# Free42 vs Matrix Calc Plus

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.

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.

Free42 ships an update weekly, Matrix Calc Plus every 26 months. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Free42 | Matrix Calc Plus |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $2.99 |
| Rating | **[4.8 (283 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/free42/id337692629/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **283** | — |
| Positive reviews | 93.8% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 26 months |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 9 MB | 9 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 18.2 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Thomas Okken](https://appshunter.io/developer/337692632) | [Heng Jia Liang](https://appshunter.io/developer/1532000635) |

## 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


### Matrix Calc Plus

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/matrix-calc-plus/id1592961256)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked 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 October 14, 2026 and Matrix Calc Plus on October 3, 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.*