Symbolab vs Mathway

Symbolab9.2Visit Mathway8.4Visit

Higher score Symbolab #2 in Math Solver Apps 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Symbolab

vs

Mathway #9 in Math Solver Apps 8.4/10 Free plan · 7-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Mathway

• Symbolab fits best

  Students wanting guided step-by-step solving

• Mathway fits best

  Students who want typed or photo-based math help

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Side by side

Feature	Symbolab 9.2/10 Visit ↗	Mathway 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.2	8.4
Ranking	#2 in Math Solver Apps	#9 in Math Solver Apps
Best for	Students wanting guided step-by-step solving	Students who want typed or photo-based math help
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	$9.95/mo	$39.99/yr
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	7 days
Deployment	Cloud, Mobile, Browser extension	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Web, Android, iOS, Chrome extension	Web, Windows, iOS, Android
Features Symbolab 3/4 · Mathway 3/4
Photo input	✓	✓
Handwriting input	✓	✓
Step-by-step explanations	✓	✓
Offline mode	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Subject coverage	Broad	Broad
Platform coverage	Multiplatform	Multiplatform
Our review
Pros	Shows structured steps and explanations across a broad range of math topics Accepts typed problems, photos and screenshots across web and mobile Pairs solving with graphing, practice, quizzes and solution verification	Accepts typed problems and photos of handwritten or printed work Covers subjects from basic math through calculus, statistics, and physics Works on web, Windows, iOS, and Android
Cons	Full solution steps and AI chat require a paid plan Its range of study tools may be more than needed for quick calculations No offline operation is described	Full step-by-step work requires a subscription The free plan includes advertisements Monthly access costs more over a year than annual access
Our verdict	Symbolab is an online math solver and learning platform for students who want more than a final answer. It covers topics from pre-algebra and algebra through calculus, trigonometry, physics and statistics, with structured steps and… Read the review →	Mathway helps students, parents, and teachers solve math problems on the web and mobile devices. Users can type a problem or upload a photo of handwritten or printed work, choose a subject, and receive a solution with the method shown step… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Symbolab — where it wins

  • Shows structured steps and explanations across a broad range of math topics
  • Accepts typed problems, photos and screenshots across web and mobile
  • Pairs solving with graphing, practice, quizzes and solution verification

  Where it doesn't

  • Full solution steps and AI chat require a paid plan
  • Its range of study tools may be more than needed for quick calculations
  • No offline operation is described

• Mathway — where it wins

  • Accepts typed problems and photos of handwritten or printed work
  • Covers subjects from basic math through calculus, statistics, and physics
  • Works on web, Windows, iOS, and Android

  Where it doesn't

  • Full step-by-step work requires a subscription
  • The free plan includes advertisements
  • Monthly access costs more over a year than annual access

• Symbolab9.2/10 · Free plan

  A broad math study tool pairing worked solutions with practice, graphing and photo input.

  Visit SymbolabFull verdict →
• Mathway8.4/10 · Free plan · 7-day trial

  A flexible homework solver with free access and paid steps for deeper explanations.

  Visit MathwayFull verdict →