Comparison

PocketCAS vs MathMagic Lite for iOS

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

Head to head
About

PocketCAS

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.

Highlights
  • 2D and 3D plotting
  • Calculus functions (limits, derivatives)
  • Linear algebra operations
  • Equation solving
  • Scripting language
  • Physical units and constants
  • iCloud sync
Features
Read full description

PocketCAS 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. An in-app purchase unlocks PocketCAS Pro, with steps, integrals and the solver. 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 watermark). - Help built in: the function reference explains every function with examples, and tutorials get you started. Unlock PocketCAS Pro One purchase in the app unlocks everything in PocketCAS Pro, without a subscription: 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. Family Sharing is included, and Restore Purchases is in the main menu. Until you unlock it, the function reference marks the functions of Pro with a PRO badge. PocketCAS Pro is also sold as its own app; you need only one. Questions or ideas? Write to us at https://pocketcas.com/support. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://pocketcas.com/privacy.php

About

MathMagic Lite for iOS

Easily create and edit mathematical expressions and scientific symbols. Generate equation images for use in documents, presentations, and web content. The created equations can be reopened and modified.

Highlights
  • WYSIWYG equation editor
  • Write mathematical expressions
  • Insert scientific symbols
  • Export equation images
  • Editable equation images
  • Use in word processors and presentations
Features
Read full description

MathMagic Lite is one of the best free WYSIWYG equation editors on the planet. MathMagic Lite lets you write any mathematical expressions and various scientific symbols easily and then use them in your word processors, presentations, web contents, technical publications and more. MathMagic equation image can be opened and edited again. MathMagic Lite for iOS runs on iPhone and iPad running iOS 6.1 or higher.

Screenshots

PocketCAS4 screens
MathMagic Lite for iOS2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: PocketCAS at 4.6 against MathMagic Lite for iOS's 3.7. PocketCAS also leads on review sentiment (91% vs 52%) and update cadence (every 3 months vs every 15 months). MathMagic Lite for iOS's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (7.1 vs 18.0). On price, 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

Both are free to download. PocketCAS sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. MathMagic Lite for iOS asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

PocketCAS holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PocketCAS has 204 ratings behind it against 26, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 91% of PocketCAS's written reviews are positive against 52% of MathMagic Lite for iOS's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PocketCAS ships an update every 3 months, MathMagic Lite for iOS every 15 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
PocketCAS versus MathMagic Lite for iOS: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPocketCASMathMagic Lite for iOS
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (204 ratings) — better3.7 (26 ratings)
Positive reviews90.8% of reviews — better52.0% of reviews
Number of ratings204 — better26
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 15 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.07.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size42 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTiming Software GmbHInfoLogic

Customer experience

PocketCAS

All ratings204 ratings
Positive91.7%
Neutral4.9%
Negative3.4%
Written reviews152 reviews
Positive90.8%
Neutral1.3%
Negative7.9%

MathMagic Lite for iOS

All ratings26 ratings
Positive65.4%
Neutral11.5%
Negative23.1%
Written reviews25 reviews
Positive52.0%
Neutral16.0%
Negative32.0%

Bugs and requests

PocketCAS

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 more
  • 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 more
  • More Greek characters support
  • Measurement conversion capabilities
  • Better control layout and cleanup

MathMagic Lite for iOS

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

PocketCAS

One-time1
  • PocketCAS Pro$29.99
None

MathMagic Lite for iOS

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is PocketCAS free?
PocketCAS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is MathMagic Lite for iOS free?
MathMagic Lite for iOS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, PocketCAS or MathMagic Lite for iOS?
PocketCAS is rated higher. PocketCAS averages 4.6 out of 5 from 204 ratings, while MathMagic Lite for iOS averages 3.7 from 26 ratings.
Do PocketCAS or MathMagic Lite for iOS have ads?
Neither PocketCAS nor MathMagic Lite for iOS shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PocketCAS or MathMagic Lite for iOS?
PocketCAS ships an update every 3 months, and MathMagic Lite for iOS every 15 months. Most recently, PocketCAS was updated on October 24, 2026 and MathMagic Lite for iOS on October 20, 2026.

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