# Free42 vs HP16C

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Free42 | HP16C |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (287 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/free42/id337692629/reviews)** | [4.3 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hp16c/id6761774728/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **287** | 4 |
| Positive reviews | 94.4% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 8 days | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 9 MB | 1 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Thomas Okken](https://appshunter.io/developer/337692632) | [Michael Doornbos](https://appshunter.io/developer/1891405652) |

## What reviewers say

### Free42

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/free42/id337692629)

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.

**Highlights:** HP-42S calculator simulation, HP-82240 printer simulation, Open-source project, No ROM image required, Runs original programs, Customizable skins

**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


### HP16C

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hp16c/id6761774728)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Free42 free?

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

### Is HP16C free?

HP16C is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Free42 or HP16C?

Free42 is rated higher. Free42 averages 4.8 out of 5 from 287 ratings, while HP16C averages 4.3 from 4 ratings.

### Do Free42 or HP16C have ads?

Neither Free42 nor HP16C shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Free42 or HP16C?

Free42 ships an update every 8 days, and HP16C weekly. Most recently, Free42 was updated on November 1, 2026 and HP16C on October 24, 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.*