# Calculator XL vs Simplify Notes

The clearest difference is price: Simplify Notes at Free against Calculator XL's $9.99. Simplify Notes also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months) and rating (5.0 vs 4.6). Calculator XL's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (118 vs 1). On in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Simplify Notes is free to download; Calculator XL costs $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Simplify Notes holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Calculator XL has 118 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Calculator XL ships an update every 2 months, Simplify Notes weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Calculator XL | Simplify Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $9.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [4.6 (118 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/calculator-xl/id475792356/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simplify-notes-pdf-notebook/id6758640857/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **118** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 75.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Ad-supported |
| Size | 11 MB | 13 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.6** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Gero Mazza](https://appshunter.io/developer/435402554) | [Mario Guzman](https://appshunter.io/developer/1874125399) |

## What reviewers say

### Calculator XL

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/calculator-xl/id475792356)

This app combines five essential calculation tools into one convenient package. It offers standard, scientific, unit conversion, loan, and tip calculators with a user-friendly interface and large buttons. Ideal for everyday tasks and complex computations.

**Highlights:** Standard Calculator, Scientific Calculator, Unit Converter, Loan Calculator, Tip Calculator, Calculation History, Widgets

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Reliable and go-to app
- 👍 Love the functions and history
- 👍 Simple and straightforward
- 👍 Nice and easy to use
- 👍 No ads

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashing upon launching
- 🐛 Update eliminated history/calculations
- 🐛 Buttons not displayed properly in landscape
- 🐛 US Unit/Imperial function confusing
- 🐛 No split screen function on iPad

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes upon launching
- Update eliminated all history/calculations
- Numbers on buttons not displayed properly in landscape
- US Unit/Imperial function is confusing
- Cannot use split screen on iPad

**Requested features**

- Option to lock the board from moving
- Split screen function for iPad
- Themes/Skins for buttons
- Android and Windows versions


### Simplify Notes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simplify-notes-pdf-notebook/id6758640857)

Capture and organize handwritten notes, notebooks, and PDFs in one place. Create unlimited notebooks, draw naturally with Apple Pencil, and import PDFs to study, plan, or research. Reduce clutter and enhance focus with a calm, organized system.

**Highlights:** Unlimited notebooks, Natural handwriting and drawing, Apple Pencil support, PDF import and annotation, Folder organization, Add images and tags, Quick search and PDF export

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Calculator XL free?

Calculator XL costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Simplify Notes free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Calculator XL or Simplify Notes?

Simplify Notes is rated higher. Calculator XL averages 4.6 out of 5 from 118 ratings, while Simplify Notes averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Calculator XL or Simplify Notes have ads?

Simplify Notes shows ads; Calculator XL does not.

### Which is updated more often, Calculator XL or Simplify Notes?

Calculator XL ships an update every 2 months, and Simplify Notes weekly. Most recently, Calculator XL was updated on October 12, 2026 and Simplify Notes on September 30, 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.*