Comparison

MathMode vs Explanova

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

Head to head
About

MathMode

Features
Read full description

SAT Math practice, stripped to what matters. No ads. No distractions. No Wi-Fi required. Built for students who want a calm, focused way to improve their SAT Math score. Practice with carefully selected questions that target common traps, hidden shortcuts, and high-value concepts. Daily Practice adapts to your performance with 10 focused questions. Topic Practice lets you strengthen weak areas. Mock Exams simulate the adaptive structure of the real SAT, adjusting the second module based on your first. Review accuracy by topic, difficulty, and test history to understand your progress at a glance. Quiet, efficient, and designed for serious improvement.

About

Explanova

This app provides step-by-step solutions to homework problems across STEM subjects. It features an avatar tutor who explains each micro-step on an interactive whiteboard, offering support in multiple languages. Designed for students and lifelong learners, it aims to foster understanding rather than just providing answers.

Highlights
  • Photo-based problem submission
  • Step-by-step whiteboard explanations
  • Avatar tutor with voice guidance
  • Multi-language support
  • Personalized learning paths
  • Parent dashboard
  • Ad-free learning environment
Features
Read full description

The Tutor That Never Skips a Step. Snap a photo of any homework problem and watch it get solved the way a great teacher would: every micro-step written out on a whiteboard, nothing hidden, nothing skipped. Explanova is the family S.T.E.M. tutoring app for K-12 through college: math, science, engineering, and computer science. Most homework apps hand you an answer. Explanova teaches. MEET COACH NOVA Your live avatar tutor explains each solution out loud on an interactive whiteboard, complete with diagrams that make concepts click. Always patient, always available, and she never skips a step. ASK ANY WAY YOU WANT • Snap a photo of a worksheet or textbook page, even multi-problem pages • Ask by voice • Type it in Explanova reads the problem and gets straight to work. EVERY MICRO-STEP SHOWN No hidden math. No "and then a miracle happens." Every arithmetic move, substitution, and unit conversion is written out so learners understand the how, not just the answer. A VOICE TUTOR IN 4 LANGUAGES Quintara, the voice tutor, guides learners in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Hindi. KEEP LEARNING BEYOND THE PROBLEM A personal learning path plus curated, kid-safe YouTube recommendations turn one homework question into real understanding. BUILT FOR FAMILIES • Child profiles use first name and grade only, no unnecessary personal data • PIN-protected profiles give every learner their own space • Parent dashboard shows every problem solved and every topic explored • No ads, no chat, no social features: a learning-only environment SUBJECTS COVERED Elementary math through calculus, linear algebra, and statistics. Biology, chemistry, and physics through quantum. Circuit analysis, statics, and engineering fundamentals. Python, Java, MATLAB, and AP Computer Science prep. WHO IT'S FOR Students from kindergarten through college, parents who want homework time without the battle, and lifelong learners brushing up on skills. 24/7, whenever the question comes up. An Explanova account is required to sign in. Questions? We'd love to hear from you: support@explanova.ai Homework help that shows its work. Every problem. Every step. Privacy Policy: https://explanova.ai/privacy Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

MathMode4 screens
Explanova4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: MathMode at none against Explanova's 4. MathMode also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). Explanova's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs weekly). On price, ads and device support 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. Explanova sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $99.99 per month. MathMode asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MathMode ships an update weekly, Explanova every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
MathMode versus Explanova: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMathModeExplanova
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings1 — better
Update frequencyWeeklyEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size21 MB41 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSHUNTA NAMBAExplanova LLC

In-app purchases

None

MathMode

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

Explanova

Subscriptions4
  • Explorer$99.991 Month
  • Crew$199.991 Month
  • Academy$399.991 Month
Show 1 more
  • Explorer$899.991 Year

Questions

Is MathMode free?
MathMode is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Explanova free?
Explanova is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do MathMode or Explanova have ads?
Neither MathMode nor Explanova shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MathMode or Explanova?
MathMode ships an update weekly, and Explanova every 3 days. Most recently, MathMode was updated on September 18, 2026 and Explanova on September 17, 2026.

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