Comparison

Mathway vs PhotoMath Solver AI

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

PhotoMath Solver AI

Instantly solve and learn any math problem by taking a photo. Get step-by-step solutions and clear explanations for algebra, calculus, and more. This AI-powered tutor helps students of all levels understand math concepts better and faster.

Highlights
  • Photo math problem solver
  • Step-by-step AI explanations
  • Handles typed and handwritten problems
  • Supports all math levels
  • History for saved problems
  • Export solutions as PDF
  • Graph plotting
Features
Read full description

MathBox – Your AI Math Tutor for Students MathBox is a personal AI tutor that helps you understand math, not just memorize it. Take a photo of any math problem—typed or handwritten—and get a clear, step-by-step walkthrough with explanations designed to teach you the method. Whether you're learning algebra, calculus, or basic arithmetic, MathBox guides you through each topic so you build real understanding. Built for students of all levels, MathBox turns your phone into a 24/7 learning companion. Use it to review classwork, prepare for exams, study new topics, or finally make sense of that one subject you've struggled with. Why Students Learn with MathBox: * Photo a math problem and walk through it step by step * Detailed explanations written by advanced math AI tutors * Works with typed or handwritten problems * Supports all levels: elementary, middle school, high school, and college * Save and review past lessons in your History * Export walkthroughs as PDF for study notes Topics Covered: * Basic Math: Arithmetic, fractions, decimals, factors, powers, roots * Algebra: Linear & quadratic equations, inequalities, systems, graphs * Geometry: Angles, shapes, theorems, coordinate geometry * Calculus: Limits, derivatives, integrals * And many more... Extra Features: * Works with camera and photo library * Graph plotting and visual explanations * Clean interface for distraction-free learning Premium Upgrade: Upgrade to MathBox Premium for full step-by-step lessons, detailed explanations, and an ad-free learning experience. Subscription Options: * Weekly or monthly plans * Cancel anytime in your Apple account settings MathBox is the smarter way to learn math. Understand better. Study with confidence. Privacy Policy: https://boxmath.co/privacy_policy.html Terms and Conditions: https://boxmath.co/terms_and_conditions.html

Screenshots

Mathway4 screens
PhotoMath Solver AI4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Mathway at 4.9 against PhotoMath Solver AI's 4.4. Mathway also leads on ratings volume (425K vs 13K) and chart position (#107 vs unranked). PhotoMath Solver AI's advantage is ads (none vs shown). 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 PhotoMath Solver AI sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $4.49 per 7 days. 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 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Mathway has 425K ratings behind it against 13K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 51% of Mathway's written reviews are positive against 55% of PhotoMath Solver AI'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, PhotoMath Solver AI every 6 weeks. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Mathway versus PhotoMath Solver AI: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMathwayPhotoMath Solver AI
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (425K ratings) — better4.4 (13K ratings)
Positive reviews50.6% of reviews54.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings425K — better13K
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeks — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
Best chart rank#107 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS17.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size82 MB46 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperChegg, Inc.RLAM FZCO

Customer experience

Mathway

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

PhotoMath Solver AI

All ratings13,321 ratings
Positive84.5%
Neutral3.7%
Negative11.8%
Written reviews294 reviews
Positive54.8%
Neutral3.4%
Negative41.8%

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

PhotoMath Solver AI

From 13K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Helpful for solving math problems
  • 🚀 Provides step-by-step solutions
  • 💡 Useful for online/self-learning students

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Inconsistent accuracy in solutions
  • 💰 Expensive subscription model
  • 🔒 Issues with restoring purchases and accessing content

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

PhotoMath Solver AI

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Camera issues leading to poor image quality
  • Repeated prompts to leave a review
  • Subscription issues and inability to cancel

Requested features

3 requests
  • Show step-by-step work instead of just the answer
  • Support for more advanced math concepts like calculus
  • Ability to input text-based word problems

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
11 purchases

PhotoMath Solver AI

Subscriptions10
  • Math Scanner Algera Solver$4.497 Days
  • Math Homework Solver 1 week$4.997 Days
  • Math Solver App 1 week$5.997 Days
Show 7 more
  • Math Physics Science AI Solver$5.997 Days
  • Math Homework Solver Discount$6.997 Days
  • Math Homework Solver 1W7 Days trial$9.997 Days
  • Math Homework Solver 3 months$14.993 Months
  • Math Homework Solution 1 month1 Month trial$17.991 Month
  • Math AI Help 1 Year - Discount$29.991 Year
  • Math Homework Solution 1 year$69.991 Year
One-time1
  • Math Homework Solver Unlimited$39.99

Questions

Is Mathway free?
Mathway is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PhotoMath Solver AI free?
PhotoMath Solver AI is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Mathway or PhotoMath Solver AI?
Mathway is rated higher. Mathway averages 4.9 out of 5 from 425K ratings, while PhotoMath Solver AI averages 4.4 from 13K ratings.
Do Mathway or PhotoMath Solver AI have ads?
Mathway shows ads; PhotoMath Solver AI does not.
Which is updated more often, Mathway or PhotoMath Solver AI?
Mathway ships an update every 4 weeks, and PhotoMath Solver AI every 6 weeks. Most recently, Mathway was updated on September 24, 2026 and PhotoMath Solver AI on September 24, 2026.

Other comparisons