# Free42 vs SwiftRPN

The clearest difference is update cadence: Free42 at every 9 days against SwiftRPN's every 14 months. Free42 also leads on ratings volume (287 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.6). SwiftRPN's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.8). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

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

SwiftRPN holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Free42 has 287 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Free42 ships an update every 9 days, SwiftRPN every 14 months. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Free42 | SwiftRPN |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (287 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/free42/id337692629/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/swiftrpn/id6470951024/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **287** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 94.4% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 9 days** | Every 14 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 9 MB | 3 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 17.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Thomas Okken](https://appshunter.io/developer/337692632) | [Patrick Gelvin](https://appshunter.io/developer/1573354051) |

## 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


### SwiftRPN

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/swiftrpn/id6470951024)

This utility app provides a powerful Reverse Polish Notation (RPN) calculator with advanced features. It supports scalar types, vectors, and matrices, along with extensive built-in operators and unit conversions. Easily switch between number bases and visualize results.

**Highlights:** RPN stack for efficient calculations, Support for scalar, vector, and matrix types, 84 built-in operators with documentation, 74 built-in units for conversion, Multiple number base input and output (binary, octal, decimal, hex), BigInt support for integer calculations

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Free42 free?

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

### Is SwiftRPN free?

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

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

SwiftRPN is rated higher. Free42 averages 4.8 out of 5 from 287 ratings, while SwiftRPN averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Free42 or SwiftRPN have ads?

Neither Free42 nor SwiftRPN shows ads.

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

Free42 ships an update every 9 days, and SwiftRPN every 14 months. Most recently, Free42 was updated on October 29, 2026 and SwiftRPN on October 27, 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.*