# PCalc Lite vs Numerical³

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Numerical³ at none against PCalc Lite's 11. Numerical³ also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.4) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months). PCalc Lite's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). On price, review sentiment, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. PCalc Lite sells 11 one-off in-app purchases. Numerical³ asks for nothing beyond the download.

Numerical³ holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Numerical³ has 1.3K ratings behind it against 214, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 83% of PCalc Lite's written reviews are positive against 75% of Numerical³'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, Numerical³ every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PCalc Lite | Numerical³ |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (214 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pcalc-lite/id300311831/reviews) | **[4.8 (1.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/numerical/id804548449/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 214 | **1.3K** |
| Positive reviews | **82.6% of reviews** | 75.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Size | 76 MB | 113 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [TLA Systems Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/284666225) | [Andrew J Clark](https://appshunter.io/developer/804548452) |

## 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


### Numerical³

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/numerical/id804548449)

A powerful and beautifully designed calculator app that offers advanced scientific functions, automatic bracket handling, and a unique no-equals button interface. It integrates seamlessly with iOS features like widgets and keyboards for calculations anywhere.

**Highlights:** No equals button interface, Automatic bracket handling, Full scientific keypad, Today Widget integration, Numerical² Keyboard for any app, Equation editing, Customizable themes

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great app
- 👍 Simple and intuitive
- 👍 Clean and beautiful design
- 🚀 Fast and responsive
- 👍 Customizable themes

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Bugs and glitches (unresponsive keys, calculation errors)
- 🔍 Lack of advanced functions (scientific, unit conversion)
- 💡 Needs more theme options
- 💡 Needs iPad support
- 💡 Needs widget support

**Reported bugs**

- Unresponsive keys
- Calculation errors
- Crashes on startup

**Requested features**

- Add scientific functions (square root, trigonometry, etc.)
- Implement an equals button
- Add more theme options
- Develop an iPad version
- Bring back widget support


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PCalc Lite free?

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

### Is Numerical³ free?

Numerical³ is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, PCalc Lite or Numerical³?

Numerical³ is rated higher. PCalc Lite averages 4.4 out of 5 from 214 ratings, while Numerical³ averages 4.8 from 1.3K ratings.

### Do PCalc Lite or Numerical³ have ads?

Neither PCalc Lite nor Numerical³ shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, PCalc Lite or Numerical³?

PCalc Lite ships an update every 2 months, and Numerical³ every 2 weeks. Most recently, PCalc Lite was updated on September 24, 2026 and Numerical³ on September 19, 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.*