# PCalc vs Free42

The clearest difference is price: Free42 at Free against PCalc's $9.99. Free42 also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 4) and update cadence (every 9 days vs every 6 weeks). PCalc's advantage is chart position (#105 vs unranked) and device support (5 vs 3). On rating, ratings volume, ads and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Free42 is free to download; PCalc costs $9.99 up front. PCalc sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Free42 asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for PCalc against 4.8 for Free42. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 770 and 284 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 84% of PCalc's written reviews are positive against 94% of Free42's.

PCalc ships an update every 6 weeks, Free42 every 9 days. Both last shipped on October 18, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | PCalc | Free42 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $9.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [4.7 (770 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pcalc/id284666222/reviews) | **[4.8 (284 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/free42/id337692629/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **770** | 284 |
| Positive reviews | 83.6% of reviews | **94.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Every 9 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#105** | — |
| Size | 81 MB | 9 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch, Vision Pro** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [TLA Systems Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/284666225) | [Thomas Okken](https://appshunter.io/developer/337692632) |

## What reviewers say

### PCalc

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pcalc/id284666222)

**Currently charting:** #105 Top Paid · Utilities (US App Store)

A powerful calculator designed for professionals and students, offering advanced features like RPN mode, multi-line display, and extensive unit conversions. It supports various number systems and includes an Apple Watch app for on-the-go calculations.

**Highlights:** Optional RPN mode, Multi-line display, Extensive unit conversions, Paper tape, Multiple undo/redo, Hexadecimal, octal, binary support, Apple Watch app

**Features:** Apple Watch app, iMessage stickers

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Small Tip | $0.99 | one-time |
| Medium Tip | $1.99 | one-time |
| Large Tip | $4.99 | one-time |
| Enormous Tip | $9.99 | one-time |


### Free42

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/free42/id337692629)

This application is a faithful re-implementation of the HP-42S scientific calculator and its associated printer. It offers full functionality without requiring original HP ROM images and is an open-source project.

**Highlights:** HP-42S calculator simulation, HP-82240 printer simulation, Open source project, No HP ROM required, Complete rewrite

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Faithful reproduction of HP42S
- 👍 Identical to physical calculator
- 👍 Runs all original programs
- 👍 Convenient to have on phone
- 👍 Haptic feedback on button presses

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Screen not filling entire display on newer devices
- 🔇 Configurable key click sound missing
- 🔇 Lack of loud click sound feedback

**Reported bugs**

- Occasional issues with Solver function
- Store and Recall functions not working properly

**Requested features**

- Display all registers (X, Y, Z, T, Last X) simultaneously
- Ability to share/transfer programs between devices
- Improved use of screen real estate on larger displays


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PCalc free?

PCalc costs $9.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is Free42 free?

Free42 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, PCalc or Free42?

Free42 is rated higher. PCalc averages 4.7 out of 5 from 770 ratings, while Free42 averages 4.8 from 284 ratings.

### Do PCalc or Free42 have ads?

Neither PCalc nor Free42 shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, PCalc or Free42?

PCalc ships an update every 6 weeks, and Free42 every 9 days. Most recently, PCalc was updated on October 18, 2026 and Free42 on October 18, 2026.

---

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