# Best AI homework helpers in 2026

Canonical: https://duckyhelper.com/best/ai-homework-helpers/
Updated: 2026-10-01

The best AI homework helpers in 2026 are Google Gemini and ChatGPT study mode for free step-by-step help in any subject, Photomath for free math steps from a photo, Khanmigo for guided help on Khan Academy, and Gauth for photo answers with a voice tutor. DuckyHelper, our product, ranks fifth: strong at explaining on your screen, but new and with a small free plan.

> **Note**
>
> **DuckyHelper is our product.** We made this list, and DuckyHelper is on it. We ranked every option, including ours, by the criteria below and say plainly where ours falls short. Facts about other products were checked on October 1, 2026 and are linked at the bottom.

## How we ranked

1. **Explains the steps** (counts most): you learn the method, not just the answer.
2. **Subjects:** one subject or all of them.
3. **Free plan:** how much you get for $0.
4. **Works where you do homework:** phone, computer, Chromebook.
5. **Age rules:** who is allowed to use it.

## The ranking at a glance

**Ranked by the criteria above; facts checked October 1, 2026**

| Option | Best for | Price (October 2026) | Platforms |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1. Google Gemini (Guided Learning + Live) | Best free all-rounder, with voice and screen sharing on phones | Free; AI Plus $4.99/month; AI Pro $19.99/month | Web, Android, iPhone, Windows, Mac, Chrome |
| 2. ChatGPT study mode | Free step-by-step help on any device | Free; Go $8/month; Plus $20/month; Pro from $100/month | Web, iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows |
| 3. Photomath | Free step-by-step math from a phone photo | Free; Plus $9.99/month or $69.99/year | iPhone, iPad, Android |
| 4. Khanmigo | Low-cost guided tutoring on Khan Academy (US) | $4/month or $44/year; free for teachers | Any web browser, including Chromebooks |
| 5. DuckyHelper (our product) | A live voice tutor that sees and marks up your screen, any subject | Free (about 6 min of talking a week); Plus $20/month; Pro $200/month; Unlimited $200/week | Web app in any browser, including Chromebooks and Windows; Mac app (macOS 14+, Apple silicon) |
| 6. Gauth | Photo homework help with a voice tutor and human experts | Free with limits; Plus $11.99/month or $99.99/year | iPhone, iPad, Android, web |
| 7. Brainly | Parents who want AI help plus human tutors for grades 7 to 12 | Free with limits; App Store: Plus $9.99/month, Tutor $29.99/month | Web, iPhone, iPad, Android |
| 8. Symbolab | Math solver with practice quizzes and a Chrome extension | Free basic steps; App Store subscriptions from $2.49/week to $39.99/year | Web, iPhone, Android, Chrome extension |
| 9. Chegg Study | College textbook solutions and expert answers | App Store lists $15.99 | Web, iPhone, iPad, Android |

## The picks, in order

### 1. Google Gemini (Guided Learning + Live)

**Best for:** Best free all-rounder, with voice and screen sharing on phones. **Price (October 2026):** Free; AI Plus $4.99/month; AI Pro $19.99/month. **Platforms:** Web, Android, iPhone, Windows, Mac, Chrome.

Guided Learning breaks problems down step by step with questions, images and quizzes. Gemini Live is free voice chat that can see your camera or full screen on Android and iPhone. Gemini also makes free flashcards, study guides and full SAT practice tests.

**Why it ranks here:** Free, explains step by step in any subject, and works from a photo, your phone screen or a typed question.

**Watch out:** Live is not in the Gemini web app, and Live in Chrome is not available to users under 18. 13+ (under 13 only through a parent's Family Link). [Full comparison](https://duckyhelper.com/compare/duckyhelper-vs-gemini/).

### 2. ChatGPT study mode

**Best for:** Free step-by-step help on any device. **Price (October 2026):** Free; Go $8/month; Plus $20/month; Pro from $100/month. **Platforms:** Web, iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows.

Study mode asks questions, gives hints and checks your understanding instead of only giving answers. It is free on every plan, and it can quiz you inside the chat. Voice is on all plans; Plus includes up to 3 hours a day of Live voice.

**Why it ranks here:** Free study mode that explains in steps on every device; it can still give direct answers.

**Watch out:** It can still give direct answers. The default Live voice cannot see your camera or screen; screen share is in Advanced voice on the phone apps. 13+, with a parent's permission under 18. [Full comparison](https://duckyhelper.com/compare/duckyhelper-vs-chatgpt/).

### 3. Photomath

**Best for:** Free step-by-step math from a phone photo. **Price (October 2026):** Free; Plus $9.99/month or $69.99/year. **Platforms:** iPhone, iPad, Android.

Point your camera at a math problem and get a worked, step-by-step solution, free, with unlimited scans. Plus adds animated tutorials, deeper explanations and textbook solutions. Owned by Google.

