# Free42 vs Penedex

The clearest difference is rating: Free42 at 4.8 against Penedex's 4.3. Free42 also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 5) and review sentiment (94% vs 75%). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Penedex sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Free42 asks for nothing beyond the download.

Free42 holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Free42 has 287 ratings behind it against 16, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 94% of Free42's written reviews are positive against 75% of Penedex's.

Free42 ships an update every 9 days, Penedex every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Free42 | Penedex |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (287 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/free42/id337692629/reviews)** | [4.3 (16 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/penedex/id1535416271/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **287** | 16 |
| Positive reviews | **94.4% of reviews** | 75.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 9 days** | Every 5 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free** | Freemium |
| Size | 9 MB | 18 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Thomas Okken](https://appshunter.io/developer/337692632) | [Connor Rose](https://appshunter.io/developer/1535416273) |

## What reviewers say

### Free42

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/free42/id337692629)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Faithful reproduction of HP42S
- 👍 Identical to physical calculator
- 👍 Runs all original programs
- 👍 Convenient to have on phone
- 👍 Haptic feedback on button presses

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Screen not filling entire display on newer devices
- 🔇 Configurable key click sound missing
- 🔇 Lack of loud click sound feedback

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

- 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


### Penedex

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/penedex/id1535416271)

Easily manage your pen and ink collections, track inked pens, and identify those needing cleaning. Catalog details like material, nib size, and ink characteristics. Includes a wishlist and pen show calendar.

**Highlights:** Create pen, ink, and currently inked entries, Track pen and ink combinations, Catalog pen details (material, nib size, photos), Quantify ink characteristics (dry time, sheen), Identify pens needing cleaning, Wishlist for grail pens and inks, International pen show calendar

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro Access | $0.99 | per month |
| Pro Access | $9.99 | per year |
| Alternate Icon Unlock - King | $3.00 | one-time |
| Ice Out Icon | $3.00 | one-time |
| Alternate Icon MN | $3.00 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Free42 free?

Free42 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Penedex free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Free42 or Penedex?

Free42 is rated higher. Free42 averages 4.8 out of 5 from 287 ratings, while Penedex averages 4.3 from 16 ratings.

### Do Free42 or Penedex have ads?

Neither Free42 nor Penedex shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Free42 or Penedex?

Free42 ships an update every 9 days, and Penedex every 5 weeks. Most recently, Free42 was updated on October 29, 2026 and Penedex on October 24, 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.*