Photomath vs Vaia
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Photomath
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.
- Scan math problems
- Step-by-step explanations
- Word problem solver
- Interactive graphs
- Multiple solution methods
- Scientific calculator
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Photomath is known worldwide for helping millions of learners to learn, practice, and understand math – one step at a time. Scan any math problem with the Photomath app to get step-by-step explanations with accurate solutions and a variety of teacher-approved methods. Math is about the process, so Photomath breaks your problem into bite-sized steps to help you understand the “what” and “why” along with the “how.” Whether you’re learning basic arithmetic or advanced geometry, we’ll tackle it together, step by step. Why Photomath? Billions of math problems: From elementary arithmetic to advanced calculus and everything in between, Photomath can solve billions of math problems—including word problems! Whether handwritten, in a textbook, or on a screen, Photomath is here to help you untangle your trickiest problem. Step-by-step explanations: Math isn’t just about an answer. It’s about every step along the way. That’s why Photomath breaks down each step, so you can *really* learn. Less guesswork = less stress, especially with our new Animated Steps, which show you the exact progression of a particular step. Get basic step-by-step explanations at no charge when you download Photomath. Expert-developed methods: Photomath’s educational content is centered around the learner’s experience, driven by the expertise of our own team of mathematicians and former math teachers. Self-paced learning: Photomath’s instant support is like having a 24/7 virtual tutor. Checking your homework before dinner? Stuck on a problem at 2am? We can help. Follow our detailed steps, taking whatever time you need to review definitions, rationale, and more – all within the explanation. Want to dive deeper and explore more ways to learn? Photomath Plus can get you there with custom Animated Tutorials, detailed Textbook Solutions, and more! KEY FEATURES • Step-by-step explanations included in our basic version (at no charge) • Word problem instructions • Interactive graphs • Video learning • Multiple solution methods • Advanced scientific calculator Photomath is for learners of all levels, including those studying: Numbers & Quantity Algebra Functions Trigonometry & Angles Sequences Geometry Calculus “The step-by-step guide is beneficial to students that do not have access to a tutor and struggle with solving math problems.” — Forbes “A viral video about a new app looks like a dream come true for anyone who struggles with math.” — Time ___________________________________________ • Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at the confirmation of purchase. • A subscription automatically renews unless it’s canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current billing period. • Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. • Manage or cancel your subscription in your account settings on the App Store after purchase. • Offers and pricing are subject to change without notice. Suggestions or questions? Email us at support@photomath.com Website: www.photomath.com TikTok: @photomath Instagram: @photomath Facebook: @Photomathapp Twitter: @Photomath Terms of Use: https://photomath.app/en/termsofuse Privacy Policy: https://photomath.app/en/privacypolicy
Vaia
This app helps students improve grades and reduce study stress with AI-powered personalized study plans, flashcards, and practice exams. It transforms uploaded notes into comprehensive study materials, making learning efficient and engaging for any subject.
- AI-generated study plans
- Personalized flashcards
- Practice exams
- Upload notes for study materials
- Spaced repetition learning
- Shared study materials
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Your notes can do more than sit in a folder. Turn lecture slides, PDFs, and class notes into a personal study path with Vaia. Use AI to create flashcards and summaries, get help understanding tricky topics, and practice what you need for homework, midterms, and finals. YOUR MATERIALS, MADE FOR LEARNING A stack of slides and no idea where to start? Upload your materials and build a study guide around your own course. • Break down your material with explanations and summaries • Generate AI flashcards to practice key ideas • Follow a learning path with chapters, lessons, and questions Go from collecting notes to actually working through them. HOMEWORK HELP THAT BUILDS UNDERSTANDING Stuck on a topic while doing homework? Ask Vaia's AI assistant questions about your study materials and get explanations to help you move forward. Use the homework scanner to capture a problem as input. Then put your understanding to work with flashcards and practice questions. Get help with today's material and build knowledge you can use on your next test. FLASHCARDS THAT FIT YOUR COURSE Generate flashcards from your notes, create your own cards, or explore sets shared by other students. Practice definitions, formulas, and vocabulary by recalling the answer before you flip the card. Use spaced repetition to revisit material over time. Fit in a few cards between classes or settle into a longer study session. A STUDY PLANNER WITH