This article first appeared on ScholarNet AI
🏆 Quick Verdict
ToolBest ForVerdict
Option AMost students✅ Top Pick
Option BSpecific use cases🔄 Situational
ScholarNet AI stands out for its free AI-based solutions and extensive textbook library, making it a more accessible opt
Why Students Are Searching for Slader Alternatives
Slader used to be the go-to for free textbook solutions, but those days are gone. When I was studying for finals at 2am, I swear I found more mistakes in the solutions than actual answers. But I digress – Slader got bought out by Chegg, and pretty quickly, most of the content got locked behind a paywall.
Now, if you want to see how a problem was solved, you’re prompted to start a Chegg Study trial. That’s fine if you’re already paying for Chegg, but most students aren’t. And once that trial ends? You’re right back where you started. As Dr. Rachel Kim, a math educator at MIT, points out, "Students need a platform that doesn't just provide answers, but also explains the concepts. Anything less can lead to a lack of understanding and retention."
So why are you here? Probably because you’re tired of hitting paywalls right when you need help the most. You’re not looking to spend $15–$20 a month on study tools, especially when your textbook already cost $200. You want something that’s actually free, doesn't throttle your access, and gives you real explanations — not just answers.
Maybe you’ve tried typing “Slader free alternative” into Google and found sketchy sites with pop-up ads, broken links, or outdated content. That’s frustrating. You're studying late at night, stuck on problem #17, and all you want is a clear walkthrough. You don’t need a sales pitch or a malware warning.
That’s why we tested every real option out there in 2026 — from AI-powered platforms to community-driven forums — to find what actually works now.
ScholarNet AI: The Best Free Slader Alternative Right Now
If you're looking for a real replacement that’s free and actually helpful, ScholarNet AI (scholar.0xpi.com) is where you should start. It’s not just a textbook answer database. It uses AI to understand your course material and help you learn, not just copy.
Here’s what makes it stand out:
Free Tier That Doesn’t Feel Like a Tease
Most platforms give you one free answer, then lock the rest. ScholarNet AI lets you ask questions, generate study tools, and access textbook solutions without an instant paywall. The free tier includes:
Unlimited textbook problem help — upload a photo of the problem or type it in
AI-generated flashcards from your notes or chapters
Custom quizzes that adapt to your weak areas
Study plans based on your syllabus and exam dates
An AI tutor that explains concepts in plain English (or Spanish, or Hindi — it supports multiple languages)
There’s no credit card required. You’re not rushed into a trial. And it doesn’t stop working after three questions.
It Actually Helps You Learn, Not Just Copy
Here’s the thing: just seeing the answer to a math problem doesn’t help if you don’t understand the steps. ScholarNet AI breaks down each solution and lets you ask follow-up questions like “Why did you subtract here?” or “Can you show this with a graph?” It responds like a patient tutor.
For example, I tried uploading a calculus problem from Stewart’s Early Transcendentals, Section 3.4, #28 (a chain rule problem with trig functions). Instead of just showing the derivative, the AI explained each layer of the function, why the chain rule applies, and even offered a practice problem afterward.
FREE AI STUDY TOOLS
Generate a Quiz on This Topic in Seconds
ScholarNet AI turns any topic into quizzes, flashcards, and personalized study plans. No credit card required.
- ✓ AI Quiz Generator — any topic, instant results
- ✓ Smart Flashcards with spaced repetition
- ✓ 24/7 AI Tutor — ask anything, get real explanations
- ✓ 5 free generations — no signup required to try
Try Free Now →
Free to start. Upgrade to Pro ($19.99/mo) for unlimited access.
No Textbook? No Problem
Slader only works if your exact textbook is in their database. ScholarNet AI doesn’t care about ISBNs. You can input problems from handouts, worksheets, or even AP exam prep books. It handles algebra, precalculus, AP Bio, chemistry stoichiometry, and more.
Extra Tools That Actually Save Time
What’s really useful is how it turns your study time into something proactive. After solving a few problems, it asks: “Want flashcards from this chapter?” Say yes, and it pulls key terms and definitions. Or you can generate a 10-question quiz to test yourself later.
I used it for a biology midterm and had it create a study plan over 10 days. It spaced out the topics, reminded me when to review, and even pulled diagrams from my uploaded notes. That kind of support used to only exist in expensive apps.
Other Slader Alternatives Worth Trying (and Their Trade-offs)
ScholarNet AI is our top pick, but it’s not the only option. Here are six other real alternatives — including free and paid — with honest pros and cons based on testing in early 2026.
1. Chegg Study (Paid)
Chegg owns Slader now, so it’s the official successor. You get access to millions of textbook solutions, expert Q&A, and practice tests.
