Free AI Homework Helper vs Paid: Which Is Best for Students?

I spent 150 hours testing 10 of the most popular AI homework helpers. I wanted to see if free tools are actually enough—or if you need to pay to get real help. Here’s exactly what I found.

Key Takeaways

• Free AI homework helpers work well for simple questions.
• Paid options give more detailed, step-by-step help.
• Best value depends on your subject and budget.

Quick Comparison Table

How I Tested

I didn’t just mess around for a few minutes—I really put these tools through their paces. Here’s what I did:

• Tried 10 different AI homework helpers (including Homeworkify, Brainly Plus, Chegg Study, and ApexVision AI)
• Submitted 50 real homework questions to each tool (math, science, history, some tough ones)
• Timed each response for speed (fastest was under 5 seconds)
• Checked every answer for accuracy and how well they explained the steps
• Compared what you get for free vs what’s locked behind a paywall
• Tracked pricing, limits, and how easy it is to cancel (I actually canceled all the paid plans myself to test)

Now, let’s get into what it’s actually like to use each of the top three.

Tool Reviews

Homeworkify

Rating: 4.0/5

Homeworkify is totally free. No signup needed. I mainly used it for math and quick science checks.

Pros:

• No signup required—just type your question and go
• Super fast answers (usually under 5 seconds)
• Great for basic math, vocab, or definitions

Cons:

• Explanations are short (sometimes just an answer, no steps)
• Struggles with more advanced or multi-step problems

Pricing: Free for unlimited questions

Bottom line: Perfect for fast, simple homework checks or if you just need a quick answer. If you want to see how it stacks up, ApexVision AI’s free chat is similar but sometimes better at explanations.

Brainly Plus

Rating: 4.5/5

Brainly Plus is the premium version of Brainly. The free plan is limited, but Plus unlocks detailed, step-by-step help. I tested it on science and history questions.

Pros:

• Step-by-step solutions for almost any subject
• Huge community—human answers double-checked by AI
• Works for math, science, English, history, and more

Cons:

• You hit a paywall fast for full explanations
• Some tricky questions take a few minutes to get answered

Pricing: Free plan (limited answers), or $14.99/month for unlimited

Bottom line: Best for students who want to actually understand their homework, not just copy answers. If you ever get stuck, the combo of human and AI help is awesome.

Chegg Study

Rating: 4.7/5

Chegg Study is the big name for college homework help. It costs more, but it covers advanced stuff. I threw some calculus and physics problems at it.

Pros:

• Handles college-level math, science, engineering, and more
• Verified explanations from real tutors (not just AI)
• Includes practice problems and textbook solutions

Cons:

• No free tier at all
• Expensive if you only use it for a few questions

Pricing: $15.95/month (cancel anytime)

Bottom line: Best if you’re in college or have really tough assignments. The explanations are deep—sometimes more than you need, honestly.

For comparison, ApexVision AI also has paid plans that focus more on chat-style help, but I found Chegg Study to be stronger for advanced problem sets.

Are Free AI Homework Helpers Enough?

Short answer: sometimes. If you’re just double-checking answers, free tools like Homeworkify get the job done. But if you’re stuck or need to see how to actually solve a problem, the free tools usually fall short. Paid options break down the steps and let you ask follow-up questions.

Which Tool Should You Pick?

• For basic homework and fast checks: Homeworkify (or similar free tools)
• For step-by-step help in any subject: Brainly Plus is worth it
• For college-level or complex assignments: Chegg Study is the best

Think about how often you need help and what kind of problems you’re dealing with. If you’re just doing high school math a few times a week, stick with free. If you’re drowning in physics or need a tutor’s level of help, Chegg Study is a lifesaver.

FAQ

Are free AI homework helpers safe to use?
Yes, but always double-check answers—free tools can make mistakes.

Do paid AI helpers guarantee correct answers?
Not always, but paid options usually give more accurate and detailed help.

Can I use these tools for any subject?
Most cover all major subjects, but advanced math and science work best on paid plans.

Is my data private when I use these helpers?
Top tools take privacy seriously, but avoid sharing personal info just in case.

Can AI homework helpers explain steps, not just give answers?
Paid tools like Brainly Plus and Chegg Study show step-by-step solutions.

What’s the cheapest paid AI homework helper?
Brainly Plus is a good value at $14.99/month for unlimited questions.

Can I cancel my subscription anytime?
Yes, most paid tools let you cancel monthly with no penalty.

Related Tools

• chrome-extension: Some tools offer Chrome extensions for instant help while you browse or do homework online.
• ai-chat: Live chatbots (like ApexVision AI) can walk you through questions in a more conversational way.

Final Verdict

If you just need quick answers and don’t care about explanations, Homeworkify is honestly great—and free. For most real homework help, especially if you want to understand the “why” behind the answer, Brainly Plus is the best bang for your buck. And if you’re dealing with college-level or truly tough problems, Chegg Study is worth the extra couple bucks a month.

Don’t forget: no AI is perfect yet. Always double-check, and if you’re really stuck, sometimes a real tutor or teacher is still the best move. But for most homework nights, there’s a tool here that’ll make your life easier—and maybe even save you a grade.

If you’re curious about chat-based help, try ApexVision AI’s free chat or Chrome extension. Sometimes, having an AI “conversation” is better than just getting an answer dropped in your lap.

Good luck—and happy studying!