The most common mistake with math solver apps is picking the one that spits out answers fastest, then copying the answer. You get the homework done and still can't do the test. The fix is to choose by how well an app shows the method, and whether it covers the subjects you actually take. Judged that way, Photomath and Gauth are good at different things. This comparison uses only what each app's official App Store listing says, as of October 2026, so you can decide without guessing.
Quick verdict
- Pick Photomath if math is your only problem subject and you want clear, free step-by-step explanations, multiple solution methods and graphs.
- Pick Gauth if you want one app for math and science, like the idea of an AI tutor you can talk to, or want the option of help from human experts.
- Either way, use the steps to check your own working rather than replacing it.
Both are free to download, both are rated 4+ on the App Store, and both offer a paid tier. The real differences are scope and style.
Photomath vs Gauth at a glance
Facts below come from the US App Store listings for Photomath and Gauth, as of October 2026. Prices and features change, so check the listing before you subscribe.
| Photomath | Gauth | |
|---|---|---|
| Developer (per listing) | Google LLC | GAUTHTECH PTE. LTD. |
| Price to download | Free, with in-app purchases | Free, with in-app purchases |
| Paid tier | Photomath Plus | Gauth PLUS: $11.99/month, $31.99/quarter, $99.99/year |
| Subjects | Math only (arithmetic to calculus) | Math, biology, physics, chemistry and others |
| Free step-by-step | Basic explanations included at no charge | Step-by-step guidance; PLUS adds unlimited detailed explanations |
| Standout features | Animated Steps, multiple solution methods, interactive graphs, video learning, scientific calculator | AI Live Tutor with voice and whiteboard, notes-to-quiz and flashcard converter, writing assistant, study timer |
| Human help | Not listed | 24/7 access to subject experts |
| Paid extras | Animated Tutorials, Textbook Solutions | Tutorial video library, practice questions, priority expert help |
| Requires | iOS 14.0 or later | iOS 15.0 or later |
| App size | 31.4 MB | 203 MB |
| Languages | English + 31 more | English + 13 more |
| App Store rating | 4.8 (about 733K ratings) | 4.8 (about 1.5M ratings) |
Photomath's listing shows several Photomath Plus purchase options between $5.99 and $9.99 but doesn't say which period each covers, so check the in-app paywall for the plan you'd actually pay for.
Where Photomath is better
It stays focused on math. Photomath's listing describes one job: scan a problem and walk through it step by step. Topics run from numbers and quantity through algebra, functions, trigonometry, sequences, geometry and calculus. If you open the app at 10 p.m. with a quadratic you can't factor, there's nothing else competing for your attention.
Free steps are clearly stated. The listing says basic step-by-step explanations are included in the free version. That matters for students who can't or don't want to subscribe. You can see how a problem is solved without paying, and only upgrade if you want the extra tutorials or textbook solutions.
More than one way to solve. "Multiple solution methods" is a listed feature. This is more useful than it sounds. If your teacher solves systems of equations by elimination and the app shows substitution, you'll get confused. Being able to see the method your class uses is the difference between learning and just checking.
Graphs and animated steps. Interactive graphs help with functions, and Animated Steps show how one line of working turns into the next. For visual learners, watching an expression change is often clearer than reading it.
Lighter on your phone. At 31.4 MB versus Gauth's 203 MB, and with support back to iOS 14, Photomath is easier to fit on an older or nearly full iPhone.
For more options with a similar math-only focus, see our list of the best math solver apps for iPhone.
Where Gauth is better
It covers more than math. Gauth's listing includes biology, physics and chemistry alongside math. If your hardest homework is a physics word problem one night and a chemistry question the next, one app may be simpler than two.
A tutor you can talk to. The AI Live Tutor works by voice, with concepts shown on a virtual whiteboard. Some students understand a spoken explanation faster than written steps, and being able to ask "why that step?" out loud is closer to working with a real tutor.
Access to human experts. Gauth lists round-the-clock access to subject experts for walkthroughs, with priority access in PLUS. Photomath's listing doesn't offer human help. If an AI explanation leaves you more confused, a person can sometimes untangle it.
Study tools beyond solving. Gauth can turn notes, audio or lecture links into quizzes and flashcards, and includes a writing assistant, a text simplifier and a study timer. If you want a single study hub, that's a real plus. If you already use a dedicated flashcard app, it's less important. Our guide to the best flashcard apps for iPhone covers those.
