Photomath
Photomath remains the simplest way to get a worked solution out of a textbook page: point the camera, get the steps. Under Google since 2023 the app has stayed focused and free for the basics, and the paid tier is cheap by subscription standards, but the site barely explains what it adds, and a step-by-step solver is only as educational as the discipline of the student reading the steps. Teachers and parents should see it as a checking tool, not a tutor.
Pros
- Camera recognition handles printed and handwritten problems, including word problems
- Shows multiple solution methods with each step explained
- Free tier covers core solving with no account needed
- Paid tier is $9.99 a month or $69.99 a year, cheaper than most tutoring apps
Cons
- The site does not spell out what the paid tier adds beyond visual aids and extra tips
- Phone-only, with no web version for homework done on a laptop
- Trials convert to a paid subscription unless cancelled through the app store
- Learning depends on the student reading the steps rather than copying the answer