Comparison

CalculateRetro vs Paribus Calculator

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

CalculateRetro

This app allows users to track all their calculations with features like a backspace key, history printing, and PDF export. It supports Apple Watch, dark mode, and customization of display and fonts. Calculations can be shared via email or saved for later access.

Highlights
  • Apple Watch calculator
  • Today View Extension
  • Printable/emailable calculation history
  • Backspace key for corrections
  • Customizable display and fonts
  • Dark mode support
  • Copy/paste functionality
Features
Read full description

Featured in What´s Hot on iTunes The BEST Calculator! App for iPad, iPhone, iTouch and Apple Watch. Ever lost your train of thought half way through a calculation and thought how handy it would be to have a print out or e-mail of your work? Features: - Print out the calculation history or send by PDF. - Correct with a backspace key if you enter a wrong digit without having to redo all. - Email, PDF or Print the calculation history. - PDF the Tape and access previous in the Documents Folder. - Exchange Documents in iTunes or open in iBooks, Email, etc. - Rename and share PDF documents. - Copy and Paste numbers to other Apps, by tapping on the display. - Change number display to Fixed, Scientific, etc., by tapping on the display. - Customize the background, fixed digits, fonts, colors and sizes. - Customize the Tape font, size and color. - An audible sound confirms if you have pressed a button, which can be easily disabled by touching the speaker. - Show calculations on an Apple TV or an external monitor with a cable. - Previous calculation is repeated when the equal sign is pressed. - Grand Total calculated. - Numbers in Memory may be logged to the Tape. - A visible and audible error when trying to divide by zero or take the square root of a negative number. - Numbers are shown in local format, depending on your Region Formats, i.e. comma used in Europe.

About

Paribus Calculator

This app combines the functionality of a calculator and a spreadsheet, allowing users to perform complex calculations and model scenarios on their mobile devices. It offers features like goal seeking, version comparison, and easy sharing of results.

Highlights
  • Streamlined pocket spreadsheet
  • Goal seeking with value dial
  • Compare alternate calculation versions
  • Natural language and quick entry keyboard
  • Share results via email and AirDrop
  • Built-in templates library
Features
Read full description

Paribus - Calculator Beyond Equal An innovative cross between a handheld calculator and a spreadsheet—all the power you need right in your pocket. What is Paribus? • streamlined pocket spreadsheet • make and share "back of the napkin" calculations • elegant keypad for quick and accurate entry • dial values up or down for goal seeking • compare alternate versions of a calculation • optimized for business and everyday math (not scientific calculations) Watch the video: https://vimeo.com/85944849 You've been there. Running the numbers on the next business decision, when the math gets too complicated to do in your head, there are too many variables to track, or you want to compare results from several assumptions. Handheld calculators are cumbersome, and spreadsheets need your laptop you left in the office. For that quick conversation or hallway meeting, Paribus lets you type like you talk and get back instant results. "25.2M – 30%" instantly produces "15.8M" Run down various scenarios with multiple cells. Break up the assumptions so you can quickly change a value and see the result. Goal Seek: Paribus has an innovative value dial that lets you spin up/down the values so you can see the effect on your results. You can easily switch to alternate versions to see changes without loosing previous results. Switch to spreadsheet mode to see everything at once. Goal seek in spreadsheet mode. Beautifully formatted emails let you share the results with anyone (to view in email or open in Paribus). Features • instant results as you type or edit • "type like you talk" keyboard interactions • quick keys for "thousand", "million" and currency • easy to read rounded results (full precision available) • natural entry percentages • quick tally mode • spreadsheet: build equations by referencing other cells • easily compare alternate versions of the same sheet • goal seek: value dial wheel • individual cell labeling • automatic save & named documents • easy share via AirDrop, Messages and email • built-in templates library • complete math function library • print support • support native currency and number formatting Language support: English, French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese Watch the video: https://vimeo.com/85944849

Screenshots

CalculateRetro4 screens
Paribus Calculator4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Paribus Calculator at Free against CalculateRetro's $1.99. Paribus Calculator also leads on iOS requirement (13.4 vs 26.0). CalculateRetro's advantage is rating (4.5 vs 3.0) and in-app purchases (none vs 2). On review sentiment, ads, monetization model and device support 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Paribus Calculator is free to download; CalculateRetro costs $1.99 up front. Paribus Calculator sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. CalculateRetro asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

CalculateRetro holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CalculateRetro has 15 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 82% and 82% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CalculateRetro ships an update every 3 months, Paribus Calculator every 9 months. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
CalculateRetro versus Paribus Calculator: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCalculateRetroParibus Calculator
Price$1.99Free — better
Rating4.5 (15 ratings) — better3.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews82.4% of reviews — better81.8% of reviews
Number of ratings15 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 9 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS26.013.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size16 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHannes SverrissonAdam Solesby

Customer experience

CalculateRetro

All ratings15 ratings
Positive86.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative13.3%
Written reviews17 reviews
Positive82.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative17.6%

Paribus Calculator

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews11 reviews
Positive81.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative18.2%

In-app purchases

None

CalculateRetro

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Paribus Calculator

One-time2
  • Paribus PRO Year$1.99
  • Upgrade to Paribus PRO$4.99

Questions

Is CalculateRetro free?
CalculateRetro costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Paribus Calculator free?
Paribus Calculator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, CalculateRetro or Paribus Calculator?
CalculateRetro is rated higher. CalculateRetro averages 4.5 out of 5 from 15 ratings, while Paribus Calculator averages 3.0 from 2 ratings.
Do CalculateRetro or Paribus Calculator have ads?
Neither CalculateRetro nor Paribus Calculator shows ads.
Which is updated more often, CalculateRetro or Paribus Calculator?
CalculateRetro ships an update every 3 months, and Paribus Calculator every 9 months. Most recently, CalculateRetro was updated on November 6, 2026 and Paribus Calculator on November 1, 2026.