# WolframAlpha vs PhoMath

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: PhoMath at none against WolframAlpha's 6. PhoMath also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 2 months). WolframAlpha's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

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

WolframAlpha ships an update every 2 months, PhoMath monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | WolframAlpha | PhoMath |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[2.8 (129 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wolframalpha/id548861535/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **129** | — |
| Positive reviews | 35.2% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 366 MB | 26 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **17.2** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Wolfram Group LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/715130979) | [Nguyen Thi Lien](https://appshunter.io/developer/1778161058) |

## 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


### PhoMath

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phomath-ai-resolve/id6737819952)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is WolframAlpha free?

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

### Is PhoMath free?

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

### Do WolframAlpha or PhoMath have ads?

PhoMath shows ads; WolframAlpha does not.

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

WolframAlpha ships an update every 2 months, and PhoMath monthly. Most recently, WolframAlpha was updated on September 25, 2026 and PhoMath on September 23, 2026.

---

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