Symbolab Math Solver Reviews, Alternatives, Pricing

Symbolab is an AI-powered math problem solver that competes in the online tutoring space. It provides step-by-step solutions for algebra, calculus, and other math topics. This article reviews Symbolab to help students and parents compare it with other tutoring platforms in 2025.

Symbolab Reviews and Testimonials

• Trustpilot (5 reviews, avg 2.8/5): Users are divided. Some praise Symbolab’s detailed math help, but most one-star reviews complain about billing and support. For example, one user said they were charged for a year of service and couldn’t get any help. Another called the company “absolute disgraceful” and warned others. A few positive Trustpilot users gave 4–5 stars, noting it helped them with algebra and calculus, but overall the rating is low.
• Google Play (Android app): The Symbolab app has about 138,000 reviews with a 4.4/5 rating. Many students call it a “lifesaver” for calculus. In reviews, users mention the app is fast and usually correct. Some complaints are about app bugs or the need to pay to see full solutions. In general, Google Play users like its accuracy but note free users only get limited help.
• Apple App Store (iOS app): The iOS app has 25,500 ratings and a 4.6/5 score. Reviews are mostly positive. One student wrote that buying the Pro plan was “worth it” and praised the step-by-step walkthroughs. Users say it is very helpful for college-level math. Some mention it beats Photomath for complex problems. Overall, the App Store reviews highlight its usefulness.
• Symbolab Website: On the official Symbolab site, no user reviews or testimonials are published. The site shows tools like graphing calculators and practice sets (as seen in the menu), but it has no customer feedback. We rely on external sites for reviews.

Wondering if Symbolab covers your specific math course? This visual map shows the full range of subjects the solver can handle.

As you can see, it specializes in the core math subjects engineering students face daily, from Algebra to Calculus.

Is Symbolab legit? Yes. Multiple sources confirm Symbolab is a real educational tool. For example, a review states, “Symbolab is a legitimate educational tool”. It is safe and well-known in the tutoring world. However, some reviews (especially on Trustpilot) warn about unexpected charges on subscriptions. This means Symbolab works as promised, but students should read the fine print.

Symbolab Pricing

Pricing Range

Symbolab’s paid subscription (Pro plan) costs $6.99 per month. The 6-month plan is $24.90 (about $4.15/month), and the annual plan is $29.99 (≈ $2.50/month). These USD prices cover all math features. Symbolab also sells a bundle with writing tools (QuillBot). There are no per-hour rates or subject-based fees; everyone pays the same subscription price for full access.

Check the Symbolab pricing page for details.

What Students Say About Pricing

Many students find Symbolab’s price affordable compared to hiring a private tutor. A monthly cost under $10 is low next to typical tutor rates (tutors often charge $25–$80/hour) or even Chegg Study ($14.95/month). One iOS reviewer said they “opted to pay for the Pro subscription” and it was “worth it” for calculus help. However, negative reviews warn about billing surprises: customers report being charged ~$40 instead of ~$10, leading to distrust. In summary, most feel $7/month is a good deal for the math help, but several users suggest checking the renewal and cancellation policies closely.

It can be confusing to know exactly what ‘Pro’ unlocks. Here is a clear breakdown of the Free vs. Paid features.

The critical difference lies in the ‘Step-by-Step’ solutions; without Pro, you only get the final answer.

Hidden Costs

Symbolab has no separate registration or cancellation fees. The main “hidden cost” is auto-renewal: when you buy a plan, it will renew automatically unless you cancel. Several users say they were surprised by these automatic charges. Otherwise there are no extra subject fees or one-time charges beyond the subscription. It’s wise to cancel before the trial or billing date to avoid unwanted charges.

How Symbolab’s Pricing Works

Payments are made online (credit card or PayPal) at signup. When you subscribe, you agree to automatic renewal. Symbolab offers only the three plans above (monthly, semi-annual, annual). Occasionally it runs promotions (for example, a “Back to School” deal on the annual plan was shown). There are no student or group discounts advertised, and no promo codes are publicly available. Basically, you pay upfront for the plan you want, and it renews on schedule.

Free Trial

Yes, Symbolab offers a 7-day free trial for new users. You can sign up and use the Pro features for a week at no cost, then cancel anytime during that period to avoid charges. (See the “Upgrade to Pro” page for signup details.) After the trial, your subscription will auto-renew unless you cancel.

