Shortlist by what you need
Start here if you know why you are leaving Mathway.
Want the closest match?
GauthMost similar to Mathway in what it does, its category and its price.
Visit (opens Gauth in a new tab)Need a free plan?
PhotomathHas a free plan, rated 4.6 out of 5.
Visit (opens Photomath in a new tab)Want the best rated?
NearpodRated 4.4 out of 5 in our review, against 4.4 for Mathway.
Visit (opens Nearpod in a new tab)
At a glance
Green means better than Mathway, red means worse. Prices are starting prices per month.
| Tool | Our rating | Starts at | Free plan | Best for | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 MathwayBaseline | 4.4 | $9/mo | Yes | Founded by two middle school friends in 2002, now owned by Chegg | |
| Gauth | 4.3−0.1 | $6/mo$3 less | Yes | ByteDance's camera-based homework solver, popular internationally | vs Mathway |
| Photomath | 4.6+0.2 | $6/mo$3 less | Yes | The original camera math solver, now fully owned by Google | vs Mathway |
 Socratic | 4.3−0.1 | Free | Yes | Google's 2018 homework app, now overshadowed by Gemini's own tools | vs Mathway |
 Math AI | 3.7−0.7 | Free | Yes | Photograph a handwritten equation and get the working, not just the answer. | vs Mathway |
| Nearpod | 4.4Same | $13.25/mo$4.25 more | Yes | An established interactive lesson platform, now backed by $650M in funding | vs Mathway |
 MathGPT | 3.8−0.6 | Free | Yes | Math-first homework helper that also runs PhysicsGPT, ChemGPT and AccountingGPT off the same input box. | vs Mathway |
 Course Hero | 4.0−0.4 | $9/moSame price | Yes | A study-document marketplace since 2006, now with AI tutoring added | vs Mathway |
 StudyX | 3.4−1.0 | Free | Yes | Homework solver, note taker, flashcards and quizzes from any PDF, lecture or video. | vs Mathway |
The alternatives in detail
In order of how closely each one matches Mathway.
Gauth
4.3$6/mo
vs Mathway$3 less−0.1
ByteDance's camera-based homework solver, popular internationally.
- Camera-based homework problem solving
- Covers a broad range of subjects beyond math specifically
- Built by ByteDance's GauthTech
Broader subject coverage than math-only camera-solving competitors
Data handling practices warrant independent research given its ownership
Photomath
4.6$6/mo
vs Mathway$3 less+0.2
The original camera math solver, now fully owned by Google.
- Pioneered camera-based math problem solving
- Step-by-step solutions for printed and handwritten problems
- Acquired by Google, announced May 2022
Pioneered the exact camera-based interaction competitors later adopted
Deeper step-by-step explanations require a paid tier
Socratic
4.3Free
vs Mathway−0.1
Google's 2018 homework app, now overshadowed by Gemini's own tools.
- Camera-based homework help across many subjects
- Acquired by Google in 2018
- Curated educational content grounding explanations
Covers a genuinely broad range of subjects beyond just math
Google's newer education AI investment has shifted toward Gemini's own features
Math AI
3.7Free
vs Mathway−0.7
Photograph a handwritten equation and get the working, not just the answer.
- Photo recognition of handwritten and printed problems
- Step-by-step solutions with concept explanations
- Algebra, geometry, trigonometry and statistics
Photographing the notebook removes the retyping barrier
Worked steps are a shortcut when copied and the tool cannot tell
Nearpod
4.4$13.25/mo
vs Mathway$4.25 moreSame
An established interactive lesson platform, now backed by $650M in funding.
- Virtual reality field trips and science simulations
- Interactive slideshows, polls, and collaborative boards
- Acquired by Renaissance Learning for $650 million in 2021
Broader, more mature feature set than newer interactive-lesson competitors
More features and reporting require a paid plan
MathGPT
3.8Free
vs Mathway−0.6
Math-first homework helper that also runs PhysicsGPT, ChemGPT and AccountingGPT off the same input box.
- Step-by-step math problem solving from typed or photographed input
- Switchable PhysicsGPT, ChemGPT and AccountingGPT modes
- Lecture summarizer and video gallery
Four subjects covered from one shared interface
Easy to misuse as an answer shortcut rather than a study aid
Course Hero
4.0$9/mo
vs MathwaySame price−0.4
A study-document marketplace since 2006, now with AI tutoring added.
- Large library of course-specific study documents and notes
- AI-powered tutoring and step-by-step explanations
- Content shared and uploaded by students across many schools
Extensive library of real, course-specific study materials
Full document access requires a paid subscription
StudyX
3.4Free
vs Mathway−1.0
Homework solver, note taker, flashcards and quizzes from any PDF, lecture or video.
- Step-by-step homework solutions and maths solver
- Notes, flashcards and quizzes from lectures or PDFs
- PDF and video summarisers
Flashcards and quizzes from a lecture support retrieval practice
Ships an AI Humanizer for defeating detectors, and sells to students
FAQ
Questions people ask
Is Mathway free?
Mathway has a free plan, and paid plans start from $9/mo.
What is the best free alternative to Mathway?
Photomath is the highest-rated alternative here with a free plan (4.6 out of 5). Other free options: Nearpod, Gauth, Socratic.
What is the cheapest alternative to Mathway?
Among paid plans, Gauth has the lowest starting price (from $6/mo). If you need it free, start with Photomath.
How did you pick these alternatives?
We match tools on what they do, their category and their price, using the details in our directory. Ratings come from our reviews and reader reviews.