# Mathway vs Symbolab Graphing Calculator

The clearest difference is rating: Mathway at 4.9 against Symbolab Graphing Calculator's 4.0. Mathway also leads on ratings volume (425K vs 215) and update cadence (every 4 weeks vs every 4 months). Symbolab Graphing Calculator's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 12) and ads (none vs shown). On price, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Mathway sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Symbolab Graphing Calculator asks for nothing beyond the download.

Mathway holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Mathway has 425K ratings behind it against 215, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 51% of Mathway's written reviews are positive against 35% of Symbolab Graphing Calculator's.

Mathway ships an update every 4 weeks, Symbolab Graphing Calculator every 4 months. Both last shipped on September 25, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Mathway | Symbolab Graphing Calculator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (425K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mathway-math-problem-solver/id467329677/reviews)** | [4.0 (215 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/symbolab-graphing-calculator/id1435182798/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **425K** | 215 |
| Positive reviews | **50.6% of reviews** | 34.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 weeks** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#98** | — |
| Size | 82 MB | 46 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Chegg, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/385758166) | [Symbolab](https://appshunter.io/developer/876942536) |

## What reviewers say

### Mathway

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mathway-math-problem-solver/id467329677)

**Currently charting:** #98 Top Grossing · Education (US App Store)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Steps (Monthly) | $9.99 | per month |
| Steps (Monthly) | $9.99 | per month |
| Steps (Monthly) | $9.99 | per month |
| Steps (Monthly) | $19.99 | per month |
| Steps (Annual) | $39.99 | per year |
| Steps (Annual) | $39.99 | per year |
| Steps (Annual) | $39.99 | per year |
| Steps (Annual) | $79.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

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


### Symbolab Graphing Calculator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/symbolab-graphing-calculator/id1435182798)

This interactive calculator allows users to graph various mathematical functions, conics, and inequalities without charge. It provides instant insights into function properties like extreme points, intercepts, and asymptotes. For deeper analysis, it links to a solver that offers step-by-step evaluations, available via in-app purchase.

**Highlights:** Graph multiple functions, Show function properties, Identify extreme points, Identify intercepts, Identify asymptotes, Link to Symbolab Solver

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Useful for math problems
- 💡 Fascinating polynomial manipulation
- 🚀 Runs smoothly
- 👍 Easy and instinctive to use
- 💡 Can save problems to notebook

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Blank screen when scanning
- 🐛 Blank graph shown
- 🐛 App doesn't work
- 🐛 Terrible customer service
- 🐛 UI not updated

**Reported bugs**

- Blank graphic when scanning
- Blank screen after typing equation
- Blank graph shown
- Customer service unresponsive
- UI not compatible with device keyboard

**Requested features**

- Dark mode option
- Theta key or Greek keyboard
- Plot points and connect them on graph
- Add cube root function


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Mathway free?

Mathway is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Symbolab Graphing Calculator free?

Symbolab Graphing Calculator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Mathway or Symbolab Graphing Calculator?

Mathway is rated higher. Mathway averages 4.9 out of 5 from 425K ratings, while Symbolab Graphing Calculator averages 4.0 from 215 ratings.

### Do Mathway or Symbolab Graphing Calculator have ads?

Mathway shows ads; Symbolab Graphing Calculator does not.

### Which is updated more often, Mathway or Symbolab Graphing Calculator?

Mathway ships an update every 4 weeks, and Symbolab Graphing Calculator every 4 months. Most recently, Mathway was updated on September 25, 2026 and Symbolab Graphing Calculator on September 25, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*