# RPN vs DB40X

The clearest difference is price: DB40X at Free against RPN's $2.99. DB40X also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 4 months) and device support (3 vs 1). RPN's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 14.0). On rating, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

DB40X is free to download; RPN costs $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for RPN against 4.7 for DB40X. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 6 and 7 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 71% of RPN's written reviews are positive against 67% of DB40X's.

RPN ships an update every 4 months, DB40X every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | RPN | DB40X |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $2.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.8 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rpn-45-hd/id424873500/reviews)** | [4.7 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/db40x/id6624315901/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 6 | **7** |
| Positive reviews | **70.8% of reviews** | 66.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free** |
| Size | 58 MB | 7 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 14.0 |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [CuVee Software](https://appshunter.io/developer/424873503) | [Christophe de Dinechin](https://appshunter.io/developer/1761608161) |

## What reviewers say

### RPN

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rpn-45-hd/id424873500)

This app meticulously simulates a 1973 scientific calculator, offering an authentic vintage experience with advanced features. It includes a paper tape printer, complex number calculations, and enhanced statistical functions. Users can customize its appearance and even use it as a timer or chess clock.

**Highlights:** Photo-realistic HP-45 simulation, Animated keys with feedback, Full HP-45 function implementation, Paper tape printer with export, Complex number calculations, Enhanced statistical functions, Timer and chess clock modes

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### DB40X

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/db40x/id6624315901)

A high-precision scientific calculator inspired by the HP48 series, offering arbitrary precision computations, complex numbers, vectors, matrices, and graphing. It supports RPN and algebraic operations, with over 1000 built-in functions and a hyperlinked help system.

**Highlights:** Arbitrary precision computations, RPN and algebraic operations, Complex numbers, vectors, and matrices, Graphing and plotting, Engineering units and conversions, Hyperlinked help system

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is RPN free?

RPN costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is DB40X free?

DB40X is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, RPN or DB40X?

RPN is rated higher. RPN averages 4.8 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while DB40X averages 4.7 from 7 ratings.

### Do RPN or DB40X have ads?

Neither RPN nor DB40X shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, RPN or DB40X?

RPN ships an update every 4 months, and DB40X every 3 weeks. Most recently, RPN was updated on October 23, 2026 and DB40X 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.*