Comparison

Complex RPN Calculator vs Gnist

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

Head to head
About

Complex RPN Calculator

This scientific calculator utilizes a four-level stack and natively handles complex numbers. It allows users to input and view numbers in both polar and rectangular formats, remembering its state and offering 10 memory locations.

Highlights
  • Complex number support
  • Four-level stack
  • Polar and rectangular formats
  • State persistence
  • 10 memory locations
  • Scientific calculations
Features
Read full description

Complex RPN Calculator is a scientific RPN calculator with a four stack whose native number is complex. You can view and enter numbers in both polar and rectangular formats. Complex RPN remembers its state between usages and has 10 memory locations.

About

Gnist

Features
Read full description

Gnist is a fast, precise calculation tool for electricians and electrical professionals - built around NEK 400 (and IEC 60364). Size cables and overcurrent protection, calculate voltage drop, short circuit and earth-fault disconnection, check selectivity, and size heating cable, EV charger, solar/PV and motor starting - all in seconds. CALCULATORS - Cable & fuse - cross-section, protection, reference method, correction factors - Voltage drop - DeltaU in percent over the cable length - Short circuit - Ik and adiabatic check - Earth fault & disconnection - Zs requirement for automatic disconnection - Selectivity - indicative assessment between protective devices - Heating cable - power and spacing by room and substrate - EV charger, solar/PV, motor starting - Basic calculator - Ohm's law, power, energy, PE, AWG - Build installations as a tree, get warnings and single-/multi-line diagrams - Save projects and export PDF LANGUAGES The app is available in Norwegian, English, Swedish and Danish. You can choose the electrical standard (NEK 400, IEC 60364, SS 436, DS/HD 60364, DIN VDE 0100, SFS 6000, BS 7671) independently of the app language. PRIVACY Everything runs locally on the device - no account, no server, no tracking. IMPORTANT Gnist is a guidance tool and does not replace independent design. All results must be checked against the current NEK 400 and manufacturer data. Terms of Use (standard Apple EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Complex RPN Calculator4 screens
Gnist2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Complex RPN Calculator at Free against Gnist's $1.99. Gnist's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 5 months). On ads, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement 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

Complex RPN Calculator is free to download; Gnist costs $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Complex RPN Calculator ships an update every 5 months, Gnist fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Complex RPN Calculator versus Gnist: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterComplex RPN CalculatorGnist
PriceFree — better$1.99
Rating3.9 (24 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews51.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings24 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.4 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJohn CoddingtonVEGARD HELLAND BU

Bugs and requests

Complex RPN Calculator

Reported bugs

6 issues
  • Mutes other apps when used
  • Slow keyboard response after update
  • X^3 calculation incorrect for large imaginary numbers
  • App crashes on opening/button press (historical iOS 9 issues)
  • App starts upside down in landscape on iPad (historical iOS 8 issue)
Show 1 more
  • Unreadable fonts on iPad (historical version 1.2 issue)

Requested features

24 requests
  • Turn off key click sound
  • Customize number display
  • See the stack
  • Fix slow entry response
  • Fix imaginary number calculation (X^3)
Show 19 more
  • Improve SwiftUI design (less whitespace)
  • Show all stack levels
  • Add angle function
  • Add magnitude function
  • Add 'Clear X' button
  • Make RAD/DEG toggle button
  • Single button for Sci/Eng/Fix/Raw modes
  • Add '//' (parallel) function
  • Add 'Module' button
  • Change 'i' to 'j' for imaginary part
  • Show stack levels
  • Add log2 function
  • Add logGamma function
  • Smaller buttons
  • Add complex conjugate button
  • Add real part button
  • Add imaginary part button
  • Add modulo function
  • Make app start faster

Gnist

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Complex RPN Calculator

No in-app purchases

None

Gnist

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Complex RPN Calculator free?
Complex RPN Calculator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Gnist free?
Gnist costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Complex RPN Calculator or Gnist have ads?
Neither Complex RPN Calculator nor Gnist shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Complex RPN Calculator or Gnist?
Complex RPN Calculator ships an update every 5 months, and Gnist fortnightly. Most recently, Complex RPN Calculator was updated on October 31, 2026 and Gnist on October 28, 2026.

Other comparisons