor alternatives.
The Pip team builds Pip, the 11+ and KS2 practice app for children in years three to six. We write these guides from real exam formats and past papers.
