Photomath

Photomath is a math-solving app for Android and iOS. It is best suited to learners who want worked explanations on a phone, with parents and teachers also among its intended users. Free Basic covers step-by-step help; Plus adds visual aids and guidance, but the personal-use terms and mobile-only reach narrow its fit.

Overview

Photomath takes problems from a camera scan or smart calculator entry and returns step-by-step solutions. It also accepts handwriting and can scan word problems, so its use is not limited to entering equations by hand. Some scanned problems offer more than one method, which can help learners compare approaches rather than merely check a final answer.

Its coverage spans elementary through college math, including algebra, geometry, trigonometry, statistics, and calculus. Interactive graphs can be zoomed and tapped for information, with definitions in context. That breadth makes it useful across many stages of study, though the Android and iOS focus rules it out for anyone who needs a desktop or browser-based workflow.

Key features

Camera, handwriting, and calculator input: Moving between a scan and calculator entry gives learners options when a problem is printed, handwritten, or easier to enter directly. Camera recognition also means users should consider the app's handling of captured images.

Worked solutions and methods: Step-by-step explanations are included in Basic. Multiple methods may be offered for a scanned problem, a useful learning aid for comparing reasoning, though it does not replace a teacher's feedback.

Visual and contextual support: Interactive graphs provide zooming and tappable information. Plus adds custom visual aids, extra “how” and “why” tips, Animated Tutorials, and teacher-approved definitions; those additions are most relevant to learners who want more than the free worked steps.

Pricing

Photomath is freemium, with Basic at free. It includes step-by-step explanations, but excludes custom visual aids and extra “how” and “why” tips. That is the sensible starting point for learners who mainly need solutions explained and can do without the Plus teaching aids.

Plus costs $9.99 a month when billed monthly, or $69.99 a year when billed annually. Both plans retain step-by-step explanations and add custom visual aids and extra guidance. The annual option costs less than paying the monthly rate for a full year, but commits the buyer to annual billing; monthly billing suits someone who wants a shorter commitment. Paid services are billed through Google Play Store or the iOS App Store.

No-cost subscription trials may be offered from time to time. A trial converts to paid billing unless canceled before it ends, so anyone trying Plus should check the end date and cancel in time if they do not want to continue.

Platforms

Photomath runs on Android and iOS, keeping the experience focused on phones and tablets. That suits learners who want to scan problems where they are working, but is a clear disadvantage for people who prefer a computer or need broader platform access.

Who it's for

Photomath is a good fit for students seeking guided help across a broad range of math, and for parents or teachers supporting learners. Its free explanations lower the barrier to checking work, while Plus is aimed at users who will benefit from additional visual and conceptual guidance. The Terms of Service limit use to personal, non-commercial purposes, so it is not the right choice for a business or other commercial setting.

The privacy policy says the service may collect usage, device, and location data, as well as camera images or video used to recognize and solve problems. It describes privacy-by-design measures including pseudonymization, data minimization, and encryption. User-taken images are not shared with service providers, advertising agencies, business partners, or other third parties, subject to the stated exception for its micro-tutoring feature.

Pros and cons

Pro — Broad math coverage: Elementary through college subjects, word problems, and multiple possible solution methods make it useful for more than a narrow set of equations.

Pro — Free worked steps: Basic includes step-by-step explanations, so learners can follow solutions without subscribing.

Con — Plus gates extra teaching aids: Custom visual aids and additional “how” and “why” guidance require a paid plan.

Con — Mobile only: Android and iOS support will not serve learners who need to work on a desktop or web app.

Con — Personal-use restriction: The service is not licensed for commercial use.

Alternatives

For a wider range of platforms or a daily free quota, consider AskSia: its free plan includes daily problem solves, step-by-step solutions, and photo input, and it runs on Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, the web, and as an extension. CameraMath is another free option for online photo, screenshot, handwritten, text, and calculator input with step-by-step solutions, and it also has a trial.

Mathway offers free solver and calculator access, with step-by-step solutions available and an optional subscription; choose it if that solver-and-calculator setup better fits your needs. ShowYourWork may suit someone who wants a free monthly allowance of three generations, plus explanations and practice problems that remain free.

Solvely, Brainly, Cymath, and Sovi.AI are other options to compare. For topic roundups, see AI Homework Helpers, AI Study Tools, and Math Solver Apps.

Verdict

Choose Photomath if you want free, step-by-step math explanations on Android or iOS, with broad subject coverage and optional paid visual guidance. Look elsewhere if you need a desktop or web experience, or if the personal, non-commercial restriction does not fit your use.