Comparison

Photomath vs SmartSolve

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Scan math problems
  • Step-by-step explanations
  • Word problem solver
  • Interactive graphs
  • Multiple solution methods
  • Scientific calculator
Read full description

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

About

SmartSolve

This AI-powered app offers instant solutions to academic and coding problems by scanning them. It also enhances language skills, rewrites text, and provides coding assistance and trivia challenges.

Highlights
  • Scan and solve math problems with step-by-step explanations
  • Instant solutions for math equations
  • Enhance language skills with grammar hints and translation
  • Advanced text rewriting and paraphrasing
  • Learn and optimize coding with explanations
  • Engage in trivia to test knowledge
Features
Read full description

Powered by the latest AI technology, SmartSolve is the must-have AI companion for dominating your studies, improving your productivity, and expanding your knowledge of any topic. With a variety of powerful features, SmartSolve completely redefines your approach to problem-solving, writing, language learning, summarizing, coding, and expanding your knowledge on any topic. SCAN AND SOLVE Snap a photo of any question and get answers within seconds, complete with detailed step-by-step explanations! INSTANT SOLUTIONS No need to waste time typing your math equation in search or texting your math-savvy friends to help you. Just take a picture of your problem and use our Math Solver tool to find the solution right away. IMPROVE LANGUAGE SKILLS With SmartSolve, enhancing your language skills has never been easier. Our intelligent grammar hints and text translation tools will help you become a linguistic expert in no time! REWRITE Shape your words like a true professional with SmartSolve's advanced rewriting capabilities. Whether you need to paraphrase, simplify, continue texts, or fine-tune your writing, SmartSolve is there to assist you endlessly. Make your writing shine and portray your thoughts with precision! LEARN TO CODE Want to learn how to code or advance your skills but don't know where to start? SmartSolve provides comprehensive assistance with any programming language. Elevate your coding skills and understand the logic behind any code as SmartSolve vividly explains it to you! Input your code, and SmartSolve will check and optimize it, guiding you towards coding success! TRIVIA QUEST Need a study buddy to test your knowledge? SmartSolve is always available to engage in stimulating trivia questions covering a wide range of topics! Feel the power of SmartSolve as it completely redefines how you study, write, learn languages, summarize texts, rewrite content, venture into coding, and more. Download now and experience the future of learning and creativity! TERMS OF USE: https://smartsolve.ai/dashboard/terms PRIVACY POLICY: https://smartsolve.ai/dashboard/privacy

Screenshots

Photomath4 screens
SmartSolve4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Photomath at none against SmartSolve's shown. Photomath also leads on ratings volume (733K vs 3.6K) and rating (4.8 vs 4.6). SmartSolve's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs monthly). On price, review sentiment, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Photomath sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month and SmartSolve sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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 3.6K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 61% of Photomath's written reviews are positive against 66% of SmartSolve's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Photomath ships an update monthly, SmartSolve fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Photomath versus SmartSolve: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPhotomathSmartSolve
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (733K ratings) — better4.6 (3.6K ratings)
Positive reviews60.7% of reviews66.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings733K — better3.6K
Update frequencyMonthlyFortnightly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#37 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS14.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size30 MB173 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGoogleNiknea LLC

Customer experience

Photomath

All ratings732,942 ratings
Positive95.3%
Neutral2.0%
Negative2.7%
Written reviews1,562 reviews
Positive60.7%
Neutral6.1%
Negative33.2%

SmartSolve

All ratings3,421 ratings
Positive90.5%
Neutral1.2%
Negative8.3%
Written reviews505 reviews
Positive66.3%
Neutral2.4%
Negative31.3%

User reviews

Photomath

From 733K App Store ratings

What 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

SmartSolve

From 3.6K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast and accurate
  • 👍 Helpful for homework and learning
  • 💡 Explains solutions well
  • 🚀 Easy to use

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Inaccurate answers
  • 🔒 Difficult to cancel subscription
  • 🔒 Charges without authorization
  • 🔒 Unresponsive customer support

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

SmartSolve

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Subscription page doesn't load properly
  • App crashes or freezes
  • Incorrect solutions provided

Requested features

2 requests
  • More free questions per day
  • Ability to scan and solve handwritten/image-based problems

In-app purchases

9 purchases

Photomath

Subscriptions9
  • Photomath Plus7 Days trial$5.991 Month
  • Photomath Plus7 Days trial$7.991 Month
  • Photomath Plus7 Days trial5 variants$9.991 Month
Show 6 more
  • 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
13 purchases

SmartSolve

Subscriptions13
  • Weekly Subscription$6.997 Days
  • Weekly Subscription3 Days trial$6.997 Days
  • Weekly Subscription$9.997 Days
Show 10 more
  • Weekly Subscription3 Days trial$9.997 Days
  • Monthly Subscription$12.991 Month
  • Monthly Subscription3 Days trial$12.991 Month
  • Monthly Subscription$14.991 Month
  • Monthly Subscription3 Days trial$14.991 Month
  • Monthly Subscription$19.991 Month
  • 6 Months Subscription$59.996 Months
  • Annual Subscription3 Days trial$59.991 Year
  • 6 Months Subscription3 Days trial$59.996 Months
  • Annual Subscription3 Days trial$99.991 Year

Questions

Is Photomath free?
Photomath is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SmartSolve free?
SmartSolve is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Photomath or SmartSolve?
Photomath is rated higher. Photomath averages 4.8 out of 5 from 733K ratings, while SmartSolve averages 4.6 from 3.6K ratings.
Do Photomath or SmartSolve have ads?
SmartSolve shows ads; Photomath does not.
Which is updated more often, Photomath or SmartSolve?
Photomath ships an update monthly, and SmartSolve fortnightly. Most recently, Photomath was updated on October 18, 2026 and SmartSolve on October 15, 2026.

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