Sheppard Software
Sheppard Software is a privately held, founder-operated educational website founded in 1982 that hosts 568+ free interactive learning games across geography, math, science, language arts, and other subjects for K-12 students, teachers, homeschool families, and adult learners, monetized through advertising.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1982
- HeadquartersJenkintown, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Sheppard Software does
Sheppard Software is a privately held, founder-operated educational technology company founded in 1982 and headquartered in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania. The company operates sheppardsoftware.com, a web-based platform hosting 568+ free interactive educational games and activities spanning geography (countries, US states, continents, capitals, landmarks), mathematics (operations, fractions, geometry, time, money), science (animals, food chains, cells, dinosaurs, ecosystems), language arts, health and anatomy, animal classification, government/civics, Spanish vocabulary, brain games, and preschool/early learning content. The technology stack is built on HTML5 and Flash-based interactive games with multimedia components (sound, animations, graphics), with an ongoing migration to HTML5 to support desktops, tablets, and mobile phones. Games feature multiple fixed difficulty levels ranging from beginner to expert, allowing engagement from preschool through adult learners.
The business operates on a completely free, ad-supported model with no subscriptions, paywalls, or required registration. Revenue is generated through display advertising on the website, supplemented by minor sales of a children's picture book sold via Amazon (ISBN 1090636687). Distribution is 100% direct-to-consumer through the website and a YouTube channel, with no sales team, channel partners, or app store presence. The company reports over 20 million visitors and 5 million hours of learning in the past year, reaching a global audience across all operating geographies. Customer segments are primarily K-12 students, homeschool families, teachers, public libraries, and adult learners, acquired principally through organic word-of-mouth, teacher referrals, and educational network recommendations rather than paid marketing. Brad Sheppard serves as President.
Sheppard Software firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sheppard Software
- Legal name
- Sheppard Software
- Website
- https://sheppardsoftware.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1982
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Sheppard Software is a privately held, founder-operated educational website founded in 1982 that hosts 568+ free interactive learning games across geography, math, science, language arts, and other subjects for K-12 students, teachers, homeschool families, and adult learners, monetized through advertising.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sheppard Software industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Educational Games and Learning Content
- NAICS
- Educational Services (611)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Interactive Multimedia Learning Content (Video, Audio, Interactive Lessons) (EDAFACAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Creativity, Art & Music Learning Apps (EDACANAE), Kids & Family Curated Content Platforms (MPACAKAL)
Keywords
Where Sheppard Software is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Jenkintown
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Sheppard Software business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations
Revenue model
- Advertising Revenue: The site is free to use and generates revenue through advertising. The website displays 'Possible Advertisement' sections throughout the content.
- Book Sales: Sheppard Software sells a children's picture book on Amazon (ISBN 1090636687) related to their animal content.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free Access - Complete access to all games and content |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Sheppard Software product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sheppard Software designs, develops, and hosts a free web-based library of interactive educational games and learning activities for children, covering geography, math, science, language arts, health, preschool, brain, government, Spanish, and creative painting. The site is ad-supported, requires no registration, and serves millions of users worldwide across desktop, tablet, and mobile browsers.
Product overview
Sheppard Software provides a comprehensive suite of free online educational games and learning content for children. The platform operates as a single unified website offering interactive games across multiple subject areas including geography (map games, state/ country identification, landmarks), mathematics (operations, fractions, geometry, time/money), science (animals, food chains, cells, dinosaurs), language arts (grammar, vocabulary), health (anatomy, nutrition), and creative activities (paint and make). The site also includes preschool activities, brain games, Spanish language learning, and government education games. All content is free and accessible online with games for various age levels from preschool through adult learners.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Geography Games
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 20 million visitors and 5 million hours of learning in the last year
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Sheppard Software
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Sheppard Software technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Sheppard Software partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- AmazonminorSheppard Software sells a children's picture book (ISBN 1090636687) through Amazon's marketplace, featuring animal content related to their educational games.
- Boston Public LibraryminorFeatured in the Boston Public Library's 2006 Exhibition on Mapping through their geography games. The Education Outreach Coordinator discovered the games through Massachusetts Geographic Alliance.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Sheppard Software competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- ABCmouse: Age of Learning's flagship subscription-based educational platform for ages 2–8 covering reading, math, science, and art. Most directly comparable free/freemium peer in children's interactive learning games, though better monetized and with native apps.
- Khan Academy Kids: Free Khan Academy app for ages 2–8 covering reading, math, and social-emotional learning. Closest direct competitor given its free model, multi-subject scope, and strong educator endorsement.
- Starfall: Long-standing free educational site focused on early literacy and math for PreK through grade 3. Comparable as a free, ad-supported/optional-membership educational games destination serving similar elementary and preschool segments.
- Funbrain: Free educational games, books, and videos for grades K–8 covering math, reading, and literacy. Directly comparable web-based, free, multi-subject kids' learning games destination.
- PBS Kids Games: Free educational games tied to PBS Kids programming for preschool and early elementary. Comparable in target audience, free access model, and subject breadth (math, science, language, geography).
- Coolmath Games: Free browser-based educational and puzzle games site covering math, logic, and strategy for elementary through middle school audiences. Comparable web-first, free, ad-supported model targeting similar age groups.
Broad incumbents
- BrainPOP: Subscription educational platform with animated videos, quizzes, and games across STEM, social studies, English, and health. Broader incumbent serving the same K-8 market with school-licensed distribution.
- IXL: Subscription-based personalized learning platform covering math, English, science, and social studies for K-12. Comparable subject breadth with a school/district-licensed monetization model that Sheppard has not pursued.
- National Geographic Kids: Free educational games, videos, and articles focused on geography, animals, and science for kids. Closely overlaps Sheppard's strongest subject (geography) and multi-modal game format.
- Duolingo: Gamified language-learning platform with free and premium tiers, strong mobile-first execution, and K-12 educator programs. Adjacent peer given Sheppard's Spanish learning games and overlap in gamified learning mechanics.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Sheppard Software social profiles
Digital presenceSheppard Software financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sheppard Software leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Sheppard Software funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sheppard Software M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Sheppard Software
What does Sheppard Software do?
Sheppard Software designs, develops, and hosts a free web-based library of interactive educational games and learning activities for children, covering geography, math, science, language arts, health, preschool, brain, government, Spanish, and creative painting. The site is ad-supported, requires no registration, and serves millions of users worldwide across desktop, tablet, and mobile browsers.
Is Sheppard Software a public or private company?
Sheppard Software is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Sheppard Software founded?
Sheppard Software was founded in 1982. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Sheppard Software based?
Sheppard Software is headquartered in Jenkintown, United States, in the North America region.
How does Sheppard Software make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Advertising Revenue is the primary driver. The others are book Sales.
Who are Sheppard Software's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are ABCmouse, Khan Academy Kids, Starfall, Funbrain, PBS Kids Games and Coolmath Games. Broad incumbents are BrainPOP, IXL, National Geographic Kids and Duolingo.
Does Sheppard Software have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sheppard Software.
What industry is Sheppard Software in?
Sheppard Software's product category is Educational Games and Learning Content. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAFACAG, Interactive Multimedia Learning Content (Video, Audio, Interactive Lessons), with a secondary code of EDACANAE, Creativity, Art & Music Learning Apps. Its NAICS code is 611 and its SIC code is 8200.