# PCalc Lite vs Retro 15C

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Retro 15C at none against PCalc Lite's 11. Retro 15C also leads on iOS requirement (8.0 vs 15.0). PCalc Lite's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 53 months) and device support (4 vs 2). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. PCalc Lite sells 11 one-off in-app purchases. Retro 15C asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.4 for PCalc Lite against 4.3 for Retro 15C. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 214 and 212 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 83% of PCalc Lite's written reviews are positive against 76% of Retro 15C's.

PCalc Lite ships an update every 2 months, Retro 15C every 53 months. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PCalc Lite | Retro 15C |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.4 (214 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pcalc-lite/id300311831/reviews)** | [4.3 (212 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retro-15c/id583559000/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **214** | 212 |
| Positive reviews | **82.6% of reviews** | 76.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 53 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 76 MB | 5 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **8.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [TLA Systems Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/284666225) | [Greg Hewgill](https://appshunter.io/developer/517923493) |

## 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


### Retro 15C

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retro-15c/id583559000)

This app emulates a classic RPN scientific calculator, offering advanced features like complex number arithmetic, matrix calculations, and programmability. It provides a functional and complex tool reminiscent of 1980s calculators.

**Highlights:** Complex number arithmetic, Matrix calculations, Numerical root finder, Numerical integration, Statistical functions, Programmable

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Lightning-fast calculator
- 👍 Authentic look and feel of HP 15C
- 🚀 Faster than real HP 15C
- 👍 Excellent RPN emulation
- 👍 Familiar interface for HP 15C users

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Doesn't save settings, programs, or memory
- 🐛 No key press feedback or sound
- 🐛 Blinking display issue with large calculations
- 🐛 Bugs with HMS conversions
- 🐛 Can't close app on newer iPhones

**Reported bugs**

- Blinking display with large calculations
- Bugs with HMS conversions
- Inability to close app on newer iPhones
- Stopped working with iOS 14 updates

**Requested features**

- Add haptic feedback on key presses
- Implement continuous memory to save settings and programs
- Add portrait mode option
- Improve compatibility with newer iOS versions
- Add copy/paste functionality for stack and registers


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PCalc Lite free?

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

### Is Retro 15C free?

Retro 15C is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, PCalc Lite or Retro 15C?

PCalc Lite is rated higher. PCalc Lite averages 4.4 out of 5 from 214 ratings, while Retro 15C averages 4.3 from 212 ratings.

### Do PCalc Lite or Retro 15C have ads?

Neither PCalc Lite nor Retro 15C shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, PCalc Lite or Retro 15C?

PCalc Lite ships an update every 2 months, and Retro 15C every 53 months. Most recently, PCalc Lite was updated on October 13, 2026 and Retro 15C on October 7, 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.*