Table of Contents
Overview
ShowYourWork is an AI homework solver launched publicly December 2025 that generates photorealistic handwritten solutions to math, physics, chemistry, and other STEM problems. The platform addresses specific friction point in AI homework assistance: typed solutions look digitally generated and easily detected as AI-assisted work, whereas handwritten solutions appear authentically human-created. Rather than producing formatted text answers, ShowYourWork renders solutions as images of lined or graph paper with handwriting mimicking human imperfections—variable line thickness, natural spacing irregularities, organic pen pressure variations.
The developer, a non-programmer founder who built ShowYourWork with Claude over three months, launched on Product Hunt December 2025. The platform enables custom handwriting training—users upload three handwriting samples and the AI learns to generate solutions matching their individual style. Available through freemium model (implied free tier with limited features, paid tiers not yet detailed), ShowYourWork targets students seeking study aids, tutors generating worked examples, and educators creating study materials. The ethical positioning explicitly acknowledges product irony: building AI homework assistance while aware this enables academic dishonesty.
Key Features
Photorealistic Handwriting Generation: Solutions rendered as images mimicking handwritten work on paper rather than typed text. Generates natural imperfections—variable pen pressure, subtle spacing irregularities, organic line thickness—avoiding perfect typography that signals AI generation.
Custom Handwriting Style Training: Users upload three handwriting samples (own or someone else’s handwriting). AI analyzes stroke patterns, pressure, slant, size consistency, and individualized quirks then generates solutions matching the trained style. Enables solutions appearing authentically in user’s own handwriting.
Step-by-Step Problem Solving: Generates complete worked solutions showing intermediate steps rather than final answers only. Supports math problems including algebra, calculus, geometry, statistics; physics including mechanics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism; chemistry including balancing equations, stoichiometry.
Multiple Writing Styles: Choose between cursive, print, neat, and messy handwriting styles. Neat style produces legible solutions; messy style adds realism through deliberate imperfections mimicking rushed homework.
Paper Type Selection: Generate solutions on lined paper (standard notebook), graph paper (preferred for coordinate-based problems), or plain paper. Paper texture and grid visible in output images.
Grader Mode with Red Ink Feedback: Enters feedback mode simulating teacher grading. AI provides feedback and corrections in red ink mimicking actual graded homework. Useful for studying mistakes and understanding corrections.
Batch Upload: Process multiple problems simultaneously. Upload image containing several problems and generate handwritten solutions for all simultaneously.
Photo Upload: Photograph homework problem (textbook, whiteboard, handwritten) and platform recognizes and solves problem. Supports handwritten and printed problem images.
Text Input Alternative: Type problem directly if photo upload unnecessary. Supports mathematical notation via typed formulas.
Final Answer Only Option: Choose showing just final answer rather than full work. Faster generation time for answer verification.
Multi-Platform Support: Available on web, iOS, and Android enabling mobile homework solving.
Mini Game During Processing: Mini car racing game entertains while AI generates solution. Gamification reduces frustration during solution generation wait time.
How It Works
Upload problem (photograph, screenshot, or typed text). Select desired handwriting style (cursive/print, neat/messy). Optionally train AI on your handwriting samples for authenticity. Select paper type (lined/graph/plain). Choose whether to show full work or final answer only. Enable grader mode if feedback desired. AI solves problem and renders solution as handwriting image on selected paper type matching your trained style. Download solution image. Optionally print, screenshot, and integrate into homework submission.
Use Cases
Students Studying and Learning: Study aid for reviewing problem-solving steps. Generate solutions then compare to own work identifying mistakes and understanding correct methods. Builds problem-solving capability through comparison learning.
Online Homework Submission: Generate handwritten-looking solutions for online homework platforms requiring visual submission. Solution image appears handwritten avoiding “typed text” detection.
Tutors Creating Worked Examples: Tutoring companies generating practice problem solutions for tutees. Creates polished, handwritten-style worked examples without manual handwriting time.
