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Head to head · 2026

Mathway vs Socratic

Pricing, free plans, ratings, features, pros and cons, side by side. Where one comes out ahead, we mark it.

Mathway

Founded by two middle school friends in 2002, now owned by Chegg

4.4$9/mo

Visit Mathway (opens Mathway in a new tab)

Socratic

Google's 2018 homework app, now overshadowed by Gemini's own tools

4.3Free

Visit Socratic (opens Socratic in a new tab)

Who comes out ahead

Based only on the facts in our directory. The right pick still depends on the job you need done.

  • Lower starting price

    Not comparable

    Not comparable: Socratic does not list a price

  • Free plan

    Tie

    Both have one

  • Higher rating

    Mathway

    4.4 against 4.3

  • Same job?

    Yes

    Both are Education tools

Side by side

Compared onMathwaySocratic
Our rating4.4Better4.3
Starts at$9/moFree
Free planYesYes
CategoryEducationEducation
PlansFrom $9/moFree
Key features
  • Step-by-step math solutions across arithmetic through calculus
  • Camera and text-based problem input
  • Subscribers across roughly 100 countries
  • Localized into 13 languages
  • Free tier for basic problem solving
  • Camera-based homework help across many subjects
  • Acquired by Google in 2018
  • Curated educational content grounding explanations
  • Completely free to use
  • Predates Gemini and LearnLM's education features
Pros
  • Very long operating history since 2002, among the oldest in this category
  • Broad coverage from basic math through advanced calculus and statistics
  • Backed by Chegg's global education platform and reach
  • Covers a genuinely broad range of subjects beyond just math
  • Completely free with Google's backing
  • Camera-based input requires no typing
Cons
  • Full step-by-step explanations require a paid subscription
  • Interface feels less modern than newer AI-native competitors
  • Less conversational than newer chat-based math tutoring tools
  • Google's newer education AI investment has shifted toward Gemini's own features
  • Less actively developed than it may have been in earlier years
  • Newer competitors offer more conversational, adaptive interaction
CompanyMathway (Chegg, Inc.), founded 2002Google, founded 2013

Prices come from each vendor's pricing page, last checked 20260629. Check the vendor before you buy.

FAQ

Questions people ask

Is Mathway better than Socratic?

In our reviews Mathway scores 4.4 and Socratic scores 4.3. The better pick depends on the job. Mathway: Founded by two middle school friends in 2002, now owned by Chegg. Socratic: Google's 2018 homework app, now overshadowed by Gemini's own tools.

Which is cheaper, Mathway or Socratic?

Mathway: from $9/mo. Socratic: free.

Do Mathway and Socratic have free plans?

Yes, both have a free plan.

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