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Mathnasium vs. TutorLyft

Mathnasium vs. TutorLyft

A math centre, or your own tutor?

Choose Mathnasium if your child only needs math, is anywhere from kindergarten to grade 12, and would do well with a free assessment and a set routine of 2 to 3 centre visits a week. Choose TutorLyft if you want a 1-on-1 tutor you pick yourself, for math or any other subject, and to pay per lesson.

Last updated
November 3, 2026
Quick answer
Mathnasium
TutorLyft
What it is
Math-only learning centre
1-on-1 lessons with a tutor
Price
Monthly fee, quoted by each centre
CA$40–$75 an hour, no fees
Who helps
Instructors, up to 4 students each
A tutor you choose
Best for
A steady math routine, K to 12
Schoolwork, tests, more subjects
Who it suits

Mathnasium or TutorLyft: which one fits you?

Mathnasium is a good fit if

Your child is in kindergarten. TutorLyft starts at grade 1
You want your child assessed before lessons start
You'd like a set routine of 2 to 3 visits a week
You want all the math work done at the centre

TutorLyft is the better fit if

Your child needs help with more than math
You want a free consultation with the tutor first
Your student is in university
You'd rather pay per lesson than per month
Side by side

Mathnasium vs. TutorLyft at a glance

Feature
Mathnasium
TutorLyft
How it works
Who works with your child
Centre instructors, up to 4 students each
A tutor you choose
Tutor works with only your child
Free first step
Free assessment at the centre
Free consultation with the tutor
Learning plan built from an assessment
Help with current homework
Some time in each session
A centre your child can go to
Cost
Monthly price
Not published, quoted by each centre
Pay per lesson, CA$40–$75 an hour
Enrollment fee
Yes, one-time, set by each centre
None
Contract
Monthly, no long-term contract
No contract
Pay as you go
What the tutor earns
About $19 an hour
80% of their rate, about $44 an hour on average
Subjects and format
Subjects beyond math
Kindergarten
University courses
Online option
In-person option

Mathnasium details checked November 2026. Mathnasium doesn't publish Canadian prices.

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FAQ

Mathnasium vs. TutorLyft: common questions

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How much does Mathnasium cost in Canada?

Mathnasium doesn't publish prices in Canada. Each centre sets its own, so ask your local centre for a quote. Most start with a free assessment. What Canadian centres do say: you pay a flat monthly membership plus a one-time enrolment fee, with no long-term contract, and the price is the same online or in the centre. Get your centre's written price list before you sign up.

How often do kids go to Mathnasium?

Mathnasium recommends 2 to 3 sessions a week until your child reaches their goals. It doesn't assign homework: the work happens in the session, and instructors set aside some time each session for school homework. Sessions run during the centre's hours, usually after school. On TutorLyft you decide how often lessons happen, from a single lesson to a weekly slot.

Is Mathnasium cheaper than Kumon?

You can't tell until you get a Mathnasium quote, because Mathnasium doesn't publish Canadian prices. The Canadian Kumon centres we checked list $160 to $220 per subject a month, plus a registration fee of about $80. The two also work differently. Kumon is math and reading, with two centre visits a week and daily worksheets at home. Mathnasium is math only, with 2 to 3 centre sessions a week and no homework.

Mathnasium or a private tutor: which is better?

It depends on what your child needs. At Mathnasium, an instructor gives each child face-to-face help but works with a small group of up to four students at a time, following a plan built from Mathnasium's own assessment. That suits a child who needs a steady math routine. A private tutor works 1-on-1 on what your child is doing in class right now, and you choose who it is. If your child needs help with a test, a specific course or a subject other than math, a tutor is usually the better fit.

Can you cancel Mathnasium anytime?

Canadian Mathnasium centres say they charge a flat monthly membership with no long-term contract. Notice periods and refunds are set by each centre, so ask for the written policy when you enroll. TutorLyft has no subscription: you pay per lesson, and you can cancel a lesson for a full refund up to 24 hours before it starts.

Can I talk to a TutorLyft tutor before I book?

Yes. Almost every tutor offers a free consultation, so you can ask about their approach and your child's goals first. There's no subscription or sign-up fee, and if the first session isn't the right fit, we refund it and give you your next hour free with a new tutor.

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