Symbolab vs Photomath

Symbolab9.2Visit Photomath8.5Visit

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

vs

Photomath #8 in Math Solver Apps 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Photomath

• Symbolab fits best

  Students wanting guided step-by-step solving

• Photomath fits best

  Learners who want camera-first mobile math help

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Side by side

Feature	Symbolab 9.2/10 Visit ↗	Photomath 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.2	8.5
Ranking	#2 in Math Solver Apps	#8 in Math Solver Apps
Best for	Students wanting guided step-by-step solving	Learners who want camera-first mobile math help
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	$9.95/mo	$69.99/yr
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Mobile, Browser extension	Mobile
Platforms	Web, Android, iOS, Chrome extension	iOS, Android
Features Symbolab 3/4 · Photomath 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	Mobile
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	Scans printed and handwritten problems, including word problems Explains solutions step by step and offers multiple methods Covers topics from elementary math through calculus
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	Available on iOS and Android, not desktop platforms Custom visual aids and extra how-and-why tips require Plus Plus costs $9.99 monthly or $69.99 annually
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 →	Photomath is a mobile math-solving app for learners, parents, and teachers who want help working through problems. On iOS and Android, it can scan problems with a device camera, including handwritten work and word problems, or accept input… 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

• Photomath — where it wins

  • Scans printed and handwritten problems, including word problems
  • Explains solutions step by step and offers multiple methods
  • Covers topics from elementary math through calculus

  Where it doesn't

  • Available on iOS and Android, not desktop platforms
  • Custom visual aids and extra how-and-why tips require Plus
  • Plus costs $9.99 monthly or $69.99 annually

• Symbolab9.2/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit SymbolabFull verdict →
• Photomath8.5/10 · Free plan

  A camera-first math solver with free explanations and paid visual aids.

  Visit PhotomathFull verdict →