BRISTOL vs PROG_CALC
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
BRISTOL
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The Bristol Calculator provides a platform for both simple and more technical calculations involving vectors, matrices and complex numbers. Separate input and output screens with touch cursor control facilitates editing and checking. Option settings provide control over the output and input screen presentation. Keys can be personalised for often used functions and variable names. Data entry is also possible from the hardware keyboard as well as the calculator's screen keypad. Help pages provide built in contextual help. Work can be saved and templates created for future calculations. Vectors, matrices and complex numbers are handled by the same basic function operators used for numbers; the context determining operation. As well as standard mathematical functions, bespoke routines for sums, products, matrix inversion, numerical integration and solving transcendental equations are included. User functions can also be created. Table and graph plot functions display results. The free version of the Bristol calculator allows two files to be stored. A modest one-off In-App purchase unlocks this restriction. Otherwise, the free version is fully functional. This is a standalone application and there are no links to advertisers or third party software.
PROG_CALC
This app offers a programmable calculator with two distinct modes for daily computing and advanced mathematical functions. It supports system conversions between binary, octal, decimal, and hexadecimal, and allows for variable storage and code sharing.
- Basic and advanced calculation modes
- Syntax parser
- Variable storage and editing
- Binary, octal, decimal, hexadecimal conversion
- Built-in code examples
- Code sharing via QR code or file
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The programming calculator provides two modes of operation. It has built-in basic operation functions, syntax parser, and supports a variety of application scenarios. 【Basic calculation】 Basic mode provides basic calculator functions for daily computing applications. 【Mathematical function】 Built-in rich mathematical functions, easy to implement basic calculations. 【Variable Storage】 Provides variable storage function, can store intermediate calculation results in basic mode, import and export with one key during application, and edit mode provides variable browsing function to easily grasp calculation results. 【System conversion】 Support binary, octal, decimal, hexadecimal conversion to meet the computing needs of different platforms. 【Code Example】 With built-in code writing examples, you can easily learn computing methods and expand application scenarios. 【Code Sharing】 The code can be shared through a QR code or a file, and the application also supports reading files directly, or scanning a QR code, which can be written on a computer and applied on a mobile phone.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: PROG_CALC at none against BRISTOL's 1. PROG_CALC also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs monthly). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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
Both are free to download. BRISTOL sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. PROG_CALC asks for nothing beyond the download.
BRISTOL ships an update monthly, PROG_CALC every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | BRISTOL | PROG_CALC |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 2 — better |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | — | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 14.7 | 13 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 3 MB | 78 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Christopher Britton | 嘉欣 胡 |
In-app purchases
BRISTOL
- bristol calculator storage$3.99
PROG_CALC
No in-app purchases









