Comparison

College Algebra vs Photomath

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Video instruction
  • Guided practice problems
  • Tests and quizzes
  • Progress tracking
  • Chapter reviews
  • Final exam
Features
Read 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

About

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.

Highlights
  • Scan math problems
  • Step-by-step explanations
  • Word problem solver
  • Interactive graphs
  • Multiple solution methods
  • Scientific calculator
Read 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

College Algebra4 screens
Photomath4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

College Algebra ships an update every 7 months, Photomath monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
College Algebra versus Photomath: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCollege AlgebraPhotomath
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (500 ratings)4.8 (733K ratings)
Positive reviews81.7% of reviews — better51.1% of reviews
Number of ratings500733K — better
Update frequencyEvery 7 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank—#36 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better14.0
Further details — not scored
Size15 MB30 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperYourTeacher.comGoogle

Customer experience

College Algebra

All ratings500 ratings
Positive94.8%
Neutral2.0%
Negative3.2%
Written reviews60 reviews
Positive81.7%
Neutral6.7%
Negative11.7%

Photomath

All ratings732,942 ratings
Positive95.3%
Neutral2.0%
Negative2.7%
Written reviews1,186 reviews
Positive51.1%
Neutral6.9%
Negative42.0%

User reviews

College Algebra

From 500 App Store ratings

What 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 ratings

What 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 more
  • 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 more
  • 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

1 purchases

College Algebra

Subscriptions1
  • College Algebra3 Days trial$9.991 Month
9 purchases

Photomath

Subscriptions9
  • Photomath Plus7 Days trial$5.991 Month
  • Photomath Plus7 Days trial$7.991 Month
  • Photomath Plus7 Days trial5 variants$9.991 Month
Show 6 more
  • 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?
College Algebra is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Photomath free?
Photomath is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, College Algebra or Photomath?
College Algebra and Photomath are both rated 4.8 out of 5 on the App Store, from 500 and 733K ratings respectively.
Do College Algebra or Photomath have ads?
Neither College Algebra nor Photomath shows ads.
Which is updated more often, College Algebra or Photomath?
College Algebra ships an update every 7 months, and Photomath monthly. Most recently, College Algebra was updated on September 20, 2026 and Photomath on September 24, 2026.

Other comparisons