How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Khan Academy is the best free math learning app overall, with full courses from early math through calculus, all free.
- Photomath is the best homework helper, scanning problems and showing step by step solutions, though it should not replace learning.
- Brilliant is the best app for understanding math deeply, with interactive problems that build intuition rather than memorization.
- Prodigy is the best game based app for younger children, turning math practice into an adventure game.
- IXL suits schools and parents who want structured practice aligned to grade levels and standards.
- The best math app depends on age and goal: homework help, deep understanding, and classroom practice need different tools.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Khan Academy | Free full math courses | Free | Yes |
 Photomath | Homework help with steps | Free | Yes |
 Mathway | Problem solving across topics | Free | Yes |
 Brilliant | Deep interactive understanding | See website | No |
 Prodigy | Game based practice for kids | Free | Yes |
 IXL | Structured grade level practice | See website | No |
 Symbolab | Step by step calculator | Free | Yes |
 Desmos | Graphing and visualization | Free | Yes |
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The best math learning apps
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Khan Academy is a nonprofit offering completely free math courses from early math through arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, statistics, and calculus, with videos, practice exercises, and mastery tracking. Learners can follow a full course in order or target a specific topic, and teachers and parents can assign work and track progress. The depth and quality rival paid courses, which makes Khan Academy the best free math learning app overall.
It is less game like than Prodigy, so younger children may need encouragement, and there is no live tutoring. Practice can feel repetitive, though mastery tracking shows real progress. For a free, complete math education, Khan Academy is unmatched.
What we like- Completely free
- Full courses from early math to calculus
- Videos, practice, and mastery tracking
Watch out for- Less game like than Prodigy
- No live tutoring
- Practice can feel repetitive
#2Photomath
Best for: Homework help with steps4.5/5 on
G2 (2 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit photomath.com
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Photomath lets learners point a phone camera at a math problem, handwritten or printed, and see a step by step solution, with explanations for each move. That makes it the best homework helper for getting unstuck: a learner who understands most of a problem can see exactly where their work went wrong. Core scanning and steps are free, with premium adding deeper explanations and animated tutorials.
The risk is copying: learners who copy answers without studying steps learn nothing, and teachers increasingly detect that pattern. Camera scanning also struggles with messy handwriting. Used honestly, as a tutor that shows the next step, Photomath is a powerful learning aid.
What we like- Scans handwritten and printed problems
- Step by step solutions
- Free core features
Watch out for- Can encourage copying answers
- Advanced steps need premium
- Camera struggles with messy writing
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Mathway is an online problem solver covering basic math, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, calculus, statistics, and chemistry, with typed input for complex expressions that cameras handle poorly. Learners type a problem and get an answer instantly, with step by step explanations available on premium plans. Its breadth suits high school and college learners across many subjects.
Step explanations need premium, visualization is thinner than Desmos, and the instant answer format invites copying. For a broad problem solver that handles typed input well, Mathway is a strong companion to Khan Academy courses.
What we like- Covers algebra through calculus and chemistry
- Typed input for complex problems
- Instant answers
Watch out for- Step by step explanations need premium
- Less visual than Desmos
- Easy to misuse for copying
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Brilliant teaches math through interactive problems that build intuition rather than memorization, covering topics from foundational math and logic through algebra, geometry, calculus, and probability, plus science and computer science. Learners solve visual, hands on problems with immediate feedback, which builds understanding that lasts longer than memorized formulas.
Brilliant requires a subscription, drill practice is thinner than IXL, and it is not a homework solver. For learners who want to understand why math works, not just how to get answers, Brilliant is the best app on this list.
What we like- Interactive problems build intuition
- Strong math, science, and computer science courses
- Beautiful visuals
Watch out for- Subscription required
- Less drill practice than IXL
- Not a homework solver
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Prodigy turns math practice into an adventure game where children answer math questions to cast spells, battle monsters, and progress through a fantasy world. Questions adapt to each child skill level and align to grade level standards, which makes it popular in elementary classrooms and homes. The core game is free, with a paid membership adding extra game content.
Membership upsells appear in game, which parents should note, and Prodigy drills skills rather than teaching new concepts deeply, so it pairs best with a course like Khan Academy. For getting younger children to practice math willingly, Prodigy is the most effective game based app.
