Analysis
Educational Value
Desmos is free to use online and free to download Android and iOS apps
Cost of approved graphing calculators for senior high math are in the $150 - $200 range, which is not feasible for some families, especially if they have more than one student in high school
Available for use on most common platforms (PC, Mac, Chromebook, mobile devices), as long as there is an internet connection for use online or to download the app
Using the mobile app does not need internet access after initial download
More user-friendly than a graphing calculator
No need for equation manipulation to y= format
Easy to manipulate graphs - zoom in or out, change scale on axes
Access table of values
Graphs a variety of functions
Graphs can be exported or shared for use in other applications
Can be used in a variety of languages
Accessibility for blind or visually impaired individuals
Student users can create accounts to save work
Teachers/instructors can create accounts to:
Save work
Access pre-made activities
Assign work to classes of students
Some jurisdictions have access to Desmos for standardized testing
Desmos has a YouTube channel with how-to videos
Beyond Math Class
Besides for graphing in math class, Desmos has also been used for music, art, games, and animation.
Thousands of students participated in the 2021 Desmos Global Art Contest.
SWOT Analysis
Competition
There are a number of other free online graphing tools available, such as:
Numworks (graphing calculator simulator)
Many of the other online graphing tools are not as versatile as Desmos:
No ability to sign in and save work
Not as many functions available
GraphCalc actually has graphing powered by Desmos
If Desmos is free to use, how do they make money?
Because Desmos is free for students and teachers to use, they must make their money somewhere. Desmos makes profit by licensing its product to educational assessment companies who use their applications in their testing. Desmos also licenses its product to producers of digital resources such as textbooks. Within those resources, users can just click a link which takes them to the online application. Desmos is also creating a premium math curriculum which is a paid service. Desmos does not allow third-party advertising on student apps or any of its tools.