# WolframAlpha vs Desmos Graphing Calculator

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Desmos Graphing Calculator at 81% against WolframAlpha's 35%. Desmos Graphing Calculator also leads on rating (4.3 vs 2.8) and in-app purchases (none vs 6). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

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

Desmos Graphing Calculator holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 2.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Desmos Graphing Calculator has 1.3K ratings behind it against 129, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 35% of WolframAlpha's written reviews are positive against 81% of Desmos Graphing Calculator's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | WolframAlpha | Desmos Graphing Calculator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.8 (129 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wolframalpha/id548861535/reviews) | **[4.3 (1.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/desmos-graphing-calculator/id653517540/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 129 | **1.3K** |
| Positive reviews | 35.2% of reviews | **80.8% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | — | **#142** |
| Size | 366 MB | 18 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **16.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Wolfram Group LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/715130979) | [Desmos](https://appshunter.io/developer/653517543) |

## 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


### Desmos Graphing Calculator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/desmos-graphing-calculator/id653517540)

**Currently charting:** #142 Top Free · Education (US App Store)

Explore mathematical concepts by graphing any equation, from simple lines to complex series. This powerful tool allows for interactive exploration with sliders, data tables, and animations. It also includes a scientific calculator and supports inequalities and accessibility features.

**Highlights:** Graph any equation (polar, cartesian, parametric), Interactive sliders for function transformations, Input and plot data with tables, Animate graphs, Scientific calculator functionality, Plot inequalities, Accessibility features

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Insane tool for FREE!
- 🚀 Best mobile graphing app
- 👍 Awesome for algebra and calculus
- 👍 Genuinely an awesome resource
- 👍 Makes math easier

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes and bugs
- 🐛 Glitches with certain features
- 🐛 Loses saved data
- 🐛 Keyboard issues
- 🐛 Zooming and panning problems

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes when using certain functions
- Graphs not displaying properly
- Login issues
- Compatibility problems with older devices

**Requested features**

- Dark mode
- Copy and paste functionality
- Ability to save and load graphs
- Improved handling of complex numbers and polar equations
- More customization options


## Frequently asked questions

### Is WolframAlpha free?

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

### Is Desmos Graphing Calculator free?

Desmos Graphing Calculator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, WolframAlpha or Desmos Graphing Calculator?

Desmos Graphing Calculator is rated higher. WolframAlpha averages 2.8 out of 5 from 129 ratings, while Desmos Graphing Calculator averages 4.3 from 1.3K ratings.

### Do WolframAlpha or Desmos Graphing Calculator have ads?

Neither WolframAlpha nor Desmos Graphing Calculator shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, WolframAlpha or Desmos Graphing Calculator?

WolframAlpha ships an update every 2 months, and Desmos Graphing Calculator every 2 months. Most recently, WolframAlpha was updated on October 16, 2026 and Desmos Graphing Calculator on October 15, 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.*