# picocalc vs RPN

The clearest difference is price: picocalc at Free against RPN's $1.99. picocalc also leads on device support (4 vs 2). RPN's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). On rating there is nothing between them.

picocalc is free to download; RPN costs $1.99 up front. picocalc sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. RPN asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for picocalc against 5.0 for RPN. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 14 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 66% of picocalc's written reviews are positive against 100% of RPN's.

picocalc ships an update every 16 months, RPN every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | picocalc | RPN |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $1.99 |
| Rating | [5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/picocalc/id284740333/reviews) | [5.0 (14 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rpn-34-ce/id1448593029/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 3 | **14** |
| Positive reviews | 65.6% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 16 months | **Every 3 months** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | **#91** |
| Size | 6 MB | 16 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **12.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Vision Pro** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Masayuki Akamatsu](https://appshunter.io/developer/284722836) | [CuVee Software](https://appshunter.io/developer/424873503) |

## What reviewers say

### picocalc

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/picocalc/id284740333)

This app displays a single number on your home screen badge, which can be set, added to, or subtracted from. It's a minimalist tool for quick numerical reminders. Negative numbers and zero are not displayed on the badge.

**Highlights:** Set a number, Add to number, Subtract from number, Home screen badge display, Hides zero and negative numbers

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads | $0.99 | one-time |


### RPN

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rpn-34-ce/id1448593029)

**Currently charting:** #91 Top Paid · Productivity (US App Store)

This app simulates a legendary scientific calculator, offering photo-realistic visuals and advanced functions like integration and root finding. It includes built-in programs and extensions for enhanced usability, making it a powerful tool for complex calculations.

**Highlights:** Photo-realistic look-and-feel, Programmable with 999 steps, Integration and root solving, Built-in application programs, Live register view, Program library and backup, Sharing via email, AirDrop, Dropbox

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is picocalc free?

picocalc is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is RPN free?

RPN costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, picocalc or RPN?

picocalc and RPN are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 3 and 14 ratings respectively.

### Do picocalc or RPN have ads?

picocalc shows ads; RPN does not.

### Which is updated more often, picocalc or RPN?

picocalc ships an update every 16 months, and RPN every 3 months. Most recently, picocalc was updated on October 25, 2026 and RPN on October 29, 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.*