# PCalc Lite vs HP 15c Calculator

The clearest difference is price: PCalc Lite at Free against HP 15c Calculator's $14.99. PCalc Lite also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 16 months) and review sentiment (82% vs 68%). HP 15c Calculator's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 11) and rating (4.8 vs 4.4). On ratings volume, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

PCalc Lite is free to download; HP 15c Calculator costs $14.99 up front. PCalc Lite sells 11 one-off in-app purchases. HP 15c Calculator asks for nothing beyond the download.

HP 15c Calculator holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 214 and 218 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 82% of PCalc Lite's written reviews are positive against 68% of HP 15c Calculator's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

PCalc Lite ships an update every 2 months, HP 15c Calculator every 16 months. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PCalc Lite | HP 15c Calculator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $14.99 |
| Rating | [4.4 (214 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pcalc-lite/id300311831/reviews) | **[4.8 (218 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hp-15c-calculator/id503720774/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 214 | **218** |
| Positive reviews | **82.5% of reviews** | 68.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 16 months |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Size | 79 MB | 45 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [TLA Systems Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/284666225) | [MORAVIA Consulting, spol. s r.o.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1673101600) |

## What reviewers say

### PCalc Lite

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pcalc-lite/id300311831)

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:** Family Sharing, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support, iPhone Duo support

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Theme Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Power User Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Multiple Line Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Conversion Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Small Tip | $0.99 | one-time |
| Medium Tip | $1.99 | one-time |
| Programmer Pack | $2.99 | one-time |
| Engineer Pack | $2.99 | one-time |
| Large Tip | $4.99 | one-time |
| Complete Pack | $9.99 | one-time |
| Enormous Tip | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and responsive
- 👍 Clean and intuitive interface
- 💡 Customizable themes and settings
- 🚀 Efficient performance
- 👍 Useful conversion tools

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional lags and crashes
- 🔒 Lack of dark mode support
- 🔒 Inconsistent icon appearance after upgrades
- 🔒 Limitations in RPN mode on Apple Watch
- 🔒 Lack of financial calculator functions

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

- 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


### HP 15c Calculator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hp-15c-calculator/id503720774)

Experience the official emulator of the legendary HP 15c scientific calculator. This app offers a redesigned interface and modern look while preserving the precision and reliability of the original. It features RPN input, matrix calculations, complex functions, and numerical integration for professionals and students.

**Highlights:** Official HP 15c emulator, RPN (Reverse Polish Notation), Matrix calculations, Complex functions, Numerical integration, Programmable (448 lines)

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent emulation of original HP 15C
- 👍 Faithful reproduction of classic calculator
- 👍 Includes original manual
- 👍 Works just like the real thing
- 👍 Vertical layout with key features

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Display issues in portrait mode
- 🐛 Bugs with programming and trig functions
- 🔇 Loud button click sound
- 💰 Expensive for an app

**Reported bugs**

- Numbers not aligned in display window
- Display flashing after running programs
- Incompatibility with latest iOS versions

**Requested features**

- Copy and paste functionality
- Ability to change calculator models
- Option to disable button click sound
- Better support for larger iPhone screens


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PCalc Lite free?

PCalc Lite is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is HP 15c Calculator free?

HP 15c Calculator costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, PCalc Lite or HP 15c Calculator?

HP 15c Calculator is rated higher. PCalc Lite averages 4.4 out of 5 from 214 ratings, while HP 15c Calculator averages 4.8 from 218 ratings.

### Do PCalc Lite or HP 15c Calculator have ads?

Neither PCalc Lite nor HP 15c Calculator shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, PCalc Lite or HP 15c Calculator?

PCalc Lite ships an update every 2 months, and HP 15c Calculator every 16 months. Most recently, PCalc Lite was updated on October 26, 2026 and HP 15c Calculator on October 27, 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.*