Test and Exam Preparation: Generate practice problems with solutions in study guide format. High-volume solution generation impossible through manual handwriting.
Educators Creating Study Materials: Teachers generating worked examples for study guides, review materials, and problem solution keys. Handwritten appearance feels more authentic than typed solutions.
Personal Study Documentation: Convert computational solutions to handwritten format for personal study materials. Renders technical mathematics naturally on paper rather than computational notation.
Pros \& Cons
Advantages
Highly Convincing Visual Output: Photorealistic rendering with genuine handwriting imperfections makes solutions appear authentically handwritten. Custom training matching individual handwriting styles makes detection extremely difficult.
Unique Positioning: Only solution in market generating handwritten appearance rather than typed text. Solves specific friction point other tools ignore—visual detection of AI-generated solutions.
Fast Solution Generation: Rendering solutions as images happens in seconds (developer mentions “mini game during wait”). Faster than manual handwriting solutions.
Holistic Study Tool: Shows complete worked solutions teaching problem-solving process versus just final answers. Intermediate steps enable learning methodology.
Custom Style Training: Training AI on personal handwriting adds authenticity and personalization impossible with generic font options.
Disadvantages
Explicit Academic Dishonesty Risk: Product explicitly acknowledges enabling homework submission as own work. Despite educational positioning, core use case clearly academic dishonesty. Eventually likely prohibited by educational institutions.
AI Solution Accuracy: Generated solutions subject to AI mathematical errors. Complex problems with multiple steps accumulate errors. Verification essential before submission.
Ethical Concerns: Marketing “photorealistic” solutions specifically designed to deceive teachers represents explicit ethical compromise. Unlike tutoring tools supporting learning, ShowYourWork explicitly targets deception aesthetics.
Platform Blocking Risk: Learning management systems (Canvas, Blackboard, Google Classroom) and ed-tech platforms likely to detect and block once aware. Short platform lifespan if adoption scales.
Technical Detection Possible: Despite realistic appearance, potential for detection through:
- Image metadata analysis (EXIF data revealing digital generation)
- Subtle statistical handwriting patterns inconsistent with human generation
- Pressure sensitivity data absent from rendered images
- Perfect mathematical notation signaling AI generation
Limited Problem Support: Supports STEM homework. Writing assignments, essays, humanities problems unsupported limiting applicability.
Pricing Uncertainty: Pricing structure not announced. Freemium model scaling uncertain if platform survives regulatory pressure.
How Does It Compare?
ShowYourWork vs Homeworkify
Homeworkify is free AI homework assistant providing step-by-step solutions to problems across subjects (math, science, English, history) via text interface without handwriting generation.
Output Format:
- ShowYourWork: Handwritten image solutions
- Homeworkify: Text-based solutions
Visual Deception:
- ShowYourWork: Designed to appear handwritten
- Homeworkify: Clearly digital/typed text
Subjects Supported:
- ShowYourWork: STEM (math, physics, chemistry)
- Homeworkify: All subjects (humanities included)
Learning Support:
- ShowYourWork: Shows full work and methodology
- Homeworkify: Provides step-by-step explanations
Academic Integrity:
- ShowYourWork: Explicitly enables deception
- Homeworkify: Positioned as study aid
Cost:
- ShowYourWork: Freemium with paid tiers
- Homeworkify: Completely free
When to Choose ShowYourWork: For handwritten-appearing solutions for STEM problems.
When to Choose Homeworkify: For text solutions across all subjects at no cost.
ShowYourWork vs Photomath
Photomath is established math solver with 100M+ downloads providing step-by-step math solutions from photo capture, with extensive math subject coverage and worked example library.
Output:
- ShowYourWork: Handwritten image solutions
- Photomath: Typed step-by-step solutions
Appearance:
- ShowYourWork: Human-written appearance
- Photomath: Clear digital format
Handwriting Focus:
- ShowYourWork: Core feature
- Photomath: Not a feature
Math Subject Coverage:
- ShowYourWork: Math, physics, chemistry
- Photomath: Comprehensive math including advanced topics
Worked Library:
- ShowYourWork: AI-generated solutions
- Photomath: Pre-built solution library plus AI generation
Maturity:
- ShowYourWork: December 2025 beta
- Photomath: Established platform with millions of users
Cost:
- ShowYourWork: Freemium with paid tiers
- Photomath: Freemium, \$80/year premium
When to Choose ShowYourWork: For handwritten appearance specifically.
