Free AI Homework Helpers (2026): 10 Options Compared

Every parent and student I talk to asks the same thing in a different way: is there something free that explains the homework instead of just doing it? There is a long list of apps now, and most of them have a free way in. Some are really good at showing the working. Others are better at turning your own notes into practice questions.

Here are ten free AI homework helpers in no particular order, sorted alphabetically. I've taken each description from the tool's own website or app store listing, so check the current details there before anyone signs up. If you're choosing a general assistant for an older student, my comparison of Claude and ChatGPT looks at two of the most popular.

Free homework helpers at a glance

In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site or app store listing describes a free way to use it. Free versions often come with daily limits, adverts or locked extras, and offers change, so treat the column as a starting point and read the current details.

Tool	Type	Good for	Free plan
Brainly	Question site	Community answers plus an AI tutor and photo scan	Yes
Gauth	Homework app	Photo answers with explanations and a live AI tutor	Yes
Knowunity	Study community app	Shared notes, tutor chat, quizzes and flashcards	Yes
Mathos AI	Maths solver	Worked maths steps and a tutor that flags slips	Yes
NoteGPT	Study agent	Summaries, flashcards and quizzes from your material	Yes
Photomath	Maths app	Scan or type a problem and see each step	Yes
Solvely	Homework solver	Photo or typed questions solved step by step	Yes
StudyFetch	Study platform	Slides and lectures turned into quizzes and flashcards	Yes
Symbolab	Maths solver	Calculators, graphing and step-by-step working	Yes
Wolfram Alpha	Answer engine	Computed answers across maths, science and data	Yes

Ten homework apps and sites that explain as well as answer

Brainly

Best for: Students who like asking other learners and experts as well as an AI tutor, with a photo scan for maths questions.

Gauth

Best for: Students who want to snap a problem, read a worked explanation and talk it through with a voice AI tutor.

Knowunity

Best for: Students who want study notes shared by other learners alongside an AI tutor chat, mock exams and flashcards.

Mathos AI

Best for: Maths learners who want worked steps, a tutor that points out mistakes, plus quizzes, flashcards and a graph calculator.

NoteGPT

Best for: Students who want summaries, flashcards, quizzes and translated PDFs built from their own notes and reading.

Photomath

Best for: Learners who want to scan or type a maths problem and see the steps explained, from arithmetic up to calculus.

Solvely

Best for: Students who want a photo or typed question worked through step by step, with extras such as a quiz maker and note taker.

StudyFetch

Best for: Students with lecture slides, recordings or notes who want flashcards, practice tests and an AI tutor built from them.

Symbolab

Best for: People who want calculators, graphing and step-by-step working for algebra, calculus and trigonometry, typed or from a photo.

Wolfram Alpha

Best for: Anyone who wants computed answers across maths, science and everyday facts rather than a chatty tutor.

Using a homework helper to understand, not to hand in answers

Please follow your school's rules on AI help. Some teachers welcome it for checking working or revising, and others don't allow it at all for a given piece of work, so ask if you're not sure. Use these tools to understand how an answer is reached, not to hand in answers as your own. Parents, it's worth checking the age rules for any app before a child signs up.

A good habit is to try the question first, even badly. Then ask the helper to check your attempt or explain the step where you got stuck. You'll remember far more that way than if you read a finished solution and nod along.

Which kind of homework helper suits which subject

• Maths solvers. Built around typed or photographed problems, with the steps shown. They're strongest on algebra, calculus and similar topics where there's a clear method.
• Answer engines. These compute results from data and formulas. They're brilliant for checking a number, and less suited to talking through why a method works.
• Study platforms. They turn your slides, notes and recordings into flashcards, quizzes and practice tests. They suit revision and subjects with a lot to remember.
• Community apps. Other learners and experts add answers and notes. The range is wide, so read more than one before trusting any single reply.

Checking an AI homework answer before you trust it

AI tutors can be wrong, and they can sound confident while they're wrong. A sensible check is to work the problem backwards, or put your answer into the original question and see if it holds. For written subjects, compare what you've been told with your textbook or class notes.

If two tools give different answers, don't pick the one you like. Find the step where they split and work out which version matches what your teacher taught. That detective work is where a lot of the learning happens.

Questions to ask before a child uses a free homework app

• What age is the app meant for, and does it need a parent to set up the account?
• What does it do with photos of homework and anything typed into it?
• Which features are free, and which ones sit behind an upgrade or a daily limit?
• Are there adverts, and are they suitable for the age group?
• Does it show its working, or only the final answer?
• Can a parent see what has been asked?

If you run a tutoring service or a small education business and want help choosing the right tools, you can ask about working with an AI consultant in the UK.

Building a simple homework routine around a free AI helper

Keep it short and predictable. Do the first attempt on paper. Use the helper for one stuck point at a time. Write the explanation in your own words afterwards, and note the question to ask your teacher next lesson. Twenty focused minutes beats an hour of copying.

It also helps to keep a small list of mistakes you keep making, such as sign errors or mixing up units. Ask the helper to quiz you on those specifically. Many of these tools can make flashcards or practice sets from your own notes, which is a lovely way to use the free allowance.

Why a smaller homework app can be a sensible pick

Smaller apps often focus on one job, such as one subject or one way of studying, and that can make them easier for a child to use. Before you commit, check the app is still updated, read its help pages and try it on one real piece of homework. Free plans can change, so don't build a routine around a feature you haven't confirmed.

Do you make an AI homework or study app? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

A short checklist before you pick a homework helper

Choose two options that match the subject you need most. Try each on one question you've already attempted, see whether it explains clearly, and check the age and privacy details. Keep the one that teaches best, and agree the rules for using it with your school or your child.

Frequently asked questions

Are free AI homework helpers safe for children?

It depends on the app. Check the age rules, what the app does with photos and typed questions, and whether a parent needs to set up the account. Sit with younger children the first few times.

Can I hand in answers from an AI homework helper?

Check your school's rules first. The safest approach is to use the tool to understand a topic and then write your own answer in your own words.

Why does a homework helper sometimes give a wrong answer?

AI tools can make mistakes, especially on multi-step problems and written subjects. Check results against your notes or textbook, and ask your teacher if the answers disagree.

Do free plans have limits?

Often yes. Free versions can limit daily questions, show adverts or lock step-by-step extras, so read what the current free plan includes.

Which is better, a maths solver or a study platform?

They do different jobs. A maths solver explains how to work a problem, while a study platform turns your own material into quizzes and flashcards for revision.