Socratic Solve
Disclosure: Socratic Solve is our app; we note where other apps are stronger. Claims about other apps come from their own sites and App Store listings. Prices are US prices as of September 2026 and may vary by region.
What Photomath does well
Photomath is a strong app. Made by Google, it scans handwritten, printed or on-screen math (including word problems), and explains the solution step by step, often with more than one method. It covers algebra through calculus. Google's Photomath help center says core features with step-by-step solutions to symbolic math "will always remain free of cost." It's rated 4.8 from about 733,000 ratings on the US App Store.
Photomath Plus adds animated tutorials, deeper explanations, contextual hints and textbook solutions, for $9.99 a month or $69.99 a year. If the free steps cover your math, you may not need an alternative. People usually switch because:
- They need other subjects. Photomath is math only.
- They want deeper explanations without Plus. Some word problem and textbook depth is paid.
- They want a second explanation that finally clicks.
- They want a human expert. Photomath's official pages don't mention human tutors.
What to look for in a Photomath alternative
Test each app on your own homework against this checklist:
- Subjects covered: math only, or science, history and other subjects too.
- Photo scanning: can it read your handwriting and printed worksheets?
- Free steps: are the steps free, or only the final answer?
- Step quality: does each step say why, not only what changed? See the worked example below.
- Review: can you find past problems again before a test?
- Language: does it work in the language you study in?
- Real price: the regular price, not the intro offer, and whether the free tier shows ads.
The best Photomath alternatives compared
| App | Best for | Subjects | Free steps? | Paid price (US) | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Photomath (for reference) | Free step-by-step math | Math only | Yes, for symbolic math | Plus: $9.99/month, $69.99/year | iOS, Android |
| Socratic Solve | Steps in every subject, 20+ languages | All subjects | Free credits to start | In-app: $6.99/week, $14.99/month, $49.99/year | iPhone, iPad, Android |
| Symbolab | Advanced math and calculators | Math only | Basic steps free | In-app from $7.99/month, $34.99/year | iOS, Android, web |
| Mathway | Quick math answers | Math only | No, answers free | Steps: $9.99/month, $39.99/year | iOS, Android, web |
| Gauth | All subjects with expert help | All subjects | Free limits not stated | Plus: $11.99/month, $31.99/quarter, $99.99/year | iOS, Android |
| Khan Academy | Learning the topic, free | All subjects | Hints on exercises, free | Khanmigo: $4/month, $44/year | iOS, Android, web |
| Google Lens | Free lookup in any subject | All subjects | Yes, math, physics and word problems | Free | Google app (iOS), Android, Chrome |
For the full nine-app breakdown, including Brainly and Chegg Study, see our best homework helper apps comparison.
1. Socratic Solve: best for math plus every other subject
Best for: students who like scan-and-explain but need it for physics, chemistry, biology and history too.
Socratic Solve scans printed or handwritten questions with your camera, or you can type a question or upload a photo. It returns a step-by-step solution with rendered math notation. Math coverage includes algebra, geometry, trigonometry, logarithms, linear algebra and calculus. Every solve is saved to a searchable history tagged by subject. The app works in 20+ languages, on iPhone, iPad (iOS 16+) and Android.
Limitations: it's a newer app with an App Store rating of 4.8 from only 5 ratings, so there's much less public feedback than for Photomath. Free credits get you started, but regular use needs a subscription (App Store in-app purchases: $6.99 a week, $14.99 a month or $49.99 a year). There are no human tutors. Socratic Solve is independent and not affiliated with Google or the former Socratic by Google app.
2. Symbolab: best for advanced math and calculators
Best for: high school and college students doing calculus and beyond.
Symbolab lets you type or snap a math problem, from pre-algebra to calculus, and gives free solutions with basic steps. It also has more than 500 calculators, from integrals to matrices, on iOS, Android and the web. A subscription unlocks more advanced steps and explanations, with in-app prices from $7.99 a month or $34.99 a year.
Limitations: math only, advanced steps are paid, and ad removal is a paid in-app purchase.
3. Mathway: best for quick math answers
Best for: checking a final answer in algebra, graphing or calculus.
