Comparison

StudentLite vs CMCalc

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

Head to head
About

StudentLite

A scientific calculator for iPhone and iPad offering large, uncluttered buttons for efficient calculations. Easily access advanced functions with intuitive swipes and customize your experience with background and display options.

Highlights
  • Swipe-based scientific functions
  • Backspace correction key
  • Copy and paste functionality
  • Customizable background and digits
  • Extended accuracy calculations
  • Degrees/Radians switching
Features
Read full description

Scientific Calculator for iPad, iPhone and iTouch all in the same App. The BEST Scientific Calculator — Just try it for free! Easy to access the scientific functions by swiping between exponents, logs and sinus functions so all buttons are large and uncluttereds, this allows you to work faster and more reliable (no rotation or "2nd" function keys needed). All the functions are visible on the iPad, but more are revealed by rotating to landscape. Balloon help for easy functionality. Features: - Correct with a backspace key if you enter a wrong digit without having to redo. - Parantheses and correct calculation priority. - 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 you background and fixed digits. - An audible sound confirms if you have pressed a button, which can be easily disabled by touching the speaker. - Previous calculation is repeated when the equal sign is pressed. - Memory is saved between uses. - Degrees and Radians can be switched by pressing the symbol on the screen or a button. - 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. - Calculations are done in extended accuracy so that the square root of 2 repeated a few times, followed by a square will result in 2, not 1.999999999999983 (try this on other calculators!). NOTE: - This FREE App may display ads on the iPad, but has full functionality.

About

CMCalc

This app emulates a classic 1980s computer math calculator, offering decimal arithmetic, binary conversions, and logic functions. It supports parentheses for complex calculations and includes modern features like copy/paste and landscape mode.

Highlights
  • Decimal arithmetic
  • Binary conversions (decimal, binary, octal, hexadecimal)
  • Binary logic functions
  • Operator grouping with parentheses
  • Hexadecimal input (A-F)
  • Copy and paste results/functions
  • Landscape mode
Features
Read full description

The CMCalc application is a replica of the Casio CM-100 Computer Math Calc solar powered calculator that was sold in the mid 1980’s. It performs simple decimal arithmetic and basic binary conversions (decimal - binary - octal - hexadecimal) and binary logic functions. While it is a standard infix calculator, it supports operator grouping with parentheses. For hexadecimal calculations, the input keys include A through F. CMCalc application performs all the same functions as the calculator, and has the same look as the original. There are a couple features that were not conceivable in the 1980’s on a calculator … such as the ability to copy and paste the results or the entered function, and a landscape mode for devices with 4 inch or larger screens. The face of the calculator can be viewed in two modes including a traditional application style, and a photo replica of the original calculator face.

Screenshots

StudentLite4 screens
CMCalc4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: CMCalc at none against StudentLite's 3. CMCalc also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 26.0). StudentLite's advantage is update cadence (every 3 months vs every 45 months) and rating (4.8 vs 4.5). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads 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

Both are free to download. StudentLite sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. CMCalc asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

StudentLite holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 6 and 6 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 75% and 75% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

StudentLite ships an update every 3 months, CMCalc every 45 months. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
StudentLite versus CMCalc: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStudentLiteCMCalc
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (6 ratings) — better4.5 (6 ratings)
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews75.0% of reviews
Number of ratings66
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 45 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS26.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size16 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHannes SverrissonWilliam David

Customer experience

StudentLite

All ratings6 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%

CMCalc

All ratings6 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral16.7%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

StudentLite

One-time3
  • Enable Backgrounds$1.99
  • Disable Ads$1.99
  • Support Development$4.99
None

CMCalc

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is StudentLite free?
StudentLite is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is CMCalc free?
CMCalc is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, StudentLite or CMCalc?
StudentLite is rated higher. StudentLite averages 4.8 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while CMCalc averages 4.5 from 6 ratings.
Do StudentLite or CMCalc have ads?
Neither StudentLite nor CMCalc shows ads.
Which is updated more often, StudentLite or CMCalc?
StudentLite ships an update every 3 months, and CMCalc every 45 months. Most recently, StudentLite was updated on September 19, 2026 and CMCalc on September 22, 2026.

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