Free42 vs Panecal Plus Sci. Calculator
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.
Panecal Plus Sci. Calculator
This app functions as a scientific calculator with a multiline editable display. It allows users to view and modify formulas as they are entered, preventing errors. Past calculations can be reused, and variable memory enables efficient recalculations.
- Multiline editable formulas
- Re-calculation of past formulas
- Cursor-based editing and swipe navigation
- Copy and paste formulas
- Formula and answer history
- Number base conversion (binary, octal, decimal, hex)
- Variable memory
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[Description] Panecal is a scientific calculator app that allows you to display and modify formulas. It allows you to enter formulas while checking them, which prevents you from typing incorrectly or making calculation errors. It is also possible to reuse past formulas and use variable memory to change only certain values to calculate them. The display shows the cursor, and you can tap or press the arrow keys to quickly navigate to where you want to edit. It has a powerful, flexible and intuitive user interface with support for swiping to scroll through formulas and long-tap to copy and paste. [Features] - Re-calculation by using past formula - Easy editing by using a cursor operation and swipe the screen - Copy and paste formulas text - Formulas history and answers history table - Binary numbers, octal numbers, decimal numbers, hexadecimal numbers calculation and conversion (Max.32bits) - M+/M- memory functions and variable(A-F) memory - Arithmetic operations, inverse trigonometric functions, logarithmic functions, power functions, power root functions, factorials, absolute values, percent calculations, modulo calculation, polar and cartesian coordinate conversion - Angle units (DEG, RAD, GRAD) - Result format with Normal(standard), Fix (fixed decimal mode), Sci (significant figures), and Eng (index is in multiples of 3) - Decimal point character and grouping separator settings [Disclaimer] Please note in advance that Appsys is not responsible for any damage or lost profits caused by the use of this software, or any claims from third parties.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Free42 at Free against Panecal Plus Sci. Calculator's $2.99. Free42 also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 3 months) and review sentiment (94% vs 79%). Panecal Plus Sci. Calculator's advantage is chart position (#119 vs unranked). On rating, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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; Panecal Plus Sci. Calculator costs $2.99 up front. 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 Panecal Plus Sci. Calculator. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 283 and 363 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 94% of Free42's written reviews are positive against 79% of Panecal Plus Sci. Calculator's.
Free42 ships an update weekly, Panecal Plus Sci. Calculator every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Free42 | Panecal Plus Sci. Calculator |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $2.99 |
| Rating | 4.8 (283 ratings) | 4.8 (363 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 93.8% of reviews — better | 79.3% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 283 | 363 — better |
| Update frequency | Weekly — better | Every 3 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | — | #119 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 | 12.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 9 MB | 18 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Thomas Okken | Noriyasu Kutsuzawa |
Customer experience
Free42
Panecal Plus Sci. Calculator
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
Panecal Plus Sci. Calculator
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Free42
No in-app purchases
Panecal Plus Sci. Calculator
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Free42 free?
Is Panecal Plus Sci. Calculator free?
Which has better reviews, Free42 or Panecal Plus Sci. Calculator?
Do Free42 or Panecal Plus Sci. Calculator have ads?
Which is updated more often, Free42 or Panecal Plus Sci. Calculator?
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