College Algebra vs Photomath
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
College Algebra
Master college algebra with a comprehensive curriculum and personalized math instruction. Access video lessons, practice problems, tests, and progress tracking to build a strong understanding of the subject.
- Video instruction
- Guided practice problems
- Tests and quizzes
- Progress tracking
- Chapter reviews
- Final exam
Read full descriptionHide full description
YourTeacher provides a complete curriculum for College Algebra with a personal math teacher. Search for the exact lesson you need or simply take the course from start to finish. Every lesson features video instruction, guided practice, tests, background modules, diagnostic quizzes, worksheets, notes, and more. Track your progress with our dynamic grade report and use the chapter reviews and final exam to solidify your knowledge. 3-Day Free Trial! Cancel at any time during the first 3 days after you’ve purchased the program and you will not be charged for the purchase! Terms of use: https://storage.googleapis.com/mathhelp/content/license/license-terms-and-conditions.pdf Privacy Policy https://storage.googleapis.com/mathhelp/content/license/privacy.pdf
Photomath
Scan any math problem to receive instant, step-by-step explanations and accurate solutions. This app breaks down complex problems into manageable steps, helping users understand the 'how' and 'why' of math. It supports a wide range of math topics, from basic arithmetic to advanced calculus.
- Scan math problems
- Step-by-step explanations
- Word problem solver
- Interactive graphs
- Multiple solution methods
- Scientific calculator
Read full descriptionHide full description
Photomath is known worldwide for helping millions of learners to learn, practice, and understand math – one step at a time. Scan any math problem with the Photomath app to get step-by-step explanations with accurate solutions and a variety of teacher-approved methods. Math is about the process, so Photomath breaks your problem into bite-sized steps to help you understand the “what” and “why” along with the “how.” Whether you’re learning basic arithmetic or advanced geometry, we’ll tackle it together, step by step. Why Photomath? Billions of math problems: From elementary arithmetic to advanced calculus and everything in between, Photomath can solve billions of math problems—including word problems! Whether handwritten, in a textbook, or on a screen, Photomath is here to help you untangle your trickiest problem. Step-by-step explanations: Math isn’t just about an answer. It’s about every step along the way. That’s why Photomath breaks down each step, so you can *really* learn. Less guesswork = less stress, especially with our new Animated Steps, which show you the exact progression of a particular step. Get basic step-by-step explanations at no charge when you download Photomath. Expert-developed methods: Photomath’s educational content is centered around the learner’s experience, driven by the expertise of our own team of mathematicians and former math teachers. Self-paced learning: Photomath’s instant support is like having a 24/7 virtual tutor. Checking your homework before dinner? Stuck on a problem at 2am? We can help. Follow our detailed steps, taking whatever time you need to review definitions, rationale, and more – all within the explanation. Want to dive deeper and explore more ways to learn? Photomath Plus can get you there with custom Animated Tutorials, detailed Textbook Solutions, and more! KEY FEATURES • Step-by-step explanations included in our basic version (at no charge) • Word problem instructions • Interactive graphs • Video learning • Multiple solution methods • Advanced scientific calculator Photomath is for learners of all levels, including those studying: Numbers & Quantity Algebra Functions Trigonometry & Angles Sequences Geometry Calculus “The step-by-step guide is beneficial to students that do not have access to a tutor and struggle with solving math problems.” — Forbes “A viral video about a new app looks like a dream come true for anyone who struggles with math.” — Time ___________________________________________ • Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at the confirmation of purchase. • A subscription automatically renews unless it’s canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current billing period. • Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. • Manage or cancel your subscription in your account settings on the App Store after purchase. • Offers and pricing are subject to change without notice. Suggestions or questions? Email us at support@photomath.com Website: www.photomath.com TikTok: @photomath Instagram: @photomath Facebook: @Photomathapp Twitter: @Photomath Terms of Use: https://photomath.app/en/termsofuse Privacy Policy: https://photomath.app/en/privacypolicy
Screenshots
Verdict
College Algebra and Photomath both sit at 4.8 stars, but that hides the real split: 82% of College Algebra's written reviews are positive against 51% of Photomath's. Photomath's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 7 months) and ratings volume (733K vs 500). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. College Algebra sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $9.99 per month and Photomath sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for College Algebra against 4.8 for Photomath. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Photomath has 733K ratings behind it against 500, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 82% of College Algebra's written reviews are positive against 51% of Photomath's.
College Algebra ships an update every 7 months, Photomath monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | College Algebra | Photomath |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (500 ratings) | 4.8 (733K ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 81.7% of reviews — better | 51.1% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 500 | 733K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | #36 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 14.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 15 MB | 30 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | YourTeacher.com | |
Customer experience
College Algebra
Photomath
User reviews
College Algebra
From 500 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👨🏫 Clear, well-structured video explanations
- 📚 Comprehensive algebra curriculum coverage
- ✅ Abundant practice problems with solutions
- 🎯 Step-by-step problem walkthroughs
- 💪 Effective for learners of all ages and backgrounds
Room to improve
- 💰 Paywall after limited free lessons ($9.99/month)
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and app freezing
- 🐛 App stops working intermittently
- ⚠️ Misleading 'free' model with required subscription
- 🔔 Intrusive payment prompts during use
Photomath
From 733K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Helpful for homework and understanding concepts
- 👍 Provides step-by-step solutions and explanations
- 🤖 Accurate and reliable for solving equations
- 💡 Useful for checking work and learning from mistakes
Room to improve
- 💰 Paywall for accessing step-by-step explanations
- 🔒 Concerns about using the app to cheat
- 🐛 Camera focusing issues and inability to solve certain problem types
- 💸 Expensive monthly subscription fee
Bugs and requests
College Algebra
Reported bugs
8 issues- App crashes and stops working
- Constant loading issues requiring restart
- Payment popup appears even after purchase
- Restore purchase function resets user progress
- Keyboard blocks rating popup during answer entry
Show 3 moreShow fewer
- Incompatible with iOS 11 and older versions
- Occasional errors in practice problems and tests
- Problems skip steps or switch variables mid-solution
Requested features
10 requests- PreCalculus and Calculus course content
- Trigonometry course
- Different solution notation formats (set notation, interval notation)
- More complex college algebra problem types
- Embedded links for additional help
Show 5 moreShow fewer
- More absolute value inequality problem types
- Midpoint and distance formulas
- Function transformation lessons (vertical stretching/shrinking)
- English language course
- Improved font selection
Photomath
Reported bugs
2 issues- Incorrect answers or solutions provided for some problems
- Compatibility issues with newer devices or operating systems
Requested features
3 requests- Support for word problems and more advanced math concepts
- Option to use front-facing camera for scanning
- Cheaper or one-time payment model instead of subscription
In-app purchases
College Algebra
- College Algebra3 Days trial$9.991 Month
Photomath
- Photomath Plus7 Days trial$5.991 Month
- Photomath Plus7 Days trial$7.991 Month
- Photomath Plus7 Days trial5 variants$9.991 Month
Show 6 moreShow fewer
- Photomath Plus2 variants$9.991 Month
- Photomath Plus14 Days trial$9.991 Month
- Photomath Plus7 Days trial$29.991 Year
- Photomath Plus7 Days trial$39.991 Year
- Photomath Plus7 Days trial$49.996 Months
- Photomath Plus7 Days trial$69.991 Year
Questions
Is College Algebra free?
Is Photomath free?
Which has better reviews, College Algebra or Photomath?
Do College Algebra or Photomath have ads?
Which is updated more often, College Algebra or Photomath?
Other comparisons















