Synthesis Tutor Review: Is This AI Tutor Worth Your Time?

As a creative, I’ve always struggled with math. I’d spend hours trying to make sense of numbers, and the thought of hiring a tutor felt both stressful and expensive (the average cost ranges from $25 to $80 per hour).

Back then, AI math tutors weren’t even an option. Fast forward to today, and platforms like Synthesis Tutor are changing how kids learn and absorb information.

Designed for kids ages 5 to 11, Synthesis Tutor makes math fun, interactive, and personalized. It helps young learners ages 5-11 build a solid math foundation.

In this Synthesis Tutor review, I’ll discuss the pros and cons, what it is, who it’s best for, and its key features. Then, I’ll show you how I used it to refine my math skills.

I’ll finish the article by comparing Synthesis Tutor with my top three alternatives (MathGPTPro, Cognii, and Century Tech).

Whether your child struggles with math anxiety, needs extra practice, or just loves interactive games, Synthesis Tutor adapts to their pace. It turns what once felt like homework into an engaging problem-solving adventure.

Verdict

Synthesis Tutor makes math practice fun and easy for kids ages 5–11 with adaptive lessons, games, and accessibility features. It’s great for basic math and at-home practice, but may not challenge advanced learners and can’t match a real tutor’s responsiveness.

What is Synthesis Tutor?

Synthesis Tutor is an AI math learning platform primarily designed for children ages 5 to 11, which covers the K-5 math curriculum. This age range is important because if kids don’t build that solid foundation early, they’ll likely struggle later with algebra and geometry.

The platform focuses on helping kids develop mathematical thinking and problem-solving skills beyond memorization. It gamifies math learning to make it engaging and enjoyable with interactive lessons, games, and step-by-step guidance.

Synthesis Tutor also offers instant feedback, progress tracking, and multi-sensory learning. It supports a wide range of learners, including neurodiverse children.

Background & Mission

Synthesis Tutor was founded by Josh Dahn, who started an experimental school at SpaceX in 2014 with Elon Musk. They called it Ad Astra, which is Latin for “to the stars.”

The whole idea was to rethink how kids learn math from the ground up, where so many students memorize formulas without actually understanding what’s happening. That philosophy is baked into everything Synthesis Tutor does.

Key Differentiator

What sets Synthesis Tutor apart is how it uses modern technology to create an interactive learning experience rather than turning worksheets into digital form. The AI adapts to how your child thinks, not just whether they got the answer right or wrong.

Ultimately, traditional math apps feel like homework. Synthesis Tutor feels more like exploration.

Accessibility

As far as accessibility goes, you can access Synthesis Tutor on iPad, desktop computers, and Chromebooks. They’re actively working on Android tablet support too, which should be coming soon.

Who is Synthesis Tutor Best For?

Here’s who Synthesis Tutor is best for:

• Students ages 5 to 11 who need a solid foundation in early math concepts to prepare for later subjects.
• Children who struggle with math anxiety are offered a warm, encouraging, and multi-sensory approach.
• Advanced learners seeking a challenge beyond their grade level.
• Neurodivergent and neuro-atypical students (including ADHD, Autism (ASD), dyslexia, and dyscalculia), thanks to its adaptive and personalized learning design.
• Parents who want a fun, interactive math tool that adapts in real time to their child’s pace and learning style.
• Educators who want a math program that focuses on understanding and problem-solving, not memorization.

Synthesis Tutor Key Features

Here are Synthesis Tutor’s key features:

• An interactive digital tutor that offers step-by-step help with an encouraging tone to ease math anxiety.
• AI lessons that adapt in real time to each child’s progress.
• Hands-on learning with digital tools to make math concepts fun and therefore easier to grasp.
• Gamified math practice that keeps children engaged and motivated.
• Progress tracking in specific math topics, showing growth.
• Covers key math topics like addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and fractions.
• Accessibility features such as voice speed, dyslexic font, and read-aloud answer choices.
• Best for elementary students, neurodivergent learners, and those with math anxiety.
• Flexible subscription options with a 7-day free trial, monthly, or annual options.
• Inspired by an educational program developed at SpaceX to help children love problem-solving.

How to Use Synthesis Tutor

Here’s how I used Synthesis Tutor to refine my math skills:

1. Sign Up for Synthesis Tutor
2. Complete the Account Setup
3. Practice Your Addition
4. Add Two-Digit Numbers Together
5. Add Four-Digit Numbers Together
6. Complete Flashcards
7. Try the Playground & Arcade

Step 1: Sign Up for Synthesis Tutor

I started by selecting “Try it for Free.”

Since Synthesis is specifically geared towards students under 18 who struggle with math, I had to sign up as a parent and add a child as a student. I also needed to describe the child’s progress in math and identify any specific topics they were struggling with (e.g., addition, subtraction, multiplication, etc.)

If you’re unsure, feel free to select “I don’t know” for some of these questions.

Step 2: Complete the Account Setup

After signing up, I was instantly directed to the AI math companion, which first asked whether it was speaking to the parent or the child.

I started by selecting the parent option, which proved to be a good choice. Telling the AI you are the parent allows you to finish setting up the account.

The AI will ask questions like:

• If it is saying the student’s name correctly
• Whether or not you want the AI to read the answers out loud to the student

It’s a good idea to finish setting up the account as the parent first before proceeding as the student.

