# WolframAlpha vs Symbolab

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.

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.

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.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | WolframAlpha | Symbolab |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.8 (129 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wolframalpha/id548861535/reviews) | **[4.6 (26K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/symbolab-ai-math-solver-app/id876942533/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 129 | **26K** |
| Positive reviews | 35.2% of reviews | **59.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 366 MB | 60 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 9+ | +4 |
| Developer | [Wolfram Group LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/715130979) | [Symbolab](https://appshunter.io/developer/876942536) |

## 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


### Symbolab

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/symbolab-ai-math-solver-app/id876942533)

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

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Universal Weekly Subscription | $2.49 | per 7 days |
| Universal Monthly Subscription | $7.99 | per month |
| Universal Monthly Subscription | $9.99 | per month |
| Universal ½-Year Subscription | $24.99 | per 6 months |
| Universal ½-Year Subscription | $32.99 | per 6 months |
| Universal Yearly Subscription | $34.99 | per year |
| Universal Yearly Subscription | $39.99 | per year |
| All features with no ads | $7.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

- Login issues
- Calculation errors
- Frequent crashes
- Connectivity problems

**Requested features**

- 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


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