Free42 vs HP16C
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Free42
This app is a faithful open-source simulation of the HP-42S scientific calculator and its associated printer. It offers a complete rewrite without requiring original ROM images, allowing users to run existing programs on their mobile devices.
- HP-42S calculator simulation
- HP-82240 printer simulation
- Open-source project
- No ROM image required
- Runs original programs
- Customizable skins
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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.
HP16C
This app faithfully recreates the legendary HP 16C Computer Scientist calculator, offering advanced hex arithmetic, bit manipulation, and base conversion. It features RPN, keystroke programming, and modern enhancements like a two-line display and haptic feedback.
- Full RPN calculator
- Integer arithmetic (HEX, DEC, OCT, BIN)
- Configurable word size (1-64 bits)
- Complete bit operations
- Keystroke programming
- Two-line display
- Haptic feedback
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A faithful recreation of the legendary HP 16C Computer Scientist calculator for iPhone, with a few modern upgrades. If you've ever needed to perform hex arithmetic, bit manipulation, or base conversion on your phone and been frustrated by the available options, this is for you. RPN-16C gives you the full power of the original HP 16C in your pocket. WHAT IT DOES - Full RPN (Reverse Polish Notation) calculator - Integer arithmetic in HEX, DEC, OCT, and BIN - Configurable word size from 1 to 64 bits - Unsigned, one's complement, and two's complement modes - Complete bit operations: shift, rotate, rotate through carry, AND, OR, XOR, NOT, mask, bit set/clear/test, count bits, left justify - Float mode with configurable precision (FLOAT 0-9) - Keystroke programming with labels, subroutines, loops, and conditionals - Storage registers with direct and indirect addressing - Programs can be imported from text (long-press the display to paste) ENHANCEMENTS OVER THE ORIGINAL - Two-line display: see both X and Y registers at once. No more guessing what's on the stack. - Wider LCD: displays all 32 bits in binary without scrolling. The original could only show 8 at a time. - Haptic feedback on every key press - State persistence: pick up right where you left off - SHOW function to peek at values in other bases FAIR WARNING This is a quirky calculator. It uses Reverse Polish Notation, has no equals key, and expects you to know what two's complement means. If you're looking for a simple calculator, this is not it. If you've ever wished you could do a bitwise rotate through carry on your phone, welcome home. DESIGNED FOR PROGRAMMERS The key layout matches the physical HP 16C exactly, including the f (gold) and g (blue) shift labels. If you know the original, you already know this one. The original HP 16C Owner's Handbook is freely available on the Internet Archive: https://archive.org/details/hp-16c_handbook
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Free42 at 4.8 against HP16C's 4.3. Free42 also leads on ratings volume (287 vs 4) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, update cadence, 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Free42 holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Free42 has 287 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Free42 ships an update every 8 days, HP16C weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Free42 | HP16C |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (287 ratings) — better | 4.3 (4 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 94.4% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 287 — better | 4 |
| Update frequency | Every 8 days | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 9 MB | 1 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Thomas Okken | Michael Doornbos |
Customer experience
Free42
HP16C
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
HP16C
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Free42
No in-app purchases
HP16C
No in-app purchases








