Overview

Mathway is a problem-solving app and calculator for students, with tools that can also help parents and teachers support coursework. It suits people who want to move between subjects and enter problems from either a keyboard or a page. Its main compromise is that the full working behind a solution requires paid access.

Key features

Problems can be typed or submitted as photos of handwritten or printed work. Photo input is a practical shortcut for worksheet questions, while typing offers a direct alternative when there is no image to capture. Mathway can be used without signing up, making it possible to try its solver and calculators before choosing a subscription.

Coverage ranges from Basic Math and Pre-Algebra through Algebra, Trigonometry, Precalculus, Calculus, Statistics, Finite Math, and Linear Algebra, with Chemistry and Physics included too. Dedicated calculators handle jobs such as equations, factoring, derivatives, graphing, and statistics. That range makes Mathway a useful general coursework companion; for someone who needs help with only one narrow topic, much of its breadth may go unused.

The solver explains the method behind answers, but Premium unlocks the full work shown for each step. That distinction matters to learners: free access can help check a result, whereas students who need to follow the complete reasoning should plan to pay. The optional subscription also limits advertisements.

Pricing

Mathway has a Free plan at 0.00 USD per free, with access to its solver and calculators. Step-by-step solutions are available, but an optional subscription unlocks the full work for each step. This is the sensible starting point for occasional checking; it is less suitable for regular study where following every stage is important.

Step-by-Step Access costs 9.99 USD per month, billed monthly. It provides step-by-step solutions and limits advertisements, making it the clearest fit for students who want complete working without committing to a longer stated billing period. A 7-day trial is offered, but the monthly subscription renews automatically unless canceled.

Mathway Premium has custom pricing. It includes step-by-step solutions, with rates varying by subscription period and purchase channel; the current rate is shown at signup. Its subscription automatically renews for the selected period unless canceled. Subscriptions bought in the mobile app are billed through the relevant app store, so buyers should manage them there.

Platforms

Mathway is available on Android, iOS, the web, and Windows. The iPhone and iPad app is a free download with in-app purchases, giving mobile users a way to start without paying upfront. Android users can request data deletion, and data is encrypted in transit.

Who it's for

Mathway is best for students moving among several levels or subjects who want one place to enter a problem and check its solution. Its photo input is particularly useful for working from printed or handwritten questions. Parents and teachers may also find it useful as a problem-solving resource. It is a weaker choice for learners who need complete explanations but are not prepared to subscribe, or for people whose needs are limited to one specialized area.

Pros and cons

Pros: Typed and photo-based entry accommodates both newly written questions and existing worksheets.
Pros: Coverage across math, Chemistry, and Physics, plus dedicated calculators, can serve students with varied coursework.
Pros: No-sign-up access lets occasional users try the solver and calculators before subscribing.
Cons: Full step-by-step work requires a subscription, limiting the free plan's usefulness for learning methods rather than checking answers.
Cons: Paid subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled, so trial and subscription users need to keep track of renewal.

Alternatives

Cymath is worth considering if a lower-cost step-by-step option is the priority: it has a free plan with step-by-step math solutions and a Cymath Plus plan at 5.00 USD per month, which adds detailed sub-steps on most problems and removes ads.

Photomath may suit learners who want free step-by-step explanations on Android or iOS. Its Basic plan excludes custom visual aids and extra how-and-why tips, while Plus is 69.99 USD per year.

Maple Calculator is an option for mobile users focused on calculator work, but its free step-by-step solutions are limited to five per week and some aspects require internet access.

MathBuddy is a better fit for someone who wants full step-by-step explanations on a free account with a daily question allowance: it permits three questions a day after account creation, compared with one try without an account.

Mathos AI (MathGPTPro) is another freemium alternative, with limited video generation and image input, plus flashcards, quizzes, and auto-drawn graphs in its free plan.

SnapXam offers free one-time Solve API and Factor API plans for supported algebra, trigonometry, and calculus tasks, with step-by-step explanations on the Solve API.

MathPad may be preferable for people who want access across a wider range of platforms, including Linux, macOS, API, and browser extension, as well as mobile and web. Its free plan includes 10 daily credits and three AI Tutor trial messages per day.

GeoGebra is a freemium option across mobile, desktop, and web platforms.

For more choices, see Math Solver Apps and AI Homework Helpers.

Verdict

Mathway is a strong match for students who need a broad, cross-subject solver and value the choice of typed or photo-based input. Its biggest advantage is that range; its biggest drawback is the subscription gate on complete step-by-step work. Choose it if those capabilities justify the monthly cost, and look elsewhere if free explanations or a narrower, lower-cost tool matter more.

	Mathway	Ostrol
Free plan	Yes	No
Free trial	No	No
Paid from	$3.33/mo	—
Open source	No	No
Platforms	Android, iOS, Web, Windows	Web
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Paid from	9.99 /mo	—
Photo input	Yes	Yes
Handwriting input	Yes	—
Step-by-step explanations	Yes	Yes
Subject coverage	broad	broad
Platform coverage	multiplatform	web

Mathway vs Ostrol

Mathway

Ostrol