# Free42 vs my12c

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Free42 at none against my12c's 1. Free42 also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 26.0). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. my12c sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Free42 asks for nothing beyond the download.

Free42 ships an update weekly, my12c every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Free42 | my12c |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (287 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/free42/id337692629/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **287** | — |
| Positive reviews | 94.4% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Weekly | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 9 MB | 6 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 26.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Thomas Okken](https://appshunter.io/developer/337692632) | [Miroslav Perovic](https://appshunter.io/developer/400748424) |

## 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 devices.

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


### my12c

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/my12c/id6814496960)

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlock Full App | $9.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Free42 free?

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

### Is my12c free?

my12c is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Free42 or my12c have ads?

Neither Free42 nor my12c shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Free42 or my12c?

Free42 ships an update weekly, and my12c every 5 days. Most recently, Free42 was updated on November 6, 2026 and my12c on October 31, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*