The best free antiderivative calculator is one that shows full steps, checks its own answer and reads your input correctly. Wolfram|Alpha and Symbolab give strong answers, but their full step-by-step solutions are mostly behind a paid plan. Integral-Calculator.com and the calculator on this site show steps for free. GeoGebra is a good free option for answers plus graphs, and Desmos is best for graphing and definite integrals. Features change often, so test any tool with the 5 problems below.
There are dozens of online integral tools, and most of them give the right answer to easy problems. The differences show up on harder problems, in how much of the solution you can see for free, and in how easy they are to use on a phone. Instead of just ranking tools, this guide gives you a simple test set so you can judge any calculator yourself.
Note: pricing and features of other sites change often. This overview reflects how these tools generally work as of October 2026. Always check each site for its current plans.
What Makes a Good Antiderivative Calculator?
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Free step-by-step solution | The answer alone doesn’t help you learn or show your work |
| Input preview | Catches typing mistakes like 1/x+1 before solving |
| Answer check | Differentiating the answer proves it is correct |
| Handles all main methods | Substitution, parts, partial fractions, trig integrals |
| Honest about hard cases | Says when there is no formula, like \(\int e^{x^2}\,dx\) |
| Works well on phones | Most students check homework on a phone |
The Most Popular Free Options
Wolfram|Alpha
A powerful computational engine that can handle almost any integral, including special functions. The free version shows the answer, plots and alternate forms. Step-by-step solutions generally require Wolfram|Alpha Pro. Best for: checking very hard integrals and exploring.
Symbolab
A popular student-focused solver with a clean interface and a large set of topics. It shows the answer for free, but full steps are generally part of its paid plan, with limited free views. Best for: students who want one tool across many math subjects.
Integral-Calculator.com
A long-running tool focused only on integrals. It shows steps, an interactive graph and an option to check the answer by differentiating. Best for: free, detailed integral steps on a desktop.
GeoGebra
Free math software with a CAS (computer algebra) mode. Typing Integral(x^2 sin(x)) gives the antiderivative, and you can graph it at the same time. It mostly shows answers, not explanations. Best for: free answers plus graphs.
Desmos
The most popular free graphing calculator. Desmos does not find antiderivative formulas, but it computes definite integrals numerically and graphs beautifully. Best for: definite integrals and seeing area.
This Site’s Antiderivative Calculator
Our free antiderivative calculator shows every step with the rule named, previews your input as real math, verifies every answer by differentiating it, and draws \(f\) and \(F\) together. It is built mobile-first, with long answers wrapped to fit small screens. It also has single-method tools like the u-substitution calculator and integration by parts calculator. It is free, with no sign-up. It is not as broad as Wolfram|Alpha for advanced special functions.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Tool | Antiderivative formulas | Free steps | Graph | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wolfram|Alpha | Yes | Mostly paid | Yes | Very hard integrals |
| Symbolab | Yes | Limited / paid | Yes | All-in-one math help |
| Integral-Calculator.com | Yes | Yes | Yes | Detailed integral steps |
| GeoGebra | Yes | No | Yes | Answers plus graphs |
| Desmos | No | No | Yes | Definite integrals, visuals |
| AntiderivativeCalculator.com | Yes | Yes | Yes | Learning with free steps, phones |
Test Any Calculator With These 5 Integrals
Type each one into a tool and compare with the correct answer. A good calculator gets all five right and explains them clearly.
| # | Type this | Correct answer | What it tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | x e^x | \(e^x(x – 1) + C\) | Integration by parts |
| 2 | x cos(x^2) | \(\frac12\sin(x^2) + C\) | U-substitution |
| 3 | 1/(x^2-1) | \(\frac12\ln\left|\frac{x-1}{x+1}\right| + C\) | Partial fractions |
| 4 | sin(x)^2 | \(\frac{x}{2} – \frac{\sin 2x}{4} + C\) | Trig identity |
| 5 | e^(x^2) | No elementary formula | Honesty about hard cases |
For problem 5, some tools answer with the special function \(\frac{\sqrt{\pi}}{2}\operatorname{erfi}(x) + C\). That is correct too, but it is not something you can write with standard functions. A good learning tool should tell you that clearly. If a calculator’s answer looks different from the table, differentiate it: equal forms can look very different.
Which One Should You Use?
- You want free steps to learn from: this site or Integral-Calculator.com.
- You have an unusual, very hard integral: Wolfram|Alpha.
- You need the area under a curve and a picture: Desmos or the definite integral calculator.
- You want a quick answer with a graph: GeoGebra.
- You are on a graphing calculator in class: see which handheld calculators can do integrals.
Whatever tool you choose, use it the smart way: solve on paper first and check after. Here is how to use calculators without hurting your learning.
Calculators for This Topic
Practice what you just read. Each tool shows full steps and checks its own answer.
- ∫Antiderivative Calculator – Find any antiderivative with full steps and a check.
- ∫Integral Calculator – Solve indefinite and definite integrals step by step.
- ∫ₐᵇDefinite Integral Calculator – Area under a curve between two limits, with a graph.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free antiderivative calculator with steps?
Tools that show full steps for free include the calculator on this site and Integral-Calculator.com. Wolfram|Alpha and Symbolab are powerful but usually keep full steps behind a paid plan.
Can Desmos find antiderivatives?
No. Desmos does not give antiderivative formulas, but it can compute definite integrals numerically and graph the area under a curve.
Is Wolfram Alpha free for integrals?
Wolfram|Alpha gives integral answers for free. Step-by-step solutions generally require a Pro subscription.
Why do different calculators give different answers?
Antiderivatives can be written in many equal forms, and they can differ by a constant. Differentiate each answer: if both give the original function, both are correct.
