# HotPaw Basic vs OpoLua

The clearest difference is review sentiment: HotPaw Basic at 52% against OpoLua's 0%. HotPaw Basic also leads on iOS requirement (12.3 vs 15.0). OpoLua's advantage is price (Free vs $4.99). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

OpoLua is free to download; HotPaw Basic costs $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

HotPaw Basic ships an update every 5 months, OpoLua every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on September 6, 2026 and August 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | HotPaw Basic | OpoLua |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $4.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[3.9 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hotpaw-basic/id295464266/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **7** | — |
| Positive reviews | **52.4% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 months** | Every 7 months |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free** |
| Size | 1 MB | 9 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.3** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [HotPaw Productions](https://appshunter.io/developer/285074853) | [Jason Morley](https://appshunter.io/developer/1711473431) |

## What reviewers say

### HotPaw Basic

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hotpaw-basic/id295464266)

Experience retro computing by typing and running Basic programs on your iPhone or iPad. This app functions as a programmable calculator and can display simple line graphics, Morse code audio, and perform FFT analysis.

**Highlights:** Retro text-mode Basic interpreter, Programmable calculator functionality, Simple line graphics display, Morse Code audio output, FFT analysis, GPS location support, MQTT and BTLE communications

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### OpoLua

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/opolua/id1604029880)

This utility allows users to view and interact with files from Psion computers, including image files, scripts, and resources. It also supports listening to sound files and running OPL scripts and programs directly on compatible devices.

**Highlights:** View MBM image files, View OPL scripts, View AIF resources, Listen to sound files, Run OPL scripts and programs

**Features:** Game Controller support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is HotPaw Basic free?

HotPaw Basic costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is OpoLua free?

OpoLua is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do HotPaw Basic or OpoLua have ads?

Neither HotPaw Basic nor OpoLua shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, HotPaw Basic or OpoLua?

HotPaw Basic ships an update every 5 months, and OpoLua every 7 months. Most recently, HotPaw Basic was updated on September 6, 2026 and OpoLua on August 21, 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.*