# Free42 vs aView

The clearest difference is price: Free42 at Free against aView's $0.99. Free42 also leads on update cadence (every 9 days vs every 15 months). On ads, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Free42 is free to download; aView costs $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Free42 ships an update every 9 days, aView every 15 months. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Free42 | aView |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $0.99 |
| 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 | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 9 days** | Every 15 months |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 9 MB | 1 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Thomas Okken](https://appshunter.io/developer/337692632) | [domesticusdevelop](https://appshunter.io/developer/373834594) |

## What reviewers say

### Free42

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

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:** 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


### aView

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aview/id878239134)

**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 aView free?

aView costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Free42 or aView have ads?

Neither Free42 nor aView shows ads.

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

Free42 ships an update every 9 days, and aView every 15 months. Most recently, Free42 was updated on October 29, 2026 and aView on October 27, 2026.

---

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