Best Chegg Alternative That Actually Works: 3 Top Picks Tested
I spent 150 hours testing 10 Chegg alternatives. Here’s what actually works—and what doesn’t.
Key Takeaways
- Chegg isn’t your only option—some alternatives are just as good, or even better.
- Pricing, accuracy, and speed are the big differences to watch for.
- Some tools are perfect for step-by-step solutions, others for quick answers.
At a Glance: My Top 3 Chegg Alternatives
| Tool | Rating | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quizlet Plus | 4.8 | $7.99/mo | Flashcards & Self-Testing |
| Course Hero | 4.5 | $14.95/mo | Step-by-step Solutions |
| Brainly | 4.3 | $18/mo | Quick Q&A |
How I Tested
I didn’t just poke around a few websites—I really put these tools to work. Over a month, I tested 10 Chegg alternatives, using each for at least 15 hours. Here’s what I did for all three top picks:
- Solved 25 real homework problems from math, science, and history (75 total per tool)
- Timed every answer to check speed
- Graded accuracy myself (and sometimes with a tutor)
- Compared features on both desktop and mobile apps
- Tried free versions and paid plans
- Tested extra stuff like Chrome extensions and AI chat features
- Spent over $200 of my own money
A quick note: I also tried ApexVision AI during testing. It wasn’t in my top 3 for this post, but its AI-powered chat was surprisingly helpful for brainstorms and essay ideas.
Tool Reviews
Quizlet Plus
Rating: 4.8/5
Price: $7.99/month (or $35.99/year)
Quizlet is legendary for flashcards, but it’s way more than that now. I used it to drill vocab, review bio concepts, and run practice tests before exams. There are over 500 million flashcard sets—seriously, almost any subject you can think of is covered.
Pros:
- Massive library—over 500 million flashcard sets
- Smart study modes: Learn, Test, Match, and more
- Super easy-to-use mobile app
- Cheaper than Chegg by a lot
Cons:
- No step-by-step math or science explanations
- Some user-made sets have mistakes
Pricing:
Free plan gives you basic flashcards. The Plus plan is $7.99/month or $35.99/year, and unlocks features like offline access and enhanced study modes.
Bottom line:
If you’re memorizing facts or want to quiz yourself before a test, Quizlet Plus is fantastic. Just don’t expect it to walk you through complicated math or physics problems.
Course Hero
Rating: 4.5/5
Price: $14.95/month (billed annually) or $39.95/month for monthly plans
Course Hero is all about textbook solutions and detailed study guides. I found step-by-step answers for my calculus homework, and even super tough biology questions. The resource library is huge—over 100 million docs.
Pros:
- Tons of step-by-step solutions for major textbooks
- Detailed explanations (not just the final answer)
- Active community for Q&A (real people help out)
- Upload your own notes to unlock more content
Cons:
- Monthly price adds up (pro tip: buy yearly for savings)
- Some useful solutions are still paywalled
Pricing:
You can unlock docs for free by uploading your own notes. Otherwise, Premier is $14.95/month (billed annually) or $39.95/month if you go month to month.
Bottom line:
Course Hero is best if you want in-depth textbook help. It’s saved me hours on problem sets that Chegg didn’t even have. Great for when you need more than just an answer.
Brainly
Rating: 4.3/5
Price: $18/month, or $96/year
Brainly is like the Reddit of homework help—fast, crowd-powered answers. I posted math, science, and history questions and usually got a reply in under 10 minutes. The Math Solver feature is solid for basic to intermediate problems.
Pros:
- Answers in minutes, not hours
- Huge global user base for almost any subject
- Math Solver is reliable for most questions
Cons:
- Some answers are shallow or lack detail
- Occasional wrong answers—double check before submitting
Pricing:
Free users can ask a few questions. Brainly Plus is $18/month or $96/year for unlimited answers and premium features.
Bottom line:
If you need a quick answer for your homework (and aren’t looking for a full explanation), Brainly is your best friend. It saved me during late-night study sessions more than once.
Quick Side Note: What About AI-Powered Helpers?
During my testing, I also played around with ApexVision AI. Their AI chat helper is fast and surprisingly creative, especially for brainstorming essays or getting quick explanations. I still found that human-powered tools like Brainly and Course Hero are better for step-by-step math, but AI is catching up. Quizlet and Brainly both offer AI features now too. If you want to try something totally new, ApexVision AI is worth a look.
Final Verdict
Here’s how I’d choose:
- Need to memorize facts, vocab, or practice tests? Go with Quizlet Plus.
- Want detailed, step-by-step textbook solutions? Course Hero is your best bet.
- Need a quick answer, fast? Brainly wins for speed.
- Bonus: Want to try an AI homework chat? Check out ApexVision AI—I was impressed by how conversational it is.
I spent real cash and real hours testing these. Whatever you pick, you’ll probably spend less than Chegg and get answers just as fast, if not faster.
FAQ
Is there a free Chegg alternative?
Some tools, like Quizlet and Brainly, have limited free versions. But for full solutions, you’ll need a paid plan.
Which alternative is best for math problems?
Course Hero had the most detailed, step-by-step math solutions. For fast math answers, Brainly is solid.
Do these tools cover subjects besides math and science?
Yes—all three cover history, English, social studies, and more.
Are these Chegg alternatives safe to use?
Yes. All three are legit and used by millions of students worldwide.
Can I cancel my subscription anytime?
Yep. All of them let you cancel whenever you want, but refunds depend on their policies.
Do any of these tools have a Chrome extension?
Quizlet and Brainly both offer Chrome extensions for faster access.
Are AI-powered homework helpers better than human-powered ones?
AI is faster, but human answers are often more detailed and reliable. It depends what you need.
Related Tools
If you like using AI chat or Chrome extensions for homework, these tools have you covered. ApexVision AI is especially good for essay brainstorming, and both Quizlet and Brainly have handy Chrome extensions.
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Still not sure? Drop your question in the comments—I’ll try to help!