When to Choose Photomath: For comprehensive math solutions from established platform.
ShowYourWork vs Chegg
Chegg is homework help platform providing expert-written solutions, textbook rental, flashcards, and live tutoring for broad subject coverage.
Solution Type:
- ShowYourWork: AI-generated handwritten images
- Chegg: Expert-written solutions and tutor responses
Subject Coverage:
- ShowYourWork: STEM only
- Chegg: 80+ subjects
Response Time:
- ShowYourWork: Instant (seconds)
- Chegg: Expert solutions (30 minutes), live tutoring
Visual Format:
- ShowYourWork: Handwritten image
- Chegg: Typed expert solutions
Human Element:
- ShowYourWork: Fully automated
- Chegg: Expert tutors and solution writers
Cost:
- ShowYourWork: Freemium with paid tiers
- Chegg: Subscription-based (\$14.95/month basic)
Learning Support:
- ShowYourWork: Shows methodology
- Chegg: Expert explanations plus tutoring
When to Choose ShowYourWork: For instant STEM solutions with handwritten appearance.
When to Choose Chegg: For comprehensive subjects with expert human solutions and tutoring.
ShowYourWork vs Socratic (Text-Based)
Socratic (pre-acquisition by Google) was text-based homework help providing explanations and step-by-step solutions across subjects, acquired by Google and integrated into Google Assistant.
Scope:
- ShowYourWork: Handwritten STEM image solutions
- Socratic: Text solutions across all subjects
Format:
- ShowYourWork: Image output
- Socratic: Text-based explanations
Subjects:
- ShowYourWork: Math, physics, chemistry
- Socratic: All subjects
Visual Deception:
- ShowYourWork: Intentionally mimics handwriting
- Socratic: Digital text
Academic Integrity Focus:
- ShowYourWork: Explicitly enables appearance of original work
- Socratic: Positioned as learning aid
Availability:
- ShowYourWork: Independent platform
- Socratic: Google ecosystem (largely sunset)
When to Choose ShowYourWork: For handwritten-appearing math/science solutions.
When to Choose Socratic Alternative: For text-based cross-subject solutions (Google now primary provider).
Final Thoughts
ShowYourWork represents controversial innovation addressing real friction point: AI homework assistance producing obviously digital output easily detected as AI-generated work. By rendering solutions as handwritten images with trainable personal style, ShowYourWork solves the “visual detection” problem competitors cannot address.
However, this innovation explicitly targets academic dishonesty enablement. Unlike tutoring tools supporting learning alongside solving, ShowYourWork’s core differentiation—photorealistic appearance—serves exclusively deception purposes. The founder’s candid acknowledgment of product irony reflects honest recognition that core use case violates academic integrity policies.
The December 2025 launch positions ShowYourWork in familiar trajectory of novel ed-tech tools: initial adoption by students seeking academic shortcuts, followed by institutional detection and platform blocking. Platform lifespan likely measured in months-to-years before educational systems and learning management platforms implement detection and blocking.
For students seeking legitimate study aids comparing own work to worked solutions, ShowYourWork provides effective methodology visualization. For tutors generating study materials, handwritten-style output offers authentic appearance. However, the explicit marketing positioning targeting visual indistinguishability from human work indicates primary use case—academic dishonesty enablement—creates regulatory and institutional risk.
The positioning distinctly addresses specific market gap left by established tools: while Photomath, Chegg, and Homeworkify position as study aids accepting obvious digital appearance, ShowYourWork explicitly removes “AI-generated” visual signals. This represents conscious decision to optimize for deception rather than learning support, creating product with extraordinary technical achievement but questionable ethical foundation.