Comparison

Plus42 vs HP16C

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
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.

About

HP16C

This app faithfully recreates the legendary HP 16C Computer Scientist calculator, offering advanced hex arithmetic, bit manipulation, and base conversion. It features RPN, keystroke programming, and modern enhancements like a two-line display and haptic feedback.

Highlights
  • Full RPN calculator
  • Integer arithmetic (HEX, DEC, OCT, BIN)
  • Configurable word size (1-64 bits)
  • Complete bit operations
  • Keystroke programming
  • Two-line display
  • Haptic feedback
Features
Read full description

A faithful recreation of the legendary HP 16C Computer Scientist calculator for iPhone, with a few modern upgrades. If you've ever needed to perform hex arithmetic, bit manipulation, or base conversion on your phone and been frustrated by the available options, this is for you. RPN-16C gives you the full power of the original HP 16C in your pocket. WHAT IT DOES - Full RPN (Reverse Polish Notation) calculator - Integer arithmetic in HEX, DEC, OCT, and BIN - Configurable word size from 1 to 64 bits - Unsigned, one's complement, and two's complement modes - Complete bit operations: shift, rotate, rotate through carry, AND, OR, XOR, NOT, mask, bit set/clear/test, count bits, left justify - Float mode with configurable precision (FLOAT 0-9) - Keystroke programming with labels, subroutines, loops, and conditionals - Storage registers with direct and indirect addressing - Programs can be imported from text (long-press the display to paste) ENHANCEMENTS OVER THE ORIGINAL - Two-line display: see both X and Y registers at once. No more guessing what's on the stack. - Wider LCD: displays all 32 bits in binary without scrolling. The original could only show 8 at a time. - Haptic feedback on every key press - State persistence: pick up right where you left off - SHOW function to peek at values in other bases FAIR WARNING This is a quirky calculator. It uses Reverse Polish Notation, has no equals key, and expects you to know what two's complement means. If you're looking for a simple calculator, this is not it. If you've ever wished you could do a bitwise rotate through carry on your phone, welcome home. DESIGNED FOR PROGRAMMERS The key layout matches the physical HP 16C exactly, including the f (gold) and g (blue) shift labels. If you know the original, you already know this one. The original HP 16C Owner's Handbook is freely available on the Internet Archive: https://archive.org/details/hp-16c_handbook

Screenshots

Plus424 screens
HP16C4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: HP16C at Free against Plus42's $9.99. Plus42's advantage is rating (4.9 vs 4.3) and ratings volume (79 vs 3). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

HP16C is free to download; Plus42 costs $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Plus42 holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Plus42 has 79 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Plus42 versus HP16C: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPlus42HP16C
Price$9.99Free — better
Rating4.9 (79 ratings) — better4.3 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews92.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings79 — better3
Update frequencyWeeklyWeekly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size11 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperThomas OkkenMichael Doornbos

Customer experience

Plus42

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

HP16C

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral33.3%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Plus42

No in-app purchases

None

HP16C

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Plus42 free?
Plus42 costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is HP16C free?
HP16C is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Plus42 or HP16C?
Plus42 is rated higher. Plus42 averages 4.9 out of 5 from 79 ratings, while HP16C averages 4.3 from 3 ratings.
Do Plus42 or HP16C have ads?
Neither Plus42 nor HP16C shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Plus42 or HP16C?
Plus42 ships an update weekly, and HP16C weekly. Most recently, Plus42 was updated on October 13, 2026 and HP16C on October 8, 2026.

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