**Why it ranks here:** The best free option for math from paper, but math only and phone only.

**Watch out:** Math only and phone only (no web app found). No voice. Its terms say 13+. [Full comparison](https://duckyhelper.com/compare/duckyhelper-vs-photomath/).

### 4. Khanmigo

**Best for:** Low-cost guided tutoring on Khan Academy (US). **Price (October 2026):** $4/month or $44/year; free for teachers. **Platforms:** Any web browser, including Chromebooks.

Khan Academy's AI tutor guides you to the answer instead of giving it. It covers math, science, coding, history and humanities, and works next to Khan Academy's lessons. A family plan covers up to 10 kids for the same price.

**Why it ranks here:** Guides instead of answering and costs $4 a month, but it is US only and built around Khan Academy.

**Watch out:** US only. You sign up at 18+, or a parent signs up kids. No live voice conversation or screen sharing; it is turned off during Khan Academy quizzes and tests. [Full comparison](https://duckyhelper.com/compare/duckyhelper-vs-khanmigo/).

### 5. DuckyHelper (our product)

**Best for:** A live voice tutor that sees and marks up your screen, any subject. **Price (October 2026):** Free (about 6 min of talking a week); Plus $20/month; Pro $200/month; Unlimited $200/week. **Platforms:** Web app in any browser, including Chromebooks and Windows; Mac app (macOS 14+, Apple silicon).

A live voice tutor. Talk to Ducky and it sees your screen, explains out loud, and shows you: in the web app it draws marks on the preview of a tab, window or screen you share; in the Mac app it draws circles, arrows and labels right on your real screen and walks you through steps in your own apps, checking each one. Both make quizzes, worked steps, interactive graphs and pictures; flashcards, simulations, maps, timelines and the code runner are Mac app only, and longer practice tests are web only. A dashboard tracks time learned, streak, topics, mastery and test scores.

**Why it ranks here:** Explains out loud while it sees your screen, in any subject, in a browser or on a Mac (where it also checks each step in your own apps). It ranks fifth because it is new, has a small free plan and no phone app.

**Watch out:** New, with no track record yet. The free plan is small, and you get far less talking time per dollar than with chat apps. Drawing on your real screen, step checks inside other apps and flashcards are Mac only. No phone app. Under 13 only with verified parental consent.

### 6. Gauth

**Best for:** Photo homework help with a voice tutor and human experts. **Price (October 2026):** Free with limits; Plus $11.99/month or $99.99/year. **Platforms:** iPhone, iPad, Android, web.

Snap a photo for step-by-step answers in most school subjects. Its AI Live Tutor explains by voice on a whiteboard in the app, Plus adds 24/7 human experts, and it turns notes or lecture audio into quizzes and flashcards.

**Why it ranks here:** Covers most subjects with a voice tutor and human experts; its paid plan centers on unlimited answers.

**Watch out:** Built around answers ("Unlimited Answers" on Plus). Works from photos, not your live screen. Not for under 13; 18+ to buy. [Full comparison](https://duckyhelper.com/compare/duckyhelper-vs-gauth/).

### 7. Brainly

**Best for:** Parents who want AI help plus human tutors for grades 7 to 12. **Price (October 2026):** Free with limits; App Store: Plus $9.99/month, Tutor $29.99/month. **Platforms:** Web, iPhone, iPad, Android.

Now sold mainly to parents: AI homework help and test prep for grades 7 to 12, with a human learning advisor on every plan, and tutoring on higher plans. It still has a free version with ads.

**Why it ranks here:** AI help plus human advisors for grades 7 to 12, mainly paid by parents.

**Watch out:** Web prices are not shown publicly. Human tutoring is by text chat. 13+ (US under 13 needs verified parental consent). [Full comparison](https://duckyhelper.com/compare/duckyhelper-vs-brainly/).

### 8. Symbolab

**Best for:** Math solver with practice quizzes and a Chrome extension. **Price (October 2026):** Free basic steps; App Store subscriptions from $2.49/week to $39.99/year. **Platforms:** Web, iPhone, Android, Chrome extension.

An AI math solver with 500+ calculators, graphing, an AI chat, and practice quizzes with feedback. Its Chrome extension can screenshot a problem on any website.

**Why it ranks here:** A strong math solver with practice quizzes and a Chrome extension; advanced steps are paid.

**Watch out:** Advanced steps are paid. 13+ or a guardian's consent. Owned by Learneo, the company behind Course Hero.

### 9. Chegg Study

**Best for:** College textbook solutions and expert answers. **Price (October 2026):** App Store lists $15.99. **Platforms:** Web, iPhone, iPad, Android.

A library of 100M+ solutions, expert answers to new questions, AI solutions, flashcards and practice questions, mainly for college courses.

**Why it ranks here:** Large college solution library and expert answers, but slower and paid.

**Watch out:** Expert answers average 46 minutes. The company cut about 45% of jobs around October 2025 and is shifting toward skills training. [Full comparison](https://duckyhelper.com/compare/duckyhelper-vs-chegg/).

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the best free AI homework helper?

