# MyScript Calculator vs Charcoal

The clearest difference is price: Charcoal at Free against MyScript Calculator's $2.99. MyScript Calculator's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (1.5K vs 143). On rating, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Charcoal is free to download; MyScript Calculator costs $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for MyScript Calculator against 4.5 for Charcoal. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: MyScript Calculator has 1.5K ratings behind it against 143, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 75% of MyScript Calculator's written reviews are positive against 77% of Charcoal's.

MyScript Calculator ships an update every 3 weeks, Charcoal every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 8, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | MyScript Calculator | Charcoal |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $2.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [4.5 (1.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/myscript-calculator/id1304488725/reviews) | **[4.5 (143 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/charcoal/id1490279484/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **1.5K** | 143 |
| Positive reviews | 74.7% of reviews | **76.9% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | **#89** | — |
| Size | 14 MB | 28 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Vision Pro** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [MyScript](https://appshunter.io/developer/446368119) | [Lars Augustin](https://appshunter.io/developer/1806278075) |

## What reviewers say

### MyScript Calculator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/myscript-calculator/id1304488725)

**Currently charting:** #89 Top Paid · Productivity (US App Store)

This app transforms your device into an interactive notepad for calculations. Simply write your math problems by hand, and it instantly provides results. Edit calculations with gestures, reuse past results, and export your work.

**Highlights:** Write calculations naturally, Edit with gestures, Drag and drop results, Copy and export calculations, Fraction display options, Multi-line calculations, Memory and history functions

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Instant calculations
- 💡 Handwriting recognition
- 🎨 Intuitive interface
- ⚡️ Efficient for quick math

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Inconsistent recognition of symbols and operators
- 🔢 Limited to basic arithmetic, no support for algebra or advanced math
- 🔍 Small writing space, difficult to view long calculations
- 💻 Not as functional as a traditional calculator on smaller screens
- 🔢 Struggles with large numbers and scientific notation

**Reported bugs**

- Incorrect calculation results for certain inputs
- Difficulty editing or correcting written expressions
- Inconsistent behavior when using the Apple Pencil

**Requested features**

- Add support for variables, equations, and advanced math functions
- Improve recognition of symbols, operators, and handwriting
- Increase writing space and allow scrolling/zooming
- Provide more customization options (e.g., font size, pen thickness)
- Integrate with other productivity apps (e.g., Notes, Nebo)


### Charcoal

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/charcoal/id1490279484)

This app offers a simple yet powerful sketching experience with rich tools and beautiful color palettes. Easily create and export your artwork for use in other graphics programs. It supports modern iOS features like multiple windows and dark mode for enhanced productivity.

**Highlights:** Simple sketching interface, Rich drawing tools, Beautiful color palettes, Export sketches, Multiple window support, Dark mode

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Simple and intuitive
- 👍 Great for quick sketching
- 🎨 Aesthetically pleasing design
- 💰 Free with no ads

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🎨 Limited color palette
- 🎨 Lack of customization options
- 🎨 Missing advanced drawing tools
- 🐛 Occasional bugs and crashes

**Reported bugs**

- Saved sketches lose quality
- Palette colors change unexpectedly
- Freezing when opening color palette

**Requested features**

- Ability to change brush/pen size
- Layers and blending tools
- Color wheel and custom color selection
- Import/export options


## Frequently asked questions

### Is MyScript Calculator free?

MyScript Calculator costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Charcoal free?

Charcoal is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, MyScript Calculator or Charcoal?

Charcoal is rated higher. MyScript Calculator averages 4.5 out of 5 from 1.5K ratings, while Charcoal averages 4.5 from 143 ratings.

### Do MyScript Calculator or Charcoal have ads?

Neither MyScript Calculator nor Charcoal shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, MyScript Calculator or Charcoal?

MyScript Calculator ships an update every 3 weeks, and Charcoal every 2 months. Most recently, MyScript Calculator was updated on September 25, 2026 and Charcoal on September 8, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*