r.Calc vs Plus42
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
r.Calc
A straightforward calculator utilizing Reverse Polish Notation (RPN) for everyday calculations. It offers a four-level visible stack with a total capacity of 100 positions, providing visual feedback on stack fullness. Basic arithmetic operations and stack manipulation functions are included.
- Reverse Polish Notation (RPN) input
- Four visible stack levels
- 100-position stack capacity
- Progress bar for stack fullness
- Basic arithmetic operations
- Stack swap and recall functions
- Vibration feedback for errors
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This classic RPN (Reverse Polish Notation) calculator is a simple calculator for daily uses. The calculator features a four visible level stack, the total stack size has a total of hundred positions. A progress bar on the top of the screen shows you how the stack is full. For now the implemented operations are; Plus, Minus, Multiply, Divide, Opposite, Inverse. Other facilities like swap the first two number in the stack and recall from the last operation the two arguments should simplify the life. All keyboard errors are notified by a vibration.
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.
- 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
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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.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Plus42 at 4.9 against r.Calc's 4.0. Plus42 also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 197 months) and ratings volume (79 vs 3). r.Calc's advantage is price ($0.99 vs $9.99) and iOS requirement (2.2.1 vs 12.0). On review sentiment, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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
r.Calc costs $0.99 and Plus42 $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 4.0. 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. Written reviews complicate that: 100% of r.Calc's written reviews are positive against 92% of Plus42's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
r.Calc ships an update every 197 months, Plus42 weekly. The most recent releases landed on June 10, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | r.Calc | Plus42 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0.99 — better | $9.99 |
| Rating | 4.0 (3 ratings) | 4.9 (79 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 92.3% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 3 | 79 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 197 months | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 2.2.1 — better | 12.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 0 MB | 11 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Nicolas Jorand | Thomas Okken |
Customer experience
r.Calc
Plus42
In-app purchases
r.Calc
No in-app purchases
Plus42
No in-app purchases