Refund Policy

Symbolab’s official policy states that all payments are non-refundable. In short, once you pay, you cannot get a refund or credit. In practice, customer reviews confirm this strict policy: multiple users say refund requests were ignored or denied. For example, a reviewer complained that despite being unhappy, Symbolab “says no refunds or credits” (effectively stealing money). In other words, Symbolab does not honor refunds, so consider subscriptions carefully. Some users call this approach a “scam” because the company keeps payments even if service isn’t delivered.

Symbolab Alternatives

Students may look for alternatives if they want different features or pricing. For example, some platforms offer free tools, others give live tutoring. Below is a summary of popular alternatives.

Price is often the deciding factor for students. Let’s compare the monthly subscription costs of the top math solvers.

Symbolab sits in the affordable mid-range—cheaper than Chegg and Mathway, but slightly above Wolfram’s base plan.

Photomath

Pros: Photomath is a free app (with a Pro tier at $9.99/month or $69.99/year). It uses your phone camera to read and solve problems, which is very easy to use. It covers basic to high school math and provides step solutions (Pro mode). Many like its intuitive interface for quick answers. Cons: It is mobile-only (no desktop site), and advanced content (college math) is limited. Also, detailed steps are in the paid version. By contrast, Symbolab works on desktop and covers more advanced topics. In general, Photomath is convenient for simple problems and quick scans, but Symbolab can handle a wider range of math without needing a camera.

Wolfram|Alpha

Pros: Wolfram|Alpha is a powerful computational engine that covers math and science (like physics, chemistry, engineering). It gives detailed solutions and has huge knowledge data. The Wolfram|Alpha Pro subscription costs $5.00/month (billed $60/year) for step-by-step help, which is comparable to Symbolab’s yearly cost. Cons: Its input format can be tricky, and the free version only shows final answers. It has a steep learning curve. In comparison, Symbolab is easier for students to use (no special syntax needed). Wolfram|Alpha covers more subjects, but Symbolab’s step-by-step math focus is simpler. Students use Wolfram for advanced or interdisciplinary problems; Symbolab is just for math.

The debate between Symbolab and Wolfram|Alpha is common. This comparison highlights which tool fits your specific study style.

In short: use Symbolab for learning math steps, and Wolfram|Alpha for broader scientific data and physics problems.

Mathway

Pros: Mathway is similar to Symbolab. It covers many subjects including algebra, trigonometry, calculus, and even some chemistry math. It’s very fast and user-friendly. Mathway is free to get answers, but like Symbolab, it charges for detailed steps. Its subscription costs about $9.99/month or $39.99/year. Cons: The free mode only shows the final answer, no steps (to see steps you must pay). Symbolab’s free tier shows at least some steps. Mathway’s interface is clean but its fees are higher than Symbolab’s. In short, Mathway is good for quick answers, but Symbolab gives more learning value (some solution work is visible for free). For complete explanations, both require payment.

Chegg

Pros: Chegg is a broad study platform (not just math). It offers homework solutions, textbook answers, and live tutoring in many subjects. Chegg Study (textbook solutions) costs $14.95/month (or $19.95 with writing tools). Cons: It’s more expensive than Symbolab, and solutions are behind paywalls. Chegg’s main advantage is human help – you can ask questions to expert tutors and get answers by email. In contrast, Symbolab is cheaper and instant but automated. Chegg covers subjects Symbolab does not (like programming or writing). So Chegg is better if you need expert answers in any subject; Symbolab is better if you only need quick math problem solutions.

My Engineering Buddy

Pros: My Engineering Buddy (MEB) offers live 1:1 tutoring in advanced subjects, including all levels of math, engineering, and science. Tutors typically have higher qualifications (many are engineers or grad students). MEB provides personal attention and can tailor lessons to the student’s needs. Cons: Because MEB uses human tutors, it costs by the hour (usually \$20–\$30/hr or more). It’s generally more expensive and requires scheduling. Unlike Symbolab, help is not instant. However, many MEB users say the personal help was very effective – for example, one student noted the tutor “clearly explained a tough calculus concept” (testimonials on MEB’s site). Another mentioned quick support for homework questions. Overall, MEB excels at deep, personalized instruction. It also covers subjects beyond math. Students should consider MEB if they want expert tutors and help with complex problems, whereas Symbolab is better for quick, automated math solving.

How it Works?

For Students

Students start by visiting Symbolab’s site or downloading the app. They can solve many math problems immediately without an account. To get full access (like AI chat and full solutions), a student creates an account (e.g. with email) and chooses a plan. Once logged in, using Symbolab is on-demand: the student enters a problem or takes a photo of it, and Symbolab instantly returns the answer with steps. There is no tutor to wait for. There is also no scheduling of sessions – help is immediate whenever the student uses the tool.

