Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them
–Visits
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Homeschool Curriculum

BookShark vs Gather 'Round Homeschool

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score BookShark #8 in Homeschool Curriculum 7.4/10 From $309.43 · 7-day trial Free trial✓ 4 of 4 features Visit BookShark
Gather 'Round Homeschool #13 in Homeschool Curriculum 6.9/10 Paid ✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Gather 'Round

BookShark leads on 0 checks, Gather 'Round Homeschool on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreBookShark · 7.4/10
  • Free trialonly BookShark
  • Most featuresBookShark · 4 of 4

BookShark scores higher on our rubric for homeschool curriculum: 7.4 against 6.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #8 and #13.

BookShark is the better fit for families preferring literature-based packages. Gather 'Round Homeschool is the better fit for multi-age families using unit studies.

  • BookShark fits best

    Families preferring literature-based packages

  • Gather 'Round Homeschool fits best

    Multi-age families using unit studies

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature BookShark 7.4/10 Visit ↗ Gather 'Round Homeschool 6.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.4 6.9
Ranking #8 in Homeschool Curriculum #13 in Homeschool Curriculum
Best for Families preferring literature-based packages Multi-age families using unit studies
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price From $309.43 · 7-day trial $39/mo
Free plan — —
Free trial 7 days —
Deployment Cloud Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web Web, iOS, Android
Support Email, Phone Email, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features BookShark 4/4 · Gather 'Round Homeschool 3/4
Lesson plans ✓ ✓
Assessments included ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Parent guidance ✓ ✓
Offline access ✓ ✓
Specs
Subjects included 3 Not checked yet
Curriculum format Hybrid Hybrid
Grade range Pre-K to age 16 Preschool/kindergarten through Grade 12
Our review
Pros
  • 36-week, four-day schedules with instructor guidance
  • Broad packages spanning history, language arts, science, and math
  • Four math integrations plus customizable package options
  • Family-style lessons support multiple ages from preschool through high school.
  • Digital and printed materials include teacher guides, workbooks, and answer keys.
  • Broad coverage spans history, science, language arts, Bible, art, and electives.
Cons
  • Starting price is a $309.43 one-time purchase
  • The main curriculum is physical, with web access through Virtual
  • Virtual requires books and is available only through the web
  • Math is offered separately through the Modular Math curriculum.
  • Individual units and materials are purchased separately.
  • There is no free plan.
Our verdict

BookShark is a literature-based homeschool curriculum for families teaching at home, with programs spanning Pre-K through age 16. Lessons use fiction, nonfiction, biographies, and illustrated books, while age-based levels provide an…

Read the review →

Gather 'Round Homeschool is a Christian, open-and-go curriculum for families teaching multiple children together. Its family-style unit studies cover history, science, language arts, Bible, art, and electives across levels from preschool…

Read the review →
  1. BookSharkHomeschool Curriculum 7.4From $309.43 · 7-day trial
  2. Gather 'Round HomeschoolHomeschool Curriculum 6.9Paid

Strengths and trade-offs

  • BookShark — where it wins

    • 36-week, four-day schedules with instructor guidance
    • Broad packages spanning history, language arts, science, and math
    • Four math integrations plus customizable package options

    Where it doesn't

    • Starting price is a $309.43 one-time purchase
    • The main curriculum is physical, with web access through Virtual
    • Virtual requires books and is available only through the web

  • Gather 'Round Homeschool — where it wins

    • Family-style lessons support multiple ages from preschool through high school.
    • Digital and printed materials include teacher guides, workbooks, and answer keys.
    • Broad coverage spans history, science, language arts, Bible, art, and electives.

    Where it doesn't

    • Math is offered separately through the Modular Math curriculum.
    • Individual units and materials are purchased separately.
    • There is no free plan.

More comparisons

All homeschool curriculum comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update