Comparison

Mathway vs SymCalc

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

SymCalc

This app serves as a powerful math toolbox for students, teachers, and engineers. It handles everything from basic arithmetic to advanced university-level math with an exceptional algebra engine. Enjoy the benefits of a scientific calculator combined with a modern mobile interface, offering exact arithmetic and comprehensive tools for algebra, calculus, and linear algebra.

Highlights
  • Exact arithmetic
  • Variable and function storage
  • Algebraic operations
  • Calculus functions
  • Linear algebra tools
  • Equation solvers
  • Graphing
  • Session management
Features
Read full description

Solve equations, simplify algebra, take derivatives and integrals, work with matrices, and visualize results in 2D and 3D from one app. Whether you need an exact symbolic answer, a decimal approximation, or a graph, SymCalc keeps the full workflow in one place. Store your work in reusable sessions, assign variables, define your own functions, and come back to your calculations later. - Solve single equations and systems with exact or numerical results - Simplify, factor, expand, substitute, and find roots, limits, sums, products, and Taylor series - Handle calculus tasks including derivatives, indefinite and definite integrals, and differential equations - Work with matrices and vectors: determinants, inverses, rank, RREF, eigenvalues, eigenvectors, dot products, and cross products - Graph standard functions, implicit equations and inequalities, polar curves, parametric plots, and 3D surfaces - Use logarithmic axes, inspect intersections, and adjust extra variables with sliders - Compute with complex numbers and common scientific functions - Save worksheets, keep multiple sessions, create custom functions, and export your work as PDF or SymCalc files - Learn faster with built-in function help and examples inside the app - Built for students, engineers, scientists, and anyone who needs more than a basic scientific calculator. This free version of SymCalc provides basic symbolic arithmetic features for free. A paid subscription unlocks the more advanced tools and online sharing capabilities. - Length of subscription is 1 year. - 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, and identify the cost of the renewal – 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://voxeloid.com/symcalctos.html Privacy Policy: https://voxeloid.com/privacy.txt

Screenshots

Mathway4 screens
SymCalc4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: SymCalc at none against Mathway's shown. SymCalc also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). Mathway's advantage is rating (4.9 vs 4.5) and ratings volume (425K vs 168). On price, review sentiment, update cadence 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. Mathway sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and SymCalc sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $3.99 per year. 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 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Mathway has 425K ratings behind it against 168, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 51% of Mathway's written reviews are positive against 57% of SymCalc'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, SymCalc every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Mathway versus SymCalc: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMathwaySymCalc
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (425K ratings) — better4.5 (168 ratings)
Positive reviews50.6% of reviews57.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings425K — better168
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeks — betterEvery 5 weeks
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
Best chart rank#114 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size82 MB46 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperChegg, Inc.Voxeloid Kft.

Customer experience

Mathway

All ratings424,600 ratings
Positive97.4%
Neutral0.8%
Negative1.7%
Written reviews540 reviews
Positive50.6%
Neutral5.6%
Negative43.9%

SymCalc

All ratings168 ratings
Positive88.7%
Neutral3.0%
Negative8.3%
Written reviews28 reviews
Positive57.1%
Neutral10.7%
Negative32.1%

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

SymCalc

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

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
1 purchases

SymCalc

Subscriptions1
  • Premium features$3.991 Year

Questions

Is Mathway free?
Mathway is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SymCalc free?
SymCalc is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Mathway or SymCalc?
Mathway is rated higher. Mathway averages 4.9 out of 5 from 425K ratings, while SymCalc averages 4.5 from 168 ratings.
Do Mathway or SymCalc have ads?
Mathway shows ads; SymCalc does not.
Which is updated more often, Mathway or SymCalc?
Mathway ships an update every 4 weeks, and SymCalc every 5 weeks. Most recently, Mathway was updated on September 25, 2026 and SymCalc on September 21, 2026.

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