BookShark vs Torchlight
BookShark
bookshark.comTorchlight
torchlightcurriculum.comSide by side
| Figure | BookShark | Torchlight |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | — |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 10 | 8 |
| Spec score · Homeschool Curriculum | 8.4 (#4) | 7.0 (#27) |
| Integrations | BookShark Virtual integrates Math-U-See and supports schedules or assignment uploads for Singapore, Singapore Dimensions, Saxon, and RightStart. | The FAQ recommends the Library Extension browser add-on, which it says works with Chrome and Firefox, to check whether local libraries carry required books. |
| Product | BookShark is a complete, literature-based homeschool curriculum using fiction, nonfiction, biographies, illustrations, and hands-on experiments. | Torchlight is a secular, literature-based homeschool curriculum with hands-on learning, games, media, and bedtime story recommendations. |
| Support | BookShark lists phone support Monday through Thursday from 9am to 4pm Mountain Time and Friday from 9am to 1pm Mountain Time, plus email, text, and advisor meetings. | The site directs customers to its FAQ for common questions and provides a contact form for messages. |
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
Torchlight
- Torchlight Constellation: The Last Cuentista$15, paid once
- Compose Yourself$28, paid once
- Torchlight Level 1 (2nd Edition)$42, paid once
- Torchlight Level 2: Logic & Legends$42, paid once
- Torchlight Level Pre-K Bundle$43, paid once
- Torchlight Level 1 Bundle$45, paid once
- Torchlight Level 3$47, paid once
- Torchlight Level 2 Bundle$62, 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.
Torchlight
Torchlight has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.