- Who makes Photomath
- Photomath Basic vs Photomath Plus
- How to use Photomath for free
- When Photomath Plus is worth it
- Free alternatives to Photomath
- How to cancel a Photomath Plus trial
- What Photomath covers
- Is using Photomath cheating?
- Before you start a Photomath Plus trial
- My verdict: is Photomath free?
- Frequently asked questions
Yes, Photomath is free. Its Basic plan costs nothing and, according to its own App Store listing, includes step-by-step explanations at no charge. Photomath Plus is optional: it adds extras such as animated tutorials and textbook solutions, and photomath.com lists it at $9.99 a month or $69.99 a year as of October 2026.
That's rarer than you'd think. Plenty of maths apps let you scan a problem for free and then hide the working behind a paywall. Photomath's free tier shows the steps, which is the part that helps you learn. Here's what's in each plan and who makes the app now.
Who makes Photomath
Photomath is now a Google app. Its App Store listing names Google as the developer, and it carries Apple's Editors' Choice badge with a 4.8 rating from more than 700,000 ratings. It works on iPhone and iPad as well as Android, and the website says it covers elementary maths through to college level.
Photomath Basic vs Photomath Plus
| Plan | Price on photomath.com, October 2026 | What the developer says it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $0 | Scanning, solutions and step-by-step explanations, which the App Store listing says are included at no charge |
| Plus, billed monthly | $9.99 | Everything in Basic plus custom animated tutorials, detailed textbook solutions and more |
| Plus, billed annually | $69.99 | As above, billed once a year; the site offers a trial |
The annual plan costs about the same as seven months of the monthly plan. The App Store's in-app purchase list also shows Photomath Plus at $5.99 and $7.99, which suggests you may see different offers in the app, so check the price on your own screen.
How to use Photomath for free
- Install Photomath from the App Store or Google Play.
- Point your camera at the problem, handwritten, printed or on a screen. You can also type it into the smart calculator.
- Tap the solution to open the step-by-step explanation.
- Choose another method if Photomath offers more than one.
- Skip the Plus trial screen if you don't need textbook solutions or animated tutorials.
When Photomath Plus is worth it
Plus makes sense if you work from a textbook and want worked solutions for its exercises, or if you learn better from animated walkthroughs than from written steps. If you just want to check homework and understand the method, Basic does the job.
One tip from how the free version is built: read the steps before you look at the final answer. The app's whole pitch is that maths is about the process, and that's what your teacher will mark.
Free alternatives to Photomath
If you want a second opinion on a problem, there are other free tools. My guide to the free AI math solver options compares several, and Khan Academy is free for full lessons when you need the topic explained from scratch.
How to cancel a Photomath Plus trial
Photomath's listing says the subscription renews automatically unless you cancel at least 24 hours before the end of the billing period, and that you manage it in your App Store account settings. On iPhone, go to Settings, tap your name, then Subscriptions and Photomath. On Android, use Google Play's Payments and subscriptions.
What Photomath covers
Photomath says it's built for learners from elementary maths through to college. Its App Store listing names numbers and quantity, algebra, functions, trigonometry and angles, sequences, geometry and calculus. It reads handwritten problems, textbook pages and problems on a screen, and it can handle word problems as well as equations.
The free version also includes a smart calculator, so you can type a problem in when the camera struggles with messy handwriting.
Is using Photomath cheating?
It depends how you use it. Photomath describes itself as designed for learning, with each step there so you can check you understand the solution, and its listing quotes a review saying the steps help students without access to a tutor. Copying the final answer teaches you nothing, and your teacher will usually want to see your working. Using the steps to find where you went wrong is a different thing entirely.
Parents can use it the same way: scan the homework, read the method together, then let your child try a similar problem without the app.
Before you start a Photomath Plus trial
- Check which plan the trial turns into, monthly or annual.
- Note the renewal date. Photomath's listing says payment is charged to your Apple ID when you confirm the purchase, and the subscription renews unless you cancel at least 24 hours before the period ends.
- Decide whether you need textbook solutions. If your class doesn't use a supported textbook, Plus adds less.
- If a child is using it, make sure the subscription is on an account you can manage.
Photomath's website says it helps millions of learners every month, so it's worth trying the free version for a full week before deciding Plus is the missing piece.
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My verdict: is Photomath free?
Yes, and usefully so. The free Basic plan includes the step-by-step explanations, which is the feature most people want. Photomath Plus, at $9.99 a month or $69.99 a year on photomath.com as of October 2026, is worth it only if you need textbook solutions or animated tutorials. Use the free version to learn the method, and cancel any trial a day before it renews if you don't want to keep it.
If you're comparing homework helpers, see whether Gauth is free.
Frequently asked questions
Is Photomath completely free?
The Basic plan is free and includes step-by-step explanations at no charge. Photomath Plus is an optional paid upgrade.
How much is Photomath Plus?
As of October 2026 photomath.com lists Plus at $9.99 billed monthly or $69.99 billed annually.
Does free Photomath show the steps?
Yes. Its App Store listing says step-by-step explanations are included in the basic version at no charge.
Is Photomath owned by Google?
Yes. The App Store listing names Google as the developer.
Does Photomath do word problems?
Yes. Photomath says it can scan word problems as well as handwritten and printed problems.
How do I cancel Photomath Plus?
In your App Store or Google Play subscriptions, at least 24 hours before the billing period ends.
Does Photomath work on handwriting?
Yes. Photomath says it reads handwritten problems as well as printed textbook pages and problems on a screen, and you can type problems into its smart calculator.
What does Photomath Plus add?
Photomath says Plus adds custom animated tutorials, detailed textbook solutions and more on top of the free step-by-step explanations.