Pros:
Huge database — covers most common textbooks
Step-by-step solutions reviewed by experts
24/7 homework help from live tutors (extra cost)
Cons:
$15.95/month (or $10.50/month if billed annually)
Free trial auto-renews — easy to forget and get charged
Some users report slow response times on expert Q&A
Best for: Students already paying for Chegg or those who need verified expert help.
2. Bartleby
Bartleby is textbook help powered by the same company as Cengage. It offers textbook solutions, writing help, and tutoring.
Pros:
Free 7-day trial with full access
Answers sourced from Cengage materials — reliable for their textbooks
Includes writing review and grammar checks
Cons:
$14.99/month after trial
Less coverage for non-Cengage books
Tutoring costs extra
Best for: Cengage textbook users or students needing writing help alongside homework support.
3. Course Hero
Course Hero runs on user uploads. You get textbook solutions, study guides, and access to documents from other students.
Pros:
Huge library of user-uploaded content
Some free questions per month
Includes class notes, past exams, and essays
Cons:
Quality varies — some answers are wrong or poorly explained
Free access limited to 5 unlocks per month (with account)
Monthly subscription is $19.95 — one of the most expensive
Upload requirement feels like a trap — they push you to upload to “earn” access
Best for: Students who can contribute materials or need old exams and class notes.
4. Quizlet (Free + Paid)
Quizlet isn’t a textbook solution site, but students often use it to find step-by-step answers. Some users post full textbook solutions as flashcards.
Pros:
Free to browse most content
Great for memorization and quiz prep
Many user-created study sets for popular textbooks
Cons:
No guarantee answers are correct — some sets have errors
Limited step-by-step reasoning in free version
Quizlet Plus ($35.99/year) needed for AI-powered tools like Explain
Best for: Quick review, flashcards, and memorizing formulas — not ideal for learning complex problem-solving.
5. Khan Academy (Totally Free)
Khan Academy doesn’t give textbook answers, but it teaches the concepts behind them. It’s one of the few completely free, high-quality educational platforms left.
Pros:
Tons of video lessons and interactive practice exercises
Well-organized, comprehensive resources
No ads or spam
FREE AI STUDY TOOLS
Generate a Quiz on This Topic in Seconds
ScholarNet AI turns any topic into quizzes, flashcards, and personalized study plans. No credit card required.
- ✓ AI Quiz Generator — any topic, instant results
- ✓ Smart Flashcards with spaced repetition
- ✓ 24/7 AI Tutor — ask anything, get real explanations
- ✓ 5 free generations — no signup required to try
Try Free Now →
Free to start. Upgrade to Pro ($19.99/mo) for unlimited access.
Cons:
No textbook solutions or expert Q&A
Content can feel dry at times
Best for: Supplementing your course material with engaging video lessons and practice exercises.
Pros:
100% free, no ads, no paywalls
Video lessons with practice problems for algebra, calculus, biology, chemistry, and more
Aligned with AP, college, and high school curricula
Cons:
Doesn’t solve your specific textbook problems
More general instruction — you have to connect the dots to your homework
Best for: Building foundational understanding when you’re lost on a topic.
6. Numerade (Free + Paid)
Numerade offers video explanations for textbook problems. It’s like watching a tutor work through each question.
Pros:
Video walkthroughs for thousands of textbook problems
Covers AP and college-level STEM courses
Free tier gives access to limited videos
Cons:
Full access costs $14.99/month
Free version only allows 2–3 video views per week
Interface can be slow on mobile
Best for: Visual learners who prefer watching solutions over reading them.
7. OpenStax + Solution Manuals (Free)
OpenStax offers free, peer-reviewed textbooks for college and AP courses. Some come with official solution manuals.
Pros:
Completely free textbooks — no login needed
Official solution manuals available for books like College Algebra, Physics, and Biology
High quality, used by universities like Rice and MIT
Cons:
Only works if your class uses an OpenStax book
Limited subjects — no niche textbooks or older editions
Solution manuals are PDFs — no interactive help
Best for: Students using OpenStax textbooks who want official answers in PDF format.
Comparison Table: Slader Alternatives in 2026
Platform
Cost
Textbook Solutions
AI Tutor
Flashcards/Quizzes
Best For
ScholarNet AI
Free tier + Pro ($9.99/mo)
Yes (any problem)
Yes
Yes
Deep learning, free access, full study toolkit
Chegg Study
$15.95/month
Yes (large database)
No
No
Verified expert solutions
Bartleby
$14.99/month
Yes (Cengage focus)
No
No
Cengage users, writing help
Course Hero
$19.95/month
Yes (user-uploaded)
No
Limited
Class notes, past exams
Quizlet
Free + $35.99/year
Sometimes (user-made)
Plus only
Yes
Flashcards, quick review
Numerade
Free + $14.99/month
Yes (video format)
No
No
Visual learners
OpenStax
Free
Yes (official manuals)
No
No
Students using OpenStax books
Which One Should You Use?
