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Head-to-head · Calculators

Mathway vs Microsoft Calculator

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Mathway #6 in Calculators 8.7/10 Free plan · 7-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 6 features Visit Mathway
Microsoft Calculator #7 in Calculators 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 6 features Visit site

Mathway leads on 0 checks, Microsoft Calculator on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreMathway · 8.7/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly Mathway
  • Most featuresMicrosoft Calculator · 4 of 6

Mathway scores higher on our rubric for calculators: 8.7 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #6 and #7.

Mathway is the better fit for students needing broad math problem solving and steps. Microsoft Calculator is the better fit for windows users wanting a capable free desktop calculator.

  • Mathway fits best

    Students needing broad math problem solving and steps

  • Microsoft Calculator fits best

    Windows users wanting a capable free desktop calculator

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Side by side

Feature Mathway 8.7/10 Visit ↗ Microsoft Calculator 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.7 8.6
Ranking #6 in Calculators #7 in Calculators
Best for Students needing broad math problem solving and steps Windows users wanting a capable free desktop calculator
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price $39.99/yr Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 7 days —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile Desktop
Platforms Web, Windows, iOS, Android Windows
Features Mathway 0/6 · Microsoft Calculator 4/6
Scientific functions Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Graphing Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Equation solver Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Financial functions Not checked yet Not checked yet
Offline mode Not checked yet Not checked yet
Calculation history Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Our review
Pros
  • Accepts typed problems and photos of handwritten or printed work
  • Covers subjects from basic math through calculus, statistics, chemistry and physics
  • Offers graphing, equation, derivative, integral and statistics calculators
  • Includes scientific, programmer, and graphing modes alongside standard arithmetic.
  • Plots equations and supports equation solving in graphing mode.
  • Adds date calculations, unit and currency conversion, history, and memory.
Cons
  • Full step-by-step work requires a paid subscription
  • The free plan includes advertisements
  • It focuses on solving math problems rather than general-purpose calculations
  • Available as a desktop application for Windows only.
  • Does not include AI features.
  • Support channels are community and documentation.
Our verdict

Mathway is a web and mobile math problem solver for students, parents and teachers. Users can type a problem or upload a photo of handwritten or printed work, select a subject, and receive a solution with the method shown step by step. Its…

Read the review →

Microsoft Calculator is an open-source desktop calculator maintained by Microsoft, aimed at Windows users who need more than standard arithmetic. It brings scientific and programmer modes into the same application as everyday calculations,…

Read the review →
  1. MathwayCalculators 8.7Free plan · 7-day trial
  2. Microsoft CalculatorCalculators 8.6Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Mathway — where it wins

    • Accepts typed problems and photos of handwritten or printed work
    • Covers subjects from basic math through calculus, statistics, chemistry and physics
    • Offers graphing, equation, derivative, integral and statistics calculators

    Where it doesn't

    • Full step-by-step work requires a paid subscription
    • The free plan includes advertisements
    • It focuses on solving math problems rather than general-purpose calculations

  • Microsoft Calculator — where it wins

    • Includes scientific, programmer, and graphing modes alongside standard arithmetic.
    • Plots equations and supports equation solving in graphing mode.
    • Adds date calculations, unit and currency conversion, history, and memory.

    Where it doesn't

    • Available as a desktop application for Windows only.
    • Does not include AI features.
    • Support channels are community and documentation.
  • Mathway8.7/10 · Free plan · 7-day trial

    A broad math solver for students who want answers and worked steps from typed or photographed problems.

    Visit MathwayFull verdict →
  • Microsoft Calculator8.6/10 · Free plan

    A free Windows desktop calculator that goes beyond arithmetic with graphing and conversions.

    Visit siteFull verdict →

More comparisons

All calculators comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update