# Symbolab vs Photomath

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Photomath at 733K against Symbolab's 26K. Photomath also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.6) and chart position (#31 vs unranked). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Symbolab sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $2.49 per 7 days and Photomath sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Photomath holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Photomath has 733K ratings behind it against 26K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 59% of Symbolab's written reviews are positive against 51% of Photomath's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Symbolab | Photomath |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (26K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/symbolab-ai-math-solver-app/id876942533/reviews) | **[4.8 (733K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/photomath/id919087726/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 26K | **733K** |
| Positive reviews | **59.0% of reviews** | 51.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#31** |
| Size | 60 MB | 30 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **14.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | +4 | 4+ |
| Developer | [Symbolab](https://appshunter.io/developer/876942536) | [Google](https://appshunter.io/developer/281956209) |

## 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


### Photomath

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/photomath/id919087726)

**Currently charting:** #31 Top Grossing · Education, #56 Top Free · Education (US App Store)

Scan any math problem to receive instant, step-by-step explanations and accurate solutions. This app breaks down complex problems into manageable steps, helping users understand the 'how' and 'why' of math. It supports a wide range of math topics, from basic arithmetic to advanced calculus.

**Highlights:** Scan math problems, Step-by-step explanations, Word problem solver, Interactive graphs, Multiple solution methods, Scientific calculator

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Photomath Plus | $5.99 | per month |
| Photomath Plus | $7.99 | per month |
| Photomath Plus | $9.99 | per month |
| Photomath Plus | $9.99 | per month |
| Photomath Plus | $9.99 | per month |
| Photomath Plus | $29.99 | per year |
| Photomath Plus | $39.99 | per year |
| Photomath Plus | $49.99 | per 6 months |
| Photomath Plus | $69.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Helpful for homework and understanding concepts
- 👍 Provides step-by-step solutions and explanations
- 🤖 Accurate and reliable for solving equations
- 💡 Useful for checking work and learning from mistakes

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Paywall for accessing step-by-step explanations
- 🔒 Concerns about using the app to cheat
- 🐛 Camera focusing issues and inability to solve certain problem types
- 💸 Expensive monthly subscription fee

**Reported bugs**

- Incorrect answers or solutions provided for some problems
- Compatibility issues with newer devices or operating systems

**Requested features**

- Support for word problems and more advanced math concepts
- Option to use front-facing camera for scanning
- Cheaper or one-time payment model instead of subscription


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Symbolab free?

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

### Is Photomath free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Symbolab or Photomath?

Photomath is rated higher. Symbolab averages 4.6 out of 5 from 26K ratings, while Photomath averages 4.8 from 733K ratings.

### Do Symbolab or Photomath have ads?

Neither Symbolab nor Photomath shows ads.

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

Symbolab ships an update monthly, and Photomath monthly. Most recently, Symbolab was updated on September 25, 2026 and Photomath on September 24, 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.*