BookShark vs Master Books
BookShark
bookshark.comMaster Books
masterbooks.comSide by side
| Figure | BookShark | Master Books |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | — |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 10 | 1 |
| Spec score · Homeschool Curriculum | 8.4 (#4) | 8.2 (#7) |
| Founded | 2014 | 1975 |
| Headquarters | Littleton, Colorado, USA | Green Forest, Arkansas, USA |
| Subjects | Its curriculum includes History, Science, and Language Arts, with several math curriculum options. | Its Basic 4 Subject Sets combine math, science, language arts, and history, and families can also build a custom package by subject. |
Plans
BookShark
- Virtual Seat for Language Arts D+E$88, paid once
- Virtual Seat for Language Arts H$88, paid once
- Virtual Seat for Science H$88, paid once
- Virtual Seat for HS US Historical Literature & Language Arts$154, paid once
- Virtual Seat for HS World Historical Literature & Language Arts$154, paid once
- Virtual Seat for HS World History$154, paid once
- Virtual Seat for Reading with History B+C$154, paid once
- Virtual Seat for Reading with History D+E$188, paid once
- Virtual Seat for Level I History and Literature$275, paid once
- Virtual Seat for D+E All Subject Package$300, paid once
Master Books
- Master Books Academy course (individual courses)$59.95, paid once
In their own words
BookShark
BookShark is a literature-based homeschool curriculum for Pre-K through age 16, with History, Science, Language Arts, and several math options. Rather than fixed grades, it uses flexible age-based levels, and children within three years of age can share a Reading with History program while following separate Math and Language Arts levels. Schedules run for 36 weeks, four days per week, with lesson plans, assessments, and parent guidance. BookShark Virtual adds online reading schedules, assessments with instant auto-graded results, parent work tracking, customizable assessments, and student messaging. It integrates Math-U-See and accepts schedules or assignment uploads for Singapore, Singapore Dimensions, Saxon, and RightStart. Virtual does not replace the physical books. Each seat covers one student and one teacher account, and courses must be used within six months of purchase. Families can try the first week of a Virtual course free. Listed Virtual seats range from $88, paid once to $300, paid once; BookShark's pricing note also says From $309.43 · 7-day trial.
Master Books
Master Books publishes Christian homeschool curriculum, biblical apologetics books, and other educational resources. Families can choose Basic 4 Subject Sets combining math, science, language arts, and history, or assemble a custom package by subject. Master Books Academy adds online courses in math, language arts, history, science, art, and electives, delivered as prerecorded, self-paced video lessons. Users who sign up or log in can preview the first week's lessons for free. An individual course costs $59.95, paid once purchase, with prices varying by course, and provides access for 18 months. Course pages identify required books or supplies, while standalone materials can be printed from PDFs. The curriculum spans preschool through high school and includes lesson plans, assessments, and parent guidance. Videos may be shared with immediate family in one household, but each purchase allows one account to enroll in a class. Classroom, co-op, or group use requires an individual seat license for each student. Academy courses are non-refundable and non-transferable.