Socratic by Google is gone. What now?
The app was named after a teacher who answered questions with questions. Ironically, most people used it to snap a photo and get the answer. Here's where it went and what to use instead. (Disclosure: we make Ask Poppy.)
Ask Poppy, the AI tutor that asks instead of tells. Free, 30 messages a day · iPhone, iPad, Mac
Where Socratic went
Google retired Socratic around 2024: the Android listing was removed in May 2024 and the app later redirected users to the Google app, with homework help folded into Google Lens and Gemini (Wikipedia, rip.so).
Two kinds of alternative
1. "Show me how": photo-to-explanation
Google Lens and Gemini are the direct successors. They're fast and free, and they'll show you the working. The risk is the same as Socratic's: it's easy to copy without understanding.
2. "Make me think": actually Socratic
- Khanmigo (Khan Academy): guides instead of answering; paid parent/learner plan in the US.
- ChatGPT study mode and Gemini Guided Learning: step-by-step modes inside general assistants (launched July and August 2025). Free tiers exist; the plain answer is one toggle away.
- Ask Poppy (ours): a voice or text tutor built only around questions and one-hint-at-a-time help. Free with 30 messages a day on iPhone, iPad and Mac.
A habit that works with any of them
Before you look at any solution, say out loud what you think the first step is. Afterwards, close the app and explain the answer back. The next day, try once more from memory. Our 7-day challenge turns that into calendar reminders.
Want the Socratic part back? Ask Poppy is an AI tutor you talk or type to. It asks questions and gives one hint at a time instead of handing you the answer, and it remembers where you left off so you can pick it up again tomorrow.
Free, 30 messages a day on iPhone, iPad and Mac. Optional subscription. (Disclosure: this site is made by the Ask Poppy team.)
Questions
What happened to Socratic by Google?
Google retired the Socratic app around 2024. The Android listing came down in May 2024, and later the app redirected users to the Google app, where homework help moved into Google Lens and Gemini. Google didn't publish a formal shutdown notice.
What is the best Socratic app alternative?
It depends what you used Socratic for. If you mostly snapped a photo to get an explanation, Google Lens and Gemini are the direct successors. If you want something that's Socratic in the literal sense, asking you questions rather than showing solutions, look at Khanmigo, a study mode, or Ask Poppy.
Is there a free Socratic alternative?
Google Lens is free. ChatGPT study mode and Gemini Guided Learning have free tiers. Ask Poppy is free for 30 messages a day.