Comparison

MathU RPN Calc vs 12Calc

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

Head to head
About

MathU RPN Calc

This advanced scientific and financial calculator utilizes the Reverse Polish Notation (RPN) system. It offers over 96 functions, catering to professionals with features for finance, programming, and general scientific calculations. Optimized for iOS devices, it provides a robust and accurate computational experience.

Highlights
  • RPN entry system
  • Over 96 functions
  • Scientific calculations
  • Financial calculations (IRR, NPV, mortgage)
  • Programmer's calculator (HEX, OCT, DEC, BIN)
  • IEEE double precision accuracy
  • Portrait/landscape keypad switching
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

MathU RPN is an advanced scientific and financial calculator designed in the spirit of classic HP calculators. MathU RPN is based on the Reverse Polish Notation (RPN) entry system and combines more than 96 functions to create a calculator that meets the needs of professionals who use a calculator every day. First released in 2008, the calculator continues to be updated with new features as iOS improves. MathU RPN works on the iPhone, iPad and macOS. On the iPad, MathU RPN maintains its orientation as the iPad is turned and you can rotate it from portrait to landscape keypad layout via the Rotate button. When the iPad has a hardware keyboard attached, you can type of the names of the buttons the keyboard to execute them -- thus avoiding having to press the calculator keys with your finger. On the iPhone, you can lock it to always use the portrait or landscape keypad or let it switch orientations automatically when you rotate your phone. MathU RPN is an excellent financial calculator. There are functions for computing mortgage amortization and cash flow computations like IRR and NPV, as well as functions for working with dates. Many of the existing financial functions have been extended to handle odd periods (conforming to the same conventions as the HP-12C). In addition, on tall devices (like most iPhones), the financial registers are displayed on the keypad. MathU RPN is also a programmer's calculator. The A-F keys are available right up front for easy entry in HEX mode and there are many functions for working with integers. Dr. Clay M. Thompson of Creative Creek has harnessed the computational power of the iPhone to produce an accurate and high performance calculator. General Features - IEEE double precision accuracy (16 digits) - High performance fast computations - 20 storage registers - 5 financial registers - 16 high stack (switchable to 4) - Supports international number separators - Switch between portrait and landscape keypads - Quick access to the preference and on-line manual - Stack and Register view (accessible via [RCL][RCL] Scientific Features - Full set of trigonometric functions - Full set of logarithmic and power functions - Statistics functions - Polar and rectangular conversions - Repeated computations Mortgage and Loan Features - Time value of Money functions - Compute mortgage and loan terms - Solve for payments and interest rates - Solve for IRR and NPV - Date functions Computer Science Features - Number bases (HEX, OCT, DEC, BIN) - Bitwise logical operations - Masking and shifting functions - Support for a wordsizes up to 48 bits - Modular arithmetic MathU 4.1 supports iOS 16.6 or higher as well as macOS. For more info (including the users manual) go to http://www.creativecreek.com or use the built-in quick reference.

About

12Calc

This app provides a full-featured financial calculator experience, replicating the functionality of a popular physical model. It offers an audit tape for tracking calculations, a unit converter with currency exchange rates, and various worksheets with interactive graphs for financial analysis. Optimized for modern devices with high-resolution graphics and support for multiple orientations.

Highlights
  • HP12C emulation
  • Audit tape for calculation history
  • Unit and currency converter
  • Interactive financial worksheets
  • Portrait and landscape views
  • Contextual help and tutorials
  • HD graphics with color themes
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

12Calc is a full version of the well known HP12C for the iPhone and iPad. It also includes an audit tape, unit converter, worksheets, rotated views, user guide and HD graphics optimized for iPad and iPhone retina displays. •Runs in 64 bit mode on the latest iOS release and new iPads and iPhones. •Calculations are highly accurate and blazing fast. No more "running" flashing displays for amortizations, depreciation schedules or interest calculations. Work as fast as you can type. •Audit Tape: The audit tape keeps a record of your calculations. You can review, mail, text, share or print the tape. •Unit Converter: Convert between a wide variety of common units and currencies. Currency rates can be downloaded from the internet. •Work Sheets with interactive graphs: Auto Purchase Black-Scholes Bond Break-even Cash Flow analysis Currency Date Depreciation Interest Conversion Lease Loan Amortization (includes option for Canadian mortgages) Margin&Markup Refinance Statistics Tip TVM •Views for all orientations: Portrait and landscape renderings of the full keyboard are provided for iPhone and iPad. The iPad version includes slide over and multiple split view displays as well as side-by-side display of the help page, audit tape, tvm mortgage table or program variables. •Built-in contextual help: Touch the ? key for a description of any keyboard function with examples of use. If you are just learning or can't remember how to use a function- just touch the ? key. Includes tutorials on how to use reverse Polish notation (RPN) and how to solve time value of money problems. •HD Graphics: Graphics optimized for both retina and standard resolution screens. Choose from multiple color schemes including gold, rose gold, brass, copper, silver and several color tints.

Screenshots

MathU RPN Calc4 screens
12Calc4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: 12Calc at $8.99 against MathU RPN Calc's $24.99. 12Calc also leads on ratings volume (924 vs 148). MathU RPN Calc's advantage is update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 5 months). On rating, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases 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

MathU RPN Calc costs $24.99 and 12Calc $8.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for MathU RPN Calc against 4.9 for 12Calc. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: 12Calc has 924 ratings behind it against 148, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 93% of MathU RPN Calc's written reviews are positive against 96% of 12Calc's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MathU RPN Calc ships an update every 6 weeks, 12Calc every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
MathU RPN Calc versus 12Calc: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMathU RPN Calc12Calc
Price$24.99$8.99 — better
Rating5.0 (148 ratings) — better4.9 (924 ratings)
Positive reviews92.5% of reviews95.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings148924 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks — betterEvery 5 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
Best chart rank#148 — better#153
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.6 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size8 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCreative Creek, LLCErnest Brock

Customer experience

MathU RPN Calc

All ratings117 ratings
Positive99.1%
Neutral0.9%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews67 reviews
Positive92.5%
Neutral3.0%
Negative4.5%

12Calc

All ratings916 ratings
Positive98.3%
Neutral1.1%
Negative0.7%
Written reviews197 reviews
Positive95.9%
Neutral1.5%
Negative2.5%

In-app purchases

None

MathU RPN Calc

No in-app purchases

None

12Calc

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is MathU RPN Calc free?
MathU RPN Calc costs $24.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is 12Calc free?
12Calc costs $8.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, MathU RPN Calc or 12Calc?
MathU RPN Calc is rated higher. MathU RPN Calc averages 5.0 out of 5 from 148 ratings, while 12Calc averages 4.9 from 924 ratings.
Do MathU RPN Calc or 12Calc have ads?
Neither MathU RPN Calc nor 12Calc shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MathU RPN Calc or 12Calc?
MathU RPN Calc ships an update every 6 weeks, and 12Calc every 5 months. Most recently, MathU RPN Calc was updated on October 27, 2026 and 12Calc on October 26, 2026.
Which is more popular, MathU RPN Calc or 12Calc?
MathU RPN Calc currently peaks at #148 in the App Store charts, and 12Calc at #153. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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