For Tutors

Symbolab does not have human tutors. It is an AI-powered service, so individuals cannot register as tutors. There is no “become a tutor” link on Symbolab’s website. The platform simply provides automated solutions; all users subscribe to the service rather than joining as teachers. In other words, the concept of tutors setting rates or scheduling students does not apply to Symbolab at all.

Symbolab: Company Information

Founding year and background: Symbolab launched in 2011 in Israel. It was developed by founders Michal Avny (CEO) and others at the startup EqsQuest. In 2020, Symbolab became part of the US company Course Hero (which acquired EqsQuest).

Founders: The key founder is Michal Avny, who heads the company. (Lev Alyshayev was CTO early on.) They are Israeli entrepreneurs with expertise in math and tech.

Mission and vision: Symbolab’s mission is to make math easier through technology. It aims to help students understand math by showing clear solutions (see their site’s focus on step-by-step explanations). The vision is to be the go-to tool for math learning, helping as many students as possible worldwide.

Scale of operation: Symbolab is headquartered in Redwood City, California, USA. It operates globally: its apps and site serve users in many countries. The company reports over 300 million users and 1 billion problems solved by 2025:contentReference[oaicite:47]{index=47}, indicating worldwide reach. The team remains relatively small (a tech team of under 10 originally), supported by Course Hero. Because it uses automation, Symbolab does not employ human tutors; its focus is on technology, not staffing large tutoring networks.

Types of services: Symbolab offers math problem-solving tools. This includes 1:1 homework help via its AI solver, a free calculator for dozens of topics, graphing tools, and practice quizzes. It also has a mobile app. The company does not offer essay writing or test prep like some competitors, focusing specifically on math (and related science) problem-solving.

Subjects offered: Symbolab covers major math subjects. According to its website, it works in algebra, geometry, trigonometry, calculus, statistics, linear algebra, and even some chemistry-related math. In short, it handles basic arithmetic up through college-level math. It does not offer help in non-math subjects like literature.

Unique features: Symbolab emphasizes its step-by-step AI solver. It advertises itself as an “AI math tutor” that shows detailed solutions for each problem. It includes tools like a graphing calculator, a geometry solver, and a practice workbook. Symbolab also has a Chrome extension and a developer API. These features (along with mobile apps) make it a comprehensive math toolkit. The company claims these features help students learn, and many users confirm the step-by-step solutions are a real help.

USP of Symbolab

• Step-by-step solutions: Symbolab markets detailed, line-by-line derivations for math problems. Users say this is very helpful (a calculus student on iOS said the step walkthroughs helped a ton). This promise of clear steps is real.
• AI-powered tutoring: The site calls Symbolab an “AI math tutor” and offers an AI chat feature for Pro users. In practice, this chatbot exists, but student reviews are mixed on its usefulness. Still, it is a unique selling point.
• Wide math coverage: Symbolab handles everything from basic algebra to advanced calculus and beyond. Reviews confirm it solves many topics accurately, matching its claim of broad subject range.
• Large problem database: Symbolab boasts hundreds of millions of users and a vast library of problems. In reality, it does have many examples. Some users note occasional mistakes, but overall it fulfills the promise of having a large solution base.

Drawbacks of Symbolab

• No live tutors: Because Symbolab is automated, it cannot replace a human teacher. It won’t answer questions beyond its calculations, and users cannot interact with a tutor.
• Billing & refunds: Many users complain about unclear billing and no refunds. Symbolab’s policy explicitly disallows refunds, so customers feel misled by the “auto-renewal” fees and lack of support.
• Math-only scope: It only covers STEM/math subjects. Students who need help in other areas (like coding or writing) must use other services.
• Occasional errors: No automated solver is perfect. One review site notes Symbolab can give wrong answers sometimes. Students should double-check important solutions.
• Subscription needed: Full explanations require paying. The free version gives only answers or partial steps, so to learn thoroughly you must buy a plan.

Comparison with My Engineering Buddy

My Engineering Buddy (MEB) offers live one-on-one tutoring, which sets it apart. MEB excels in areas like advanced subject coverage and personalized attention. Its tutors cover not just math but also engineering, programming, and science. Pricing on MEB is hourly (often \$20–\$30/hr), which is higher than Symbolab’s flat \$6–\$7 monthly fee. However, MEB students get an expert guiding them in real time. Symbolab, by contrast, is cheaper and instant but only provides automatic answers.

