Photomath is an education app for students that provides step-by-step math problem solving via camera scanning on iOS and Android.
Product velocity
Maintenance
Daily rank 🇺🇸
#163
▲16Education · free
Sentiment
4.4
3.8M reviews
Nemesis
Mathway: Math Problem Solver
The App DNA
What makes this app unique?
Users hire Photomath to offload the cognitive load of complex homework, seeking immediate conceptual clarity that traditional textbooks or static answer keys fail to provide.
For Students from elementary to college levels and parents seeking to assist with math homework.
What does it look like?
Key features
Breaks down math problems into individual logical steps with rationale and definitions
Visual progression of specific mathematical operations to demonstrate the 'how' and 'why'
Access to detailed, expert-verified solutions for specific textbook problems
How much does it cost?
Freemium model anchors paid conversion on advanced pedagogical tools like animated tutorials and textbook-specific solutions.
Velocity
Maintenance developmentperformanceopaqueShow more...
The app ships approximately 0.08 releases per week, placing it firmly in the maintenance tier. Development activity is characterized by long intervals between updates, with the latest release occurring nearly six months after the previous one. All recent release notes are generic and opaque, focusing exclusively on stability and performance improvements without introducing new features or content. The development trend is stable at a low-frequency maintenance level.
Who built it?
13+ apps tracked · Education
Google Family Link
Google Earth
YouTube Kids
Google TV: Watch Movies & TV
Google Docs
Gboard – the Google Keyboard
Google One
Google Keep - Notes and lists
Google News
Snapseed: Photo Editor
Google NotebookLM
Google Play Books & AudiobooksUser Sentiment
What do users think recently?
The recent review mood reads mixed. Users appreciate step by step math explanations provide significant academic support for students across various grade levels, but report inaccurate problem recognition and incorrect solutions frequently frustrate users following the latest update.
How are ratings & reviews evolving?
What users say, by theme
- Step by step math explanations provide significant academic support for students across various grade levels
- Inaccurate problem recognition and incorrect solutions frequently frustrate users following the latest update
100 of 196 recent reviews analyzed · high confidence · Mixed overall
Read the full review analysisUnlock 1 user request, each backed by review evidence.
Access the full report for freeCompetition
Competitive landscape for Photomath
How's the Education market?
Photomath holds a #70 Free / #26 Grossing position in the US Education category. The Grossing rank lagging Free by 44 spots signals monetization friction relative to its discovery advantage.
Read the market outlookThe rivals identified
By Chegg, Inc.
Mathway remains the most direct rival, leveraging the Chegg ecosystem to provide a comprehensive study suite that extends beyond simple math solving.
- Deep integration with the Chegg study ecosystem for textbook solutions
- Broader subject coverage including Chemistry and Statistics
- Live 1-on-1 tutoring options available through the parent company platform
Brainly: Your Personal TutorContender
Symbolab - AI Math Solver AppContender
Symbolab PracticeContenderUnlock the head-to-head verdict: where this rival wins, and where it loses.
Access the full report for freeThe Analyst's Read
Key takeaways for Photomath
Where is it heading?
The math-solver market is consolidating around AI-integrated, multi-disciplinary tools, leaving Photomath exposed due to its narrow focus and recent technical instability. The PM must shift from maintenance-mode to aggressive feature parity to prevent further migration to Mathway and Gauth.
- OCR regressions in the latest release drive negative sentiment, which compounds the rating drag already visible on the Android platform.
- Competitor expansion into AI-powered word problem solving by Gauth pulls attention away from Photomath's manual-step pedagogy, accelerating churn pressure.
The SWOT
- Google-backed OCR engine provides industry-leading handwriting recognition
- Pedagogical focus on step-by-step logic builds brand trust
- 24/7 availability replaces traditional tutor costs
- Expansion into multi-disciplinary STEM subjects to match Mathway
- B2B partnerships with school districts for institutional access
Next best moves
Ship OCR reliability patches in the next sprint because scanning accuracy is the #1 complaint theme → stabilize the 4.29-star Android rating.
+ 1 more prioritized moveThe counter-intuitive read
Photomath's #26 Grossing rank is a liability, not a win…
Read the full takeFeature gaps
Multi-disciplinary support (Chemistry/Physics available in Mathway) +1
Since the last report: Photomath has entered a maintenance phase with declining OCR accuracy and persistent monetization friction, leading to a drop in user sentiment and increased churn risk.
Bottom line
Photomath maintains a category-leading position through its pedagogical focus, but recent technical regressions and aggressive monetization are driving churn to free alternatives, so the PM must prioritize OCR stability and broaden subject coverage to defend the user base.
Unlock 3 critical frictions, 2 market threats, 1 more prioritized move and the analyst’s take.
Access the full report for freeReport last updated