What it does
Course Hero is an educational multi-tool designed for students. Its primary function is to provide instant homework help through an AI-powered camera scanner that solves problems in real-time. The app also offers access to a large library of study documents, the ability to ask expert tutors questions, and tools for generating AI summaries of academic materials.
Where it shines
The app's standout moment is its "scan-to-solve" feature. At 01:01, the user is immediately prompted to use their camera. After snapping a photo of a math problem, they receive a detailed, step-by-step solution within seconds (01:31). This delivers a powerful "aha" moment right after signup. Another strength is its community-driven content model, where users can upload their own documents to earn "free unlocks" (06:26), creating a self-sustaining library.
UX highlights
- Mascot-driven onboarding: A friendly 3D character guides users through the initial feature carousel (00:01), making the app feel approachable and fun.
- Instant camera access: The app defaults to the camera scanner after signup (01:01), pushing users directly into the core, high-value action.
- Actionable AI answers: Solutions aren't just a final number. They provide step-by-step explanations and checks (01:31), which is crucial for actual learning.
- Integrated feedback loop: After an AI answer is provided, the app asks "Is this answer helpful?" (01:42), allowing for continuous model improvement.
- Crowdsourced freemium model: The "My Uploads" section (06:26) gamifies content contribution by showing users how many uploads they need for more free access.
- On-demand AI summaries: A "Tap to generate document summary" button (04:59) adds a layer of AI utility on top of its document library, helping students work more efficiently.
Monetization & growth
Course Hero uses a soft paywall strategy. While some initial AI interactions are free, accessing most expert-verified answers (04:07), asking tutors questions (03:14), or viewing full documents triggers a paywall. The main paywall at 02:47 presents three subscription tiers (Annual, Quarterly, Monthly) with clear savings highlighted for longer commitments. There is no free trial offered, but the app's growth loop relies on users uploading documents to earn free unlocks, providing a non-paying path to access.
Who it’s for
This app is clearly targeted at high school and college students who need quick, on-demand help with their coursework, particularly in STEM subjects like math. It serves users who are stuck on a specific problem and need an immediate explanation, as well as those looking for broader study materials like lecture notes and practice tests for a specific course or school.
Notes & opportunities
The app experience is heavily fragmented between different tools (AI, Tutor, Document Search). The top navigation (01:02) helps, but the context switching can feel abrupt. While the scan feature is powerful, its initial presentation could be overwhelming for a user who just wanted to browse documents. A brief choice-based screen after signup (e.g., "What do you want to do first?") could create a more tailored first-run experience.