With so many math apps claiming to use AI, it’s tough to know what actually works—and what’s just a calculator in disguise.
As someone who works in AI tutoring every day, I’ve tested these tools with real students, from middle school to college.
The apps below aren’t just fast—they teach. That’s what makes the difference.
Our Top 5 Math AI Apps for 2025
- Socratic App – Best for understanding concepts
- Khanmigo – Best AI-powered learning companion
- Photomath – Best for scanning and step-by-step breakdowns
- Gauthmath – Best mix of AI + real tutor support
- Microsoft Math Solver – Best free tool with zero ads
- Symbolab – Best for advanced, college-level math
Quick Comparison
| App Name | Best For | Starting Price | AI Features | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Socratic App | Understanding concepts | Free / $6.99/week | Google AI explanations | ⭐ 4.9 |
| Khanmigo | In-depth tutoring | Free (beta access) | GPT-powered tutor | ⭐ 4.8 |
| Photomath | Step-by-step solving | Free / $9.99/month | AI + OCR engine | ⭐ 4.7 |
| Gauthmath | AI + real tutor help | Free / $6.99/month | AI + live tutor fallback | ⭐ 4.5 |
| Microsoft Math | Free, ad-free solving | Free | Microsoft AI engine | ⭐ 4.3 |
| Symbolab | College-level math problems | $6.99/month | Equation solver AI | ⭐ 4.2 |
1. Socratic App: Best for Understanding Concepts
💰 Starting price: Free (with optional $6.99/week subscription)
🧠 AI engine: Google AI
🔗 Try Socratic App
Socratic App is one of the most user-friendly AI learning tools I’ve used—especially for younger students or those who need more conceptual clarity. It’s not just about getting the answer; Socratic explains it in a way that actually makes sense.
From algebra to biology, it covers a wide range of subjects. Students can snap a photo of a problem or type in a question, and Socratic responds with step-by-step explanations, videos, and visual aids pulled from trusted educational sources.
✔️ Pros
- Great for math and science
- Breaks down word problems and equations
- Clean, simple interface
- Completely ad-free
❌ Cons
- Needs internet to work properly
- Not as strong in non-STEM subjects
Bottom line: Socratic is ideal for students who need help understanding the why, not just the what. It’s fast, visual, and free to try.
2. Khanmigo: Best AI-Powered Learning Companion
💰 Starting price: Free (for individual users)
🧠 AI engine: GPT-4 + Khan Academy
Khanmigo isn’t just a homework helper—it’s a full-blown AI tutor. Built by Khan Academy in partnership with OpenAI, it actually holds conversations with students to guide their thinking, not just spit out answers.
I’ve used Khanmigo with students preparing for SATs, struggling with Algebra, or just reviewing fractions.
The AI asks questions back to the student, which helps them understand the why, not just the how.
✔️ Pros
- Interactive tutor that explains concepts
- Free to use during beta
- Adapts to your level
- Excellent for self-learners
❌ Cons
- Still in limited beta access
- Not available offline
Bottom line: Khanmigo is my top pick. It teaches like I do—asking questions, giving nudges, and walking students through the thought process.
3. Photomath: Best for Scanning + Step-by-Step Explanations
💰 Starting price: Free / $9.99 per month for Plus
📱 Available on: iOS, Android
Photomath is a student favorite—and for good reason. Just take a photo of any handwritten or typed math problem, and the app solves it instantly, with steps included.
What sets it apart is how well it reads messy handwriting and how clearly it breaks down each step. For students who struggle with multi-step problems or don’t know where they went wrong, this app makes a huge difference.
✔️ Pros
- Reads handwriting accurately
- Step-by-step breakdowns
- Covers Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Calculus
- Clean interface
❌ Cons
- Full explanations require the paid version
- Doesn’t teach deep understanding like Khanmigo
Bottom line: If your student learns visually and needs detailed breakdowns, Photomath is a must-have tool.
4. Gauthmath: Best for Real Tutor Backup
💰 Starting price: Free / Premium starts at $6.99 per month
🔁 AI + human tutors
Gauthmath blends AI answers with access to real human tutors. When AI can’t solve a problem—or the student needs more explanation—it routes them to a live expert.
Students can upload a problem and get a response from a tutor in under 10 minutes. I recommend Gauthmath for learners who need reassurance or ongoing feedback outside of scheduled sessions.
✔️ Pros
- Real human backup within minutes
- Voice input and photo upload
- Great for tricky word problems
- Gamified elements keep students engaged
❌ Cons
- Not all tutors are equally high-quality
- AI responses can be shallow for advanced problems
Bottom line: Gauthmath is a solid hybrid solution—perfect for students who want the speed of AI and the reliability of human help.
5. Microsoft Math Solver: Best Free App With No Ads
💰 Starting price: Free
🖥️ Platform: Web, iOS, Android
Microsoft’s math app has quietly become one of the best free options on the market. It solves problems, graphs equations, and gives step-by-step explanations—all without ads or pushy upsells.
I use it with students who want something simple and ad-free that still works on mobile and desktop. It covers topics from basic arithmetic through calculus.
✔️ Pros
- 100% free and no ads
- Good graphing tools
- Works well with typed or handwritten input
- Available across devices
❌ Cons
- Doesn’t personalize learning paths
- No real-time tutor support
Bottom line: For students or parents who want a no-cost, no-friction experience, Microsoft Math Solver is the best pick.
6. Symbolab: Best for Advanced Math (College Level)
💰 Starting price: $6.99 per month
📚 Focus: Calculus, Linear Algebra, Advanced Math
Symbolab is perfect for older students—college-level, AP, or anyone doing advanced coursework. It tackles the kind of problems that most other AI apps can’t handle, including complex integrals and matrices.
Students can input problems manually or with their camera, and Symbolab walks through each step. The interface feels a bit clunky, but the engine is powerful.
✔️ Pros
- Handles very advanced problems
- Excellent step-by-step support
- Ideal for STEM majors
❌ Cons
- Interface isn’t the most modern
- Can be overwhelming for younger students
Bottom line: If you’re in college-level math or STEM, Symbolab is the tool I trust most.
Key Takeaways 🔍
- Socratic App – Best for understanding concepts
- Khanmigo – Best AI-powered learning companion
- Photomath – Best for scanning and step-by-step breakdowns
- Gauthmath – Best mix of AI + real tutor support
- Microsoft Math Solver – Best free tool with zero ads
- Symbolab – Best for advanced, college-level math
How to Choose the Right Math AI App
Before choosing a math app, I always ask the following:
Ask Yourself:
- What’s the student’s age or grade level?
- Are they struggling to understand or just looking to check answers?
- Do they prefer to type, scan, or speak their math problems?
- Is the budget $0, or is there room for a monthly plan?
Quick App Recommendation Table:
| Need | Recommended App |
|---|---|
| Free + no ads | Microsoft Math Solver |
| Best tutoring explanations | Khanmigo |
| Handwritten problem support | Photomath |
| Human help + AI combo | Gauthmath |
| Advanced math & STEM | Symbolab |
My Final Thoughts
As someone who tutors using AI tools daily, I’ve seen first-hand how the right app can save hours of frustration and boost student performance.
The goal isn’t just to get answers faster—it’s to help students feel more confident solving problems on their own.
Here’s my advice:
- Use Khanmigo if you want a full learning experience guided by AI
- Stick with Photomath or Gauthmath if you need quick help between tutoring sessions
- Try Microsoft Math Solver if you’re on a budget
- Choose Symbolab for college-level math and exams
No matter what, start free if you can, and see how your student responds before upgrading to premium.
