Comparison

RPN vs JotShelf

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

Head to head
About

RPN

Experience a faithful simulation of the groundbreaking HP-65 programmable calculator on your iPhone. This app offers virtual program and data cards, a paper tape printer, and a robust card manager. Explore four distinct operating modes, including an enhanced "Super-65" option.

Highlights
  • Virtual program and data cards
  • Virtual paper tape printer with AirPrint
  • Database-driven card manager
  • Create, delete, and organize unlimited cards
  • Sharing via email, AirDrop, Dropbox, iTunes
  • Paste and run existing HP-65 listings
  • Four distinct operating modes
Features
Read full description

World's first pocket computer! Now running on your iPhone. RPN-65 SD is the iPhone version of RPN-65 Pro, the first complete simulation of Hewlett-Packard's stunning HP-65 programmable calculator for iOS. Produced from 1974 to 1977 at an initial price of $795 (that's close to $5,000 today!), the HP-65 was a breakthrough. Not only was it programmable, it also contained a motorized magnetic card reader - and still fit into Bill Hewlett's shirt pocket. Experience this revolutionary calculator on your iPhone. With over 180 original HP programs included with the app, you can get started right away. "A work of art. Fantastic!" (MacBreak Weekly, episode 572) Features: • Virtual program and data cards • Virtual 2000-line paper tape printer supports AirPrint • Powerful database-driven card manager • Create, delete, label, and organize a virtually unlimited number of cards • Sharing: e-mail, AirDrop, Dropbox, iTunes, copy, paste, print • Paste existing HP-65 listings into RPN-65 and run them • "Live" display of stack, memory registers, program counter, flags • Reads program and data cards created by RPN-65 Pro • Reads data cards created by RPN-67 Pro/SD and RPN-97 Pro Run RPN-65 SD in any of 4 modes: 1 - Just like the original HP-65 2 - Like the original HP-65, but at much higher speed 3 - With many user-interface improvements, like backstep key or jump to any program step 4 - "Super-65" with 999 program steps, 120 labels, 120 registers, nested subroutines, and much more For details, free program downloads, calculator handbook and much more, visit the RPN-65 website: cuveesoft.ch/rpn65

About

JotShelf

Read full description

JotShelf is a notes app for quick capture, everyday tasks, and short-term reminders that help you stay focused and reduce procrastination. Write down notes, thoughts, links, and things you want to get done before they disappear from your mind. JotShelf helps you turn quick notes into action instead of letting them pile up. Use JotShelf to: - Capture notes, ideas, and reminders quickly - Save links with clean previews - Keep short-term notes organized and easy to review - Move important notes to Reminders - Reduce clutter and avoid procrastination - Stay focused on what matters now JotShelf is built for fast notes, better follow-through, and less mental overload.

Screenshots

RPN4 screens
JotShelf4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: JotShelf at $1.99 against RPN's $2.99. RPN's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 18.6). On update cadence, 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

RPN costs $2.99 and JotShelf $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
RPN versus JotShelf: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRPNJotShelf
Price$2.99$1.99 — better
Rating5.0 (8 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings8 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size62 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCuVee SoftwareMarko Zamurovic

In-app purchases

None

RPN

No in-app purchases

None

JotShelf

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is RPN free?
RPN costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is JotShelf free?
JotShelf costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do RPN or JotShelf have ads?
Neither RPN nor JotShelf shows ads.
Which is updated more often, RPN or JotShelf?
RPN ships an update every 4 months, and JotShelf every 4 months. Most recently, RPN was updated on October 26, 2026 and JotShelf on October 24, 2026.

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