Overview

Problems can be captured with a mobile camera or entered in Photomath’s smart calculator, and the app provides step-by-step solutions. It also handles word problems, and a scan may produce more than one method. That makes it useful for comparing approaches, though a solution app is a study aid, not a substitute for doing the work yourself.

Coverage extends from elementary through college math: algebra, geometry, trigonometry, statistics, and calculus. Interactive graphs can be zoomed and tapped for information, with definitions in context. The trade-off is its mobile-only platform: Photomath is for Android and iOS, not someone seeking a desktop or web workspace.

Key features

Photo, handwriting, and calculator input: Capture a written problem or enter it directly. This flexibility helps when a problem is printed, handwritten, or easier to type, but camera-based solving entails capturing images of work.
Step-by-step solutions: Basic includes explanations, so the core learning aid does not require a subscription. Multiple methods may be offered for scanned problems, giving learners a way to compare routes rather than settle for one answer.
Plus learning aids: Plus adds custom visual aids, extra “how” and “why” tips, Animated Tutorials, and teacher-approved definitions. These additions are aimed at learners who want more context; they are not essential for someone who only needs the included step explanations.
Graphs: Interactive graphs support zooming and tapping for information, with definitions in context. This adds a way to explore a result visually, rather than treating the solution as a sequence of symbols alone.

Pricing

Photomath is freemium. Basic is free and includes step-by-step explanations, but excludes custom visual aids and the extra “how” and “why” tips. It is the sensible starting point for learners who want worked solutions without an ongoing bill.

Photomath Plus costs 9.99 USD per month, billed monthly, or 69.99 USD per year, billed annually. Both plans include step-by-step explanations, custom visual aids, and extra guidance. The annual plan costs less over a full year than twelve monthly payments, but requires a yearly commitment; monthly billing is more flexible and costs more across twelve months.

No-cost subscription trials may be offered from time to time. A trial converts to paid billing unless canceled before it ends. Paid Services are billed through Google Play Store or iOS App Store, so the purchase channel is tied to the mobile platform.

Platforms

Photomath is available on Android and iOS. That fits phone- and tablet-based study, but rules it out for readers who need browser, desktop, or Windows access. Its terms limit use to personal, non-commercial purposes, so it is not a fit for commercial deployment.

Who it's for

Students working across school and college math can use Photomath to follow solutions, compare methods, and explore graphs. Parents and teachers may also find it useful when supporting learners. Basic fits those who mainly want explanations; Plus is for people who expect to use its additional visual and conceptual aids. It is less suitable for anyone who needs a desktop workflow or a tool for commercial use.

Pros and cons

Pro: Basic includes step-by-step explanations, so learners can get more than a final answer without paying.
Pro: Broad coverage, word problems, and occasional multiple methods make it useful across varied math work.
Pro: Plus adds visual aids and further guidance for learners who need more context.
Con: Plus costs 9.99 USD per month or 69.99 USD per year; the extra aids may not warrant a recurring charge for users satisfied with Basic.
Con: Android and iOS are the only supported platforms, limiting use to mobile devices.
Con: The trial renews as paid unless canceled before it ends, making the deadline important for anyone trying Plus temporarily.
Con: The privacy policy says the service may collect usage, device, and location data, along with camera images or videos 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 micro-tutoring exception.

Alternatives

For broader homework and study-tool options, browse AI Homework Helpers, AI Study Tools, and Math Solver Apps.

CameraMath is worth considering if you want web access as well as Android and iOS, or its free online solver’s photo, screenshot, handwritten, text, and calculator inputs.
AskSia may suit users who need access across desktop and browser platforms as well as mobile; its free plan includes daily solves, step-by-step solutions, and photo input.
Mathway offers free solver and calculator access across Android, iOS, web, and Windows. Choose it if that broader platform range matters; step-by-step solutions are available, while an optional subscription unlocks the remainder of a plan description.
ShowYourWork may fit users who want a browser option and monthly capped generations: its free plan includes three generations per month, referral generations, and explanations and practice problems always free.
Solvely is another freemium option for Android, iOS, web, and browser extension.
Brainly is a freemium Android, iOS, and web alternative.
Cymath offers free step-by-step math solutions and a Plus plan for 5.00 USD per month, including ad-free use and detailed sub-steps on most problems.
Sovi.AI is a freemium option across Android, iOS, and web.

Verdict

Photomath is a strong choice for students who want mobile access to worked explanations across a wide range of math, with useful extra context available in Plus. Start with Basic: its step-by-step solutions cover the central need at no cost. Look elsewhere if you need a desktop or web app, or if the Plus subscription does not add enough to your learning to justify its price.

	Maxima	Photomath
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Free trial		Yes
Paid from	Free	$5.83/mo
Platforms	Linux, macOS, Web, Windows	Android, iOS
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Subject coverage	broad	broad
Platform coverage	multiplatform	mobile
Paid from		9.99 /mo
Photo input		Yes
Handwriting input		Yes
Step-by-step explanations		Yes
Step-by-step solutions		Yes

Maxima vs Photomath

Maxima

Photomath