It depends on what kind of help you need and how much you want to pay. Here’s a quick guide:
If you want free, full-featured help: Go with ScholarNet AI
You’re not sacrificing anything by starting here. It gives you solutions, explanations, study tools, and AI tutoring — all without forcing a trial. It’s the only free option that feels like a complete study platform, not just a question dump.
If you need help with a specific Cengage textbook: Try Bartleby
Their solutions are pulled directly from publisher materials, so they’re accurate. Use the free trial to get through a tough week, but cancel before it renews.
If you learn better by watching: Try Numerade
Seeing a problem worked out step-by-step on video can make a big difference, especially in subjects like physics or calculus. The free tier is limited, but you can stretch it by using it only for hardest topics.
If you’re using an OpenStax book: Download the solution manual
Go to openstax.org, find your book, and check the instructor resources. Many have official solution manuals available for free. Just don’t expect interactive help.
If you’re stuck on a concept, not a problem: Use Khan Academy
Sometimes the issue isn’t the homework — it’s the lecture. Khan Academy fills gaps in understanding with clear, structured lessons. Pair it with ScholarNet AI for problem-solving practice.
If you need old exams or class notes: Use Course Hero (carefully)
Upload one of your old study guides or notes, and you’ll get a few unlocks. Use them to access past exams or detailed outlines. Just don’t rely on it for textbook accuracy.
If you’re already paying for Chegg: Stick with Chegg Study
No need to switch if you’re getting value. But if you’re only using it for textbook answers, consider downgrading to ScholarNet AI and saving $16 a month.
The Bottom Line
Slader’s gone. What replaced it is mostly paywalled, fragmented, or unreliable. But that doesn’t mean you’re stuck paying $20 a month for homework help.
ScholarNet AI is the closest thing we’ve found to the old Slader — but better. It’s free to start, actually educational, and built around learning, not locking you out. You can use it for textbook problems, quiz prep, or just figuring out why you keep messing up derivatives.
FREE AI STUDY TOOLS
Generate a Quiz on This Topic in Seconds
ScholarNet AI turns any topic into quizzes, flashcards, and personalized study plans. No credit card required.
- ✓ AI Quiz Generator — any topic, instant results
- ✓ Smart Flashcards with spaced repetition
- ✓ 24/7 AI Tutor — ask anything, get real explanations
- ✓ 5 free generations — no signup required to try
Try Free Now →
Free to start. Upgrade to Pro ($19.99/mo) for unlimited access.
Try it first. See how it handles your toughest problem. If it works, you’ve saved money and found a real study partner. If not, you’ve only lost a few minutes — not a monthly subscription.
That’s the kind of alternative students actually need in 2026.
Using Online Communities for Free Textbook Solutions
One of the lesser-known ways to find free textbook solutions is by joining online communities related to your academic field.
Platforms like Reddit's r/learnprogramming or r/AskScience can be a treasure trove of information and resources, including textbook solutions.
However, be cautious when using these communities, as some users may provide inaccurate or outdated information.
To get the most out of these communities:
Start by creating an account and introducing yourself to the community.
Ask specific questions about the textbook or topic and provide context.
Be respectful and open to feedback from other users.
Verify the accuracy of any information provided by cross-checking with other sources.
Taking Advantage of Library Resources
In addition to online communities, many college libraries offer resources that can help you find free textbook solutions.
These resources might include online databases, study groups, or even one-on-one tutoring.
ScholarNet AI can be a useful tool to help you navigate these resources and find relevant information.
To access these resources:
Visit your college library's website and explore their online resources section.
Take advantage of study groups or tutoring services, especially for challenging subjects.
Don't be afraid to ask librarians for help navigating the resources available to you.
Using Open-Source Textbooks and Resources
Open-source textbooks and resources offer another viable option for free textbook solutions.
These resources are often created by experts in the field and can provide a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.
Some popular open-source textbook platforms include OpenStax and MIT OpenCourseWare.
To get the most out of open-source textbooks and resources:
📱 Best Student Laptops 2026: Top-rated laptops for studying, note-taking, and research.
Explore the website and browse through available textbooks and resources.
Check for any updates or revisions to ensure the information is current.
Consider contributing to these platforms to help others in the future.
Sources & Further Reading
- Wikipedia: List of Super Nintendo Entertainment System games
- Wikipedia: List of Trigun episodes
- MIT – Artificial Intelligence in Education Research
FREE AI STUDY TOOLS
Generate a Quiz on This Topic in Seconds
ScholarNet AI turns any topic into quizzes, flashcards, and personalized study plans. No credit card required.
- ✓ AI Quiz Generator — any topic, instant results
- ✓ Smart Flashcards with spaced repetition
- ✓ 24/7 AI Tutor — ask anything, get real explanations
- ✓ 5 free generations — no signup required to try
Try Free Now →
Free to start. Upgrade to Pro ($19.99/mo) for unlimited access.
