Comparison

Mathway vs Algebrator

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

Algebrator

Solve algebra problems by taking a photo or manually entering them. Get detailed, step-by-step solutions with explanations to understand how each problem is solved. Supports a wide range of math topics and graphing.

Highlights
  • Photo math problem solver
  • Step-by-step solutions
  • Detailed explanations
  • Graphing calculator
  • Solve equations and inequalities
  • Simplify expressions and factor polynomials
Features
Read full description

Take a math problem photo and Algebrator will do the rest! The Algebrator Camera Calculator has been helping high-school and college students conquer math for more than three decades. Learn how to solve math problems by seeing them worked out step-by-step. Algebrator lets you either manually enter or scan any problem from your math or algebra textbook and gives you all steps to the solution, as well as explanations for each step. You’ll not only see the answer, you’ll understand how it got there. This easy-to-use calculator app solves math problems just like your teacher would! The explanations will tell you not only which algebra rule is being used, but how it is applied in your particular math problem. Whether you need help with math homework or want to better understand algebra, Algebrator will show you how it’s done. Here are some of the things Algebrator will do for you: STEP-BY-STEP MATH CALCULATOR - Show step-by-step solutions to any algebra problem you enter. - Modify the details of the solution process you see, as well as the way in which a problem is solved. - Gain an understanding of how each problem is solved. ALGEBRA CALCULATOR - Solve a variety of math equations and inequalities (linear, non-linear, quadratic, rational, radical and absolute value), as well as systems of equations or inequalities. - Simplify any algebraic expression and factor polynomials using a variety of methods. - Find the Greatest Common Factor (GCF) and the Least Common Measure (LCM) of multiple expressions. SOLVE ARITHMETIC AND ALGEBRA PROBLEMS - Integers and decimal numbers. - Fractions. - Roots. - Powers. - Exponents. GRAPHING CALCULATOR APP - Graph equations, inequalities, functions (including logarithmic, exponential and trigonometric) as well as conic sections (parabolas, circles, ellipses and hyperbolas). - Perform common operations on matrices and calculate determinants. If you need help with math, then Algebrator is the right way to go. Softmath has provided math and algebra help to high school and college students since 1990. Download Algebrator today and see why students and teachers trust Softmath! Terms of Use: https://softmath.com/termsofuse/ Privacy Policy: https://softmath.com/privacy/

Screenshots

Mathway4 screens
Algebrator4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Mathway at 4.9 against Algebrator's 2.9. Mathway also leads on ratings volume (425K vs 48) and chart position (#122 vs unranked). Algebrator's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (66% vs 51%). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support 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 Algebrator sells 3 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 2.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Mathway has 425K ratings behind it against 48, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 51% of Mathway's written reviews are positive against 66% of Algebrator'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, Algebrator every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and June 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Mathway versus Algebrator: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMathwayAlgebrator
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (425K ratings) — better2.9 (48 ratings)
Positive reviews50.6% of reviews65.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings425K — better48
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#122 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size82 MB28 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperChegg, Inc.Neven Jurkovic

Customer experience

Mathway

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

Algebrator

All ratings48 ratings
Positive43.8%
Neutral6.3%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews29 reviews
Positive65.5%
Neutral6.9%
Negative27.6%

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

Algebrator

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
3 purchases

Algebrator

Subscriptions3
  • Algebrator 1 month$9.991 Month
  • Algebrator 6 months$19.996 Months
  • Algebrator 1 year$29.991 Year

Questions

Is Mathway free?
Mathway is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Algebrator free?
Algebrator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Mathway or Algebrator?
Mathway is rated higher. Mathway averages 4.9 out of 5 from 425K ratings, while Algebrator averages 2.9 from 48 ratings.
Do Mathway or Algebrator have ads?
Mathway shows ads; Algebrator does not.
Which is updated more often, Mathway or Algebrator?
Mathway ships an update every 4 weeks, and Algebrator every 2 months. Most recently, Mathway was updated on September 26, 2026 and Algebrator on June 10, 2026.

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