Comparison

Free42 vs Matrix Calc Plus

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

Matrix Calc Plus

Features
Read full description

Matrix Calculator is a math calculator designed to solve matrix operations. It allows you to perform matrix operations on two matrices, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, quickly and easily. Features: • Supports matrix addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. • Generates matrices in LaTeX format, which can be saved as images to your camera roll. • Matrices in array mode can be copied easily. • Customizable font and background colors. • Adjustable font size and type. • Option to display the full matrix operation or the result only. • Includes a matrix reference guide. • Works seamlessly on both iPhone and iPad. • Lightweight, compact app optimized for everyday use. • Ad-free and built with privacy in mind. In mathematics, a matrix (plural: matrices) is a rectangular array or table of numbers, symbols, or expressions arranged in rows and columns. It is used to represent a mathematical object or describe properties of such objects. Matrix Operations: Adding or Subtracting Two Matrices: A matrix A with 3 rows and 5 columns can be added to another matrix B of the same dimensions (3 rows and 5 columns). To perform addition or subtraction, the two matrices must have the same size, meaning the rows and columns must match. Multiplying Two Matrices: To multiply an m×n matrix by an n×p matrix, the number of columns in the first matrix (n) must equal the number of rows in the second matrix (n). The resulting matrix will have dimensions m×p: m×n×n×p=m×p Dividing Two Matrices: Matrix division is defined as: A/B = A × (1/B) = A × B⁻¹ Where B⁻¹ is the inverse of matrix B. Thank you for your support! Visit nitrio.com for more apps for your iOS devices.

Screenshots

Free423 screens
Matrix Calc Plus4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Free42 at Free against Matrix Calc Plus's $2.99. Free42 also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 26 months) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 18.2). On ads, in-app purchases 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; Matrix Calc Plus costs $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Free42 ships an update weekly, Matrix Calc Plus every 26 months. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and September 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Free42 versus Matrix Calc Plus: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFree42Matrix Calc Plus
PriceFree — better$2.99
Rating4.8 (283 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews93.8% of reviews—
Number of ratings283 — better—
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 26 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.0 — better18.2
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperThomas OkkenHeng Jia Liang

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

Matrix Calc Plus

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Free42

No in-app purchases

None

Matrix Calc Plus

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Free42 free?
Free42 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Matrix Calc Plus free?
Matrix Calc Plus costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Free42 or Matrix Calc Plus have ads?
Neither Free42 nor Matrix Calc Plus shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Free42 or Matrix Calc Plus?
Free42 ships an update weekly, and Matrix Calc Plus every 26 months. Most recently, Free42 was updated on September 30, 2026 and Matrix Calc Plus on September 16, 2026.

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