Comparison

Visual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler vs RPN 48

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

Head to head
About

Visual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler

Write and execute VB.NET code on your mobile device. Ideal for learning and testing code snippets with features like syntax highlighting and a custom keyboard. Requires an internet connection for compilation.

Highlights
  • Compile and run VB.NET programs
  • View program output and errors
  • Custom keyboard for special characters
  • Advanced source code editor
  • Syntax highlighting and line numbers
  • Import, export, and share files
Features
Read full description

Write VB.NET code directly on your iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch! This app is ideal for learning and testing code snippets! Visual Basic .NET (VB.NET) is a multi-paradigm, object-oriented programming language, implemented on the .NET Framework. Microsoft launched VB.NET in 2002 as the successor to its original Visual Basic language. Along with Visual C#, VB.NET is one of the two main languages targeting the .NET framework. Features: - Compile and run your program - View program output or detailed error - Custom keyboard for easy input of frequently used characters - Optimized for connecting with external physical/bluetooth keyboard - Advanced source code editor with syntax highlighting, bracket completion and line numbers - Open, save, import and share VB.NET files. Limitations: - Internet connection is required for compilation - Maximum program running time is 20s - One file can be run at a time - Some file system, network and graphics functions may be limited - This is a batch compiler; interactive programs are not supported. For example, if your program provides an input prompt, enter the input in the Input tab prior to compilation.

About

RPN 48

Features
Read full description

The HP 48 is the calculator of a generation of engineers, physicists and students: the 48SX of 1990 brought RPN, RPL programming, units, symbolic algebra and graphing into one machine, the 48GX of 1993 added the equation library, the solver applications, more memory and a faster processor. Thirty years on, many still keep one on their desk — and this app puts one in your pocket. RPN 48 is not an imitation: it emulates the calculator's hardware — the Saturn processor, the memory controllers, the 131×64 display, the keyboard, the timers — and runs HP's original ROM, so it behaves exactly as the real machine: every function, every menu, every flag, every quirk. THE CALCULATOR • RPN with the four-level stack (and unlimited stack depth), or algebraic entry, at your choice • Symbolic algebra: expressions, simplification, derivatives, integrals, Taylor series, equation solving; exact rational and integer arithmetic • Scientific calculator: complex numbers, vectors and matrices, statistics and regressions, unit conversions with dimensional analysis, base conversions (BIN/OCT/HEX), numeric solver, financial (TVM) calculations, dates and times • Graphing: function, polar, parametric, conic, differential equation, statistics and 3D plots, with zoom and trace • The 48G series' Equation Library with 300 equations of physics and engineering, with units • Programmable in RPL: your programs run as on the real machine THE APP • Both models: the HP 48GX (ROM revisions R and P, the 48G series' 128 KB) and the HP 48SX (ROM revisions J and E), each at its own speed and with its own memory • Your calculator's memory stays: close the app, come back later, it is exactly where you left it • HP's manuals (Quick Start Guide, User's Guide, Advanced User's Reference) can be downloaded into the app and read next to the calculator; the app remembers your page • Hardware keyboard support on iPad and iPhone • Works fully offline, no account, no ads, no tracking ABOUT THE ROM The app contains no HP software. On first launch you pick a model and its ROM image is downloaded from hpcalc.org, the community archive where HP allowed the HP 48 ROMs to be published in 2000, exactly as you would with a browser; the image is then kept on your device. HP, HP 48, HP 48SX and HP 48GX are trademarks of HP Inc. This app is an independent project and is not affiliated with or endorsed by HP.

Screenshots

Visual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler4 screens
RPN 484 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Visual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler at Free against RPN 48's $5.99. Visual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.0). RPN 48's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). On 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

Visual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler is free to download; RPN 48 costs $5.99 up front. Visual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. RPN 48 asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Visual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler ships an update every 2 months, RPN 48 every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Visual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler versus RPN 48: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVisual Basic (VB.NET) CompilerRPN 48
PriceFree — better$5.99
Rating3.4 (11 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews25.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings11 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 8 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS12.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size20 MB15 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKetan AppaGuglielmo Pasa

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Visual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler

One-time1
  • Upgrade$2.99
None

RPN 48

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Visual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler free?
Visual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is RPN 48 free?
RPN 48 costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Visual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler or RPN 48 have ads?
Visual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler shows ads; RPN 48 does not.
Which is updated more often, Visual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler or RPN 48?
Visual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler ships an update every 2 months, and RPN 48 every 8 days. Most recently, Visual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler was updated on October 11, 2026 and RPN 48 on October 14, 2026.

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