Comparison

PCalc Lite vs Programming Calculator

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

Head to head
About

PCalc Lite

This free scientific calculator offers essential features like RPN mode, unit conversions, and multiple undo/redo. It provides a taste of a more powerful version, with optional in-app purchases for expanded functionality.

Highlights
  • Optional RPN mode
  • Multiple undo and redo
  • Unit conversions and constants
  • Two stylish themes
  • Apple Watch app
Features
Read full description

PCalc is the powerful choice for scientists, engineers, students, programmers, or indeed anybody looking for a feature rich calculator. It includes an optional RPN mode and multi-line display, a choice of button layouts, an extensive set of unit conversions and constants, a paper tape, multiple undo and redo, engineering and scientific notation, as well as support for hexadecimal, octal, and binary calculations.PCalc Lite is a fully functional and free taste of our very popular scientific calculator. It includes an optional RPN mode, multiple undo and redo, unit conversions and constants, as well as two stylish themes and our highly praised design. A great choice for your new iPad! If you like what you see, the full version has many more settings and themes, a paper tape, engineering and scientific notation, and full support for hexadecimal, octal, and binary calculations. You can also now purchase extra features directly from inside PCalc Lite. Buy them individually, or buy everything. Includes an Apple Watch app, so you can calculate on your wrist!

About

Programming Calculator

This utility app allows users to instantly convert numbers between bases 2 and 30, perform calculations, and get accurate results. It features a developer-friendly interface with real-time updates and dark mode support.

Highlights
  • Base conversion (2-30)
  • Developer-friendly calculations
  • Real-time value updates
  • Intuitive one-hand interface
  • Dark mode support
  • Supports multiple number systems
Features
Read full description

Programming Calc is a convenient and powerful calculator designed for developers, engineers, students, and anyone working with different number systems. Instantly convert values between bases from 2 to 30, perform calculations, and get accurate results without mistakes. Key Features: Base conversion from 2 to 30 (bin, oct, dec, hex, and more) Developer-friendly calculator with fast operations and precise outputs Real-time value updates across all systems Clean, intuitive interface optimized for one-hand use Suitable for learning, programming, technical tasks, and everyday calculations Dark mode support Who is it for? Developers working with code, addresses, and bit structures Students studying number systems and preparing for exams Engineers performing technical calculations Anyone who needs quick and accurate base conversion Simple. Fast. Accurate. Programming Calc makes working with numbers easy and efficient.

Screenshots

PCalc Lite4 screens
Programming Calculator4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Programming Calculator at 4.9 against PCalc Lite's 4.4. Programming Calculator also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 11) and update cadence (every 4 weeks vs every 2 months). PCalc Lite's advantage is ratings volume (214 vs 38). On price, review sentiment, 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

Both are free to download. PCalc Lite sells 11 one-off in-app purchases. Programming Calculator asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Programming Calculator holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PCalc Lite has 214 ratings behind it against 38, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 83% of PCalc Lite's written reviews are positive against 80% of Programming Calculator's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PCalc Lite ships an update every 2 months, Programming Calculator every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
PCalc Lite versus Programming Calculator: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPCalc LiteProgramming Calculator
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (214 ratings)4.9 (38 ratings) — better
Positive reviews82.6% of reviews — better80.0% of reviews
Number of ratings214 — better38
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 4 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size76 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTLA Systems Ltd.Mikhail Razin

Customer experience

PCalc Lite

All ratings214 ratings
Positive83.6%
Neutral6.5%
Negative9.8%
Written reviews528 reviews
Positive82.6%
Neutral7.0%
Negative10.4%

Programming Calculator

All ratings38 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%

Bugs and requests

PCalc Lite

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Calculations sometimes produce unexpected results
  • Upside-down text censorship feature is problematic
  • Purchased features not always accessible on Apple Watch

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add option to display thousands separators
  • Implement a history function to review past calculations
  • Provide more customization options for the widget
  • Add support for sexagesimal angle input and conversion

Programming Calculator

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

11 purchases

PCalc Lite

One-time11
  • Theme Pack$0.99
  • Power User Pack$0.99
  • Multiple Line Pack$0.99
Show 8 more
  • Conversion Pack$0.99
  • Small Tip$0.99
  • Medium Tip$1.99
  • Programmer Pack$2.99
  • Engineer Pack$2.99
  • Large Tip$4.99
  • Complete Pack$9.99
  • Enormous Tip$9.99
None

Programming Calculator

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is PCalc Lite free?
PCalc Lite is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Programming Calculator free?
Programming Calculator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, PCalc Lite or Programming Calculator?
Programming Calculator is rated higher. PCalc Lite averages 4.4 out of 5 from 214 ratings, while Programming Calculator averages 4.9 from 38 ratings.
Do PCalc Lite or Programming Calculator have ads?
Neither PCalc Lite nor Programming Calculator shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PCalc Lite or Programming Calculator?
PCalc Lite ships an update every 2 months, and Programming Calculator every 4 weeks. Most recently, PCalc Lite was updated on September 24, 2026 and Programming Calculator on September 2, 2026.

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