Comparison

TechniCalc Calculator vs Plus42

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Natural equation entry
  • Advanced math engine
  • Formula book and equations
  • Unit and currency converter
  • Statistics mode
  • Equation solvers
  • Supports multiple Apple devices
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

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

About

Plus42

This advanced scientific calculator simulates the HP-42S, offering algebraic expressions, unit conversions, and directory storage. It features a large, resizable display, time value of money functions, and 2D plotting with integral and root finding capabilities.

Highlights
  • HP-42S RPN calculator simulation
  • Algebraic expressions
  • Attached units and conversions
  • Directory storage for programs/variables
  • Large, resizable display
  • Time value of money and amortization
  • 2D function plotting with zoom and pan
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

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

TechniCalc Calculator4 screens
Plus424 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Plus42 at none against TechniCalc Calculator's 4. Plus42 also leads on update cadence (every 8 days vs monthly) and rating (4.9 vs 4.7). TechniCalc Calculator's advantage is price ($7.99 vs $9.99). On review sentiment, ratings volume, ads and chart position 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

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Plus42 holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 84 and 79 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 85% of TechniCalc Calculator's written reviews are positive against 92% of Plus42's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

TechniCalc Calculator ships an update monthly, Plus42 every 8 days. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
TechniCalc Calculator versus Plus42: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTechniCalc CalculatorPlus42
Price$7.99 — better$9.99
Rating4.7 (84 ratings)4.9 (79 ratings) — better
Positive reviews84.6% of reviews92.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings84 — better79
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 8 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
Best chart rank#192#127 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size31 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJacob ParkerThomas Okken

Customer experience

TechniCalc Calculator

All ratings84 ratings
Positive90.5%
Neutral6.0%
Negative3.6%
Written reviews39 reviews
Positive84.6%
Neutral12.8%
Negative2.6%

Plus42

All ratings79 ratings
Positive97.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative2.5%
Written reviews39 reviews
Positive92.3%
Neutral2.6%
Negative5.1%

In-app purchases

4 purchases

TechniCalc Calculator

One-time4
  • Every Little Helps$0.99
  • Coffee-Sized Tip$2.99
  • Lunch-Sized Tip$4.99
Show 1 more
  • Pizza-Sized Tip$9.99
None

Plus42

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is TechniCalc Calculator free?
TechniCalc Calculator costs $7.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Plus42 free?
Plus42 costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, TechniCalc Calculator or Plus42?
Plus42 is rated higher. TechniCalc Calculator averages 4.7 out of 5 from 84 ratings, while Plus42 averages 4.9 from 79 ratings.
Do TechniCalc Calculator or Plus42 have ads?
Neither TechniCalc Calculator nor Plus42 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, TechniCalc Calculator or Plus42?
TechniCalc Calculator ships an update monthly, and Plus42 every 8 days. Most recently, TechniCalc Calculator was updated on November 3, 2026 and Plus42 on November 3, 2026.
Which is more popular, TechniCalc Calculator or Plus42?
TechniCalc Calculator currently peaks at #192 in the App Store charts, and Plus42 at #127. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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