# PCalc Lite vs CALC Smart Calculator ±

The clearest difference is rating: CALC Smart Calculator ± at 4.8 against PCalc Lite's 4.4. CALC Smart Calculator ± also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 3 months) and ratings volume (2.4K vs 214). PCalc Lite's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. PCalc Lite sells 11 one-off in-app purchases and CALC Smart Calculator ± sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 3 months. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

CALC Smart Calculator ± holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CALC Smart Calculator ± has 2.4K ratings behind it against 214, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 82% of PCalc Lite's written reviews are positive against 87% of CALC Smart Calculator ±'s.

PCalc Lite ships an update every 3 months, CALC Smart Calculator ± fortnightly. Both last shipped on October 23, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | PCalc Lite | CALC Smart Calculator ± |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (214 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pcalc-lite/id300311831/reviews) | **[4.8 (2.4K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/calc-smart-calculator/id576675190/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 214 | **2.4K** |
| Positive reviews | 82.5% of reviews | **87.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 363 MB | 16 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [TLA Systems Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/284666225) | [QApps LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/395652397) |

## 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

**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


### CALC Smart Calculator ±

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/calc-smart-calculator/id576675190)

This app offers a versatile calculator experience with basic, scientific, and advanced modes. It features real-time results, unit conversions, custom functions, and a shareable history. Optimized for various Apple devices, it's designed for ease of use by students, professionals, and scientists.

**Highlights:** Real-time results, Unit and currency conversions, Custom functions and constants, Shareable calculation history, Landscape mode with tape-roll, Gratuity calculator

**Features:** Family Sharing, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Quarterly Supporter | $0.99 | per 3 months |
| Quarterly Supporter | $1.99 | per 3 months |
| Annual Contributor | $2.99 | per year |
| Annual Contributor | $5.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 💻 Excellent calculator functionality
- 🎨 Beautiful and clean interface
- 🔢 Displays full calculation history
- 🔍 Useful conversion tools
- 🤖 Seamless Apple Watch integration

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Subscription model introduced
- 🔒 Restricted features behind paywall
- 📊 Calculation bugs and inaccuracies
- 🔄 Unnecessary UI changes frustrate users

**Reported bugs**

- Calculation errors in certain scenarios
- Forced tutorial popup on every launch
- Unreliable widget functionality

**Requested features**

- Ability to easily clear calculation history
- Option to customize button layout
- Support for entering hexadecimal numbers
- Integration with other apps and services


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PCalc Lite free?

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

### Is CALC Smart Calculator ± free?

CALC Smart Calculator ± is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, PCalc Lite or CALC Smart Calculator ±?

CALC Smart Calculator ± is rated higher. PCalc Lite averages 4.4 out of 5 from 214 ratings, while CALC Smart Calculator ± averages 4.8 from 2.4K ratings.

### Do PCalc Lite or CALC Smart Calculator ± have ads?

Neither PCalc Lite nor CALC Smart Calculator ± shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, PCalc Lite or CALC Smart Calculator ±?

PCalc Lite ships an update every 3 months, and CALC Smart Calculator ± fortnightly. Most recently, PCalc Lite was updated on October 23, 2026 and CALC Smart Calculator ± on October 23, 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.*