# A vs RPN

The clearest difference is review sentiment: RPN at 100% against A's 50%. RPN also leads on rating (5.0 vs 1.0) and update cadence (every 3 months vs every 9 months). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

A costs $4.99 and RPN $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

RPN holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 1.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 8 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of A's written reviews are positive against 100% of RPN's.

A ships an update every 9 months, RPN every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on August 27, 2026 and September 6, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | A | RPN |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $4.99 | **$1.99** |
| Rating | [1.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/a-beam-plus/id477748904/reviews) | **[5.0 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rpn-55-sd/id1469907917/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **8** |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 9 months | **Every 3 months** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 53 MB | 17 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Jutarus Ratanasethakul](https://appshunter.io/developer/1454380236) | [CuVee Software](https://appshunter.io/developer/424873503) |

## What reviewers say

### A

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/a-beam-plus/id477748904)

This application simplifies the design of RC beams, offering detailed calculation steps for confidence in results. It initially supports ACI 318 building codes in US and Metric units, with plans to add more design codes.

**Highlights:** Simplified RC beam design, Detailed calculation steps, ACI 318 Building Code support, US and Metric units, Future design code additions

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### RPN

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rpn-55-sd/id1469907917)

This app is a photo-realistic simulation of a classic Hewlett-Packard programmable scientific calculator from the 1970s. It includes a 100-hour digital timer, clock functions, and original HP programs.

**Highlights:** Photo-realistic look-and-feel, Programmable with conditional branching, 100-hr timer and 12/24-hr clock, Original HP programs built-in, Extended features for enhanced usability, Sharing via email, AirDrop, and more

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is A free?

A costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is RPN free?

RPN costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.

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

RPN is rated higher. A averages 1.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while RPN averages 5.0 from 8 ratings.

### Do A or RPN have ads?

Neither A nor RPN shows ads.

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

A ships an update every 9 months, and RPN every 3 months. Most recently, A was updated on August 27, 2026 and RPN on September 6, 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.*