# Photomath vs Math Scaner

The clearest difference is ads: Photomath at none against Math Scaner's shown. Photomath also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.4) and ratings volume (733K vs 373). Math Scaner's advantage is review sentiment (82% vs 51%) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 14.0). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Photomath sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month 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.

Photomath holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Photomath has 733K ratings behind it against 373, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 51% of Photomath'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.

Photomath ships an update monthly, Math Scaner every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Photomath | Math Scaner |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (733K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/photomath/id919087726/reviews)** | [4.4 (373 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/math-scaner-ai-math-solver/id1543399298/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **733K** | 373 |
| Positive reviews | 51.1% 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 |
| Best chart rank | **#35** | — |
| Size | 30 MB | 12 MB |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 | **11.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Google](https://appshunter.io/developer/281956209) | [国辉 满](https://appshunter.io/developer/1513279085) |

## What reviewers say

### Photomath

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

**Currently charting:** #35 Top Grossing · Education, #53 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


### 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 Photomath free?

Photomath 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, Photomath or Math Scaner?

Photomath is rated higher. Photomath averages 4.8 out of 5 from 733K ratings, while Math Scaner averages 4.4 from 373 ratings.

### Do Photomath or Math Scaner have ads?

Math Scaner shows ads; Photomath does not.

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

Photomath ships an update monthly, and Math Scaner every 3 weeks. Most recently, Photomath was updated on September 25, 2026 and Math Scaner on September 18, 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.*