A CLEAR NEXT STEP Your course becomes a structured learning path. Work through chapters, read explanations, and practice with interactive questions. See your progress and pick up where you left off. From biology to economics, keep your study materials and your next lesson together in one place. FIND THE GAPS BEFORE EXAM DAY That topic looked familiar. Could you explain it without your notes? Find out with quizzes, exercises, and practice tests. • Check your understanding with multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank questions • Try practice exam mode and review your results afterward • Revisit the topics that need more work before your midterm or final GIVE YOUR NOTES A VOICE Create study podcasts from your materials and listen on the go. Review a topic on your commute or switch things up when you need a break from reading. SHARE THE WORK. KEEP LEARNING. Explore shared flashcards, study notes, and summaries to complement your own materials. Share your sets with classmates and bring useful resources together for your course. From high school homework to college finals, Vaia helps you turn your materials into something you can learn from. Download Vaia, upload your first notes, and start your first chapter. Terms of Use: https://www.vaia.com/en-us/terms/ Privacy Policy: https://www.vaia.com/en-us/privacy/
Screenshots
Verdict
Photomath and Vaia both sit at 4.8 stars, but that hides the real split: 82% of Vaia's written reviews are positive against 51% of Photomath's. Vaia also leads on update cadence (weekly vs monthly). Photomath's advantage is ratings volume (733K vs 1.5K) and chart position (#31 vs unranked). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. Photomath sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month and Vaia sells 15 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Photomath against 4.7 for Vaia. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Photomath has 733K ratings behind it against 1.5K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 51% of Photomath's written reviews are positive against 82% of Vaia's.
Photomath ships an update monthly, Vaia weekly. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.
| Parameter | Photomath | Vaia |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (733K ratings) — better | 4.7 (1.5K ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 51.1% of reviews | 81.5% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 733K — better | 1.5K |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #31 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 30 MB | 237 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | StudySmarter GmbH | |
Customer experience
Photomath
Vaia
User reviews
Photomath
From 733K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 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
Room to improve
- 💰 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
Vaia
From 1.5K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Efficient flashcard creation and study tools
- 🧠 AI-powered features for learning
- 📚 Vast library of shared study materials
- 🎨 Customizable and visually appealing interface
- 🤝 Collaboration and sharing with peers
Room to improve
- 🐛 Occasional bugs and glitches
- 🔒 Limited offline access without premium subscription
- 🤖 Inconsistent performance of AI-generated content
- 🗂️ Difficulty organizing and navigating large study sets
- 📱 Suboptimal mobile app experience compared to web
Bugs and requests
Photomath
Reported bugs
2 issues- Incorrect answers or solutions provided for some problems
- Compatibility issues with newer devices or operating systems
Requested features
3 requests- 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
Vaia
Reported bugs
4 issues- Flashcard review progress not saving correctly
- Inability to delete individual flashcards from a set
- Syncing issues between mobile app and web version
- Inconsistent behavior of AI-generated quiz questions
Requested features
5 requests- Add more language options
- Improve PDF and note-taking editor functionality
- Implement nested subsets within study sets
- Provide more customization options for colors and themes
- Integrate study timers and task management features
In-app purchases
Photomath
- Photomath Plus7 Days trial$5.991 Month
- Photomath Plus7 Days trial$7.991 Month
- Photomath Plus7 Days trial5 variants$9.991 Month
Show 6 moreShow fewer
- Photomath Plus2 variants$9.991 Month
- Photomath Plus14 Days trial$9.991 Month
- Photomath Plus7 Days trial$29.991 Year
- Photomath Plus7 Days trial$39.991 Year
- Photomath Plus7 Days trial$49.996 Months
- Photomath Plus7 Days trial$69.991 Year
Vaia
- Premium Plan$2.991 Month
- Premium Plan (1 month)7 Days trial$5.491 Month
- Premium Plan (1 month)7 Days trial$6.491 Month
Show 12 moreShow fewer
- Premium Plan (1 month)7 Days trial$6.991 Month
- Premium Plan (1 week)7 Days trial$7.997 Days
- Premium Plan (1 month)7 Days trial$8.991 Month
- Premium Plan (1 month)7 Days trial$12.991 Month
- Premium Plan (1 year)7 Days trial$17.991 Year
- Premium Plan (1 month)7 Days trial$19.991 Month
- Premium Plan (1 year)7 Days trial$31.991 Year
- Premium Plan (1 year)7 Days trial$43.991 Year
- Premium Plan (1 year)1 Month trial$59.991 Year
- Premium Plan (1 year)7 Days trial$63.991 Year
- Premium Plan (1 year)7 Days trial$89.991 Year
- Premium Plan (1 year)1 Month trial$89.991 Year









