# Symbolab vs Math Scaner

The clearest difference is ads: Symbolab at none against Math Scaner's shown. Symbolab also leads on ratings volume (26K vs 373). Math Scaner's advantage is review sentiment (82% vs 59%) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.0). On price, rating, update cadence and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Symbolab sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $2.49 per 7 days and Math Scaner sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Symbolab holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Symbolab has 26K ratings behind it against 373, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 59% of Symbolab's written reviews are positive against 82% of Math Scaner's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Symbolab ships an update monthly, Math Scaner every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Symbolab | Math Scaner |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (26K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/symbolab-ai-math-solver-app/id876942533/reviews)** | [4.4 (373 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/math-scaner-ai-math-solver/id1543399298/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **26K** | 373 |
| Positive reviews | 59.0% of reviews | **81.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 60 MB | 12 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **11.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | +4 | 4+ |
| Developer | [Symbolab](https://appshunter.io/developer/876942536) | [国辉 满](https://appshunter.io/developer/1513279085) |

## What reviewers say

### 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


### Math Scaner

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/math-scaner-ai-math-solver/id1543399298)

Instantly solve math problems by pointing your camera at them. Get answers with detailed, step-by-step instructions to help you learn and practice. Supports multiple languages and a wide range of math topics.

**Highlights:** Camera scanner for math problems, Import math from photo library, Step-by-step solution instructions, Support for 40+ natural languages, Save problem history, Support for many math topics

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Math Scanner Premium | $2.99 | per month |
| Math Scanner Premium Forever | $8.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and accurate solutions
- 👍 Helpful for homework and studying
- 💡 Detailed step-by-step explanations
- 🥰 Saves time and improves grades

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔍 Struggles with complex math problems
- 💰 Paid subscription required for full features
- 🌐 Language issues for non-English users
- 🤖 Inconsistent AI performance

**Reported bugs**

- Fails to detect some math problems
- Incorrect solutions for certain question types
- Frequent crashes and freezes

**Requested features**

- More advanced problem-solving capabilities
- Improved camera detection for handwritten equations
- Multilingual support
- Offline mode for no-WiFi situations


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Symbolab free?

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

### Is Math Scaner free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Symbolab or Math Scaner?

Symbolab is rated higher. Symbolab averages 4.6 out of 5 from 26K ratings, while Math Scaner averages 4.4 from 373 ratings.

### Do Symbolab or Math Scaner have ads?

Math Scaner shows ads; Symbolab does not.

### Which is updated more often, Symbolab or Math Scaner?

Symbolab ships an update monthly, and Math Scaner every 3 weeks. Most recently, Symbolab was updated on September 24, 2026 and Math Scaner on September 18, 2026.

---

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