# Free42 vs NerdCalc

The clearest difference is update cadence: Free42 at every 9 days against NerdCalc's every 19 months. Free42 also leads on review sentiment (94% vs 85%) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Free42 against 4.8 for NerdCalc. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 284 and 183 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 94% of Free42's written reviews are positive against 85% of NerdCalc's.

Free42 ships an update every 9 days, NerdCalc every 19 months. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 19, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Free42 | NerdCalc |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (284 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/free42/id337692629/reviews) | [4.8 (183 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nerdcalc/id432781819/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **284** | 183 |
| Positive reviews | **94.4% of reviews** | 84.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 9 days** | Every 19 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 9 MB | 0 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Thomas Okken](https://appshunter.io/developer/337692632) | [Nidal Fakhouri](https://appshunter.io/developer/432780820) |

## 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


### NerdCalc

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nerdcalc/id432781819)

Perform calculations across binary, hexadecimal, and decimal number bases simultaneously. Easily switch input modes and see results update instantly for all bases. Supports unsigned and 2's complement for negative numbers, along with arithmetic, logic, and bitwise operations.

**Highlights:** Simultaneous base display, Switchable input modes, Unsigned and 2's complement support, Arithmetic operations, Logic operations, Bitwise shifting

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Free42 free?

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

### Is NerdCalc free?

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

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

Free42 and NerdCalc are both rated 4.8 out of 5 on the App Store, from 284 and 183 ratings respectively.

### Do Free42 or NerdCalc have ads?

Neither Free42 nor NerdCalc shows ads.

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

Free42 ships an update every 9 days, and NerdCalc every 19 months. Most recently, Free42 was updated on October 18, 2026 and NerdCalc on October 19, 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.*