Mathway vs Hands
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Math problem solver
- Homework scanner
- Step-by-step solutions
- Algebra solver
- Graphing calculator
- Calculus solver
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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
Hands
This app introduces algebra concepts for students who have completed Level 1. It teaches how to solve equations involving a white pawn representing an unknown value and its opposite. Engaging video lessons and interactive exercises enhance understanding and build confidence in solving algebraic problems.
- Solve equations with unknown values
- Learn about opposite values
- Interactive video introductions
- Practice with examples and exercises
- Visual representation of algebraic concepts
- Build confidence in algebra
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Hands-On Equations® Level 2 Continue the Fun Way to Learn Algebra! You've mastered the fundamentals. Now it's time for the next exciting step in your algebra journey! Hands-On Equations® Level 2 introduces an innovative new game piece—the white pawn, which represents the opposite of x. Using the white pawn together with the familiar blue pawn and numbered cubes, students learn elegant new strategies for solving increasingly sophisticated equations. Watch students confidently solve equations such as: 3x = –x + 4 and x – 3(–x) + 2 = 8 – 2x while enjoying the same highly visual, intuitive approach that has helped more than one million students better understand algebra. Discover More Advanced Algebra Naturally As students solve increasingly challenging equations, they intuitively apply important mathematical ideas, including: • Additive inverses • The additive property of zero • The addition property of equality As they solve these Level 2 equations, students discover how to add positive and negative numbers—without formal instruction. Rather than memorizing procedures, students develop a genuine understanding of why algebra works. Who Should Use Level 2? Hands-On Equations Level 2 is the natural continuation for students who have completed Level 1, including: • Gifted students in Grades 2 and above • Elementary students in Grades 4 and above • Middle school students • High school students who would benefit from a clearer, more visual approach to algebra • Adults who wish they had learned algebra this way the first time Experience Success. Build Confidence. As students experience continued success solving increasingly challenging equations, they develop greater confidence, deeper understanding, and an appreciation for the beauty and simplicity of algebra. If you enjoyed Hands-On Equations Level 1, you'll love discovering what you can accomplish in Level 2. For more information about Hands-On Equations, visit www.borenson.com. For app support, contact: info@borenson.com.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Mathway at Free against Hands's $7.99. Mathway also leads on update cadence (every 4 weeks vs every 5 months) and ratings volume (425K vs 77). Hands's advantage is review sentiment (87% vs 51%) and in-app purchases (none vs 12). On 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
Mathway is free to download; Hands costs $7.99 up front. Mathway sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Hands asks for nothing beyond the download.
Mathway holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Mathway has 425K ratings behind it against 77, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 51% of Mathway's written reviews are positive against 87% of Hands's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Mathway ships an update every 4 weeks, Hands every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Mathway | Hands |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $7.99 |
| Rating | 4.9 (425K ratings) — better | 4.6 (77 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 50.6% of reviews | 86.8% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 425K — better | 77 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 weeks — better | Every 5 months |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Paid |
| Best chart rank | #114 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 13 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 82 MB | 231 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Chegg, Inc. | Henry Borenson |
Customer experience
Mathway
Hands
User reviews
Mathway
From 425K App Store ratingsWhat 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
Hands
From 77 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Easy to understand algebra
- 💡 Visual and verbal explanations
- 👍 Great for visual learners
- 👍 Makes algebra click
- 👍 Fun and engaging for kids
Room to improve
- 🐛 Buggy completion streaks
- 🐛 Glitchy tutorials
- 🐛 Lesson 12 equations too hard
- 🐛 Lesson 9 won't accept correct answer
- 🐛 App crashes on iOS 9
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
Hands
Reported bugs
9 issues- Bug in number wheel slows completion streaks
- Tutorials have too much jargon
- Lesson 12 equations too hard
- Lesson 8 tutorials have too much jargon
- Lesson 9 glitch, won't accept correct answer
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- App not working for iOS 9, crashes when clicking 'value'
- Paid version has advertising
- Paid version doesn't work, crashes when entering value of x
- Volume does not work on the app, videos of little value
Requested features
4 requests- Make lessons harder
- Add more challenges
- Add video explanation after each problem
- More advanced concepts
In-app purchases
Mathway
- Steps (Monthly)3 variants$9.991 Month
- Steps (Monthly)3 Days trial$9.991 Month
- Steps (Monthly)7 Days trial2 variants$9.991 Month
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- 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
Hands
No in-app purchases









