Comparison

Pythonista 3 vs iHP48

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Pythonista 3

Develop and run Python 3 scripts directly on your iPad or iPhone. This complete scripting environment includes popular third-party modules and allows access to iOS features like sensors, location, and photos. Automate your device with app extensions and integrate with Shortcuts and Siri.

Highlights
  • Powerful code editor with syntax highlighting
  • Interactive prompt with code completion
  • Integrated visual debugger
  • Offline Python documentation
  • UI editor for prototyping
  • Share sheet and system-wide keyboard extensions
  • Shortcuts app integration
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Pythonista is a complete scripting environment for Python 3.10, running right on your iPad or iPhone, so you can develop and run Python scripts on the go. Like Python itself, "batteries are included" – from popular third-party modules like requests, numpy, matplotlib, pandas (and many more) to modules that are tailor-made for iOS. With Pythonista, your scripts can access sensor/location data, your photo library, contacts, reminders, the clipboard, and more, allowing you to harness the full potential of both Python and iOS. Pythonista is designed with a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for anyone to get started with coding, regardless of skill level. The complete Python documentation is also available for offline reading in the app. Pythonista is not just for learning and practicing Python – it's also a powerful tool for automating iOS with multiple app extensions. You can invoke scripts directly from the share sheet or a custom system keyboard in almost any app, and integrate scripts with Shortcuts and Siri. With Pythonista, it's easy to run your scripts whenever you need them, without having to switch between different apps. Features: > Powerful code editor with syntax highlighting, code completion, and scripting support > Interactive prompt with code completion, command history, and support for showing images > Integrated visual debugger and object inspector > Complete offline documentation with quick lookup directly from the editor > Various beautiful light and dark color themes, and a theme editor to make your own > UI editor for quick prototyping > Integrated PEP 8 style checker and code formatter > Supports most of the Python standard library and additional modules for graphics, sound, and iOS integration (for example clipboard, contacts, reminders, photos, ui...) > Many popular third-party modules included, for example requests, numpy, matplotlib, pandas, Pillow... > Lots of included examples > Universal app for iPad and iPhone > Share sheet extension for running scripts from almost any app > Scriptable system-wide keyboard to use Python in any app that edits text > Advanced integration with the Shortcuts app, allowing you to use Python scripts as actions in shortcuts and personal automations. Please note that Pythonista is not designed to enable the installation or download of additional modules written in compiled languages (C/C++). While many popular native libraries are included and work out-of-the-box, it is generally not possible to install additional modules with C/C++ dependencies. The name "Pythonista" is used with kind permission from the Python Software Foundation.

About

iHP48

This app brings the powerful HP48 calculator experience to your mobile device. It offers enhanced performance, seamless file management, and a customizable interface with support for various HP calculator models. Enjoy a familiar and convenient calculator solution without needing extra hardware.

Highlights
  • Supports HP38, HP39, HP48, HP49, HP50 calculators
  • Haptic feedback and customizable zoom options
  • Seamless file transfer via iTunes and Files app
  • Cloud storage integration (iCloud, OneDrive, Dropbox)
  • Object saving/loading and copy/paste functionality
  • Access to calculator packages, skins, and ROMs
  • Internal file manager and extensible settings
Features
Read full description

Introducing iHP48 - Your Ultimate Calculator Companion iHP48 emerges from the necessity to revive the unparalleled calculator experience cherished by university students and engineers across various disciplines. Reviving the legacy of the original calculator, iHP48 delivers enhanced performance without the burden of carrying an additional device in your bag. Experience the simplicity and convenience of having the powerful HP48 at your fingertips once again. Key Features: Wide Compatibility: iHP48 supports HP38, HP39, HP48, HP49, and HP50 calculators. Easily configure your preferred calculator with the Fetch options. Enhanced User Experience: Enjoy Haptic feedback on keypress and customizable haptic styles via Settings. Zoom options tailored to your iPhone and preferences, including a new lift zoom for XS devices. Seamless File Management: Transfer files effortlessly from your computer using iTunes on both PC's and MacOS. Access iHP48 files directly from your device using the Files app and share them with any compatible iOS app. Copy files to and from your favorite cloud providers supported by the Files app, such as iCloud Drive, OneDrive, and Dropbox. Convenient Object Handling: Save or Load objects to/from your device using Files, ensuring your favorite .lib is readily available on your iHP48 stack. Copy and Paste supported objects seamlessly between iOS and the iHP48 Stack. Comprehensive Library: Access a rich library of Calculator Packages, Skin Collections, ROM's, and useful libraries like Meta Kernel and QPI. Intuitive Interface: Benefit from an internal File Manager for simplified file management and an extensible Settings administration accessible directly from the Settings app or via a shortcut from the iHP48 menu. Customizable Experience: Save your current calculator configuration for easy access. Explore special features embedded in various skins, including screen swipes, sounds, and orientation options. No Hidden Costs: iHP48 is completely free, devoid of any enterprise, professional, plus, or ultimate versions. There are no hidden features or payments required. We greatly appreciate any support you offer as we continue to enhance and refine iHP48. For additional information, visit https://www.thinkchile.com/iHP48. Experience the power of the legendary HP48, reinvented for the modern era with iHP48.

Screenshots

Pythonista 34 screens
iHP484 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: iHP48 at Free against Pythonista 3's $9.99. iHP48 also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 19 months) and review sentiment (88% vs 73%). Pythonista 3's advantage is chart position (#17 vs unranked) and ratings volume (1.5K vs 270). On rating, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

iHP48 is free to download; Pythonista 3 costs $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

iHP48 holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Pythonista 3 has 1.5K ratings behind it against 270, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 73% of Pythonista 3's written reviews are positive against 88% of iHP48's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Pythonista 3 ships an update every 19 months, iHP48 monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Pythonista 3 versus iHP48: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPythonista 3iHP48
Price$9.99Free — better
Rating4.5 (1.5K ratings)4.7 (270 ratings) — better
Positive reviews73.4% of reviews88.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1.5K — better270
Update frequencyEvery 19 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
Best chart rank#17 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size853 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developeromz:softwareAlexis Lorca

Customer experience

Pythonista 3

All ratings1,522 ratings
Positive85.3%
Neutral3.9%
Negative10.8%
Written reviews538 reviews
Positive73.4%
Neutral6.7%
Negative19.9%

iHP48

All ratings270 ratings
Positive90.7%
Neutral3.0%
Negative6.3%
Written reviews195 reviews
Positive88.2%
Neutral4.1%
Negative7.7%

Bugs and requests

Pythonista 3

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

iHP48

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Crashes on startup
  • Inability to save state across sessions
  • Incompatibility with certain iOS devices

Requested features

4 requests
  • Dark mode option
  • Ability to disable haptic feedback
  • Support for HP50G emulation
  • Improved keyboard mapping and arrow key functionality

In-app purchases

None

Pythonista 3

No in-app purchases

None

iHP48

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Pythonista 3 free?
Pythonista 3 costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is iHP48 free?
iHP48 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Pythonista 3 or iHP48?
iHP48 is rated higher. Pythonista 3 averages 4.5 out of 5 from 1.5K ratings, while iHP48 averages 4.7 from 270 ratings.
Do Pythonista 3 or iHP48 have ads?
Neither Pythonista 3 nor iHP48 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Pythonista 3 or iHP48?
Pythonista 3 ships an update every 19 months, and iHP48 monthly. Most recently, Pythonista 3 was updated on September 27, 2026 and iHP48 on September 19, 2026.

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