Comparison

Mathway vs MathPapa

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

Head to head
About

Mathway

Solve math problems instantly by taking a photo or typing your question. Get step-by-step solutions for algebra, graphing, calculus, and more. Understand complex math concepts with unlimited access to answers.

Highlights
  • Math problem solver
  • Homework scanner
  • Step-by-step solutions
  • Algebra solver
  • Graphing calculator
  • Calculus solver
Features
Read full description

Mathway is the world’s smartest math calculator for algebra, graphing, calculus and more! Mathway gives you unlimited access to math solutions that can help you understand complex concepts. Simply point your camera and snap a photo or type your math homework question for step-by-step answers. If a premium subscription option is selected: • Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase • Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period • Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, at the same monthly or annual rate selected at the beginning of the subscription • Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase Terms of Use: https://www.mathway.com/terms Privacy Policy: https://www.mathway.com/privacy

About

MathPapa

This app provides step-by-step solutions to algebra problems, helping users understand how to solve equations and inequalities. It can also graph equations, factor expressions, and evaluate mathematical expressions.

Highlights
  • Step-by-step equation solving
  • Linear and quadratic equation solver
  • Linear and quadratic inequality solver
  • Equation graphing
  • Quadratic expression factoring
  • Order of operations
  • Expression evaluation
Features
Read full description

SOLVE your algebra problems step-by-step with MathPapa! MathPapa can solve your equations (and show the work!) and help you when you're stuck on your math homework. FEATURES: • Solves linear equations and quadratic equations. • Solves linear and quadratic inequalities. • Graphs equations. • Factors quadratic expressions. • Order of operations step-by-step. • Evaluates expressions. • Solves systems of two equations. STEP-BY-STEP SOLUTIONS: MathPapa's goal is to help you learn algebra step-by-step. Get help on your algebra problems with the MathPapa Algebra Calculator! HOW TO USE THE CALCULATOR: Just type your problem into the text box. For example, enter 3x+5=17 into the text box to get a step-by-step explanation of how to solve 3x+5=17. MATH SYMBOLS: Here are some symbols that the calculator understands: + (Addition) - (Subtraction) * (Multiplication) / (Division) ^ (Exponent: "raised to the power") √ (Square Root) |x| (Absolute Value of x) MATHPAPA PREMIUM PRICING AND TERMS: For MathPapa Premium, there is a Monthly subscription for $9.99. This price is for U.S. customers. Pricing in other countries may vary. Subscriptions will be charged via your iTunes account at the end of the free trial. Subscriptions will automatically renew unless canceled in Account Settings at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Unused portion of Free Trial, if offered, is forfeited after purchase. For more information, read our Terms and Privacy Policy: Terms of Service: https://www.mathpapa.com/terms/ Privacy Policy: https://www.mathpapa.com/privacy/

Screenshots

Mathway4 screens
MathPapa4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: MathPapa at none against Mathway's shown. MathPapa also leads on review sentiment (78% vs 50%) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). Mathway's advantage is ratings volume (425K vs 17K) and rating (4.9 vs 4.7). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Mathway sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and MathPapa sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Mathway holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Mathway has 425K ratings behind it against 17K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 50% of Mathway's written reviews are positive against 78% of MathPapa's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Mathway ships an update every 4 weeks, MathPapa every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Mathway versus MathPapa: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMathwayMathPapa
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (425K ratings) — better4.7 (17K ratings)
Positive reviews50.5% of reviews77.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings425K — better17K
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeksEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
Best chart rank#129 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size82 MB5 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperChegg, Inc.MathPapa, Inc.

Customer experience

Mathway

All ratings424,600 ratings
Positive97.4%
Neutral0.8%
Negative1.7%
Written reviews541 reviews
Positive50.5%
Neutral5.5%
Negative44.0%

MathPapa

All ratings17,165 ratings
Positive93.4%
Neutral2.5%
Negative4.1%
Written reviews189 reviews
Positive77.8%
Neutral7.4%
Negative14.8%

User reviews

Mathway

From 425K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Reliable and accurate
  • 👍 Helpful for math homework and studying
  • 🚀 Fast and efficient
  • 👍 Explains step-by-step solutions
  • 👍 Supports wide range of math topics

Room to improve

  • 💰 Subscription required for full features
  • 🐛 Inconsistent performance, crashes
  • 🔍 Difficulty cropping/uploading photos
  • 🔍 Limited free features, paywall

MathPapa

From 17K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Solves any expression or equation
  • 👍 Provides step-by-step solutions
  • 👍 Graphs functions
  • 👍 Helpful for homework and understanding concepts
  • 🚀 Saves time on homework

Room to improve

  • 💰 Subscription required for step-by-step solutions
  • 💰 Expensive subscription at $10/month
  • 👎 Limited number of step-by-step solutions in free version
  • 👎 Subscription is not affordable for some students
  • 👎 Subscription model is disappointing compared to previous free version

Bugs and requests

Mathway

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Camera issues, unable to focus on problems
  • Subscription issues, unable to access paid features

Requested features

3 requests
  • Dark mode option
  • Ability to copy/paste equations
  • Improved free version with step-by-step solutions

MathPapa

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Doesn't always recognize certain input formats
  • Step-by-step solutions not always available even with subscription

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add history/log of past calculations
  • Support for more math functions like differentiation and integration
  • Ability to input expressions with exponents as expressions
  • Option to display answers in different formats (decimal, fraction, mixed number)
  • Ability to take a photo of a problem and have it solved

In-app purchases

8 purchases

Mathway

Subscriptions8
  • Steps (Monthly)3 variants$9.991 Month
  • Steps (Monthly)3 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Steps (Monthly)7 Days trial2 variants$9.991 Month
Show 5 more
  • Steps (Monthly)$19.991 Month
  • Steps (Annual)$39.991 Year
  • Steps (Annual)3 Days trial$39.991 Year
  • Steps (Annual)7 Days trial2 variants$39.991 Year
  • Steps (Annual)$79.991 Year
2 purchases

MathPapa

Subscriptions1
  • MathPapa Premium Monthly7 Days trial$9.991 Month
One-time1
  • MathPapa Pro Upgrade$49.99

Questions

Is Mathway free?
Mathway is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is MathPapa free?
MathPapa is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Mathway or MathPapa?
Mathway is rated higher. Mathway averages 4.9 out of 5 from 425K ratings, while MathPapa averages 4.7 from 17K ratings.
Do Mathway or MathPapa have ads?
Mathway shows ads; MathPapa does not.
Which is updated more often, Mathway or MathPapa?
Mathway ships an update every 4 weeks, and MathPapa every 3 weeks. Most recently, Mathway was updated on October 13, 2026 and MathPapa on October 11, 2026.

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