Free Math Solver Without Subscription: Step-by-Step Solutions
Every math app paywalls step-by-step at $9.99/mo. Math.Photos gives you 40 free solves with steps, no subscription, no account. Here's how it compares.
Every math solver app seems to hit you with the same bait-and-switch: scan your problem for free, then pay $9.99/month to see how it’s actually solved. Photomath, Mathway, Symbolab — they all paywall the step-by-step explanations that make a math solver worth using.
If you’re searching for a free math solver without a subscription that actually shows you the steps, here’s what you need to know.
The Paywall Problem
Most math solver apps follow the same model:
- Photomath: Free to scan and see the final answer. Step-by-step explanations cost $9.99/month (Photomath Plus).
- Mathway: Free to type a problem and see the answer. Steps cost $9.99/month. Plus you get full-screen ads between every solve.
- Symbolab: Free tier gives 2 solves per day with limited step detail. Full access is $6.99/month ($39.99/year).
The final answer is useless without understanding how to get there. If you’re using a math solver to learn — not just to copy answers — you need step-by-step explanations. And every major app charges for them.
Almost every major app. There’s one that doesn’t.
Math.Photos: Free Step-by-Step, No Subscription
Math.Photos is a browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, and Safari that gives you 40 free solves per month with full step-by-step explanations. No paywall. No account. No credit card.
What you get for free
- 40 solves per month — enough for 2-3 homework sessions
- Full step-by-step explanations on every solve — not just the answer
- Follow-up questions — click “Teach Me” to ask why on any step
- Screenshot input — screenshot math from your screen (PDFs, Canvas, WebAssign)
- No ads — zero ads on any tier
- No account required — install and start solving immediately
How it works
- Install the Math.Photos browser extension (Chrome, Firefox, or Safari)
- Screenshot any math problem from your screen
- Get a detailed step-by-step solution
- Ask follow-up questions on any step you don’t understand
That’s it. No phone camera, no retyping problems, no paywall surprise.
How Math.Photos Compares to Paid Solvers
| Feature | Math.Photos (Free) | Photomath (Free) | Mathway (Free) | Symbolab (Free) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free solves | 40/month | Unlimited | Unlimited | 2/day |
| Step-by-step included | Yes | No ($9.99/mo) | No ($9.99/mo) | Limited |
| Ads | None | None | Interstitials + banners | Some |
| Follow-up questions | Yes | No | No | No |
| Input method | Screenshot | Camera (phone) | Typed | Typed |
| Desktop support | Browser extension | None | Website | Website |
| Account required | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Math.Photos’ free tier gives you what Photomath and Mathway charge $9.99/month for — and adds features (follow-up questions, screenshot input) that neither offers at any price.
What If You Need More Than 40 Solves?
Math.Photos’ paid plan is $4.99/month (or $3.99/month annual) for unlimited solves. That’s:
- Half of Photomath ($9.99/month)
- Half of Mathway ($9.99/month)
- Less than Symbolab ($6.99/month)
But most students won’t need to pay. 40 free solves per month covers typical homework loads. And the free tier includes everything — steps, follow-up questions, all math subjects.
What Math Can It Solve?
Math.Photos uses AI models (Claude and GPT) that handle:
- Pre-Algebra & Algebra — equations, inequalities, factoring, polynomials
- Geometry — proofs, area, volume, coordinate geometry
- Trigonometry — identities, unit circle, inverse trig
- Calculus — limits, derivatives, integrals, series
- Linear Algebra — matrices, determinants, eigenvalues
- Statistics — probability, distributions, hypothesis testing
- Differential Equations — ODEs, PDEs, Laplace transforms
- Discrete Math — combinatorics, graph theory, logic
- Word Problems — AI reads and interprets text problems from screenshots
This is broader than Photomath (no linear algebra, no diff eq) and Mathway (struggles with series/sequences, discrete math).
Other Free Options (And Their Limits)
Wolfram Alpha (free tier)
Shows the answer and sometimes a step or two. Full step-by-step requires Wolfram Alpha Pro at $5.49/month. The free tier is useful for quick computations but not for learning.
Desmos
Free graphing calculator — excellent for visualizing functions but doesn’t solve problems or show steps. Great companion tool, not a replacement for a solver.
ChatGPT / Claude (free tiers)
You can ask AI chatbots to solve math problems, but you have to type everything out (no screenshot input), and they sometimes make calculation errors. They’re good for explanations but unreliable for computation-heavy problems.
Khan Academy
Free video lessons and practice problems — excellent for learning concepts. But it doesn’t solve your specific homework problems. Use it alongside a solver, not instead of one.
Photomath (free tier)
Shows the final answer for free with unlimited scans. But no step-by-step — that’s paywalled. Also mobile-only, so no good for desktop homework.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there really a free math solver with step-by-step?
Yes. Math.Photos gives you 40 free solves per month with full step-by-step explanations. No subscription, no account, no credit card. It’s a browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, and Safari.
Why do most math solver apps charge for steps?
Steps are the valuable part — that’s what students actually need. App companies know this, so they give away the answer (which is useless for learning) and charge for the explanation. Math.Photos includes steps for free because the free tier drives adoption.
Is Math.Photos actually free, or is it a trial?
The free tier is permanent — not a trial. You get 40 solves per month with full step-by-step explanations, forever. No expiration, no credit card required. The paid plan ($4.99/month) adds unlimited solves.
Can I use Math.Photos without creating an account?
Yes. Install the browser extension and start solving immediately. No email, no password, no signup form. Your solves are tracked locally in the extension.
Does Math.Photos work on my phone?
Math.Photos is designed for desktop (Chrome, Firefox, Safari extensions). For phone-based solving, Photomath is still the best option — though you’ll need to pay $9.99/month for steps.
What happens after I use all 40 free solves?
You wait until next month for the counter to reset, or upgrade to the Student plan at $4.99/month for unlimited solves. There’s no pressure or dark pattern — just a simple counter showing how many solves you have left.