# Plus42 vs HP16C

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.

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

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.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | Plus42 | HP16C |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $9.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.9 (79 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/plus42/id1597963622/reviews)** | [4.3 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hp16c/id6761774728/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **79** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | 92.3% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Weekly | Weekly |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 11 MB | 1 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Thomas Okken](https://appshunter.io/developer/337692632) | [Michael Doornbos](https://appshunter.io/developer/1891405652) |

## What reviewers say

### Plus42

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/plus42/id1597963622)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### HP16C

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hp16c/id6761774728)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*