# Free42 vs RLM

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Free42 at 94% against RLM's 40%. Free42 also leads on rating (4.8 vs 3.1) and in-app purchases (none vs 4). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. RLM sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $0.49 per month. Free42 asks for nothing beyond the download.

Free42 holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Free42 has 287 ratings behind it against 7, 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 40% of RLM's.

Free42 ships an update every 9 days, RLM every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Free42 | RLM |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (287 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/free42/id337692629/reviews)** | [3.1 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rlm-11cx/id1630739014/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **287** | 7 |
| Positive reviews | **94.4% of reviews** | 40.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 9 days** | Every 5 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 9 MB | 6 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Thomas Okken](https://appshunter.io/developer/337692632) | [R.L.M. Software](https://appshunter.io/developer/289639238) |

## 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


### RLM

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rlm-11cx/id1630739014)

This app is a scientific and programmable calculator designed for science and engineering, replicating the functionality of the HP-11C. It offers extensive features for finance, business, statistics, complex numbers, and unit conversions, with a programmable interface for custom calculations.

**Highlights:** Finance calculations (amortization, bond price, Black-Scholes), Business functions (break-even, currency exchange), Statistical analysis (regression, probability distributions), Scientific functions (complex numbers, logarithms, trigonometry), Unit and currency conversions, Programmable interface for custom scripts, Equation solver

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $0.49 | per month |
| Semi-Annual Subscription | $2.99 | per 6 months |
| Annual Subscription | $5.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Purchase | $9.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Free42 free?

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

### Is RLM free?

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

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

Free42 is rated higher. Free42 averages 4.8 out of 5 from 287 ratings, while RLM averages 3.1 from 7 ratings.

### Do Free42 or RLM have ads?

Neither Free42 nor RLM shows ads.

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

Free42 ships an update every 9 days, and RLM every 5 weeks. Most recently, Free42 was updated on October 29, 2026 and RLM on October 30, 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.*