💡 Key Takeaways:
- Socratic by Google offers the best overall free experience across all subjects
- Photomath excels at detailed math solutions with step-by-step explanations
- Microsoft Math Solver provides a robust free alternative with multiple solution methods
Staring at a difficult homework problem and feeling stuck? You’re not alone. Today’s technology offers a brilliant solution: AI homework helpers that can solve problems just by looking at a picture. Simply snap a photo or upload a screenshot, and get instant help understanding the solution.
We’ve thoroughly tested dozens of these tools to bring you the 10 best options that are genuinely free to use. Let’s dive in!
How We Tested - Ranked the Best AI Picture Solvers
Picture Recognition Accuracy
How well does it read questions from images? We tested with handwritten notes, printed text, and complex diagrams to evaluate OCR capabilities.
Solution Quality
Are answers correct with clear explanations? We verified accuracy across different subjects and assessed the clarity of step-by-step solutions.
Free Plan Value
What features are available without paying? We evaluated the generosity of free tiers and identified any hidden limitations or paywalls.
Subject Range
Which subjects and topics are covered? We tested across math, science, literature, and other academic disciplines to assess versatility.
Top 10 Free AI Homework Helpers to Solve by Picture
Full Comparison Table: All 10 AI Homework Helpers
| Feature | Socratic | Photomath | Brainly | Microsoft Math | Quizlet | Chegg | ScanSolve | Course Hero | Numerade | Humbot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Picture Recognition | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Excellent | Good | Basic | Good | Good | Good | |
| Subject Coverage | All Subjects | Math Only | All Subjects | Math Only | All Subjects | All Subjects | Basic Sciences | All Subjects | STEM Focus | All Subjects |
| Free Plan | 100% Free | Basic Free | Limited Free | 100% Free | Basic Free | Limited Free | Basic Free | Limited Free | Limited Free | Basic Free |
| Solution Quality | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Excellent | Good | Excellent | Basic | Good | Excellent | Good |
| Step-by-Step | ✅ | ✅ | Partial | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | Basic | Partial | ✅ | Partial |
| Handwriting Recognition | Good | Excellent | Basic | Excellent | ❌ | Good | Basic | Basic | Good | Basic |
| Platform Support | Mobile Apps | Mobile Apps | All Platforms | All Platforms | All Platforms | All Platforms | Mobile Apps | All Platforms | All Platforms | Web Platform |
| Starting Price | Free | $9.99/month | $9.99/month | Free | $7.99/month | $14.95/month | $4.99/month | $39.95/month | $19.99/month | $9.99/month |
| Best For | All-Around Help | Math Explanations | Community Help | Free Math | Study Materials | Expert Solutions | Quick Answers | University Level | Video Learning | Writing Help |
1. Socratic by Google - Best Overall Free Multi-Subject Helper
Socratic by Google
Best for comprehensive multi-subject homework help with Google's AI technology
Socratic by Google is the most reliable and comprehensive free AI homework helper available. Using Google's advanced AI technology, it delivers accurate results across multiple subjects without any hidden costs. Simply snap a photo of any homework question and get instant, detailed explanations.
✅ Pros
- Completely free with no paywalls
- Multi-subject coverage (Math, Science, Literature, Social Studies)
- Google's advanced AI technology
- Instant image recognition and analysis
- Step-by-step explanations
- Available on iOS and Android
❌ Cons
- Requires internet connection
- Limited to mobile apps
- No desktop version available
💰 Pricing
Free: Complete access to all core features
Premium: No premium tier needed
🎯 Best For
Students who need comprehensive homework help across multiple subjects without any cost barriers. Perfect for K-12 and college students.
2. Photomath - Best for Step-by-Step Math Explanations
Photomath
Best for detailed step-by-step math explanations with visual problem recognition
Photomath is unmatched for mathematics, offering crystal-clear explanations that help you truly understand concepts. Point your camera at any math problem, handwritten or printed, and get instant recognition with multiple solution methods and detailed step-by-step breakdowns.
