Photomath
Point your camera at a math problem, get the full worked solution
Acquired — still operating
acquired by Google (closed Jun 2023)
About
Photomath is a mobile app for Android and iOS that scans printed or handwritten math problems with the phone camera and returns step-by-step solutions, from basic arithmetic through algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus. Founded in 2014 by Damir Sabol (Microblink), it was acquired by Google in a deal announced May 2022 and closed June 2023 after EU approval. The free tier covers core step-by-step solving and works offline for many problem types; Photomath Plus (about $9.99/month or $69.99/year per reviewers) adds AI tutor explanations, textbook solutions, and animated graphing. Explanations follow textbook-style methods and often show multiple solution paths. The honest caveat: an instant solver can become a homework shortcut, so its value as a learning aid depends on the student's intent.
What it can do
- Camera scanning of printed and handwritten math problems, step-by-step worked solutions from arithmetic to calculus, multiple solution methods per problem, animated step visuals and interactive graphs, offline solving for many problem types, available in 32 languages
Setup
Install from the App Store or Google Play, open the app, and point the camera at a printed or handwritten problem.
Prerequisites
A smartphone with a working camera; a Google account for Plus features.
Use cases
Works with
Trust score — 8/10
Scored 8/10 (verified tier, metrics-v1). Evidence: Google-owned since June 2023 (deal announced May 2022, EU approved March 2023) — per Wikipedia.; Core step-by-step solving free; Plus ~$9.99/mo or $69.99/yr per third-party reviewers.; Camera OCR handles printed and handwritten problems; works offline for many types.; Limitation: instant solver can become a homework shortcut; value depends on student intent..
Sources
Every fact above was checked against these sources. Where a claim comes from the provider and couldn't be independently verified, the text says so.