# Free42 vs Emu50g

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Free42 | Emu50g |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $8.99 |
| Rating | **[4.8 (287 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/free42/id337692629/reviews)** | [4.0 (46 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/emu50g/id553279622/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **287** | 46 |
| Positive reviews | **94.4% of reviews** | 50.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 9 days** | Every 6 weeks |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 9 MB | 44 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **8.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | +4 |
| Developer | [Thomas Okken](https://appshunter.io/developer/337692632) | [TheWinterStorm (Marek Zima)](https://appshunter.io/developer/434409253) |

## 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


### Emu50g

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/emu50g/id553279622)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Functions like the real calculator
- 🚀 Fast calculations
- 📱 Convenient mobile access
- 💡 Good for engineering calculations
- ✨ Familiar RPN interface

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 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

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on startup
- App freezes during use
- App stops working after iOS updates
- App does not open
- App closes immediately after opening

**Requested features**

- Update application urgently
- Fix iOS compatibility issues
- Improve key sensitivity/button size
- Add high-resolution skin option
- Allow program installation via file manager/iTunes


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Free42 free?

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

### Is Emu50g free?

Emu50g costs $8.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Free42 or Emu50g?

Free42 is rated higher. Free42 averages 4.8 out of 5 from 287 ratings, while Emu50g averages 4.0 from 46 ratings.

### Do Free42 or Emu50g have ads?

Neither Free42 nor Emu50g shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Free42 or Emu50g?

Free42 ships an update every 9 days, and Emu50g every 6 weeks. Most recently, Free42 was updated on October 29, 2026 and Emu50g on October 29, 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.*