Wider math range on paper. Gauth's topic list includes statistics (probability, normal and Poisson distributions) and matrices, which Photomath's listing doesn't name. If you're in a statistics course, that may tip the choice.
The trade-off is cost and size. Gauth PLUS is a recurring subscription, and the app takes up more storage.
Which should you choose?
Work through these five checks, ideally with tonight's homework in front of you.
1. Is math the only subject you need help with?
If yes, Photomath's focus and free step-by-step explanations make it the simpler starting point. If you also need science help, Gauth covers more ground in one app.
2. Do you learn better by reading or by talking?
Readers and visual learners will be comfortable with Photomath's written and animated steps. If you'd rather ask questions out loud, Gauth's voice tutor fits that style.
3. Does the app show your class's method?
Take one problem from this week's homework that your teacher already solved in class. Scan it in both apps and compare the steps with your notes. Photomath lists multiple solution methods, so look for the one your teacher used. With Gauth, you can ask the tutor to explain it a specific way. The app whose steps match your class will save you the most confusion before a test.
4. Does it handle the problems you actually get?
Try a handwritten problem, a printed one from your textbook, and a word problem. Both listings say they handle word problems, but your own handwriting and your own course are the real test. If you're in statistics, check Gauth's coverage of distributions; if you're in calculus, try a derivative and an integral in each.
5. Are you willing to pay?
Use the free version of each for a week of real homework before subscribing. Many students find the free tier of one app covers most of what they need. If you do subscribe, note the renewal date: both listings describe auto-renewing subscriptions, which you manage in your Apple ID settings.
Whichever you pick, use it the right way. Try the problem first. When you're stuck or your answer doesn't match, open the app and find the first step where your working differs. Then close it and redo the problem yourself. That turns a solver into practice instead of a shortcut. Also check your teacher's rules: many allow solver apps for checking work but not for graded assignments.
If you're comparing tools for calculus specifically, our Symbolab vs Mathway comparison looks at two other popular options.
How Math Solver can help
Math Solver is our own iPhone app, and it's a simpler alternative if you mainly want quick answers with clear explanations. You point it at a math problem, and it returns a solution with an explanation you can follow to check your own working. It's built for students doing homework or exam prep, parents helping with assignments, tutors explaining a method, and anyone verifying a calculation. It doesn't offer the science subjects, voice tutor or human experts that Gauth lists. Pro Weekly ($4.99) and Pro Yearly ($29.99) subscriptions are listed on the App Store. More guides live on the Math Solver blog.
Frequently asked questions
Is Photomath or Gauth better for math?
For math alone, Photomath is the more focused choice: its App Store listing covers arithmetic through calculus and includes basic step-by-step explanations at no charge. Gauth also covers algebra, calculus and statistics, but spreads its features across several subjects and study tools.
Is Photomath free?
Photomath is free to download, and its listing says basic step-by-step explanations are included at no charge. Photomath Plus is an optional paid upgrade that adds animated tutorials and textbook solutions. Check the in-app screen for the current price in your country.
How much does Gauth PLUS cost?
As of October 2026, the US App Store listing gives Gauth PLUS at $11.99 per month, $31.99 per quarter or $99.99 per year, with introductory offers shown in the app. The listing notes prices may vary by region.
Who owns Photomath?
Photomath's App Store listing names Google LLC as the seller and developer, and its copyright line credits Photomath, Inc. Gauth is published by GAUTHTECH PTE. LTD., according to its own App Store page. Neither ownership detail changes how the apps solve problems.
Can I use a math solver app for homework?
Check your teacher's or school's rules first. Many allow solver apps for checking work or studying a worked method, but not for copying answers into graded assignments. Using the steps to find where your own working went wrong is usually the safest and most useful approach.
Conclusion
Photomath vs Gauth comes down to scope. Photomath is a focused math app with free step-by-step explanations, multiple methods and graphs, and it's light on storage. Gauth is a broader study companion covering math and science, with an AI voice tutor, human experts and study tools, at a higher subscription price. Don't choose by speed. Choose by which app explains things in a way you understand, and use it to find your mistakes, not to skip the work.