# Symbolab vs PhoMath

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: PhoMath at none against Symbolab's 8. Symbolab's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.2). On price, update cadence and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Symbolab sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $2.49 per 7 days. PhoMath asks for nothing beyond the download.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Symbolab | PhoMath |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (26K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/symbolab-ai-math-solver-app/id876942533/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **26K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 59.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 60 MB | 26 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 17.2 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | +4 | 4+ |
| Developer | [Symbolab](https://appshunter.io/developer/876942536) | [Nguyen Thi Lien](https://appshunter.io/developer/1778161058) |

## 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


### PhoMath

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

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Symbolab free?

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

### Is PhoMath free?

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

### Do Symbolab or PhoMath have ads?

PhoMath shows ads; Symbolab does not.

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

Symbolab ships an update monthly, and PhoMath monthly. Most recently, Symbolab was updated on September 27, 2026 and PhoMath on September 23, 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.*