PocketCAS lite for Mathematics vs Console for MATLAB programming
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
PocketCAS lite for Mathematics
This advanced math application assists with a wide range of mathematical problems, from basic arithmetic to calculus, algebra, and statistics. It functions as a graphing calculator replacement, aids in homework, and supports complex calculations for academic and professional use.
- 2D and 3D plotting
- Calculus functions (limits, derivatives)
- Linear algebra operations
- Equation solving
- Scripting language
- Physical units and constants
- iCloud sync
Read full descriptionHide full description
PocketCAS Lite is a graphing calculator for iPhone and iPad. It graphs your functions, finds derivatives and works with exact fractions and roots. Everything runs on your device, so it works without internet or an account. Graphs - 2D plots of functions, implicit equations, polar and parametric curves and vector fields, two functions per plot. PocketCAS marks zeros, extrema and intersections. In full screen, tap a mark to read its coordinates. - 3D surfaces with soft light and shading. Drag to turn them, pinch to zoom. Derivatives - Under each function, a suggestion shows its derivative, already worked out, and a small plot sits beside the result. Tap one to add it to your document. - Exact derivatives of products, quotients, roots and chains, written the way your textbook writes them. Exact results - Arithmetic with exact fractions and roots, trigonometric, exponential and logarithmic functions. - Matrices: determinants, inverses and products. - Your own functions, with conditions and recursion. - Common units and physical constants. Reads like your textbook - Results look the way they do in a textbook: fractions, roots, powers and matrices. - A math keyboard with every function in reach, and a hint shows what goes between the brackets. Made for daily work - Documents keep your calculations and plots together, and iCloud syncs them between your devices. - Export and print plots, entries or whole documents (with a PocketCAS Lite watermark). - Help built in: the function reference explains every function with examples, and tutorials get you started. More with PocketCAS Pro PocketCAS Pro is a separate app. It adds calculation steps that name the rule behind each step, integrals, limits, series and sums, equation and system solving, factoring and simplifying, eigenvalues, differential equations, scripts, plots with more than two functions, imports of documents and CSV data, larger matrices in the editor, exports without a watermark, and suggestions with zeros, extrema and integrals. The function reference in Lite marks the functions of Pro with a PRO badge. Questions or ideas? Write to us at https://pocketcas.com/support.
Console for MATLAB programming
This app provides a MATLAB interpreter for iOS devices, allowing users to run code and create interactive plots entirely on-device. It's ideal for students and learners who need a functional MATLAB environment without cloud reliance.
- On-device MATLAB computation
- Interactive 2D/3D plots
- Syntax highlighting
- Offline document access
- MATLAB function support
- Plot configuration without coding
Read full descriptionHide full description
Console allows you to run MATLAB code on iOS devices. It comes with a MATLAB interpreter that supports functions frequently used by college students or learners. Individuals who do not need specialised functions should find this app a valuable tool. Console is powered by the same MATLAB interpreter of our flagship app, SIMO. Before purchasing SIMO, you should download Console to see if this interpreter is adequate for your work. We continue to expand its capability by supporting more functions and language syntax in future updates. While other similar apps perform computation on the cloud, Console executes MATLAB code using the on-board silicon. Internet connection is not required — even the documents are offline accessible within the app. Being able to use the app without internet connectivity is a great benefit for users with non-cellular iPads. Another great benefit is that plots are interactive and responsive since they are rendered in real-time by the on-board GPU. Console has 4 key components: 1. Console Input, where you input MATLAB statements. It supports - Line numbering - Syntax highlighting for MATLAB keywords and built-in functions. - Auto-indent. 2. Console Output, where the results are displayed. It supports - Full-text search - Variable view height to fit the contents. 3. Figure, where 2D or 3D plots are displayed. It supports - Multi-touch gestures for zoom, pan, and rotate (3D plots). - Attributes (such as axis labels, ticks, limits, line colour) can be configured using the built-in tool. No coding is required. - Sharing plots as images with third party apps. - Saving plots. 4. Documents, which contains the full set of SIMO documents accessible offline. - MATLAB functions. - Tutorials on MATLAB language basics. - Searchable by document title and contents.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Console for MATLAB programming at fortnightly against PocketCAS lite for Mathematics's every 3 months. Console for MATLAB programming also leads on iOS requirement (14.0 vs 18.0). PocketCAS lite for Mathematics's advantage is ratings volume (204 vs 13) and review sentiment (91% vs 80%). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for PocketCAS lite for Mathematics against 4.6 for Console for MATLAB programming. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PocketCAS lite for Mathematics has 204 ratings behind it against 13, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 91% of PocketCAS lite for Mathematics's written reviews are positive against 80% of Console for MATLAB programming's.
PocketCAS lite for Mathematics ships an update every 3 months, Console for MATLAB programming fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | PocketCAS lite for Mathematics | Console for MATLAB programming |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (204 ratings) | 4.6 (13 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 90.8% of reviews — better | 80.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 204 — better | 13 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 14.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 41 MB | 64 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Timing Software GmbH | Numerical Co. |
Customer experience
PocketCAS lite for Mathematics
Console for MATLAB programming
Bugs and requests
PocketCAS lite for Mathematics
Reported bugs
6 issues- App crashes when loading previously saved documents
- Crashes with no error feedback or debugging information
- Cannot plot certain mathematical functions
- Zoom scaling issues with 3D graphs (scales Z-axis incorrectly)
- Compatibility broken with iOS 6 after iOS 7 update
Show 1 moreShow fewer
- Function plotting limitations for advanced equations
Requested features
8 requests- Dark theme/dark mode for UI
- Multiple polynomials on single graph
- Inverse button functionality
- Better zoom functionality for 3D graphs
- Improved documentation and tutorials
Show 3 moreShow fewer
- More Greek characters support
- Measurement conversion capabilities
- Better control layout and cleanup
Console for MATLAB programming
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
PocketCAS lite for Mathematics
No in-app purchases
Console for MATLAB programming
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is PocketCAS lite for Mathematics free?
Is Console for MATLAB programming free?
Which has better reviews, PocketCAS lite for Mathematics or Console for MATLAB programming?
Do PocketCAS lite for Mathematics or Console for MATLAB programming have ads?
Which is updated more often, PocketCAS lite for Mathematics or Console for MATLAB programming?
Other comparisons