✅ Pros
- Unmatched math problem recognition
- Detailed step-by-step explanations
- Handles handwritten and printed problems
- Multiple solution methods
- Free basic scanning and solutions
- Available on iOS and Android
❌ Cons
- Limited to mathematics only
- Premium features require subscription
- Requires good lighting for best results
💰 Pricing
Free: Basic scanning and step-by-step solutions
Premium: $9.99/month for animated tutorials and advanced features
🎯 Best For
Students struggling with math concepts who need detailed explanations to understand the problem-solving process.
3. Brainly - Best Community-Powered Helper
Brainly
Best for expert-verified answers from a community of students and educators
Brainly offers excellent community-powered homework help with expert-verified answers. Upload a picture to search millions of previously answered questions or get new answers from subject matter experts. Perfect for finding multiple perspectives on complex problems.
✅ Pros
- Expert-verified answers from community
- Millions of previously answered questions
- Coverage across all school subjects
- Strong STEM field coverage
- Multiple perspectives on solutions
- Available on web, iOS, and Android
❌ Cons
- Limited free questions per month
- Answer quality can vary
- Requires internet connection
- Some answers may be outdated
💰 Pricing
Free: Limited questions per month
Premium: $9.99/month for unlimited questions and ad-free experience
🎯 Best For
Students who prefer learning from peer explanations and want access to a vast database of answered questions.
4. Microsoft Math Solver - Best Free Alternative to Photomath
Microsoft Math Solver
Best for completely free math solutions with Microsoft's reliable AI technology
Microsoft Math Solver is a powerful free tool backed by Microsoft's technology, offering multiple solution approaches without any cost. Take a photo or upload an image of any math problem for instant analysis with comprehensive coverage from elementary to college level.
✅ Pros
- Completely free with no limitations
- Microsoft's reliable AI technology
- Multiple solution methods
- Comprehensive math coverage
- Available on web, iOS, and Android
- Step-by-step explanations
❌ Cons
- Limited to mathematics only
- Requires internet connection
- Interface can be less intuitive than Photomath
💰 Pricing
Free: 100% free with all features included
Premium: No premium tier available
🎯 Best For
Students who want a completely free math solver with multiple solution approaches and Microsoft's reliable technology.
5. Quizlet - Best for Study Tool Integration
Quizlet
Best for converting homework problems into long-term study materials and flashcards
Quizlet is perfect for turning homework questions into long-term study materials. Snap a picture to create flashcards or search existing study sets with similar questions. Excellent for building a comprehensive study database for exam preparation.
✅ Pros
- Turn homework into study materials
- Extensive user-created content library
- Coverage across all subjects
- Flashcard creation from images
- Available on web, iOS, and Android
- Community-driven study sets
❌ Cons
- Limited direct problem solving
- Premium features require subscription
- Content quality varies by user
- More focused on memorization than problem-solving
💰 Pricing
Free: Basic features and community content
Premium: $7.99/month for advanced study tools and ad-free experience
🎯 Best For
Students who want to convert homework problems into long-term study materials and flashcards for exam preparation.
6. Chegg - Best for Expert-Verified Answers
Chegg
Best for expert-verified solutions from subject matter experts and professionals
Chegg provides high-quality expert-verified solutions from subject matter experts. Upload images to get solutions from professionals or search their vast answer database. Ideal for serious learners who need reliable, professional academic support.
✅ Pros
- Expert-verified solutions
- Vast database of answered questions
- Strong STEM subject coverage
- High-quality explanations
- Available on web, iOS, and Android
- Professional academic support
❌ Cons
- Limited free functionality
- Expensive subscription required
- Most features behind paywall
- Requires internet connection
💰 Pricing
Free: Limited preview of solutions
Premium: $14.95/month for full access to all features
🎯 Best For
College students and serious learners who need expert-verified solutions and are willing to pay for premium academic support.
7. ScanSolve - Best for Simplicity and Speed
ScanSolve
Best for quick answers to simple math and science problems without complex interfaces
ScanSolve offers quick snap-and-solve functionality with minimal interface complexity. Perfect for students who need fast answers to simple math and science problems without detailed explanations or complex features.
✅ Pros
- Quick snap-and-solve functionality
- Minimal interface complexity
- Fast response times
- Free basic solutions
- Available on mobile devices
- Easy to use
❌ Cons
- Limited to math and basic sciences
- Contains advertisements
- Basic solution quality
- Limited subject coverage
💰 Pricing
Free: Basic solutions with ads
Premium: $4.99/month to remove ads
🎯 Best For
Students who need quick answers to simple math and science problems without complex interfaces or detailed explanations.
