Photomath
FreemiumScan, solve, and learn math with step-by-step explanations.
By Tanmay Verma, Founder · Last verified 05 Jul 2026
3.7k views
Added 4/3/2026
77/100Safe BetIn short
Photomath — Scan, solve, and learn math with step-by-step explanations. Best for Students in grades 6-12 struggling with homework, College students taking algebra, trig, or calculus, Parents helping kids with math. Free to start; paid plans from $9.99/mo.
Compared withvs Wolframalpha
Is Photomath actually worth it?
LiveSee what real users actually say. We scan live discussions, reviews and complaints across the web and hand you an honest verdict — in under a minute.
3 free scans · no card needed · downloadable report
Editorial Verdict
Best for
Students in grades 6-12 struggling with homeworkCollege students taking algebra, trig, or calculusParents helping kids with mathSelf-learners brushing up on math fundamentals
Not ideal for
Advanced graduate-level mathematics beyond calculusStudents who want to learn without doing any work (risk of over-reliance)Teachers seeking a tool that prevents cheating in examsSolving non-math subjects like physics or chemistry equations
Photomath is the go-to math helper for instant, step-by-step solutions. Generous free tier. Paid plan adds tutorials and offline use. Best for homework help, but beware over-reliance.
Skip Photomath if Skip Photomath if you need help with graduate-level math like differential equations, or if you want a tool that prevents cheating in exams.
Last verified: July 2026
Viability Score
77/100
Safe BetHow likely is Photomath to still be operational in 12 months? Based on 4 signals — momentum (how recently it shipped), wrapper dependency, revenue model, and web presence.
momentum
55
funding runway
80
website health
90
wrapper dependency
100
Last calculated: July 2026
How we score →Key Features
- Scan printed and handwritten math problems
- Smart calculator for typed problems
- Step-by-step explanations with multiple methods
- Word problem recognition
- Covers arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, statistics, calculus
- Custom visual aids
- Extra 'how' and 'why' tips
- Animated tutorials (Plus)
- Offline access to solutions (Plus)
- Built for elementary through college level
- Instant solution generation
- Multiple solution methods available
- Mobile app (iOS/Android)
- No login required for basic features
About Photomath
FreemiumBeginner-friendlyNo APIMobile
Photomath is a mobile math app that uses your phone's camera to scan printed or handwritten problems—including word problems—and delivers detailed step-by-step solutions. Covering elementary through college math (arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, statistics, calculus), it's designed to help students understand concepts, not just get answers. The free tier includes step-by-step explanations, custom visual aids, and extra 'how' and 'why' tips. A Plus subscription ($69.99/year or $9.99/month) adds animated tutorials and offline access. With over 100 million downloads, Photomath is positioned as a learning companion that fills the gap between a calculator and a tutor, though it does not cover graduate-level math or subjects like physics. Unlike Khan Academy's video-first approach, Photomath focuses on instant scan-and-solve convenience with on-screen explanations.
Behind the Verdict
Photomath excels when you're stuck on a specific problem and need clear steps fast. The free tier is genuinely useful—just scan and get multiple methods. The $9.99/month Plus adds animated tutorials and offline access, which helps when you're without internet. Where it bites: no advanced math beyond calculus, and it can become a crutch. We'd reach for this when doing routine homework; skip it if you want deep conceptual learning like Khan Academy offers. In practice, it's a solid supplement, not a replacement for a tutor.
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Real-world workflow fit
Concrete scenarios for the personas Photomath actually fits — and what changes day-one when you adopt it.
Middle school student stuck on algebra homework
Scans a printed quadratic equation with the app
Outcome: Receives step-by-step explanation with multiple solving methods, instantly understanding the process
College student preparing for calculus exam
Types a derivative problem into the smart calculator
Outcome: Gets a solved solution with visual aids, plus 'how' and 'why' tips to reinforce the concept
Parent helping child with geometry
Scans a word problem about area calculation
Outcome: The app breaks down the problem into steps, helping both parent and child learn together
Use Cases
- Scan a handwritten algebra problem to see each step solved
- Use the calculator to check your work during trig test prep
- Learn calculus concepts through animated tutorials with multiple methods
- Get help with word problems by scanning them for step-by-step breakdowns
- Practice math independently without a tutor
Limitations
- Does not cover advanced university topics like abstract algebra, differential equations, or complex analysis.
- Relies on clear images for scanning; blurry or messy handwriting may cause errors.
- Requires internet connection to scan problems on the free tier.
- The free tier lacks step-by-step explanations and animated tutorials, which require a Plus subscription ($9.99/month or $69.99/year).
as of 2026-06-29
12-month cost
Project the real annual outlay, including the implied monthly cost when only an annual tier is published.
Annual total
Free
Over 12 months
Effective monthly
Free
Billed monthly
Vendor list price only. Add-on usage, seat overages, and contract minimums are surfaced under Hidden costs & gotchas.
Plans compared
For each published Photomath tier: who it actually fits, and what it adds vs. the previous tier. Cross-reference the cost calculator above for projected annual outlay.
Basic
$0/mo
Plus (Billed Annually)
$69.99/yr
Plus (Billed Monthly)
$9.99/mo
Where the pricing makes sense
The company stage and team size where Photomath's pricing actually pencils out — and where peers do it cheaper.
Photomath's free tier is more generous than most competitors (Wolfram Alpha's free tier is limited). The Plus annual plan at $69.99/year is cheaper than a tutor or subscription services like Mathway Plus ($9.99/month). However, Khan Academy is entirely free and offers more in-depth video lessons.
Setup time & first value
How long it actually takes to get something useful out of Photomath — broken out by persona, not the marketing-page minute.
Download the app from the App Store or Google Play. No account creation required—you can start scanning problems immediately. First scan takes under a minute to see a solution.
Switching to or from Photomath
How to bring data in from common predecessors and how to get it back out — written for the switcher, not the buyer.
Migrating in
- →From a graphing calculator: Photomath replaces manual input with camera scanning, but you may still need a calculator for exams.
- →From a tutor: Photomath provides instant 24/7 help but lacks personalized explanations.
Migrating out
- ↗To Khan Academy: For deeper video-based learning with full courses, Photomath is a complement, not a full replacement.
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