TechniCalc Calculator vs Plus42
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
TechniCalc Calculator
This app offers a modern, intuitive interface for complex calculations, supporting scientific, engineering, and advanced mathematical functions. It allows natural equation entry, provides a formula book, and includes unit and currency converters. Available across Apple devices, it caters to students and professionals needing a powerful calculation tool.
- Natural equation entry
- Advanced math engine
- Formula book and equations
- Unit and currency converter
- Statistics mode
- Equation solvers
- Supports multiple Apple devices
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TechniCalc is every bit functional as it is beautiful. The modern interface that makes a clean break from traditional pocket calculators. Equations are entered in a natural way, adhering to every detail of hand-written maths. The advanced maths engine also makes this the only calculator you'll ever need. ◉ FEATURES ▸ Runs on iPhone, iPad, and macOS - with an Apple Watch companion ▸ Dark mode ▸ Supports split screen and wireless keyboards ▸ Shows the full equation as you type ▸ Basic calculations (+, -, ×, ÷, %) ▸ Brackets ▸ Square and cubic roots ▸ Exponents and logarithms ▸ Trigonometry (sin, cos, tan) ▸ Degrees, radians, and gradians ▸ Constants (pi, e, and over 100 other physical constants) ▸ Formula book and equations ▸ Calculation history ▸ Unit converter ▸ Currency converter ▸ Statistics mode ◉ ADVANCED MATHS ▸ Almost unlimited number sizes - over 1,000,000 factorial ▸ Square roots and logarithms with any base ▸ Factorial, nPr, nCr, and gamma ▸ Hyperbolic trigonometry (sinh, cosh, tanh) ▸ Vectors and matrices ▸ Imaginary and complex numbers ▸ Series sums and products ▸ Numerical integration and differentiation ▸ Binary, octal, and hexadecimal ▸ Programmer mode ◉ EQUATION SOLVERS ▸ Quadratic ▸ Cubic ▸ Systems of 2 and 3 linear equations ▸ Root finder
Plus42
This advanced scientific calculator simulates the classic HP-42S RPN calculator with enhanced features. It offers algebraic expressions, unit conversions, directories for storage, a larger resizable display, financial functions, and 2D plotting with integral and root finding.
- HP-42S RPN calculator simulation
- Algebraic expressions
- Attached units and conversions
- Program and variable directories
- Resizable 8-row, 22-column display
- Time value of money and amortization
- 2D function plotting with zoom and pan
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Plus42 is an advanced scientific programmable calculator, based on Free42. Free42, in turn, is a complete re-implementation of the HP-42S scientific programmable RPN calculator, which was made from 1988 until 1995 by Hewlett-Packard. Free42 is a complete rewrite and contains no HP code whatsoever. Plus42 builds on Free42 and adds: Algebraic expressions modeled after those used on the HP-27S and HP-17B/19B; attached units and unit conversions modeled after those used on the HP-48/49/50 series; directories for more organized storage of programs and variables; a larger display, with 8 rows and 22 columns (131x64 pixels) by default, which the user may resize at will; time value of money and amortization schedules; and two-dimensional plotting of functions, with ability to zoom and pan, and find integrals and roots from points in the plot.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Plus42 at none against TechniCalc Calculator's 4. Plus42 also leads on update cadence (weekly vs monthly) and rating (4.9 vs 4.7). TechniCalc Calculator's advantage is price ($7.99 vs $9.99). On ratings volume, ads 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
TechniCalc Calculator costs $7.99 and Plus42 $9.99 up front. TechniCalc Calculator sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Plus42 asks for nothing beyond the download.
Plus42 holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 81 and 79 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 84% of TechniCalc Calculator's written reviews are positive against 92% of Plus42's.
TechniCalc Calculator ships an update monthly, Plus42 weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | TechniCalc Calculator | Plus42 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $7.99 — better | $9.99 |
| Rating | 4.7 (81 ratings) | 4.9 (79 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 84.2% of reviews | 92.3% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 81 — better | 79 |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Best chart rank | — | #110 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 31 MB | 11 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Jacob Parker | Thomas Okken |
Customer experience
TechniCalc Calculator
Plus42
In-app purchases
TechniCalc Calculator
- Every Little Helps$0.99
- Coffee-Sized Tip$2.99
- Lunch-Sized Tip$4.99
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- Pizza-Sized Tip$9.99
Plus42
No in-app purchases