Step 3: Practice Your Addition

Once the account was ready, I told the AI I was the student. Synthesis Tutor asked to see what I already knew about addition to get a grasp of where I was at.

Step 4: Add Two-Digit Numbers Together

It asked me basic questions, like if I knew how to add two-digit numbers.

The AI then presented a problem for me to solve, testing my ability to add numbers correctly.

Step 5: Add Four-Digit Numbers Together

From there, Synthesis Tutor increased the difficulty by adding four-digit numbers together.

As someone who’s never been good at math, I was surprised to see I was actually having fun. The increasing difficulty kept me on my toes, but they were still doable and motivating.

Step 6: Complete Flashcards

After finishing the three Addition questions, I returned to my workspace.

The “Addition” topic showed a progress bar that was not yet complete. Synthesis Tutor encouraged me to move on to the next Addition lesson.

This time, the questions were flashcards.

After doing the flashcards, my “Addition” progress increased by 1.

Step 7: Try the Playground & Arcade

At the bottom, I noticed two additional options: Playground and Arcade. Neither of them had progress bars, which took the pressure off and made it feel more like play than practice.

I tried some of the Playground games and found them fun and interactive.

I also tried some of the Arcade games. These were just as fun and interactive, but had more of an arcade feel (fast-paced, competitive, and focused on quick thinking).

Overall, Synthesis Tutor made math feel fun. Its mix of guided lessons and challenges kept me engaged and learning without any pressure.

Top 3 Synthesis Tutor Alternatives

Here are the best Synthesis Tutor alternatives:

MathGPTPro

The first Synthesis Tutor alternative I’d recommend is MathGPTPro. It aims at making learning math personalized, interactive, and accessible for everyone. It combines AI tutoring and progress tracking on a single platform.

On the one hand, MathGPTPro stands out with its progressive learning ecosystem. It tracks learning with a knowledge graph, offers hints and Socratic questions to boost understanding, and keeps learners motivated with small tasks and rewards.

Meanwhile, Synthesis Tutor focuses on adaptive math challenges that build reasoning and problem-solving skills through interactive games.

For personalized progress tracking, choose MathGPTPro. For engaging math games that go beyond memorization, choose Synthesis Tutor!

Cognii

The next Synthesis Tutor alternative I’d recommend is Cognii. It’s an AI learning platform where students get personalized help, answer questions in their own words, and receive instant feedback.

On the one hand, Cognii stands out with its focus on open-response assessments, one-on-one AI tutoring, and adaptive personalization tailored to each learner. Students can write answers in their own words, receive instant feedback, and practice until they master the concepts.

Meanwhile, Synthesis Tutor excels at foundational math concepts and structured practice, but can feel limited for advanced learners.

Choose Cognii for personalized AI tutoring with instant feedback. Otherwise, choose Synthesis Tutor for structured practice in basic math concepts.

Century Tech

The final Synthesis Tutor alternative I’d recommend is Century Tech. It’s an AI platform that speeds up learning and eases teachers’ workloads.

Century Tech stands out with thousands of videos and self-marking questions for students from primary to post-16 education. It gives teachers useful performance insights to save time on grading.

Meanwhile, Synthesis Tutor emphasizes interactive learning. It helps students practice problem-solving and critical thinking with real-time AI lessons rather than a standard curriculum.

Choose Century Tech for large-scale classroom use. Otherwise, choose Synthesis Tutor for a more fun and engaging learning experience.

Synthesis Tutor Review: The Right Tool For You?

After seeing what Synthesis Tutor had to offer, it’s clear that it makes early math learning genuinely enjoyable. Its mix of interactive lessons, gamified challenges, and AI feedback kept me consistently engaged and curious.

The platform isn’t just about memorizing formulas. It encourages understanding, reasoning, and problem-solving from the ground up.

If you’re looking for a fun, low-pressure way to build strong math foundations, Synthesis Tutor has everything you need. But if that doesn’t sound like the right fit, try these alternatives:

• MathGPTPro is best for learners who want personalized progress tracking and interactive tutoring.
• Cognii is best for students who thrive with one-on-one AI tutoring and feedback-based learning.
• Century Tech is best for large-scale classrooms or schools that need self-marking and teacher support.

Thanks for reading my Synthesis Tutor review! I hope you found it helpful.

Synthesis Tutor offers a 7-day free trial. Try it for yourself and see how you like it!

Frequently Asked Questions

What age group is Synthesis Tutor for?

Synthesis Tutor is designed primarily for children ages 5 to 11, covering elementary (K-5) math. However, it can also be effective for learners outside this range who need support with foundational math concepts.

Is Synthesis Tutor free?

Synthesis Tutor has a 7-day free trial, but it is not free. It’s a paid service with monthly and annual plans.

What is the best online math tutoring program?

Synthesis Tutor is one of the best online math tutoring programs for elementary school students. It offers engaging lessons through an AI tutor, making math fun and helping students grow in confidence and ability while keeping them motivated to keep learning.

Is Synthesis Tutor any good?

Synthesis Tutor is an affordable AI math platform for children aged 5–11 that adapts to each student’s pace, encourages critical thinking, and makes practice fun.

How long is the Synthesis Tutor free trial?

Synthesis Tutor offers a 7-day free trial to get familiar with the platform before committing to a paid subscription. This trial gives access to interactive lessons, gamified learning, and immediate feedback.