Comparison

Mathway vs Socratic 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

Socratic AI

This AI-powered app helps students with homework across various subjects. Simply scan a problem, and receive step-by-step solutions and detailed explanations from multiple study resources.

Highlights
  • Photo math problem scanner
  • Step-by-step AI solutions
  • All-in-one learning resources
  • Support for multiple subjects
  • Instant answers
  • Algebra and word problem solver
Features
Read full description

Introducing Socratic - Scan Math Solver, the ultimate AI-powered homework helper app designed to assist students of all levels - Elementary, High School, and College! Say goodbye to tedious homework struggles and hello to fast, accurate solutions! Socratic - Scan Math Solver is an all-in-one AI app that goes beyond math, helping you tackle homework across all subjects. Our advanced scanner technology and innovative AI tutor make it easy for you to ask AI for help and get the answers you need in no time. Key Features: - Photo Math: Snap a picture of your math problem, and our smart scanner will detect it. Our AI solver will then provide you with a step-by-step solution. - All-in-One Learning Resources: Access step-by-step, detailed, and easy-to-understand explanations, combining resources from multiple top study websites in one place. Find everything you need, fully supported on our platform. - Algebra, Word Problems, and More: Whether it's algebra or a tricky word problem, Homework Scanner has got you covered. Our AI app can solve even the most complex equations and problems. - Ask AI: Stuck on a question? Simply snap it, and you'll receive detailed explanations and answers to help you understand the concept. - All Subjects: Homework Scanner goes beyond math, offering support for subjects like science, history, and literature, making it the ultimate homework helper for all students. - Instant Solutions: Save time and effort with our lightning-fast AI solver. Get accurate solutions in just seconds. - Using Socratic - Scan Math Solver is a breeze. Just snap a picture of your homework, and our AI app will do the rest. It's as simple as point, scan, and solve! Why choose Socratic - Scan Math Solver? - Comprehensive support for Elementary, High School, and College students - Get answers and resources from top study websites, all in one place. - Advanced AI tutor and scanner technology - Wide range of subjects covered - Fast and accurate solutions - User-friendly interface - Transform your homework experience with Socratic - Scan Math Solver, and never feel overwhelmed again. Download the ultimate homework helper app now, and make homework a breeze with our AI-powered solver! Socratic - Scan Math Solver Plus - Unlimited answers & solutions - Step-by-step explanations - More resources from top study websites - No ads or interruption Do you need any help or have any suggestions? Contact us at support@scanmath.com Terms of Use: https://scanmath.com/termsofservices Privacy Policy: https://scanmath.com/privacypolicy

Screenshots

Mathway4 screens
Socratic AI4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Mathway at 425K against Socratic AI's 5.8K. Mathway also leads on rating (4.9 vs 4.7) and review sentiment (51% vs 40%). Socratic AI's advantage is iOS requirement (13 vs 17.0). On price, update cadence, ads 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 Socratic AI sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 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 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Mathway has 425K ratings behind it against 5.8K, 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 40% of Socratic AI's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Mathway ships an update every 4 weeks, Socratic AI every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Mathway versus Socratic AI: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMathwaySocratic AI
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (425K ratings) — better4.7 (5.8K ratings)
Positive reviews50.6% of reviews — better40.1% of reviews
Number of ratings425K — better5.8K
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeksEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#107#54 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.013 — better
Further details — not scored
Size82 MB50 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperChegg, Inc.Chengdu BiFang AI Tech Co., Ltd.

Customer experience

Mathway

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

Socratic AI

All ratings5,843 ratings
Positive93.7%
Neutral1.9%
Negative4.4%
Written reviews137 reviews
Positive40.1%
Neutral4.4%
Negative55.5%

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

Socratic AI

From 5.8K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🗣️ The best thing since sliced cheese
  • 👍 Very user friendly
  • 💡 Couldn't complete school without it!
  • 🚀 Helped me pass my classes

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Gives wrong answers
  • 🐛 Doesn't read questions properly
  • 🔒 Requires subscription to fully use
  • 🐛 Switches between cameras constantly
  • 🐛 Frequently shows 'unknown error occurred'

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

Socratic AI

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Grey screen on launch
  • Can't cancel subscription
  • Inconsistent performance across question types

Requested features

3 requests
  • Allow free version without AI
  • Add feature to rotate camera
  • Improve explanation of solutions

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
8 purchases

Socratic AI

Subscriptions8
  • Scan Math Plus Weekly Discount3 Days trial2 variants$2.997 Days
  • Scan Math Plus Weekly Discount$2.997 Days
  • Scan Math Plus Weekly3 Days trial3 variants$5.997 Days
Show 5 more
  • Scan Math Plus Weekly7 Days trial$6.997 Days
  • Scan Math Plus Weekly Discount3 Days trial$6.997 Days
  • Scan Math Plus Monthly$9.991 Month
  • Scan Math Plus Weekly3 Days trial$9.997 Days
  • Scan Math Plus Monthly$16.991 Month

Questions

Is Mathway free?
Mathway is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Socratic AI free?
Socratic AI is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Mathway or Socratic AI?
Mathway is rated higher. Mathway averages 4.9 out of 5 from 425K ratings, while Socratic AI averages 4.7 from 5.8K ratings.
Do Mathway or Socratic AI have ads?
Both Mathway and Socratic AI show ads.
Which is updated more often, Mathway or Socratic AI?
Mathway ships an update every 4 weeks, and Socratic AI every 2 weeks. Most recently, Mathway was updated on September 24, 2026 and Socratic AI on September 22, 2026.
Which is more popular, Mathway or Socratic AI?
Mathway currently peaks at #107 in the App Store charts, and Socratic AI at #54. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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