What we like- Game based practice kids enjoy
- Adapts to skill level
- Free core game for schools and parents
Watch out for- Membership upsells in game
- Math depth is practice, not teaching
- Best for elementary ages
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
IXL offers structured math practice aligned to grade levels and state standards, from early math through high school, with detailed progress tracking for parents and teachers. Skills are organized by grade and topic, so learners can target exactly what school is covering, and diagnostic tools find gaps to fill.
IXL requires a subscription, practice can feel like drill rather than discovery, and the interface is plain compared with games. For schools, tutors, and parents who want standards aligned practice with clear tracking, IXL is a dependable choice.
What we like- Structured practice aligned to standards
- Detailed progress tracking
- Covers math and language arts
Watch out for- Subscription required
- Practice can feel like drill
- Interface is plain
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Symbolab is a step by step calculator covering algebra, calculus, trigonometry, matrices, and more, with a graphing calculator included. Learners enter a problem and see the solution broken into steps, which helps college and high school learners check work and understand methods. Core features are free, with premium adding full step detail.
Full step detail needs premium, the interface is dense for younger learners, and like all solvers, it invites copying when used without study. For college level step by step help, Symbolab is one of the most complete tools available.
What we like- Step by step solutions across many topics
- Graphing calculator included
- Free core features
Watch out for- Steps need premium for full detail
- Interface is dense
- Easy to misuse for copying
#8Desmos
Best for: Graphing and visualization4.4/5 on
G2 (25 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit desmos.com
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Desmos offers a free, beautiful graphing calculator that visualizes functions, sliders, and data, plus classroom activities that teachers use to explore math concepts interactively. Seeing a graph change as a parameter moves builds intuition that equations alone rarely give, which makes Desmos invaluable for algebra, geometry, and calculus learners.
Desmos is not a course or drill app, so it needs a teacher, course, or self directed learner to guide study, and advanced features take time to learn. For visualization and exploration, Desmos is free, excellent, and used in classrooms across the country.
What we like- Completely free
- Beautiful graphing calculator
- Classroom activities included
Watch out for- Not a course or drill app
- Needs teacher or course guidance for learning
- Advanced features take time
How we chose
We ranked apps by teaching quality, practice depth, age fit, and price, favoring apps that build understanding over apps that merely give answers. We gave extra weight to free, complete courses like Khan Academy, since cost should not bar math learning, and to tools that show steps and reasoning rather than answers alone. We also separated teaching apps from homework solvers and games, since each serves a different job. Prices vary by plan, so starting prices are listed as See website except where a free plan applies.
Buying guide
Start by naming the learner age and goal. Young children learning basics fit Prodigy for practice plus Khan Academy for teaching. Middle and high school learners fit Khan Academy courses, Brilliant for understanding, and Photomath or Symbolab for homework help used honestly. College learners fit Symbolab, Mathway, and Desmos alongside coursework.
Next, set rules for solver apps. Photomath, Mathway, and Symbolab help most when learners try the problem first, then study the steps to find their error. Copying answers without study produces homework credit without learning, which fails on tests. Parents and teachers should discuss honest use openly rather than banning solvers outright.
Finally, combine a course with practice. A course like Khan Academy or Brilliant teaches concepts, while IXL or Prodigy drills them, and Desmos visualizes them. Track progress by mastery and test results, not by time spent, and adjust the mix when a learner stalls. Celebrate real milestones, like finishing a course unit or solving a hard problem unaided, to keep motivation strong. The best math learning app is the one matched to the learner age and goal that gets used regularly.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best math learning app overall?
Khan Academy is the best overall choice, since it offers complete free courses from early math through calculus with videos, practice, and mastery tracking. Brilliant is better for deep understanding, and Prodigy is better for young children who need game motivation.
Is Photomath cheating?
Photomath is a learning tool when used to study steps after trying a problem, and cheating when used to copy answers without understanding. Teachers can often tell the difference from test performance, so honest use protects learning.
Can adults learn math with these apps?
Yes. Khan Academy and Brilliant suit adult learners returning to math, with self paced courses that start at any level. Symbolab and Desmos help with college and professional study as well.
What math app is best for kids?
Prodigy is the best game based app for elementary children, turning practice into play. Khan Academy Kids and Khan Academy courses suit teaching, while IXL suits structured school aligned practice.
Are there completely free math apps?
Yes. Khan Academy and Desmos are completely free, and Photomath, Mathway, and Symbolab offer free core features. Brilliant, IXL, and premium solver steps require payment.
Sources we checked (0)
Is your product missing or out of date?
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Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.