Testimonials from MEB users: Many MEB users praise the personal tutors. For example, students often say their tutors explained complex concepts clearly and improved their grades. One testimonial on MEB’s site mentioned how the tutor helped with a tough calculus problem step by step. Another said MEB was quick to answer her questions and adapt to her schedule. These users highlight the benefit of having a real person to guide them, unlike using an app.

Why consider MEB for complex subjects: MEB is a strong alternative for students tackling difficult homework. Its tutors can answer follow-up questions and provide examples tailored to the student. For very advanced topics or any doubts, MEB’s human interaction is a big help. Symbolab cannot adapt to a learner’s needs in the same way. In short, MEB shines in personalized, complex tutoring, while Symbolab is better for instant math problem solving.

Customer Support and Policies

Symbolab’s customer support is not highly rated. Reviewers say support is slow or unresponsive – e.g., one customer complained repeatedly with no reply. The refund policy is strict: no refunds or credits allowed, and many users have their requests denied. My Engineering Buddy, on the other hand, promises responsive support and usually has clear guarantees. In general, MEB’s support policies are more customer-friendly than Symbolab’s.

Global Reach and Localization

Symbolab is a global platform. It reports over 300 million users worldwide. The website and apps are available in multiple languages (English, Spanish, Portuguese, etc.), though most content is in English. The platform is used heavily in the US, Europe, and Asia. MEB is also global but primarily operates in English. MEB has tutors from various countries and can often accommodate international students, but it does not have multiple interface languages like Symbolab.

Symbolab’s Future Plans

Symbolab is already built on AI and seems to keep expanding its AI tools. For example, it offers an “AI chat” feature for Pro users, allowing students to ask math questions conversationally. The company also provides an API for developers to use its math engine. Being owned by the AI-focused company Learneo, Symbolab is likely to refine its algorithms and add new features (though it has not announced specific plans). We expect Symbolab to continue enhancing its AI-powered tutoring and integrating with other educational tools.

FAQs About Symbolab

How does Symbolab compare to My Engineering Buddy?

Symbolab is an automated solver focused on math, whereas MEB provides live 1:1 tutoring. Symbolab can solve many math problems instantly at a flat rate. MEB covers a wider range of STEM subjects and charges by the hour (tutors often earn \$25–\$80/hr). Symbolab works well for quick answers, but MEB’s human tutors can adapt to students’ needs and explain complex concepts in depth.

Is Symbolab free?

It offers both free and paid service. Anyone can use the basic calculators and solvers for free. To get full step-by-step explanations and AI features, you must buy the Pro plan. In short, basic answers are free, but advanced help costs a subscription.

What subjects does Symbolab cover?

Symbolab covers a wide range of math topics. It works in algebra, geometry, trigonometry, calculus, statistics, linear algebra, and even some chemistry math. Reviews describe it as “versatile” across pre-algebra to calculus. It does not handle non-math subjects.

How accurate is Symbolab?

Generally it is reliable for many problems, and its answers are correct most of the time. However, no automated tool is perfect. Some reviews note that Symbolab can give wrong answers occasionally. Therefore, students should double-check important solutions and not rely on it 100%.

Does Symbolab offer a money-back guarantee?

No, Symbolab does not. Its official terms explicitly say no refunds or credits. In practice, customers report that refund requests are denied. One review site notes it “never gives refunds” even if asked. So there is no money-back guarantee.

How do I cancel my Symbolab subscription? You cancel via the platform you used to subscribe. If you signed up on the website, log in to your account and cancel before the next billing date. If you signed up through a mobile app, you must cancel in the Google Play or Apple App Store subscriptions section. There’s no refund if you miss the deadline.

Is Symbolab safe to use? Yes, Symbolab is a safe and legitimate tool. It has no malware or scams. Many students use it without issues. Just be careful to use it ethically (don’t copy answers on a test!).

Still unsure which tool is right for you? Follow this simple decision path to find your best match.

Sometimes an AI tool isn’t enough. When you need to understand the ‘why’ behind a complex engineering concept, human help is irreplaceable.

Conclusion

Symbolab is a strong math problem solver with clear step-by-step explanations. It covers a wide range of math topics and is used by millions worldwide. Its strengths are the detailed solutions and AI features. Its weaknesses include no human tutoring, a strict no-refund policy, and occasional billing complaints. For students needing advanced, interactive help, My Engineering Buddy may be a better choice, as it offers expert tutors and personalized support. However, for quick math answers at a low flat fee, Symbolab remains a popular option.