Math.Photos vs Photomath vs Mathway vs Symbolab

1. Quick Comparison Table

Here's how the four math solvers stack up across the most important factors for students:

2. Pricing Comparison

Price is often the deciding factor for students. Here's what each solver costs in 2026:

Bottom line on pricing: Math.Photos is the cheapest option at $4.99/month and the only solver that includes step-by-step explanations on the free tier. For students on a budget, this matters.

3. Feature-by-Feature Breakdown

Input Methods

Math.Photos uses a browser extension that captures screenshots directly from your screen. See a problem on a website, PDF, or document? Screenshot it and get a solution. This is uniquely powerful for students doing homework on a computer.

Photomath uses your phone's camera to scan problems from paper or screens. The camera recognition is polished and handles handwriting well after years of refinement.

Mathway primarily uses typed input through a math keyboard. Photo scanning is available but requires a premium subscription. The typed interface is clean but slower than photo input.

Symbolab uses typed input only, with a comprehensive math keyboard. No photo or camera input. This makes it less convenient for homework that's already on paper or screen.

Explanation Quality

Math.Photos generates explanations using modern AI (Claude and GPT models). Explanations adapt to your level. The "Teach Me" mode lets you ask follow-up questions when you're stuck on a step, creating a conversational tutoring experience. This is the only solver that lets you have a dialogue about a problem.

Photomath has pre-built, curated explanations that are consistently high quality. They've been refined over years. However, you can't ask follow-up questions or get alternative explanations. You get what you get.

Mathway provides algorithmic step-by-step solutions. Reliable and correct, but explanations can feel mechanical. No follow-up capability.

Symbolab shows detailed mathematical steps, often with the most rigorous notation. Good for advanced students who want to see the formal mathematical process. Practice problems are a nice bonus.

Unique Features

• Math.Photos: Teach Me mode (Socratic tutoring), screenshot capture, offline mode, multiple solve modes (Quick, Detailed, Teach Me)
• Photomath: Animated solution steps, textbook solution matching, graphing calculator
• Mathway: 12+ math subjects, graphing, clean math keyboard, wide topic coverage
• Symbolab: Practice problems, graphing, geometry solver, step-by-step integrals with multiple methods

4. Platform Availability

Key takeaway: If you do homework on a computer, Math.Photos is the clear winner — it's the only solver with a browser extension. If you primarily use your phone, Photomath has the best native app experience.

5. Math Subject Coverage

Math.Photos uses modern AI models (Claude and GPT) that can handle virtually any math topic, including advanced and unusual notation. The AI adapts to the specific problem rather than relying on pre-programmed solution patterns. This gives it an edge on non-standard problems.

6. Free Tier Comparison

What exactly do you get without paying?

Math.Photos Free Tier

• 40 solves per month
• Full step-by-step explanations included
• All solve modes (Quick, Detailed, Teach Me)
• Screenshot input
• Offline mode

Photomath Free Tier

• Unlimited problem scanning
• Final answer only (no steps)
• Camera input
• Graphing calculator
• Step-by-step requires $9.99/mo subscription

Mathway Free Tier

• Unlimited typed problems
• Final answer only (no steps)
• No photo input
• Step-by-step requires $9.99/mo subscription

Symbolab Free Tier

• 2 full solutions per day
• Includes step-by-step for those 2
• Practice problems
• Graphing
• More solutions require $6.99/mo subscription

The free tier winner is Math.Photos. It's the only solver that includes step-by-step explanations on the free tier. Getting 40 full solutions per month means you can actually learn from the tool without paying. With Photomath and Mathway, you can see answers but can't learn the process without paying.

7. Who Should Use What

Choose Math.Photos if you:

• Do homework on a computer (desktop or laptop)
• Want free step-by-step explanations
• Want to ask follow-up questions about steps you don't understand
• Need an affordable premium plan ($4.99/mo vs $9.99/mo)
• Take advanced math courses (linear algebra, differential equations)
• Use Firefox or Safari

Choose Photomath if you:

• Primarily use your phone for homework
• Have messy handwriting and need the best recognition
• Don't mind paying $9.99/month for step-by-step
• Prefer a polished native app experience
• Need offline camera scanning

Choose Mathway if you:

• Prefer typing problems rather than photographing them
• Need coverage across 12+ math subjects
• Want a clean, simple interface
• Already have a Chegg subscription (Mathway is owned by Chegg)

Choose Symbolab if you:

• Study advanced math and want rigorous notation
• Want built-in practice problems
• Need multiple solution methods shown
• Already have a Course Hero subscription (Symbolab is owned by Course Hero)

8. Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best free math solver in 2026?

Math.Photos offers the best free math solver experience in 2026. It provides 40 free solves per month with full step-by-step explanations included. Photomath gives free answers but paywalls explanations. Mathway shows answers only on the free tier. Symbolab limits free usage to 2 solutions per day.

Which math solver works on desktop computers?

Math.Photos is the only major math solver available as a browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. It lets you screenshot math problems directly from your screen. Photomath is mobile-only (iOS/Android). Mathway and Symbolab have websites but no browser extensions with screenshot capability.

Is Math.Photos better than Photomath?

Math.Photos is better than Photomath for students who work on computers, want free step-by-step explanations, or need to ask follow-up questions. Photomath is better for mobile-first users who prefer a native app experience. Math.Photos costs $4.99/month for premium vs Photomath's $9.99/month.

What is the cheapest math solver with step-by-step solutions?

Math.Photos is the cheapest math solver with step-by-step solutions at $4.99/month (Student plan). Photomath Plus costs $9.99/month. Mathway Premium costs $9.99/month. Symbolab Pro costs $6.99/month. Math.Photos also includes step-by-step solutions on its free tier, which no other solver does.

Which math solver handles the most types of math?

All four solvers handle standard K-12 and college math well (algebra, calculus, geometry, trigonometry, statistics). Math.Photos and Symbolab have an edge with advanced topics like linear algebra, differential equations, and abstract math. Math.Photos uses modern AI models that adapt to unusual notation and complex problems.

Can I use a math solver for handwritten problems?

Yes. Photomath has the best handwriting recognition from years of training data. Math.Photos uses modern AI models for strong handwriting recognition and handles complex notation better. Mathway and Symbolab require typed input only. For handwritten problems, Photomath and Math.Photos are the best choices.