# WolframAlpha vs phyphox

The clearest difference is review sentiment: phyphox at 79% against WolframAlpha's 35%. phyphox also leads on rating (4.6 vs 2.8) and in-app purchases (none vs 6). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. WolframAlpha sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. phyphox asks for nothing beyond the download.

phyphox holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 2.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 129 and 276 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 35% of WolframAlpha's written reviews are positive against 79% of phyphox's.

WolframAlpha ships an update every 2 months, phyphox every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 4, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | WolframAlpha | phyphox |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.8 (129 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wolframalpha/id548861535/reviews) | **[4.6 (276 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phyphox/id1127319693/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 129 | **276** |
| Positive reviews | 35.2% of reviews | **78.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 366 MB | 19 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Wolfram Group LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/715130979) | [RWTH Aachen University](https://appshunter.io/developer/371466796) |

## What reviewers say

### WolframAlpha

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wolframalpha/id548861535)

This app serves as a powerful computational knowledge engine for homework and research. It offers comprehensive support across numerous academic subjects, from math and physics to biology and economics. Unlock advanced features like step-by-step solutions and photo input for a more in-depth learning experience.

**Highlights:** Step-by-step solutions with hints, Photo input for math problems, Input Assistants for various subjects, Thousands of covered domains, Homework and exam preparation

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Pro for Students Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Pro for Educators Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Pro Yearly | $59.99 | per year |
| Pro for Students Yearly | $59.99 | per year |
| Pro for Educators Yearly | $59.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Powerful search engine
- 📚 Comprehensive information
- 🔍 Helpful for math and other subjects
- ⭐ Essential app for students and professionals

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy and crashes frequently
- 💰 Expensive subscription model
- 📵 Limited functionality in free version
- 🤔 Confusing and unintuitive to use

**Reported bugs**

- Login screen freezes
- Incompatible with older devices
- Search bar issues and crashes
- Incorrect or incomplete results

**Requested features**

- Dark mode option
- Improved handwritten math recognition
- Better integration with Siri
- More customization options


### phyphox

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phyphox/id1127319693)

Unlock your phone's sensors for scientific exploration. Conduct pre-built experiments or create your own using accelerometers, magnetometers, and more. Analyze and export data in various formats for further study.

**Highlights:** Pre-defined experiments, Data export (CSV, TSV, Excel), Web-based remote control, Custom experiment editor, Access to phone sensors, Advanced analysis functions

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 💡 Access to phone sensors
- 🔬 Useful for physics experiments
- 📊 Data logging and export
- 🆓 Free and no ads
- 🤔 Sparks curiosity

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Bugs and crashes
- 📉 Inconsistent performance
- 🔒 App locks/minimizes recording
- ❓ Units not always clear
- ⚠️ Potential for device damage

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on older devices
- Barometer not working on iOS 17.4
- Network error: Generic error
- Sound measurement curve disappears
- App crashes frequently

**Requested features**

- Add infrasound detector
- More units of measurement (G-force, PSI, feet)
- NFC/RFID support
- In-app bug report feature
- Allow other sensors via USB-C


## Frequently asked questions

### Is WolframAlpha free?

WolframAlpha is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is phyphox free?

phyphox is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, WolframAlpha or phyphox?

phyphox is rated higher. WolframAlpha averages 2.8 out of 5 from 129 ratings, while phyphox averages 4.6 from 276 ratings.

### Do WolframAlpha or phyphox have ads?

Neither WolframAlpha nor phyphox shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, WolframAlpha or phyphox?

WolframAlpha ships an update every 2 months, and phyphox every 3 months. Most recently, WolframAlpha was updated on October 4, 2026 and phyphox on October 7, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*