Google Gemini and ChatGPT study mode are free and explain step by step in any subject. For math from paper, Photomath's core step-by-step solutions are free with unlimited scans.

### Is using an AI homework helper cheating?

It depends on your teacher's rules and how you use it. Copying an answer for graded work usually is not allowed. Using a tool that explains the method, then doing the work yourself, is usually fine. Ask your teacher if unsure.

### Which homework helper works on a Chromebook?

Gemini, ChatGPT, Khanmigo, Gauth, Brainly, Symbolab, Chegg and the DuckyHelper web app all work in a browser. Photomath is a phone app. See [study apps for Chromebook](https://duckyhelper.com/best/study-apps-for-chromebook/).

### Which one explains out loud?

Gemini Live, ChatGPT voice, Gauth's AI Live Tutor and DuckyHelper all talk you through problems. DuckyHelper also sees your screen while it talks and marks it up.

## Sources

- [Google blog: Guided Learning](https://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/education/guided-learning/), accessed 2026-10-01
- [Gemini Help: Gemini Live](https://support.google.com/gemini/answer/15274899), accessed 2026-10-01
- [Gemini Help: quizzes, flashcards, practice tests](https://support.google.com/gemini/answer/16275879), accessed 2026-10-01
- [Google AI plans](https://gemini.google/subscriptions/), accessed 2026-10-01
- [Chromebook Help: Gemini in Chrome](https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/16869001?hl=en), accessed 2026-10-01
- [OpenAI: study mode](https://openai.com/index/chatgpt-study-mode/), accessed 2026-10-01
- [ChatGPT pricing](https://chatgpt.com/pricing), accessed 2026-10-01
- [ChatGPT Help: voice mode FAQ](https://help.openai.com/en/articles/8400625-voice-mode-faq), accessed 2026-10-01
- [ChatGPT Help: study mode FAQ](https://help.openai.com/en/articles/11780217-chatgpt-study-mode-faq), accessed 2026-10-01
- [Photomath](https://photomath.com/), accessed 2026-10-01
- [Photomath Help: free and Plus](https://support.google.com/photomath/answer/14330572?hl=en), accessed 2026-10-01
- [Photomath terms](https://photomath.com/terms/), accessed 2026-10-01
- [Khanmigo pricing](https://www.khanmigo.ai/pricing), accessed 2026-10-01
- [Khanmigo for learners](https://www.khanmigo.ai/learners), accessed 2026-10-01
- [Khanmigo for parents](https://www.khanmigo.ai/parents), accessed 2026-10-01
- [DuckyHelper features](https://duckyhelper.com/features/), accessed 2026-10-01
- [DuckyHelper download and Mac requirements](https://duckyhelper.com/download/), accessed 2026-10-01
- [DuckyHelper web app](https://app.duckyhelper.com/), accessed 2026-10-01
- [DuckyHelper pricing](https://duckyhelper.com/pricing/), accessed 2026-10-01
- [DuckyHelper terms (age rules)](https://duckyhelper.com/terms/), accessed 2026-10-01
- [Gauth on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/gauth-ai-study-companion/id1542571008), accessed 2026-10-01
- [Gauth website](https://www.gauthmath.com/), accessed 2026-10-01
- [Brainly](https://brainly.com/), accessed 2026-10-01
- [Brainly on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id745089947), accessed 2026-10-01
- [Symbolab](https://www.symbolab.com/), accessed 2026-10-01
- [Symbolab Chrome extension](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/ai-math-solver-calculator/mgfcnnpakbfcefgphceolkjldjfpieff), accessed 2026-10-01
- [Symbolab on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id876942533), accessed 2026-10-01
- [Chegg Study on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id385758163), accessed 2026-10-01
- [K-12 Dive: Chegg layoffs](https://www.k12dive.com/news/chegg-layoffs-strategic-alternatives-google-ai/804568/), accessed 2026-10-01

## Related

- [Best AI tutors in 2026](https://duckyhelper.com/best/ai-tutors/)
- [Best AI math tutors in 2026](https://duckyhelper.com/best/ai-math-tutors/)
- [Best Chegg alternatives in 2026](https://duckyhelper.com/alternatives/chegg/)
- [Best Gauth alternatives in 2026](https://duckyhelper.com/alternatives/gauth/)
- [DuckyHelper vs Photomath](https://duckyhelper.com/compare/duckyhelper-vs-photomath/)
- [Plans and pricing](https://duckyhelper.com/pricing/)
- [DuckyHelper features](https://duckyhelper.com/features/)

## Try asking Ducky

- "Don't give me the answer, help me get there"
- "Check each step as I do it"
- "Quiz me on this after"

## Get DuckyHelper

Free to start. The web app works in any browser, Chromebooks included; the Mac app can also draw on your real screen. [Try it free in your browser](https://app.duckyhelper.com/?utm_source=duckyhelper.com&utm_medium=best) or [Get the Mac app](https://duckyhelper.com/download/)