Comparison

i41CX vs Character Writer

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

Head to head
About

i41CX

This app offers a powerful RPN scientific calculator experience, functionally equivalent to a renowned model. It provides extensive memory registers, over 300 built-in functions, and programmability. Advanced features can be unlocked via in-app purchases.

Highlights
  • RPN logic with 4-element stack
  • 319 main and 124 extended memory registers
  • Over 300 built-in functions
  • Programmable up to 2000 lines
  • User-definable keyboard
  • Bluetooth keyboard support
  • Device integration features
Features
Read full description

i41CX is the same powerful advanced programmable RPN scientific calculator as the highly acclaimed i41CX+ but without the latter’s incredibly advanced capabilities such as the printer, expansion, CAS, etc. It is functionally equivalent to the world-renowned HP-41CX and inherits all of the i41CX+ usability features including extremely responsive and animated key clicks, audible key feedback sounds, optimally spaced keys for accurate input, traditional and upbeat modern diverse set of skins, etc. If you are looking for a powerful programmable RPN scientific calculator but don’t need all of the capabilities of i41CX+ then i41CX is for you. And best of all, if you ever decide that you need the more advanced capabilities of i41CX+ you can enable them using secure in-app purchases right within the app! FEATURES: • RPN logic with a 4 element deep memory stack • 319 main and 124 extended memory registers • Over 300 built-in functions, including nearly 100 functions created specifically for i41CX • Time, calendar, alarm, and stopwatch functions • Rich set of functions and algorithms: numerical, mathematical, statistical, and much more • Access to the entire HP-41 library of solutions for science, mathematics, statistics, engineering, business, financial, surveying, medicine, real estate, and many other domains • Programmable - Over 2000 lines • User definable keyboard • Ability to operate the calculator using a Bluetooth keyboard • Device integration: external display mirroring, copy and paste, GPS, accelerometer, digital compass, time and date synchronization, and much more • iOS 8 Notification Center widget • Sound support including synthetic tones and interface sounds • Support for calculator skins and optional mini stack display • Adjustable sound volume and display colors • Usage & Examples table with usage tips and examples • Quick reference guide of all built-in functions • Beautiful and clean user interface *********************************************************** A comprehensive FAQ is available at http://alsoftiphone.com/i41CX. Please don't hesitate to use the "Contact Us" link there if you cannot find the answers or information that you seek. Thank you.

About

Character Writer

This app provides a specialized keyboard for easy access to over 500 special characters, including Greek letters, math symbols, and pictographs. It offers document syncing, dark mode, word count, and various export options for iPad users.

Highlights
  • Access to 500+ special characters
  • Custom keyboard for special characters
  • iCloud document sync
  • Dark theme and automatic theme switching
  • Word count and adjustable font size
  • Multiple export options (copy, print, email, social)
Features
Read full description

Character Writer is an elegant text editor and the best way to work with special characters on the iPad. Character Writer's custom keyboard offers you easy access to over 500 special characters while you type. Designed with style and function in mind, Character Writer is the perfect productivity tool for anyone who writes anything on their iPad. Features Include: • Easy Access to hundreds of special Characters: - Full upper and lower case Greek alphabet - Math Symbols - Digits -> Fractions, superscript and subscript numbers - Pictographs - Letter like symbols & many more • Document Sync - iCloud support • Advanced Writing Technologies: - Dark theme (perfect for nighttime writing) - Automatic theme switching - Word Count - Integrated keyboard arrow keys for precision cursor placement - Adjustable font size • A Full Range of Export Options: - Copy Text - Print - Email as Text - Email as Attachment - Tweet - Post to Facebook - Open In... The all new Character Writer has been a long time in development. It was originally born out of the frustration normally produced by attempting to compose technical reports on the iPad, which previously required special characters to be copied and pasted individually from a webpage.

Screenshots

i41CX4 screens
Character Writer3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: i41CX at 90% against Character Writer's 23%. i41CX also leads on rating (4.7 vs 3.8) and update cadence (weekly vs every 11 months). Character Writer's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and price ($0.99 vs $7.99). On ads 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

i41CX costs $7.99 and Character Writer $0.99 up front. i41CX sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Character Writer asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

i41CX holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: i41CX has 47 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 90% of i41CX's written reviews are positive against 23% of Character Writer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

i41CX ships an update weekly, Character Writer every 11 months. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and November 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
i41CX versus Character Writer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameteri41CXCharacter Writer
Price$7.99$0.99 — better
Rating4.7 (47 ratings) — better3.8 (4 ratings)
Positive reviews90.5% of reviews — better23.1% of reviews
Number of ratings47 — better4
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 11 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size135 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAntonio LaganaArmchair Engineering

Customer experience

i41CX

All ratings47 ratings
Positive91.5%
Neutral2.1%
Negative6.4%
Written reviews126 reviews
Positive90.5%
Neutral3.2%
Negative6.3%

Character Writer

All ratings4 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive23.1%
Neutral7.7%
Negative69.2%

In-app purchases

4 purchases

i41CX

One-time4
  • Overlays Upgrade$2.99
  • Printer Upgrade$3.99
  • CAS Upgrade$7.99
Show 1 more
  • i41CX+ Features Upgrade$17.99
None

Character Writer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is i41CX free?
i41CX costs $7.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Character Writer free?
Character Writer costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, i41CX or Character Writer?
i41CX is rated higher. i41CX averages 4.7 out of 5 from 47 ratings, while Character Writer averages 3.8 from 4 ratings.
Do i41CX or Character Writer have ads?
Neither i41CX nor Character Writer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, i41CX or Character Writer?
i41CX ships an update weekly, and Character Writer every 11 months. Most recently, i41CX was updated on October 31, 2026 and Character Writer on November 1, 2026.

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