Symbolab (Learneo, Inc. / formerly Course Hero Symbolab Ltd., Tel Aviv → SF, 2011, Active, Not Shut Down)

Status: Active (launched 2011, Tel Aviv; now part of Learneo, Inc. alongside Course Hero and QuillBot; 300M+ users; symbolab.com + iOS/Android reachable 2026-08, no discontinuation). Category ai-productivity-data; pipeline_stage=none. Not a CAS research engine — it is a step-by-step symbolic math solver for pre-algebra → calculus/linear algebra/statistics, with AI-generated prose explanations layered on a deterministic solver. “AI” here = NLU problem parsing + LLM step narration (some via OpenAI), not autonomous reasoning.

1. English Introduction

Symbolab takes a typed, pasted, or photo-scanned math problem and returns the final answer plus a numbered, rule-labelled worked solution — “factor here (difference of squares)”, “apply chain rule”, “row-reduce: R₂ − 3R₁”. Coverage spans arithmetic, algebra, trig, pre-calc, single/multivariable calculus, linear algebra (matrices/vectors), differential equations, limits, series, and intro statistics, backed by 500+ topic calculators and a built-in graphing tool. The LLM layer writes the plain-English narration and powers the AI Chat follow-up + word-problem interpreter; the underlying transforms are symbolic, not guessed. It sits between Photomath (camera-first K-12) and Wolfram|Alpha (computation-first research): weaker than Wolfram on proof-level/deep symbolic work, stronger than Photomath on college calculus and desktop typed input.

2. Core Features

Layer	Capability	Notes
Step-by-step solver	Numbered transformations with rule labels across algebra→calculus→lin-alg→stats	The headline feature; free tier shows final answer only, steps behind Pro
Input modes	Math keyboard, plain text (“solve quadratic”), image upload (printed/handwritten), voice (app), Chrome “Snip & Solve” extension	Handwriting OCR hit-or-miss on messy notation
Graphing	2D/3D function plot, inequalities, parametric, sliders	Built-in, free to view
Specialized calculators	500+ (derivative, integral, limit, matrix, determinant, probability, series…)	Topic landing pages double as calculators
AI Chat + explanations	Follow-up Q&A on a step, word-problem interpreter, AI-generated summaries (partially OpenAI-backed)	Hallucination disclaimer in-app; verify complex logic
Practice & progress	Personalized quizzes, worksheet generator, dashboard analytics, cheat sheets	Pro-only depth
Smart Blur / redaction	N/A (not applicable — no PII workflow)	—
Integrations	QuillBot bundle (writing side), mobile apps, web, Chrome ext	No public REST API for solo users

3. Pricing (2026-08, USD)

Plan	Monthly	Annual (eff/mo)	6-Month	Weekly	Key gates
Free	$0	$0	—	—	Final answer + graph + limited steps (3/day or ~20/24h depending on region), ads, no AI Chat, no practice sets, no handwriting unlock
Pro Monthly	$9.95–12.99 (site $9.95 / App Store $7.99–9.99 / weekly framing $2.49)	—	—	$2.49/week	Full steps, AI Chat, practice, no ads, handwriting scan, unlimited storage
Pro Semi-Annual	—	—	$24.90–32.99 ($4.15–5.50/mo)	—	Same Pro feature set
Pro Annual	—	$29.99–39.99 ($2.50–3.33/mo)	—	—	Best value; site advertises $39.95/yr cross-sell with QuillBot bundle, standalone $29.99/yr common
Symbolab + QuillBot Bundle	—	$39.95/yr bundle promo	—	—	Math Pro + QuillBot Premium cross-sell

pricing_type=freemium-subscription; starting_price=$0; free step access is throttled (3/day or 20/24h by locale) — the learning feature is paywalled; non-refundable auto-renew (Trustpilot billing complaints); app-store price ≠ web price.

4. Access Type

Field	Value
access_type	web-chrome-extension-ios-android-no-desktop-app-no-api
access_display	🌐 symbolab.com · Chrome/Edge “Snip & Solve” extension · iOS/Android apps (camera input) · no offline desktop client · no self-serve REST API

5. Reviews (2026)

Source	Rating	Sample	Signal
Google Play	4.4/5	~138,000	“Lifesaver for calculus”, fast, accurate; gripes = paywall on steps, occasional OCR fail
Apple App Store	4.6/5	~25,500	Beats Photomath on complex problems, Pro “worth it” for college math
Trustpilot	2.8/5	~5	Billing/refund/cancel friction dominates; 1-star “charged annual no refund”
G2/Capterra	sparse	<50 combined	Mirrors app stores on step quality, dings upsell aggressiveness
Editorial (ToolCurrent/RightAIChoice)	3.9–4.2/5	—	“Best daily driver for algebra→calculus steps”; minus = free tier too tight, cancel pain, AI narration needs verification

Verdict: step quality for coursework is genuinely strong and clearer than Wolfram’s terse pods; price is tutor-cheap at ~$2.50–7/mo. Gripes cluster on commercial side, not math: free step throttle pushes upsell hard, cancel/refund via app-store loop is painful, AI prose occasionally mislabels a rule on novel problems, handwriting OCR uneven, no offline/API for power users.

6. Best For / Not For

Best For	Not For
HS & college students (algebra → calc I/II/III, lin-alg, stats) checking method	Proof-based / theoretical math (needs human argument, not algebraic steps)
Self-learners doing worked-example practice	Research-level symbolic computation (→ Wolfram\|Alpha / Mathematica)
Educators generating example sheets / in-class demos	Humanities / non-math subjects (zero coverage)
Professionals needing quick matrix/derivative/unit check	Offline-only / air-gapped use (cloud-only)
Parents helping with middle/high-school homework (with supervision)	Users assuming free = full steps (it doesn’t)
—	Academic-integrity contexts where copying steps = violation

7. Competitors (Lane Map)

Lane	Tool	Starts	Symbolab’s edge / gap
Camera K-12 steps	Photomath	Free steps / Plus $9.99	Photomath free steps + camera win K-12; Symbolab wins desktop + college calc
Computation-first CAS	Wolfram\|Alpha	Free answers / Pro ~$5–7.25	Wolfram deeper/exact, less pedagogical; Symbolab clearer per-step
Broad quick answers	Mathway	Free / $9.99	Mathway wider applied topics; Symbolab stronger step narration
Conversational tutor	ChatGPT / Claude	$0–20/mo	LLMs explain conceptually but hallucinate on computation; Symbolab deterministic
Graphing visual	Desmos, GeoGebra	Free	They visualise; Symbolab solves+plots
Quick practice	Cymath	Freemium	Cymath lighter; Symbolab deeper topic tree
CAS desktop	Mathematica / Maple / MATLAB	enterprise	Full programming CAS; Symbolab = query UI
Education-guided	Khanmigo, Socratic	freemium	Socratic/tutor-style; Symbolab = worked solution bank