# Free42 vs Calculator₊

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Free42 at none against Calculator₊'s 10. Free42 also leads on ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (94% vs 63%). Calculator₊'s advantage is ratings volume (1.7M vs 287) and chart position (#93 vs unranked). On price, rating and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Calculator₊ sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Free42 asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Free42 against 4.7 for Calculator₊. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Calculator₊ has 1.7M ratings behind it against 287, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 94% of Free42's written reviews are positive against 63% of Calculator₊'s.

Free42 ships an update weekly, Calculator₊ every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 8, 2026 and November 9, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Free42 | Calculator₊ |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (287 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/free42/id337692629/reviews)** | [4.7 (1.7M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/calculator/id398129933/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 287 | **1.7M** |
| Positive reviews | **94.4% of reviews** | 63.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#93** |
| Size | 9 MB | 247 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch, Vision Pro** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Thomas Okken](https://appshunter.io/developer/337692632) | [Impala Studios](https://appshunter.io/developer/1063279743) |

## What reviewers say

### Free42

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

This app is a faithful, open-source simulation of the HP-42S scientific calculator and its associated printer. It offers a complete rewrite without requiring original ROM images, allowing users to run existing programs on their devices.

**Highlights:** HP-42S calculator simulation, HP-82240 printer simulation, Open Source project, Runs original HP-42S programs, No ROM image required, Customizable skins

**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


### Calculator₊

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/calculator/id398129933)

**Currently charting:** #93 Top Grossing · Utilities (US App Store)

This app offers a comprehensive suite of calculation tools, including basic, scientific, and unit conversions. It features an AI-powered math solver that can solve problems from photos and provides a dedicated space for math notes. Accessibility features ensure ease of use for all users.

**Highlights:** Basic and scientific calculations, Unit and currency converter, AI-powered math solver with photo recognition, Math notes with instant solutions, Calculation history log, Accessibility features (Dynamic Text Size, VoiceOver, High-Contrast Mode)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Member Special Offer | $0.99 | per month |
| Monthly Premium Member | $0.99 | per month |
| 1 Month Premium Access | $1.49 | per month |
| Half-Yearly Premium Member | $3.99 | per 6 months |
| Calculate Faster, AI, & No Ads | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| 1 Year Ad-Free | $5.99 | per year |
| Calculate Faster, AI, & No Ads | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| 1 Month Premium Trial | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| Math Solver/Full Access/No Ads | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| 6 Months Premium Access | $8.99 | per 6 months |

**What reviewers like**

- 💻 Useful calculator features
- 🎨 Customizable backgrounds and themes
- 📚 Helpful history tracking

**What reviewers complain about**

- 📺 Intrusive full-screen ads
- 💰 Expensive subscription model
- 🔍 Ads blocking calculator functionality

**Reported bugs**

- Incorrect calculation results for certain functions
- Inability to delete last entered digit without clearing entire calculation

**Requested features**

- Ability to delete individual calculation history entries
- More free advanced calculator features (fractions, currency, etc.)
- Improved ad placement that doesn't interfere with usage


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Free42 free?

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

### Is Calculator₊ free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Free42 or Calculator₊?

Free42 is rated higher. Free42 averages 4.8 out of 5 from 287 ratings, while Calculator₊ averages 4.7 from 1.7M ratings.

### Do Free42 or Calculator₊ have ads?

Calculator₊ shows ads; Free42 does not.

### Which is updated more often, Free42 or Calculator₊?

Free42 ships an update weekly, and Calculator₊ every 3 weeks. Most recently, Free42 was updated on November 8, 2026 and Calculator₊ on November 9, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*