Comparison

Free42 vs TechniCalc Calculator

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

Head to head
About

Free42

This application is a faithful re-implementation of the HP-42S scientific calculator and its associated printer. It offers full functionality without requiring original HP ROM images and is an open-source project.

Highlights
  • HP-42S calculator simulation
  • HP-82240 printer simulation
  • Open source project
  • No HP ROM required
  • Complete rewrite
Features
Read full description

Free42 is a re-implementation of the HP-42S calculator and the HP-82240 printer. It is a complete rewrite, not using any HP code, and it does not require an HP-42S ROM image. Free42 is an Open Source project. The executables and source code are released under the terms of the GNU General Public License, version 2. All third-party code used in Free42 is either in the public domain, or licensed under terms compatible with GPLv2, or used with the authors' permission.

About

TechniCalc Calculator

This app offers a modern, intuitive interface for complex calculations, supporting scientific, engineering, and advanced mathematical functions. It allows natural equation entry, provides a formula book, and includes unit and currency converters. Available across Apple devices, it caters to students and professionals needing a powerful calculation tool.

Highlights
  • Natural equation entry
  • Advanced math engine
  • Formula book and equations
  • Unit and currency converter
  • Statistics mode
  • Equation solvers
  • Supports multiple Apple devices
Features
Read full description

TechniCalc is every bit functional as it is beautiful. The modern interface that makes a clean break from traditional pocket calculators. Equations are entered in a natural way, adhering to every detail of hand-written maths. The advanced maths engine also makes this the only calculator you'll ever need. ◉ FEATURES ▸ Runs on iPhone, iPad, and macOS - with an Apple Watch companion ▸ Dark mode ▸ Supports split screen and wireless keyboards ▸ Shows the full equation as you type ▸ Basic calculations (+, -, ×, ÷, %) ▸ Brackets ▸ Square and cubic roots ▸ Exponents and logarithms ▸ Trigonometry (sin, cos, tan) ▸ Degrees, radians, and gradians ▸ Constants (pi, e, and over 100 other physical constants) ▸ Formula book and equations ▸ Calculation history ▸ Unit converter ▸ Currency converter ▸ Statistics mode ◉ ADVANCED MATHS ▸ Almost unlimited number sizes - over 1,000,000 factorial ▸ Square roots and logarithms with any base ▸ Factorial, nPr, nCr, and gamma ▸ Hyperbolic trigonometry (sinh, cosh, tanh) ▸ Vectors and matrices ▸ Imaginary and complex numbers ▸ Series sums and products ▸ Numerical integration and differentiation ▸ Binary, octal, and hexadecimal ▸ Programmer mode ◉ EQUATION SOLVERS ▸ Quadratic ▸ Cubic ▸ Systems of 2 and 3 linear equations ▸ Root finder

Screenshots

Free423 screens
TechniCalc Calculator4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Free42 at Free against TechniCalc Calculator's $7.99. Free42 also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 4) and update cadence (weekly vs monthly). On rating, 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

Free42 is free to download; TechniCalc Calculator costs $7.99 up front. TechniCalc Calculator sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Free42 asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Free42 against 4.7 for TechniCalc Calculator. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 283 and 81 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 94% of Free42's written reviews are positive against 84% of TechniCalc Calculator's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Free42 ships an update weekly, TechniCalc Calculator monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Free42 versus TechniCalc Calculator: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFree42TechniCalc Calculator
PriceFree — better$7.99
Rating4.8 (283 ratings) — better4.7 (81 ratings)
Positive reviews93.8% of reviews — better84.2% of reviews
Number of ratings283 — better81
Update frequencyWeekly — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS12.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB31 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperThomas OkkenJacob Parker

Customer experience

Free42

All ratings283 ratings
Positive93.6%
Neutral2.5%
Negative3.9%
Written reviews161 reviews
Positive93.8%
Neutral1.9%
Negative4.3%

TechniCalc Calculator

All ratings81 ratings
Positive90.1%
Neutral6.2%
Negative3.7%
Written reviews38 reviews
Positive84.2%
Neutral13.2%
Negative2.6%

Bugs and requests

Free42

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Occasional issues with Solver function
  • Store and Recall functions not working properly

Requested features

3 requests
  • Display all registers (X, Y, Z, T, Last X) simultaneously
  • Ability to share/transfer programs between devices
  • Improved use of screen real estate on larger displays

TechniCalc Calculator

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Free42

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

TechniCalc Calculator

One-time4
  • Every Little Helps$0.99
  • Coffee-Sized Tip$2.99
  • Lunch-Sized Tip$4.99
Show 1 more
  • Pizza-Sized Tip$9.99

Questions

Is Free42 free?
Free42 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is TechniCalc Calculator free?
TechniCalc Calculator costs $7.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Free42 or TechniCalc Calculator?
Free42 is rated higher. Free42 averages 4.8 out of 5 from 283 ratings, while TechniCalc Calculator averages 4.7 from 81 ratings.
Do Free42 or TechniCalc Calculator have ads?
Neither Free42 nor TechniCalc Calculator shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Free42 or TechniCalc Calculator?
Free42 ships an update weekly, and TechniCalc Calculator monthly. Most recently, Free42 was updated on October 5, 2026 and TechniCalc Calculator on October 11, 2026.

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