Comparison

Mathway vs Hands

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

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

Mathway4 screens
Hands4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard10 real differences · 1 level
Mathway versus Hands: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMathwayHands
PriceFree — better$7.99
Rating4.9 (425K ratings) — better4.6 (77 ratings)
Positive reviews50.6% of reviews86.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings425K — better77
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeks — betterEvery 5 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
Best chart rank#114 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.013 — better
Further details — not scored
Size82 MB231 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperChegg, Inc.Henry Borenson

Customer experience

Mathway

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

Hands

All ratings77 ratings
Positive89.6%
Neutral2.6%
Negative7.8%
Written reviews53 reviews
Positive86.8%
Neutral3.8%
Negative9.4%

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

Hands

From 77 App Store ratings

What 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
Show 4 more
  • 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

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
None

Hands

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Mathway free?
Mathway is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Hands free?
Hands costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Mathway or Hands?
Mathway is rated higher. Mathway averages 4.9 out of 5 from 425K ratings, while Hands averages 4.6 from 77 ratings.
Do Mathway or Hands have ads?
Mathway shows ads; Hands does not.
Which is updated more often, Mathway or Hands?
Mathway ships an update every 4 weeks, and Hands every 5 months. Most recently, Mathway was updated on September 25, 2026 and Hands on September 22, 2026.

Other comparisons