8. Course Hero - Best for University-Level Content
Course Hero
Best for college students who want access to course-specific materials and resources
Course Hero provides valuable resources for college students with millions of course-specific documents and solutions. Upload images to search through their vast library and unlock more content by sharing your own materials.
✅ Pros
- Millions of course-specific documents
- College-level content across all disciplines
- Unique unlock-by-sharing model
- Course-specific study materials
- Available on web, iOS, and Android
- Professional academic resources
❌ Cons
- Limited free document previews
- Requires uploading content to unlock more
- Expensive subscription for full access
- Content quality can vary
💰 Pricing
Free: Limited document previews
Premium: $39.95/month for unlimited access
🎯 Best For
College students who want access to course-specific materials and are willing to share their own content to unlock more resources.
9. Numerade - Best for Video Solutions
Numerade
Best for visual learners who prefer video explanations over text-based solutions
Numerade excels at providing video explanations from educators, making it perfect for visual learners. Upload a problem to find video solutions that break down complex concepts step-by-step, especially for STEM subjects.
✅ Pros
- Video explanations from educators
- Visual learning approach
- STEM subject focus
- Professional teaching quality
- Available on web, iOS, and Android
- Step-by-step video solutions
❌ Cons
- Limited free video solutions
- Expensive subscription required
- Limited to STEM subjects
- Requires internet connection
💰 Pricing
Free: Limited video solutions
Premium: $19.99/month for unlimited video access
🎯 Best For
Visual learners who prefer video explanations over text-based solutions, especially for STEM subjects.
10. Humbot - Best AI Writer & Problem Solver
Humbot
Best for combining problem solving with writing help and content analysis
Humbot combines problem solving with writing help, making it ideal for students who need assistance with both understanding concepts and improving their writing skills. AI analyzes images and provides both solutions and related content explanations.
✅ Pros
- Combines problem solving with writing help
- Coverage across all subjects
- Emphasis on writing and analysis
- AI-powered content explanations
- Available on web platform
- Improves writing skills
❌ Cons
- Basic features only in free tier
- Advanced writing tools require premium
- Less focused on pure problem solving
- Requires internet connection
💰 Pricing
Free: Basic problem solving features
Premium: $9.99/month for advanced writing tools
🎯 Best For
Students who need help with both problem solving and writing assignments, especially for subjects requiring analysis and explanation.
A Student’s Guide: Using These Tools Responsibly
⚠️ Important: These tools should be used for learning and understanding, not for cheating.
Best Practices for Learning
- Use for Understanding: Focus on learning the solution steps, not just getting answers.
- Verify Results: AI can make mistakes - always check answers against your textbook or teacher’s materials.
- Practice Independence: Try solving problems yourself first, use AI as a guide when stuck.
Privacy Considerations
- Be cautious with apps requiring extensive permissions
- Check privacy policies before uploading personal or academic information
- Use school-approved tools when possible
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an AI that can solve any question from a picture?
While Socratic by Google comes closest to this capability, no single AI tool is perfect for all subjects. Each has strengths in different areas.
Which AI homework helper is completely free with no hidden costs?
Socratic by Google and Microsoft Math Solver are completely free without any hidden costs or premium features.
Can these tools solve handwritten problems from a screenshot?
Yes, most modern tools like Photomath and Microsoft Math Solver can recognize neat handwriting, though typed text typically works better.
Are AI homework scanners safe to use?
Stick to reputable apps from known companies like Google and Microsoft for the safest experience. Always review app permissions before installing.
The Final Verdict
After thorough testing, here are our top recommendations:
- Best Overall: Socratic by Google - Comprehensive, accurate, and completely free
- Best for Math: Photomath - Unmatched in mathematical explanations
- Best Free Alternative: Microsoft Math Solver - Powerful features without cost
Remember, these tools are meant to support your learning journey, not replace genuine understanding. Use them wisely to enhance your education and build stronger academic skills.
📚 Pro Tip: Combine multiple tools for the best results. Use Socratic for general subjects, Photomath for detailed math help, and Microsoft Math Solver to verify solutions.
