Comparison

WolframAlpha vs Symbolab

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

WolframAlpha

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
Read full description

Get the WolframAlpha app, the ultimate tool for homework and research. Whether you're in high school or college, Wolfram|Alpha is the tool you need to stay ahead of the curve. You can prepare for exams; get help with homework; and learn, explore and test your skills. Famous for math and physics, Wolfram|Alpha is also a whiz at chemistry, biology, engineering, economics, astronomy, statistics and much more. Featuring: • Step-by-step solutions: With hints, intermediate steps and methods of solving • Photo input: You can now use your camera to input math problems • Input Assistants: Our most popular course, reference and professional assistants • Thousands of domains: The most extensive topic coverage available—with more continually added—to get you to answers faster Subscription Details: Become a Wolfram|Alpha Pro member to unlock step-by-step solutions, photo input, Input Assistants and more. Payment will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase. Your subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. Subscription fees are $9.99 per month or up to $59.99 per year depending on your plan. You can manage your Wolfram|Alpha Pro subscription by visiting the iTunes Account Settings after purchase. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when you purchase a Wolfram|Alpha Pro subscription. Privacy policy: https://www.wolfram.com/legal/privacy/wolfram Terms of use: https://www.wolframalpha.com/termsofuse

About

Symbolab

Solve any math problem by typing it in or taking a photo. Get step-by-step solutions for subjects from pre-algebra to calculus. This AI-powered tool offers personalized learning and insights for over 300 million users.

Highlights
  • Photo math solver
  • Step-by-step solutions
  • Calculus calculator
  • Graphing calculator
  • Trigonometry solver
  • AI-powered learning
Read full description

Math Made Easy with Symbolab! Type in or snap a picture of any math problem, including tricky word problems, and get easy-to-understand step-by-step solutions. From pre-algebra to calculus, trigonometry, and more. Let us help you solve any math problem with confidence & guide you along the way! Symbolab Problem Solver is composed of over five hundred of our most powerful calculators, including: •Calculus Calculator •Graphing Calculator •Fraction Calculator •Equation Calculator •Integral Calculator •Derivative Calculator •Limit Calculator •Inequality Calculator •Trigonometry Calculator •Matrix Calculator •Functions Calculator •Series Calculator •ODE Calculator •Laplace Transform Calculator Join Our Community of Learners: Symbolab is a powerful tool for learning math, with over 300 million users. Join and experience AI-powered, personalized assessments, insights and more. Our fully automated platform, driven by advanced machine learning algorithms, ensures a seamless and straightforward learning experience. Empower Your Learning Journey: Symbolab is much more than an app – it's an entire educational platform dedicated to empowering students just like you. Deepen your knowledge with our streamlined and user-friendly interface. With our streamlined and user-friendly interface, we provide free solutions with basic steps to any math problem you throw at us. Plus, for a subscription, you’ll gain access to more advanced steps and explanations. Symbolab is your go-to companion for problem-solving and learning. Download now and embark on a journey to excel in math! Terms of Use: https://www.symbolab.com/public/terms.pdf Privacy Policy: https://www.symbolab.com/public/privacy.pdf

Screenshots

WolframAlpha4 screens
Symbolab4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Symbolab at 4.6 against WolframAlpha's 2.8. Symbolab also leads on ratings volume (26K vs 129) and review sentiment (59% vs 35%). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

Both are free to download. WolframAlpha sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and Symbolab sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $2.49 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Symbolab holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 2.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Symbolab has 26K 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 59% of Symbolab's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

WolframAlpha ships an update every 2 months, Symbolab monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
WolframAlpha versus Symbolab: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWolframAlphaSymbolab
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.8 (129 ratings)4.6 (26K ratings) — better
Positive reviews35.2% of reviews59.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings12926K — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size366 MB60 MB
Age rating9++4
DeveloperWolfram Group LLCSymbolab

Customer experience

WolframAlpha

All ratings129 ratings
Positive41.1%
Neutral7.0%
Negative51.9%
Written reviews233 reviews
Positive35.2%
Neutral9.4%
Negative55.4%

Symbolab

All ratings26,201 ratings
Positive89.4%
Neutral2.3%
Negative8.3%
Written reviews307 reviews
Positive59.0%
Neutral5.2%
Negative35.8%

User reviews

WolframAlpha

From 129 App Store ratings

What we love

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

Room to improve

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

Symbolab

From 26K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast and efficient
  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 💡 Helpful step-by-step solutions
  • 🚀 Accurate calculations
  • 👍 Saves time on homework and studying

Room to improve

  • 💰 Subscription required for full functionality
  • 🐛 Camera feature issues
  • 🐛 Inconsistent performance after updates
  • 💰 Expensive subscription fees
  • 🔒 Difficulty canceling subscription

Bugs and requests

WolframAlpha

Reported bugs

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

Requested features

4 requests
  • Dark mode option
  • Improved handwritten math recognition
  • Better integration with Siri
  • More customization options

Symbolab

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Login issues
  • Calculation errors
  • Frequent crashes
  • Connectivity problems

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add more math topics and problem types
  • Improve keyboard and input functionality
  • Provide more free features without subscription
  • Optimize app for larger screens (iPad)
  • Add ability to save and review past calculations

In-app purchases

6 purchases

WolframAlpha

Subscriptions6
  • Pro Monthly$9.991 Month
  • Pro for Students Monthly$9.991 Month
  • Pro for Educators Monthly$9.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • Pro Yearly$59.991 Year
  • Pro for Students Yearly$59.991 Year
  • Pro for Educators Yearly$59.991 Year
8 purchases

Symbolab

Subscriptions7
  • Universal Weekly Subscription$2.497 Days
  • Universal Monthly Subscription$7.991 Month
  • Universal Monthly Subscription$9.991 Month
Show 4 more
  • Universal ½-Year Subscription$24.996 Months
  • Universal ½-Year Subscription$32.996 Months
  • Universal Yearly Subscription7 Days trial$34.991 Year
  • Universal Yearly Subscription7 Days trial$39.991 Year
One-time1
  • All features with no ads$7.99

Questions

Is WolframAlpha free?
WolframAlpha is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Symbolab free?
Symbolab is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, WolframAlpha or Symbolab?
Symbolab is rated higher. WolframAlpha averages 2.8 out of 5 from 129 ratings, while Symbolab averages 4.6 from 26K ratings.
Do WolframAlpha or Symbolab have ads?
Neither WolframAlpha nor Symbolab shows ads.
Which is updated more often, WolframAlpha or Symbolab?
WolframAlpha ships an update every 2 months, and Symbolab monthly. Most recently, WolframAlpha was updated on September 21, 2026 and Symbolab on September 25, 2026.

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