Free42 vs Emu50g
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- HP-42S calculator simulation
- HP-82240 printer simulation
- Open source project
- No HP ROM required
- Complete rewrite
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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.
Emu50g
This app provides a full emulation of the HP50g scientific calculator, complete with its original skin. Save and load calculator states, manage libraries, and transfer data to and from your computer. Enjoy sound effects and a high-definition interface for a familiar calculator experience on your device.
- Full HP50g calculator emulation
- Save and load calculator states
- Manage and load custom libraries
- Copy/paste to device clipboard
- File transfer via WiFi/LAN
- Original HD skin
- Sound effects
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Emu50G is an emulator for the famous HP50g scientific calculator with its original skin. Carry your favorite calculator along with you every day and use it together with your favorite library! Features: -------- • Full emulation of the HP50g calculator. (You should refer to original HP50g user guide to learn how to use it.) • Save (backup) actual calc state and create new one. • Load saved state (restore backup). • Save and load your favorite libraries, etc. (you must provide them by yourself) • Copy and paste your calculator results or screenshots to and from the iPhone/iPod clipboard. • Transfer files from and to your computer (WiFi and LAN required). • Original HD skin files. • Support for landscape (currently for Whole Sized skin – iPad default skin) • Support of sound effects. • Tap the LCD to get more information.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Free42 at Free against Emu50g's $8.99. Free42 also leads on review sentiment (94% vs 51%) and rating (4.8 vs 4.0). Emu50g's advantage is iOS requirement (8.0 vs 15.0). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model 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
Free42 is free to download; Emu50g costs $8.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Free42 holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Free42 has 287 ratings behind it against 46, 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 51% of Emu50g's.
Free42 ships an update every 9 days, Emu50g every 6 weeks. Both last shipped on October 29, 2026.
| Parameter | Free42 | Emu50g |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $8.99 |
| Rating | 4.8 (287 ratings) — better | 4.0 (46 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 94.4% of reviews — better | 50.7% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 287 — better | 46 |
| Update frequency | Every 9 days — better | Every 6 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 8.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 9 MB | 44 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | +4 |
| Developer | Thomas Okken | TheWinterStorm (Marek Zima) |
Customer experience
Free42
Emu50g
User reviews
Free42
From 287 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Faithful reproduction of HP42S
- 👍 Identical to physical calculator
- 👍 Runs all original programs
- 👍 Convenient to have on phone
- 👍 Haptic feedback on button presses
Room to improve
- 🐛 Screen not filling entire display on newer devices
- 🔇 Configurable key click sound missing
- 🔇 Lack of loud click sound feedback
Emu50g
From 46 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Functions like the real calculator
- 🚀 Fast calculations
- 📱 Convenient mobile access
- 💡 Good for engineering calculations
- ✨ Familiar RPN interface
Room to improve
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and freezes
- 🐌 Slow performance and lag
- ❌ Does not work after iOS updates
- 🚫 Buttons are too small/difficult to press
- 📉 Poor screen resolution/font rendering
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
Emu50g
Reported bugs
16 issues- App crashes on startup
- App freezes during use
- App stops working after iOS updates
- App does not open
- App closes immediately after opening
Show 11 moreShow fewer
- Data in Port 2 is lost
- Key presses are not registered or delayed
- Display shows garbage or is blank
- Unable to load skin
- Programs/libraries are corrupted or disappear
- File structure is inaccessible
- Copy/paste functionality is broken
- Input mode indicators are missing
- Calculator screen doesn't turn on
- Error message 'cant open XML'
- Calculations are incorrect (e.g., 18/5 = 18/5)
Requested features
17 requests- Update application urgently
- Fix iOS compatibility issues
- Improve key sensitivity/button size
- Add high-resolution skin option
- Allow program installation via file manager/iTunes
Show 12 moreShow fewer
- Add Viga G program
- Support for SD card emulation
- Improve Port 2 stability
- Option for dark mode
- Better skins with bigger keys
- Support for 64-bit iOS 11
- Make calculator screen larger/occupy full screen
- Allow transfer of programs from physical calculator
- Fix copy/paste to/from stack
- Add input mode indicators (left-shift, right-shift, alpha)
- Fix Port 2 data persistence issue
- Improve visual design of opening screen
In-app purchases
Free42
No in-app purchases
Emu50g
No in-app purchases