Mathway, owned by Chegg, lets you snap a photo or type a problem, on iOS, Android or the web. Answers are free. Step-by-step solutions are the paid feature: Step-by-Step Access costs $9.99 a month or $39.99 a year under Mathway's published terms, and the App Store also lists higher in-app price points.
Limitations: math only, steps are paid, and the free app shows ads. Mathway's terms say a subscription "limits" ads rather than removing them.
4. Gauth: best for all subjects with expert backup
Best for: students who want AI explanations across subjects plus access to human experts.
Gauth covers math, biology, physics, chemistry and other subjects with step-by-step explanations. Its listing describes an AI Live Tutor and "24/7 expert academic support" from subject matter experts. Gauth Plus costs $11.99 a month, $31.99 a quarter or $99.99 a year, and the developer notes that prices may vary by region.
Limitations: unlimited detailed explanations are a Plus feature, and Gauth's official pages don't state the free limits.
5. Khan Academy: best free way to learn the topic
Best for: students who need the lesson, not the answer.
Khan Academy, a nonprofit, offers free videos and exercises with instant feedback and step-by-step hints across math, science, humanities and more. Its AI tutor, Khanmigo, costs $4 a month or $44 a year for learners and parents.
Limitations: there's no photo scan, so it won't solve the exact question on your worksheet. Pair it with a scan app.
6. Google Lens: best free lookup in any subject
Best for: a fast, free search when you're stuck on any question.
Google Lens lets you photograph a problem and "find explainers, videos, and results from the web" for math, history, chemistry, biology, physics and more. The Google app adds step-by-step guides for math, physics and word problems. It's free in the Google app on iPhone, on Android and in Chrome.
Limitations: it's a general camera search, not a homework app, so there's no subject history, and web results vary in quality.
Worked example: how to judge step quality
The real test of an app is whether its steps teach you something. Scan the same problem into two apps and compare. Here is what good steps look like for 2x² − 7x + 3 = 0, solved two ways.
Method 1: factoring
- Multiply a and c: a × c = 2 × 3 = 6.
- Find two numbers that multiply to 6 and add to −7: that's −6 and −1.
- Split the middle term: 2x² − 6x − x + 3 = 0.
- Factor by grouping: 2x(x − 3) − 1(x − 3) = 0, so (2x − 1)(x − 3) = 0.
- Zero product rule: 2x − 1 = 0 or x − 3 = 0, so x = 1/2 or x = 3.
Method 2: quadratic formula
- Identify the coefficients: a = 2, b = −7, c = 3.
- Discriminant: b² − 4ac = 49 − 24 = 25, and √25 = 5.
- Apply x = (−b ± √(b² − 4ac)) / 2a: x = (7 ± 5) / 4.
- Two answers: x = 12/4 = 3 and x = 2/4 = 1/2.
Check: 2(3)² − 7(3) + 3 = 18 − 21 + 3 = 0, and 2(1/2)² − 7(1/2) + 3 = 1/2 − 7/2 + 3 = 0. Both work.
Use this to judge any Photomath alternative:
- Does it name the rule? "Zero product rule" tells you what to do next time; a bare new line doesn't.
- Does it keep both answers? Dropping one loses a mark.
- Does it handle signs clearly? The most common slip here is writing −b as −7 instead of 7, which gives x = −3 and x = −1/2. Substituting x = −3 gives 18 + 21 + 3 = 42, not 0, so the check catches it.
- Does it show the check? If not, do it yourself.
For more practice reading steps, see our algebra solver with steps guide.
Which Photomath alternative should you choose?
- You need science, history or other subjects: Socratic Solve or Gauth. Socratic Solve if a searchable, subject-tagged history or studying in a language other than English matters to you; Gauth if you want human experts.
- You're in calculus or college math: Symbolab, for free basic steps and a large calculator library.
- You just want to check a final answer: Mathway's free answers, or Photomath itself.
- You want to understand the topic, for free: Khan Academy, paired with any scan app.
- You need something free right now in any subject: Google Lens.
- You only do symbolic math and the free steps are enough: stick with Photomath.
If you mainly want to snap math, our guide to apps that solve math problems from a picture goes deeper. Whatever you choose, read the steps, close the app and redo the problem on paper, and follow your school's academic integrity policy.
Try Socratic Solve free
Scan a question in any subject and get a step-by-step explanation. Free credits to start on iPhone, iPad and Android.
