Comparison

Free42 vs Panecal Plus Sci. Calculator

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • HP-42S calculator simulation
  • HP-82240 printer simulation
  • Open source project
  • No HP ROM required
  • Complete rewrite
Features
Read full description

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.

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

[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

Free423 screens
Panecal Plus Sci. Calculator4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Free42 versus Panecal Plus Sci. Calculator: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFree42Panecal Plus Sci. Calculator
PriceFree — better$2.99
Rating4.8 (283 ratings)4.8 (363 ratings)
Positive reviews93.8% of reviews — better79.3% of reviews
Number of ratings283363 — better
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
Best chart rank—#119 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.012.0
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB18 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperThomas OkkenNoriyasu Kutsuzawa

Customer experience

Free42

All ratings283 ratings
Positive93.6%
Neutral2.5%
Negative3.9%
Written reviews161 reviews
Positive93.8%
Neutral1.9%
Negative4.3%

Panecal Plus Sci. Calculator

All ratings363 ratings
Positive94.5%
Neutral2.2%
Negative3.3%
Written reviews290 reviews
Positive79.3%
Neutral9.0%
Negative11.7%

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

None

Free42

No in-app purchases

None

Panecal Plus Sci. Calculator

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Free42 free?
Free42 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Panecal Plus Sci. Calculator free?
Panecal Plus Sci. Calculator costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Free42 or Panecal Plus Sci. Calculator?
Free42 and Panecal Plus Sci. Calculator are both rated 4.8 out of 5 on the App Store, from 283 and 363 ratings respectively.
Do Free42 or Panecal Plus Sci. Calculator have ads?
Neither Free42 nor Panecal Plus Sci. Calculator shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Free42 or Panecal Plus Sci. Calculator?
Free42 ships an update weekly, and Panecal Plus Sci. Calculator every 3 months. Most recently, Free42 was updated on October 14, 2026 and Panecal Plus Sci. Calculator on October 16, 2026.

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